The Attic on Adams has a lot of options on their menu, including several vegetarian options that can be made vegan (make sure to emphasize that you want the vegan version!). We have had their vegan version of chili mac (sweet chili with Daiya on it), a vegan brat served with tater tots and the avocado and hummus wrap. Other vegan options include a falafel wrap and vegan mac and cheese. We found our food tasty and to be good vegan bar food (e.g., more rich than healthy).

We applaud The Attic for having vegan options on special occasions, too. They had special menus for Valentine’s Day and for St. Patrick’s Day that included vegan options as well, including a vegan shepherd’s pie and vegan cake. Please check their Facebook page (@AtticonAdams) to keep up with their special events. 

Besides having a large number of clearly-labeled vegan options, The Attic has one of the best-curated craft beer tap collections in town, with plenty of options for you to complement your meal. The Attic fills an important space in the mix of vegan dining options in the Toledo area!

Although the big box grocery stores have definitely improved in terms of stocking healthy vegan options, it’s great to wander the aisles of Toledo’s health food markets. Claudia’s is a cornerstone of the Toledo health food market, having been in operation for 35 years. The store is a mixture of food items as well as what must be the largest floor space devoted to nutritional supplements. (We’re not big on nutritional supplements except the required B12, though we know others are. Our preference is to get the nutrition from the food we eat!).

In terms of food, there is a modest space devoted to natural organic produce and then a large amount of freezer space. In addition, there are several aisles of packaged foods as well. There are also lots of environmentally-friendly cleaning and hygiene products. 
 
We wandered the aisles and quickly filled up our two hand baskets with enough food that we needed to grab a cart. We bought a variety of things including imitation cheese, blackberries, bread, chocolate, pasta and nut-based milk. Be sure to still read labels as dairy and meat products are sold here, including an almond cheese that includes some dairy products that we noticed. Claudia’s has a monthly sales flyer that you can access online to learn about the current specials.
 
We applaud Claudia’s for their commitment to improving the health of the Toledo area. They have workshops and seminars. For example, there is an upcoming class on organic gardening (April 27th).  If you haven’t been to Health Foods by Claudia, it is well worth a visit.  ​

Restaurant menus change, sometimes for the better sometimes for the worse. We had reviewed Stella's before and had a nice vegan meal, though the menu didn't have many choices for vegans. Thankfully things have improved. There is now a vegetarian section on the menu with four options, all of which are also vegan. We ordered the Green Jackfruit Tacos and the Ewing Island Burger, made with cauliflower. Besides that, there is a Butternut Squash and Kale Bowl and a Farmer's Market Pasta.

The Green Jackfruit Tacos were the star, served on thick doughy paratha bread (almost like naan), with jackfruit seasoned with barbecue sauce and chipotle veganaise, pickled onions, cilantro and avocado. We were served three tacos, each of healthy size – definitely a full meal. The Ewing Island Burger was creative with a cauliflower steak, served on a bun with grilled red peppers, pineapple and red onions, served with either a side salad or hand cut fries. This was tasty and a nice change of pace from the traditional bean-based vegan burger.

We're excited that Stella's has upped their menu for vegans and vegetarians. We were there with a family member who enjoyed a meat-based entree. Stella's has realized that with a small but dedicated portion of their menu geared toward vegans and vegetarians that they can attract an even wider audience. Stella's atmosphere is very pleasant – a great place for a romantic date or a special occasion. And the Jackfruit Tacos are one of the best vegan entrees we have had in the Toledo area.

2/8/17

We were excited to try Stella’s Restaurant and see what they could do for vegans. This is a nice restaurant in downtown Perrysburg that has a classic look: a fancy old bar (well-stocked), high ceilings and just the right level of lighting (not too bright, not too dark). 
 
We were excited in that there were two vegan options on the menu: vegan penne pasta and a roasted cauliflower quinoa burger. We ordered both.
 
