Vegan dining options in and around Disneyland

[GhostlyHitchhiker]

I think sonnyjane's point is that locally there really is a demand. So it does make sense for So Cal restaurant owners to "go after" that market.

In the way that a business owner is smart to make a good profit, tasty vegetarian options are a no brainer. For example, meat is expensive but you can charge as much for a vegetarian sandwich as you would for a meaty one.

I don't want to get in on the debate here really, but as someone who has a split family, I can tell you that very often the veggie stuff is far more expensive.

It's actually MORE expensive to buy the portabello mushrooms and produce for a veggie sandwich (cheese isn't cheap either) than the turkey/ham/lunchmeat for a meat filled sandwich. Sure, there is usually lettuce, tomato, etc on a turkey sandwich, but you tend to get less than if the sandwich were a vegetarian sandwich. The lunchmeat is cheaper. Tofu is about the same cost as the same serving size of chicken as well.

 

[sonnyjane]

I think sonnyjane's point is that locally there really is a demand. So it does make sense for So Cal restaurant owners to "go after" that market.

In the way that a business owner is smart to make a good profit, tasty vegetarian options are a no brainer. For example, meat is expensive but you can charge as much for a vegetarian sandwich as you would for a meaty one.

Sorry for the delay! I'd forgotten I'd commented on this thread. You're right, tinkermomma. I totally understand the economic challenges of catering to a small veggie/vegan market, but here in SoCal, I feel confident saying we have a higher percentage of veggies/vegans than most places in the country-likely top three I'd guess. Since so many locals visit DL, it does make sense to offer more veg/vegan options than your typical restaurant in small-town USA. They are better than most for certain in that every restaurant has at least one vegetarian option, but vegan dishes have to be custom ordered it seems (e.g. "no cheese" etc.). Again I'm not a veg/vegan so I'm not wholly immersed in the fight for the cause or anything, but I have lots of veggie friends so I'm aware of the challenges they face when we all go out together.

 

[tinkermomma]

That's true GhostlyHitchhiker, I should have clarified "all things being equal" quality wise. A choice cut of great quality meat can be costly as can excellent produce and vice versa. Same obviously goes with poor quality in both areas.

All I really meant to say was I think having good quality vegan/veggie options only helps a restaurants bottom line because while a vegan can't have a steak, a meat eater can most certainly enjoy a great veggie meal if it's good enough.

That said I'm a big ol' (grass fed free range) meat eater personally.

sonnyjane - Exactly. It may not be big everywhere but it sure is in California and DLR has a lot of AP's right?

 

[furb & dez]

I don't want to get in on the debate here really, but as someone who has a split family, I can tell you that very often the veggie stuff is far more expensive.

It's actually MORE expensive to buy the portabello mushrooms and produce for a veggie sandwich (cheese isn't cheap either) than the turkey/ham/lunchmeat for a meat filled sandwich. Sure, there is usually lettuce, tomato, etc on a turkey sandwich, but you tend to get less than if the sandwich were a vegetarian sandwich. The lunchmeat is cheaper. Tofu is about the same cost as the same serving size of chicken as well.

Precisely. The non-vegetarian products can be bought on the cheap from a wholesaler and frozen indefinitely. Veggie products have to be served fresh, thus requiring continual refreshment of the supply. Plus, a ton of it goes to waste, because that window of freshness is small; after that window has passed, there's no choice but to just toss it and write it off as a loss. With frozen products, you only have to defrost what you think you'll need, which minimizes or eliminates a lot of waste.

While SoCal probably does have a higher percentage of persons interested in vegetarian/vegan food, it's still a miniscule percentage of the population, and probably not worth it from a business standpoint for any huge investment of Disney's dollars.

 

[BELLEDOZER]

First off I'm fully aware of being a minority in being a Vegan, but a simple salad for Vegans, that can be easily be turned into a chicken salad for the rest of the population, by adding cheese and chicken. is what I'm after. I don't expect restaurants to cook special meals for me, but I would be nice even to have some salads to choose from. I appreciate all the helpful info on this thread, as I will be visiting the mouse in Sept, and I now have a great idea of what to expect when it comes to Vegan meals down there. This will be the first time visiting the mouse since I went Vegan.

