Best vegan options in the city?

Submitted by Sunfish-Studio t3_zxfgt3 in pittsburgh

Not just vegan restaraunts (although I do want to go check out Onion Maiden at some point) or even places that are exclusively vegan but I'm newish to both Pittsburgh and veganism and am trying to plan out my options. Any grocery stores that you know sell good vegan products, pizza joints with dairy free cheese options, ice cream bars with coconut milk ice cream, and restaraunts with good vegan options!

Whole foods has decent options but they're really pricey and I'd rather support local businesses if I can. Any recommendations would be very appreciated!

Edit: man my first concern was having enough places to get ingredients and go out to eat while vegan to keep things fresh, now that concern is just keeping my weight under control when all these options so sound good 😅

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Kate_Pansy t1_j201c0m wrote

the facebook group "pittsburgh vegans" is super active and really helpful!!

pizza: spak, spirit

ice cream: milkshake factory, millie's

restaurants: apteka, noodlehead, round corner cantina, thai gourmet

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Sunfish-Studio OP t1_j20wntq wrote

Awesome! I'd love to meet some vegan friends here (especially since I know if I ask to go somewhere to eat as a vegans with people who aren't the reactions can be mixed lol)

Apteka seems to be a favorite, I'll definitely check it out

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kawey22 t1_j26u0ck wrote

A lot of the vegans on PGH vegans are like suburban “I don’t trust the government” American food is poison moms so just beware before you decide to get at all political LMAO

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Sunfish-Studio OP t1_j26wht4 wrote

Oh yikes thanks for the heads up lol. I'm not much of a conspiracy theorist I just like animals 😅

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kawey22 t1_j26xwnq wrote

It’s great for finding specific options at random places and hearing about events tho! The one lady is suuuuper dedicated to having cool events. I just remember the one time there was debate about a certain restaurant (in Washington PA) being pretty right wing and most of them were like who caressss basically. The food is bomb though honestly

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imhoopjones t1_j1zzbq9 wrote

Apteka

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enemy_of_your_enema t1_j203dkg wrote

Are they still open only 3 days a week? I love that place but I've had the hardest time actually eating there.

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Russlethud t1_j20nsxf wrote

Yep, Friday Saturday Sunday. Wine shop only on Wednesday/Thursday.

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enemy_of_your_enema t1_j23voyk wrote

Such a bummer. I have very few opportunities to go out to eat, but had 2 in the last year. Unfortunately, one time Apteka was closed for "fall break" and the other was a Thursday. I don't understand how they can pay rent adequately if they are open so rarely. Please, let me eat your food, Apteka!

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Russlethud t1_j23vvhn wrote

They are very, very busy on the days they are open. Like likes waiting at the door for the doors to open at 5pm.

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decayingdilettante t1_j2bdkh3 wrote

Wish the wine shop could be like a cocktail/wine bar, with the option to order food too.

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Russlethud t1_j2bdvfr wrote

Same, I’d love to go in for a casual drink.

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nemoonski t1_j1zzen3 wrote

I think east end co-op has vegan options and they're local, but I would say they're around whole foods prices

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Sunfish-Studio OP t1_j1zzv7z wrote

Still nice to have on days I can afford to splurge! Much rather it be going to someplace local than Amazon

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Plant-loving-vegan t1_j223i9x wrote

I second east end food co-op, and also want to add they have a huge bulk selection so if you’re into low waste items then the co-op is great for bringing in your own containers

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monstera0bsessed t1_j26zhgs wrote

East end Co op also has a really good selection of prepared foods. Try their tofu Bahn mi

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bb72pp t1_j1zzlsl wrote

allegro hearth has amazing sandwiches and baked goods. all vegan

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Sunfish-Studio OP t1_j2009xq wrote

Ooh man just looked at their website, I definitely don't need a vegan chocolate croissant but I do definitely want one lol, thanks for the heads up

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kawey22 t1_j26v98y wrote

Allegro owner used to own B52 but it closed. They had a delicious red lentil soup that they sell at Allegro now that you can just heat up. So good.

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SnooShortcuts1675 t1_j225q46 wrote

Amen, their baked goods and sandwiches are amazing. Love their harissa and cashew cheese

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livinthebloolife t1_j200v91 wrote

Cheese specific -- Chantal's makes their own vegan cheese and stocks a few others (I think). The owner said he's been trying out different styles/flavors. Great local shop!

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Also Spak for their vegan wings.

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sensualsqueaky t1_j21b72h wrote

They also always have a vegan grilled cheese on the daily menu at Chantal’s! I can’t speak to it as I am not vegan but have several friends who say it’s great!

