Tag: plant based
Birthday Freebies for You and Me
They say it’s my birthday… Which means everyone gets presents, too! Collecting birthday freebies like they were Pokemon has become a cherished annual tradition for me, forever on the hunt for new pro-bono plunder. This latest trip around the sun has reaped a number of fresh finds across local and national establishments. For the full list, visit the updated master post of Ultimate Vegan Birthday Freebies.
Here’s the latest loot joining the party this year:
Tropical Smoothie Cafe
You’ve gotta be quick because you can only get a free 24-ounce smoothie from Tropical Smoothie Cafe on the exact date of your birthday. No ifs, ands, or buts! Join Tropic Rewards at least a month ahead of the big day to get this gift. Try for one of the many blends comprised of just fruits and veggies to keep it vegan, and you’ll be sipping pretty in no time.
Dish Society
Here’s the dish: Sign up for an account with Dish Society and you’ll be rewarded with a full, free entree on your big day. Vegan options are abundant, especially with small tweaks. My favorite of which being the Local Veggie Grain Bowl, minus the goat cheese, which brings you a generous bowl of warm, creamy whole grains crowned by a panoply of roasted vegetables, caramelized onions, crispy chickpeas, and delicate sprouts. If you’re on the run, snag a Vegetarian Pita Wrap, a plant-based take on Greek gyro with meatless protein swaddled in a hummus-smeared flatbread with a side of fries.
Blaze Pizza
Blaze your way into a sweet celebration with Blaze Pizza! Sign up through Blaze Rewards and you’ll get a digital voucher for either a drink or dessert of your choosing. Sure, a tall, fizzy cup of soda hits the spot on most days, but don’t miss your opportunity to snag their surprisingly vegan Cinnamon Bread. Made from pizza dough stretched into an oblong plank, lavished with cinnamon sugar, and drizzled with white icing, it’s gooey, decadent, and every bit the special treat that a birthday deserves.
The Human Bean
If you’re feeling down about getting older, The Human Bean will help restore your faith in humanity, one espresso shot at a time. Download their rewards app (and punch in the referral code “invisible250865” if you’d be so kind) to a get any drink of your choosing, up to $10 in value, delivered on your birthday and available for the next 30 days. Remarkably vegan friendly, some locations even have macadamia milk available upon request! My personal favorite is the Mexi-Oat Shaken Espresso, with sweet spices and a cool finish that hits in every season. There are also fresh fruit smoothies in case you’re craving something sans caffeine.
The Salty
Salty language is welcome here, though you’ll only be cursing yourself for not coming sooner. The Salty Donut always has at least one gourmet vegan doughnut flavor up for grabs, and when you add your birthday to your rewards profile, you’ll get it free within 30 days of your special day! You never know what you’re going to get, but I have yet to been disappointed. From chocolate-passionfruit to PB & J, come with an open mind, and you’ll leave with a satisfied sweet tooth.
HTeaO
Struggling to stay hydrated in the face of so many sweet and savory treats? HTeaO is here to help, and they’ll be damned if you don’t get your fluids in on your birthday. Just flash the app and you’ll get an entire GALLON of sweet tea, free of charge. Choose from roughly two dozen different flavors, including caffeine- and sugar-free options, and don’t be afraid to sample along the way. Plus, just for signing up, you’ll get a bonus “huge” size, which truly is not an exaggeration; this cup doesn’t fit on the top shelf of my fridge.
2025 Obituaries: The Dearly Departed Vegan Restaurants of Austin, TX
Looking back on 2025, I think we can all agree the year has been a mixed bag, to put it lightly. It does my heart good to reflect on all the joyous moments, which often get lost in the bigger picture. In terms of the Austin food scene, that means the evolution of Rison & Lotts, the official opening of Carnaless after months of false starts, the birth of upstart raw foods cafe Conscious Kitchen, and the overall growing availability of vegan food across mainstream restaurants. There’s so much to celebrate for plant-based food-lovers, now more than ever.
