The YMCA across from South Eugene High School has a new vegetarian option — Viva! Vegetarian Grill has added to its food cart location in downtown Eugene by opening a permanent location in the family health and wellness center on Patterson and 20th Avenue.
Viva! — known for its vegan and vegetarian food, like its Tofurkey Philly Cheesesteak and tempeh — offers all organic food, and sells many products from local venders like Humble Bagel, Sundance Natural Food, Wandering Goat and Hummingbird Wholesale.
The new location offers students a $1 discount on its products, which have expanded to include a salad bar, rotational soups and freshly juiced smoothies.
“People are happy that they can work out and eat healthy,” said Jocelyn Lescarbeau, a Viva! employee. “It’s a good match with the YMCA.”
The Viva! food cart opened in May 2006, and was the first vegetarian hot dog cart in Kesey Square. Now, the business has grown beyond the cart to offer all sorts of vegan and vegetarian comfort foods like chili, french fries and even gluten and soy-free soft serve cashew-based ice cream.
“We make vegan food more accessible to the masses,” Lescarbeau said. “It’s hard to go eat out with friends when you’re a vegan. You can do that here.”
But the restaurant, which opened in September, also caters to its vegetarian clientele by offering things like half-and-half and milk with its coffee and cream cheese.
The new location is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.