Vegan Eats in Unexpected Places

Where: MURRAY’S TACO BODEGA
Dish: YOU DON’T KNOW JACK TACO
Why Try This: The rising popularity of jackfruit in the U.S. parallels an increase of diners seeking a meat substitute. What makes jackfruit a favorite is its ability to soak up whatever spices are incorporated into it, and can fool most people into thinking it’s pulled pork. Murray’s keeps it simple, allowing the ingredients to do the talking. Ripe avocados provide a creaminess that perfectly accompanies the jackfruit on the freshly made corn tortillas. A dash (maybe more) of hot sauce and a squeeze of lime bring the dish to its proper destination.

Where: HANGAR BAY CAFE & GALLERY
Dish: VEGAN MISO RAMEN
Why Try This: It all begins with the miso paste, which transforms into a subtle, yet distinctive broth. Ramen shines when layers are built – a sum greater than its parts. Here, the combination of unusual suspects blend beautifully, especially the sweet corn and julienned carrots. The tofu gets a necessary resurgence back to life with a classic Southern technique: deep frying. The result is a crisp texture that stands up to the silky broth. Slurping is always encouraged, and after just one bite of the tender rice noodles you’ll be hooked. It’s rare that an entire dish fulfills the term “palate-cleansing,” but somehow the team at Hangar Bay finds a way to achieve this monumental feat.

Where: EUROPEAN STREET CAFE
Dish: RAW REUBEN
Why Try This: This unique sandwich is a deconstructed Reuben highlighting Shakti Life Kitchen’s core ingredients that turns sauerkraut into the main component of the sandwich. None of the ingredients are cooked – hence the Raw Reuben title. This gluten-free behemoth boasts fresh dilly kraut, juicy tomatoes, spicy mustard and cashew cheese on sunflower and flax seed bread. Surprisingly, the sandwich remains intact. The herbaceous kraut and fresh tomatoes create the desired juiciness, while the thin, yet hearty bread provides a natural, earthy characteristic.

Where: SUSHIKO JAPANESE RESTAURANT
Dish: VARIETY OF SUSHI ROLLS
Why Try This: Sushi is like chocolate, you can’t have just one piece. Fortunately, with over 50 vegan rolls to choose from, Sushiko is home to one of the most extensive vegan menus in Jacksonville. Vegetables are the stars of the show, and the presentation is impressive as soon as these rolls hit the table. The JVL (Jacksonville Vegan Lovers) is the warm, fried roll you’ve been missing from your diet – sweet potato, tofutti (vegan cream cheese) and vegan eel sauce make this roll a creamy, salty and crunchy bite of lusciousness. The Top Veggie fires on all cylinders with crisp vegetables, cilantro garnish and hot sauce. The Crunchy Tempeh Roll is for the carnivore in your life who’s not yet convinced about vegan cuisine. The diced tempeh takes on a savory flavor and chewy texture, comparable to crispy bacon bits.

Where: EPIK BURGER
Dish: Vegan BBQ Burger
Why Try This: If you closed your eyes, you would never know you were consuming a vegan burger. The patty is a mixture of black beans, chickpeas, beets, roasted peppers, herbs and spices, grilled perfectly on both sides. The patty combined with Teese vegan cheese is the perfect union. The burger’s accompaniments play an important role in elevating the dish in both taste and aesthetics. A tangy BBQ sauce with an acidic cider vinegar coleslaw cut through the “meatiness” of the patty, while the gargantuan crispy onion ring sits atop the burger like a crown.
Pro tip: Since you can’t eat a burger without fries, add a side of Epik’s signature Vegan Cheese Fries, house made with a carrot and potato base.

Now that you're hungry, here's where to try these plant-forward dishes: Murray's Taco Bodega, Hangar Bay Cafe and Gallery, European Street Cafe, Sushiko Japanese Restaurant, Epik Burger.