Eugene vegetarians are fortunate to live in a community where almost every eatery offers plentiful delicious dishes, sans the meat. Even better than having the option to substitute tofu for beef, however, is the wide variety of Eugene restaurants that specifically cater to the vegetarian lifestyle.
The Laughing Planet Cafe, a recent addition to the Eugene health food scene, is already gaining popularity
and notoriety for its inexpensive, tasty food and eclectic decorating style.
Of Laughing Planet’s bright
colors, hanging plants, amusing paintings and kitsch galore, General Manager Steve Mertz happily opines about the restaurant’s unique atmosphere. “Going out to eat should
be fun, it shouldn’t be boring; [decor] is an afterthought
to a lot of people, but there’s more to a restaurant than just the food.”
Yet the food at Laughing Planet has certainly kept customers coming back for more; with menu items ranging from burritos and salads to smoothies and cookies. Although many items on the menu have a Mexican influence, Mertz stresses that “we definitely put a twist on them [the burritos] which makes them healthier and a bit more… sophisticated.” Indeed, the average Laughing Planet burrito is packed with pinto or black beans, Monterey jack cheese, and loads of vegetables. The burritos run $3.75 to $5.75; each serving can easily provide two meals.
Although the restaurant is not strictly vegetarian, the majority of the clientele is; according to Mertz, one of Laughing Planet’s most popular dishes is the Soylent Green; a bowl of barley/quinoa mixture, chard, broccoli, tempeh and cilantro pesto. (The name of this dish hails the 1973 sci-fi film; however, Laughing Planet assures customers that no humans are included in their Soylent Greens). Laughing Planet Cafe is located at 760 Blair, and opens at 11 a.m. daily.
Like Laughing Planet, Cafe Yumm! is a local favorite which uses the Mexican staple of beans and rice to create a unique and delicious vegetarian experience. The Yumm! experience has developed into a Eugene chain with 2 locations (in the Meridian on 18th and Willamette, and in the Oakway Center), and Yumm! sauce is sold at grocery stores throughout the state.
The menu at Cafe Yumm! features soups, salads and sandwiches, yet the culinary star of the Cafe is the Yumm! bowl. Available in a variety of options, such as Hot ‘n’ Smoky Yumm! with chipotle chili and Edamame Yumm! with soybeans and a black sesame dressing, the average Yumm bowl includes brown rice, red and black beans, and a special Yumm sauce which is creamy yet dairy free, and flavorful without an abundance of salt or spice. Yumm! bowls can also be made deluxe; adding olives, cilantro, cheese, sour cream and avocado slices to the mix.
With such a large variety of sizes, prices and tasty options, Cafe Yumm lives up to its name as a satisfying and yummy experience for vegetarians and meat eaters alike. An Original, medium size deluxe Yumm! bowl (the perfect middle of the road item with which to aquatint yourself to the Cafe) is priced at $4.95.
For diners seeking a completely, totally, all-encompassingly animal-free environment, the Lotus Garden offers a vegan Chinese experience.
“Everything is vegan,” says server Paula Rupert. “The only thing that’s questionable are the fortune cookies.” Rupert, who has worked at the Lotus Garden for two years, went on to explain that the restaurant utilizes a variety of meat substitutes. “We use tofu, we also have wheat gluten… seitan (a product derived from the protein of wheat), mock shrimp, mock chicken.”
Rupert also said that, by far, the most popular dish offered by the Lotus Garden is the Lotus Delight: Beef substitute, battered and deep friend, then served with a sweet and sour sauce. The Lotus Garden is located at 810 Charnelton.
Other Eugene vegetarian favorites include the Keystone Cafe on 5th and Lawrence, which specializes in vegetarian breakfast items such as tempeh, vegetable and egg scrambles, and whole grain bread products. On the University campus, meat-free eaters can find a wholly satisfying meal at the Holy Cow, located in the EMU. The dahl and rice, served with a sweet chutney sauce, costs $4 and is the perfect way to spice up the traditional noontime meal.