tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14020482510009046682024-03-12T05:19:07.382-04:00Yum Veggie Burgerveggie burger reviews, ratings, and moreAli - YumVeggieBurgerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16024423498995826598noreply@blogger.comBlogger243125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402048251000904668.post-78709711661117817092016-01-15T13:37:00.001-05:002016-01-15T13:37:35.199-05:00The Cinnamon Snail at The Pennsy
It’s here!!! The Cinnamon Snail is back, reincarnated not as a food truck but a brick-and-mortar location! <br><br>
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It’s been almost a year since we said a tearful farewell to our favorite vegan food truck, so I cannot think of a better veggie burger to ring in the new year with! I stopped by the other afternoon to check out the Snail’s new home at the Pennsy food court in the old Borders Books location at Penn Station – and it was like visiting an old friend! There are 4 other vendors in the food court, but I ignored the others and went straight for the Cinnamon Snail:<br><br>
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It was strange and exciting to see it in its new form, with similar signage and colors as the old truck, but new and sleek elements as well. The menu includes lots of old favorites (view it <a href=http://www.thepennsy.nyc/the-cinnamon-snail/>here!</a>), but I already knew what I wanted: The Beastmode Burger Deluxe<br><br>
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This is very similar to one of their daily specials <a href=http://www.yumveggieburger.com/2015/02/an-ode-to-the-cinnamon-snail-and-their.html>which I reviewed last year (and loved!)</a>, except now it’s on a pretzel bun instead of focaccia bread. And I am happy to confirm that it tastes just as amazing!<br><br>
It might not be the most photogenic burger, simply because all that delicious vegan jalapeno mac and cheese is oozing out of it, and you know your fingers are going to be covered in barbecue sauce by the time you’re done eating it, but it is WORTH IT! <br><br>
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The pretzel bun is a great choice – it tastes just like a pretzel, but the outside is as soft as the inside (it’s not too chewy or tough to bite through). The seitan patty holds together perfectly (even when the toppings are oozing out of the burger) and has a nice hearty texture. It seems slightly spicier than I remember, so fair warning to anyone who is wary of a little heat in their food, but I really enjoyed it!<br><br>
And the toppings… this burger is like the holy grail of perfect burger toppings! First: Maple bourbon barbecue sauce. I mean, you could stop right there and I’d already be drooling! But then on top of that, you get jalapeno vegan mac and cheese (brilliant!), plus lovely fresh arugula, smoked chili coconut bacon (cruchy like dried coconut, smokey like bacon), AND chipotle mayo!<br><br>
Pro tip: Make sure you grab a stack of napkins before you sit down to enjoy this heavenly creation. <br><br>
The Pennsy has a good amount of seating, so you can grab a seat at a nearby table to enjoy your Cinnamon Snail food right there, without having to carry it back to your home or your office or the steps of a nearby building (I love food trucks, but sometimes it is just so nice to have the convenience of a table and chairs when you’re eating lunch!). I came here at 2pm and it wasn’t too crowded, but I imagine lunchtime might get kind of crazy.<br><br>
And The Cinnamon Snail is selling their signature amazing donuts and other desserts here as well:<br><br>
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Of <i>course</i> I got a donut to go with my burger:<br><br>
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<small><i>Vegan S’mores Donut.</i></small> <br><br>
It was perfection!<br><br>
I’m glad I’m working in Manhattan this winter, because it will make it oh so easy to stop by the Pennsy to grab some donuts to take home with me after work. The Cinnamon Snail will be serving food until 11pm Monday through Saturday now! (closing at 8pm on Sundays). My new year's resolution is just to eat as many Cinnamon Snail donuts as I can... no shame! <br>
And as someone who travels by train quite often, I am very excited to be able to pick up lunch from the Cinnamon Snail before my next trip out of town!<br><br>
Congrats to the Cinnamon Snail on their new home! If you haven’t stopped by to visit them yet, definitely go treat yourself to a burger or a donut this week ☺<br><br>
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/yumveggieburger/24103881070/in/dateposted-public/" title="pennsy_photo_07"><img src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1702/24103881070_360d7b8723.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="pennsy_photo_07"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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Cost: $10.95<br>
Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ <br>
<small><i>Burger patty: 5 Bun: 5 Toppings: 5</i></small><br><br>
<a href=http://www.thepennsy.nyc/the-cinnamon-snail/>The Cinnamon Snail at The Pennsy</a><br>
2 Pennsylvania Plaza, <br>
<i>7th Avenue and 33rd Street</i><br>
New York, NY 10121<br><br>
<small><i>YumVeggieBurger review #159</i></small><br>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">© YumVeggieBurger.com</div>Ali - YumVeggieBurgerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16024423498995826598noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402048251000904668.post-20156957727663668552015-08-03T08:54:00.000-04:002016-01-15T12:41:42.462-05:00Johanna's Veggie Burger BitesIt's been awhile since my last blog post! I've still been eating lots of veggie burgers (I have quite a few to share reviews of soon!) but this whole "life" thing has had me rather preoccupied... my day job, volunteer work, and oh yeah... I'm getting married!<br><br>
But in the midst of all that, I'm continuing my quest to keep reviewing veggie burgers! And today's review is a “veggie burger” unlike any I’ve reviewed thus far!
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I saw Johanna’s Veggie Burger Bites on the shelf at my local health food store (I think my eyes are trained to immediately spot the phrase “veggie burger” anywhere I go). I was mystified, and a bit skeptical, of these strange dried-out looking bits of veggie burger… but I knew I had to try them. For science! And the blog!
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The texture was unusual. Looking at them, I thought they would be kind of crunchy like granola, but instead they were hard, (literally) like a dried out veggie burger, but not so hard that it was painful to bite into them or anything. Consisting of mostly nuts, seeds, and vegetables, the ingredient list certainly sounds like that of a veggie burger.
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The taste was unexpected – they reminded me of those vegan-cheese flavored kale chips that are sold in stores (the “nacho” flavor, I guess?). I like those kale chips, so I enjoyed the flavor of these veggie burger bites. They were a little spicy, with a nice kick to them.
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The idea of just eating bits of dried out veggie burgers had not appealed to me (that sounds like stale food you would throw away, right?), and I had expected to just sample one or two of these bites and then probably throw the rest away… <br>
But I surprised myself by continuing to pop one after anther into my mouth! Soon I had finished the whole package.
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I wouldn’t say these remind me very much of veggie burgers, in appearance, texture, or taste… So it feels difficult to review them and rank them as such. Compared to other veggie burgers, they would be obviously be a disappointment. But on their own, they were an unexpectedly pleasant snack. They’ve raw, vegan, and gluten free, so most of your dietary restrictions are covered, as long as you can eat nuts! I would certainly consider buying these again as a lightweight but protein-packed snack to bring along when hiking or camping. But don't try them expecting them to taste like the veggie burgers you are used to enjoying!
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Rating: ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆<br>
<a href=http://www.johannasrawfoods.com>Johanna's Veggie Burger Bites</a><br>
purchased at: <a href=http://www.yelp.com/biz/greenbay-marketplace-inc-astoria>Greenbay Marketplace</a> in Astoria, NY<br>
price: $6.99 for a 2.5oz container<br><br>
<small><i>YumVeggieBurger review #158</i></small><br><div class="blogger-post-footer">© YumVeggieBurger.com</div>Ali - YumVeggieBurgerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16024423498995826598noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402048251000904668.post-62327335583314103802015-03-25T12:06:00.001-04:002015-03-25T12:06:23.763-04:00Beyond Meat's Beast Burger<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/yumveggieburger/16720231377" title="beast_burger_photo_01 by Ali M., on Flickr"><img src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8710/16720231377_967bec7ddb.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="beast_burger_photo_01"></a><br><br>
After hearing so much hype about Beyond Meat’s new “Beast Burger”, I had been stalking the frozen food aisles waiting for it to appear in NYC. I really like Beyond Meat’s fake “chicken” strips, so I was excited to see what their take on a burger would be. Finally, I found the Beast Burgers – just a few blocks from my new apartment in Astoria!<br><br>
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/yumveggieburger/16720232597" title="beast_burger_photo_02 by Ali M., on Flickr"><img src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8734/16720232597_f6d6ae2f73.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="beast_burger_photo_02"></a><br><br>
At $5.29 for a pack of 2 patties, this is not the most economical frozen veggie burger patty available – but the patties are much larger than normal! And Beyond Meat boasts that this vegan patty contains more protein and more iron than beef – so that’s pretty impressive, and maybe worth the extra cost. And they’re both gluten-free and soy-free.<br><br>
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/yumveggieburger/16741351969" title="beast_burger_photo_03 by Ali M., on Flickr"><img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7281/16741351969_73288bfdd4.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="beast_burger_photo_03"></a><br><br>
Seriously, I can’t emphasize enough how large these patties are – I had to pull out my biggest frying pan to fit two in side by side! I fried them in a little olive oil for about 8 minutes, flipping them a few times throughout. The patties come with “grill marks” on one side. For aesthetic reasons, I guess.
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/yumveggieburger/16926270422" title="beast_burger_photo_04 by Ali M., on Flickr"><img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7646/16926270422_568c1ebc8e.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="beast_burger_photo_04"></a><br><br>
Yup, so large that the patty was too big for my normal-sized hamburger buns! But that’s okay – the patty felt sturdy and at no risk for crumbling over the edges of the bun. You can see how it browned up after it cooked all the way through.<br><br>
I topped my burger with some lettuce, pickled red onions (my new homemade obsession – so easy, so delicious! Pickled onions will grace all of my burgers from now on!) and horseradish sauce (also a recent obsession, now that I’ve realized you can buy it at the store!).<br><br>
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/yumveggieburger/16926569531" title="beast_burger_photo_05 by Ali M., on Flickr"><img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7587/16926569531_287de16467.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="beast_burger_photo_05"></a><br><br>
Biting into it, the first thing I noticed was the texture: It was pretty dense (packed with all that protein and nutrients?), and obviously aiming for a meat-like feel. It’s been well over a decade since I last ate a burger made of beef, but I still don’t think this Beast Burger is an exact replica of that texture, as some reviews I read online have claimed. But it was still a little more dense and chewy than I would have liked. And despite my fears that it would be too oily after being fried in a pan, I thought it was a bit on the dry side as well. Luckily, the toppings I had put on it made up for that. <br><br>
Flavor-wise, I was surprised that it was kind of, well… bland. It tasted slightly “meaty”, not distinctly of any one flavor or seasoning, just a general protein-y, savory flavor. But I had hoped it would have more seasoning or some kind of kick of spice to it - but then, that’s something that can easily be remedied with toppings. And people who don't like spicy things might prefer this burger.
