Tag: Austin

Eggless In Austin

Eggs are the new luxury, with prices soaring to unthinkable heights thanks to a potent confluence of bird flu, import tariffs, and the fearmongering that is never far behind in times of scarcity. Fortunately, vegans have been preparing for this moment our whole plant-based lives. Untouched by the albuminous apocalypse, we have hundreds of egg alternatives for every application. Baking? Cooking? Scrambling? Poaching? Hard boiling? We’ve got that. Soy-free? Bean-free? gluten-free? Sure; we don’t put all our eggs in one basket.

Wakey Wakey, No Eggs and Bakey

If you’re more into the instant gratification of eating an eggy meal than making one, there are loads of options still on the table. Here in Austin, you’re never too far from an eggless feast. Spanning breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner, these are the hot spots that can help you satisfy egg cravings, without getting henpecked.

Bouldin Creek Cafe

I find it impossible to visit Bouldin Creek Cafe and order anything other than some permutation of their inimitable Tofu Scramble. As their signature dish, it comes with many different flavors and possible mix-ins, and with an equally wide range of accompanying sides. Heavy on the nooch, it’s a bit old school, but in the best way. Hearty but healthy, wholesome but not austere, it’s a comforting staple that never disappoints.

Unicorniverse

Up north in Round Rock, the Omelets emerging from the kitchen from Unicorniverse are the stuff of legend. Made from JUST Egg, they’re enormous, fluffy, and stuffed to bursting. My personal favorite is the Sicilian Vegetable thanks to the inclusion of umami portobello mushrooms, but I’m happy to switch it up with the Greek and its salty feta finish. Of course, I’d never turn down the Pesto Fromages either, which is a cheese-lover’s dream on a plate.

Rebel Cheese

Available for weekend brunches, 9am – 2pm, the Eggs Benedict from Rebel Cheese is in its own category of egg-cellence. Poached Yo Eggs sit on top of toasted English muffins, bathed in rich bechamel sauce, and have authentically runny yolks in the center. If you’re really lucky, you might catch the special Croque Madame, featuring a sunny-side-up fried Yo Egg on a grilled meatless ham and cheese sandwich. Given that they do specialize in artisan cheese, always go for the cheesier option whenever possible.

Community Vegan

Mark your calendar and don’t be late; this one only pops up at Community Vegan on Sundays, 10am to 2pm. The Chick’n Biscuit Sandwich put the emphasis on crispy, fried oyster mushrooms, and rightly so, but that pillowy JUST Egg patty really brings the whole thing together. The BME simplifies things a bit with BBQ portobello bacon instead, piled on a buttery homemade biscuit that essentially melts in your mouth.

Revolution Vegan Kitchen

You never know exactly what will be on the menu when the weekend brunch service starts cranking at Revolution Vegan Kitchen, but you can rest assured that anything involving their fluffy tofu scramble will hit the spot. Whether featured front and center in a lavish Breakfast Platter or playing a supporting role in the Chorizo Breakfast Taco, this eggy protein can do it all. If you get really lucky, you might even chance upon their Breakfast Crunchwrap, which is even more epic than it sounds.

Vegan Nom

Few foods are as closely linked with the ethos of Austin as the breakfast taco, and The Vegan Nom is doing them right. Scrambled tofu is the foundation that the eggless options are built upon, from the Rockin’ Migas to my favorite, the Neuvo Onda, which swaddles sweet potato hashbrowns and avocado in tender corn or flour tortillas. Affordable basics with just tofu scramble paired with just tempeh bacon or potatoes are a big draw as well, allowing you to indulge in a generously portioned 3-taco meal for around $10.

Double Trouble

Closely mirroring the core offerings at The Vegan Nom, expect similar tofu scramble tacos at Double Trouble, with the added benefit of beer and cocktail pairings, thanks to the full bar. To quell late night munchies or grab a hair of the dog the morning after, it’s an unbeatable combo with something for everyone.

Snooze

Throwing down a Tofu Scramble that could hold its own against the heavy hitters in town, Snooze AM Eatery gives you a choice of three inclusions from a generous list of options. All the usual vegetables make an appearance, in addition to soyrizo, and even avocado at no extra cost. Savory, well-seasoned, hot, and deeply satisfying, you can’t go wrong with this classic dish.

True Food Kitchen

Another limited weekend wonder, the Southwest Tofu Scramble at True Food Kitchen shows up every Saturday and Sunday for your brunching needs. Caramelized onions, roasted red peppers, spinach, and charred scallion salsa join the mix of savory scrambled bean curds. Scoop it all up with soft corn tortillas, and don’t forget the avocado on top.

