Vegan Road Trip: Part 4
Austin, Texas
Possibly my favorite stop of our road trip was Austin, Texas. I had wanted to visit for the longest time, and insisted that we go there at some point on the journey. Amazingly we were able to celebrate New Years Eve dancing in the streets of this awesome city. The next day were were able to explore and visit some of the great vegan restaurants. We started 2010 with breakfast at Snackbar. The restaurant is located in the hip SoCo district and has a really great modern yet comfortable vibe. All the waiters and waitresses were wearing handmade aprons. I love it. They have a number of vegan dishes as well as gluten free options all marked on the menu.
As soon as I heard that this restaurant had vegan biscuits and gravy, it became the only place on my list that we absolutely had to go to. It turned out to have some even more impressive items on the menu, including vegan mini waffles and vegan tofu benedict on top of these tasty waffles. The biscuits were pretty decent, with a great tempeh gravy, but they looked ridiculous so it’s best you use your imagination. The waffles were great; fluffy and perfectly moist. The tofu florentine was quite good, lightly flavored and fresh. The place was pretty hectic as people crowded in to eat off their hangovers. I wish we had been able to come at another time because they were obviously under-staffed on the holiday, but I still enjoyed going there very much. Because of the craziness, we were offered a $10 gift card which could be yours! Just head on down to the end of this post.
We spent the day walking around town and exploring. The weather was gorgeous and I pretty much totally fell in love with the place. Everything was just awesome and had a bit more of creativity. Where in Los Angeles we have food trucks, Austin has airstreams. We stopped in The Ginger Man just to peek inside, and ended up staying for some drinks, pretzels and a mean game of balderdash, aka the best game ever. They had a huge selection of beers on tap and a super comfortable sitting area that makes you feel like you’re at home or in your father’s library. We ended up spending a better part of the afternoon hanging here.
When we finally sought out dinner, it was no contest. We headed to The Parlour to devour some vegan pizza. This bar has pizza available with follow your heart cheese and a handful of vegan meats as well as veggie toppings. They even have a vegan french bread pizza which was SO GOOD. Now, I might get myself in some hot water here, I know a lot of you are big fans of Daiya, but I am not. I am saddened every time I find that a restaurant that used to carry something I liked, has switched to daiya. Having this pizza was like a breath of fresh air. I honestly almost cried after eating it, I was that happy. Luckily, I just found a new place to fill this gaping hole in my vegan pizza heart that is quite a bit closer. Possibly my new favorite pizza spot is actually in town.
Ok ok I bet you were wondering when I was going to get to that gift card…right? Well there it is! Since I don’t live in Austin, and who knows when I’ll be back, I’m going to offer this lovely $10 gift card that I received to one of you lucky readers. All you have to do is comment! Oh, and you should actually be in Austin, or nearby. I’ll choose a winner on February 1st. So you have until then…Get to it!
And the winner is….Miranda! Congratulations!
Winner selected using random.org
FYH FTW!
hell yeah!
seriously? vegan and gf in texas?! amazing!
that waffle picture is one of the most appetizing things i’ve ever seen. i love mini foods!
alix, btw if you are ever anywhere near santa clarita, you should make a trip to tomato joe’s. they use FYH and it’s the only FYH pizza i actually like. it has a super thick beer crust, super good.
that is all.
i did actually try to go there once but was strapped for time and didn’t make it. beer crust though? that might warrant a special trip…
Great write-up! Next time you’re in town, don’t forget to check out the music scene – it’s what we’re most proud of around here. And Austin is the kind of town where if you don’t know where to go next, someone will probably rhapsodize about their favorite spots, point you in the right direction, or even invite you into their car (or pedicab) to take you there!
Some other yummy places to check out are: Daily Juice and Bouldin Creek Cafe… each with delicious offerings for those not animal-inclined. 🙂
I’ve been dying to go to Austin for years! I’m so happy you made it there and enjoyed it so much.
You and I are similar in our thoughts on Daiya; I’ll eat it if it’s there, but I don’t seek it out and I’m much happier with FYH. I prefer Teese over Daiya, too. I’ve been really excited about the vegan menu at the Pizza Cookery and will head over there soon!
The Daiya has had a huge effect on my pizza eating career. I personally love it. But @veganbakesale won’t touch it. Pizza at home is not a problem but considering 95% of vegan or vegan friendly pizza places use Daiya only in L.A. I see myself ordering entire large pizzas by myself. I’m from back east so small pizzas aren’t enticing because you have to have a large to make the crust properly. it’s a matter of physics.
you guys should hit up pizza fusion!
Oh awesome do they have more than one vegan cheese?
Oh of course I’ll answer it myself they have Follow your Heart and Daiya. Very cool. I can’t wait. Duh… I’ve been to the one on Ocean Park. But can’t wait to go to the one on Sunset.
That tofu Florentine looks out of control!
One of my very best friends (a vegan like me) just moved to Austin, TX, and I’ve been living vicariously through her as she explores all the wonderful vegan eateries there. I’m going to Austin to visit her in early March and we’re going to eat out for almost every meal ~ so excited I can hardly wait!! Will definitely check out Snackbar because it looks and sounds delicious. Thanks for the recommendation 🙂
Your trip sounds so fun and all the food looks so good!
Great blog!
I live in San Francisco and I’m going to Austin for SXSW in March. I need financial assistance.
I did not have a great first impression of snack bar on my first visit, a coupon would make me feel better about trying it again
I love Austin & go at least once a year. Their vegan chili cook off is so much fun & delicious! I’ve been wanting to try the Snack Bar. Pick me & I’ll put it to good use!
i am going to be in austin in may! gimme!
I recently moved to Austin and would love the $10 GC for Snackbar!
Wow that food looks so yummy. I <3 Austin and now have a new place to check out. Thanks! Your blog is super!
Your blog is so cool. I love everything you post. I’ve only been vegan for a few months and it’s mostly because of your blog. I’m moving to Austin soon too. I can’t wait to go to all of these places. Thank You.
Ive been meaning to try Snack Bar. Love your blog!
I’m so glad you got to come to Austin! Too bad you couldn’t stay longer, but I’m pretty sure it would take a life time to enjoy all the wonderful vegan food ATX has to offer! If you get the chance to stop by again, Bouldin Creek Cafe and Daily Juice are both great as bettysoo says. Veggie Heaven is great, and the vegan pancakes at Kerby Lane are wonderful. There used to be this really cute little vegan bakery/amazing wacky toy store that only sells vegan soft serve (and toys) now but it’s still really good called Toy Joy… so many places! Austin is the best! I would definitely make use of that gift card!
Woohoo I live in Austin and I’ve been wanting to try snackbar especially after seeing those waffles.
I am so glad you got to explore Austin! Being a Texan myself, I try to go to Austin at least once a month! I tell everyone to visit that comes from out of town! It truly is the best place in Texas ( I think )!
I live right down the street from Snackbar and have not stopped by! What a great opportunity 🙂
I just came across your blog through Foodgawker.com, it is very cute! I haven’t made it down to SoCo to give them a try and a GC would be just the right incentive 🙂
All that food looks so yummy! I’m dying to visit Austin. One of my good friends just moved there and my cousin lives there, so I might be able to justify a trip at some point. And I totally hear you on biscuits and gravy not making for the best photographs!
I recently became vegan in Austin, and OH BOY I can’t wait to try these delicious places! Thanks so much for the recs. (I am hesitant to eat out…no longer!)
I drooled over reading about the vegan biscuits and gravy.
Wow this food looks great! I just moved to Austin and haven’t been to either of these restaurants but I will have to try them out.