A vegan frankfurter can be substituted in any gourmet hot dog on the menu at Yummy Dogs , an eatery and arcade downtown .
The black bean and portobello burger at The Ranch at Laguna Beach ’ s Harvest restaurant
up in traditional and vegan versions .
Harvest at The Ranch at Laguna Beach has a black bean and portobello burger on its lunch menu . This meatless meal between two buns ups the flavor factor with Swiss cheese , caramelized onion and harissa aioli in addition to the traditional lettuce and tomato . And The Loft at Montage serves an Impossible burger , tagliatelle Bolognese with a vegan meat sauce option , and a fried cauliflower steak with sesame pepita dredge , zhug ( a spicy Middle Eastern sauce with cilantro and parsley ), and an apple and frisee salad .
Meanwhile , in north Laguna , Jan ’ s Health Bar has both a sandwich and Fiesta Bowl using vegetarian “ turkey ,” which is also an option for the Protein Bowl . And vegan “ bacon ” bits can be found in all the sandwiches as well as the protein wrap and breakfast sandwich here . The regional chain has offered plant-based menu items like an avocado sandwich since opening in 1972 , adding the vegetarian “ turkey ” in the late
1970s in response to customer demand .
“ We find it is important to offer plantbased menu items , because we want to ensure that everyone looking for a healthy and delicious meal can find something to eat at Jan ’ s ,” says owner Poppy Holguin . “ Our business is centered around wholesome , nutritious eating , which is why we believe that vegetarian meals are beneficial for everyone , regardless of their dietary preferences . Our vegetarian and vegan customers can enjoy our offerings , and so can those who don ’ t adhere to a meat-free diet . For example , one of our original menu items , our avocado sandwich , is packed with nutrient-rich vegetables and healthy fats . … One of our newer menu items , our Caesar salad , offers a plant-based version of the well-loved classic with a vegan cashew-based dressing .”
A hearty option is Jan ’ s Fiesta Bowl with diced vegetarian “ turkey ” on top of avocadocilantro rice , black beans and white cheddar cheese , all layered with fresh guacamole
and pico de gallo then finished with a Greek yogurt-based chipotle crema and served with salsa verde on the side .
“ We believe that our vegetarian ‘ turkey ’ is delicious , and has a great flavor similar to that of real meat ,” Holguin says . “ We use Spike seasoning on a lot of our menu items , but our vegetarian turkey does have a blend of herbs and spices in it for added flavor .”
While vegetarian “ turkey ” or avocado can be requested as a plant-based substitute in any of the eatery ’ s dishes , many already feature high amounts of protein sourced from beans , hemp seeds , quinoa and nuts . For example , the Santa Fe Cobb salad , which contains no vegetarian “ meat ,” provides a whopping 40 grams of protein .
“ Eating a variety of protein sources gives the most diversity of nutrients ,” Holguin says . “ This is why plant-based proteins are popular with those who are following a plant-based diet , as well as those who aren ’ t . Ultimately , we want to show that eating plant-based protein can be versatile and delicious .”
PLANT-BASED PLATES AT HOME For those who want to experiment with plant-based meats and other vegan meals at
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