Friday, July 19, 2019

Best Food Across America

Sharks Eat Meat presents the 30 best restaurants across America. 
(Vegan, Vegetarian, & Gluten-Free)

   Sharks Eat Meat usually features visual arts and music reviews, but food is a critical part of culture too.  So today we present the best restaurants across America: Vegan, Vegetarian, & Gluten-Free Edition.  All the food we are featuring is on the healthier side but not lacking flavor.  Visit these restaurants for great food and experiences. 

Toad Style


Toad Style has all your favorite junk food in vegan versions that don’t skimp on flavor.
Their GF fried pickles, BBQ jackfruit tacos, GF waffles and fries are simply addicting. 

Little Choc Apothecary is a Brooklyn classic.  The all vegan creperie has some of the best breakfast in all of America.  They have extremely creative wraps, from breakfast burritos with coconut bacon, to classic fruit, vegan cashew creme and maple syrup crepes.  This place is open late, and worth visiting any time.


Erin Mckenna's Bakery


Erin Mckenna’s Bakery has other worldly treats for those with multiple allergies.  Their caked donuts are soft and well frosted.  Their cupcakes and cookies are sweet and addicting.  They have cute locations in NYC and LA.

Blossom



Blossom has been a staple of the vegan community in New York for a while, just like Dirt Candy and Candle 79.  They have amazing dishes that would fool any meat eater.  Their mushroom pasta is impressive, their enchiladas and risottos are to die for.  Every soup of the day is flavorful.



Cafe Gratitude has quickly become one of my favorite restaurants in LA.  The vegan restaurant provides hearty, filling and strong flavored meals that never disappoint.
Their nachos, enchiladas, and pasta are absolutely enchanting.  They are more flavorful and gracefully done than any Mexican or Italian spot in the area.  Their deserts are amazing for those with allergies or restrictions.


Sage

Sage is some of the best food in America.  Their jackfruit carnitas tacos are perfection.  Their brunch pancakes and chilaquiles are the ultimate sweet and savory combo.  This place comes with my highest recommendation.


M Cafe

M Cafe on Melrose in Los Angeles is a macrobiotic restaurant with many strong dishes.  Their breakfast enchiladas are crazy.  It’s more of a giant wet burrito than enchilada but its a scramble stuffed, smothered dish thats an amazing breakfast.  Their vegan probiotic sushi is wild.  And their noodle, rice and curry dishes are fresh, and full of veggies.  The french fries have a tasty and unique probiotic beat dip similar to ketchup. 


Amituofo


Amituofo is a Buddhist vegan spot with all your favorites like general Tso’s chicken served in healthy versions.  Their black bean sauce dish is great.  Their fresh coconut shakes are creamy and nutty, and essential on a hot day in Brooklyn.  Always fresh never the canned stuff.

 


Blue Koi has a long history of serving fine Asian cuisine in Kansas City.  Their tofu soup with ribbons made of tofu skins is a treat.  They have two family locations and also a sister restaurant Ghengis Khan.  All are excellent and they are more than willing to make accommodations based on allergies.


May Kaidee is a unique experience.  Thai food is classically filled with fish sauce, and thankfully May Kai Dee’s is not.  The pre fix tasting menu changes daily and features a full 6-8 vegan dishes with a variety of tastes.  From fruity, to salty, to spicy, to strange fruity pebble curry, nothing disappoints.  Each dish is humbly presented concealing the epic flavor.

 



Buntopia is a hip East Asian restaurant in Brooklyn, with fresh, clean, and creative takes on favorites like sushi, ramen, and gyoza.   Their veggie sushi with mangos, and asparagus are unique and pack a variety of flavors and textures.  Their sweet potato fries and kimchi are a must with every meal.  Don’t miss out on the fun here. 



Ramen Hood is a entirely vegan ramen spot with a permanent base in LA and a pop up shop in NYC is not short on flavor.  The subtly nutty ramen broth comes in a variety of flavors (get spicy) and noodles, and glorious vegan egg on top.  There’s nothing better than a healthy traditional ramen on a cold day.


Atla



New to Manhattan, Atla is a clean contemporary delight.  Their corn masa quesadilla with green salsa is straight forwards, simple and of phenomenal quality.  It is unforgettable.  Their cactus salad, enchiladas, chilaquiles and a variety of tacos are excellent.  Finish off the meal with a dessert tamale and coffee or hot chocolate. 


Tortilleria Mexicana Los Hermanos



Tortilleria Mexicana Los Hermanos is an old school tortilla factory that has survived a while in Brooklyn with bomb tacos and tostadas of all sorts.  Make sure to cover everything in both red and green salsa.  Fully expect there to be boxes of tortillas everywhere and telenovelas playing. 


