***This vacation was taken before I started blogging and before I started photos of my meals. It still contains relevant info on sightseeing and dining.***
When we think of the state of Texas, we think of cattle country. Vegetarians and vegans may shutter at the thought of vacationing in a land where there are presumed to be no plausible dining options. What I have pleasantly found is that is NOT the case! I found SEVERAL vegetarian, even VEGAN restaurants in Dallas proper and the surrounding areas. Vegan travel is not an oxymoron in Texas.
One of my goals in life is not only to visit every continent, but to also visit each region of our beautiful country, The USA! As I am working my way westward, I found myself wanting to visit Texas for Memorial Day weekend. Seeing firsthand the vast landscape, farm country, and city life and culture “Southern style” were on my to-do list.
I knew that it would be a challenge to find some good food choices for myself. I am a vegan (LOVE animals… Peace!). My pre-planning paid off as I found several restaurant choices on the web. A great vegetarian/vegan dining resource guide is http://www.happycow.com. You can search for veggie-friendly restaurants anywhere in the country or the world.
The first one where I dined is called Kalachandjis. It is in a residential area of Dallas. They provide inexpensive buffet style lunches. The meal is mainly Indian food but they offer several other international options daily. The food is delicious. You can sit inside or outside under a gazebo type area. Nice atmosphere.
Downtown Dallas has another wonderful eatery called Cosmic Cafe. Again its reasonably priced and they offer several international as well as local selections. I ate a Mexican vegan enchalada with hot sauce and spices. It made me feel a part of the Mexican-influenced dining scene in Texas, even though I am vegan!
Another day during my trip included lunch on the outskirts of Dallas at an amazing vegan cafe called Spiral Diner. Its menu is varied with international choices for lunch/dinner, mouth-watering vegan desserts, and excellent breakfast items. Simply SCRUMPTIOUS!
I was very, very happy with the vegan dining options in Texas! You do not have to go way out in the boonies to find wonderful, veggie-friendly fare.
As for sightseeing options, I crammed alot in my long weekend (which is typical for me..go..go..go!!!!!)!
There is the Dallas JFK Museum tour, several local history museums, the Dallas Art museum, the Asian Art Museum is a must-see, a city tour by bus (to learn the city’s history and landmarks), and a stroll by the West End. The Reunion Tower deck will give you a view overlooking the entire city. The Dallas Zoo displayed animal life from all over the world.
The train system runs smooothly and can get you to other towns for additional sightseeing. I took the train (then hopped in a cab)further north to visit Southfork Ranch where the tv show Dallas was filmed(Don’t worry everyone, no animals there being raised for meat). The quaint little towns and sprawling landscapes were something I am not accustomed to seeing in New England. That’
s an important part of travel: to experience different landscapes, different cultures, different cuisines, and different peoples.
It was another fun, vegan travel adventure!
Til next time……