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ahwitz t1_j21duuc wrote

The nori/furikake cashew "chevre" they make in-house blew my mind. Amazing flavor.

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booptcgo t1_j1zzk4c wrote

You will definitely hear this again but as a non-vegan, Apteka is my favorite vegan restaurant, maybe even my favorite restaurant in the city period. It's often the place that I'll take my friends who live in bigger cities with larger food scenes.

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SNAPscientist t1_j203h3h wrote

Allegro Hearth in Squirrel Hill has nice sandwiches, soups, breads, and pastries although it’s on the pricier side for not being a sit down place. Udupi Cafe is Monroeville has southern Indian food which is traditionally vegan (just skip the items that have dairy). Pigeon Bagels in Squirrel Hill has has lots of good vegan options.

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chuckie512 t1_j1zyfhg wrote

Milkshake factory has dairy free milkshakes!

East end brewing's pizza kitchen can make vegan any of their specialty pizzas

Brewdog has some good cauliflower wings.

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PoorGuyCrypto t1_j204432 wrote

Sometime mid-pandemic, milkshake factory took a nosedive in quality. Vegan options may have been able to sidestep this, but the dairy shakes went from really great to "meh."

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chuckie512 t1_j207xwr wrote

I know milk/cream quality can vary seasonally (as the cow's aren't eating as much "fresh" food in winter).

Not that I'm getting milkshakes frequently, but their vegan ones have always been really good when I had them.

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simple_syrup t1_j217rb3 wrote

Unless this has changed - since approximately six months ago - BrewDog’s cauliflower wings are not vegan, unfortunately.

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chuckie512 t1_j21wxty wrote

Huh, good call out, they're just vegetarian.

They do have a bunch of vegan bar food still however.

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rammaine t1_j20cjyj wrote

Check out El burro. Both locations have some dope vegan and vegetarian options but dos in regent Sq. has alcohol and actual seating. Additionally burgatory is a good option when you're meeting up with big time carnivores. They cook an impossible patty pretty much as good as you can and I hear have some good actual meat burgers. MOLA and Subba both have good veggie options but I'm not sure how vegan they are. Subba is most likely pretty vegan friendly). Spak bros has the best vegan pizza and the best seitan in the city (Pear and Pickle used to be best seitan, RIP). Tana (Ethiopian) has amazing veggie options that i believe are almost all vegan. Udipi is a little further out but worth it. Very vegan friendly, amazing authentic Indian. Now for the vegan restaurants, you'll want to check out:

Onion Maiden, duh Zenith (Sunday Brunch preferred) Apteka (100% this is Pittsburghs best restaurant IMO) Shadobeni (so good and at some farmers markets) Kaibur Coffee Plus others that I have yet to visit or try.

Keep an eye out for anything that is a pop up or new spot from the chef of Crumb (pop up vegan burgers) and Viridis (vegan brunch esque Cafe and coffee shop). Viridis unfortunately is no more, but the chef Abbi is one of Pittsburgh's gems.

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finnbiker t1_j29e6v2 wrote

Came here to mention ShadoBeni. So great. Also, we went to VegFest on the northside this summer, and it was really a great time. So worth it.

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rammaine t1_j29j65t wrote

Same. We got shadobeni drinks and a falafel lunch at vegfest. So good!

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mvc594250 t1_j200gu6 wrote

Bae Bae's vegan options are really solid

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Dackidvich t1_j209g2e wrote

Onion Maiden has the best vegan cheesecake, I haven't tried other options there though.

Double Wide grill surprisingly has a lot of options in a vegan section of their menu.

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cryptoplasm t1_j20fgnk wrote

It's the best cheesecake I've ever had and that's saying something. I didn't know that cheesecake could be an experience.

Double Wide has some great sweet potato fries.

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Sunfish-Studio OP t1_j20i0bi wrote

It looks soooo good. It's been out of stock every time I've considered ordering some but that might just be for pick up orders

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kawey22 t1_j26vffb wrote

I would def look when you get there if they have it. If they only have a couple slices left they usually won’t advertise it.

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OutrageForSale t1_j208o7x wrote

Not the best option, but worth noting that most Giant Eagle locations have a vegan section in their “market district”. I really like the spiced jackfruit pouches, and the creamy vegan cheese substitute.

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Sunfish-Studio OP t1_j20hro5 wrote

I've never actually tried jackfruit anything, sounds interesting!

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tsugacanadensis69 t1_j21xi9b wrote

It’s the bomb dot com, great pulled meat sub. Get the young jackfruit in brine from your local Asian market, drain and separate with fork, heat in pan with sauce, boom.

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ebrokaw t1_j20xqsv wrote

Sugar Spell Scoops is the best vegan ice cream I have ever had!!

