Morally-Conscious Meals: Meatless Monday
By Riyana Straetker
There comes a day you feel you should no longer eat meat – and if you haven’t had that day yet, you will, soon. Trust me. Whether you’re opposed to cruelty against ugly farm animals or you’re following the one-cube-of-cheese-a-day diet, at some point, you're bound to take meat off the menu. Granted, some of you will last a mere afternoon before going back, while others will stay on the bandwagon for a entire 24 hours (I’m in awe of lifetime vegetarians and vegans). Regardless, you’ll need some options for sustenance when the vegan niblets at Ernie Davis just don’t cut it.
China Road, 2204 Brewerton Rd., Mattydale, N.Y. 13211 315.455.5888 Tues–Thurs 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., Friday 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., Saturday 12 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., Sunday 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. Meatless munchies: Classics like orange “chicken” and General Tso’s “chicken” (they refused to tell us their secret ingredient, which is a bit sketchy). See also: vegetarian pork.
Dorian’s Gourmet Pizza and Deli, 534 Westcott St., Syracuse, N.Y. 13210 315.849.1782 Sun–Thurs 11:30 a.m. to 1:15 a.m., Friday and Saturday 11:30 a.m. to 2:15 a.m. Meatless munchies: Get your late-night veggie craving on with the meatless gyro or vegan pizza (sans cheese). “We grill the all-vegetable gyro patties rather than fry them to keep them from mixing with the non-vegetarian oil,” said nighttime manager Symeon Petkopoulos.
Erawan Thai, 2724 Erie Blvd. East, Syracuse, N.Y. 13224 315.445.8152 Monday–Saturday: Lunch 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Dinner 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. ; closed Sundays Meatless munchies: Highlights include gaeng tofu, a spicy tofu dish made with red curry paste, and tofu pad kanar, tofu stir-fried with broccoli and mushrooms.
Recess Coffee House and Roastery, 110 Harvard Pl., Syracuse, N.Y. 13210 315.410.0090 Closed Mondays; Tuesday–Sunday 10 a.m. to midnight Meatless munchies: Vegan drinks (like the Crazy Shawn, a cappuccino made with vegan peanut butter and vegan chocolate syrup) and vegan desserts (like the carrot cake with real cream-chese frosting). For lunch, try the tofurkey with veganaise (that’s right – vegan mayo. They went there).
Roji Tea Lounge, 108 E. Washington St., Syracuse, N.Y. 13202 315.428.0844 Tues–Sat 3 p.m. to 1 a.m., Sunday 3 p.m. to 11 a.m., closed Mondays Meatless munchies: The green tea parfait with a homemade soy whip.
Strong Hearts Café, 719 E. Genesee St., Syracuse, N.Y. 13210
315.478.0000 Mon 8:00 a.m. to 6 p.m., Tues–Thurs 8 a.m. to midnight, Fri 8 a.m. to 2 a.m., Sat 10 a.m. to 2 a.m., Sun 10 a.m. to midnight Meatless munchies: Everything here is 100% vegan. Highlights include the seitan sandwich (seitan is a meat substitute made from the protein portion of whet); vegan pizza made with mozzarella soy cheese; and tofu scrambles. As of January, the café sells Chicago SoyDairy’s mozzarella cheese sticks with a side of marinara sauce. Bonus: Follow them on Twitter to find out about their fresh daily vegan soups!
Sparky Town, 324 Curnet Ave., Syracuse, N.Y. 13210 315.422.8401 Mon–Fri 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Sat 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., closed Sundays Meatless munchies: “Anti-oxidant” pasta (penne sautéed in olive oil with broccoli, tomatoes, garlic, black olives, and walnuts) and The Jocko sandwich (grilled tempeh, lettuce, tomato, artichokes, red peppers, red onions, black bean paste, sun dried tomato spread, and avocado spread). Chef Linda “Sparky” Mortimer ensures that no meat products or cheeses touch anything for a vegan dish (go into the kitchen to check yourself!).
Syra-Juice Bar & Eatery, Marshall Square Mall, next to Subway 315.475.8423 Mon–Thurs, 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., Fri 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sat 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., closed Sundays Meatless munchies: The SOB smoothie is just strawberries, oranges, and banana, no milk or creamer. Their veggie fryer deep-fries the tofu for the vegan chicken wraps and vegan chicken salads.