My boyfriend the omnivore was game to try the second patty I had cooked, and he actually ate the whole thing and said it was quite filling and he didn’t feel like he needed to go eat some meat afterwards (like some vegetarian meals make him feel) – but he did say that the taste and texture reminded him of “that one time that I ate a piece of cardboard”. (FYI, he has eaten other veggie burgers that he liked better! But usually the ones that aren’t trying to look and taste like meat).<br><br>
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/yumveggieburger/16741351389" title="beast_burger_photo_06 by Ali M., on Flickr"><img src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8685/16741351389_a9198c390b.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="beast_burger_photo_06"></a> <br><br>
Ultimately, while I was not blown away by the Beast Burger, and while I may have had expectations that were a bit too high after reading all the hype online, this is still a very solid store-bought burger – definitely one of the best of the faux-meat varieties that are out there today. Not to mention all the health benefits that make it a better alternative to most other frozen veggie burgers in the grocery stores. <br><br>
I’d like to give these burgers a try on the barbecue grill too, although sadly since moving apartments I no longer have space to keep my own grill – so I’ll have to hope I get invited to a lot of barbecues this summer (hint, hint, NYC friends!). Beyond Meat also makes a smaller “slider” version of this burger, called “Beastly Sliders”. I have a box of those sitting in my freezer as well, so I’ll be giving them a try soon too! <br><br>
Rating: ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆<br>
<a href=http://beyondmeat.com>Beyond Meat’s Beast Burger</a><br>
purchased at: <a href=http://www.yelp.com/biz/greenbay-marketplace-inc-astoria>Greenbay Marketplace</a> in Astoria, NY<br>
check <a href=http://beyondmeat.com>Beyond Meat’s website</a> to see where they may be sold near you.<br>
price: $5.29 for 2 patties<br><br>
<small><i>YumVeggieBurger review #157</i></small><br>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">© YumVeggieBurger.com</div>Ali - YumVeggieBurgerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16024423498995826598noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402048251000904668.post-55482786736235596572015-03-20T15:45:00.000-04:002015-03-20T15:45:35.461-04:00Spring Street NaturalSpring Street Natural has become one of my go-to spots in Soho. It has a lot of healthy, vegetarian options (as well as options for your omnivore friends), and it’s a huge restaurant so it’s rarely too crowded. You can almost always get a table – yes, even at brunch on the weekends!<br><br>
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/yumveggieburger/16687298098" title="spring_street_natural_photo_01 by Ali M., on Flickr"><img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7653/16687298098_15e7bab9a8.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="spring_street_natural_photo_01"></a><br><br>
I had eaten here a few times before I finally tried the veggie burger – the menu said it was made in-house, and I was intrigued by the fact that it had almonds in it! The waiter told me that it would be completely vegan if I ordered it without the cheese (which I did) – but by default it comes topped with cheddar.<br><br>
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/yumveggieburger/16687522070" title="spring_street_natural_photo_02 by Ali M., on Flickr"><img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7281/16687522070_39e2b1fbf8.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="spring_street_natural_photo_02"></a><br><br>
The burger arrived topped with lettuce, tomato, and had a Dijon mayo (presumably not vegan, but double-check) served on the side. I tried a bit of the Dijon mayo on my burger, and although I’m not a big mustard fan, it added a nice note of flavor to the whole burger, since without the cheese there wasn't much in the way of toppings.<br><br>
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/yumveggieburger/16687521900" title="spring_street_natural_photo_03 by Ali M., on Flickr"><img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7590/16687521900_a66d83e30b.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="spring_street_natural_photo_03"></a><br><br>
The toasted sesame bun was soft and very fresh – I should add that Spring Street Natural always puts a small bread basket on the table at the beginning of the meal, and I’ve enjoyed every bit of bread I’ve eaten from this establishment. I probably ate some bread even before my burger arrived, if I recall correctly. I can't help it, I see a basket of bread slices and I just have to try them all!<br><br>
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/yumveggieburger/16254935473" title="spring_street_natural_photo_04 by Ali M., on Flickr"><img src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8625/16254935473_710300cd91.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="spring_street_natural_photo_04"></a><br><br>
The patty itself was definitely house-made, and as you can see, packed full of veggies and grains. It was quite mushy, and although you can’t necessarily tell from the photos, lacked that nice crispy outside that I prefer on my burgers. Unfortunately, it was also a bit bland too. I was hoping for a stronger, more exciting flavor! I really didn't taste the almonds either.
<br><br>It wasn’t a bad burger, indeed it was quite hearty and filling and I couldn’t finish the whole thing (probably because of all that bread I ate at the start of the meal). But it just wasn't as good as I was expecting. Which is too bad, because some of the other vegetarian options on the menu here are really quite excellent!<br><br>
The sweet potato fries (included with the burger), however, were delicious!<br><br>
Cost: $12.00<br>
Rating: ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆ <br>
<small><i>Burger patty: 3 Bun: 4 Toppings: 3</i></small><br><br>
<a href=http://www.springstreetnatural.com/index.php>Spring Street Natural</a><br>
62 Spring Street<br>
<i>between Mulberry & Lafayette Street</i><br>
New York, NY 10012<br>
212.966.0290<br><br>
<small><i>YumVeggieBurger review #156</i></small><br>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">© YumVeggieBurger.com</div>Ali - YumVeggieBurgerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16024423498995826598noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402048251000904668.post-63614500678610949802015-03-06T14:47:00.000-05:002015-03-06T14:47:01.107-05:00White Castle<i><b>Full Disclaimer:</b> <br>White Castle contacted me and sent me info and coupons for their new veggie sliders. <br>
But since I was out of town for most of December and then spent all of January apartment-hunting, packing, and moving into a new apartment, I did not get a chance to use the coupons before they expired. So I paid for the sliders I am reviewing here, and although I am grateful to White Castle for taking an interest in my little blog and offering me the opportunity to try their new menu items, the fact that they sent me a free apron and t-shirt won’t affect the honesty of my review (although the apron is quite useful in the kitchen – thank you, White Castle!).</i><br><br>
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/yumveggieburger/16709612766" title="white_castle_photo_01 by Ali M., on Flickr"><img src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8675/16709612766_ddecd8c1b1.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="white_castle_photo_01"></a><br><br>
This was my first time setting foot in a White Castle restaurant – although of course I had seen <i><a href=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0366551/>Harold & Kumar Go To White Castle</a></i> (did you know that they supposedly made veggie sliders just for one of the actors to eat during the filming of that movie? Kind of crazy that it took another TEN years to get veggie sliders on the real menu for the rest of us civilians!)<br><br>
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/yumveggieburger/16548089780" title="white_castle_photo_02 by Ali M., on Flickr"><img src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8646/16548089780_f7972e909f.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="white_castle_photo_02"></a><br><br>
Walking into the restaurant, I noticed signs on each table advertising the new veggie sliders – which seemed like a good omen! But when I stepped up to the register to place my order, the cashier said “We don’t have any more veggie sliders”.<br><br>
Disappointing, but maybe it was a good thing if the veggie sliders were so popular they were selling out? Hopefully that would show White Castle executives that having a veggie option was a smart move! So I asked the cashier when they would have the sliders back in stock so I could return to try them. <br><br>
To my surprise, she said they <i>did</i> have them in stock, but “No one is cooking them, so it would take about 10 minutes”. Confused, I tried to clarify: “So, if I wait ten minutes, can I order them?” The cashier seemed shocked that anyone would want to wait 10 minutes, but agreed to take my order, and called back into the kitchen for someone to start cooking veggie sliders.<br><br>
I was baffled – so they <i>did</i> have the sliders, they just couldn’t be bothered to prepare them for their customers? White Castle had told me that they were training their employees to cook the veggie patties separately from hamburger patties, even using different-colored spatula to keep them separate! But I hadn't anticipated that this would mean it would be such an ordeal to order them. Oh well… at least they would be freshly-cooked! <br><br>
But I was troubled that the cashier had not given me this information when I first asked to order the sliders. She had simply said “we don’t have any more veggie sliders”. If I had not been persistent and asked a follow up question, I would have left the restaurant assuming they were out of stock. In fact, I had seen a customer in front of me leave after hearing something he wanted was out of stock – I had missed the beginning of his conversation with the cashier, but now I would be willing to bet he’d tried to order the veggie sliders too, and been turned away!<br><br>
About <s>ten</s> twenty minutes later, my sliders were finally ready:<br><br>
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/yumveggieburger/16549395569" title="white_castle_photo_03 by Ali M., on Flickr"><img src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8680/16549395569_5637e2197b.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="white_castle_photo_03"></a><br><br>
They were tiny, and kind of cute – each in its own little cardboard case. <br><br>
I had ordered three, so I could try each of the three flavors of sauce that are offered with the veggie sliders. First up was the “Sweet Thai” sauce:<br><br>
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/yumveggieburger/16548089620" title="white_castle_photo_04 by Ali M., on Flickr"><img src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8683/16548089620_7178f661a3.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="white_castle_photo_04"></a><br><br>
The patties are all Dr. Praeger’s vegan veggie burgers – a mix of carrots, zucchini peas, spinach, and broccoli. I haven’t been too impressed by Dr. Praeger’s burgers in the past, but I have to say, maybe it was the 20 minute wait, but these did not seem too bad. They were a bit mushy, but they were warm and held together well! The Sweet Thai sauce is the only one of the three flavors that is vegan. It was a nice sweet-sour flavor, very mild compared to some sweet Thai sauces I’ve tried. <br><br>
I wished there were some peppers or greens with the patty, but I guess the whole deal with White Castle’s sliders is that they’re rather minimalist?<br><br>
Next up, Honey Mustard:<br><br>
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/yumveggieburger/16734424452" title="white_castle_photo_05 by Ali M., on Flickr"><img src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8643/16734424452_b2738eae3f.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="white_castle_photo_05"></a>
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This sauce contains eggs, but no dairy. I’m not a big mustard fan, but I actually kind of liked it (I guess because it was more sweet than mustard). It seemed like there was a smaller portion of it than there had been of the Sweet Thai sauce, but I was glad the mustard flavor wasn’t too overwhelming. <br><br>
Third, Ranch Dressing:<br><br>
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/yumveggieburger/16548089460" title="white_castle_photo_06 by Ali M., on Flickr"><img src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8636/16548089460_7479fdfe14.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="white_castle_photo_06"></a>
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This sauce, containing both eggs and milk, was my least favorite. Maybe someone who really likes Ranch would appreciate it, but I did not care for it. Still, I was hungry, and the sliders are tiny, so I ate the whole thing. The bun was soft and fresh, nothing exciting, but it served its purpose well. The sliders are so small, even three was not terribly filling - perhaps because I missed having real toppings (sauce is not really enough of a topping for me! Even if two of the three sauces weren't bad). But it's kind of nice that they sell them individually, so if you just wanted a small bite you could just stop in and order one on its own! Or twenty, if you were really hungry...<br><br>
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/yumveggieburger/16547945968" title="white_castle_photo_07 by Ali M., on Flickr"><img src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8615/16547945968_e96e5e9713.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="white_castle_photo_07"></a><br><br>
This White Castle location, near the Port Authority, is hardly a place I’d be in a hurry to return to (it was quite possibly one of the dirtiest restaurants I’ve ever eaten in). But if you are nearby, hungry, and low on cash – or your intoxicated omnivore friends drag you with them on a quest for sliders – at least there is now a vegetarian option here. And I am totally in support of every restaurant, even fast food chains, having those options for their customers!<br><br>
But all of White Castle’s corporate promotion and advertising of the new veggie sliders seems to be at odds with the staff’s attitude towards them. I should add that it was well into lunchtime (1:30pm) when I arrived. If they didn’t have anyone cooking veggie sliders by then, would they have ever gotten around to cooking them that day, if I had not insisted on ordering them? And does this happen every day? <br><br>
How is White Castle supposed to evaluate if there is enough demand to keep these on the menu if they are turning away customers who try to order them???<br><br>
I hope this is just an issue at this one White Castle location – has anyone tried to order the sliders at a White Castle outside of NYC? Or have you been to the NYC one and had better luck than I did? <br><br>
Cost: $0.99 per slider<br>
Rating: ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ <br>
<small><i>Burger patty: 3 Bun: 3 Toppings: 1</i></small><br><br>
<a href=http://www.whitecastle.com>White Castle</a><br>
525 8th Avenue<br>
<i>between 36th & 37th Street</i><br>
New York, NY 10018<br>
212.736.4746<br>
<i><b>additional locations in NYC and around the U.S., check website for addresses</b></i><br><br>
<small><i>YumVeggieBurger review #155</i></small><br>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">© YumVeggieBurger.com</div>Ali - YumVeggieBurgerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16024423498995826598noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402048251000904668.post-51882904638396748802015-03-02T12:21:00.000-05:002015-03-02T12:21:07.700-05:00The Best Thing I Ate This Month That Wasn't A Veggie Burger(technically last month - February)
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/yumveggieburger/16694866852" title="chao_photo_01 by Ali M., on Flickr"><img src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8613/16694866852_28f46e4cfd.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="chao_photo_01"></a>
<br><br>
This was an exciting "best thing I ate this month" - I was so excited to try the new <b><a href=http://fieldroast.com/chaostory/>Chao Slices</a></b> made by <a href=http://fieldroast.com/>Field Roast</a> (the same company that makes those delicious vegan sausages, and <a href=http://www.yumveggieburger.com/2015/01/field-roast-hand-formed-veggie-burger.html>the veggie burger patty I was finally able to try while I was in L.A. last year</a>!)