 

[nancy drew]

First off I'm fully aware of being a minority in being a Vegan, but a simple salad for Vegans, that can be easily be turned into a chicken salad for the rest of the population, by adding cheese and chicken. is what I'm after. I don't expect restaurants to cook special meals for me, but I would be nice even to have some salads to choose from. I appreciate all the helpful info on this thread, as I will be visiting the mouse in Sept, and I now have a great idea of what to expect when it comes to Vegan meals down there. This will be the first time visiting the mouse since I went Vegan.

This is what I am talking about too! I don't need a meal that consists of freshly picked, organic vegetables, prepared just so. But when they take *all* the lettuce and mix it with ranch/caesar dressing, there's nothing left for people who can't or don't eat dairy. And I don't think it would add any cost to serve egg-free pasta or dairy-free bread, in fact I suspect it would save money (I don't know whether Disney's pasta or bread have egg or dairy, I'm mostly referring to a few local restaurants I've visited) since pasta with egg often needs to be refrigerated and spoils faster than dry pasta. I'd be thrilled for pasta with tomatoes and garlic, with a side of whatever steamed veggies they are serving that day, but at some places I can't even order that because the pasta has egg and the "steamed veggies" have butter on them. Vegan options don't have to be special or fancy, and they don't have to be fresh or costly. And again, if they have a vegan veggie burger that is frozen, that's fine too.

Belledozer, I'll report back to this thread after we go, and let you know what happens when we are there.

 

[Cagirl767]

I'm sure if you call Disney Dining, they can tell you what all is vegan, i.e. the buns, the pasta, what salad dressings they serve and if somewhere such as Rancho del Zocalo can make you a special dish. It's really not trouble for them, the sides are all right there, made in front of you, they'd just have to plop some veggies into a tortilla. Disney is very used to accommodating various diets.

I'd be interested in hearing what all is vegan there too.

 

[BELLEDOZER]

I tend to eat simple meals, using alot of ingredients that most people eat on a regular basis. It doesn't have to be complicated to make a Vegan meal. I haven't been Vegan for very long, and am still working out the quirks out of my Vegan lifestyle. I finally had success in making some Vegan chocolate/coffee cupcakes with icing. The kids were drooling over them, but they are MINE since I made a heavily dairy laden, heart attack on a plate (full of whipping cream and instant vanilla pudding) desert for the family this morning. This with a family of dairy allergic people, go figure. I don't make it too often, so they enjoy it while it's here. I don't like to make a big deal out of the fact that I'm Vegan, don't care if I end up eating very simple down in DL. It's doesn't take alot to keep me happy foodwise.

 

[MAH4546]

I think sonnyjane's point is that locally there really is a demand. So it does make sense for So Cal restaurant owners to "go after" that market.

In the way that a business owner is smart to make a good profit, tasty vegetarian options are a no brainer. For example, meat is expensive but you can charge as much for a vegetarian sandwich as you would for a meaty one.

Speaking of which Nancy Drew, I have heard multiple posters say really good things about the veggie sandwhich at plaza cafe. Again it probably has cheese but it looks like it could be good without. Good luck!

No, there really isn't demand. Here in SoCal, are there more vegans/vegeterians than elsewhere? Sure. More as a percentage of the total population? Most likely. But it's still an extreme minority, and Disneyland makes the smart and appropriate business decisions not to cater to it exetensively. It keeps costs in line. And in supply chains, meat is dirt cheap and vegetables are very expensive. So, no, it does not make sense to offer a vegetable sandwich. It cost Disney a lot more than a sandwich with meat, because meat is significantly cheaper per pound.

 

[MAH4546]

I think sonnyjane's point is that locally there really is a demand. So it does make sense for So Cal restaurant owners to "go after" that market.

In the way that a business owner is smart to make a good profit, tasty vegetarian options are a no brainer. For example, meat is expensive but you can charge as much for a vegetarian sandwich as you would for a meaty one.

Speaking of which Nancy Drew, I have heard multiple posters say really good things about the veggie sandwhich at plaza cafe. Again it probably has cheese but it looks like it could be good without. Good luck!

