2.02.2008

Philadelphia Eating Guide: Part II

For Part 1 Click here


Kindom of Vegetarians (Chinese) Location: 129 N 11th St
Price: Typical Chinese food pricing, $10 all-you-can-eat Dim Sum

Pros: Very delicious, very affordable Chinese food. They have lunch specials, and the dim sum is fantastic. Their mock meats are amazing, and I can not get enough of their dumplings. You can bring your own wine and have a nice meal for two, or you can bring your whole family.
Cons: It is not a particularly fancy joint

Doobies (American bar) Location: The corner of 22nd and Lombard
Price $5-6 for food, $9 pitchers of Lager
Pros: Great neighborhood bar! The owner always has something going on, whether its fundraising or gifts baskets for animals rights causes. They do not purchase Canadian products because of seal clubbing, and they ALWAYS have something for us vegans to eat on the menu. The veggie burger and pita pizza are always available, but check out the board for their daily specials. Veg items are marked in red and can range from Thai pasta salad to vegan chili. Also check out their jukebox, it is definitely a favorite.
Cons: Not many, sometimes I manage to get there when they just range out of vegan soup or hummus sandwiches, but as I said, there are always options available.

Monk's Cafe (Belgian) Location: 16th and Spruce
Price: Veggie Burger w. vegan Aoli $8.25
Pros: GREAT selection of beers, usually has a few more vegan entree options, good atmosphere
Cons: Way to busy. If you are going for dinner expect to wait since they do not take reservations. It is a bit pricey, but they have interesting beers you can not easily find in most bars.

Nodding Head (American brew pub) Location: 1516 Sansom St.
Price: $7.50-$10 for food Beer averages $5 a pint
Pros: Quite a few delicious vegan options including seitan stew, white beans and sage with pita, and of course a veggie burger. This place is owned by the same people as Monk's, but has a neighborhood feel to it. There is a dart board and a decent jukebox, and there is never a wait.
Cons: Beer is a bit pricey and rumored to not be vegan

Grace Tavern (neighborhood bar) Location: 2229 Gray's Ferry Ave
Price: $7.50 or so

Pros: Again owned by the same people that brought us Nodding Head and Monk's, this place is a tiny version of the two smashed together. It is small and smokey, but the veggie burger is good and you never have to wait (unless it's because the waitress is in the back and didn't realize someone actually came in).

Cons: The only time it gets busy is sporting events, and there is only one T.V.- doesn't make much sense to me, but whatever.



Gianna's & Gianna Jrs (American Italian) Locations: 507 South 6th Street & 106 South 20th Street

Price: $5-$15
Pros: They make a decent tomato pie as long as the person you are ordering from knows that a tomato pie is not just a pizza without cheese (which happened once to us), they also have vegan cheese pizzas and a various assortment of toppings. They have an entire veggie menu.
Cons: While the veggie menu is large, not a lot of it is all that good. Maybe it is because I never liked greasy cheesteaks before, but I would stay away from their sandwich list if I were you. Also, while their desserts are good they had some shady business with blatantly stealing the recipes from my favorite vegan bakery Vegan Treats. For shame.

Mad Mex (Mexican American) Location: 3401 Walnut Street

Price: $8-$10
Pros: Many options for us veggies, and they have a delicious tofu sour cream.
Cons: It can get busy and because it is not totally vegan you have to double check your order and your food once you get it. I had a friend order a tofu burrito and get chicken, so watch out.

Gourmet to Go (Mostly American) Location: At the corner of Broad and South St.
Price: $5-$9 per sand which
Great place to get that Vegan cake or cheesteak you've been craving. Previously Reviewed under "Veg. Spotlight"

Govinda's (Upscale: Indian, American, Italian) Location: At the corner of Broad and South St.
Price $15-$20 per entree
Great place to bring a bottle of wine and have a romantic dinner.Previously Reviewed under "Veg. Spotlight"

Horizons (Tropical/Mediterranean) Location: 611 S. 7th St
Price: $17-$20 per entree
Expensive, but the best upscale vegan restaurant in town. Previously reviewed under "Veg. Review"