B G R The Burger Joint

BGR is a gourmet hamburger joint in Mobile. It's part of a small chain that has about 22 locations in nine states. Locations are mainly in the South, but other BGRs can be found in three different time zones.

The menu features a veggie burger and a variety of vegetarian sides, including vegetables and French fries.

The veggie burger patty was made with brown rice, black beans, oats and molasses on a brioche bun with lettuce, tomato, onion, pickle and condiments. While the dressing was nice, the burger patty was dry, mealy and flavorless. It needed every bit of mayo on it and an ocean of ketchup to make the patty able to be swallowed. 

The fries were excellent. They varied between soft and crispy depending on the thickness of each potato. The grilled asparagus had a smoky flavor and a pleasant presentation.

Overall, it's nice that this chain makes an effort to include a burger option for vegetarians. They just have to work harder on the veggie burger recipe.

Newk's Express Cafe

Newk's Express Cafe is a fast-casual sandwich shop based in Mississippi. It is most comparable to McAllister's, a concept that could be described a Panera Bread with Southern touches and pizza.

Where McAllister's has a Southern accent, Newk's seems to have fully embraced its inner hillbilly. Despite its Southern roots, Newk's does offer plenty of options for both vegans and vegetarians. 

The menu is made up of toasted sandwiches, salads, soups and thin-crust pizza. The entree salads are definitely large enough to serve as a meal.

There are two vegetarian sandwiches, both served on a white sandwich roll. The veggie club is made with mushrooms, roasted red and yellow peppers, pesto and goat cheese.

The grilled cheese sandwich is prepared with Newk's house-made pimento cheese, which is also available for sale on its own. The sandwich is rich and slightly sweet, and it is a great use of a Southern staple.

Newk's has three vegetarian pizzas.The dessert menu consists of assorted baked goods and numerous cakes. 

Freedom a la Cart

If dining out during these economically trying times weighs on your conscience, Freedom a la Cart eases your mind by transforming your craving for a sandwich into an act of charity.

Freedom a la Cart is a Latin-themed food cart that always offers a vegan or vegetarian sandwich and side dish. The cart is run by Doma International, and proceeds go toward fighting human trafficking in central Ohio as well as organizations that support area survivors. 

The meatless sandwich is called the Papa. It is a vegan potato sandwich with a lemon white bean relish and a vegan garlic aioli made from almonds. The aioli added a richness to the bright cirtus flavors of the sandwich.

The vegan side was an orange blossom cole slaw made with organic red cabbage. The slaw was crunchy, and it displayed delightful floral notes from the orange blossom.

Freedom a la Cart can be found using social media. They are regularly at Double Happiness in the Brewery District on Wednesday.

Per Zoot

Per Zoot serves Italian sandwiches out of a little white school bus. Sandwiches are made on a tigelle, a thick Italian halved biscuit.

The vegetarian sandwich was roasted eggplant, red onion, asparagus and parmesan cheese. The eggplant had excellent texture and displayed sweet flavors balanced by smoke. It came with a side of green beans.

The sandwich at Per Zoot was fairly priced. I ended up eating two sandwiches in order to make a satisfying meal but spent only $10.

The bus looks great. It's red and white with Cupid worked into the design.

The Burrito Bus

Fans of Athens' favorite food cart the Burrito Buggy will find plenty to like at the Burrito Bus. Steve Stone and the rest of the staff turn out a variety of Mexican favorites.

Almost anything on the menu is available with a vegan or vegetarian preparation. The meatless protein is a marinated tofu. It was a spicy Cajun tofu when I visited the Burrito Bus.

The Burrito Bus offered burritos, tacos, a burrito bowl and nachos. Much like Chipotle, items can be customized by selecting toppings.

The Hot Mama Burrito is rolled with one end open. It is stuffed with the tofu, rice, black beans, lettuce, tomato, onions, salsa, cheese, sour cream and jalepeños.

The tacos are quite large. They were made with the same ingredients as the burrito minus the rice and beans.

This truck definitely has potential for lunches and late-night eats. The Burrito Bus can be followed on the usual social media suspects.

Dempsey's Restaurant

Dempsey's Restaurant opened more than a week ago on South High Street near the Courthouse. It serves breakfast, lunch and dinner seven days a week.

Dempsey's should fit in well amongst its legal environs considering owner Mark Dempsey previously worked as Director of the Franklin County Clerk of Courts office in one of his many government jobs. The decor is classic, and service was capable and brisk for the working crowd.

The menus were developed by Chef Noah Yates. Yates is a graduate of the Hocking Culinary Institute and previously worked at the Refectory. While the menu isn't heavy on vegetarian fare, the staff addressed all vegetarian concerns and did an excellent job communicating with the kitchen. Vegans are mostly out of luck.

The breakfast menu has a variety of French toasts and pancakes as well as omelets and home fries. Coffee is roasted at Impero.