The vegan penne pasta was served with a sauce of sun dried tomatoes, onions and marinara and was tasty. The roasted cauliflower quinoa burger was quite interesting, with several layers including crispy leeks and a sun dried tomato aioli. The burger came with a side. We ordered brocollini but were also accidentally served fries (bonus).  The brocollini had a nice garlic sauce on it and the fries were large and covered with large flecks of salt.
 
The carnival salad also appears to be vegan. Also, they had two different types of sorbets for dessert, both vegan. We were too stuffed, and so passed… this time.
 
This is a classy restaurant that would be a great place to take omnivores who would have plenty of other options from which to choose. Or a nice place for a date night for two vegans! The bar is full-service; they have a variety of craft beers on tap and a nice wine list.    

Stella's provides a good lesson for other restaurants. We don't expect that you're going to cut out your traditional meat-based options. But we really value when there are two or more clearly-labeled vegan options on your menu. Bravo! We'll be back!

Plate 21 is a nice neighborhood coffee shop that includes a limited food menu, which includes a nice vegan option.  First off, for coffee drinks, they have soy and almond milk (50 cents extra) and so your fancy coffee drinks can be made vegan style. They have some fruit-based smoothies that are vegan and tasty. Also, they have a Vegan Blast, a vegan meal replacement shake that includes coffee, protein powder, peanut butter powder and banana. Although meal replacement shakes aren’t our thing (better to eat a plant-based meal with fiber), we tried it out and found it delicious.
 
The “belle of the ball” is a kale salad that has edamame, walnuts, carrots and red peppers, lightly dressed. The salad has enough excitement in every bite, simply made but well balanced. It is offered in two sizes—as a side dish or as a big bowl main dish. 
 
There is a Mediterranean veggie wrap that has several types of cheese in it. We have had it without the cheese, and also with hummus substituted in it ($3 extra). The wrap is another option for vegans, though we prefer the salad.
 
A nice place to meet a friend, or to cozy up with a book and a cup of coffee, as well as a delicious salad.  ​

Kickoff the New Year with a focus on healthy cooking! Vegan Toledo is proud to announce we will be the guest speakers at next week's Lunch Cookbook Club at Way Public Library (101 E Indiana Ave, Perrysburg OH 43551) from noon to 1 p.m. on Wednesday, January 4. The event is typically a potluck, but we'll be bringing plenty of our favorite healthy, vegan recipes to try, so please feel free to just show up. We'll be giving away Vegan Toledo stickers and raffling off one of our favorite cookbooks. See you there!!!

Midwest Juicery is a Toledo-based company that is dedicated to making fresh, healthy juices. They use all organic fruits and vegetables and use a cold-press process along with a high pressure process that is used to extend the shelf life of their juices without any chemical additives.
 
They currently have four varieties: 16 Carrot Gold (carrots, apple, lemon and ginger), Apple of my Eye (apple, lettuce, cucumber and lemon), Beets by Midwest (beet, carrot, apple, lemon and ginger) and Green by Envy (apple, lettuce, cucumber, celery, kale, lemon and parsley). 
 
We’ve tried them all and enjoy each one for different reasons. The 16 Carrot Gold is the sweetest, with the Beets version having an earthy taste that you would expect. The juices tasted fresh and had just enough pulp to know that these juices were made from real fruit and veggies. And there are absolutely no added ingredients beyond the fruits and veggies… no weird chemicals that you need to look up online.
 
We like that Midwest Juicery doesn’t rely on unhealthy juice claims that we often see in the juicing industry. Juices aren’t a real replacement for eating the full fruit or veggie, with all of the benefits of fiber. But they can be a nice addition to one’s diet for a short-term energy boost. 

You can find Midwest Juicery products at many local retailers. See the list here:  https://www.midwestjuicery.com/pages/retail-locations  You can also purchase their juices via their web site.
 
We love that they proudly advertise vegan on the side of the product. And we love that they are based in Toledo! Cheers!