It seems like only yesterday I was standing in front of the Hereford House launching my veggie burger adventure. The backdrop of a burned-down steak house seemed to me a deliciously poignant symbol of my absolute disinterest in meat (but I swear, I didn't start the fire!). The following day I would embark on my journey, to hungrily go where no veggie burger fan had gone before. Having the last of my 31 veggie burgers at Chef Burger was a decision I made early on. It only made sense to end my undertaking at the place where the idea was born. From the very first time I visited Chef Burger on their opening week, I fell in love with the place. It is a fun dining environment with tasty burgers and shakes. The falafel burger quickly became a standard of mine, but then one day it was sadly and inexplicably dropped from the menu. Fortunately, they continued to offer a black bean veggie patty, which is no match for the legendary falafel burger, but still packs a punch in any of their burger combinations. The fact that I'm so sad that this has come to an end makes me feel really silly. I mean, it's just veggie burgers, right? But then again, it was more than just veggie burgers. The blog and daily trips quickly turned into an opportunity to connect with friends and family as well as make new friends. It became a daily celebration of the simple things in life, the simple things that bring us closer to what really matters in life ... people.
Room 39 has so many wonderful items on the menu that I was afraid I might want to order something other than the veggie burger. But then I read the description again and was convinced that I was making the right decision. The veggie burger is a delicious patty made with bulgur wheat, black beans and sautéed vegetables that is cooked to perfection. The texture and the flavors are in tasty harmony and the roommade fries are crispy crisp! If you're going to order the veggie burger (and I think you should), be sure to go at lunch time because that's the only time it's offered. Well, don't forget to check in tomorrow for the grand finale!
On a beautiful Spring day (like today should have been) I can walk from my apartment down to the River Market and enjoy a veggie burger at Harry's Country Club. Today, everything was perfect, aside from the weather. The veggie burger at Harry's is a Boca patty, and there's nothing particularly amazing about it. The best thing about Harry's is everything else: the atmosphere, the decor, the rest of the menu, the great selection of brews and the service. Don't get me wrong, it's still a very tasty burger, and the thin fries are great. And, if you go during happy hour (like we did today), you can't really beat their prices. So, if you haven't already been to Harry's, check it out. It is a Kansas City original, for sure!
There are bicycles hanging from the ceiling at Willie's. Not that it has anything to do with veggie burgers, I just thought it was interesting. The onion rings were really good. I hadn't had onion rings since I started this blog. And the veggie burger was good, too. It was spicy. I'm not one to frequent sports bars, but I'm very happy Willie's has a veggie burger and I would gladly order it again. They have an amazing view of the Sprint Center. I think it would be fun to go when the garage doors are open and the weather is nice. I only have five veggie burgers left and it's making me kind of sad. Cheers.
Being the only completely vegan restaurant in Kansas City, Cafe Seed was one of the first places on my 31 Veggie Burgers list. So, when I called a couple of weeks ago to confirm their hours and couldn't reach anyone, I was concerned. One of our favorite places to eat has already closed down due to the economy, I was scared we might have to say goodbye to another one. After calling every couple of days for the next two weeks, I finally reached someone and learned they had been closed due to their next door neighbor's construction. Fortunately they are back in business and today I had their vegan burger. This is a small, family-run operation. The food is prepared when you order it and the cook takes the time to make everything right. Cafe Seed is not a place you go to when in a hurry, you should be prepared to wait a bit for your food. But let me tell you, when your food comes to the table, you forget how long it took to get there. Everything I've ordered at Cafe Seed is absolutely delicious, from the waffle at Sunday brunch to today's burger. I'm fortunate enough to work within walking distance of Cafe Seed. And I couldn't have asked for a better day to go. The sun was out and there was a refreshing breeze. Perhaps the Spring is finally deciding to show up. Whether you can walk to Cafe Seed or not, I encourage to take the time to visit and enjoy their food. You won't regret it!
