Here is what I want: I want to be a vegetarian, but I want to keep eating healthy and I want to keep eating cheap.
Most of you are probably reading this and thinking that’s an absurd comment. The very idea of being veg is eating mostly vegetables, which is of course healthy, and produce is cheap. This is all true.
However, recently I have found myself carb-loading like I’m going to run a marathon the next day.
I anticipated this problem may arise. After all, for the past 21 years I haven’t thought about what I’m eating. So it’s no surprise that when I take away meat I still don’t think about it. When I saw this issue budding I decided to take action immediately and I set out to find the best places around town to find healthy vegetarian cuisine.
If you go to a normal chain restaurant, most likely they don’t cater to vegetarian people. So what do you order?
A bowl of creamy soup? Unhealthy.
Cheese quesadillas? Not much better.
A plate of fries? Just clog the arteries now.
But fret no more because I’ve found some great restaurants around town that give healthy veg alternatives.
The Green Market Bistro located right inside the Student Center is a great place to pick up a fast and cheap lunch. With soups starting at $2.50 and entrées ranging to $7, you can really save the bank at The Green Market Bistro. They also have gluten-free options for those who are celiacs and salads that are great for vegans.
Furthermore, Green Market Bistro is open 7-days-a-week, unlike other stands in the Student Center, making it a great place to eat on weekends for those veg and non-veg alike.
I’ve mentioned Seva before, but if we’re discussing great places to eat veg, Seva needs to be acknowledged.
The restaurant, which is located on Liberty Street in Ann Arbor, has perfected the art of vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free cuisine. The staff at Seva know the menu inside and out and can always assist if you have questions about allergies or ingredients.
The kitchen at Seva is meticulous, so if you are a person who is concerned with cross-contamination between vegan and vegetarian products, you have nothing to worry about.
Seva is not the cheapest place to eat, but if you go for lunch (11 a.m. -3 p.m.) you can order the soup, salad or sandwich combo for just $7.95. The entrée’s run $8 to $12 but the price is well worth what you receive. Seva offers everything from sandwiches and stir-fries to burritos, pasta and breakfast foods. Essentially it’s a restaurant that has something for everyone.
The Blue Nile restaurant, located on Washington Street in Ann Arbor, is another wonderful place to eat vegetarian. While it is the most expensive on my list of veg restaurants, The Blue Nile certainly provides the best bang for your buck, serving monstrous portions of yummy vegetables.
Their famous ‘Vegetarian Feast’ is an all-you-can-eat platter of Ethiopian prepared vegetables served with traditional Ethiopian bread.
And with lunches like the ‘Hummus Platter’ and numerous veg salads you can’t go wrong at The Blue Nile. The feast is a steep $16.90 but if you opt for a more modest meal you’ll be paying anywhere from $8 to $10.
Unlike The Green Market Bistro and Seva, The Blue Nile is not strictly vegetarian, which makes it a great place to dine with carnivore friends.
I will definitely be visiting these restaurants from time to time when dining out. These establishments provide healthy alternatives for reasonable prices (for the most part) and are great places to get ideas for at-home meals.
Since I’m still new to the veg lifestyle I haven’t figured out many meals I can make at home yet. But after lunching at The Green Market Bistro, I decided I should go home and make some vegetarian chili. You never know, the hidden gems you find at these restaurants could be your new favorites!
