STL Vegan Punk

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STL Vegan Punk

STL Vegan Punk is a food blog dedicated to a plant-based diet. I will explore vegan options in the Saint Louis area and beyond.

Also, it wouldn't be a very punk rock if I didn't speak out on human and animal rights, too.

06/10/2026

Seven years of STL Vegan Punk!

Last month was the seventh anniversary of this blog, and I thought I’d take this opportunity to share seven things I’ve learned during this time.

1. Veganism is not difficult. “I could never be vegan” is easily the most common answer I get when I share my lifestyle. Yes, you can. I ate meat for 37 years. Was the transition perfect? No. But I did it. What would be difficult for me is going back to consuming animal products.

2. Collectively, vegans need to get their s**t together. During these past seven years, I’ve met some wonderful people. However, I’ve also met vegans who alienate and hate other vegans for arbitrary reasons. We waste so much time focusing on our differences when we should be focusing on what connects us.

3. Just because you’re vegan doesn’t mean you’re a good person. Recently, many local vegans have had to make tough choices about which restaurants to support. I won’t point fingers here, but some of you know whom I’m talking about. Just like punk, veganism is rooted in kindness, ideally for both animals and humans.

4. When someone asks you why you became vegan, tell them for all the reasons. The animals, the planet, the inhumane practices of these companies, and health. In the end, it’s all intertwined. And once you make that connection, it’s impossible to disconnect them.

5. We should always be grateful for vegan staples such as Tree House Vegetarian Restaurant, Pizza Head, Bombay Food Junkies, and SweetArt Bakeshop & Cafe. Feel free to add to the list.

6. Hating on Chicago Diner is a hipster move. Haha

7. We’ve lost many great spots, but I will forever miss Lulu’s Local Eatery.

I could go on. I will never regret the choice I made to go vegan in September of 2017. And I will always be grateful to the community that’s been built since my first post in May of 2019.

Thanks for reading. Let’s make year eight a memorable one!

05/19/2026

Why did I wait so long?!

How does a vegan punk live near South Grand for three and a half years and not visit The Vine Cafe and Market? That’s a question I cannot answer. Several mutuals and friends have suggested this Mediterranean cafe down the street for years, and it finally got through.

While The Vine isn’t strictly vegan or vegetarian, the options are substantial. From appetizers, soups, salad, sandwiches, and dinner entrees. Not to mention their juice bar!

Yes, I’ve been slow to the game, but I made up for it on Sunday. I walked in with a mad hunger and was ready to tackle some plant based items on this menu.

First of all, I had to try the falafel. You can have it as an appetizer, on pita bread, or for the main course. I chose the four count, which comes tahini sauce. A nice way to start the meal!

The dinner menu has six different vegan meals to choose from. I went with the Batata Harra: cubed potatoes, cilantro, garlic, and hot spices sautéed in olive oil. They definitely had a little heat but nothing too aggressive. Served on a bed of rice, I was in starch heaven!

The dinner also comes with your choice of soup or salad. I knew that I had to have the Lentil Soup: a creamy blend of lentils, onions, and spices. This made my day. Simple and hearty, I could eat it daily.

They also have a $12 lunch special. You can choose any sandwich on the menu, and it includes a side of fries. Four sandwich choices are vegan.

I don’t have any excuses. This visit should have happened a long time ago. But it’s better late than never.

The Vine isn’t a secret to most vegetarians and vegans in Saint Louis. But if you haven’t been yet, they have same hours every day, 11-8:30. Kitchen closes at eight.

I look forward to my next visit!

05/12/2026

Craft beer and vegan options!

As we close in on this blog’s seventh anniversary, you may have noticed a trend of pint glasses and beer cans in many of my photos. Yes, it’s true. While discovering new vegan spots has been a passion, enjoying local beer is not too far behind. When I can combine the two, it brings me great joy.

The Old Bakery Beer Company lets me combine these two passions.

I called my mother midweek to see if she had plans on Sunday. Much to my surprise, neither one of my two brothers was taking her out that day, choosing alternate dates. She didn’t want to go to brunch, and her two favorite vegan spots were closed. I suggested Old Bakery, and you can imagine how thrilled I was when she agreed to go.

This brewery was established in 2015. Known for beers like their Citrus Wheat, Up River IPA, Blueberry, and Porter, you’ve probably seen their product in cans or on tap. What I didn’t know was how vegan friendly their food menu was.

Every section of it has an option. From starters, salads, sandwiches, burgers, tacos, and sides, anyone exploring a plant based lifestyle won’t feel stuck when choosing an item.

For my starter, I chose the Crabby Bites: artichoke and chickpea “crab” bites with a Cajun dipping sauce.

My main course was the Vegan Chicken Sandwich: a crispy “chicken” sandwich, dill pickle mayo, pickle chips, and lettuce on a toasted bun. Each sandwich and burger comes with a side. I chose French fries!

