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one green planet

So, you want to eat more plant-based foods but you live in Texas, eh? Being in Texas does not have to mean rodeos and meat-heavy barbecues— you would be surprised to learn that there are many vegan options, vegan restaurants and even farmer’s markets in Texas that you can explore! We broke down the five largest cities in Texas to show you how simple it can be to make compassionate choices in the Lone Star State.

Houston

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If you find yourself in Houston, you are in luck when it comes to vegan cuisine! Houston is the largest city in Texas, and there are so many different vegan restaurants to choose from you won’t be disappointed.

1. Pepper Tree Veggie Cuisine

A favorite restaurant for vegans in Houston is Pepper Tree Veggie Cuisine, which has an all-you-can-eat buffet. The restaurant specializes in Asian cuisine, and they even have vegan sushi and dumplings— yum! If you want to satisfy your sweet tooth, try the coconut cake for dessert.

Pepper Tree Veggie Cuisine is in west Houston, at 3821 Richmond Avenue, Houston, TX 77027.

2. Green Seed Vegan

If you are looking for something on the smaller side, try Green Seed Vegan. They have raw options for health nuts, like delicious wraps, juices, and smoothies. Try the sweet porta, which is a sandwich consisting of grilled portabella mushrooms, sweet potatoes, spinach and delicious sunflower pesto!

This lovely cafe is located at 4320 Almeda Road, Houston, TX 77004 — only a 10 minute drive from the heart of downtown Houston.

Other

Other popular vegan restaurants are Loving Hut and the Garden Kitchen. Green Vegetarian Cuisine, Govinda’s, and Pine Forest Garden, are vegetarian restaurants where you can find plenty of vegan dishes to order, and most things can be made vegan. There are also an abundance of farmer’s markets in Houston where you can buy fresh produce, and help support local businesses. Try the Urban Harvest Farmer’s Market which is held every Saturday, from 8:00 am until 12:00 pm.

San Antonio

 SeñorVeggie/Facebook

Ah, San Antonio. Although this city may be known for its country, cowboy vibe, there are plenty of vegan options to be found. From doughnuts to comfort food, you’ll eat so much you won’t remember the Alamo!

1. Señor Veggie

Starting with the incredible 100 percent vegan restaurants: Señor Veggie is a San Antonio favorite, offering a large variety of entrees, including street tacos and mac and cheese! You can also order a delicious bowl, like the good karma bowl. It’s gluten-free and made up of quinoa, black beans, kale, tempeh, sautéed mushrooms, carrots, turnips, and sesame seeds. When planning a trip to this restaurant, be sure to plan for Tuesday— Saturday, since it is closed Sunday and Monday.

Señor Veggie is in the heart of downtown, found at 620 South Presa Street, San Antonio, TX 78210.

2. Viva Vegeria

Viva Vegeria is an all vegan and gluten-free cafe, that even has a buffet on Saturdays. If you are extra hungry and feeling brave, try the Super Human Nachos! Fresh house-made tortilla chips are piled high with pinto beans, quinoa, avocado, vegan pepper jack cheese, hemp hearts, and kimchi.

Located just south of downtown, this cute little café can be found at 1422 Nogalitos Street, San Antonio, TX 78204.

3. Bok Choy

Another vegan favorite is Bok Choy, which serves delicious Vietnamese food. Customers rave over the beef and broccoli, which consists of a rich, creamy brown sauce over tender plant-based beef, broccoli, onions, and carrots.

Bok Choy is located at 5130 Broadway Street, San Antonio, TX 78209.

Other

If you are looking for something to satisfy your sweet tooth, try Cake Thieves, which is a vegan doughnut shop that has doughnuts stuffed with vegan Nutella, among many other tasty treats. Earth Burger and Green Vegetarian Cuisine are both vegetarian restaurants, where everything on the menu can be made vegan. Although not fully vegetarian, The Cove and the Yard House both offer vegan burgers that will not let you down. If you live in San Antonio and are looking to buy inexpensive produce, try shopping at Chicho Boys Fruit Market. The Market sells only produce at amazing prices (how can you go wrong with a place that sells 40 pounds of bananas for five dollars?)

Dallas


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We’ve arrived in Dallas! You may have been here once or twice during a layover or maybe a Cowboys game, but what about the vegan options in the city? Let me tell you, there are plenty- you won’t go hungry!

1. Spiral Diner and Bakery

A restaurant favorite among vegans is the 100 percent vegan Spiral Diner and Bakery. Serving everything from brunch to dessert, this gem has something for everyone. Order the Nachos Supremos or one of their delicious milkshakes. Try the Martha the librarian shake, which is made with chocolate ice cream, peanut butter, bananas, and strawberries.

Spiral Diner is located right next to Lake Cliff Park, at 1101 North Beckley Avenue, Dallas, Texas 75203.

2. D’Vegan

Another Dallas favorite is D’ Vegan, which specializes in vegan Vietnamese cuisine. If you are looking for something on the spicy side, try the lemongrass noodles.

D’Vegan cafe is in the food court of the Hong Kong Market, at 9780 Walnut St Suite 360E, 75243.

Other

Other vegan restaurants include; Be Raw Food and Juice, El Palote Panaderia, Nature’s Plate, which offers great vegan meals to-go, and V- Eats. If you are looking for a place to buy produce, Cox Farms Market sells organic produce that is reasonably priced. Dallas is also home to a huge farmer’s market, that takes place every Friday – Sunday at the Shed.