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I had been stalking the vegan foods section of Whole Foods for weeks looking for these, but finally found them at a local natural food store in my neighborhood.
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/yumveggieburger/16488619647" title="chao_photo_02 by Ali M., on Flickr"><img src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8562/16488619647_c1d4ec13bf.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="chao_photo_02"></a>
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The Chao slices are sealed in one package together, but surprisingly come apart easily without sticking to each other. This is one of those rare vegan cheeses which tastes good plain! I ate some slices on their own, and then a few on crackers. One evening after a friend and I finished a bottle of wine, I drunkenly ate several chao slices, and they were just the perfect craving-satisfier at that moment! So this product should definitely be included when you have a vegan wine and cheese party.
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/yumveggieburger/16508322908" title="chao_photo_03 by Ali M., on Flickr"><img src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8613/16508322908_36ec5cd794.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="chao_photo_03"></a>
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Of course, the real test for this vegan cheese was the grilled cheese sandwich.
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The verdict? Delicious! <br>
It did seem to take a bit longer to melt than other vegan cheeses, but it was worth it - so yummy! Perfect comfort food on these cold winter days!<br><br>
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/yumveggieburger/16694590491" title="chao_photo_04 by Ali M., on Flickr"><img src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8593/16694590491_8eda61beda.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="chao_photo_04"></a>
<br><br>
I can't wait to try the other flavors once I am able to locate them in stores... especially the spicy tomato cayenne pepper one! And you can bet I will be putting these slices on my veggie burgers quite often from now on!
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<b><a href=http://fieldroast.com/chaostory/>Chao Slices</a></b><br>
Purchased at <a href=http://www.yelp.com/biz/greenbay-marketplace-inc-astoria>Greenbay Marketplace</a> in Astoria, NY<br>
Check <a href=http://fieldroast.com/>Field Roast</a>'s website to see where else they might be sold.<br><br><div class="blogger-post-footer">© YumVeggieBurger.com</div>Ali - YumVeggieBurgerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16024423498995826598noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402048251000904668.post-34671403602272611482015-02-18T10:57:00.000-05:002015-02-18T10:57:40.931-05:00An Ode to the The Cinnamon Snail (and their Smoked Chili Bourbon BBQ Seitan Burger)Do you passionately love and adore the Cinnamon Snail vegan food truck? Or do you still have yet to try its delicious sandwiches, burgers, donuts and other mind-blowing desserts? Either way, you only have <b>two weeks left</b> to get your hands on some of the best vegan food in the city…<br><br>
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/yumveggieburger/16377303630" title="cinnamonsnail3_photo_01 by Ali M., on Flickr"><img src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8595/16377303630_d04ccb0cba.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="cinnamonsnail3_photo_01"></a><br><br>
Tragically, the Cinnamon Snail <a href= https://www.facebook.com/TheCinnamonSnail/posts/10153083323244367>announced that at the end of this month, their food truck will no longer be operating.</a> <br><br>
This news hit me hard, like the way you feel as a kid when you drop your ice cream cone on the ground (or, even as an adult, still!) – I have always looked forward to days off when I can grab breakfast or lunch from the Cinnamon Snail, or weekends when I happily find excuses to run errands in Manhattan near where the truck will be parked, so I can pick up a box of donuts to bring home. It’s hard to believe that these days are coming to an end! <br><br>
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/yumveggieburger/15944573873" title="cinnamonsnail3_photo_02 by Ali M., on Flickr"><img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7384/15944573873_c1bb78b37a.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="cinnamonsnail3_photo_02"></a><br>
<small><i>Seriously, how incredible are these donuts?!?! </i></small><br><br>
What the future is for the Snail crew and their amazing food is uncertain at this time (read their <a href= https://www.facebook.com/TheCinnamonSnail/posts/10153083323244367>facebook post</a> for more details), so if you have been craving a bourbon crème brulee donut or a decadently delicious veggie burger, now is the time to get one, before they are all gone! And if you still have not tried the Cinnamon Snail’s food, please do yourself a favor and try it at least once before you no longer have the chance to – even if you aren’t a vegetarian or vegan, I promise you will be blown away! <br><br>
Which brings me to the subject of this post…<br><br>
<b>The smoked chili bourbon BBQ seitan burger with jalapeno mac-n-cheese, smoked almond bacon, arugula, and chipotle mayo on grilled herb focaccia.</b><br><br>
Yes, you read that correctly. Are you drooling? I was, the minute I saw that sign advertising the daily special. <br><br>
My most recent trip to the Cinnamon Snail was on a Saturday when I had an early morning appointment in Manhattan. Remembering that the Snail had said they would be parked on 14th street that day, I eagerly made my way there for lunch. Bonus: no line! A rarity for the Snail!<br><br>
Because it is FREEZING outside in NYC right now, I resisted the temptation to be one of <i>those</i> people messily eating a meal on the subway, and patiently waited until I got home to dig into what sounded like a veritable holy grail of veggie burgers.<br><br>
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/yumveggieburger/16564771015" title="cinnamonsnail3_photo_03 by Ali M., on Flickr"><img src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8576/16564771015_86dffc316c.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="cinnamonsnail3_photo_03"></a><br><br>
And I was not disappointed!<br><br>
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/yumveggieburger/15944572013" title="cinnamonsnail3_photo_04 by Ali M., on Flickr"><img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7302/15944572013_1aed0a32e5.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="cinnamonsnail3_photo_04"></a><br><br>
The toppings are a foodie/vegan/glutton’s dream come true. Just look at that mac-n-cheese! Okay, it’s a little smushed from being carried all the way back to Queens, but just take a minute to pause and process all the delicious flavors that are combined in this incredible burger: bourbon, barbecue, mac-n-cheese, bacon, jalapeno. And it's all vegan. Holy hell! And each one was as delicious as it sounds, coming together to create a masterpiece.<br><br>
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/yumveggieburger/16538751986" title="cinnamonsnail3_photo_05 by Ali M., on Flickr"><img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7362/16538751986_986362753e.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="cinnamonsnail3_photo_05"></a><br><br>
The seitan patty was sweet, spicy, smokey, savory, hearty, and simply <i>amazing</i>. It’s thick, it will fill you up – and it holds together like a proper veggie patty should!<br><br>
The herbed focaccia bun was sweet and soft, and tasted oh-so-good. My only complaint (literally, my ONLY complaint about this entire burger) was that the bun was a bit large for even this monster patty and luxurious array of toppings (probably because of the fact that the bun is square and has all that extra bread at the corners with no patty or toppings to fill it - but this is a pretty minor, nit-picky complaint in the face of so much awesomeness).<br><br>
If I could narrow down all my gushing praise of this burger to one word, that would be simply: <br>
WOW!<br><br>
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/yumveggieburger/16538750696" title="cinnamonsnail3_photo_07 by Ali M., on Flickr"><img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7404/16538750696_40a3418f4e.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="cinnamonsnail3_photo_07"></a><br><br>
This burger was the weekly special last week, but I don’t think it’s on the specials for this week (or I would probably be seriously considering skipping work to go eat it). <br>
However, you can try the <a href= http://www.yumveggieburger.com/2012/07/cinnamon-snail-vegan-food-truck.html>Ancho Chili Seitan Burger</a> which I have also reviewed (and also gave 5 stars to) and which is on the regular menu! And hopefully if the Cinnamon Snail is reincarnated as a brick-and-mortar restaurant or some other type of food vendor, they will bring back the smoked chili bourbon BBQ seitan burger… as its #1 fan, I think I would cry if I never had the chance to taste that deliciousness ever again! <br><br>
And of course, don’t forget to try a donut (vanilla bourbon crème brulee donuts – need I say more??? The Cinnamon Snail understands my love/need for all things bourbon-flavored!) or another dessert!<br><br>
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/yumveggieburger/16378831717" title="cinnamonsnail3_photo_06 by Ali M., on Flickr"><img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7422/16378831717_fb3f764dc5.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="cinnamonsnail3_photo_06"></a><br><br>
I got a bourbon hazelnut cheesecake brownie, which I shamelessly ate on the subway on my way home (dessert before dinner is allowed when the dessert is the less messy of the two options, and the food is so good you can’t wait until you get home!).<br><br>
<b>Go out and show your love for the Cinnamon Snail and eat some amazing food in the next week and a half before the truck is off the streets for good!</b><br><br>
Cinnamon Snail, you are so loved – and you will be so missed!<br>
Thank you for all the love and deliciousness you have shared over the years!<br><br>
Cost: $11.00<br>
Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★<br>
<small><i>Burger patty: 5 Bun: 4 Toppings: 5</i></small><br><br>
<a href=http://www.cinnamonsnail.com/>The Cinnamon Snail</a><br>
Parking in various locations around Manhattan - <b>but only until the end of February 2015!</b> - check their <a href=https://twitter.com/VeganLunchTruck>Twitter feed</a> for current location<br>
201.675.3755<br>
<small><i>YumVeggieBurger review #154</i></small><br>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">© YumVeggieBurger.com</div>Ali - YumVeggieBurgerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16024423498995826598noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402048251000904668.post-15328909767914385862015-02-17T15:31:00.000-05:002015-02-17T15:31:54.082-05:00Venice Ale HouseOkay, this is the last belated veggie burger review from my trip to Los Angeles last December – I’ve got some great NYC veggie burger reviews to post soon, for those who are sick of seeing the lovely warm-weather California photos and want a local veggie burger here in NYC to warm you up on a cold snowy day (like today…)<br><br>
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/yumveggieburger/16377510957" title="venice_ale_house_photo_01 by Ali M., on Flickr"><img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7459/16377510957_131a9e7a01.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="venice_ale_house_photo_01"></a><br><br>
Venice Ale House was just down the street from the hotel we stayed at in Venice Beach, and with its outdoor seating looking out onto the beach, we couldn’t resist stopping here for brunch one afternoon. I had already seen a few vegan items on the menu before I spotted the veggie burger, but once I saw that it was called “The Mother Trucker Veggie Burger” I laughed and knew I had to try it!
