The PDX Vegan Hundred!

The PDX Vegan Hundred: 100 Great Foodz in Portland, OR

1) Copy this list into your own blog, facebook or website, including these instructions.
2) Bold all the items you’ve eaten.
3) Italicize any items that you would never consider eating (I changed that from crossing out because I'm a noob and don't know how to do that!).
4) Post a comment here once you’ve finished and link your post back to this one.
5) Pass it on!

1. Fries with spicy tofu sauce at Dots - oh yeah!
2. $1 Corndog from Hungry Tiger Too - I tried a corndog when I was 4 and it was disgusting. Never again!
3. Chick-o-Stick doughnut from Voodoo Doughnuts - but I prefer the yeasted variety.
4. Tiramisu from Portobello -I tried to order this the one time I went, and they were out of it!
5. Vegan Mulita from Gorditos or Gorditos II - I have got to fix this one! I live in NW, so I get my taco/chimichanga fix at Cha Cha Cha.
6. Nanotear Ham and Cheeze sandwich from Tube - just took a bite of one about a month ago, so proud of myself! That thing looks so gross to me!
7. Milkshake from Sip
8. Gnocchi from Portobello
9. Caramel Nut Bar from Sweetpea Baking Co. - I think I've tried everything but this!
10. Soft serve from Blossoming Lotus - I don't even like ice cream, but this is good stuff!
11. Local cherry tomatoes from a farmers market - those purple-y green-y ones are my fave!
12. Dong Po Tofu from Bay Leaf - I've never been to Bay Leaf! What kind of vegan am I???
13. Jerked chickun from Assase Ital - it doesn't look appetizing to me, but people in line always tell me I have to try it!
14. A Big Big Lunch Special from an Indian cart - like over 100 times. By a lot.
15. Soy latte made with Stumptown espresso - does a mocha count? Mmmmm moooccchhhhaaaaa.
16. A crappy tofu scramble - the places that serve them in NW come to mind...
17. Cornmeal pizza from Dovi Vive. - I have got to try this stuff! I'm just never in the neighborhood.
18. Weeping Tiger sandwich from Bye & Bye - I love it! Almost as much as the bbq tofu plate!
19. Bye & Bye or Floor Punch from Bye & Bye - boozy, gigantic, and delicious.
20. A Bowl meal from a cart - nope! I have a few beloved carts I stick to...
21. vegan nutella from freddy's hazelnuts - holy crap, why have I not heard of this???
22. soy curls in bulk from food fight or proper eats - it's silly, but soy curls weird me out. Like Tofurkey brats used to, but now I love those, so I need to try soy curls!
23. buffalo wings from Vita - we went there for Valentine's Day this year, and I finally understand why people like buffalo wings! It's all about the sauce. Jesse thinks all his meat-loving friends would love these wings.
24. the weekday vegan pancakes from Laurelthirst - I've made a point to go there when I have a day off a few times!
25. Maple vegan sausage waffle from flavourspot - my mom got this and I tried it. I liked my strawberry and faux whipped cream one better!
26. Drunken noodles with pepper steak from Thai Food Cafe - need to go there!
27. Macnocheeto from Homegrown Smoker - I still haven't been there :( Bad vegan!
28. Veggie platter from an Ethiopian restaurant - only once. I don't like injera!
29. Blackberries picked from a public place - only my whole life!
30. Baba Ganouj from Ya Hala - I love their hummus...
31. Coconut Mashed Yams from Papa G’s - that sounds tasty!!!
32. Butternut Squash Wontons from Hungry Tiger Too - these are amazing. Heaven in your mouth!!!
33. Vegan slice from Bella Faccia - yum yum!
34. Apple pie from Whiffies - I went to the carts once and didn't even see Whiffies! Too much to drink at that point... I did find vegan poutine, though!
35. Chili dog from Zach’s Shack - that does not sound appetizing.
36. Vegan poutine from Potato Champion - oh yes! See above!
37. Missionary Chocolate Truffle - Jesse got me a box for Vday this year, so good!!!
38. Apron Activists 4-Course Dinner - I'm too poor! Wah wah wah!
39. Hot Wok at New Seasons - There are so many NS in this city, and I don't live near one!
40. Che Guevara Burrito from Laughing Planet - well, in bowl form. I don't like flour tortillas.
41. Bryan’s Bowl from Por Que No? - actually never been there. Like 12 years ago it was a corner store right by my best friend's duplex, and you could buy cigarettes if you flirted with the old guy that owned it.
42. Pad Thai from Pad Thai Kitchen - I like it! Not the best curries, but the noodles are where it's at! I think the Pad Kee Maow is even better.
43. Cupcake from a stand at Last Thursday - I am always distracted by the firedancers?
