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All are wonderful in their own way. But special mention is deserved for Herbies, Lotus Garden and Tofu Palace for being completely vegan. These businesses deserve our support. These are the people in our community who offer to feed us according to the highest ethical standards. Each and every one has chosen not to serve as food our fellow creatures. They are leading the way as they work on the front lines of the vegetarian movement. Please thank them by enjoying the fruits of their dedicated vision and labor.
 Sari & Barry Stephens, Herbies |
Herbies is a new vegetarian restaurant in town in the Willamette Street Smith Family Book Store building. Actually its vegan, and 99% organic. Wow! Herbies bright tie-dyed decor will certainly catch your eye and brighten your mood on one of our dreary cloudy days. How did it all come about?
Barry is a vegetarian, primarily for ethical reasons, and he was frustrated by the absence of truly good vegetarian restaurants. Hed been cooking since childhood, so he had lots of ideas for what constitutes good vegetarian food. He and his wife Sari came up with the notion of starting their own vegetarian restaurant. |
| Eugene seemed a most promising venue, and so, Herbies was born here. The menu is based on those dishes Barry himself most enjoys. Wraps filled with marinated tofu, tempeh or seitan along with delicious vegetables and covered with a cheez sauce are among the most popular entrees. Barry says hes had non-vegetarians claim theyd never thought vegetarian food could taste so good.
Given their downtown Eugene location, the Stephens were thinking primarily of a lunch operation, but as it has turned out, customers have begun to come in for dinner. There is no separate dinner menu. Much of the dinner trade is take-out. Barry believes it is preferable for a family to sit down to a leisurely home-cooked meal. However, Herbies is a vastly better option than McDonalds! Herbies opens at 11 am, and its possible that in the future a breakfast wrap may be available even earlier. Do give Herbies a try. Its a real treat! |
 Barry Stephens, Herbies |
Lotus GardenThe Lotus Garden is a totally vegan Chinese restaurant founded by Taoist practitioners. It serves a variety of delicious, high-protein faux meat dishes, as well as many great vegetable dishes, and has rapidly become the absolute favorite restaurant of many Eugeneans. The Lotus Garden is located at 810 Charnelton Ave. Hours of operation are: M, W-F 11:00-3:00 & 4:30-9:00, Sat Noon-9:00, Sun Noon-8:00. Closed Tuesday.
The most popular dishes include the hunan veggie beef, spring rolls, pot stickers, and wonton soup. My personal favorites include the mushu veggie pork and the veggie shrimp dishes. The owner, Van Hong, emphasizes that the Lotus Garden is vegan for a reason. In addition to being a natural and healthy way to eat, veganism is consistent with the principles of abstention from killing and compassion for all beings. There is no need to kill for food or pleasure. The wish of Van Hong and others who work at the Lotus Garden is that once people learn how delicious vegetarian food can be they will choose a way of life in tune with their benevolent heart: a nonviolent, vegetarian way of life.