Austin


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If you are lucky enough to find yourself in Austin, Texas, you will have no problem finding amazing food to chow down on. As one of the more vegan-friendly cities in the United States, feel free to indulge in sweets like vegan donuts, milkshakes, and ice cream, as well as savory dishes like vegan benedicts, country fried seitan, and buffalo cauliflower. There are so many places to choose from, you’ll need a week alone just to try all the delicious plant-based fare that Austin has to offer.

1. Arlo’s

Austin locals and out of towners agree that Arlo’s is a must when visiting this Texas city. Arlo’s takes typical American fare, such as burgers and chicken sandwiches, and makes them vegan. Try the bacon cheeseburger, which consists of a house made gluten-free and soy-free patty, and is piled high with seitan bacon, cheese, ketchup, mustard, mayo, pickles, lettuce, and onions! Arlo’s is a food truck that is conveniently located in three different locations around Austin.

You can find Arlo’s at Cheer up Charlies, 900 Red River Street, Austin, TX 78701, at The Grackle, 1700 E 6th Street, Austin, TX 78702, and at the Spider House, 2908 Fruth Street, Austin, TX 78705.

2. Counter Culture

Another must when visiting Austin is Counter Culture, which is an all vegan restaurant with a hip vibe. Specializing in comfort food, this is the perfect place to go for Sunday brunch, or if you are in the mood for something filling and savory. One of the most popular items on the menu is the southern baked seitan, which consists of house-made seitan rolled in breadcrumbs and smothered in golden gravy. If you are looking for something on the lighter side, try one of the raw options like the raw butternut tacos, or the raw jalapeño shiitake burger.

Counter Culture is open seven days a week and even has brunch on Saturday and Sunday mornings. It is located at the southwest corner of Cesar Chavez and Clara street, at 2337 E Cesar Chavez Street, Austin, TX 78702.

Other

Other delicious plant-based restaurants to try out include The Beer Plant, a gastropub (make sure to call ahead if your party is of 6 or more), the Vegan Nom, which is an all vegan taco truck, and Sweet Ritual, which is an all vegan ice cream joint! There are also dozens of restaurants that serve vegan options! Try the Renedict with Tofu from Bouldin Creek Cafe or the Bueno Burger from Mother’s Cafe, which was voted the best veggie burger in Austin!

Austin is also home to an all vegan grocery store called Rabbit Food Grocery, which offers 100 percent cruelty-free and vegan items. If you like to buy local produce, there are many farmer’s markets in Austin to choose from as well. Visit the SFC farmer’s market downtown every Saturday and pick up some fresh produce, relax, and listen to a local band!

El Paso

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We’ve reached our final stop in El Paso. This smaller city resides in western Texas, right above Mexico, and is not necessarily known for having the best vegan options. However, it is possible to be plant-based in El Paso (we promise it’s not only a salad and some french fries), and we broke down exactly where to go and what to eat so you don’t need to think twice!

1. Eloise

One restaurant to check out if you find yourself in El Paso, is Eloise. Eloise is not a vegan or vegetarian restaurant, but has an array of plant-based options like seitan, tofu, and vegan beef. Try the buffalo bomber sandwich, which consists of crispy cauliflower smothered in buffalo sauce, stacked with lettuce, tomato, onion, and peppercorn ranch dressing.

This lovely restaurant is located in the Shadow Mountain shopping center, at 225 Shadow Mountain Drive, El Paso, TX 79912.

2. The Green Ingredient – Express

Another restaurant to try is The Green Ingredient- Express, which uses mostly organic fruits and vegetables. Although not fully vegan or vegetarian, many plant-based options are available. The veggie lasagna is a less traditional version of lasagna, which has vegetables in place of the noodles. Portabella mushrooms, zucchini, squash, yams, quinoa, and house-made arrabbiata sauce come together and make this lasagna a solid ten! They even offer vegan desserts, such as the avocado chocolate mouse, which is served with berries and seasonal fruit. The Green Ingredient is open Monday — Friday, and serves breakfast and lunch every day, and dinner every Friday until 8 pm.

This delightful restaurant is located in the downtown area, at 6100 Dew Dr, El Paso, TX 79912.

3. The Healthy Pizza Company

Another great option is The Healthy Pizza Company, which offers vegan cheese and over 15 different vegetable toppings so you to get creative!

The Healthy Pizza Company is located in Fort Bliss, a 15-minute drive from downtown El Paso, at 1613 Pleasonton Road, Fort Bliss, TX 79906.

4. The Ripe Eatery

The Ripe Eatery has some options, as well. Order the garden veggie sandwich but be sure to skip the goat cheese and try substituting avocado instead! Order with regular fries, sweet potato fries or quinoa tabouli.

The Ripe Eatery is about 20 minutes from downtown El Paso, located at 910 East Redd Road, El Paso, TX 79912.

Other

El Paso is home to many different produce markets and farmers markets as well! If you are looking for inexpensive produce try El Paso Produce, which specializes in fruit baskets and sells produce at the wholesale price. You can also visit the downtown art and farmer’s market, and pick up some local fruits and veggies. The market is located at 117 Anthony street, and is open every Saturday from 9:00 am until 1:00 pm.

Although it can be more difficult eating plant-based in a meat-heavy, barbecue-focused state like Texas, there are plenty of vegan options to choose from in most cities. If you find yourself in a situation where you don’t see anything on the menu that looks veg-friendly, just ask your waiter or waitress and they will typically do their best to accommodate you. In the meantime, if you plan on visiting one of the five largest cities in Texas, stick to the guide above and you will not go wrong!

Not planning a trip to Texas anytime soon? Check out some of our favorite recipes you can make on your own by downloading the Food Monster App, which is available for both Android and iPhone, and can also be found on Instagram and Facebook.



Lead image source: Austin360