The truth is that if you go to The Peachtree, you're probably not going for the veggie burger. But that's why I went, and I'm happy I did. The Peachtree is a Kansas City establishment (originally located at 18th and Vine, now in the Power & Light District) know for it's "soul food with elegance." I would have never guessed to check their menu for a veggie burger, and I only recently learned they had one when my friend Kevin spotted it and told me about it. The veggie burger was fine, but the fried okra and the fried green tomatoes stole the show. Nobody knows good fried food like The Peachtree! Their location is a prime spot in the P&L District, and their floor to ceiling windows offer a phenomenal view of the district and the surrounding downtown buildings. I'll be happy to go back on a weekend night when they have live music and enjoy another veggie burger with seasoned fries. If I'm feeling particularly crazy, I might get the okra and green tomatoes, too.
I am incredibly fortunate to have such good people as friends. And today was a wonderful day for me, the kind of day one wishes would never end. It has been so nice to receive birthday wishes on my Facebook wall, via e-mail, phone, and text message. And what better way to end the day than surrounded by friends around veggie burgers and cake (and a veggie burger cake). The setting for my 22nd veggie burger was McCoy's. It has long been my favorite veggie burger, and I knew all along it would have to be the place for tonight's special edition of 31 Veggie Burgers. McCoy's has good food, great atmosphere, nice beer. And plenty of room to gather with lots of friends of all dietary persuasions. Whether you're a vegan, a carnivore, or a veggie burger fiend, McCoy's is the place for you.
Thanks to all my special guests: Nina, Deena & Sidney, Ellie, Rachel, Nick, Kevin, Scot & Marla, Bryan & Erica, Amanda, Marcelle, Chris & Mirna & Alex, Shannon & Rich, Monica & Gilbert, Sarah & Thomas, Season & Chris, Rick & Kelly, Emily, and, all the way from Tulsa, OK, Jon & Erin.
Tonight was the first time I felt a little bit strange ordering a veggie burger. Houston's is a very nice place; as you walk in there is a sign that reads "Proper Attire Required." I was nervous I might not be dressed well enough, until I saw a guy at the bar in an old t-shirt and jeans. Nonetheless, this seemed more like the kind of place where you order some kind of fancy steak and a bottle of wine. My friend Jeanée recommended this veggie burger, and I'm so glad she did because I would've never guessed Houston's had one. But it was right there, the second one on the list of burgers and sandwiches. And it was good. The texture of the patty was just right and it held together very well. I had the fries, but next time I'll order the side of root vegetables instead. That's what Emily ordered, and they were really yummy. It's hard to believe I'm already on day 20. I have to admit that it makes me a little bit sad to think that I'm already two thirds of the way into this project, and that in less than two weeks it'll be over. So, I'm just going to keep making the best of every veggie burger day I have left. Thanks for your company!
The menu at Record Bar used to feature a veggie burger with an awesome name, "The Pretender." So, of course I added it to my list several weeks ago. But then, last week when I checked online again, just to make sure (especially after the Barley's Brewhaus incident), it was nowhere to be found. I was very disappointed about that, so I called and spoke to the manager (I think he was the manager). He said that although the veggie burger was no longer on the menu, if I ordered it, they'd make it for me. I related this story to the server, who was incredulous, and she went away to confirm my assertion. Those few minutes of wait were fraught with anxiety, what if they no longer had it? What if the person I spoke with on the phone was not the manager but rather a distraught employee? But she came back eventually, maintaining her clear position of utter disinterest, and said "yeah." I had to bite my tongue not to say "I'll have the pizza then." So I ordered the veggie burger (surprise, surprise). I cannot begin to imagine why they would have taken such a tasty, hand-made veggie burger off the menu. The flavor and texture were great, and it had long been a shoe-in for my "best named veggie burger" award. Record Bar has a number of veggie and vegan options, my only guess is that veggies and vegans were ordering all of those instead of the veggie burger. Whatever the case, I hope enough people will order the veggie burger and maybe they'll put it back on the menu. So what are you waiting for? ¡¡Ándale, ándale!!