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HarlockMKII t1_j210yzf wrote

For me the best way of discovering was either going to farmers markets as lot of business will have booths there or follow them on Instagram as you likely will discover more great places via collabs and shoutouts to other businesses!

Some of our fav places tho:

  • Grocery/Markets: East End Co-Op, Bloomfield Farmer's Market (Year-Round)
  • Pizza: Spak Bros, Black Cat Pizza (Instagram Order Only)
  • Baked Goods/Ice Cream: Sugar Spell Scoops, Allegro Hearth, Valkyrie Donuts
  • Restaurants: Shado-Beni, Apteka, Con Alma (Ellsworth Location is 100% vegan, Downtown is partial)
  • Food Trucks/Pop-ups: Veggies N'At, Chick Habit
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NBThrowbe89 t1_j2082q2 wrote

Round Corner Cantina has quite a few vegan/vegetarian options. Got their corn and black bean enchiladas, which had a vegan cashew crema and a really tasty mole colorado on top of it.

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Avenirex t1_j20gpd8 wrote

Sree's Foods downtown is fantastic and has vegan and vegetarian options.

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rambored89 t1_j20cfxa wrote

East End Co-op and trader Joe's have the best vegan grocery options. Not necessarily a vegan grocery but Linea Verde Green Market in Bloomfield is excellent for produce shopping. And there's usually a farmers market on Saturday mornings in Bloomfield (not sure if they are done for the season though)

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ziggynightmare t1_j20efvo wrote

east end food co op has lots of vegan friendly options. also everyday cafe has some vegan options as well.

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mbotto t1_j20f5cb wrote

Golden Age Brewing's new menu is predominantly Vegan and excellent

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Nite_Boat t1_j20mcmf wrote

Wasn't aware and looked it up. Golden Age Beer in Homestead, did you mean? Or is there one closer to Lawrenceville? (where i also reside)

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mbotto t1_j20mpr3 wrote

Yeah it's in Homestead. I wish it was closer to Lawrenceville

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Nite_Boat t1_j20lszu wrote

Trader Joe's (store) is a no brainer for Pittsburgh vegans with Whole Foods as supplemental

I'd skip the more traditional supermarkets like Giant Eagle, Shop n Save entirely. Someone from the 1970's stocks their shelves and they're expensive

Onion Maiden is great!

I like Spak Bros seitan wings but i think their vegan pizza is lackluster. YMMV

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Sunfish-Studio OP t1_j21995e wrote

Oh yeah I had trader Joe's turkeyless roast this Thanksgiving, it was great!

So So weird that spak's delivers on uber eats but doesn't seem to show up when searching for vegan friendly options near me. Glad someone mentioned it here!

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AdeptAdaptor t1_j21ezj9 wrote

That roast is the best thing ever but super bummer that they don't seem to carry it for Christmas. Bought three in November to tide me over.

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Sunfish-Studio OP t1_j21fy1f wrote

Same! Tried the first one skeptically, my first exposure to seitan, and my "red meat and potatoes" grandma even wanted my dad to pick up an extra just for her and my folks sometime after I went home. And my own freezer has 3 as well. Great to have something to just stuff into the oven on a day where I'm super busy or have a headache

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AdeptAdaptor t1_j21ga7d wrote

Glad you stocked up! Do not purchase the Tofurky brand one. It is terrible by comparison.

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Nite_Boat t1_j22cot7 wrote

The Whole Foods vegan "roasts" are delicious as well! Comparable price point

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BananerMuffin t1_j20zlq7 wrote

In terms of casual restaurants, Mad Mex is extremely vegan friendly Tex-mex with a lot of tasty options. Burgatory has an amazing homemade vegan veggie burger that is my absolute favorite around. Both places are local chains and are my go-tos for a mixed crowd as there are also plenty of meat options but truly delish vegan food for me and my fam/kids.

In addition to Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods, Costco has some good prices on tofu, grains, condiments, and fresh fruits and veg and is where I get the bulk of my basic food staples

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EchoChaotic t1_j21ceyi wrote

Farmer x Baker in Aspinwall. During the spring/summer/fall they have an outdoor restaurant in the Aspinwall rivertrail park. They also have a store on powers run rd. in Fox Chapel (might be blawnox, not sure).

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dale_zilla t1_j20mowx wrote

Vegan Here! Lots to eat around the city, but pretty much everything has already been covered here… Except Pigeon Bagels! Walking distance from Allegro Hearth, they make some dynamite bagels and the best damn tofu cream cheese spread you’ve ever had.

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Tako-Jerome t1_j20jjga wrote

Udipi out in monroeville has some good Indian food that's not just the usual curries and tikkas.