| Home of the Tofu Tia, and the Tia Special, Tobys Tofu Palace has been a fixture of Eugenes Saturday Market and the Oregon Country Fair for, well, forever, actually. Very few people remember Eugene without Toby or Tofu Palace, and anyway, why would we want to? Tofu Tia is your archetypal tofu taco, especially scrumptious tofu with sprouts and the secret red sauce, wrapped in a corntilla. The Tia Special es una comida muy grande, like they say in my hometown, which is to say Its really big. It has all the stuff in a Tofu Tia, plus avocados, onions, & Tobys vegan Sour Cream, all wrapped in a flour tortilla. Palace Cooler is a drink that reminds you of summer anytime of year. Not to mention the world famous Tobys Tofu Pate, a dip and sandwich spread that emulates all that is best in egg salad but without eggs. Did we mention the blueberry tofu cheesecake? I have sometimes gone to Tofu Palace at the Country Fair just to score a few pieces of cheesecake. Its that good. Tofu Palace can be found at every Saturday Market, And at many music festivals and street fairs in our area. And dont miss the wonderful ambience of Tofu Palace at Country Fair. No, forget I said that. Now everyone will be there; it'll be too crowded. Oh, well... see you there. |  Toby Alves, Tofu Palace |
 April Abel, Michelle Wallace & Grace Powers Sundance Salad Deli & Hot Buffet |
Sundance Salad, Deli & Hot Buffet "The main purpose of Sundance Food Service is to provide whole food that is organically grown seasonally and to communicate to others that it can be enjoyable to support your body and the planet by eating as organically, seasonally fresh and wholesomely as possible." - Gavin McComas, Owner, Sundance Sundance is a traditional natural food store that tries to go where no store has gone before. They offer a salad bar and hot buffet with many imaginative vegan and vegetarian hot dishes. The best deli for a vegan meal anywhere around, almost everything they use is organically grown and whole grain. Lately, more raw food dishes have been added as well. Try the raw (fake) tuna! |
| The Sundance Hot bar has gained a reputation far and wide in the decade since it was added to Sundance. It is self service, so you can roll your own. Prices are very reasonable - restaurant quality food at deli prices. Sundance is always hoppin, so come on in for some social as well as physical sustenance. Sundance is open from 7 AM until 11 PM. The salad bar is available early in the day through the whole day. The hot food comes out at 11 AM and stays out throughout the lunch and dinner hours, often late into the evening. |  Kenyon & Isha at Sundance Natural Foods |
 Cheryl Reinhart, Sweet Life |
Sweet Life Patisserie was started by two sisters, Cheryl and Catherine Reinhart in 1993 out of their home. Since then it has blossomed into a beautifully furnished dessert café, now employing thirteen people.
Well known to and loved by the vegans in Eugene, Sweet Life is the one to call when you want that perfect looking wedding or birthday cake that can please all your relatives and at the same time be gluten or margarine free, vegan, or whatever! Everything is made from scratch, with organically grown ingredients if possible! They daily donate treats to local groups, compost, recycle, use recycled paper napkins, and buy all the local ingredients they can find. They pride themselves on making conscious food that is also good for you. Thursday, Friday and Saturday, they are open until 11 PM, offering a wonderful alternative place to go out for a weekend evening treat. |
| The sisters, who themselves are not totally vegetarians, consider that their mission is to promote sweetness for all life. But they do encourage people to do the best you can because if we simply cut down on meat consumption in our daily diet, replacing it with soy, for instance, there will be less stress on our planet. Highly recommended are vegan "cheeze" cake, or the vegan chocolate cake. "Just try it, it tastes good", they say. As for this writer, I have, and it does! |  |
| Anton Ferreira and Kathee Lavine met in Hong Kong while traveling. Anton first started cooking vegetarian food for large groups when he and Kathee worked on a kibbutz in Israel. They arrived in Eugene in 1990 with high ideals, and two small children, seeking right livelihood, but they had no clue about how to navigate their way through the economy. After some stints cooking in local restaurants, a friend encouraged them to try making natural food.
After a few unproductive paths, they started making delicious stews and curries into roll-ups. When this proved successful, they followed up with some delicious Tofu To Go products, bite-sized tofu cooked in delicious sauces, "putting taste and texture into tofu," as Kathee put it. In 1996, they got the chance to be the Village Café at the Oregon Country Fair. This whetted their appetite for making, as Kathee says live food, that is, as opposed to packaged foods, and when a space opened up in the University of Oregon food court, they dove in. "Even though I was a vegetarian since high school, I didnt have control over my food choices 'til college," explains Kathee, when asked why they chose a campus venue for their restaurant. "College students, and especially staff, are very knowledgeable about food. They come in to get delicious international foods that are also healthy, fast and organic." |
 Zaid McKie-Krisberg, Holy Cow Café |
Kathee and Anton are very conscious of serving organic produce, supporting local farms, and avoiding genetically modified products in their food. They view their business holistically, thinking not just about the inputs - whole organic, natural foods and filtered water, but also about the outputs. They compost, recycle, & use unbleached containers.