44. The Giant Pancake at Hungry Tiger Too - I've never ordered breakfast food there!
45. TLP from Red & Black Cafe - yum!
46. Cornmeal tempeh plate from Proper Eats - I've only been there once... I hope to live closer soon!
47. Tofu Po Boy at Palm State Gumbo - Didn't even know about it!
48. Maple Walnut Scone from Back to Eden - they're famous already!
49. Vegan Mezza platter from a Lebanese restaurant - I have eaten so many of these....
50. Crispy eggplant from Fujin
51. Lemongrass Tofu Sticks from Van Hanh
52. Tofu Salad Bun at Pho PDX
53. Cocktail made with local liquor - I am drinking one right now! haha Hot toddy with Clear Creek Distillery apple brandy and agave.
54. Biscuits and Gravy from Paradox - HOG style for life!
55. Smoky soy curls from Homegrown Smoker - I need to hang out on Alberta more!
56. Field Roast sausage - I always eat the Celebration Roast for Tday, but it's all good all year really.
57. Secret Aardvark Hot Sauce - I like it a lot, but still prefer the versatility of Sriracha.
58. Toddbot's Triangles - I want to! They aren't at my farmers market :(
59. Local microbrew - I'm so not a beer person, but I have sampled many. Ruby from McMenamin's being my favorite. Yes, I'm a girl!
60. Hot Lips soda - good stuff. You can fill up your growler with it, too!
61. Herb Crusted Tofu with Mushroom Marsala from The Farm Cafe - It is perfect.
62. had a picnic in Laurelhurst Park - a PPK potluck picnic! And many summer picnics with the kids in my class after playing and feeding the ducks :)
63. burrito from Shelley's Honkin Huge Burritos - I had one when I was vegetarian, wasn't that impressed. I got a free coupon for some new student thing at PSU.
64. Eggplant tibs from Bete Lukas - Sounds tasty.
65. Tator Tots before noon or after midnight - after midnight for sure!
66. Lone Ranger from Chaos Cafe - Never been there. Weird.
67. Sunday brunch at Sweetpea! - Love this so much!!! I need to go more often.
68. Tofu at a BBQ place (for example Derby Mustard Sauce Tofu at Russel Street BBQ) - no, but I need to! I didn't know there were vegan options at RS!
69. Mint Fava Falafel at Nightlight Lounge - I want!
70. An unexciting hummus plate at a bar. - like every time I go to McMenamin's! It's so cheap on the happy hour menu, though...
71. Vegan meatball sub from Aalto Lounge - never even been there, I don't think?
72. Koi Fusion spicy tofu tacos - good, but not great. Not enough cilantro!
73. Veggie dog from the Vegi dog stand - my good friend works there, but I've never had one and don't plan on it!
74. Sesame chicken from a vegetarian chinese restaurant - sampled from someone Else's plate, but I prefer tofu!
75. Bagel with bacun scallion cream cheese at Sweetpea. I get this every time I go to Sweetpea...
76. Vegan savoury crepe
77. Veggie kibbeh - good, but I regretted not getting a mezza.
78. Club Vegan at Backspace - had a few other sandwiches there, though...
79. ice cream sundae from Back to Eden - I haven't been there yet at all!
80. Raw fudge from Blossoming Lotus - I've never tried it! Should I? I got awful stale carrot cake there once and I've never gotten dessert again!
81. Tempeh Reuben - yum yum! I love sauerkraut!
82. Pause vegan burger
83. vegan ribs
84. something baked with local marionberries
85. Veggie bento box - Chef Naoko makes a tasty one, and it's right by my work!
86. Dave's Killer Bread - Dave got me to like sandwiches! The only sandwich bread that has ever tasted good to me!
87. Higher Taste Buzzitos - I don't like them (my flour tortilla issue). Higher Taste TLC burger, what what!?!
88. Thai food that the server swears is vegan, but you taste fish sauce. Sad but true.
89. Elephant ear from the Saturday Market - which ones are vegan? I keep forgetting about this!
90. Dovetail sticky bun - omg, these are so amazing.
91. savoury pie from Nicholas restaurant - I love the spinach and pine nut one!
92. Salad rolls from the Just Thai cart - I hear such good things about this cart!
93. Vegan torta from Gorditos II - Tortas don't sound too good to me, but I'd try one.
94. Nutritional yeast on your popcorn at a movie theater - popcorn is Devil food! Yuck yuck yuck!!!
95. Vegan grilled cheese from The Grilled Cheese Grill
96. Pasilla burrito from El Nutri
97. Something from the vegetarian menu at Andina
98. Vegan Steak and Cheese from D.C. Vegetarian
99. Dragon Noodles at Red and Black - this is yummy!
100. Falafel from Wolf & Bears -too many new places to keep up with!

