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Best of Vegetarian & Vegan Cuisine

BurgerFi’s VeggieFi and Beyond Burgers
Loving Cafe's Cafe Deluxe
Wu’s Spicy Honey Mushrooms
Freshii’s Market Salad

Fort Wayne hasn’t always been a haven for vegans and vegetarians. But this has changed with the surge of the opening of Asian-themed eateries, farm-to-fork establishments and health-conscious fast-casual chains.

Vegetarian and vegan cuisine has come a long way since the days when tofu hot dogs had all the flavor of envelope paste and wheat germ was sprinkled over absolutely everything. Plant-based entrees have attained a culinary sophistication that convinces many self-described carnivores to eschew meat more often than they otherwise might. Nowadays, vegan and vegetarian cuisine is as pleasing to your taste buds as it is helpful for the planet. Here is a list of some of Fort Wayne’s top stops for vegans and vegetarians.

 

There is much vegetarian and vegan fare available on Fort Wayne’s menus, but Loving Cafe is one of the few restaurants that is fully dedicated to these cuisines. And the tastiness of its meat-free fare has turned a lot of unabashed carnivores into loyal customers. 7605 Coldwater Road; 260.489.8686, lovingcafefw.com

The Pembroke Bakery and Cafe is not a meat-free establishment but it does offer some of the best vegan and gluten-free lunch items. The beet burger is nothing less than miraculous. I wouldn’t trust any beef eater who claimed Pembroke’s beet burger isn’t a satisfying eating experience 300 E. Main Street, 260.247.7220, pembrokebakeryandcafe.com

Flat Top Grill is an Illinois-based chain where customers create their own stir fry dishes. Meat is plentiful on the sideboards but is not mandatory. 4150 W. Jefferson Boulevard, 260.432.4100, flattopgrill.com

 

For many years, Wu’s Fine Chinese Cuisine has dazzled diners with its inventive spins on seemingly familiar Chinese fare. Popular dishes among patrons who prefer to dine exclusively in the plant kingdom include vegetable egg flower soup, snow pea and abalone mushroom stir-fry and eggplant in chili pepper sauce. 4411 Coldwater Road, 260.483.0899, wuschinese.com

Taj Mahal is one of Fort Wayne’s most beloved Indian restaurants. Its vegetable-based entrées and appetizers include paneer (Indian cheese mixed with spinach or peas), vegetable fritters and Baingan Bhartha (an eggplant dish). 6410 West Jefferson Boulevard, 260.432.8993, tajmahalfw.com

The Ethiopian restaurant Queen of Sheba offers many vegetarian options. Try one of its vegetable combos consisting of multiple vegetarian selections on a large tray served with injera, a sourdough flatbread that diners use instead of utensils. 2805 East State Boulevard, 260.483.8008

Hop River Brewing Company’s small menu of appetizers, sandwiches and salads has been a hit since the brewery opened its tap-room earlier this year. Two plant-based sandwiches have gotten especially high marks – the Vegan Sloppy Joe and the Vegetable Muffaletta. 1515 N. Harrison Street, 260.739.3931, hopriverbrewing.com

Often voted Fort Wayne’s favorite Thai restaurant, Baan Thai has been doing brisk business since it relocated to the North Anthony corridor. And its vegetarian selection of noodle, rice and curry dishes, will surely please the hipsters of the neighborhood known as the ’05. 3235 N. Anthony Boulevard, 260. 471.2929, baanthaiin.com

Dash-In is popular amongst botany-minded eaters for its hummus platter, Mediterranean sandwich and vegetable Panini. 814 S. Calhoun Street, 260.423.3595, thedash-in.com

Three Rivers Co-op and Natural Deli is not only a full-service grocery store with organic produce and a wide range of health-conscious packaged, bulk and frozen products, but also a deli where shoppers can order freshly-made juices, smoothies and sandwiches. Flora-based examples of the latter include the avocado wrap, the falafel wrap and the tofu Rueben. There is also a daily hot bar during lunch and dinner hours, and always includes several plant-centric entrées and side dishes. 1612 Sherman Boulevard, 260.424.8812, 3riversfood.coop

 

Freshii specializes in vegetable-based bowls of goodness and burritos stuffed with brown rice, quinoa and greenery. It also offers customizable salads and wraps. 301 W. Jefferson Boulevard, 260.240.5474, freshii.com

 

BurgerFi is generally a meat-lovers paradise but the eatery does offer the Beyond Burger, a meat-free burger that is virtually indistinguishable from the cow-derived variety. 7777 Coldwater Road, 260.444.4201, burgerfi.com

Mahnin Asian Cuisine is an institution on the city’s south side. It specializes in Burmese and Thai cuisine. Favorites include Mahnin’s green curry with eggplant, coconut noodle soup and its noodle entrées. Tofu can be substituted for meat in most dishes. 2701 S. Calhoun Street, 260.744.3584

Thai Diner is fast becoming the go-to restaurant for southwest residents seeking excellent Thai cuisine. The veggie-minded rave about its Tao Hoo Tod (deep-fried tofu with sweet-and-sour peanut sauce), vegetable spring rolls and clear noodle soup. 5129 Illinois Road, 260.434.9199, thaidinerfortwayne.com

 

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