March 2007 | Tastebuds
The Veggie Grill
Comfort food never felt so good
by Jessica Ridenour
If the thought of sinking your incisors into another ho-hum veggie burger tends to devolve into guilty Burger King fantasies, you might want to give Irvine’s newly opened Veggie Grill a shot. Here, comfort food — like fries, wings and hearty sandwiches — gets a healthful makeover using savory meat substitutes that don’t skimp on taste.
The idea for a wholesome eatery in the thick of the OC grew out of “personal frustration with our inability to eat well without feeling punished for eating smart,” says co-founder Kevin Boylan. After scoping out healthy restaurants across the country, Boylan and partner T.K. Pillan coaxed Ray White, co-founder of SoCal vegan chain Native Foods, into partnership. And like Native Foods, The Veggie Grill places tempeh and “wheat meat” (also known as seitan) at the heart of most entrées. Both marinate well and have a hearty, chewy texture similar to meat — which may prove a pleasant surprise for even the most diehard carnivore. Chill Out Wings actually do taste like toothsome chicken tenders and Bali Bliss could satisfy any meat-lover’s burger craving.
But don’t call The Veggie Grill a vegetarian restaurant. While it’s bound to be a hit with the Birks and patchouli crowd, the owners emphasize that it’s simply quick, affordable, nourishing grub for the masses, free of cholesterol, trans fat and refined sugar. “We want to be an option for anybody who wants delicious, high quality food,” says Pillan. “Our vision is to make it fun to eat wholesome.”
Irvine might be best known for shiny new office complexes and master planned communities, but Veggie Grill’s founders are banking that its primo location beside Trader Joe’s, just a stone’s throw from UC Irvine, will draw adventurous college students and health-conscious omnivores alike. With a menu that includes appetizers, salads, soups, sandwiches and desserts, there’s certain to be a little something for every dietary persuasion.
The Veggie Grill, 4213 Campus Drive, Irvine 92612. 949.509.0003. VeggieGrill.com .
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