Score: 50/100! I need to eat out more!!! And only 4 things I wouldn't eat - pretty good for a picky eater such as myself!

Much love to JessSconed for this awesome Portland-centric Vegan Hundred!!!

Fridge tag!

Here's another fun veganmofo game from Bianca of VeganCrunk! From her blog:
"So, what's in your fridge? I wanna know. I'm tagging anyone who has any of these items in their refrigerator:
1) A log of Teese
2) More than 2 bottles of hot sauce
3) Something pickled that's not a cucumber
4) Packaged condiments from a fast food joint
5) A winter squash"

I have 3 bottles of hot sauce and pickled jalapenos. Woohoo! Here goes:

The whole shebang

Top shelf:

Flax seed meal, hemp oil, cat food, Chocolate Chai Rice Dream, cocktail mix, green juice, organic chocolate syrup (so good on bananas!), Vegenaise and garlic aioli, jams, applesauce, pickles, and jalapenos. Some vegan but sad fakey syrup hiding in the back.
Bottom shelf:
leftovers, almond and cashew butter, refried beans, enchilada sauce, some old tapenade I forgot about, even older non-vegan nacho cheese and shitty pasta sauce, Earth Balance, Tofutti Sour Supreme, and salsa.
Bottom shelf:
baking soda, corn tortillas, burger buns, Dave's Killer Bread

Crisper:
salad greens, mushrooms, pears, roma tomatoes, apple, carrots, green onions, parsley, beets, carrot, nectarine

Fridge door:
onion, mustard, lemon juice, 3 curry pastes, margarine, veggie dogs (I got those for Jesse and he didn't like them), some hot sauces, Goddess dressing, ketchup, teriyaki sauce, Cha Cha Chicken salad dressing (so good for soba salad), miso mayo, a bunch of dressings that aren't as good as the Goddess.

The hot sauces:
Sriracha
Yucatan Sunshine habanero
Crystal Louisiana style

If Bianca's post didn't tag you, I'm gonna try to tag you! Bare it all if you have the following in your fridge:

1. More than one form of chocolate

2. 3 or more salad dressings

3. a nutritional supplement

4. food with a discount sticker on it

5. baking soda

Yet another Veganmofo survey! Yay!

Jess of Get Sconed created this fun survey - thanks, Jess! I totally love surveys and I didn't take any photos today, so you saved this mofo!

What was the most recent tea you drank?
Hmmm... I don't really drink tea. I'm gonna guess it was the Organic Oregon Chai I bought last winter? BTW, OC has honey in it, except for the organic version!

What vegan forms do you post/lurk on? If so, what is your username? Spill!
I was on the Craigslist vegan forum for like 4 years until a few months ago. When it was published to the front page of CL it attracted lots of people - many of them trolls, and some were habitual trolls with a zillion differnent user names. It was just a pain to deal with so I left. The people on that forum really helped me go vegan and gave me so much support and lots of resources. I was BigEnchiladas. Now I post on the ppk as VavoomKitty.

You have to have tofu for dinner, and it has be an Italian dish. What comes to mind first?
Lasagna!

How many vegan blogs do you read on an average day?
10 or so.

Besides your own, what is the most recent one you’ve read?
Wing it Vegan. River has been doing a Halloweeny veganmofo theme and her creations are just amazing. She made the cutest falafel monsters ever earlier this week! Seriously!

If you had to base your dinners for a week around one of the holy trilogy – tofu, seitan or tempeh, which would it be?
Tofu for sure. I don't like seitan, and I think I would get bored of tempeh.

