I like Füd
Awhile ago, Erin sent me this article “Meatless in the Midwest: A Tale of Survival” that bashes Kansas City (and the Midwest) for not being a more vegetarian-friendly. I think the article is pretty far off. Sure, Kansas City is not the vegetarian Mecca of the world, but why does this author think he will find vegetarian food at a steakhouse? Or in the middle of nowhere in the Midwest? I love this quote from the article:
…it is important to not forget that hunger is the price a picky eater must be willing to pay without becoming insufferable
Listen to your own advice much? The author complains that there are only two fully vegetarian restaurants in Kansas City. Um… that doesn’t mean you can’t go somewhere that serves meat and figure out what you can eat there. I mean, come on, we practically only eat out when we go to Kansas City, and it’s not in those two fully vegetarian restaurants every time. In fact, I had not even heard of one of them before (more on that below)!
Later on in the article, the author recommends checking out websites in advance for options (duh), going to a Chinese restaurant (more veg-friendly options?), and bringing your own food to eat before or after (duh). That’s all obvious to me. Of course, I am not from NYC (like the author) – where there is a higher per capita of vegetarian restaurants. But what did he expect?
While it is totally awesome to go to a restaurant and know I can order anything off of the menu, I am realistic. I know that is rarely going to be the case. I try to avoid restaurants I know won’t have anything close to a vegan option. But hey, sometimes you can’t. Get over it.
Back to that quote – which I do love – do you know anyone who is extremely picky about food and is a martyr about it?
I have to admit I have had my whiny baby moments. But I am getting better… right, Steven?
Alright, I kind of got off on a tangent on that silly article. I just meant to mention that I am happy Erin sent the article to me, because we were in Kansas City last weekend and went to the vegan restaurant listed in the article – Füd – and absolutely loved it!
We went with our two friends Amy and Adam, and got a nacho appetizer: (!!!)
And our own plates, which we all tried a bit of. I had macaroni and cheese, Steven had a fish filet, Adam had bbq pork and Amy had a chalupa.
What was cool is that they used very different meat substitutes that I had not even heard of! The “meat” on top of my macaroni is some sort of fruit! Who knew?! I loved it and want to go back. And try everything on the menu.
Themocracy
Very cool! The nachos look amazing! But then again, I love nachos sans that green stuff! 😉
That place sounds delicious. Who knew fruit could be a substitute for meat?!
Does the author not know that Kansas City is famous for its barbecue? The only things I know about Kansas City are that it’s famous for its barbecue and its blues music. Part of it’s cultural. You find more vegetarian restaurants in larger cities, hippy cities, and cities with college populations.
He might try Black neighborhoods, too – a lot of people are vegetarian for religious reasons. There are three or four vegetarian-friendly restaurants near my work, which is in the hood.
Wow, that food looks amazing!!! Thanks for sharing!
I too often get annoyed, like the author, when I go to restaurants with no options for me. If I came from a city like New York where these restaurants were on every corner and then I wen to a place not so vegetarian friendly I think I would be even more frustrated.
This kind of reminds me of a recent trip to Applebees (not my choice of restaurant) where the only options really available to me were salads (only if I held the chicken). Lucky for me they used green and romane lettuce and not iceburg BUT the point I am trying to make is that Applebees does have a lot great things on their that if combined together would make one hell of a tasty meat free meal.
I am also reminded of a local restaurant in my parents hometown that I used to go to because they had a veggie wrap. When they got a new mgr they revamped the menu and took the veggie wrap off and replaced it with the other combine choice common for vegetarians at restaurants… the veggie burger. I was extremely annoyed.
The food looks amazing by the way!
LOL. It is funny that you mention Applebee’s. That is one of the only places we feel like we cannot find a decent meal!
My first reaction was um Kansas is a barbecue and meat emporium. Unless he researches very eclectic restaurants that will have a vast menu I would doubt finding vegetarian options at a steakhouse.
I also have to ask if you are against the way animals are slaughtered for food why the heck would you be in a steakhouse? kwim? Like wouldn’t you refuse to go there in the first place or would the people you are with acknowledge your beliefs and help choose a better option?
Nom nom nom! I want to try all those dishes! You are really good about finding dishes to eat whenever we go out to eat. I forget that you are vegan!
I do know a food martyr!
You’re going to have to tell me more about what was in all those dishes! Fish? BBQ pork? I think it’s so cool you were able to go to that restaurant.
I agree that KC is not exactly a vegetarian mecca, but i spent a weekend there and survived. I am not a vegetarian persay, but i just don’t like eat, and have no desire to eat it. So i’m picky in that way, but i tend to be very easy going when it comes to finding something on a menu, pain free.
Also, those nachos are making my mouth water.
I may have mentioned this before–I have a friend who is gluten-free and I get REALLY frustrated when she wants to go out to eat but doesn’t suggest anything. So I go crazy trying to find places she can eat. She is not a martyr about it, but I feel like if you are the person who has dietary limitations, you need to make recommendations because YOU know the best places to go better than me.
Oops, sorry. Ranty rant. I think next time I am just going to say “I don’t know what the best options are for you. What would you suggest (in the such and such area)?”
You mentioning this is a good reminder for me NOT to be like that 🙂 I don’t think I am. But sometimes I ask people if they know of any restaurants with certain types of food/dishes, if it is an area I am unfamiliar with.
it drives me nuts when someone with dietary restrictions agrees to come to a restaurant then complains about the lack of options for them. if there were no options, let me know and we’d have gone somewhere else! or if it’s a group, like for someone else’s bday? it’s THEIR BIRTHDAY, we’re going someplace for THEM, not you!!
(uh, to make it clear, i’m agreeing with you, NOT saying you’re like that 🙂 )
Apparently the author doesn’t realize what a huge part livestock is to KCs history. I love Kansas City and all of it’s yummy BBQ. People think we’re snobby because we hate all of the bbq around here. but hey, we grew up near KC!
When I first cut dairy out of my diet I thought of you. I have to research restaurants before we go so I know what I can eat. I’m really snobby about it, though, because the diet isn’t for my benefit. If I go crazy and have a milkshake or mac n cheese (my favorite food), my baby will have a seriously upset stomach. 🙁