BEST REASON TO GO VEGAN
Flavors Food Truck
There’s rarely a substantial option at festivals for plant-based palates. Enter this mobile food merchant, a one-call vegan solution for events around the Valley. With options like a crispy “chicken” sandwich, macaroni and “cheese” and garlic-butter “shrimp” served through a convenient service window, going vegan has never been so approachable – or delicious.
flavorsplantbased.com
BEST DRIVE-THRU VEGGIES
Eat Up Drive-In
Arcadia’s upscale drive-thru may stake its claim on inexpensive but quality burgers and chicken sandwiches, but don’t sleep on the sides. For our money, the à la carte vegetables – roasted broccoli with lemon butter and Parmigiano-Reggiano; roasted cauliflower with saffron, goat cheese and mint; roasted acorn squash with thyme and smoked oyster mushrooms – are just as tempting as the meat mains.
4001 E. Indian School Rd., Phoenix, 602-441-4750, eatupdrivein.com
BEST GLOBAL VEGAN
Goji Berry
Meat- and dairy-free versions of meals from around the world made with mindful ingredients like house-made hummus, nutritional yeast, gluten-free pasta and fair-trade açaí allow Valley vegans to take their taste buds on a sustainable tour around the globe.
1325 Grand Ave., Phoenix, 480-876-0850, gojiberryphx.com
BEST PLANT-BASED “BURGER”
Falafel Burger at Casa De Falafel
The trouble with most “impossible” meat items is that they’re impossible to mistake for meat. The award-winning, peerlessly light falafel burger here isn’t trying. It’s chickpea-based and proud, plenty delicious to hold its own on a bun. With a side of lentil soup, it’s a vegan pig-out.
4920 W. Thunderbird Rd., Glendale, 623-230-2920, cdfalafel.com
BEST VEGAN TACO BELL IMPERSONATION
Dos Pink Tacos
This pink, plant-powered restaurant serves inventive versions of popular items from a certain fast-food franchise known for its Cheesy Gorditas and Crunchwraps. Find crunchy tacos filled with Impossible ground beef, cashew queso, chipotle crema and black beans, plus plant-based takes on tostadas, chalupas, quesadillas and a limited-time “Brunchwrap.”
719 E. Roosevelt St., Phoenix, 619-559-3695, dospinktacos.com
BEST PLACE TO TAKE BOUGIE VEGANS
T. Cook’s
Have a plant-based pal who would rather be caught in real leather than at a crunchy fast-casual? T. Cook’s has your back with its walnut-based vegan Bolognese topped with creamy cashew ricotta and fresh basil. With a $38 price tag, this sumptuous spaghetti is fit for the glitterati of the granola set.
5200 E. Camelback Rd., Phoenix, 602-808-0766, royalpalmshotel.com
BEST VEGAN SOUL FOOD
Nana’s Kitchen
If any cuisine has a reputation for being meat-based, it’s soul food, with its preponderance of pork. But if you follow the culinary threads back to its African roots, a more veg-centric tapestry emerges. Nana’s puts modern twists on that ancient tradition, turning out
some of the best fried cauliflower “wangz” we’ve had, along with crispy chik’n sandwiches, veggie burgers and pulled jackfruit fries.
Two locations, nanaskitchenc.square.site
BEST PLANT-BASED BIRRIA
BYOV
Us Valley vegans are generally content with the various iterations of faux animal protein local restaurants have to offer. But we felt pretty left out when quesabirria took the Phoenix foodie scene by storm. This vegan sports bar in the East Valley stepped up to the plate last November when it created a plant-based version of the traditionally carnivorous tacos served with a spicy-sweet consommé. No need to bring your own veggies, but do bring your appetite.
777 N. Arizona Ave., Chandler, 480-690-6842, azbyov.square.site
BEST VEGAN MENU
Picazzo’s Healthy Italian Kitchen
This local chain is a godsend for those with dietary restrictions. In addition to gluten-free and allergy-friendly options, Picazzo’s has a menu dedicated to tasty vegan dishes including “meatballs,” “chicken” piccata and various veggie-focused pizzas.
Five Valley locations, picazzos.com
