Welcome to Monk Island, a food blog with a new perspective. This blog documents my experiences as a roaming vegan with limited time, money, and resources. I search the land for simple, plant-based meals for one person, and I share those here with you. This blog is for herbivores on the go who don't live in the kitchen, don't have a kitchen, or don't have a home. No politics or extremist rants. Just peace, respect, and veggies.
Saturday, December 30, 2017
Chick-fil-a Waffle Fries
Click here for the Chick-fil-a website
Tacos at Salsarita's Fresh Mexican Grill
Click here to see the Salsarita's Fresh Mexican Grill website
Friday, December 29, 2017
Vegan Burger with Fries at Red Robin in Huntsville AL
I ordered the Keep It Simple burger just as before, which has lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, and onions on the side. It comes with Bottomless Steak Fries. Now, here's how to make it vegan with the new menu items. I chose the "ancient grains and quinoa vegan patty", requested the bun not be toasted on the grill (to avoid butter or grease from the grill), and requested "allergy fries" (that means the oil they fry them in is used for fries only and not other products like chicken or products battered with milk and egg batter). What came to my table was a huge, delicious, beautify vegan burger with as many fries as I wanted. And I got tea to wash it down.
The ancient grains and quinoa patty was as firm and textured as a beef patty. It had chunks of carrots, corn, and other goodies inside. The other topping on the burger were beautify. This place made it right! The lettuce was a whole bright green leaf, and it was clean! The tomatoes and onions were perfect. They didn't put garbage on my food like some other restaurants do. And the taste was amazing. It was better than any beef burger I ever had. It was also better than the Boca Burger, which was often served under cooked on my other visits to Red Robin. The fries were so good I got a refill.
Now for the mild concerns. The Boca Burger that is no longer available was microwaved, which sounds boring and cheap, but it was a good way for a vegan to feel save about the cooking process. This new ancient grains and quinoa patty was clearly not microwaved. It looked and tasted grilled. It was great, but how was it cooked? Was beef grease all over the grill? Was my patty cooked with beef on a nasty flat top grill? Is there a separate area for veggies? I don't know. It didn't taste like beef at all. I patted it down with my napkin just to check it out. Not much oil to see. Beef grease is usually noticeable. But cross contamination is one of my concerns. Also, the plate on which my food was served looked clean upon first glance, but it was actually greasy. I could take my napkin and rub the clean plate to reveal a cleaner spot. It was almost like the plate was rinsed clean of all solids but without the use of soap that would strip the oil from the plate. These are mild concerns and didn't ruin the meal at all, but I figured I'd mention them.
Overall, I enjoyed this meal very much. The taste, appearance, and texture of the food was better than expected. It all seemed clean and healthy, not greasy, dirty, or heavy. The option to go vegan with many burger types is surprising. I'm just nervous about the food prep. I will cautiously go back, hoping to enjoy my next visit as much as this visit.
UPDATE: More research has revealed evidence that both the bun and new ancient grain quinoa patty MAY NOT BE VEGAN. Unfortunately, Red Robin wants to remain flexible with the ingredients, and it's difficult to get a clear understanding of what the food contains. My conclusion is that I will remember this as a good meal, but I will not order this again unless I get confirmation that it is without a doubt vegan. Next time I'll stick with fries and a drink.
https://www.redrobin.com/
Thursday, December 28, 2017
Bojangles Grits
UPDATE: I got a new photo of the tea with lemon. Look at it. Beautiful!
Monday, December 25, 2017
Vegan Christmas Party Snacks
Strawberries, crackers with capers, blackberries, cornichons, garlic stuffed green olives, black olives, red pepper stuffed green olives, and french bread. I also had grapes, veggie kabobs, and several glasses of chardonnay blanc, but my camera was malfunctioning and photos of those aren't available.
Sunday, December 24, 2017
Vegetable Pasta
Lance Salted Peanuts
Saturday, December 23, 2017
Stacy's Multigrain Pita Chips & Lilly's Red Pepper Hummus
Friday, December 22, 2017
Veggie Lovers Pizza and Breadsticks at Pizza Hut
Laughing Seed Cafe in Asheville NC
I went to Laughing Seed Cafe two days in a row, because it's that good!
DAY ONE
DAY TWO
Laughing Seed Cafe never lets me down. I always leave completely satisfied. The food is always awesome and the people are friendly. It's on a cozy one-way street, and a public parking garage is just a few feet away. They have a dog-friendly eating area outside. If you're in Asheville, you must try this place! The prices are a bit higher, but the food is worth it.
Click here for the Laughing Seed Cafe website
Which Wich Black Bean Patty Wich with House Chips
The Which Wich Black Bean Patty Wich is not the only vegan wich at Which Wich, but it is my favorite. I get mine topped with deli mustard, spinach, lettuce, green pepper, black olives, red onions, and oregano. I get the white bread because the wheat bread contains honey. This is also available Lettucewich style, which means they use several big pieces of lettuce wrapped around it instead of bread.
Chipotle Mexican Grill Vegan 3 Point Burrito
Click here to see the Chipotle website
Thursday, December 21, 2017
Veggie Delight at Subway
Another Morning at SpringHill Suites
Tuesday, December 19, 2017
Uncle Maddio's Pizza In Madison AL
Click here to see Uncle Maddio's website
French Quarter Dip Sandwich at The Wild Cow Vegetarian Restaurant in Nashville TN
Click here for The Wild Cow Vegetarian Restaurant website
Jason's Deli Soup and Sandwich Meal
Click here to see the Jason's Deli website
Veggie Quinoa Bowl and Lentil Bowl at The Wild Cow Vegetarian Restaurant in Nashville TN
Click here for The Wild Cow Vegetarian Restaurant website
McAlister's Deli Ultimate Nachos
Vegan Pizza at Spazio Pizza & Taps
A vegan pizza at Spazio Pizza & Taps in Huntsville AL |
Jason's Deli Salad Bar
A Bowl of Black Bean Soup at Panera Bread
Click here for Panera Bread's vegan menu
Ma Po Tofu at P.F. Chang's
Click here to see P.F.Chang's website
Home-style Bean Curd at Fulin's Asian Cuisine
Monday, December 18, 2017
Sunday, December 17, 2017
Another Good Lunch, You Pick Two at Panera Bread
Click here for Panera Bread's vegan menu
Domino's Pasta Bowl
Blackened Tofu Plate by Chef Will The Palate in Huntsville AL
Blackened Tofu Plate by Chef Will The Palate in Huntsville AL |