Being vegetarian has so many perks, but unfortunately, it can often leave you hungry in comparison to the meat-eaters around you filling up on heavy, meaty meals. Finding vegetarian alternatives to these meaty meals is always super clutch. So, we’ve compiled a list of veggie go-tos (and some vegan meals!), including our favorites in Isla Vista/UCSB.
Isla Vista & UCSB:
Hana Kitchen’s Vegan Bowl
The very popular Hana Kitchen’s provides a vegan bowl in which the “meat” is made out of tempei, which is a fermented soybean. This is defintely one of our favorites because the tempei taste exactly (to a vegetarian at least…) like meat!!!
UCSB Dining Services’ Sweet & Sour Tofu Wrap
At the Arbor, a variety of sandwiches can be found – vegetarian, vegan and non-vegetarian. Our pesonal favorite is their Sweet & Sour Tofu Wrap, which mainly consists of grated carrot, tofu, sweet & sour sauce, and is wrapped in a spinach tortilla.
Isla Vista Food Co-op Sandwiches
It’s an understatement to say that the Isla Vista Food Co-op only provides vegan and vegetarian sandwiches – their supply of vegan/vegetarian products is overwhelming! However, a couple memorable sandwiches are their Hummus, Pesto & Veggie (in the picture above), and their Vegan BLT wrap which replaces meat with a soy “meat”.
General:
Veggie Lasagna
Lasagna is definitely just as delicious and filling without meat. Here’s the recipe that matches this photo: http://allrecipes.com/recipe/11786/hearty-vegetable-lasagna/
The Counter’s Veggie Burger
One of the best veggie burgers we’ve had! The Counter dedicates just as much preparation to the veggie burger as it does to the meat burgers. A very special find.
Veggie Chilli
Vegetarian or vegan chilli have plenty of fiber and protein due to their bean base, and therefore are very filling and nutritious! Check out a recipe.
Bon Appétit!