Calling all the vegetarians!

[floridagirrl2]

My current vegetarian favorites:

The Rose and Crown at Epcot (England)--loved the curried root vegetables dish and loved sitting outside next to the lake.

Rainforest Cafe at Animal Kingdom--the best veggie burger I've ever had in my life, definitely worth the $10 bucks! I also like their pizza--I had a cheese pizza (also $10.00) and had leftovers to bring back to the hotel.

Great thread! I've been dying to eat at the sit-down in Mexico because I love the atmosphere, but never ate there because there was nothing veggie on the menu--now I find out they have a whole separate veggie menu! Cool!!

We went to the MK about an hour and a half before closing one day (wintertime--they were closing at 6 PM) and I couldn't find anything veggie to eat--many places had already closed for the evening, even the egg roll cart was closed! In general, MK is not nearly as vegetarian-friendly as Epcot.

On another trip, we did a sit-down lunch at the Liberty Tree Tavern, and I found the veggie meal (curry, if I remember correctly) pretty disappointing--almost flavorless. My husband (who is not vegetarian), also found his meal so-so.

 

[cavepig]

A few Vegetarian questions:

--I have PS for Chef Mickey's and Hollywood in Vine in June. Does anyone have comments for vegetarians on those places. I read above about the veggie Lo Mein at H&V having oyster sauce, anyone currently know if this is still true? Most likely I'll be asking for a tour of the buffet to know what's safe, but still nice to have an idea before we get there.

--Also, we are staying at POP Century any comments about the food court and the vegetarian options.

--At the counter service Japanese restaurant is there a vegetarian option or can you ask for something that isn't on the menu?

--At ABC commissary in MGM we've always been told that the lo mein and coleslaw is vegetarian, just checking if that is really true.


Comments:


--I have to agree with the above posters who said the sandwhich (Lighthouse) at Columbia Harbor House is good. I also like the sandwhich at Tuskers.

--Oh, yeah I do eat dairy/eggs. Also I just ordered the Vegetarian book everyone says is helpful, so hopeful it will come in handy. I have been to WDW many times as a vegetarian, but never know what's there that I have missed or thought might have oyster sauce or chicken broth hidden in it.

Thanks

 

[Pocah]

Great thread! I've been dying to eat at the sit-down in Mexico because I love the atmosphere, but never ate there because there was nothing veggie on the menu--now I find out they have a whole separate veggie menu! Cool!!

Yes, it's very nice that they have that separate menu. It should be on the "regular" menu, but for some reaon it's not, and you have to ask to see it. There are only 2 choices on the vegetarian menu, but at least they have options. I usually get the combo, which I think is an enchilada and a burrito? I can't remember exactly, but it's certainly filling. (The other choice on the menu is a salad.) Plus you get all the chips and salsa you can eat!

In general, MK is not nearly as vegetarian-friendly as Epcot.

Definitely so, but at least you have veggie friendly resort restaurants a short monorail ride away. I think AK is actually the least vegetarian friendly of all the parks (though Rainforest Cafe is just outside).

On another trip, we did a sit-down lunch at the Liberty Tree Tavern, and I found the veggie meal (curry, if I remember correctly) pretty disappointing--almost flavorless.

Yeah, I went there for a character dinner once and was served a fairly bland-tasting tomato rice dish. But I don't think we should expect too much at character meals (at least for vegans).

--I have PS for Chef Mickey's and Hollywood in Vine in June. Does anyone have comments for vegetarians on those places. I read above about the veggie Lo Mein at H&V having oyster sauce, anyone currently know if this is still true? Most likely I'll be asking for a tour of the buffet to know what's safe, but still nice to have an idea before we get there.

--At ABC commissary in MGM we've always been told that the lo mein and coleslaw is vegetarian, just checking if that is really true.

Hi, cavepig. I wrote the comment about the lo mein, but now I realize I got H&V mixed up with the ABC Commissary. I definitely remember it was at a counter service restaurant, not a buffet, where I found out about the oyster sauce. Again, this was a couple of years ago, so maybe things have changed.

As far as what to eat at H&V, I've never been, so I can't help there. I generally stay away from buffets, though. As a veg*n, you tend to pay more for less variety at a buffet. However, if you call ahead, the chef may be able to arrange something for you. For me, it's just easier to eat somewhere else where there's something on the menu that's already vegan or can be made vegan fairly easily.

--At the counter service Japanese restaurant is there a vegetarian option or can you ask for something that isn't on the menu?

Last time I went, there wasn't much there. You're better off requesting veggie sushi at Tempura Kiku. The counter service restaurant has mostly pre-made stuff.

Also I just ordered the Vegetarian book everyone says is helpful, so hopeful it will come in handy. I have been to WDW many times as a vegetarian, but never know what's there that I have missed or thought might have oyster sauce or chicken broth hidden in it.

The book will definitely help you "sniff out" hidden ingredients, but it's always best to ask because dishes and recipes may change over time. Also, the book may be outdated in terms of specific dishes that are available at certain restaurants since menus often change. However, the restaurants the book lists as veggie-friendly tend to stay veggie-friendly. There are also 2 editions of the book. Make sure you get the most recent one for the most up-to-date info.

 

[Nee Nee and Biddy]

Thanks for all of the great replies! I did order the Vegetarian WDW book and it is extremely helpful...I recommend it for any vegetarian. It is really informative for vegans. Being a lapsed vegan myself, I know how hard it is to find a decent meal sometimes.

 

[bavaria]

I too never ate at Hollywood and Vine, a CM once took me through the buffet and at the end said 'it's not a great value, you're right, there really is not much for veggies!' Generally the case with buffets at WDW.

