Veg vittles

This is for Meika.  If you’re not into veg food in Atlanta, you won’t like this. Here are some of my favorite veg-friendly eateries in the Atlanta area.

R. Thomas Deluxe Grill
This is absolutely, 100% my favorite restaurant in Atlanta.  It’s open 24 hours a day, you eat under a tent right on Peachtree surrounded by exotic birds, they have tons of veg food, and the fresh juice/smoothie selection is incredible.  It’s an experience!  If you go, try a Mr. Rogers.  You’ll thank me later.

Soul Vegetarian
There’s a large Hebrew Israelite population in the West End area where SV is located.  They’re vegan, so I’m sure there are other vegan spots around there.  In fact, there was once a veg-friendly raw food place just across the street from SV where folks would go and get fresh orange juice.  I can’t remember the name of it.  It’s on or near Ralph David Abernathy though.  They have really good collards and sweet and sour tofu…and “milk” shakes made with almond and rice milk.  And carrot raisin salad!

Cafe Sunflower
I’ve only been to CS a few times, but I remember thinking it was a joke.  There was just no way that all of that stuff DIDN’T have meat, but it’s true.  It’s a veg restaurant and it’s GOOD!  The Buckhead location is nice and cozy, in a shopping plaza on Peachtree.

The Flying Biscuit
Not a vegetarian restaurant, but very veg-friendly.  They have tofu scramble,  SOYsage (not sure if it’s vegan) and “moon dusted potatoes”.  The McClendon location has a bakery next door with lots of veg and non-veg goodies.

Sevananda
It’s a natural food co-op market that has a hot bar with good vegan goodies, like cheese grits and sausage!  They also have stuff from Soul Veg and other restaurants in their small prepared foods section.  It’s right in Little 5 Points, so if you go, park across the street and explore the Euclid/Moreland/North Highland area for some cool clothes, hard-to-find vinyl, and even some hair products at the natural salons.  Sevenanada has some nice teas and a decent natural beauty section in the store, too.

The Vortex
This place is the opposite of animal-friendly.  The waitresses will probably be in leather and you’ll be surrounded by folks grubbing on HUGE burgers.  But, they have the most amazing veggie chili I’ve ever had in my life! Ever.  No question.  They also have veggie and black bean burgers that can be customized, hummus, and sweet potato fries.  The Vortex is a crazy place (just read the rules on their menu), but the chili is incredible.  It’s right across from Sevananda.

Ru San’s
RuSan’s is an inexpensive sushi/Chinese food spot with a really big assortment of vegetarian rolls, and the Edgewood location is right down the street from Sevananda and The Flying Biscuit.  If it’s not on the menu (which is unlikely since the menu is about 14 pages), they’ll make it for you.  I go there for the tempura tofu rolls.  Yums!!

Chow Baby
They call it New American Stir-Fry.  Eh.  I see an opportunity to customize my food and enjoy a good mojito!  You pick your own rice/pasta, veggies (and fruits and nuts, if available), sauces, protein, and spices and they stir-fry it for you.  Tofu is ALWAYS available.  Just make sure you pick the “I’m vegetarian” stick so your food isn’t cooked where meat was just prepared.  Also, the roti bread is amazing!

Whole Foods on Ponce (or West Paces Ferry)
I think the one on WPF is bigger than Ponce, but Ponce ALWAYS has mock chicken salad, several tofu/seitan hot dishes and fried chick’n tofu.

Happy Cow listed a few additional places I’ve never eaten at.  Not sure if they’re even open now.  Take a looks: http://www.happycow.net/north_america/usa/georgia/atlanta/

And if you want to pick up some good stuff to prepare at home, check out the huge Dekalb Farmer’s Market for fresh fruits and veggies, and Cosmos Vegan Shoppe.

I hope this helps!