I couldn’t decide if the patty was house made, but it tasted like a premium vegan chicken patty, nonetheless. Meanwhile, the crab snacks were also a great choice. My mother and I shared them, and I cooked the rest in the air fryer for lunch the next day.

The options don’t end there. I still have four or five things I could have tried, so there will be another trip to the brewery in the near future.

If you’re not a fan of craft beer, Old Bakery offers an array of beverages, including NA options. Family friendly and a great menu, it’s not too far into the city of Alton, just on the other side of the Missouri River.

Visit them every day but Monday. Hours vary. And they have vegan options at brunch, too!

05/06/2026

Vegan Breakfast Tacos!

Austin, Texas, is one of my favorite cities to visit. I’ve been there four out of the last six years. And every trip has included a meal at The Vegan Nom.

A lifelong friend had moved to Leander, a suburb north of the city, so I was looking for a reason to visit. Florence + The Machine was scheduled to play in Austin, so it was the perfect opportunity.

However, I wasn’t sure that I would make it to Vegan Nom this time. While Leander offers a train service to downtown Austin, the timing had to be right. With a few hours to spare before my flight, I was destined to make another stop at this amazing vegan taco truck.

I posted about these breakfast tacos a few years back, but they are worth highlighting again! From 8-11 in the morning, they offer breakfast tacos for three dollars each.

However, the 3AM (Three Amigos) isn’t a part of the deal, but it’s well worth the price of $5.25. Country-style vegan sausage, tofu scramble, and vegan cheese. It’s been nearly a whole day, and I’m still thinking about this taco!

The next two are included in the early bird special. I normally don’t care for tempeh, but I was really impressed by their Tempeh Bacon. Tender and well seasoned. Also, the potato taco is always a great choice. Both come with tofu scramble and vegan cheese.

I met owner Chris Rios while waiting for my Lyft, and he was incredibly nice and thanked me for my continued support. The Vegan Nom just celebrated its fourteenth year in business, and I am grateful that they continue to make their wonderful food.

Heading to Austin? Well, Vegan Nom should be at the top of your vegan priority list. Affordable and some of the best tacos I’ve ever enjoyed.

05/01/2026

Value Vegan!

Last month I asked my Instagram mutuals what their favorite inexpensive vegan meals were, and I was given many great suggestions.

Here are five of my favorite options under $15.

I am currently obsessed with New China’s tofu. You can get it in their sesame or General Tso sauce, and it comes with a side of white rice. For $12.99 they basically give you a brick of tofu. Find them at 3730 South Kingshighway Blvd.

I just wrote about Pizza Head, but I cannot stress enough their $8 lunch special: two slices of pizza and a soda or Stag. How do you beat that?!

Everything at Terror Tacos is reasonably priced, but I especially like their bowls at $11.95. They range from mild to spicy. Also, happy hour deals run Tuesday through Thursday from 4-6.

In the STL Vegan Punk household, tofu is king. Lona's Lil Eats continues to be a great value, with spicy tofu wraps and plates at $11.75. Also, KBOP STL has spicy tofu bop for $12.

Finally, Yaquis on Cherokee has half price pizza on Wednesday, dine-in only. They have two vegan pies on the menu, one spicy and one supreme. Happy hour happens every day from 4-6 with buy one get one drafts and loaded hummus.

What are your favorite value vegan options? Drop those comments below!

04/24/2026

Here’s to 43 years!

A few weeks back, I took the train to Chicago, seeing Lily Allen perform her West End Girl album. Of course, no trip to the Windy City is complete until I visit The Chicago Diner, Lakeview.

However, things were different this time. My preferred location in Logan Square closed in December, and I had never been to the one in Lakeview. So despite having enjoyed their food for nearly a decade, this trip would be both joyous and bittersweet.

I positioned myself perfectly, staying a mere 500 feet from the original spot. While I usually work in at least one other vegan restaurant, I was dedicating my meal budget entirely to Chicago Diner.

Little did I know that this day would be the 43rd anniversary of their meat-free opening.

I had to have the Radical Reuben: corned beef-style seitan, onion, peppers, sauerkraut, vegan cheese, and thousand island on marbled rye. I always pair this with their BBQ wings: breaded seitan strips with celery and a side of ranch.

It was Holy Thursday, for those who celebrate. During Lent, Catholics commonly give up meat and eat fish instead. While my days of worshipping an invisible sky daddy are well behind me, I couldn’t say no to their Fish and Chips special: beer battered seitan and tofu served with hand cut fries, creamy coleslaw, and tartar sauce.

Finally, once the leftovers were gone, I made another trip, having their Breakfast Combo: scrambled tofu, potato hash, bacon-style seitan, fruit garnish, and biscuits and gravy.

That’s a lot of Chicago Diner.

I am forever thankful for places like this, and even though I wasn’t that adventurous this time around, I have no regrets about enjoying the comfort of this meatless staple.

Congrats to Chicago Diner for 43 years! May you outlive us all.

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400 Landmarks Blvd
Alton, IL
62002

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