Hey, you know what? If you want to have a fun time and a good burger on a Wednesday night, The Brick is your place. Wednesday nights are 2 for 1 burgers, and yes, that includes veggie burgers! In fact, you can have any of their signature burgers with a veggie patty. Although it really would be weird to order the bacon burger with a veggie patty. You do whatever you want, though ... I'm just saying. One of the best things about The Brick is the place itself. The walls are adorned with odd and bizarre pieces of art. The whole place has a freak show vibe that makes any meal a fun experience. It turned out great that it was 2 for 1 burger night, because the Emily wanted a veggie burger, too. So we had a fun little veggie burger duet. The burgers were tasty and the sides were fun. All in all, it was just another tasty veggie burger in the wall.
The problem with McFadden's on St Patrick's Day is that it attracts the kind of people who will lean their drunken face into your personal space and unashamedly ask if they can have one of your fries. Other than that, and the blasting music (none of which was Irish, by the way), it's a fine place to have a veggie burger and a Guinness. The Power and Light District has been for me quite a dilemma. On the one hand, as a downtowner, I'm excited about the development and the increased traffic in my neighborhood. I love the idea that I live in a city that has a lively downtown area. I just wish it didn't feel as artificial. The P&L District has been criticized enough, I won't add to the long list of complaints. All I'm hoping is that we will start seeing more local businesses, other than bars and restaurants, open downtown. We need a bookstore and a couple more coffee shops. I know I'm just a boring old square and I was totally asking for it by going to the Power and Light Meat Market on what is perhaps the biggest excuse of the year to get crazy and dumb. So, I'll just tell you that my burger and fries were just fine, and I actually didn't mind sharing a few with a total stranger. Top o' the burger to ya!
I have not been fortunate enough to visit New Orleans. But I suspect I got a little taste of it tonight at Jazz. There are a number of restaurants on 39th Street that I frequent, and I always was curious about Jazz. I guess I never imagined they'd have anything I could eat there. Well, fortunately enough, my friend Joe mentioned he had seen a veggie burger on the menu. So, of course I had to check it out. The moment I walked in the door, I felt like I had left Kansas City and arrived in a little less landlocked place. The live music, provided by Rich Berry, was soulful, a little bit spicy and it really brought the place to life. The decor, the atmosphere and the crowd made me feel like I was about to have a good time. And I did. Jazz doesn't have French fries (which I thought was a little funny, I mean, the French part). Instead, there were a number of sides to choose from such as hush puppies (which the waiter was kind enough to point out contain pork), cole slaw and okra. We had to have the okra. And by "we," I mean Emily. The burger was fine, but after I enhanced it with some voodoo sauce and seafood spices, it was perfect! I still plan to visit New Orleans some day. But until then, Jazz will have to do!
When Blanc Burgers + Bottles opened, I was very excited to learn they had a veggie burger. But then, when I actually tried the veggie burger for the first time, I was even more excited to see that it was unlike any other veggie burger I'd had. The Spiced Lentil Burger is a succulent patty made with curried lentils and vegetables, spiced yogurt, cucumber, red onion salad, avocado, and radish sprouts all happily held together by a deliciously substantial whole wheat bun. The sides are really good, but they ultimately serve as a mere vehicle for the tasty trio of house-made sauces: mustard, ketchup and chipotle aioli. It's Friday 13th, and today I was lucky to share my veggie burger experience with some of the funnest people I know. So thanks, Marcelle, Trent, Kim, Elizabeth, Olivia, Alison, Chris and Mirna for playing along with my silliness. And to those who couldn't come, well, there are plenty of veggie burger days left!
The first veggie burger I ate in Kansas City was at Eden Alley. That was a little over five years ago, when I had just become a vegan. Up until recently, Eden Alley was the only place in the city where a vegan could go and have a dozen or so items to pick from off a menu. And that doesn't even include the desserts! It is without a doubt my favorite restaurant in Kansas City. It had been a very long time since I had ordered the veggie burger at Eden Alley. The only reason for that, at least that I can think of, is that they always have so many wonderful options on the menu and, well, as this project is revealing, there are a lot of places where one can find a veggie burger. Aside from providing vegan and vegetarian fare, Sandi Corder-Clootz and Greg Clootz, owners of Eden Alley, are committed to local and organic food, with much of their produce coming from local and independent farmers. They also have started offering a great number of raw, gluten-free and soy-free items. Up until recently I kept a very strict vegan diet (I have now accepted cheeses into my life) and while I could go out for dinner at a great number of places, I usually had to refrain from dairy and egg-laden desserts. Eden Alley has always been a place where a vegan has the happy choice of not one, but an assortment of vegan desserts. And for that, Eden Alley will always have a special place in my heart. Next time you're in the Plaza area, do yourself a flavor and eat at Eden Alley. And, if you like to cook, or know someone who does, pick up a copy of Sandi's fresh off the press cookbook, Stirwell to Heaven. Happy veggie burgers!
