Vegan + Vegetarian in Philly

Hi! I’m eating my way through the mostly vegan, sometimes cheesy menu offerings of Philly South, West, Center and Fish, and let me tell you, this city is beyond welcoming to the selective diner.

As a one-time restaurant owner, I have little respect for the online dining reviewer with an axe to grind. (I’ve heard the Yelp reviews of my place are quite spicy. I’m used to controversy.) My restaurant reign ended almost a decade ago, and I understand times have changed – perhaps most of all in the business of restauranting. Still, I can’t help but be critical of what appear to be COVID adaptations twisted into, shall we say, unappetizing policies. I see a lot of issues. But, I increasingly think they may actually be generational differences (I’m 57). I keep the less positive opinions to myself and my confidantes.

What I’ve always done is keep private lists on Yelp, simply as a way to remember where I want to go or to be able to quickly locate somewhere nearby when I’m wandering on foot (“find X nearby,” “get directions” & view user menu photos are Yelp’s merits to me, rather than star ratings or comments). Then I started making notes within those lists for myself, and because I love to write.

Here in Philly, at just about everywhere I’ve dined, “fries & a salad” isn’t the only choice for a plant-based eater – though the ubiquitous Caesar iteration prevails, to mixed results. Frequent appearances are made by cauliflower buffalo’ed or otherwise coated, brussels sprouts crispy and/or sticky, and mac & cheese, cheesy or cheezy.

If comments like “it *is* possible to create a legendary avo toast” and “I just can't stray from the WANGS” are helpful to you, follow my collection for some of the best vegan and vegetarian dishes in Philadelphia. And stay tuned to this blog, as I document my life in food, including the completion of my restaurant cookbook!