17 May 11th–May 17th, 2023 phoenixnewtimes.com phoenix new Times | cONTeNTs | feeDBacK | OPiNiON | NeWs | feaTuRe | NighT+Day | culTuRe | film | cafe | music | Plant-Based Powerhouses The 10 best vegan and vegetarian restaurants in Phoenix. BY TIRION BOAN O ver the past few years, as more and more diners choose to avoid meat or animal products, the options for restaurants dedicated to vegan and vegetarian food have exploded in Phoenix. The new kids on the block are rede- fining what it means to follow a plant- based diet, creating spins on healthy dishes as well as fast food and comfort food unlike any other. These restaurants join a host of longtime essential spots that have been serving vegan and vegetarian customers for years. New and old, they come together to create a vibrant plant-based dining community across the Valley. Featuring menus packed with excellent and enticing options, the following 10 vegetarian and vegan restaurants offer some of the best food in town that is sure to please everyone — omnivores and herbi- vores alike. The Coronado 2245 North 12th St. The Coronado is a classic spot that recently got a new home. The original location opened on Seventh Street in 2015 and served customers from its tiny bungalow before moving to bigger digs in its namesake neighborhood just a few streets east. For breakfast, fill up on a short stack of pancakes with maple syrup or a savory sandwich loaded with tofu scramble. The restaurant is open early on the weekends but sticks to lunch and dinner during the week. Settle into one of the cozy tables inside or sip on a spicy margarita on the patio in the evening. Bonus: The Coronado also has a connected coffee shop and bakery called Dark Hall Coffee that serves strong coffee and some of the tastiest vegan pastries in the Valley. Stop in after breakfast or lunch at The Coronado for some cookies and desserts to take home. Desert Roots Kitchen 414 South Mill Ave., #111, Tempe One of the best lunch spots in Tempe is hidden at the back of an enclave of shops just off Mill Avenue. Walk through the flower-filled courtyard to find a patio packed with students, professors, and Tempe regulars enjoying colorful lunches at Desert Roots Kitchen. Inside, a tiny ordering area provides a view of the large kitchen and a refrigerated case filled with the day’s goodies. Bowls brimming with salads and pastas beckon as customers peruse the menu. Plates are served in single, double, or triple scoop combos and the three-option plate makes for a great lunch. The menu changes daily, but it always includes a wrap of the day. If the quinoa salad with balsamic vinaigrette, tomatoes, almonds, and olives is part of the lineup, make sure to order a scoop. The menu items are typically served cold and provide a refreshing meal perfect for beating the heat. Dilla Libre 1339 East Northern Ave. 8018 East Thomas Road, Scottsdale Quesadillas and lucha libre are the name of the game at this locally owned restaurant. Admire the artwork and memorabilia from colorful wrestlers as you peruse the double- sided menu. One side features completely vegan options, while the other offers meat- and cheese-filled plates, making Dilla Libre the perfect destination for a group of friends or family with mixed diets. In the quesa- dillas, the vegan cheese seems almost impossibly melty and gooey. The cauli- flower wings give a strong Buffalo sauce kick, and the burritos come packed with hearty fillings such as fries and tater tots. For something a little outside of the Mexican food realm, try the Papa Thai’d, a unique creation stuffed with potatoes, serrano chiles, grilled onions, sweet chile sauce, Thai basil, and mint. Dos Pink Tacos 719 East Roosevelt St. It’s been a wild ride for new vegan restaurant Dos Pink Tacos. The concept started in Tempe as a takeout-only busi- ness run from a cloud kitchen. The owners later opened a food truck before finding a permanent home on Roosevelt Row in downtown Phoenix. Housed in a bungalow just east of Seventh Street, the eatery offers a small indoor space, a twinkle light-strung and picnic table-filled patio, and an excellent menu of Mexican- inspired junk food favorites. For plant- based diners who miss a certain late-night drive-thru, Dos Pink Tacos is ready with a selection of cheesy, savory goodness, including a Crunchwrap stuffed with Impossible-seasoned taco meat, a Gordita Crunchie, and a deep-fried Chalupa. Earth Plant Based Cuisine 1325 Grand Ave., #7 Earth Plant Based Cuisine is the sort of place that will convince skeptics of plant- based food. That friend or family member who’s reluctant to try vegan food will be won over with a burrito that tastes indis- tinguishable from its meat-filled counter- part while you snack on well-seasoned elote and loaded fries. The menu offers a wide selection of dishes, with an equally comprehensive list of proteins, including a variety of meat substitutes for shrimp, chicken, carnitas, chorizo, fish, and bacon. This Grand Avenue spot is tucked away in the Desert Sun Plaza and is neighbored by sister restaurant Goji Berry Cafe. At Earth, everything is about sustainability and taking care of the envi- ronment including furniture in the dining room made from pallets and other recy- cled materials. Green New American Vegetarian 2022 North Seventh St. 2240 North Scottsdale Road, #113, Tempe If you are following a plant-based diet but really miss your favorite fast food burger, Green New American Vegetarian has got you covered. Head to either of the restau- rant’s Phoenix or Tempe locations and order a Big Wac, which the menu describes as “two hand-packed patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions on a sesame seed bun.” This burger is a straight-up cravings satisfaction. Another favorite is the espresso-spiked barbecue sauce, which makes an appear- ance on the Secret BBQ Sammie. Pair your sandwich selection with one of three loaded fries flavors, or savor some roasted poblano hummus or mock crab puffs. Tacos Veganos 3301 East Indian School Road When Tacos Veganos opened on Indian School Road, replacing another vegan restaurant that closed in late 2022, it already had a loyal following from its earlier days as a food truck. The new brick-and-mortar eatery serves an impres- sive menu of Mexican street food favorites and taqueria staples. Fillings for tacos, burritos, mulitas, sopes, and tortas include vegan versions of al pastor, carne asada, birria, chicken, and chorizo. The tortillas are soft, the spicy salsas are on point, and the vegan refried beans are smooth, salty, and satisfying. Wash it all down with a bottled soda, agua fresca, Modelo, or extravagant michelada at this bright and modern counter-service spot. Uniq Burger 7730 East McDowell Road, Scottsdale Tucked into a strip mall anchored by a Fry’s supermarket in Scottsdale, Uniq Burger is a destination of its own. Walk into ▼ Chow Jacob Tyler Dunn Tirion Boan Tirion Boan Tirion Boan 1.Desert Roots Kitchen 2. Dilla Libre 3. Dos Pink Tacos 4. Uniq Burger 5. The Coronado 6. Earth Plant Based Cuisine 7. Green New American Vegetarian 8. Tacos Veganos Bahar Anooshahr Tirion Boan Tirion Boan Jacob Tyler Dunn 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 >> p 19