Guacuco



Guacuco serves up traditional family style Venezuelan food in Brooklyn and I could eat there every day.  For those who don’t know, arepas are like a mix of a taco, tamale and a burger.  The corn flour buns can be stuffed and grilled with all sorts of fillings.  Get plantains and avocado, or el domino with black beans.  The spicy green salsa is distinct and addictive and should be sold in jars.


Fonda



Fonda has perfected fine dining Oaxacan food in NYC.  Their spicy guacamole is some of the best north of Mexico.  Their variety of salsas are diverse.  The queso fundido, enchiladas, and all of their tacos are classic.


El Kucho




El Kucho, a family Mexican restaurant in Brooklyn, spins Puebla style meals that are traditional, wholesome, and fresh. Their chips and Monterrey salsa are something special.  Their chilaquiles and green enchiladas are an ultimate sharing combo.  Their grilled veggie taco and corn masa quesadillas are hefty and savory. 


Black Flamingo



Black Flamingo is a funky vegan taco spot and night club has one of the most unique tacos I have ever encountered.  This concoction contains, fried potato balls, guava jam, vegan dill crema, pickled onions, and more.  It is the perfect combination of tastes in a taco, and it makes no sense.  Their jerk tacos and others are just as stand out.  The arepas and flautas are equally unique to traditional versions but equally tasty.


Tocaya Organico


Tocaya Organico has lots of organic options and great items.  Their guac comes with pomegranate and pumpkin seeds, there are lots of spicy salsas, and you can customize all the tacos and quesadillas.  I regularly get black bean tacos and a pile of chips and guac.


Guisados


Guisados has one of the spiciest tacos ever.  EVER.  It includes piles of green chiles, whole You’ll need multiple glasses of water, and somewhere to cry.  But its worth it, and goes well with the black bean tacos and quesadillas. 


Tacos Molly



A newer family taco spot in Bushwick, Tacos Molly is a charming gem that feels like your being cooked for at a friend or families home with an open kitchen and warm staff.  The veggie tacos and quesadillas are delicious.  The green salsa is perfect on everything, and you’ll be coming back every day.


Real Jalisco


A long term power house of Mexican food in Kansas City, Real Jalisco has complimentary chips with spicy red salsa that are hard to put down.  Their vegetarian enchiladas are     ……….  


Jajaja


Jajaja in New York is a competitor for best Mexican food in America.  This place has every taco you’d want in a vegan version, from spicy buffalo cauliflower tacos with micro greens, to fermented bean and sweet potato tacos with mango salsa.  The food and dining room are spectacular.  Fried chayote with almond salsa, don’t ask questions just order it.


Sugar Taco


Brand new, Sugar Taco in Los Angeles has perfected vegan nacho cheese.  Their carnitas tacos contend with the best and are great on a hot California day.  Put guac and hot sauce on everything and you’ll be coming back regularly. 


Condado Tacos


Condado Tacos is a tequila bar in Columbus Ohio with some supreme tacos.  You customize your order on a ticket which is easy to use.  The jackfruit tacos here are extra spicy and great in a crispy hard shell. 


Masataco



Masataco is a quaint spot in east LA. This Mexican brunch spot has down to earth items like pancakes, tamales, hash and stuffed chile rellenos.  The meals are filling and flavorful and are more in tune with New Mexican, or border food than any one Mexican region.


Trejo's Tacos



Actor turned taquero Trejo makes delicious chips and guac at Trejo’s Tacos.  The tacos are fun with the fried cauliflower and mushroom taco being my favorites.  They carry their own brand of hot sauce which is great on the tacos. 


800 Degrees


Gluten free pizza is no easy feat.  In addition to getting the crust right you have to have killer sauce and cheese.  800 Degrees nails high quality Neapolitan roasted thin crust for a fair price and fast meal. 


Ribalta



Ribalta might be my favorite pizza on earth.  The sauce is not too sweet or too savory.  The mozzarella is salty and melty. The crust is charred perfectly every time and the gluten free crust has all the texture of the real thing.  Too many places serve cardboard or bird seed style gluten free crusts that are surely healthy but lack the traditional flavor found at Ribalta. 


Red Lentil



Red lentil in Boston has surprisingly solid food.  The polenta is A+.  And the lasagna was hearty and full of a variety of tartness, creaminess and herbs.    


Honorable Mentions

Bunna, Seabirds, Mother of Pearl, Whiskers, Gran Electrica, La Esquina, Mod Pizza, Danny’s Pizzeria, San Marzano, Los Tacos, and Bar Verde.