When asked why Holy Cow Café was all vegetarian, Kathee answered, "we wanted to offer what we judged to be the best food, lighter on the planet, higher (consciousness) on the food chain. We traveled the world and had tasted such good food everywhere; we wanted to share that, to make delicious food that you wouldn't be likely to make at home."
Out of the Fog Coffeehouse| Morning Glory is one of the most popular spots in town for breakfast and lunch, and now serves dinner on Friday and Saturday evenings as well. It emphasizes fresh, organic, locally grown ingredients, and all of its dishes are vegan or can be made vegan at the customers request. Out of the Fog shares the space with Morning Glory, and is owned by the same people who own Café Mam, a cooperative, organic farm in Chiapas, Mexico.
Some of the most popular breakfast dishes at Morning Glory are vegan biscuits and gravy, chilaquiles, and The Fusion. My own favorite is The Fusion, a potato shell filled with tofu, onions, mushrooms, and a variety of fresh vegetables, topped with tantric mushroom gravy. Lunch favorites include the marinated Tofu Luna sandwich and the Triple Lucky Noodle Dish. Morning Glory also serves fresh vegan baked goods, including scones, cookies, coffee cake, muffins, and banana bread. Morning Glory makes every effort to be conscientious about the planet and the nonhuman animals with whom we share it by recycling, composting, and serving fresh and healthy vegetarian food. Morning Glory charges an eco-tax on its to-go boxes and donates the proceeds to the Forest Defenders. |
 Ceciley, Morning Glory |
 Rebecca, Out of the Fog |
Out of the Fog features pure organic Café Mam shade-grown coffee by the cup, cold-pressed, latte-style, or whole bean. They also have a huge selection of Herbal Junction Organic Teas, pastries from Morning Glory Bakery, Genesis Juice, and various other organic snacks and goodies a variety of lattes. All ingredients are organic!
Morning Glory and Out of the Fog are located at the Growers Market building at 450 Willamette, next to the railroad station. Customers at Morning Glory and Out of the Fog not only have delicious food and drink, but can leave feeling good about the businesses they are supporting. |
| A pleasant pizzeria with a heart, Cozmic Pizza has indoor dining surrounded by large murals and an outdoor garden dining area. There are a few board games to play while you enjoy your evening or bring your own. Want to stay home? Order in - Cozmic Pizza will be delivered to your door by bicycle or on their electric powered Gizmo.
There are some local favorites to be found on the menu including Genesis Juice, Rusty's Handbuilt Cookies, and vegan cheesecake. The vegetable toppings may also be of local organic origin. Owner Joel Thomas says his two main motivations with his restaurant are to provide an alternative to the mainstream, and to be an example that it can be done. "You can provide healthy vegetarian food and people will come and enjoy it." One of the first features I found that stood out was the easygoing relaxed atmosphere of the restaurant. Then there are the choices of menu items. For those who enjoy the old standards, there are vegetarian Canadian bacon and pepperoni. Their cheezy alternative tofu topping is highly recommended by vegans. Be sure to try some other fun combos with marinated tempeh or tofu. It's a great place to bring non-vegetarian friends. As if providing a wide range of vegetarian and vegan options isnt enough, Cozmic Pizza is very accommodating to different dietary preferences. Joel has even developed a tasty gluten free crust with potato and rice flour. |
 Joel Thomas, Cozmic Pizza |
| New Odyssey Juice & Java is located on the same block as the bus station downtown. New Odyssey just opened last May, although its roots, embodied in its name, go back decades in Eugene's cultural history. In the late '70s, Genesis Juice Cooperative (known to many as the greatest juice company anywhere, because of its high quality juice made fresh from organic fruits and vegetables and bottled in reusable glass, not plastic!) started their own juice bar. It was located for many years at the 5th Street Market. Eventually, the juice bar became its own separate business, but continued to sell Genesis Juice. Three years ago, two of the original "Juice Baristas," Walt Hunt and Teri Gann, decided to leave 5th Street and take a break from business. Walt and Teri, along with Teri's business partner, Steve Sender, have now created the New Odyssey. "We'd forgotten how much fun it was," says Walt, "after these last five months, how fulfilling and enjoyable it is, the kindness and the feeling of community." The name of the current incarnation of the business takes it's name from even earlier in Eugene's cultural history, the now legendary Odyssey Coffee House, born in the radical ferment of the 60's - the brainchild of Cynthia Wooten, Country Fair cofounder, City Councilor, State Representative. |  Teri Gann, New Odyssey |
