Many years ago I lived as a vegan, forgoing the consumption of all animal products that could be found in food, clothing, shoes and beauty products. I was an energetic twenty-three year old high on zines, caffeine and canola margarine. Now more than several years later I no longer live a strict vegan life, but I can still appreciate its platform for a cruelty-free world. Fortunately, vegan options in Portland abound. Here’s a list of some of my favorites.
Already reviewed on Seeing|Green (and now updated)
Blossoming Lotus (my favorite restaurant in Portland)
Proper Eats
Herbivore Clothing Company
Food Fight
Veganopolis (now closed)
New to Seeing|Green
Papa G’s Vegan Organic Deli
Just ate at Papa G’s yesterday. My plate was piled high with organic quinoa tofu salad, coconut milk flavored yams, steamed carrots and a small mound of mash potatoes and gluten-free gravy. If that doesn’t meet your non-meat needs, Papa G’s also features soups, an extensive salad bar and baked goods galore. After cleaning my plate, I left Papa G’s with a smile and happy belly.
2314 SE Division Street
(also check out the artful and active bike store to the west of the deli)
Sweet Pea Baking Company
For the last month I’ve been trying out a life without eating gluten. I’ve been pretty successful, minus a few cravings here and there for a toasted Kettleman’s sesame bagel with butter, err, margarine. A few more days and my dream bagel will come true, but in the mean time, I was very pleased to find a gluten-free cupcake at this vegan bakery, located next to Herbivore and Food Fight in probably the world’s only vegan mini-mall. I’ll return when I’m not rolling gluten-free and try out what looked like some tasty treats. No butter, no eggs, no worries.
1205 SE Stark
Yet to be tried by Seeing|Green
Black Sheep Bakery
Portobello Vegan Trattoria
What vegan spots do you recommend?
{ 2 comments }
I’ve always found it sad that you are not vegan, considering the green aspect of this blog and the indisputable environmental devastation caused by animal agriculture, but now knowing that you’re actually an ex-vegan, it’s not just sad but very frustrating.
As to the question, you simply must try Portobello, for the meal of a lifetime. For greasy bar food, Hungry Tiger Too cannot be beat (it has both an omnivore menu and a separate vegan menu). And hit up the Bye & Bye bar for drinks and the “meatball sub” which has been called the best meatball sub in the city by some.
Hi, Mindy. Thank you for your thoughtful comment. I can understand your sadness and frustration at my choice to not be vegan anymore. I do feel very compassionately committed to the well-being of all living creatures, including the human kind. I unfortunately did not fare very well health wise as a vegan. I do my best to be mindful of the animal products I select in my diet, but offer that not as an excuse, but as a reality. I will definitely try the places you suggested and appreciate you reading the site. I will continue to be an advocate for the vegan lifestyle because I do feel like it is the most sustainable choice, but am mindful that not everyone can make or live by that choice.
Kind regards,
Alisa
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