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/yumveggieburger/16377510207" title="venice_ale_house_photo_02 by Ali M., on Flickr"><img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7354/16377510207_488a3c5a96.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="venice_ale_house_photo_02"></a>
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Yes, that’s a huge sprig of rosemary sticking out of a really deliciously tasty bun (soft and sweet, studded with sesame seeds).
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/yumveggieburger/15943243003" title="venice_ale_house_photo_03 by Ali M., on Flickr"><img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7447/15943243003_4221651746.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="venice_ale_house_photo_03"></a><br><br>
The patty could stand to be a little less mushy – the texture ended up feeling like a thick paste in my mouth – but the flavor was excellent! In particular, I enjoyed the spicy kick that hits you after the first bite! The standard toppings the burger came with were lettuce, tomato, raw red onion (ehh, I think I’ve expressed my dislike of raw onion on burgers before) and chipotle aioli (although the staff said the burger was vegan, I’m guessing they were not thinking about the aioli). Because I was on vacation, I splurged and spent an extra dollar for avocado as well.<br><br>
Mushiness of the patty aside, taste-wise, this was one of the better burgers I had on this trip! And the roasted potatoes it was served with were quite enjoyable as well. I wish we could have stayed longer, because I would have been glad to come back and try one of the vegan breakfast scrambles on the menu too.<br><br>
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/yumveggieburger/16562314582" title="venice_ale_house_photo_04 by Ali M., on Flickr"><img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7307/16562314582_db755109ee.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="venice_ale_house_photo_04"></a><br>
<small><i>Sunset over Venice Beach</i></small><br><br>
Cost: $11.00 (plus $1.00 extra for avocado)<br>
Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ <br>
<small><i>Burger patty: 4 Bun: 5 Toppings: 4</i></small><br><br>
<a href=http://www.venicealehouse.com>Venice Ale House</a><br>
2 Rose Avenue<br>
Venice, CA 90291<br>
310.314.8253<br><br>
<small><i>YumVeggieBurger review #153</i></small><br>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">© YumVeggieBurger.com</div>Ali - YumVeggieBurgerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16024423498995826598noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402048251000904668.post-88750176205095061082015-02-04T11:42:00.000-05:002015-02-04T11:42:40.898-05:00Neptune's NetWow, January was a busy month! I moved into a new apartment, and am still unpacking… which explains why I have still not finished posting all of my veggie burger reviews from my trip to Los Angeles back in December!<br><br>
So here’s another California veggie burger review:
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One of the best parts of our L.A. vacation was driving up the coast for beach days in Malibu.
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/yumveggieburger/16256169190" title="neptunes_net_photo_01 by Ali M., on Flickr"><img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7450/16256169190_ec3c43f3ee.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="neptunes_net_photo_01"></a>
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One evening, after watching a beautiful sunset, we realized we were starving, and the closest place was a seafood restaurant called Neptune’s Net. Hopeful that I would find <i>something</i> there that I could eat, we ventured inside.
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/yumveggieburger/16417592446" title="neptunes_net_photo_02 by Ali M., on Flickr"><img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7325/16417592446_e42c59f8f6.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="neptunes_net_photo_02"></a>
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Lo and behold, one of the few vegetarian items on the menu was a “garden burger”!
<br>They could not tell me if it was vegan or not, so I’d err on the side of caution and assume it’s only vegetarian, as many pre-made patties unfortunately are (and some of the yelp reviews sound pretty certain that it’s not vegan).
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/yumveggieburger/15821057294" title="neptunes_net_photo_03 by Ali M., on Flickr"><img src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8607/15821057294_570cbc96e9.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="neptunes_net_photo_03"></a>
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It was pretty simple, just some shredded iceburg lettuce, a pale tomato slice, and a generous serving of mayo, all on a very standard, squishy, fast-food-esque bun studded with sesame seeds on top.
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/yumveggieburger/16417592386" title="neptunes_net_photo_04 by Ali M., on Flickr"><img src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8663/16417592386_eb4a160219.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="neptunes_net_photo_04"></a>
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The patty itself wasn’t bad. A rather standard “garden burger”, it was fried well, and maybe I was just hungry, but it even tasted pretty decent for a pre-made patty! It was more of a vegetable mash than faux-meat texture. I was trying to figure out if it was a brand I had tried before, but couldn’t quite place it.
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Overall, not a great veggie burger – but after a day on the beach, if you’re a starving vegetarian and just need <i>something</i> in your stomach, at least Neptune’s Net offers that!
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Cost: $8.45<br>
Rating: ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ <br>
<small><i>Burger patty: 3 Bun: 2 Toppings: 1</i></small><br><br>
<a href=http://neptunesnet.com>Neptune’s Net</a><br>
42505 Pacific Coast Hwy<br>
Malibu, CA <br>
310.457.3095<br><br>
<small><i>YumVeggieBurger review #152</i></small><br>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">© YumVeggieBurger.com</div>Ali - YumVeggieBurgerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16024423498995826598noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402048251000904668.post-68121013769349455812015-01-21T12:28:00.001-05:002015-01-21T12:28:31.743-05:00Field Roast Hand-Formed Veggie BurgerThis probably officially makes me a dork, but one of the things I was looking forward to as I planned my visit to Los Angeles was not just the new veggie burgers I could try in local restaurants, but the possibility of new veggie burgers at the grocery stores as well. <br><br>
I’ve been wanting to try Field Roast’s veggie burgers for <i>ages</i> (I stalk them on facebook) because I love their vegan sausages so much. But, alas, I have been unable to find them in New York! I’ve checked multiple Whole Foods locations and numerous local natural food stores, but it seems they have just not made it to the Big Apple yet. <br><br>
So I was thrilled to find them at a Whole Foods in California!<br><br>
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/yumveggieburger/15712115174" title="field_roast_photo_01 by Ali M., on Flickr"><img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7485/15712115174_09af8e38c2.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="field_roast_photo_01"></a><br><br>
At $8.99 for a pack of four, they were a bit pricy, but I was so excited to try them that I figured the price would be worth it.<br><br>
Eager to finally taste them, I didn’t even wait for lunch or dinner – I fried one up for breakfast the next morning.<br><br>
I was a bit dubious about the look of the patty as I dropped it into the frying pan (but I guess that’s the “hand-formed” shape the packaging advertised?) and they seemed thinner than I was expecting a good, hearty burger to be (they come with all four smashed together in the package and you kind of have to peel them off of each other). <br><br>
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/yumveggieburger/15712115164" title="field_roast_photo_02 by Ali M., on Flickr"><img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7508/15712115164_5ba0526391.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="field_roast_photo_02"></a><br><br>
And I was unfortunately kind of disappointed with the result when I tasted my breakfast burger patty. There were some good flavors in it, but it was super oily. I had fried it in a tiny bit of butter, but it seemed like the patty had plenty of oils in it already, and by the time it was cooked up it was extremely greasy. The texture was pretty good though – a bit like the Field Roast sausages, but different (heartier, and… meatier?).<br><br>
As underwhelming as my breakfast had been, I was determined to give these burgers another chance. The guesthouse we were staying in had a rooftop deck with a barbecue grill, and we’d been planning to cook dinner up there one night:<br><br>
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/yumveggieburger/15712115144" title="field_roast_photo_03 by Ali M., on Flickr"><img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7567/15712115144_500b9fe2c2.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="field_roast_photo_03"></a><br><br>
So that’s what we did.<br><br>
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/yumveggieburger/16308596646" title="field_roast_photo_04 by Ali M., on Flickr"><img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7565/16308596646_69fbbddddc.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="field_roast_photo_04"></a><br><br>
Knowing from my earlier experiment that the burger already contained plenty of oil, I didn’t even bother to brush olive oil on the patty like I normally would when barbecuing veggie burgers. I just dropped it on the grill, and let it cook…<br><br>
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/yumveggieburger/16147169040" title="field_roast_photo_05 by Ali M., on Flickr"><img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7487/16147169040_26226062ed.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="field_roast_photo_05"></a><br><br>
…and it turns out, these might be the BEST veggie burgers EVER for cooking on a barbecue grill!<br><br>
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/yumveggieburger/16146959508" title="field_roast_photo_06 by Ali M., on Flickr"><img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7581/16146959508_40a9b3777d.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="field_roast_photo_06"></a><br><br>
It cooked perfectly, heating up all the way through and getting nice char marks from the grill, while never sticking or falling apart (a flaw of many other veggie burgers). I was amazed! <br><br>
And then for the taste test:<br><br>
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/yumveggieburger/16148657717" title="field_roast_photo_07 by Ali M., on Flickr"><img src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8667/16148657717_fdbfa31ef9.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="field_roast_photo_07"></a><br>
<small><i>I went a little overboard with the ketchup…</i></small><br><br>
DELICIOUS! It seemed that grilling was the secret to success with these patties. It no longer tasted too oily, and the texture was perfect. The flavor was rich and hearty – they’re made with barley, carrots, and celery, and you could see bits of the actual vegetables in the patty, yet the seitan base of the patty held it all together so well. Paired with some roasted habanero peppers and a toasted bun, it was a perfect burger!<br><br>
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/yumveggieburger/16333673562" title="field_roast_photo_08 by Ali M., on Flickr"><img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7516/16333673562_4af4f0ed89.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="field_roast_photo_08"></a><br><br>
