Best Vegan options both quick service and sit down?

grandmavicki4

Earning My Ears
Joined
Jan 3, 2010
Messages
46
Looking for the best options for vegan food and places that will address out my allergy to dairy
 
If you're vegan that means you won't be eating anything with dairy in it at all -- since vegans don't eat any animal products, any meal considered vegan will have no cheese, milk, or butter in it. I would ask for vegan food over asking for dairy-free options if you're in the parks and wondering about a food item, because vegan will automatically exclude anything with any dairy.

Google will be your best friend here!

http://disneylandnews.com/fact-shee...food-options-at-disneyland-resort-fact-sheet/

http://www.vegancowgirl.com/blog/vegan-cowgirl-does-disneyland

http://www.peta.org/living/food/11-tips-make-happiest-place-earth-even-happier-aka-vegan-friendly/

http://www.peta2.com/lifestyle/vegan-vegetarian-guide-disneyland-disney-world/


I would recommend bringing some safe food into the parks with you, even if it's just a couple Larabars or something to keep you going. If you're not feeling any of the limited options you have, it's better to have something you like on hand than spend the day hungry.
 
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I've found eating vegan or vegetarian is easy at Disneyland with a little research. Go to all ears or the Disneyland website to look for items that appeal to your taste buds. If you book reservations for table restaurants then note your food needs. Most of them can customize a meal for you with no problem.

I eat veggie style but here are places I've had good luck at...
DLR- thunder bbq, popcorn, pretzels, fresh fruit and side salads
DCA- pacific wharf-- double check for dairy in the bread, Boardwalk pizza has great salads and pasta, wine country is yummy, carthay circle also excellent
DTD- rainforest cafe has salads and pasta, earl of sandwich has sandwiches, salads and soups- check about dairy in bread, ESPN zone has a few salads, la brea bread is excellent- check for dairy in bread, tortilla joes has a vegetarian menu


I always bring a few snack in with me so I know I can snack when needed. Hubs and I prefer the food in downtown disney and California adventure.
 
Our daughter is a vegitarian (ovo-lacto), and we found that there were many options at both counter service and sit down locations. I researched menus before our last trip and found several dozen dishes, more than we were able to try. All of us tried at least one meatless dish daily (many vegan), as a fun family way of sharing the experience. Disney staff were exceedingly helpful and supportive, and we all enjoyed the food immensely.

One tip: the sit down restaurants may be able to make something to order if you ask the staff nicely. At Carthay, the waitress chatted with our daughter about her preferences and likes, and they make her a custom dish (pasta, veg, olive oil, avocado) that she loved. She felt so very special that day.
 

Two things that need no modification are the vegan burger at Carnation and the grilled veggie and grain salad at Jolly Holiday. Also the tofu options at Lucky Fortune in DCA. If I recall, all of the sauces are safe (obviously double check) but they also have a gluten free yuzu sauce I know some people order for allergies. The meat may be safe too, but I actually like the extra veggies in the tofu bowl. At Pizza Port or Boardwalk pizza you can ask them to make a salad without one of the ingredients. My sister has had better luck with this at Pizza Port. And Dole whips are dairy free. They don't serve other flavors in DL, so no risk of cross contamination.
 
Paradise Garden Grill in DCA has a tofu/chimichurri combo that (3 years ago) is vegan without modifications. In looking at the menu it appears to still be vegan and gluten-free, but of course ask first. I am hoping it is, because that will be something I eat as often as possible.

I would love to hear specific recommendations for vegan (and gluten-free if possible) food. In looking at the menus online it doesn't look like there are too many options. I'm kind of not looking forward to eating chips and fries for the entirety of my vacation. It would be nice to have some other options.
 
I would recommend telling them that you have a dairy allergy, not just ordering vegan. My youngest is anaphylactically allergic to both egg and dairy. For her, the chef comes out, talks to us, and then makes a custom meal that is safe. We've had great luck at Cocina Cucamonga (beans, rice and veggie tacos) and Tomorrowland Terrace (Separate fry fryer, I think they have a portabello sandwhich). Lucky Fortune Cookery and Rancho Del Zocalo refused to look at sauce ingredients for us, so meals there were very bland. I've heard good things about the vegan burger at Carnation Cafe as well.

Dole Whip is vegan, as is the regular popcorn and Ghiradeli has sorbet (once again, tell them about the allergy so they take precautions). The fruit carts also have some yummy options. We also carry cashew butter and jelly sandwiches with us (did I mention she's allergic to peanut, too?), as well as fruit and veggie pouches. So, I always have something she can eat on hand. Oh, and the places that serve Starbucks (market house and fiddler, fifer and practical cafe) have coconut milk, so that is available as a drink option.
 
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Paradise Garden Grill in DCA has a tofu/chimichurri combo that (3 years ago) is vegan without modifications. In looking at the menu it appears to still be vegan and gluten-free, but of course ask first. I am hoping it is, because that will be something I eat as often as possible.