Walt's own personal odyssey with the vegetarian diet was gradual. "It started with weeding," he says. Weeding out first sugar, junk food, and greasy stuff. His reasons were political, health inspired, and spiritual as well. He was influenced by people like Andrew Weil and Norman Walker, who wrote the definitive book on raw juices and reportedly lived to be 118 years old in excellent health. "I never go to the doctor," says Walt, who attributes his good health to his diet, and challenges those interested in adopting a healthier lifestyle to "come and look at me at age 52." He not only looks younger, but still maintains a rapport with the younger generation. Every Friday night he opens up New Odyssey to teens for "techno" dances. "They run it themselves," he says, adding that it gives them a wholesome venue to meet and have fun, and sometimes the place fills to overflowing, spilling out onto the street outside. And it is inspiring for young people to get interested in vegetarianism. When asked what he would like us all to know, Walt said, "our whole economy, the whole planet's environment, our health, avoiding the illnesses caused by meat-eating, so much depends on how we eat."
Planet Goloka| A new vegetarian café has just blossomed lotus-like in downtown Eugene. Owner Vrin Davan, who grew up and went to school in India, has created an opportunity for locals to experience a little bit of Indian Hindu culture, with an enchanting mixture of ancient and modern. At Planet Goloka, you can sip fresh squeezed juice, herbal enzyme elixirs, or kava drinks, while lounging around watching culture films from India, or perusing the books in the library there. They even have "ahimsa" leather drums, made from the skins of cows that died of natural causes!
Evenings feature a variety of events - speakers, music, etc. Thursdays are open D.J. nights. Saturdays, free vegetarian Indian snacks are offered and you can listen to Vedic storytelling. And on Sundays there is a "love feast" from 5 to 8 PM. Handmade tapestries add to the relaxing ambience. "Our purpose is to share beautiful Indian culture with the Eugene community," says manager Denell. She adds that she chose vegetarianism because she cannot imagine ever wanting to "eat some other being!" Indeed, India, the most populous and long-standing vegetarian culture on earth, offers us all that wisdom. |
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| Sam Bond's Garage is, by far, Eugene's best bar for people who like to eat, drink, breathe, and dance. Very kid friendly, and completely vegetarian food and drink! Sam Bond's was smoke free before it was law. The place has many windows, a great stage, and is light and open. Many great microbrews available, and juice and soft drinks for kids and nondrinkers. The music scene is by far one of Eugene's best. A favorite among local and northwest musicians like Abakadubi, Joules Graves, Hanuman, Sugar Beets. Many other traveling artists come through as well. |  Kelly Cantwell & Jeff Brown Sam Bond's Garage |
Excellent vegetarian dining, located across the street from 5th Street Market. Voted best vegetarian restaurant in recent Eugene Weekly poll.
Cute hole in the wall veggie pizza, salad. Vegan options. 13th & Lawrence.
Buffet style vegetarian food of India. All you can eat for a reasonable price. Kids love it. Colorful Hindu art creates a cheerful ambience.
Vegetarian Potlucks
Third Friday of Every Month - 7 PM
McNeil-Reilly house - 601 W 13th (13th & Jefferson)
Parking available at Fairgrounds
Please bring a pure vegetarian dish (no dairy or eggs)
Bring serving utensils, your drink and place setting
Families welcome! Bring copies of your recipe for recipe exchange!