I was so happy that my first impression of these burgers turned out to be wrong. Maybe there is a way to cook them in a frying pan that works better than the method I used, but I think these burgers are designed and destined for the barbecue grill. And if you have ever been frustrated by veggie burger failures on the grill, you should definitely try these! They will change your life! And they’re vegan, so everyone can enjoy them (unless you can’t eat gluten, then you’re out of luck with these).<br><br>
It’s just too bad we don’t seem to get them in New York yet… but maybe by the time summer (and barbecue season) rolls around…<br><br>
Or, you know, you could just fly out to L.A. – it’s a pretty cool city, afterall!<br><br>
Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★<br>
<a href=http://fieldroast.com/>Field Roast Hand-Formed Burger</a><br>
purchased at: <a href=http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com>Whole Foods</a> in Venice, CA<br>
price: $8.99 for a package of 4 patties<br><br>
<small><i>YumVeggieBurger review #151</i></small><br>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">© YumVeggieBurger.com</div>Ali - YumVeggieBurgerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16024423498995826598noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402048251000904668.post-90515451739811947002015-01-14T16:13:00.001-05:002015-01-14T16:13:23.746-05:00Café GratitudeI was really excited to try the veggie burger at Café Gratitude, because numerous people had recommended this restaurant to me as one of the best vegan spots in L.A.!<br><br>
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/yumveggieburger/16095391639" title="cafe_gratitude_photo_01 by Ali M., on Flickr"><img src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8633/16095391639_44f58a0162.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="cafe_gratitude_photo_01"></a><br><br>
The veggie burger is described as “magical” on the menu, which made me smile (all of the menu items get their own creative adjective).<br><br>
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/yumveggieburger/16093987178" title="cafe_gratitude_photo_02 by Ali M., on Flickr"><img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7505/16093987178_3635cd2621.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="cafe_gratitude_photo_02"></a><br><br>
The burger arrived on a hearty, whole grain bun. This bread was pretty great quality bread, but it was far too large and thick for the size of the patty and toppings! Unfortunately, all I could taste in the first few bites (in most bites, actually) was bread. And it was so filling I could not eat it all, and resorted to eating the second half of my burger as an open-faced sandwich, removing the top half of the bun.<br><br>
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/yumveggieburger/16281516195" title="cafe_gratitude_photo_03 by Ali M., on Flickr"><img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7548/16281516195_bd8eca3e4f.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="cafe_gratitude_photo_03"></a><br><br>
The patty itself was much better – a tasty blend of beans and spices. I wish it had been larger, as it seemed surprisingly small to be paired with such an oversized bun! It was also a bit mushy, and I thought it would have benefited from a crispier outside or some other texture mixed in. <br><br>
The toppings were pretty simple: lettuce, tomato, raw red onion, and pickled cucumbers. The pickles were nice, but there weren’t many of them, so I was only able to taste them in a couple bites. I think the mustard sauce and spicy chipotle ketchup just got absorbed into the mushy patty and bready bun, as I only tasted a hint of them. And again, like the patty, there were not enough toppings to match the oversized bun!<br><br>
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/yumveggieburger/16255591666" title="cafe_gratitude_photo_04 by Ali M., on Flickr"><img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7519/16255591666_dcbc40f510.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="cafe_gratitude_photo_04"></a><br><br>
Overall, I was a bit underwhelmed with Café Gratitude’s veggie burger (especially for $13…). It was a decent burger, definitely higher quality than the average veggie burger from a non-vegan restaurant, but I think it was too over-hyped for me. I would love to hear what others liked about it, since I feel like I must be missing something, or maybe my taste is just very different (or I’ve been spoiled by some seriously stellar veggie burgers?).<br><br>
But my omnivorous boyfriend, cheerfully game for another vegan restaurant adventure with me, absolutely loved the “Humble” Indian Curry Bowl that he ordered – so Café Gratitude must be doing something right to win over an avid-meat-eater like that! <br><br>
I wish we’d have more time in Los Angeles (2 weeks is not long enough!) to come back so I could try some other dishes on the menu, as I have noticed that sometimes the best veggie burgers are not found in all-vegan restaurants, and sometimes the best all-vegan restaurants do a lot better on other menu items than the veggie burger.<br><br>
Cost: $13.00 <br>
Rating: ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆ <br>
<small><i>Burger patty: 4 Bun: 3 Toppings: 3</i></small><br><br>
<a href=http://cafegratitude.com>Café Gratitude</a><br>
639 N Larchmont Blvd<br>
Los Angeles, CA 90004<br>
323.580.6383<br>
<i><b>additional locations in Venice, Santa Cruz, and Berkley, CA as well as one in Kansas City, MO (check website for addresses)</b></i><br><br>
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/yumveggieburger/16281516175" title="cafe_gratitude_photo_05 by Ali M., on Flickr"><img src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8682/16281516175_5f7a410a0e.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="cafe_gratitude_photo_05"></a><br>
<small><i>View from our hike to the Hollywood sign</i></small><br><br>
<small><i>YumVeggieBurger review #150</i></small><br>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">© YumVeggieBurger.com</div>Ali - YumVeggieBurgerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16024423498995826598noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402048251000904668.post-89112748467803260292015-01-09T14:04:00.000-05:002015-01-09T14:04:03.417-05:00First Veggie Burger Review from California: SeedHappy New Year!<br><br>
2015 has been non-stop so far – but all good things. After a lovely vacation and Christmas in Los Angeles, I’m back in New York, back at work, and catching up on veggie burger reviews. And as promised, I tried a few veggie burgers while I was out in California...<br><br>
First up: Seed. <br>
I picked this vegan restaurant to try because it had so many good reviews on <a href=http://yelp.com>Yelp</a>, and had SIX veggie burgers on its menu! (The fact that it was close to where we were staying in Venice Beach helped too, of course). <br><br>
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/yumveggieburger/16052223688" title="seed_photo_01 by Ali M., on Flickr"><img src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8659/16052223688_5576529025.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="seed_photo_01"></a>
<br><br>
I ordered the Simmered BBQ Seitan Burger, because it sounded like something unique that I had not tried before.<br><br>
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/yumveggieburger/16213851786" title="seed_photo_02 by Ali M., on Flickr"><img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7574/16213851786_34814f5fd5.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="seed_photo_02"></a>
<br><br>
It came topped with greens, sprouts, vegan mayo, and of course the barbecue sauce which the seitan patty was smothered with. Yum! I liked the barbecue flavor. The ciabatta bun was very good, with great flavor and texture, and just the right size for the burger – not too big or too small. I’m a bit of a Goldilocks about burger buns!<br><br>
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/yumveggieburger/16052356740" title="seed_photo_03 by Ali M., on Flickr"><img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7547/16052356740_075bab610e.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="seed_photo_03"></a>
<br><br>
Now, I’ve had some seitan-based burgers before, where the seitan is mixed with other vegetables or proteins to create a unique burger patty. But this is the first time I’ve just had a slab of seitain on its own as a burger patty, and I have to say it was a little disappointing. I find the texture of seitan enjoyable in something like a stir-fry, for example, but it was a bit too soft and spongy for a burger.<br><br>
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/yumveggieburger/16053622669" title="seed_photo_04 by Ali M., on Flickr"><img src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8646/16053622669_d04dfe2303.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="seed_photo_04"></a>
<br>
<b>Simmered BBQ Seitan Burger</b><br>
Cost: $11.50<br>
Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ <br>
<small><i>Burger patty: 3 Bun: 4 Toppings: 4</i></small><br><br><br>
My boyfriend, normally a meat-eater, had generously agreed to accompany me to a few all-vegan restaurants on this trip. And since he ordered a burger at Seed as well, I got to try <i>two</i> burgers in one meal!<br><br>
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/yumveggieburger/16052223378" title="seed_photo_05 by Ali M., on Flickr"><img src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8644/16052223378_523f81fc76.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="seed_photo_05"></a><br><br>
He chose the Mediterranean Burger, which came on the same delicious ciabatta bun, and was topped with lettuce, tomato, red onion, and a very tasty red pepper vegan aioli sauce.<br><br>
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/yumveggieburger/16238914962" title="seed_photo_06 by Ali M., on Flickr"><img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7492/16238914962_0286b7a816.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="seed_photo_06"></a>
<br><br>
The patty was described on the menu as “Eric’s original bean & grain burger” and was a much more traditional veggie burger patty than my seitan patty. It was really tasty, albeit a bit crumbly, and fell apart as I ate it. I’m not sure what about the patty or the toppings was necessarily “Mediterranean”, but whatever the flavor profile was, I liked it! I actually had food-envy as I found my boyfriend’s burger much more enjoyable than my seitan burger (that might have been a first for our relationship!).<br><br>
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/yumveggieburger/16053894927" title="seed_photo_07 by Ali M., on Flickr"><img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7568/16053894927_6db9ce147b.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="seed_photo_07"></a>
<br>
<b>Mediterranean Burger</b><br>
Cost: $10.95<br>
Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ <br>
<small><i>Burger patty: 4 Bun: 4 Toppings: 4</i></small><br><br><br>
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/yumveggieburger/16053622609" title="seed_photo_08 by Ali M., on Flickr"><img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7581/16053622609_f552624d1d.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="seed_photo_08"></a>
<br>
<a href= http://www.seedkitchen.com/>Seed</a><br>
1604 Pacific Avenue<br>
Venice, CA 90291<br>
310.396.1604<br><br>
Everything else on the menu at Seed sounded delightful (so many yummy vegan dishes!), and I had hoped I would have time to return and try something else – but there are so many vegetarian/vegan restaurants in L.A. (I never thought I’d say this – but I think L.A. has NYC beat for sheer quantity of vegan food!) and I only had two weeks to explore and try as many of them as I could! More veggie burger reviews coming soon...