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tigerlily_223 t1_j2137ah wrote

If you’re ever in Millvale, Duncan Street Sandwiches has great options for lunch, and Abeille Voyante Tea Co is all vegan and changes their menu I think monthly.

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Troginfinity t1_j23wons wrote

ShadoBeni is Trinidadian Vegan in the northside. Place is unreal.

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ForgottenZodiac t1_j20u5au wrote

Mandy’s pizza in west view has a vegan pizza option

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sensualsqueaky t1_j21bhlr wrote

Butterwood Cake Consortium for pastries and cakes!! Super good. Got them for brunch with a vegan friend and she was giddy. Best vegan desserts I’ve ever had as a non-vegan!

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Mtt76812 t1_j21d70o wrote

Onion Maiden = incredible

Alta Via Pizzeria = best vegan pizza I've had outside New York City

Spak Brothers = great Philly cheese steak

Sugar Spell Scoops = rad ice cream

Apteka, we didn't enjoy our first time there, but we've heard great things and will be giving it another chance.

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ButterscotchAway3635 t1_j225jwl wrote

Washington County, Fortuitea cafe. Everything there is amazing if you are into vegan. Crazy no one has mentioned it even though it’s outside of the city.

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kawey22 t1_j26w5lz wrote

Fortuitea is so good. Jeff, I think he’s the owner, is a gifted chef

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kawey22 t1_j26vq87 wrote

Mad Mex is my favorite place to take my omnivore family and friends.

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HannahLola21 t1_j20gncs wrote

There’s a great vegan pizza place on Penn Ave across the street from mr robotic

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bobilygarvelan t1_j20s0jt wrote

There’s two grocery stores, Fresh Market in Mt. Lebanon area by South Hills Village and Fresh Thyme which has locations in Bridgeville, Cranberry, and on 51, they both seem to have a really good selection of vegan options. I am not vegan but shopped for Instacart during covid and would get tons of vegan orders at both stores.

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guyonlinepgh t1_j20t6o7 wrote

Pastolie's Pizza in Squirrel Hill has a vegan pizza option. Haven't had it myself, but a vegan friend I know enjoys it.

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_smojface t1_j20t7pq wrote

The answer, as always, is Salem’s

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infiniteatbest t1_j20z5lh wrote

Someone just told me about Eden in mount Lebanon but I personally have never been there. It’s a small grocer and health foods store

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CaptainAxolotl t1_j21b252 wrote

East End Brewing has a different pizza of the week each week of the year and all of their pizzas (including the special) can be ordered vegan (and are delicious).

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KarlMars71 t1_j21dw0l wrote

Spak is my favorite hands down especially their sandwiches

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malepitt t1_j21xmet wrote

Just before Thanksgiving I visited Trader Joes and loaded up on a wide variety of vegan cheeses and dips, since two visiting daughters are vegan. Would do again

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Ok_Awareness1326 t1_j23rhoc wrote

I got laughed out of the shop and save in Lawrenceville for asking if there was vegan cheese 🤣 it was funny but just as a heads up to you the shop and save prob isn’t the most vegan friendly

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lorlor2424 t1_j245oix wrote

1:11 juice bar and eatery in southside works!!!!

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dbilly t1_j27i7df wrote

Caffè d’Amore in upper Lawrenceville has recently started offering vegan soups and sometimes wraps. They also have vegan muffins, cookies, and scones. And vegan cream cheese to go on the really good bagels that they carry. Watch their Instagram for current offerings. (@caffedamorepgh)

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betterashthandust44 t1_j2bsuw2 wrote

Valkyrie Donuts opened this year in bellevue. all vegan donuts. i've been meaning to stop by there

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Ok-Twist921 t1_j20peg0 wrote

Spak bros has awesome vegan pizza

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HaleeVictoria t1_j20pm2s wrote

Cafe Delhi in Carnegie has some wonderful options!

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Hank_the_Beef t1_j22ahlk wrote

Is Onion Maiden vegan or just vegetarian? Also I seem to remember Zenith Tea Lounge on South Side having vegan brunch.

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Sunfish-Studio OP t1_j297r5a wrote

I believe vegan; it never explicitly says that on the menu but their cheese board appears to all be oat or cashew cheeses

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WRWhizard t1_j22lrdg wrote

I have never understood Vegan. Why in the world would you work so hard to decide what to eat when God gave so many options and told you that they are good for you?

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Sunfish-Studio OP t1_j22r8em wrote

Yeah wasn't really a thread asking for other people's opinions on veganism but I'm agnostic if that answers that question. I wasn't "given" anything, just here on accident like everyone else, hoping to help people out and do less harm to animals while I am. And i hope it does answer the question because that's about the end of it for me

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