Lunch and dinner feature sandwiches, salads and various comfort food classics.

The grilled portabella sandwich comes on a brioche bun with roasted red peppers, mozzarella cheese, a basil balsamic dressing, romaine lettuce, tomato and onion. All of the ingredients were excellent, although the sandwich might have benefited from additional seasoning.

The veggie melt is prepared on Texas toast and stuffed with spinach, red peppers, portabella mushrooms, onions, mozzarella, provolone and pesto sauce. This was by far the better of the two vegetarian sandwiches.

There is a full bar at Dempsey's. While they are still ironing out some of the kinks after opening, it should still provide a decent, inexpensive breakfast and lunch option.

Street Thyme

Street Thyme is the latest food truck to hit the streets of Columbus. Although the focus is burgers, vegetarians need not fear: Street Thyme also makes a damned good veggie burger.

The Owner of Street Thyme, Steven Zeppetella, is the sous chef at Elevator. This menu gives him a chance to work with items that are more informal than those at Elevator.

All of the burgers at Street Thyme, including the veggie burger, are doubles. Burgers are served on a toasted Klosterman's bun.

The veggie burger, called the High Street Herbivore, is a house made patty with lentils, chickpeas and corn as well as a variety of other vegetables with a curried yogurt condiment. The texture is soft, and the flavor is bright and fresh.

The tater tots are dusted in barbecue spices. The outside of the tots was crispy, and the shredded potatoes are a great canvas to bring out its nuanced smoky flavors.

Street Thyme has a rotating cast of milkshake flavors. The Butterfinger banana shake was a match made in heaven. The other flavor was strawberry rhubarb.

Street Thyme keeps a schedule on its website. Like most other food trucks, they can be located on Twitter and Facebook.

Carsonie's

The menu at Carsonie's has pizza and pasta and sandwiches. But the star attraction on is stromboli.

Carsonie's has a location in Upper Arlington as well as one in Westerville. The Upper Arlington location has a full bar.

The stromboli crust is thin with a crispy exterior. It stands up well to its substantial filling.

The vegetarian stromboli is stuffed with onions, black olives, artichokes, tomatoes and an ocean of cheese. The accompanying marinara sauce is sweet and adds a nice punch to the stromboli.

The decor at Carsonie's in Upper Arlington is heavy on local tchotchkes. There is a separate take-out entrance.

Flip Side

Flip Side is a fancy hamburger joint that started in the Akron area. The first location in Central Ohio opened recently at Easton.

The decor at Flip Side is fun. There is an emphasis on fresh, local ingredients on the menu.

Despite the burger focus, Flip Side actually does have a few vegetarian menu options.

The first warning for vegetarians is that many of the fried items are fried in lard. The staff asked the kitchen and did a great job pointing out vegetarian items on the menu.

The macaroni and cheese is vegetarian. Straight macaroni noodles are dressed with a creamy white cheddar sauce that is flecked with oregano and parsley. It had a nice creaminess but was undersalted.

The veggie burger is prepared low-carb with two chickpea patties surrounding avocado, sprouts and romaine alongside house made ketchup. The patties were crispy on the outside and soft and crumbly on the inside. It is a tasty veggie burger that might benefit if it were served on a bun.

There are a couple of thick shakes on the menu. The blueberry pie shake was delicious and gave the straw fits.

The beer list at Flip Side was heavy on small brewers. The were 20 taps, as well as bottled option from Ohio producers including Great Lakes, Thirsty Dog, Rivertown, Columbus Brewing Company and Elevator.

Sun Tong Luck Asian Cuisine

Sun Tong Luck is a gem of a restaurant settled into a strip mall on Bethel Road. The modest decor belies the high quality vegetarian and vegan fare served there.

Owner and chef Frank Louie has been a fixture in Chinese food in Central Ohio since 1982. His wife is a gracious host who effortlessly recalls the ordering specifications of regular customers.

Service is quick. While Sun Tong Luck is geared toward take-out, there is seating for about 20 inside. Prices are reasonable.

Sun Tong Luck focuses on healthy ingredients. They use separate vegetarian equipment in the kitchen. The staff capably addresses all requests for vegan food.

The spring rolls are fried. The vegan dumplings taste great with hot mustard or soy sauce.

Tofu dishes can be prepared with the bean curd boiled or fried. There are 13 vegetarian or vegan entrees on the menu.

The General Tso's tofu was delightfully spiced. The house made sauce is slightly less sweet than the goopy mess that dresses this dish at lesser establishments. The version at Sun Tong Luck is excellent.

The black bean tofu is prepared in a traditional sauce with broccoli, carrots and water chestnuts adding texture. It was well prepared.

Overall, Sun Tong Luck offers great choices for vegetarians. It isn't the flashiest, but it packs a lot of punch for the price.