At the same time, it’s important to honor the fallen. We’ve lost some good ones along the way, punching gaping holes in the dining landscape that can’t be filled. The restaurant industry is never a kind nor gentle enterprise to endeavor; the least we can do is pay our respects to those who, despite grand plans and good intentions, came up short.
Cinnaholic
Trouble was afoot late in 2024 when Cinnaholic in the Arboretum was listed as “temporarily closed” on Google maps. That turned into a concrete and permanent closure by the time mid-January rolled around, without any word or warning. Though the chain is still thriving with over 70 bakeries operating at full steam across the United States and Canada, the nearest location is now roughly 100 miles away in College Station. Worth a road trip, but a considerable barrier to entry for anyone looking to get instant cinnamon roll gratification.
Milkyway Shakes
After narrowly escaping an untimely demise the previous year, the rising star of blended ice cream beverages flamed out suddenly and spectacularly in mid-July. Personally, this was devastating, as it was one of the OG trailers that made me fall in love with Austin on my very first visit. There’s still no one else around that makes a better milkshake, vegan or not, and I dare you to challenge me on that claim. Seriously though, please do; our options for frozen desserts here are melting away faster than the summer sun can reach peak intensity.
TarryTown Bar & Bistro + TarryTown Cafe
Barely a blip on the radar, these two adjoining spots filled the spaces vacated the previous year by The Beer Plant and Tellus Joe for barely enough time to register their (now defunct) websites. Plagued from the very beginning by a lack of communication, a scandal soon broke that they were serving non-vegan items, despite their claims of being 100% plant-based. Despite offers for help, they never recovered, snuffing out their own lights before angry former diners could dust off their pitchforks.
Possum Pizza
After threatening that the end was near in no uncertain terms for months, this retro trailer camped out at Vegan Nom Food Park made good on their word in September. No more creative pies topped with bacon mac and cheese or Philly cheesesteak. No more crispy popplers dunked in creamy ranch dressing. No more mozz sticks snarfed down at dusk, satisfying the need for nostalgic comfort food. The space left by their vacancy is both a gut punch and a slow burn. We knew it was coming, and yet, it’s still hard to believe it could really happen.
Koriente
Abruptly and without warning, Austinites woke up one morning in November to discover that Koriente had slipped away. A bastion of denizens downtown in search of healthy, balanced, and affordable meals, the inclusive pan-Asian menu made sure there was something for everyone at the table. The Rice Medallion Saute was a staple for almost 20 years, serving as lunch for office workers and late night meals for bar hoppers alike. Tofu was treated with respect here, a prime protein rather some sad alternative, enlightening many Obake Bowls, Bibimbap, and my personal favorite, the Shiitake Tofu. It’s hard to grapple with such an abrupt end to this legacy.
Rebel Cheese
Shark Tank winner Rebel Cheese shocked all of Texas by announcing the closure of the Austin cafe that started it all. World-renowned for their artisan cheeses that won over omnivores and staunch cheese-lovers without qualifications, the closure felt unthinkable to fans who watched the brand rise from a single counter to national acclaim. This classy yet casual bistro was like the savory version of an ice cream shop, allowing visitors to sample any and all of the funky, fermented wheels beckoning from behind the glass case. It’s not all bad news, at least: Rebel Cheese will continue on as a national retail brand while also maintaining their in-person hot spot in NYC’s Essex Market. The founders have promised that another 100% vegan eatery will take their place in Mueller, retaining a few beloved menu items from the original entrees, but it’ll be hard to fill that cheese-shaped hole in our hearts.
What will the next 12 months bring? More heartache? More innovation? Likely, if previous years are any indication, a fair amount of both. If we’re lucky, we’ll at least break even, with more delicious memories to keep us all going. Although no one person can save a doomed business, don’t forget that everyone plays a part. Support the one-offs, the mom and pops, the little guys following their dreams. In case you’re still looking for one, I think that alone would make a fine New Year’s resolution.
Nog Wild
Eggnog is like the festive Swiss army knife of the culinary world. Having such a distinctive flavor and singularly rich texture, it may seem like anything but a versatile multitasker, but there’s a world of possibilities lying just beneath the nutmeg-speckled surface.