Kerby Lane

For the classic American diner experience, go all-in for Kerbey Lane Cafe‘s Vegan Breakfast Platter. Alongside your tofu scramble, you’ll find two meatless sausage patties and two pancakes the size of frisbees. Personally, I like to order their omelet options and sub in tofu scramble for the eggs to get a more veggies in my meal. Always ask for vegan queso on top, which comes from our local friends, Credo Foods.

More Egg-straordinary Dishes to Come

Having recently moved in with Barley Bean Cafe, Mission Burger will soon expand their menu to include breakfast and brunch dishes which are sure to include at least a handful of eggless indulgences. Hopefully more mainstream omnivorous restaurants start getting the hint too, because the demand for egg alternatives is not only here to stay, but growing stronger by the day.

Hannah (BitterSweet)3 Comments

So Long, and Thanks for All the Dishes

It’s closing time, as we turn out the lights on 2024 and prepare for the next shift, starting the cycle anew. Many restaurants won’t be joining us though, doors remaining locked indefinitely, their once bustling dining rooms left cold, filled only with silence. Running a food business, or a small business of any sort, is a difficult, if not altogether punishing proposition, where the daily to-do list is a never-ending lineup of crises. The fact that any hold on should be celebrated, though today, I’d like to take a minute to mourn the losses of the vegan community that have saddened Austinites of all stripes.

Somehow, 2024 seemed to take a lesser toll on the industry, with fewer establishments within our plant-based circle calling it quits in comparison to recent years. That doesn’t make these losses any less heartbreaking, nor their absence any less dispiriting. It brings me no pleasure to recount the once vibrant restaurants that are no longer with us.

Vegan Restaurant and Cafe Closures in Austin, 2024

Sunny’s Backyard is still out there serving cocktails from the bar, but the eponymous food truck has departed from its reserved space. It was a crushing blow to receive as not only the first closure of the year, but one of my top three favorite vegan spots in all of Austin. Yes, there’s a new rotating cast of characters subbing to fill the void, but none of the replacement trucks are vegan. If you’re lucky, you’ll find a plant-based option or two, which is a paltry offering compared to the previous list of meatless wings, monstrous burgers, soft pretzels with dairy-free queso, and fully loaded waffle fries. There’s nothing else quite like it that can replace the food, live music, dog-friendly patio, and chill vibes.

Capital City Bakery slipped away slowly, imperceptibly, until suddenly, it was gone, leaving only questions in its wake. Reduced hours turned into opening by appointment only, then not opening at all. The website remains as a ghost of its former self with purchasing options turned off. Cupcakes and kolaches still tease on the screen, almost close enough to taste, but entirely out of reach. This closure may have actually happened sometime in 2023 based on rumors of unfulfilled orders, so it’s time to finally call it: Cap City is baking no more.

Big Nonna’s grandmotherly love wasn’t enough to keep the pizza oven burning, submitting to increasing financial pressures that ultimately pushed them out of their brick and mortar space. A withering blow to north Austin where vegan options are more sparse, there’s no replacing their house-made dairy-free cheeses and spicy beeteroni, to say nothing of the impeccable thin, crispy, NY-style crusts each masterpiece was built on. At least Li’l Nonna’s lives on, still carrying the torch through a more limited menu from their compact trailer at Tweedy’s Bar… For now.

The Beer Plant tapped out in the final days of 2024. It had been a tumultuous year of chef shuffles and menu overhauls that the upscale eatery never recovered from. Watching its slow decline was painful, though the finality of its closure is still harder to accept. Where else in Austin could you go for an all-vegan fancy date night, an upscale meal to impress parents, or a celebratory spot for birthdays and beyond? Brunch is where they really excelled, in my opinion, pulling out all the stops to make incredible eggless shakshuka, decadent French toast, hearty meatless chicken and waffles, and so much more. I’ll relish the memories from my very first visit when they had just opened, when I was just a visitor to this fair city. I feel lucky to have seen their journey through, from start to finish, no matter how sad the ending.

Looking Ahead to 2025

As we look toward the horizon of 2025, there’s a glimmer of hope that flickers like candlelight in the darkness. The challenges we’ve faced have forged a resilient community, one that can adapt and innovate in the face of adversity. New ventures are on the verge of emerging, driven by passionate individuals eager to fill the void. Let’s remember the lessons learned from our losses, honoring those who have shaped our culinary landscape, while also embracing the possibilities ahead. Together, we can rebuild, reimagine, and reinvigorate the vibrant tapestry of our food culture, ensuring that the spirit of compassion and community continues to thrive in every bite.

Hannah (BitterSweet)11 Comments