Orange County California, a Veritable Vegetarian's Delight!

Craving a really good vegetarian-based meal?the tuna and salad dishes. When I went there
Having trouble getting anyone in your family or"way back when", my college dance buddies and I
line-up of friends to join you in a meal? In Orangecould feel good eating the whole wheat bagel with
County California you can "have your cake andavocado, tomatoes and soy cheese. Wish they
eat it too"! While I may not be a total vegan (astill had it on the menu! Besides Fullerton, they also
girl's gotta have a good BBQ'd rib sometimes), Ihave one in Orange and Tustin
do prefer eating a vegetarian meal most of theZinc's Cafe and Market-Laguna Beach. Great
time. Problem is my family and friends think thisbreakfasts. Terrific baked goods. Salads are
type of cuisine is not something they wish towonderful. Some very interesting lunch choices.
share with me! They think of soy based foods asMenu is always changing, but the coffee is
something meant for me and me alone.gourmet and smells wonderful.
Fortunately, I have found mighty fine restaurantsNative Foods-the new kid in town, sort of speak.
in our wonderful Southern California home that tryLocated in Costa Mesa, this is turning into quite a
very hard to cater to all concerned! Sowonderful destination spot for vegans.
meat-eaters take a seat, even you will findSemi-casual, upscale menu-they have some faux
something tasty in these fun places!meat dishes that from what a couple of diners
Mother's Market and Cafe-Mother's has asaid-had someone ordered their meals for them
wonderful vegan menu, but since they also are awithout telling them what kind of restaurant this
complete organic and health food market, theis, they would have never guessed that they
cafe serves up fish and chicken dishes as well. Atweren't eating "the real thing".
least it was on the menu at the one I went to inVeggie and Tea House-This is just what it says,
Laguna Hills-which is one of the smaller units.mainly a tea house that happens to serve
Mother's has several locations throughout thevegetarian dishes. While this place is charming and
county.the food quite nice, in all honesty, this is probably
Rutabegorz-This restaurant has a warm place inthe least likely of all the recommended places that
my heart. Before it grew to the 3 locations it hasmight pass muster with the meat eating crowd.
today, it had just the one in Fullerton. Okay, thisOther suggestions? Most Asian restaurants are
was in the '70's and I was but a young collegequite vegan/vegetarian friendly! Jade Palace in
student, but I was into healthy eating even then!Aliso Viejo will substitute tofu for any meat in any
Why I love Rutabegorz is the atmosphere isof their dishes.
relaxed, the baked goods are made on theSo fellow vegetable lovers take heart, we can go
premises (low fat, low/non sugar and tasty too!),out for a meal with our carnivore mates and we
the menu eclectic and my husband doesn't mindall can enjoy!