<br><br>
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/yumveggieburger/16238914952" title="seed_photo_09 by Ali M., on Flickr"><img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7532/16238914952_3915eff8f0.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="seed_photo_09"></a><br>
<i><small>Sunset over Venice Beach</small></i><br><br>
<small><i>YumVeggieBurger review #149</i></small><br>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">© YumVeggieBurger.com</div>Ali - YumVeggieBurgerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16024423498995826598noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402048251000904668.post-80657624600321255382014-12-10T16:38:00.003-05:002014-12-10T16:38:35.383-05:00Poe's Public HouseThe morning after Thanksgiving, my boyfriend and I ventured out of our hotel in Charlottesville, Virginia to find a place serving breakfast (well, really <i>brunch</i> by the time we woke up, but it was a Friday). As one might expect, most of the local restaurants were closed for the holidays. But we found a pub (yet another new establishment that has opened since the last time I visited) that was open and serving food, and that sounded good enough to us!<br><br>
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/yumveggieburger/15991122531" title="poes_photo_03 by Ali M., on Flickr"><img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7512/15991122531_22f7ff97eb.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="poes_photo_03"></a><br><br>
Yup, Poe’s Public House is named after <i>that</i> Poe – Edgar Allen himself. There was a lot of tacky signage referencing the poet, and particularly celebrating the fact that he <i>dropped out</i> of the University of Virginia (this pub is right across the street from the university). So you can pretty well imagine that when students aren’t away for the holidays, this pub is frequented by heavy-drinking frat boys more than studious poets.<br><br>
There were not a lot of vegetarian choices on the menu – but I got excited when I saw that they had a veggie burger made with a <a href=http://www.yumveggieburger.com/2014/08/no-bull-burgers.html>No Bull veggie patty</a>!<br><br>
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/yumveggieburger/15805843170" title="poes_photo_01 by Ali M., on Flickr"><img src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8665/15805843170_96727c8e75.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="poes_photo_01"></a><br><br>
Served on a brioche roll (not the best brioche I’ve ever had, but it was okay for a pub) the burger was topped with fresh lettuce, tomato, and Sriracha mayo. The mayo gave a nice kick of spice to what was otherwise a pretty standard pairing of bun and toppings. <br><br>
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/yumveggieburger/15807377237" title="poes_photo_02 by Ali M., on Flickr"><img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7525/15807377237_9a7114e606.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="poes_photo_02"></a><br><br>
But patty itself was delicious, as expected! <br><br>
Recognizing the strong flavor of sundried tomatoes in it, I realized it was the <a href=http://www.yumveggieburger.com/2014/08/no-bull-sundried-tomato-burgers.html>Sundried Tomato</a> varity of No Bull Burgers – which is actually one of the vegan patties, even though some of their burgers contain eggs. But our waiter could not tell me whether the bun the patty was served on was vegan or not (and obviously the mayo was not), and there’s no guarantee that they always use the sundried tomato variety since the menu made no mention of it (they could switch it up with the Original flavor), so vegans should proceed with caution. But Charlottesville vegetarians, I kind of envy you for living in a place where No Bull burgers are on the menu at your local restaurants! (can we get some up here in NY?)<br><br>
Once again, I was distracted by my burger and forgot to take a photo of the pub itself. Oops! I promise I will be more diligent about documenting each restaurant I visit on my <a href=http://www.yumveggieburger.com/2014/12/tell-me-where-to-find-best-veggie.html>upcoming trip to Los Angeles</a>!<br><br>
Cost: $10.00<br> (fries included)
Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ <br>
<small><i>Burger patty: 5 Bun: 3 Toppings: 3</i></small><br><br>
<a href=http://www.yelp.com/biz/poes-public-house-charlottesville>Poe’s Public House</a><br>
1517 University Ave<br>
Charlottesville, VA 22903<br>
434.984.4653<br><br>
<small><i>YumVeggieBurger review #148</i></small><br>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">© YumVeggieBurger.com</div>Ali - YumVeggieBurgerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16024423498995826598noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402048251000904668.post-33769296952525146522014-12-05T12:07:00.001-05:002014-12-05T12:07:54.488-05:00Tell me where to find the best veggie burgers in Los Angeles!YumVeggieBurger is going to California! <br><br>
I'm so excited to finally try some veggie burgers on the west coast! I'll be staying in LA, but there's always the possibility of driving down to San Diego or somewhere else... so please <a href="mailto:yumveggieburger@gmail.com">send me</a> any and all of your veggie burger recommendations for the state of California!<br><br>
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/yumveggieburger/15765620698" title="california by Ali M., on Flickr"><img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7525/15765620698_e954868e93.jpg" width="300" height="400" alt="california"></a><div class="blogger-post-footer">© YumVeggieBurger.com</div>Ali - YumVeggieBurgerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16024423498995826598noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402048251000904668.post-9833224902553508902014-12-02T16:47:00.002-05:002014-12-02T16:47:39.199-05:00Blue Mountain Brewery
Happy Belated Thanksgiving! <br><br>
I spent the holiday weekend down in Virginia visiting my parents. On the day after Thanksgiving, we took a drive through the mountains and stopped at the Blue Mountain Brewery for dinner (and drinks, obviously). Either we were still full from Thanksgiving dinner, or the portions there were really large – but we ended up with more food than we could eat!<br><br>
Including, much to my surprise… a veggie burger! (I ate about ¾ of this and I was too full to finish it!)<br><br>
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/yumveggieburger/15747441867" title="Untitled by Ali M., on Flickr"><img src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8640/15747441867_56c00c09ee.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Untitled"></a><br>
<i><small>Note the flight of beers in the background!</small></i> <br><br>
I was very happy to see that the patty was a house-made black bean patty. Unfortunately, it was quite heavy on the beans, so even though I could see some bits of peppers and onions in it, it felt like I was just eating a bunch of beans mashed together and fried a bit on the outside. Note: the patty contains cheese, so it is not suitable for vegans!<br><br>
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/yumveggieburger/15745905700" title="Untitled by Ali M., on Flickr"><img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7528/15745905700_f488881b3d.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Untitled"></a>
<br><br>
The avocado, lettuce, and tomato were nice and fresh (I love avocado on a burger – especially when you don’t have to pay extra for it!) and the chipotle sauce was a slight kick of spice but it seemed like they were keeping it pretty mild to appeal to customers who might not like spicy things (same for the patty, which had some seasoning but I would have liked to taste more!). I requested my burger without cheese, but it does come with cheese if you order straight off the menu.<br><br>
And the organic 7-grain bun was soft and fresh as well (from a local bakery), nice and tasty, and a good size to accommodate the patty and toppings. They do have gluten free buns available upon request, which was a nice touch to see.<br><br>
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/yumveggieburger/15747165189" title="Untitled by Ali M., on Flickr"><img src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8674/15747165189_ef64f5fed2.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Untitled"></a><br><br>
The burger came with a choice of side – I got the potato salad, as if I hadn’t eaten enough potatoes at Thanksgiving the night before… ha!<br><br>
I realize I can’t expect a 5-star burger from a place that is focusing its energy on beer, of course. And while I’d rank this one as “average” it was still far better than a generic frozen veggie patty, and it was the perfect food to fill my stomach while I drank a couple pints of cider (I’m not a beer drinker – so I left the flights to my parents and my boyfriend, but Blue Mountain Brewery serves Bold Rock cider which is an awesome local Virginia cider that I wish I could buy in NY!).
<br><br>
I didn’t know I would be reviewing a burger here until we sat down and looked at the menu, so I did not get a photo of the outside of the brewery – and by the time we left it was dark. But here’s a photo of the view at one of the scenic overlooks we stopped at on the way to the brewery:<br><br>
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/yumveggieburger/15310953844" title="Untitled by Ali M., on Flickr"><img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7525/15310953844_45435f1a31.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="Untitled"></a><br><br>
And you’ll have to trust my word that the view from the brewery itself is just as gorgeous. Go at sunset, get a seat by a window (or outside, in warmer weather!).<br><br>
Cost: $9.50<br>
Rating: ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆ <br>
<small><i>Burger patty: 2 Bun: 4 Toppings: 4</i></small><br><br>
<a href=http://www.bluemountainbrewery.com/>Blue Mountain Brewery</a><br>
9519 Critzers Shop Road<br>
Afton, VA 22920<br>
540.456.0820<br><br>
<small><i>YumVeggieBurger review #147</i></small><br>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">© YumVeggieBurger.com</div>Ali - YumVeggieBurgerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16024423498995826598noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402048251000904668.post-21276786276405926742014-11-20T15:11:00.000-05:002014-11-20T15:11:17.374-05:00MorningStar Farms Roasted Garlic and Quinoa BurgerI spotted these Roasted Garlic and Quinoa Burgers in the frozen food section at my local grocery store and thought I’d give them a try:<br><br>
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/yumveggieburger/15216494793" title="morningstar_quinoa_photo_01 by Ali M., on Flickr"><img src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5612/15216494793_bb4bc37649.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="morningstar_quinoa_photo_01"></a><br><br>
Unlike some of MorningStar’s products, these burgers are vegan! Since they are branded as “new” I wonder if this is a conscious effort on the brand’s part to make products that are accessible to more people.<br><br>
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/yumveggieburger/15650487728" title="morningstar_quinoa_photo_02 by Ali M., on Flickr"><img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7511/15650487728_96d0c6a2da.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="morningstar_quinoa_photo_02"></a><br><br>
They fried up well in my cast-iron pan with a bit of olive oil. The quinoa and rice seemed to really soak up the oil, so careful how much you fry the patty in if you don’t want it to get too oily! The quinoa and rice made for a rather soft patty, so although it held together just fine in the frying pan, I don’t imagine it would survive as well on a barbecue grill.<br><br>
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/yumveggieburger/15835916645" title="morningstar_quinoa_photo_03 by Ali M., on Flickr"><img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7469/15835916645_a9b147c2d6.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="morningstar_quinoa_photo_03"></a><br><br>
I kept my burger simple, serving it on a whole wheat bun topped with just a couple tomato slices and mayo. I wanted to be able to taste the patty without masking it with too many other flavors.<br><br>
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/yumveggieburger/15837476862" title="morningstar_quinoa_photo_04 by Ali M., on Flickr"><img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7500/15837476862_c944316957.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="morningstar_quinoa_photo_04"></a><br><br>
The taste was very pleasant – just a faint hint of garlic, not too strong (when “roasted garlic” is the first flavor listed, I worried it would be overpoweringly garlic-y, but that was not the case at all!). The quinoa and rice were the most prominent ingredients, but the peppers also stood out – as well as a few lentils scattered in the mix, much to my surprise! It was very light, not a super filling patty – you’d probably want a heartier one if you were really hungry, but for a light, healthy meal this would be perfect.<br><br>
Overall, this is a nice addition to MorningStar’s line of products. It’s not a hearty, “meaty” burger like you might traditionally imagine, but it’s a tasty patty that would be just as good served on its own as on a bun, and a nice new option to have available in the vegetarian frozen food section.<br><br>
Rating: ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆<br><br>
<a href=https://www.morningstarfarms.com>MorningStar Farms Roasted Garlic and Quinoa Burger</a><br>
purchased at: Key Food in Queens, New York<br>
price: $5.99 for a box of 4 patties<br><br>
<small><i>YumVeggieBurger review #146</i></small><br>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">© YumVeggieBurger.com</div>Ali - YumVeggieBurgerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16024423498995826598noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402048251000904668.post-69845618712884468432014-11-13T16:56:00.002-05:002014-11-13T16:56:39.943-05:00Mugs Alehouse<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/yumveggieburger/15598019880" title="mugs_ale_photo_01 by Ali M., on Flickr"><img src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5609/15598019880_696814618b.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="mugs_ale_photo_01"></a><br><br>
I was meeting a friend for after-work drinks last month, and he suggested Mugs Alehouse as a good, low-key, not too crowded or too hipster-y spot in Williamsburg. I was skeptical, as it looked like the kind of generic sports bar that I usually avoid… And when my friend told me they had a veggie burger on the menu, I expected the kind of gross, bland, frozen veggie burger afterthought that most sports bars include on their menu.<br><br>
But I was pleasantly surprised!<br><br>
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/yumveggieburger/15597006569" title="mugs_ale_photo_02 by Ali M., on Flickr"><img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7531/15597006569_b44226b992.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="mugs_ale_photo_02"></a>
<br><br>
The veggie burger on the menu here is a homemade patty! Quinoa was the prominent ingredient, but there was also corn and some other bits of veggies mixed in with it. It was far better than I normally expect from a bar! More like a quinoa patty (I've had them served on their own like that at other restaurants) than a hearty burger patty, but still tasty.
<br><br>
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/yumveggieburger/15780957361" title="mugs_ale_photo_03 by Ali M., on Flickr"><img src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8677/15780957361_6e89a92a41.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="mugs_ale_photo_03"></a>
<br><br>
Topped with arugula, tomato slices, and pickled red onions (my favorite!), as well as herbed mayo and an avocado spread beneath the patty, I was quite satisfied with my meal. The brioche bun was better than the kind of bun I would have expected too – a nice soft, sweet bread, grilled to a light toast.