If you had to use one in a fight, which would it be?
Seitan because I'd be all "seitan is on my side, bitches!" and I'd go to pull it out of my pocket and they'd be all "omg, she's a witch! Run!!!" and I'd win.

Name 3 meals you’d realistically make with that tough protein of choice!
Oh shit, but I wouldn't make any! Honestly, I've only had it at chinese restaurants and I got some in a can at Food Fight and it looked like brains and scared the crap out of me. What the heck do you all do with seitan?

What’s a recipe in vegan blogland that you’ve been eyeing?
Pretty much everything from Vegan Dad's blog. Like this Chocolate Pumpkin Pudding Cake... drool!

Do you own any clothing with vegan messages/brands on them?
I rock the red wings are for flying, not frying hoodie multiple times per week. I need another Herbivore hoodie! I also have a give peas a chance shirt that I got from Buffalo Exchange. And lots of AR/vegan message pins on my purse or sometimes clothes.

Have you made your pilgrimage to the 'vegan mecca' yet? (Portland, duh)
I've lived here all my life! What what! Holla!

What age did you first go vegan? Did it stick?
22. I was vegetarian from about 12, and started cutting dairy out at 19 (I refused to eat eggs after finding a bloody one when I was 4). It stuck and I wish I had just done it at 19 instead of eliminating things so slowly!

What is the worst vegan meal you’ve had? Who cooked it?
The lasagna I made last month was pretty bad... I ran out of sauce so it got all burny :(

What made you decide to blog?
I'd been thinking about it for awhile... I read a lot of blogs anyways!

What are three of your favorite meals to make?
taco salad, nachos, enchiladas, are you sensing a theme? haha!

What dish would you bring to a vegan Thanksgiving-themed potluck?
Tofu pumpkin pie, baby! Mmmmmmmmmmmmmm

Where is your favorite vegan meal at a restaurant? How many times have you ordered it?
I love the vegan fajitas at Mazatlan. It's also a few blocks from our apartment! I've had that at least 20 times over the years. The live noodle bowl at Blossoming Lotus is another fave. I'd guess 10 times or so on that one.

What do you think the best chain to dine as a vegan is?
I despise chains! Not just for the lack of vegan options, but it makes me so sad how homogenized the US is... I just don't get that mentality. That said, I'll go with Subway.

My kitchen needs a………
Food processor! And of course, more space. Some counter space would be nice!

This vegetable is not allowed in my kitchen…..!
Brussels sprouts

What's for dinner tonight?
I had edamame, a veggie roll, inari, and sake. And it was $8! I love sushi happy hour!

Another Veganmofo survey!

Thanks to Broke-Ass Vegan for passing along this survey!

1. If you have to choose between locally grown or organic, which do you usually choose?
Honestly, most of the local stuff here is not certified organic, but the farmers use organic methods so it isn't much of an issue. I lean towards local in general, though.

2. Favorite way to prepare potatoes:
Roasted; but mashed with Earth Balance, Tofutti Sour Supreme, and garlic is a close second!

3. Do you press your tofu before preparing/cooking it (if you eat soy)?
Not really. I tend not to prepare or plan much before I cook something... but if I'm cooking for other people I do. I usually just open up the package and squeeze it with my hands over the sink. Does that sorta count?

4. Name your favorite recipe that is a tradition in your family:
Sadly, we don't really have any traditional recipes. My Mexican grandma moved to Oregon when she was young to work in the shipyards, and changed her name to an America one, stopped speaking Spanish, and refused to cook Mexican food. My Mom cooked steaks and meatloaf and nasty stuff for her husband when I was a kid, and I mostly ate at my friend's houses. I'll have to start a tradition!

5. Any food allergies?
Not that I know of, though I have broken out in hives a few times in the last couple years...

6. When you want to go to a fancy dinner, where do you go?
The Farm or Nutshell.

7. When you have a cold, what do you crave?
Hot sauce and onions.

8. What kind of water do you drink? (Filtered, spring, tap, etc.)
Plain old tap water. We have good water here.

9. Name a flavor of soda you'd love to see:
I don't like soda, but I'd have to go with chocolate! Maybe then I would like soda?

