so im a vegetarian and i eat out a lot but most of the things i eat out have some sort of cheese in them.. i was wondering how vegans eat out or eat at friends houses?? just a thought.. i was thinking of going vegan when i move out (im 16 now) but i always wondered what to do if someone served me something with cheese
dining out ( i did a double take on the thread title ;P ) ask for dishes to be made milk free. Tip well so this will continue to work. At fast food pick carefully. I hit Taco Bell with alarming regularity during my son's school year (we both eat for under $4 total). I ask that the cheese be left off and request extra onions on the bean burrito. The Fresca style has a not very perky pico, and is intended to replace the cheese as a low-fat option. I have gotten fresca-style tostadas, too. dinners at friends' homes can be touchy. Assuming they know you are veg of some sort, or at least suspect it, when the invite is issued, say, I am vegan (quick def if needed) what shall I bring? then you make sure you have more than enough to fill you up in case nothing is veg friendly. Or, have them to your place. Business dinners/luches are trickier still. I try to rearrange meeting to a coffe shop (yuppie coffee, no one will notice all you have is Italian soda) or some non-food place. I use kosher as my excuse on a regular basis. (its true that I keep kosher at home) If I'm RSVPing a meeting that is a large group of folks, I ask when I respond if I need to pay for the meal as I'm vegetarian. This is the point that the planner can say "we have this or that option." I live a predominately vegan lifestyle, but am not a full vegan. No animal products in my toiletries, no leather I didn't own prior to 1999, only a little dairy to be flexible outside the home. (and man, can alfredo get heavy now!) I've often joked that Indian food keeps me lacto veg.
oh, I've learned to be really nice when asked about fish or chicken. I smile and say no, if this is a not friendly situation (reporters eat with a lot of people who can give you indigestion) and with people I know a bit better I might say, "well, chickens don't come from eggplant, and fish isn't from seaweed, so no, I don't." It's a silly persistance that we need to let roll off our backs or we will get indigestion.
Chefs love a challenge, especially if you compliment their work afterwards. That's the key... you can ask for 100 substitutions as long as you're polite & appreciative. They love it. So with that in mind, you can pick any entree on the menu and ask for it without meat or cheese. Examples: pasta alfredo w/ olive oil instead of white sauce, quesadillas with avocado instead of cheddar, etc. Just remember to tell them it was the best thing you've ever tasted (even if it tasted like wood)! Aside from that, there's always something veg friendly at Chinese, Mexican, Italian, Indian, Thai & other ethnic restaurants. Greek may be trouble, tho.
applebees offers a good vegan pizza and taco bell has great bean burritoes (if you are in a pinch). As for other restraunts, try chinese or buffet places where you get to pick from good salad bars as well as other hearty veggies.
A really big thing about eating out, especially in chinese food restraunts just if you are vegetarian even. I ordered from a local chain once, and i decided to ask them what they used to cook their veggie dishes and sure enough worcheschire sauce, and chicken stalk. Always ask even if it says "vegeterian chow mein", what sauces and product they are using to cook it.