No, there really isn't demand. Here in SoCal, are there more vegans/vegeterians than elsewhere? Sure. More as a percentage of the total population? Most likely. But it's still an extreme minority, and Disneyland makes the smart and appropriate business decisions not to cater to it exetensively. It keeps costs in line. And in supply chains, meat is dirt cheap and vegetables are very expensive. So, no, it does not make sense to offer a vegetable sandwich. It cost Disney a lot more than a sandwich with meat, because meat is significantly cheaper per pound.

 

[disfan07]

No, there really isn't demand. Here in SoCal, are there more vegans/vegeterians than elsewhere? Sure. More as a percentage of the total population? Most likely. But it's still an extreme minority, and Disneyland makes the smart and appropriate business decisions not to cater to it exetensively. It keeps costs in line. And in supply chains, meat is dirt cheap and vegetables are very expensive. So, no, it does not make sense to offer a vegetable sandwich. It cost Disney a lot more than a sandwich with meat, because meat is significantly cheaper per pound.

I was thinking the same thing. Living in SoCal the past 2 years (LA and OC), I have not encountered anymore veggies/vegans than I did in Northern Virginia where I used to live.

I think SoCal is more about fresh, organic foods but not necessarily more about veggie/vegan foods

AFAIK, most disney bread is egg free because I can eat it ( I am allergic to eggs) but I don't know if it's dairy free.
Oh, and I'm not 100% sure about the churros churros but I am almost positive they have egg in them (either that or they are contraindicated for peanut allergies....I just know that I cannot eat them)

 

[tinkermomma]

I can't help it. Part of me wants to let it go, forgive me but this debate is just too juicy

No, there really isn't demand. Here in SoCal, are there more vegans/vegeterians than elsewhere? Sure. More as a percentage of the total population? Most likely. But it's still an extreme minority, and Disneyland makes the smart and appropriate business decisions not to cater to it exetensively. It keeps costs in line. And in supply chains, meat is dirt cheap and vegetables are very expensive. So, no, it does not make sense to offer a vegetable sandwich. It cost Disney a lot more than a sandwich with meat, because meat is significantly cheaper per pound.

That fried green tomato sandwich at Hungry Bear seems to be quite the hit of the park though, doesn't it?

Also, since DLR offers both fast food and (in a few cases) elevated dining experiences and with Disney's massive buying power, veggies are not expensive for them in the least bit. It's incorrect to assume that veggies are more expensive either situation.

In fine dining, the protein is definitely more expensive than the starches or vegetable or anything else, period.

In fast food, yes, "meat is dirt cheap" but also the non meat/animal "veg" products are at fast food establishments are relative in price (cheap as well).

My point? You can't compare apples with oranges if you want to talk profit. Or truffles (no, not the chocolate kind) with hot dogs, or a Kobe filet with corn on the cob for that matter.

So the only way you're theory of veggies being more expensive would hold true is comparing organic veggies with cheap meat cuts and that's not a realistic comparison unless it's you at the grocery store. Again it's just not the same for restaurants or DLR. Their purchasing is just so different from yours or mine.

I'm with you about catering to it "extensively" though. That would be weird. I think catering to it "enough" was the OPs opinion though.

Precisely. The non-vegetarian products can be bought on the cheap from a wholesaler and frozen indefinitely. Veggie products have to be served fresh, thus requiring continual refreshment of the supply. Plus, a ton of it goes to waste, because that window of freshness is small; after that window has passed, there's no choice but to just toss it and write it off as a loss. With frozen products, you only have to defrost what you think you'll need, which minimizes or eliminates a lot of waste.

While SoCal probably does have a higher percentage of persons interested in vegetarian/vegan food, it's still a miniscule percentage of the population, and probably not worth it from a business standpoint for any huge investment of Disney's dollars.

Establishments freeze fruits and vegetables as much as they do with meat when it's needed. Food is perishable, if you don't make it fast enough it gets frozen, if you don't eat it it gets trashed.

You both can say they're an extreme minority or a miniscule part of the population, but they eat well and when something is tasty, regardless of what it's made of, it's also a profit center. You better believe Disney banks on that whenever they can.

Like I said I personally LOVE good meat and get that fully veg entrees may not be everyone's cup of tea but I can tell you there are plenty of people out there that don't eat meat at every. single. meal. at DLR or otherwise.

