Vegan in Vegas 2015
by Lady Di Wanderlust @dibythesea.com
Because I've been to and will continue to do trips to Las Vegas pretty regularly it's sort of hard to know what to write about on the topic of Vegas any more. My last post on Vegas was sort of a drag to write... I usually just write about what materializes on it's own, this time it was the topic of Vegan food. I brought my youngest daughter Alexis, age 22 along with me on this adventure and she is a Vegan (she has been a non beef and pork eater since the age of 7) so finding things to eat I am assuming were going to be a bit of a chore. Sure us Vegans and fellow Vegetarians can get by with just getting our greens on, as Dara Dubinet would say, but as delicious as they are, they can get boring ! So, being a Vegan in Vegas, Can one do it ? In the city known for it's Steak houses and top chefs favorite eateries, I share a bit of what I found on this past trip.
We traveled SNA to LAS, a mere 44 minutes up in the air. Grabbed a taxi (which cost 32.00 with a 20% tip !... seems a bit high) to our final destination, the Luxor Resort and Casino on the strip. We checked-in and then headed out for a bite to eat, with our little Vegan in tow. We asked Siri for nearby food choices which gave us the Mandalay bay food court, we walked on over.
As we walked thru the mall, we discussed which restaurant might have salads, and sides and meat options that could feed our crew across the board, because we DO have a traditional American diet, eater amongst us. We walk on over and stop at each place and perusedthe menus... RaRa Irish Pub, The Boiler Room, Hussongs Cantina, Rick Moonens RM Seafood, Stripsteak, Noodle shop... We wanted a good meal, so juices and greasy mexican and pizza were out. A few choices were an immediate and obvious NO. There were a few that had sides, but once further investigated, they were made with butter, cream and or meat based... oh and I failed to mention our lil Vegan is also Gluten sensitive. (I swear she got it from her fathers side of the family, wink) We eventually found one that we could all get our grub on, it was Rick Moonens RM Seafood restaurant...
As we walked thru the mall, we discussed which restaurant might have salads, and sides and meat options that could feed our crew across the board, because we DO have a traditional American diet, eater amongst us. We walk on over and stop at each place and perusedthe menus... RaRa Irish Pub, The Boiler Room, Hussongs Cantina, Rick Moonens RM Seafood, Stripsteak, Noodle shop... We wanted a good meal, so juices and greasy mexican and pizza were out. A few choices were an immediate and obvious NO. There were a few that had sides, but once further investigated, they were made with butter, cream and or meat based... oh and I failed to mention our lil Vegan is also Gluten sensitive. (I swear she got it from her fathers side of the family, wink) We eventually found one that we could all get our grub on, it was Rick Moonens RM Seafood restaurant...
After a bit of debate and adding up prices of 12.00+ each for sides, yikes... no gluten free options and verifying by the hostess once again that some of the appetizers / side dish ingredients were unknowns... we ended up moving on to a pizza place of all places !.. with which the hostess said had vegan choices. Bummed but hungry as all get we stood in front of the menu, assuming we would be eating salad for dinner. But NO ! There were a few gluten free and vegan options, Whoo hoo. For a friday night we had but a 15 minute wait, so we moseyed on up to the bar. There we were able to really get into the menu options ... (here's the drink menu) we ordered 2 Funny Hows? and a draft beer... after ordering our drinks, I turned the menu over and whala behold an entire page dedicated to VEGAN customers !! What is this place, you ask, it's called a SLICE OF VEGAS!
They had Appetizers, pizza, pasta, sandwiches, salads and desserts !
See the full menu here. and some were under 10.00 !
See the full menu here. and some were under 10.00 !
We delighted in all the options and were pleasantly surprised by the deliciousness of all the food. And we were really excited to find Vegan dressing options as well for dipping our delicious rosemary and garlic shoestring fries into ... We were able to customize our pastas even further, I went with the meatless meatballs (gardein) on my spicy marinara soaked, gluten free dish. Buon Appetito !
Although in the end our tab was a bit over 100.00, it wasn't bad at all for full bellies and a little buzz, after all, when in Vegas.
Although in the end our tab was a bit over 100.00, it wasn't bad at all for full bellies and a little buzz, after all, when in Vegas.
The next day for breakfast within the Luxor itself we were able to find juices, salads, fruit bowls, vegan cookies, starbucks coffee shops, delis and mini marts with Vegan bars ! So for two mornings we ate these most delicious Vegan and Gluten free bars, Bobos oat bars and drank coconut water. My favorite was the Maple Pecan one !
Our lunches for the weekend were catered by the Hosted Event we were attending, via the hotel. The first days lunch we were able to get a few vegan choices amongst the buffet provided, green salad, broiled potatoes, the second days lunch, not so much. Even though there was a caesar salad, my daughter can not do the dressing (it was pre-dressed) Bread options were all unknowns as to gluten free... as for the pasta and deserts... the same. As we all sat around our lunch table my little Vegan had but a few cucumber slices on her plate. But don't worry we were able to feed her something a little later. I am certain however that adding a few vegan options to the lunch would have been no problem if the hosts had thought to provide that. We were able to grab one lunch within the Luxor at the Backstage Deli where my daughter was able to order a oriental chicken salad (chicken on the side, which my husband ate) menu selections included lots of salads and sides.
For dinner our second night we were with a crew of co-workers and friends, after a hosted welcome cocktail party in suite we landed at T&T Tacos & Tecquila within the Luxor. There we were able to find a few Vegan options, veggie fajitas !... with naturally gluten free corn tortillas. (which are in the category of what is known as "accidentally vegan" food).
Our dinner on our last night was found after a nice stroll down the strip, in beautiful November weather, we ended up at a restaurant called Off the Strip at the Linq, Bisto and Bar. (can't seem to get their menu link to work) There we were thrilled to find Spaghetti Squash !!!!
So, is it possible to be a Happy Vegan in Vegas ?... I say YES !
a side note... being in the Raw Vegan world at one point for 7-1/2 months my journey of changing the way I eat began back in April of 2012 on a quest for non-gmo and organic foods, which eventually led to me growing my own produce, at the Wacker Culinary Sanctuary :: home to Wacker Farm, Wacker Orchard and Wacker Vineyard.
I have since seen a MOVEMENT of sorts emerging this year especially, toward both vegetarian and vegan options throughout restaurants, stores chains, store stock, television cooking shows and online. It was really a great surprise to find that you can in fact go VEGAN in VEGAS !
I have since seen a MOVEMENT of sorts emerging this year especially, toward both vegetarian and vegan options throughout restaurants, stores chains, store stock, television cooking shows and online. It was really a great surprise to find that you can in fact go VEGAN in VEGAS !
At the Slice of Vegas, on their menu at the very bottom of the Vegan page, I noticed this... find us on blogger Paul Graham's ebook, Eating Vegan in Vegas. This I will surely do and so should you !
Oh by the way, our taxi fare from the Luxor back to the airport was just 20.00 with 20% gratuity, my next Vegas blog may wind up being on that topic !
Would love for you to share your Vegan Vegas finds in the comments below,
a like, share and tweet would be sweet !
a like, share and tweet would be sweet !
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