I used to think people just went to One80 for drinks. Well, tonight was my first time to dine there and I was impressed with the menu offerings and the delicious food. I will definitely be going back for the veggie burger and more. In the meantime I am honored to welcome my second guest blogger, friend and band mate, Sarah Mueller.
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Recently my vegan-eating world came crashing down around my shoulders. One of my favorite comfort food luxuries was McCoy's veggie burger: simple, smothered in guacamole and ketchup, surrounded by fried-just-right fries. I cheerfully gave my regular order the overly helpful waiter--veggie burger, no cheese--and the overly helpful waiter looked up with a smile and delivered Five Words of Doom: "Our veggie burger isn't vegan." Dum, dum, DUM. Turns out that sucker was packing some serious egg. Not one to throw away a year of consciously choosing vegan food, especially in front of my parents, who were visiting from the Iowa farm where they raised me to be a polite carnivore, I quickly switched to the vegan wrap. But, man, I missed that burger. Thankfully, Sergio has launched the 31 project, and he offered to help me find a new go-to vegan solution. Luckily, there was a willing contestant right across the street. One80, operated by the same good folk who run McCoy's and The Foundry, offers a vegan patty made with white and black beans and topped with sprouts, fresh avocado slices, tomato and lettuce. (I skipped the aioli to be on the safe side, but next time I'll ask if their version is eggless, and, therefore, vegan.) The burger tastes great. The bean mix makes for a great texture and the hint of garlic spiced things up. You can't go wrong with ripe avocados, and the bun was a soft but substantial white roll (a welcome change from the regular whole-wheat stand-in that often gets paired with veggie burgers). Two disappointments: 1. The patty immediately crumbled when I picked the burger up, with all non-bun-supported chunks kerplatting on my plate. Although this does indicate it's a handmade patty, the whole burger experience is more satisfying when you can woman-handle your whole meal. Don't get me wrong. I like a good, thick, messy burger that you have to switch from hand to hand as you lick your fingers. I just like most of the burger to stay in the burger. 2. The fries were subpar. Thin-cut, lukewarm, not quite crisp, not quite soggy. I'll try out a different side next time. Yes, that's right: Next time. One80 has a big selection of vegetarian (and vegan-izable) entrees. Plus big, comfy booths. And during our stay they played the new U2 album straight through; that never hurts. Overall, One80 delivers a great tasting option that doesn't quite deliver on the whole burger experience. I found a worthy interim solution, but I still haven't found the vegan burger I'm looking for.
What a fun place Chappell's turned out to be. And I don't even know a thing about sports! The restaurant is packed - and I mean packed - with all kinds of sports memorabilia. From the dozens of football helmets hanging from the ceiling to the bats, gloves, and pictures on the walls. If I were a sports fan, this would probably have to be my favorite place in town. At Chappell's they have a number of burger options and they offer a black bean burger substitution with any of them. So, I chose the mushroom burger. This is the first mushroom burger I've had since I started my veggie burger bonanza. And it was absolutely tasty. I couldn't help but order the curly fries as my side and they were nice and crisp. (How do they get those fries to curl?) I'm so happy this project has allowed me to find so many places I would never have known about. Chappell's was a recommendation from my fellow vegetarian Rick - it is located in the charming main strip of North Kansas City and isn't very far away from where I live. I am so grateful to have now found this place and to learn more about this part of town.
NOTE: Aside from the wonderful food, Blue Bird Bistro stands as one of Kansas City's strongest local food advocates. I'm very pleased to say that Emily Akins, my favorite Kansas City local food blogger and locavore, has graciously accepted to guest blog tonight's entry. Enjoy!