 

[GhostlyHitchhiker]

That fried green tomato sandwich at Hungry Bear seems to be quite the hit of the park though, doesn't it?

Also, since DLR offers both fast food and (in a few cases) elevated dining experiences and with Disney's massive buying power, veggies are not expensive for them in the least bit. It's incorrect to assume that veggies are more expensive either situation.

In fine dining, the protein is definitely more expensive than the starches or vegetable or anything else, period.

In fast food, yes, "meat is dirt cheap" but also the non meat/animal "veg" products are at fast food establishments are relative in price (cheap as well).

My point? You can't compare apples with oranges if you want to talk profit. Or truffles (no, not the chocolate kind) with hot dogs, or a Kobe filet with corn on the cob for that matter.

So the only way you're theory of veggies being more expensive would hold true is comparing organic veggies with cheap meat cuts and that's not a realistic comparison unless it's you at the grocery store. Again it's just not the same for restaurants or DLR. Their purchasing is just so different from yours or mine.

I'm with you about catering to it "extensively" though. That would be weird. I think catering to it "enough" was the OPs opinion though.

Establishments freeze fruits and vegetables as much as they do with meat when it's needed. Food is perishable, if you don't make it fast enough it gets frozen, if you don't eat it it gets trashed.

You both can say they're an extreme minority or a miniscule part of the population, but they eat well and when something is tasty, regardless of what it's made of, it's also a profit center. You better believe Disney banks on that whenever they can.

Like I said I personally LOVE good meat and get that fully veg entrees may not be everyone's cup of tea but I can tell you there are plenty of people out there that don't eat meat at every. single. meal. at DLR or otherwise.

I tried to stay out of the debate, but I actually think I'm one of the most qualified people around here to chime in. My household is half veggie and half meat eaters and I can tell you 100% that once we had veggies in our house, our food budget soared. I'm not talking a couple dollars a month here, I'm talking massive soaring. Perhaps it's also because we're food snobs and I will not buy super cheap ingredients, but neither will Disney or any restaurant for that matter.

I don't care what you think Disney's "buying power" is, it's not enough to cover the costs of fresh produce and cheeses (which cannot be frozen without compromising flavor and texture either) over the costs of frozen meats, lunchmeats, etc. You cannot freeze a strawberry and expect to defrost it with the same texture, taste, etc as a fresh ingredient. It just isn't the same and consumers know the difference. A fresh avocado is different in texture and taste than a package of pre-processed avocado (which more resembles bad guacamole than avocado) squished into a plastic container and melon-balled onto a sandwich. You cannot freeze a portabello mushroom and expect a consumer to not notice a texture or taste difference when it's defrosted, grilled and put onto a veggie sandwich.

The very bottom line comes down to this: Mass produced products (in this case meat) are the most sought after, which makes them the cheapest. That is how the free market works. What the highest percentage of people want and are willing to pay the *cheapest* amount for, is the cheapest product. At least in this Wal-mart, Super-Target, Massive grocery store world we find ourselves living in...

You may think that eggless pasta is cheaper because it uses no eggs? That would be an incorrect assumption because the pasta with the egg is able to be mass produced since that is what the majority of consumers wants. I can pay less than one dollar for dried egg-yolk pasta, but the specialty veggie pasta that we want for our stir-frys for example cost between $3-$4 per package. That package is also about 1/2 the size of the egg-yolk noodles I can buy at the grocery store. Portabello mushrooms cost around $3 (on sale)-$4 (not on sale)/pound, whereas chicken costs about $2 (on sale)-$3 (on sale)/pound. That is consumer prices. If I buy pre-frozen boneless skinless chicken breasts I can get it down to about $1.50/pound.

I'm certain Disney can get better prices than me, but they can't really change the ratio much. Chicken is still going to be cheaper than tofu, produce is still going to be more expensive than lunchmeat. It's just the way it is.

Do I think Disney could have more veggie/vegan options? Sure. Do I think they *need* to? As someone who has veggies in her family and is an ultimate enabler trying to find the best foods (and everything else) I can for the ones I love, I don't think it's required. I think they do a pretty good job. If they add more options as they expand, that's fantastic, but I think they're doing pretty darn well and we as a family are incredibly happy and food-snob spoiled every single trip.

