Vegan News

For first time, Dallas makes list of Top 10 Vegan Cities in the U.S.

El Palote has been a game-changer in Dallas.

Photo by Marc Lee

Dallas makes lots of lists but this one is perhaps not a list one might predict: 2019's Top 10 Vegan-Friendly Cities in the U.S. Huzzah.

The list is compiled annually by PETA, and this marks the first time Dallas has made it. According to a release, Dallas comes in #7, thanks to its abundance of vegan twists on classic Texan and Latin American dishes.

PETA has sent Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson a framed certificate.

PETA VP Tracy Reiman says in a statement what area vegans already know: That Dallas' vegan scene has blown up in the past couple of years and that we have many restaurants with vegan menus from which to choose.

"From tacos and tamales to a Tofurky Italian Sausage Stack, Big D boasts one of the biggest vegan dining scenes around," Reiman says. "The number of American vegans grew by 600 percent in just three years, and the cities on PETA's list are meeting the skyrocketing demand for animal-friendly fare."

Restaurants in Dallas serving animal-free food that get a shout-out from PETA include:

Nuno's Tacos & Vegmex Grill, with its smoky chipotle jackfruit enchiladas
Tiki Loco, with its Smokin' Hawaiian "Steak" Poke nachos drizzled with pineapple pico
D'Vegan, which puts a vegan spin on traditional Vietnamese dishes
V-Eats Modern Vegan, home to Country Fried "Steak" (deep-fried Portobello mushrooms with mushroom gravy)
Itso Vegan, creator of the Nothing From the Sea Food Platter
Da Munchies, serving a vegan Shrimp & Oyster Mushroom Po' boy
Bam's Vegan at the Dallas Farmers Market, doing a tangy Jackfruit Ropa Vieja with beans, rice, and fried plantain
Sugar Fang Vegan Bakery, vegan outpost at BrainDead Brewing Co. in Deep Ellum
Reverie Bakeshop, the deluxe bakery and shop in Richardson
El Palote Panaderia, Dallas' trailblazing all-vegan Mexican restaurant and bakery
Spiral Diner & Bakery, the vegan stalwart, dishing out The Triple Double (Beyond Burger patty with grilled cheese sandwiches as the bun)

Even steakhouse king Al Biernat's is meeting vegan demand with animal-free options like the Tofurky Italian Sausage Stack and a meatless cheeseburger.

The No. 1 city on PETA's list is San Francisco. Rounding out the list are Los Angeles; New York City; Portland, Oregon; Detroit; Orlando, Florida; Nashville, Tennessee; Washington, D.C.; and Tulsa, Oklahoma.

PETA's motto reads that "animals are not ours to eat." For more information, visit PETA.org.

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Stir Fry News

Mom-and-pop Asian chain from Austin makes Dallas debut in McKinney

Fire Bowl

A small Asian chain from Austin has entered the Dallas market: Called Fire Bowl Cafe, it's a small chain that has opened its first DFW location in McKinney, at 4060 W. University Dr. #300, in a new shopping center west of US-75.

Fire Bowl Cafe was founded by husband-and-wife Gigi Lee and Daniel Pao in 1996 with a focus on customizable bowls prepared in sizzling woks. They have four locations in Austin and one in Colorado.

Bringing the concept to McKinney is Dallas-based hospitality group DLC Restaurant Holdings (Firo Pizza, Craft Pies Pizza, Desperados), according to a release.

“We are thrilled to bring Fire Bowl Café to McKinney and introduce our unique dining experience to the wonderful community here,” says CEO Mike Daniel in a statement. “Our mission is to ensure that every customer leaves satisfied and happy, and we can’t wait to share our passion for fresh, customizable Asian cuisine with our new neighbors in North Texas."

To give it local flavor, they've partnered with Julian Rodarte, who co-founded Beto & Son, the Mexican restaurant at Trinity Groves in west Dallas, and also served as Trinity Groves' CEO. He was briefly executive chef at COSM at Grandscape and is currently culinary director for Dee Lincoln Concepts.

The menu has a Pei-Wei vibe, featuring a mashup of Chinese, Thai, and Vietnamese cuisines, with favorites like edamame, spring rolls, crab rangoon, pad Thai, pot stickers, and lettuce wraps.

There are noodle and rice bowls, topped with vegetables and choice of protein; and a make-it-your-way stir-fry where you choose from proteins like chicken, beef, shrimp, or tofu, tossed in a wok with vegetables, then combine it with your choice of "carb" — noodles, brown or white rice — and a wide selection of sauces, from teriyaki to spicy peanut to classic Chinese.

Prices are $12-$14. They do not currently serve alcohol, but have plans for it at a future date.

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