One of the big questions you’re going to have in figuring out a vegetarian diet for yourself is what to do when you go out to eat. The news is both bad and good. The bad news, of course, is that 99.999% of all the dishes on the menus of restaurants available to you have animal products in them. That’s okay, though, because there’s no law that says you have to order off the menu.

Be creative at restaurants.

Every decent restaurant since the Dark Ages has had at least one entrée for vegetarians on its menu. Thank them profusely for this choice and order it.


The chances are very good, though, that it won’t be vegan. That’s okay. Never be shy about ordering something special (“Can I have the vegetarian special without the cheese, please?”).


Don’t feel constrained to take the vegetarian option if it doesn’t sound very exciting. Too many times these dishes can be really dull (e.g., steamed vegetables) because the restaurant is trying to please people who hate spices and people who don’t eat fat. If you see something more exciting on the menu, order that instead, even if you have to make them change one or two (or seven!) of the ingredients to make it 100% vegetarian.


Instead of asking the restaurant to leave out a particular ingredient, ask them to substitute a dairy-and meat-free ingredient instead.


For example, instead of “I’ll have the burrito without the cheese and sour cream,” say “I’ll have the burrito with extra salsa instead of the cheese and extra guacamole instead of the sour cream.” They’re going to charge you full price for it anyway, you may as well get your money’s worth.

Remember, you’re the customer, and you’re always right.

Expand your diet with ethnic foods.

Instead of going to the chain restaurant at the shopping mall, why not try your local Mom and Pop ethnic joint? Ethnic restaurants (unless they’re Texan) will have lots of wonderful, creative vegetarian dishes that you’ve never tried before.


While you’re there, be sure to strike up a conversation with “Mom” and/or “Pop,” and tell them all about your dietary preferences. This will this ensure that they don’t hide some animal ingredients somewhere in the food (unfortunately, a common problem with some cuisines).


Even more important, once Mom and/or Pop takes a shine to you, you’ll probably be offered all kinds of wonderful, authentic dishes that aren’t even on the menu because they don’t appeal to the average, meat-eating American.

You’ll be recognized the next time you come in too, and Mom and Pop will always look out for you and your friends from that day forward.


One of the great delights of being a vegetarian is to learn about and enjoy great flavors and foods from all over the world—take advantage!