Spiced Liquid Gold
Think about it: The base components for conventional eggnog are, of course, eggs, heavy cream, and sugar. What else starts from this foundation? Pretty much any dessert you can think of. While I wouldn’t be so bold as to claim that all vegan versions are created equal, they do reasonably approximate that same essential composition with a thickener/stabilizer, non-dairy equivalent, and sweetener. Just like that, you have a ready-made liquid custard in a carton.
Easy Eggnog Upgrades
Before we even get into the formal recipes, there are scores of treats you can make with zero measuring and minimal effort.
- French toast: Simply use eggnog to soak sturdy slices of bread and griddle to crispy, custard-y perfection.
- Bread pudding: Toss cubes of stale bread with eggnog, let it soak until saturated, then bake until golden and set.
- Ice cream: Pour eggnog straight into an ice cream maker and churn according to the manufacturer’s instructions. For the best results, add a splash of brandy or bourbon, both for flavor and a creamier, less icy texture.
- Overnight oats: Mix with oats, a pinch of salt, and maybe some dried fruits and nuts. Wake up to an easy breakfast indulgence.
- Coffee creamer: A splash in your morning brew turns it into a holiday latte without the syrupy sweetness of store-bought options.
- Pancake or waffle batter: Replace the liquid in your mix with eggnog. Add an extra pinch of nutmeg to further the theme.
- Cake glaze: Whisk with powdered sugar until smooth, then drizzle over pound cake or cinnamon rolls.
Honestly, I could go on, but it would become tiresome to read a laundry list of every cream-based option that could be converted to use this holiday staple.
Stock Up and Start Cooking
I always buy extra vegan eggnog, because it’s delicious, yes, but also because the leftovers are invaluable. Make sure you stock up early so you can make a few of my favorite nog treats. If you play your cards right, you can bask in the afterglow of holiday joy well into January.
Wordless Wednesday: Fun-Guys
Nori – Lion’s Maine Mushroom Steak
Mission Burger Co. – Offbeast Mushroom Steak
Millennium – Cornmeal-Crusted Maitake Mushroom
Eldorado Cafe – Hongos
Aiso – Oyster Mushroom Skewers
Xu Xu’s Dumplings – Shrooms
Devil’s Advocate
Deviled eggs are the ultimate in classy party food. With the air of high society and the accessibility of middle class, they’re just fancy enough to pass through both worlds with equal esteem. Popularized in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, they possess a certain retro chic while remaining a timeless staple. Hosts so well equipped as to own designated deviled egg trays, dimpled with indents specifically designed to cradle the elegant halves, clearly have it together.
The Devil That You Know
For all their enduring charm, deviled eggs are ripe for reinvention. This holiday season, I’d invite you to go one step further than crafting a vegan version. Lean into vintage cocktail kitsch and a healthy dose of playful absurdity with Deviled Eggnog Jello Shots; a boozy, bite-sized tribute to tradition with a twist. Surprisingly sweet for their savory appearance, they’re the kind of festive fun that keeps guests talking long after the last toast.
Sweet, Spiked, and Surprisingly Light
Much lighter than the conventional mug of heavy cream and whole eggs, these delicate, jiggly bites could be considered a smart approach to portion control, not to mention a far healthier alternative to the former cholesterol bomb. Airy egg whites made from vegan nog, spiked with light rum for a gentle buzz, become the convincing cushion to golden turmeric-infused coconut whipped cream. The effect is complete, and completely convincing, especially when sprinkled with a touch of ground nutmeg to garnish.
Achieving Egg-celence
Before you ask, yes, it’s worth investing in an egg-shaped silicone mold. If not for this treat, consider all the other egg-centric events when it will come in handy. Sure, you can use regular old plastic shot cups, but how many opportunities do you have to go all-out? Celebrate Christmas to the fullest, treat your friends and family to a slightly eccentric sweet surprise, and indulge in a new way to nog!