Call Karen or Wesley @ 341-1690 or email for details
Seattle VegFest
The Vegetarians of Washington is sponsoring a celebration of healthy vegetarian food, featuring speakers, cooking demonstrations, informative books, and an amazing range of delicious foods to taste. The VegFest will take place at the Seattle Center Pavilion on March 2nd and 3rd, 2002. For more information, contact Stewart Rose (206) 706-2635.
Breitenbush Hot Springs
Escape from town to Breitenbush.
Natural hot springs in tubs and outdoor pools, worker-owned and managed, geothermal heat in every cabin, optional workshops classes, body work, and delicious vegetarian meals three times a day! Call (503) 854-3314.
Vegetarian Options
Many area establishments that are not yet vegetarian nonetheless offer "vegetarian options" on their menu:
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Adams Place Ali Baba Ambrosia Restaurant & Bar Anatolia Bagel Bakery Cafe Bagel Sphere Cafe 131 Bellizis Italian Food And Mafia-Style Pizza Benegourmet Pizza BJs Pizza & Grill Brail's Restaurant Bruno's Chefs Kitchen Bubba's Place Buddy's Diner Burrito Amigos Taqueria Burrito Boy Taqueria Café Glendi Café Soriah Café Yumm Café Zenon Cancun Casablanca Middle Eastern Restaurant Caspian Mediterranean Café Chapala Mexican Restaurant China Delight Continental Delicatessen Country Waffles D.Bubs- An Eclectic Eatery Don Juans Family Mexican Restaurant Dragon Café El Charro El Kiosco Restaurant El Torito Restaurant Far Man Restaurant Fortune Inn G Willikers Grill & Parlor Garden Deli Glennwood Restaurants Inc. Good Times Cafe Great Wall Restaurant Hanas Restaurant Hawthornes Café & Deli High Street Brewery & Cafe Hilda's Latin American Restaurant Hometown Buffet Hongkong Restaurant House Of Chen House Of Thai Jade Palace Jalisco Mexican Restaurant Jazzies Deli Jo Federicos Restaurant & Jazz Club Jogger's Bar & Grill Johnnie Oceans Great American Hamburgers Kam Loon Restaurant Koho Bistro Korea House Kowloon Restaurant Lai Lai Restaurant Liquid Bean Expresso And Bakery Lok Yaun Los Campeones Los Jarritos Macafee's On 13th Marche | Mazzi's Italian Food Mcgrath's Fish House Mekala's Mikes Bistro Mio Panin Mona Lizza Ristorante & Bar Misako Mookie's Place Morretti's Italian Restaurant Nacho's Healthy Mexican Foods New Day Bakery & Cafe Nice Rice Ocean Sky Old Pad Oregon Electric Station Oriental Village Restaurant Orphies BBQ & Brew Our Daily Bread Bakery And Restaurant Park Street Cafe Piccolo Restaurant And Sports Bar Pie In The Sky Bakery & Deli Pietros Pizza Pizza Petes Italian Kitchen Plaza Coffee Shop Poppi's Anatolia Quizmo's Classic Subs Rennie's Landing River Road Grill And Bar Roaring Rapids Pizza Company Ron's Tropical Grill Rose & Thistle Sakura Sam's On Campus Samurai Duck Serano's Aroma Espresso Shanghai Restaurant Shiki Shoji's Restaurant Spaghetti Warehouse Spring Garden Chinese Restaurant Steelhead Brewery & Cafe Stepinas Chicago Style Restaurant & Lounge Studio One Cafe Sylvan Internet And Coffee Shop Sy's New York Pizza Szechuan Terrace Taco Loco Taco Time Taco Time/A & W Tasty Thai Kitchen Taylors Bar & Grille Terese's Place Terrace Cafe Tino's Spaghetti House Tiny Tavern Tio Pepe Mexican Restaurant Tom's Tea House Toshi's Ramen Tu Casa Turtles Twin Dragons Waterfront Bar & Grill West Bros. Barbecue, Bakery & Brewery Wild Thyme Café Willies On 7th Street |