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I've always loved the motto at Blue Bird Bistro: "Organic - All Natural - Sustainable - Local." This is a restaurant that knows what to do and does it well. They source an astonishing amount of their food locally, and when they get those fresh, local, organic ingredients into their kitchen they work wonders to create a well honed, finely tuned menu that offers something wonderful for vegans, omnivores, and everyone in between. They also host a Farmer's Table periodically which allows you to meet and greet the farmers who grew your food. Blue Bird truly takes seriously the relationships between eaters and growers and restaurant. Their black bean burger is a standard on the menu - and it lives up to their standards of well crafted, house made food. It is a serious burger with a patty made of black beans, mushroom, carrots, and corn. And it is just as interesting, simple and beautiful as the rest of the items on the menu. Not to mention, delicious. Try it topped with local white cheddar cheese, too, for another layer of goodness.
It's hard to believe that I've lived in Kansas City for six years now and only this week learned about 75th Street Brewery in Waldo. What a great restaurant and brewery it is, and the veggie burger was really good. This is another one of those places that has a surprising number of vegetarian items on the menu, and they're easily identified by the little carrot icon. If you eat a lot of veggie burgers, you will quickly find that a very common garnish is avocado. I don't know why that is such a trend. Is that specific to veggie burgers? Or do they do it with beef burgers, too? I don't remember having avocado on my beef burgers, when I still ate meat, that is. Either way, I'm happy. Avocado is one of my favorite fruits. What, you didn't know avocados were fruits? Oh yeah, and one my very favorite ways to have avocados is in the form of a milkshake. I know what you're thinking, but trust me, it's not weird at all. Aside from being delicious, avocados are very fatty (the good kind of fat) and make for deliciously creamy milkshakes - and ice cream! It's very easy, just get your blender, put some soy milk (or whichever kind of milk you prefer), a bit of sugar, lime juice and throw in an avocado (pitted and peeled, of course). It's too bad that most Americans can only associate avocados with guacamole, it really is quite a versatile food. Perhaps for my next blog project, I'll show you 31 ways to enjoy avocados. Okay, maybe not. But for now, I'm happy it's a regular veggie burger fixin'.
Well, it was actually kind of funny. We made the trek out to Overland Park, waited about twenty minutes before we were seated, looked at the menu and couldn't find the veggie burger that I'd been told on the phone they had. The server at Barley's Brewhaus was very kind and I felt bad for him - it happened to be his first night - when I explained that it was nothing personal but we were going to have to leave. "Are you serious?" he asked. "Yes, I'm really sorry, it's just that I was really kind of set on having a veggie burger," I replied, in the friendliest tone I could muster. "It's a bit of a project," Emily offered. A few minutes later, we were arriving at Elephant Bar, which was also on my list, but not scheduled till later in the month. The people at Elephant Bar are really nice, I really enjoyed the service. But the veggie burger was a little tough on the edges. Still, it was a great night to sit outside while the weather was nice. I'm really excited about tomorrow's veggie burger. As soon as we got in the car, I called to confirm their hours and the existence of said veggie burger. It's all good. I'm also excited about sharing the veggie burger experience with a couple of great friends who will make a guest appearance. So, you won't want to miss it. Happy veggie burgers!
I was wondering today, as I enjoyed the Black Bean Burger at The Granfalloon, what might be the thought process behind adding a veggie burger to a menu. Of course, it makes perfect sense at a burger restaurant where they have a variety of burgers. Or, maybe at a a vegetarian restaurant, duh! But, The Granfalloon is not really the kind of place that caters to vegetarians, and I wonder how often their veggie burger even gets ordered. Do any meat eaters order it? We scrutinized that menu; just about every other item had blackened chicken breast on it. And, aside from a couple of appetizers, the only veggie options were the Black Bean Burger and a veggie pizza. It didn't seem at all like the kind of place where a lack of veggie options would be noticed. And yet, they have a veggie burger. And it's not just a plain burger either, it's spruced up a bit with a nice touch of caramelized onions and roasted red peppers. So, how does it happen? Does a bar owner say to the chef, "we should add a veggie burger." Do enough people ask for it that they finally decide to offer one? Or, is it simply becoming the norm? Who knows. No, really, who knows? Anyone?
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