<br><br>
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/yumveggieburger/15598019500" title="mugs_ale_photo_04 by Ali M., on Flickr"><img src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8624/15598019500_5caedde51f.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="mugs_ale_photo_04"></a>
<br><br>
I inquired about the ingredients, and was told that the patty contains eggs, and they were not sure about the bun (so if you are vegetarian but can’t/don’t eat dairy, I would err on the side of caution since many buns not made in-house contain milk or butter, unless the restaurant specifically states that they are vegan).
<br><br>
Cost: $10.00 (comes with a side of fries)<br>
Rating: ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆<br>
<small><i>Burger patty: 3 Bun: 3 Toppings: 4</i></small><br><br>
<a href=http://mugsalehouse.com/>Mugs Alehouse</a><br>
125 Bedford Avenue<br>
<i>on the corner of North 10th Street</i><br>
Brooklyn, NY 11211<br>
718.486.8232<br><br>
<small><i>YumVeggieBurger review #145</i></small>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">© YumVeggieBurger.com</div>Ali - YumVeggieBurgerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16024423498995826598noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402048251000904668.post-91938963920416597652014-10-31T16:36:00.000-04:002014-10-31T16:36:26.836-04:00The Best Thing I Ate This Month That Wasn't A Veggie BurgerHappy Halloween!<br>
In honor of the holiday that's all about trick-or-treating, here's a vegan treat for my "best of the month" post:<br><br>
Vegan donuts from Dun-Well Doughnuts!<br><br>
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/yumveggieburger/15674045051" title="dunwell_photo_01 by Ali M., on Flickr"><img src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3948/15674045051_bc85500fb4.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="dunwell_photo_01"></a><br>
<i>Pistachio Doughnut... yum!</i><br><br>
I've been eating Dun-Well's doughnuts since before they had their own brick-and-mortar shop, back when they delivered them to vegan shops around the city and I would bike to Brooklyn to pick them up from Champ's Bakery because they are sooooo good.<br><br>
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/yumveggieburger/15490766717" title="dunwell_photo_02 by Ali M., on Flickr"><img src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3947/15490766717_aa3d9772f8.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="dunwell_photo_02"></a><br><br>
And their store is the cutest - and that display case of doughnuts just makes my mouth water. <br>
If you haven't been out to Brooklyn to check them out, you should make a point to do so asap!<br><br>
<a href=http://dunwelldoughnuts.com/>Dun-Well Doughnuts</a><br>
222 Montrose Avenue<br>
Brooklyn, NY 11206<br>
347.294.0871 <br><br>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">© YumVeggieBurger.com</div>Ali - YumVeggieBurgerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16024423498995826598noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402048251000904668.post-85588305372473996142014-10-23T16:11:00.000-04:002014-10-23T16:11:13.692-04:00Café Ghia<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/yumveggieburger/15586621636" title="cafe_ghia_photo_01 by Ali M., on Flickr"><img src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3934/15586621636_cfeab7b187.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="cafe_ghia_photo_01"></a><br><br>
It’s hard not to like a café that plays music like Eagles of Death Metal and has a photo of Laura Palmer on the wall behind a bar. But I liked Café Ghia <i>even more</i> when I saw that they had a vegan veggie burger on their menu!<br><br>
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/yumveggieburger/15586621496" title="cafe_ghia_photo_02 by Ali M., on Flickr"><img src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3953/15586621496_b536160109.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="cafe_ghia_photo_02"></a><br><br>
Topped with tomato, sprouts, and pickles, this was a fresh and healthy lunch indeed. It came with some vegan mayo served on the side – but the mayo had such an amazing, tangy, spicy flavor that I slathered it on the soft, sesame-seed-encrusted bun.<br><br>
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/yumveggieburger/15586621346" title="cafe_ghia_photo_03 by Ali M., on Flickr"><img src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5601/15586621346_9eaa5b4248.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="cafe_ghia_photo_03"></a><br><br>
The patty was a hearty mix of beans and vegetables (carrots, mushrooms, peppers, and onions, plus possibly more that I did not identify). It was very flavorful and well-seasoned with a spice that seemed familiar but I could not quite identify it. Fried to a light crisp on the outside, the patty was still moist and mush in the middle. Yum!<br><br>
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/yumveggieburger/15423644639" title="cafe_ghia_photo_04 by Ali M., on Flickr"><img src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5599/15423644639_c052743c63.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="cafe_ghia_photo_04"></a><br><br>
I don’t find myself out in Bushwick often (in fact, this is my first veggie burger review from that neighborhood!), but I was in the neighborhood for work, and I’m glad I had the chance to try this delicious burger while I was here. It’s a bit pricy for lunch at $13 (side salad included) but that’s not unheard of in New York – even in Brooklyn, these days!<br><br>
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/yumveggieburger/15424290787" title="cafe_ghia_photo_05 by Ali M., on Flickr"><img src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3932/15424290787_b00ef0da8f.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="cafe_ghia_photo_05"></a><br><br>
Cost: $13.00<br>
Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ <br>
<small><i>Burger patty: 4 Bun: 4 Toppings: 4</i></small><br><br>
<a href=http://www.cafeghia.com/>Café Ghia</a><br>
24 Irving Avenue<br>
Brooklyn, NY 11237<br>
718.821.8806<br><br>
<small><i>YumVeggieBurger review #144</i></small><br>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">© YumVeggieBurger.com</div>Ali - YumVeggieBurgerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16024423498995826598noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402048251000904668.post-56437718182029186522014-10-06T13:23:00.000-04:002014-10-06T13:23:54.873-04:00Coney Island<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/yumveggieburger/15272962157" title="coney_island_photo_01 by Ali M., on Flickr"><img src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3930/15272962157_3fbaf27842.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="coney_island_photo_01"></a><br><br>
A couple weekends ago, my friend Michelle and I took a trip to Coney Island for one last hurrah before we accepted the sad truth that summer is over.<br><br>
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/yumveggieburger/15456385581" title="coney_island_photo_02 by Ali M., on Flickr"><img src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3935/15456385581_1b3602a1af.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="coney_island_photo_02"></a><br><br>
It was a really grey, hazy day in the morning. But we enjoyed being able to walk along the boardwalk and explore the amusement park area without huge crowds.<br><br>
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/yumveggieburger/15456386071" title="coney_island_photo_03 by Ali M., on Flickr"><img src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3931/15456386071_9f693df5b5.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="coney_island_photo_03"></a><br><br>
Not wanting to subsist only on cotton candy and deep-fried oreos (as delicious as those indulgences are), we were pleasantly surprised to find one of the fast-food vendors serving veggie burgers along with the usual plethora of meat options.<br><br>
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/yumveggieburger/15272767049" title="coney_island_photo_04 by Ali M., on Flickr"><img src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2948/15272767049_e11959f5f2.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="coney_island_photo_04"></a><br><br>
The menu indicated that the veggie burgers were <a href=http://www.drpraegers.com>Dr. Praegers veggie patties</a>, but did not specify which flavor (looking at the Dr. Praegers website, it appears that some flavors are vegan while others are not). The cook did not know if the bun was vegan either.<br><br>
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/yumveggieburger/15272830890" title="coney_island_photo_05 by Ali M., on Flickr"><img src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2947/15272830890_d683bb07ef.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="coney_island_photo_05"></a><br><br>
Although my expectations for this burger were pretty low to begin with (finding good vegetarian food at Coney Island was something I remembered not being easy in the past), it was still a disappointing sight to see, even as hungry as Michelle and I were. The bun was too small for the patty, and really crumbly (stale?), and made the whole thing hard to eat. That sad piece of iceberg lettuce you can see peeking out behind the burger was just as depressing as it looks. The tomato was just “okay”.<br><br>
And the patty itself was rather bland. I’ve never been a fan of Dr. Praegers, and this patty did not change my mind (although it looks like they have some new flavors that I haven’t seen before, so maybe I need to give them a second chance). Even with a generous squirt of ketchup, my burger was pretty boring. As fuel to keep us going for an afternoon of amusement park rides, it worked – but it was not a particularly enjoyable meal.<br><br>
While it’s of course heartening to see that at least one food vendor at Coney Island offers a vegetarian option beyond cheese pizza (even the taco stand we found didn’t have a veggie option!), it’s disappointing that there aren’t <i>more</i> of these options (and better quality ones). Part of the wonder of Coney Island is how most of it feels stuck in the past – but it would be nice if the food at least would keep up with modern dietary needs so that vegetarian and vegan visitors don’t have to worry about what they will find to eat.<br><br>
Cost: $5 (looked like it was marked down for the end-of-season, and they didn’t charge us the extra 50cents the menu threatened for the lettuce and tomato!)<br>
Rating: ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ <br>
<small><i>Burger patty: 2 Bun: 1 Toppings: 1</i></small><br><br>
<a href=http://www.coneyisland.com/>Coney Island</a><br>
Brooklyn, NY 11224<br>
<i><b>the food stand where we found these veggie burgers was behind the sideshow, before Luna Park.</b></i><br><br>
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/yumveggieburger/15272961967" title="coney_island_photo_06 by Ali M., on Flickr"><img src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5598/15272961967_cb2c8968d3.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="coney_island_photo_06"></a><br><br>
Luckily, the rest of our day at Coney Island was not ruined by the disappointing burger! The sun came out in the afternoon, we had a great time, and stayed until the park closed after dark.<br>
If you haven't been to Coney Island before - you should definitely go next summer! Just bring a bagged lunch with you.<br><br>
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/yumveggieburger/15459183412" title="coney_island_photo_07 by Ali M., on Flickr"><img src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3930/15459183412_a22b39ecb1.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="coney_island_photo_07"></a><br><br>
<small><i>YumVeggieBurger review #143</i></small>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">© YumVeggieBurger.com</div>Ali - YumVeggieBurgerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16024423498995826598noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402048251000904668.post-60175993349881141442014-09-23T15:59:00.000-04:002014-10-30T09:02:18.418-04:00No Bull Mama Mia Spicy Italian BurgersWorking my way through the box of No Bull burgers that my mother sent me, next up was the Mama Mia Spicy Italian burger! <br>
I was excited to try this flavor, which is vegan and gluten-free, just like the <a href=http://www.yumveggieburger.com/2014/08/no-bull-sundried-tomato-burgers.html>Sundried Tomato</a> flavor (remember, the <a href=http://www.yumveggieburger.com/2014/08/no-bull-burgers.html>Original</a> is not vegan, because that one contains eggs for some reason!).<br><br>
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/yumveggieburger/15148148177" title="Untitled by Ali M., on Flickr"><img src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2944/15148148177_be0dee0702.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Untitled"></a><br><br>
I fried the patty in a pan with a bit of olive oil for a few minutes on each side. The outside crisped up nicely, turning a golden brown. And look at the tomatoes and spinach you can see in the patty! I'm still amazed by how close to homemade these not only taste but also <i>look!</i> <br><br>
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/yumveggieburger/15148095958" title="Untitled by Ali M., on Flickr"><img src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2944/15148095958_960f4c39be.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Untitled"></a><br><br>
Keeping with the Italian theme, I topped my burger with some marinara sauce and melted vegan mozzarella (Trader Joe’s brand).<br><br>