 

[sonjaandsue]

We also buy for vegans and meat-eaters and it isn't fair to compare cheap lunch meat with tofu. It would be more fair to compare lunch meat with peanut butter, which is cheaper. And what vegan staple is ever as expensive as a pork loin or a beef steak? You don't need to eat tofu or tempe every meal to be vegan either - a pot of beans is pretty darn cheap. Either diet can be cheaper or more expensive depending on taste. Processed, instant foods is what drives our grocery bill up - whether vegan or meat, we pay for convenience!

OK, off my soap box. Does anyone know of good vegan delivery/take-out in the DL area?

 

[BELLEDOZER]

I'd also like to know of a good Vegan take out in DL too. There will always be debates between the omnis (meat eaters) and the Veg*ns (veggie eaters). I personally find it cheaper to eat Vegan, but then I tend to look out for sales, and shop at local farms for my produce rather than going to the grocery stores. One thing that I would like to point out is if Disney can use Tofu at the Lucky Fortune Cookery in CA, it's obvious that they have a good source for getting it cheap, otherwise they wouldn't be serving it. This could be a good sign for the future of them bringing in more vegetarian options. When it comes right down to it, everyone likes to eat healthier these days, and I do think that California is one of the more progressive states when it comes to having healthier lifestyles. I didn't have much choice but to go Vegan, as I discovered that I'm severely allergic to all animal proteins, but it's made a huge difference to the way I feel, since I went Vegan just over a month ago.

 

[cmwade77]

Dh is a veggie. He loved the Fried Green Tomato sandwich at Hungry Bear and the Tofu bowl and side of edamame at Lucky Fortune Cookery. He also did the gumbo bread bowl at Royal Street Veranda. We did not try the skewers Bengal BBQ, but I would think those would be totally vegan.

There are veggie burgers just about everywhere you can get a regular burger, and pasta with marinara at Plaza and Pizza Port. For breakfast, it was hard to get protein. Check the menus at All Ears, and plan from there. That is how we plan our days, around a land that is veggie friendly near meal times.

NOTE: The sauce on the Fried Green Tomato sandwhich contains Anchovies, so if you do not even eat fish, you should order this with no sauce.

Note, I am not a vegetarian, but I do occasionally enjoy a vegan or veggie meal, but I think everyone should be aware of this, so they can make a decision based on their preferences.

 

[GhostlyHitchhiker]

NOTE: The sauce on the Fried Green Tomato sandwhich contains Anchovies, so if you do not even eat fish, you should order this with no sauce.

Note, I am not a vegetarian, but I do occasionally enjoy a vegan or veggie meal, but I think everyone should be aware of this, so they can make a decision based on their preferences.

Wow, thanks for posting this as I had no idea! Do you know if there is worcestershire sauce in it (which contains very little anchovy paste in the sauce) or actual anchovy paste, anchovies themselves, etc?

My group of veggies (my GF has been a veggie her entire life, my DH is veggie to help support her and my youngest DD10 was a veggie for over a year and a half and still chooses veggie options she prefers; I eat veggie sometimes, but cannot stick to it permanently as I enjoy meat too much and can often eat "healthier" as a meat eater) doesn't care for tomatoes (they call it "alien fruit" and "not done all the way"), but we do know that soup stocks, salad dressings and sauces often hide meat products and try to be aware even if it's not something they'd eat.

 

[furb & dez]

...but we do know that soup stocks, salad dressings and sauces often hide meat products and try to be aware even if it's not something they'd eat.

Pizza sauce, for example, usually has meat or meat flavorings in it. Pizza Hut's does, for a fact.

 

[Lilbunnyk]

NOTE: The sauce on the Fried Green Tomato sandwhich contains Anchovies, so if you do not even eat fish, you should order this with no sauce.

Note, I am not a vegetarian, but I do occasionally enjoy a vegan or veggie meal, but I think everyone should be aware of this, so they can make a decision based on their preferences.

Thanks for posting this, I am a vegetarian and was not aware of the anchovies in the sauce. I was looking forward to trying this sandwich and now will be sure to order it without the sauce.

 

[starshine514]

I'm so glad it's not medically required for me to be vegan. Meat? I could totally do without it. But a world without cheese? That's just no world at all!