Vegan in Spokane? Easy peasy baby!
Vegan in Spokane? Easy peasy baby!
BY SYDNEY FLUKER
Before we begin, let’s get one thing straight: I am not a vegan.
I’ve been vegetarian for about three and a half years, and have flirted with the idea of going vegan for even longer. Though I naturally avoid dairy, I love eggs and honey too much to give them up, so I tend to stay out of the vegan lane.
Needless to say, I salute vegans for their commitment to the animal-free diet. Whether one is a veggan (a vegan who eats eggs), a beegan (a vegan who eats honey), a freegan (a vegan who will eat non-vegan food if it is free) or the archetypal vegan, there is a level of commitment and dedication needed to be a vegan (or a veggan, beegan, or freegan) that I find myself lacking at this point in my life.
My vegetarian palate doesn’t negate my ability to judge a good vegan meal, though. I was a dairy-free, gluten-free pescatarian for a couple years for dietary reasons — vegan foods were a staple in my diet, and vegan restaurants were basically the only places I could go out. Naturally, they now hold a special place in my heart.
When I moved to Spokane from California four years ago, I worried the days of easy vegan dining were over. In some ways, I wasn’t wrong – there are very few vegan-only restaurants, and many restaurants don’t have vegan options at all.
But instead of the colossal disappointment I expected, I was delighted by the still-plentiful variety of vegan options available in Spokane. Spokane boasts vegan restaurants with options for all taste palates, ranging from fancy date night (RÜT Bar & Kitchen) to diner food that itches the craving for American classics (Allie’s Vegan Pizzeria & Cafe).
Note: Spokane is also home to many restaurants that have naturally vegan dishes. Some of my favorites are Gordy’s Sichuan Café, Queen of Sheba Ethiopian Cuisine, Our Thai House, De Leon’s Taco & Bar, Phonthip Style Thai Restaurant and The Mango Tree.
RÜT Bar & Kitchen
From mouthwatering small plates bursting with flavor to hearty entrees that delight with each bite, every meal at RÜT Bar & Kitchen surprises the eater with its creativity and ingenuity. The chefs swap out menu items near seasonally, but it always boasts a mix of classy and familiar options. Check out their drink menu for a fun selection of carefully crafted cocktails, wine and beer.
P.S. RÜT offers plenty of gluten-free and nut-free options as well, making it a largely allergen-friendly restaurant.
901 W. 14th Ave., Spokane
www.rutspokane.com
Allie’s Vegan Pizzeria & Cafe
Just below Manito Park is Allie’s Vegan Pizzeria & Cafe, a vegan restaurant that’s made a name for itself as Spokane’s go-to for veggie-friendly comfort foods. Featuring four kinds of fries, a variety of chick’n creations, mac n’ cheese, pizzas and flatbreads, Allie’s is the place to go when the cravings get severe and you yearn for familiar favorites. Allie’s gluten-free, soy-free and nut-free options make it a good choice for groups with allergies as well.
1314 S. Grand Blvd., Spokane
www.alliesvegan.com
Boots Bakery & Lounge
Nestled in the Saranac Commons lies Boots Bakery & Lounge, a vegan and gluten-free cafe in the heart of downtown Spokane. More than just a place to grab a bite, Boots keeps things fresh by mixing the menu up often, always keeping a balance of sweet and savory options that cater to every palate and dietary preference. Boots is my preferred choice for grabbing cookies to pass out to friends or a little dish of classic macaroni salad to be enjoyed later.
19 W. Main Ave., Spokane
www.bootsbakery.com
Cascadia Public House
Though not a plant-based establishment itself, Cascadia Public House has over 20 plant-based dishes available from all sorts of categories. Cascadia fits the pub vibe, making it a great place to watch a game while enjoying the creative and familiar vegan creations found on its menu. They’ve especially nailed the meat replacement game, my favorites being their Crispy Chicken and Hot Honey sandwiches.
6314 N. Ash St., Spokane
www.cascadiapublichouse.com
Honorable mentions include Cole’s Bakery & Cafe, Soulful Soups and Clark’s Fork.