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/yumveggieburger/15334680085" title="Untitled by Ali M., on Flickr"><img src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3914/15334680085_c9943afa93.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Untitled"></a><br><br>
Biting into it, I found that the word “spicy” did not exaggerate – these had a medium-hot kick to them, which I loved! Inside the patty was the same hearty, chunky blend of vegetables and beans that the other No Bull patties had delivered. It was delicious!<br><br>
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/yumveggieburger/15147969040" title="Untitled by Ali M., on Flickr"><img src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3922/15147969040_1a8715a90a.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Untitled"></a><br><br>
Although the Italian flavor might not be what comes to mind or what you crave when you think of “burger”, this was a great flavor variation, and one that I would happily eat again.<br><br>
I'm so thankful to my mom for sending me such a thoughtful present - I hope eventually No Bull burgers are for sale in stores in NYC, but otherwise I might have to plan to bring some back with me every time I visit my family from now on...<br><br>
Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★<br>
<a href= http://nobullburger.com/>No Bull Burgers (Mama Mia Spicy Italian)</a><br>
Purchased online and shipped to New York<br>
<i>Available in stores and served in restaurants in select states – <a href= http://nobullburger.com/where_to_find_us>check website for location</a></i><br>
price: $10.00 for a pack of 4 patties<br><br>
<small><i>YumVeggieBurger review #142</i></small><br>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">© YumVeggieBurger.com</div>Ali - YumVeggieBurgerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16024423498995826598noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402048251000904668.post-25065815096470411962014-09-19T10:26:00.000-04:002014-09-19T10:32:13.068-04:00Veggie Burgers In The News... in a really awesome way!<br>
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/yumveggieburger/14143725503" title="in_the_news by Ali M., on Flickr"><img src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2927/14143725503_cb45e9909c_m.jpg" width="240" height="169" alt="in_the_news"></a><br>
<b><a href=http://www.onegreenplanet.org/news/beyond-meat-beast-burger-challenge>Beyond Meat Offers Free Veggie Burgers To Burger Chain Restaurants That Agree To Give Them A Trial Run On Their Menus</a></b><br>
<i>(via <a href=http://www.onegreenplanet.org>One Green Planet</a>)</i><br><br>
I'm super excited to try Beyond Meat's new "Beast Burger" as soon as it hits stores (I've been cooking with their "chicken" strips for the past year, and they are great!) but I am even more excited about this challenge to mainstream burger chains, and what it could mean for the future of vegetarian options on restaurant menus!<br><br><div class="blogger-post-footer">© YumVeggieBurger.com</div>Ali - YumVeggieBurgerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16024423498995826598noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402048251000904668.post-59163487403637927752014-08-31T18:43:00.000-04:002014-08-31T18:43:15.377-04:00The Best Thing I Ate This Month That Wasn't A Veggie BurgerI did a double-take when I saw these in Whole Foods the other day:<br>
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/yumveggieburger/15096155691" title="cotton_candy_grapes_photo by Ali M., on Flickr"><img src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5563/15096155691_90cf203fa9.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="cotton_candy_grapes_photo"></a><br>
<b><i>COTTON CANDY</i></b> grapes???<br>
Did that mean they tasted like cotton candy? Or was it just a strange brand name? I had to try them. <br><br>
And when I did - WOW! They really do taste like cotton candy! The first bite was disorienting, sweet and candy-like, just like the spun sugar itself. I couldn't believe that what looked like a normal grape tasted like something completely different. As I continued chewing it, it tasted more like a normal grape - but when I popped another one into my mouth, the first bite again surprised me with its cotton-candy flavor. <br><br>
I had never heard of these, and only spotted them by chance in Whole Foods. But I'm glad I did - they're kind of awesome! I want to serve these at my next party and see my friends' reactions!<br><br>
<a href=http://www.grapery.biz/index.php/grapes/cotton-candy>Cotton Candy Grapes</a><br>
Purchased at <a href=http://wholefoodsmarket.com/>Whole Foods</a> in Manhattan (Bowery location)<br>
Check the Cotton Candy Grapes website to see other locations where they are sold.<br><div class="blogger-post-footer">© YumVeggieBurger.com</div>Ali - YumVeggieBurgerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16024423498995826598noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402048251000904668.post-82352994897134184222014-08-20T12:38:00.000-04:002014-10-30T09:01:44.943-04:00No Bull Sundried Tomato BurgersWorking my way through the care package of No Bull veggie burgers that my mother sent me… <br>
Next up was the Sundried Tomato variety...<br>
<b>This flavor, unlike the <a href=http://www.yumveggieburger.com/2014/08/no-bull-burgers.html>Original</a> flavor, is both gluten-free and vegan!</b><br><br>
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/yumveggieburger/14977911541" title="no_bull_tomato_photo_01 by Ali M., on Flickr"><img src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3887/14977911541_56cffd053b.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="no_bull_tomato_photo_01"></a><br><br>
I had some friends over for a barbecue, so it was the perfect chance to test out how these delicious patties would hold up on the grill. <br><br>
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/yumveggieburger/14794402418" title="no_bull_tomato_photo_02 by Ali M., on Flickr"><img src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3923/14794402418_11f03bf786.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="no_bull_tomato_photo_02"></a><br><br>
The verdict? Awesome! I brushed them with a little olive oil to prevent them from sticking to the grill, and they cooked up just fine. Even though they are rather soft, like the original patties, they held together well and not a single one fell apart on the grill, even when I flipped them a couple times!<br><br>
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/yumveggieburger/14980657782" title="no_bull_tomato_photo_03 by Ali M., on Flickr"><img src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5590/14980657782_5b49c92940.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="no_bull_tomato_photo_03"></a><br><br>
Served on a whole wheat bun with lettuce, tomato and mayo (those are the remnants of a delicious herbed potato salad which you see on the plate beneath the burger)<br><br>
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/yumveggieburger/14794331280" title="no_bull_tomato_photo_04 by Ali M., on Flickr"><img src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3896/14794331280_385fca5b61.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="no_bull_tomato_photo_04"></a><br><br>
Yum! Just as good as the original, but with a savory sundried-tomato kick. Still hearty lentils and big chunks of vegetables – especially spinach, which I enjoyed very much. The sundried-tomato flavor was strong, but not overpowering. <br><br>
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/yumveggieburger/14981005915" title="no_bull_tomato_photo_05 by Ali M., on Flickr"><img src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3910/14981005915_dce358fd54.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="no_bull_tomato_photo_05"></a><br><br>
I was really impressed by how a burger with such a homemade texture nonetheless held up so well on the grill! I am wary of which patties I choose to throw on the barbecue because I’ve had too many fall apart and slip into the flames in the past, but No Bull proved itself a winner in yet another way.<br><br>
One flavor left to try: “Mama Mia Spicy Italian”. Can’t wait!<br><br>
Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★<br><br>
<a href= http://nobullburger.com/>No Bull Burgers (Sundried Tomato)</a><br>
Purchased online and shipped to New York<br>
<i>Available in stores and served in restaurants in select states – <a href= http://nobullburger.com/where_to_find_us>check website for location</a></i><br>
price: $10.00 for a pack of 4 patties<br><br>
<small><i>YumVeggieBurger review #141</i></small><br><div class="blogger-post-footer">© YumVeggieBurger.com</div>Ali - YumVeggieBurgerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16024423498995826598noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402048251000904668.post-80431460529841030292014-08-11T16:36:00.000-04:002014-10-30T08:57:38.955-04:00No Bull Burgers<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/yumveggieburger/14907948153" title="no_bull_photo_01 by Ali M., on Flickr"><img src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5583/14907948153_cb97d8b0f1.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="no_bull_photo_01"></a><br><br>
My mother recently sent me the most amazing present in the mail:<br><br>
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/yumveggieburger/14701481308" title="no_bull_photo_02 by Ali M., on Flickr"><img src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5566/14701481308_40992e77e3.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="no_bull_photo_02"></a>
<br><br>
Veggie burgers!<br><br>
These are made in my hometown of Charlottesville, Virginia. They are sold in stores in Virginia and several other surrounding states, but they aren’t available in New York (yet), so my mother ordered some and had them mailed to me in a freezer pack!<br><br>
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/yumveggieburger/14888072275" title="no_bull_photo_03 by Ali M., on Flickr"><img src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5556/14888072275_27ec7f82bf.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="no_bull_photo_03"></a><br><br>
She sent me three of the four different varieties that No Bull makes. The “Original” flavor seemed like a good choice to start with:<br><br>
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/yumveggieburger/14701411210" title="no_bull_photo_04 by Ali M., on Flickr"><img src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3872/14701411210_6bda57bdca.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="no_bull_photo_04"></a><br><br>
I fried the frozen patty in a frying pan with a little olive oil. It cooked evenly, and browned to a nice crisp. Although the patty looked soft, it held together well as I flipped it with a spatula.<br><br>
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/yumveggieburger/14887745532" title="no_bull_photo_05 by Ali M., on Flickr"><img src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5572/14887745532_2b346d07c4.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="no_bull_photo_05"></a>
<br><br>
Keeping it simple for my taste-test, I served it on a whole wheat bun with lettuce, tomato, and mayo.<br><br>
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/yumveggieburger/14885630604" title="no_bull_photo_06 by Ali M., on Flickr"><img src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3898/14885630604_7569e196b3.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="no_bull_photo_06"></a>
<br><br>
Wow. From the first bite, I was in love – the patty was a hearty, delicious blend of lentils and vegetables. This was definitely one of the best store-bought burger patties I had ever tasted! <b>EDITED: Please note, the "Original" flavor and the "mushroom" flavor are NOT vegan (they contain egg). The "Spicy Italian" and "Sundried Tomato" flavors, which I review next, ARE vegan though.</b><br><br>
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/yumveggieburger/14885031061" title="no_bull_photo_07 by Ali M., on Flickr"><img src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3862/14885031061_fb00939df7.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="no_bull_photo_07"></a>
<br><br>
Actually, if I had not known better, I would not have believed it was store-bought. It was without a doubt the closest to home-made that any store bought patty has come. Aside from the fact that I had seen it in its frozen state only a few minutes ago, nothing about it seemed pre-packaged. I know a lot of burgers have whole lentils and pieces of vegetables in them, but these were extra large, hearty pieces that made it feel far more like something made in someone’s kitchen than on a factory line.<br><br>
With how delicious it was, and how easy it was to cook, this has easily earned its spot as one of my favorite store-bought burgers. I’m so glad my mother sent them to me to try! And I can’t wait to try the other two flavors I got as well: Sundried Tomato and “Mama Mia Spicy Italian”.<br><br>
Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★<br><br>
<a href= http://nobullburger.com/>No Bull Burgers (Original)</a><br>
Purchased online and shipped to New York<br>
<i>Available in stores and served in restaurants in select states – <a href= http://nobullburger.com/where_to_find_us>check website for location</a></i><br>
price: $9.50 for a pack of 4 patties<br><br>
<small><i>YumVeggieBurger review #140</i></small><br>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">© YumVeggieBurger.com</div>Ali - YumVeggieBurgerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16024423498995826598noreply@blogger.com4