Vegan Glory

Yes, it's true, I don't travel with a camera when I eat. Nor do I usually find myself at a place that serves vegan food. But I kept passing by this place in a crowded mini mall (conveniently located near Light Bulbs Unlimited, in case you need a 75W halogen light after a vegan meal) and I got a friend to go with me. You know that friend: goes out to restaurants, more adventurous than you, won't hold it against you if the food is so terrible that you have to run across the street to Taco Bell after eating. We were both more than pleasantly surprised, we were pretty much bowled over.

This is a Thai place with staples from American, Vegetarian, and Angeleno menus. And they do that thing that Paul's been talking to me about for years: they fake the meat. I always thought that I was going to have to hotfoot it over to Monterey Park to get Pressed Duck made out of seitan and tofu, but it's right here, my friend. At Orlando and Beverly. Incredibly close to a eye-popping variety of incandescent light bulbs.

Since I was fascinated with the fake meat, I had to have something from that side of the house, so I dove into the Crispy Chicken, which was essentially their fried chicken (available also in nuggets!) on a lunch special with brown rice, spring roll, salad, and the soup of the day. The chicken was great. Now, chicken lovers will not be fooled, but it was damned good. The soup was excellent as well. The spring roll. Eh, I could take it or leave it. Seemed like the oil wasn't hot enough when they dropped that puppy in.

I decided to take my vegan friend the next time, who sat in amazement when he realized that he could order any item off the menu he pleased. (He asked the waitress if they put milk into their Thai Iced Tea.) He was flabbergasted. Not being your typical vegan, he went for the Pepper Steak Sandwich, which he loved. Since I was on the New Me approach to life, I decided I would have to order something different every time I came; I got the Pad Thai. Delicious. The next time: Lentil Loaf. Much more awesome than it sounds. Three Flavor Fish was great.

But then came the item that changed the New Me:Spicy Yaki Soba with Soy Fish. This dish changed the New Me into the Old Me and it's been the dish I've eaten every time I've been back.

Probably the most amazing thing about this food, and I have no idea if this is why vegan people are always going on and on about their diet (except my vegan friend, who has no interest in speaking about it), I walk out of that place feeling great. I mean, I eat mounds of Yaki Soba, every morsel on the plate, and I don't feel weighed down. I honestly have no idea what the heck they're doing to their food, but damn it, I like it.

You will too. Promise.

Vegan Glory
8393 Beverly Blvd.
LA, 90048
Link