I hear some of the schools where people will be voting, like P.S. 6, are having bake sales. If you’re stuck in line for a while, consider getting something delicious and supporting our educational system.

After voting, Annelies and I are headed to lunch; we’re not sure where yet, but I’m sure it will be veggie friendly, and maybe they’ll give a discount for wearing a “I Voted” sticker. National chains Starbucks and Krispy Kreme are doing that, with a free tall coffee and a free star-shaped doughnut respectively.

The place bills itself as “Spicy American”. I love spicy. Right from the start, you find their tables well stocked with several kinds of mustard and hot sauces. For vegetarians, the menu has plenty of choices. They stay stocked with veggie chili, which I found hearty but not too spicy. It’s available on its own, as a side with the sandwiches, or triumphantly displayed on a bed of french fries with cheese.

Their mainstay is the veggie burger. Their version seems to be a Boca patty, but coated with a spice rub before being put on the grill. You can add all the standard toppings, you choice of three cheeses (American, Swiss, and Cheddar), and even some sliced and pickled jalapenos if you want. They also have a grilled portabella sandwich served with fresh mozzarella cheese, and a tasty haloumi cheese sandwich too with sundried tomatoes.

I really like the place. It’s not the best burger ever, but the service is friendly and I can really spice up my fries when the food arrives. Most items are $7-8 dollars, so you’re not out too much when you go. They have a nice bar to sit at as well as tables both in the front and back, and when the weather is nice, they open the front doors and let the breeze in.

The entrees were a bit expensive, but they were prepared very well and the service was nice.  It’s not a place I’d go every month, but if you want to try some Moroccan hospitality and have some nicely cooked veggies, I’d recommend it.

I’ve been there twice now.  On my first visit, I had their buffalo “chicken” wrap, which combines buffalo sauce-spiced seitan along with lettuce, blue cheese dressing, and celery into a cripsy, tasty sandwich wrapped in a tortilla.  It comes with a small salad and costs $7.50, the same as all the other salads and sandwiches.

My second visit was with my fiancee.  She got their Indian-style califlour wrap.  It was a big sandwich and she had to save the second half for lunch on the next day.  I had the “philly” style sandwich which also uses seitan, but this time in a more steak-like configuration.  It comes with onions and peppers and cheese on a Italian roll, and while it wasn’t as good as the veggie cheesesteaks I’d have in Austin, it was still a pretty tasty sandwich.

I’m definitely going back soon.  The food was creative and prepared freshly, the staff was very nice, and the price was good for an all-veggie place.

In addition to the main article, they also do a page of capsule reviews of all-vegetarian and all-vegan spots that’s worth referencing.  Their list includes Bliss, Earth Tonez, Foodswings, Red Bamboo, Urban Spring, Vegetarian Ginger, The V-Spot, and Wild Ginger Cafe.  I’ve only been to one of these so far, so I know I’ve got to get our more!

They’ve got a number of good looking vegetarian options for weekend brunch. I had the vegetarian reuben, a panini-style sandwich with avocado, sauerkraut, gruyere cheese, and Russian dressing. It came with a small side of corn and black bean salad. It was tasty; the dressing and the kraut gave it a nice tang, and the cheese was nicely melted into everything, and the avocado provided some creaminess. I found it enjoyable, but I also found it a little lacking.

Back in Austin, Magnolia Cafe had an amazing veggie reuben. The ingredients were almost the same, but Magnolia also added grilled onion and roasted red pepper, a combination that added a much needed savory and sweet side to the sandwich. Also delicious was the Mother’s Cafe version which came open-faces with tomato, sprouts, and black olives added to the mix. The Perch version needed some embellishment beyond the avocado to go from good to great.

I did like the black tea, and my fiancee found the ginger lemonade to be very yummy. If you go when they’re not crowded and want to do some web surfing, ask your server for their wifi key and setup instructions. They’ve got a lot of other veggie options; I think the next time I lunch there, I’m going to have to try the tart apple and cheddar Waldorf salad. There’s not as much for vegan customers, although I bet they could easily alter some of the dishes to leave out the cheese or butter.

I’m planning on doing this blog-style, with brief posts about the places I visit written shortly after the visit.  Don’t expect lots of formal newspaper like reviews, but I’ll try to include links to websites and contact information when I mention a place.  I’m an ovo-lacto vegetarian, so I do eat dairy and eggs, although I also like vegan options when they’re available.  My taste is towards the spicy more than the delicate, so factor that bias into my comments.  Of course, I love to hear your feedback, positive or negative, and I’m always open to suggestions of new places to go.