I agree about asking re ingredients - often when I asked for a veggie meal the server would ask 'do you eat chicken?'. Often they use chicken stock in things which you may assume are veggie.

Having said that, I am impressed with how much better things have become over the past few years. I am looking forward to lunch at the Concourse Steakhouse in two weeks, and will definitely go back to the Yacht Club for a great meal.

 

[Sazzo'sMommy]

YUMMY, YUMMY...

I am a vegetarian and I love to eat at WDW! It is the best place in the world for veggie eating!

 

[cujochurch]

Originally posted by Pocah
Almost all restaurants have at least 1 vegetarian dish, a BIG improvement over just a few years ago. I used to call ahead everywhere, but now I find I don't always have to.

Poly - Kona Cafe - Other times I called in advance and requested vegan tonga toast and a vegan Asian noodle soup. However, on the last trip, I was ....

Can someone explain vegan tonga toast? I am not vegan, just trying to eat more healthy. How would this differ from the regular?
thanks

 

[Pocah]

Hello there, cujochurch. Vegan tonga toast is the same as the regular kind but without dairy and eggs, so it would be cholesterol free at least and probably lower in fat, too. I also requested organic, unrefined sugar instead of regular sugar that's sprinkled on top. And, to top it off, I asked them to fry it in a separate pan from all the other tonga toasts. Yes, I went all out with my tonga toast request! This was a couple of year ago, and I haven't requested anything this "anal" since then, but it's good to know they are willing to accommodate!

 

[cujochurch]

I think I will order it dairy free and then see if they can grill it. I like the idea of lowering the cholesterol and fat. I won't feel so quilty enjoying it.

Thanks

 

[erikthewise]

The Garden Grill restaurant in the Land pavilion at Epcot has a veggie alternative to their standard preplated meal. It's no secret and not a "special request" -- just ask your server for it. See http://allearsnet.com/menu/menu_gg.htm

DW ordered this last year and I had a small taste of it. I thought it was pretty good!

 

[Pocah]

I think I will order it dairy free and then see if they can grill it. I like the idea of lowering the cholesterol and fat. I won't feel so quilty enjoying it.

Thanks

You're welcome. Just to let you know, I requested my vegan tonga toast at least a couple days in advance, so you may want to do the same. I don't know if they usually keep the dairy alternatives on hand.

 

[Laura]

What a great thread! I don't really have anything to add myself; it's all been so well-covered.

I love the idea of having Tonga Toast grilled instead of deep-fried. Yum!

 

[bavaria]

Some highlights from my trip last week:

Matsunomura Lounge: spicy seaweed salad and veggie sushi (and a great view, it's my secret spot)

Boma: finally actually ate here, four starches, one veggie dish, lots of salads but a lot of them did have dairy. Pretty good, but went back a few days later and the meats were different but the veggies were not (also note that they do hide a veggie dish in the meat section...)

Yacht Club Galley: still my favourite, now 3 veggie items on the lunch menu, great staff who don't bat an eye (had a sandwich with mushrooms, tomato, lettuce, and a spicy sauce, plus fruit plate)

Chefs de Paris: didn't want pasta again, and WOW thank you Phllipe and Christian. ABSOLUTELY the best meal I have ever eaten in WDW. This is one of my recent finds, and they went way above and beyond. THANK YOU!!!!

Mexico: had a veggie meal at San Angel, it was ok, but not one of my favourites. HUGE portion tho

Pop Century: got addicted to the tomato pesto dip (with my own melba toast)

PO Riverside: has added a veggie sandwich to the food court; again a request for a pizza w/o cheese confused them

Akershus was closed, sigh, so I felt like I did have fewer options this time..........

 

[CRSNDSNY]

While we're on this subject in such length, can anyone verify a Tofutti desert request anywhere in the World? I've heard of various places you can ask for it such as FFC, but I've never asked.

 

[Pocah]

Main Street Ice Cream Parlour supposedly keeps some tofutti in the back. But I'm sure you could request it at any of the sit-down restaurants with some advance notice.

 

[bavaria]

I know that there is an Italian ice place on the Boardwalk, but don't know if it's really authentic. I believe that Italy has an ice place as well (I am thinking of the real stuff which you get in Italy, but don't know if they have Americanized it or not)

 

[bavaria]

I forgot to add my update. I usually don't eat here since I spend just a few hours in the park, but this time decided to check everything out. Couldn't find a veggie option at the Flame Tree or the Pizzafari (although they could probabaly do a veggie pizza with no cheese?) so went to Tusker House and did the meal voucher for a veggie sandwich.

It was ok, HUGE, and came with a giant bunch of grapes. Had never done the meal voucher before, and was unsure how to spend it all! Didn't want ice cream, but discovered what used to be called Monkey Tails at Disneyland years ago - chocolate covered frozen banana - so I had to indulge. (They don't call them Monkey Tails at AKL.....)

 

[westjones]

Has anyone done the Luau and asked for a vegetarian meal? We have thought the kids would enjoy this show, but we weren't sure if we would be able to eat the food (we are all vegetarians, dairy & eggs).

Thanks!
DJ

 

[Pocah]

I'm going to try the Luau for the first time next trip and have requested a vegetarian meal. It shouldn't be a problem. You just need to request it a few days in advance.

 

[bavaria]

almost forget one of my favourite places - tea at the Grand Floridian in the lounge! I went looking for dinner one night last week and actually ended up having a late tea instead. No problem here at all, since you can choose what you want. But shhh it's a secret!