I would love to hear specific recommendations for vegan (and gluten-free if possible) food. In looking at the menus online it doesn't look like there are too many options. I'm kind of not looking forward to eating chips and fries for the entirety of my vacation. It would be nice to have some other options.
Have you read the gluten free super thread? There's a discussion at the end about dedicated fryers and where they are right now. Most places that serve burgers or hot dogs will have a gluten free bun, you have to ask for it and it takes extra time, but it won't be listed on the menu. Sometimes the veggie burger isn't even on the menu, just by request. But I think most of the veggie patties contain egg anyway. Carnation should have a gluten free bun for their vegan burger, but it has recently been reported that they do not have a dedicated fryer, so substitute the side. I think you're going to have a hard time with vegan and gluten free at CS. Your best bet is probably to make as many TS reservations and note it on there in advance. I was told the veggie and grain salad at Jolly Holiday is gluten free, but when I pushed more it's spelt. They have prepackaged Enjoy Life desserts at Jolly Holiday, but haven't found them at any other CS yet. Jolly Holiday is also the only non-Starbucks coffee location with soy milk. But many CS veggie options contain gluten. The veggies at Award Weiners are grilled with beer. The veggie crumbles at Flo's contain wheat. I think the corn dogs might contain wheat, but the veggie option is fried cheese. Lucky Fortune does have alternative sauce options with their tofu bowls. I don't know how much variety you'll find, especially for breakfast, but with checking all the ingredient books it might work out. You should do a trip report so people know what can and can't be substituted at places.
 
Have you read the gluten free super thread? There's a discussion at the end about dedicated fryers and where they are right now. Most places that serve burgers or hot dogs will have a gluten free bun, you have to ask for it and it takes extra time, but it won't be listed on the menu. Sometimes the veggie burger isn't even on the menu, just by request. But I think most of the veggie patties contain egg anyway. Carnation should have a gluten free bun for their vegan burger, but it has recently been reported that they do not have a dedicated fryer, so substitute the side. I think you're going to have a hard time with vegan and gluten free at CS. Your best bet is probably to make as many TS reservations and note it on there in advance. I was told the veggie and grain salad at Jolly Holiday is gluten free, but when I pushed more it's spelt. They have prepackaged Enjoy Life desserts at Jolly Holiday, but haven't found them at any other CS yet. Jolly Holiday is also the only non-Starbucks coffee location with soy milk. But many CS veggie options contain gluten. The veggies at Award Weiners are grilled with beer. The veggie crumbles at Flo's contain wheat. I think the corn dogs might contain wheat, but the veggie option is fried cheese. Lucky Fortune does have alternative sauce options with their tofu bowls. I don't know how much variety you'll find, especially for breakfast, but with checking all the ingredient books it might work out. You should do a trip report so people know what can and can't be substituted at places.

Usually GF bread has egg, so it is a no for me. I don't usually eat bread anyway. Though on this trip I'll be bringing a loaf or two of GF bread and buy a jar of PB and a jar of jelly and bring sandwiches every day. Oh and I might bring a GF vegan pizza from LA, if I can. That would last a few days. I'm hoping between Lucky Fortune and the Paradise Garden Grill and maybe the Mexican places, maybe I can find something to eat. Historically the TS places have no idea what to do with me. Last time we were there Blue Bayou was the only place that had GF pasta and sauce with veggies. It was the only real meal I had the whole week we were there.
 
Yea, even the salads at CS tend to be pre-mixed and can't easily have items removed. Plus they're not fully stocked kitchens to easily sub things like dressings. I'm pretty sure the cheddar apple salad at Village Haus is premixed. Plus the dressing has yogurt. So I don't want to say you can get it without cheese and sub the dressing when I think it would depend on if they're willing to make one up special and if they even have another dressing. But as long as you know what you're likely to find, and plan ahead, I think you'll be fine. Most people wouldn't bring their own pizza, they'd just expect Disney to have GF crust and vegan cheese (their brand of choice, of course). But bringing your own if you know one that works for you is the best plan. I'd also look into getting your own fruit and veggies for snacks. The prices in the parks for that stuff are outrageous.
 
My cousin ordered a vegan meal at Jazz Kitchen (it was all veggies in some kind of sauce) and she couldn't stop raving about it!!! Now it's her favorite meal and we're going back there for dinner in September!!
 
Yea, even the salads at CS tend to be pre-mixed and can't easily have items removed. Plus they're not fully stocked kitchens to easily sub things like dressings. I'm pretty sure the cheddar apple salad at Village Haus is premixed. Plus the dressing has yogurt. So I don't want to say you can get it without cheese and sub the dressing when I think it would depend on if they're willing to make one up special and if they even have another dressing. But as long as you know what you're likely to find, and plan ahead, I think you'll be fine. Most people wouldn't bring their own pizza, they'd just expect Disney to have GF crust and vegan cheese (their brand of choice, of course). But bringing your own if you know one that works for you is the best plan. I'd also look into getting your own fruit and veggies for snacks. The prices in the parks for that stuff are outrageous.
I agree with the points about dressings. I'm not vegan but I do have an aversion to mayonnaise so strong that I will not eat anything with a combo of eggs, oil, and vinegar, so I ask to see the ingredients. Even many vinaigrettes that don't look creamy have egg and/or mayonnaise to emulsify the dressing. Last I checked, the basil vinaigrette at Boardwalk Pizza/Pasta did not have eggs, but the red wine vinaigrette (also served on the pasta salad at Flo's, I believe) did have eggs.
 












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