10. If the recipes you ate as a child were compiled into a cookbook, what would the title be?
Cheese pizza, ranch dressing, cheese enchiladas, and jalapeno poppers - how to have a coronary on a vegetarian diet. (This reflects my teenage years).

11. If you were allowed to grow one food that can't grow in your climate, what would it be?
Avocado!!!

12. Favorite type of mushroom?
I can't really taste the difference from mushroom to mushroom, but I love how big portobellas are.

13. Most frustrating part of your kitchen?
There is literally no counter space. We have a tiny bit under this big glass china cabinet, but it isn't very deep because the cabinet sticks out.

14. Last food you burned?
Garlic. It cooks so fast!

15. Usual response to a veg*n's favorite question, "But where do you get your protein?":
"Actually, there's a lot of protein in veggies and even fruit! Not to mention beans and grains. I tracked my protein intake last year, and I had double the amount needed by an adult female. Protein deficiency in adults is really unheard of in the US."

16. If you were baking your own birthday cake today, what flavor would it be?
Chocolate. I wouldn't bake my own cake, though!

17. Favorite brand of chocolate chips?
Guittard semi sweet. They're always on sale at Fred Meyer!

18. You have $200 of your tax return reserved for Williams Sonoma- What do you buy?
A Magic Bullet, a nice platter, some wine glasses.

19. Do you plan your menus in advance? Any tips to share?
No, but I aspire to one day. It's really not in my nature :(

20. You have 3 minutes before you have to leave the house and you're starving- What do you eat?
Bad habit, but I don't. My body knows not to get hungry early in the morning, though.

21. If Martha Stewart, Paula Deen, and Rachel Ray got into a fight, who would win?
I'm gonna say Rachel. Her pearly white smile would blind them all!

22. If you eat oatmeal, what do you add to it before serving?
Nut milk, brown sugar, raisins and craisins.

23. If you got to travel to one country and learn all the traditional dishes there, where would you go (ignore commitments in your current place of residence)?
India of Lebanon. That's a hard one!

24. Favorite late night snack?
A bit of dark chocolate.

25. Favorite springtime food?
I can't think of what becomes ripe suddenly in the Spring... I think most of it isn't ready until summer here...

26. Favorite food-related magazine?
Vegetarian Times is alright, I don't really read magazines though.

27. Which do you prefer: shoyu, tamari, conventional soy sauce, or Bragg's Aminos?
Shoyu.

28. What vegetable or fruit do you dislike the most?
Watermelon. I wouldn't eat it for $20, it's that yucky to me!

29. Name a holiday food you look forward to all year long:
Does soy eggnog with rum count? I also love pumpkin pie.

30. If you could convert anyone to veganism with your magic wand, who would you convert?
My husband. I know that's selfish, but it would be awesome! Other than that... the President would be good.

Veganmofo survey!

Thanks for passing this along, VeganView!

1. Name a song that involves food in some way?

Biscuit - Portishead

2. What criteria do you use when buying a new cookbook?

Do I have money? LOL! No really, I'm a novice cook, so I don't have many cookbooks. I use vegweb a lot.

3. What did you eat today?

A bagel with hummus and veggies, a small bowl of veggie chili, a sticky bun... I need some fruit!

4. Name a vegan food you know exists but have never tried...

I don't think I've ever had a vegan tamale. Sad!

5. The Food Network just called and needs you to start your new show tomorrow. What will the title be?

Vegan Eating for Dummies

6. Favorite hot sauce or other spicy condiment?

That is a tough one... I love Sriracha, Aarvark habanero hot sauce, and wasabi

7. How old were you when you became vegan?

22

8. Favorite vegan cheeze?

Follow Your Heart because it's cheap. Sheese Gouda flavor is really good on crackers with mustard, though!

9. Cutest baby animal?

Any that's not a human and is very furry!

10. Favorite type of jam/jelly?

I love the lavender-infused ones at the farmers market

11. Do you take any vitamins/supplements?

VegLife Vegan Multi

12. What food/dish most embodies the Fall Season?

Definitely pumpkin pie!

13. What food would you have a hard time living without?

Tofu, avocado, olive oil, chocolate

14. Coffee, Tea or Hot Chocolate?

If it's plain old coffee, then hot chocolate for sure, but if it's a yummy mocha with hemp milk or something, I'm all over that!

15. It's 10 pm and you're starving. What do you eat?

Have I been drinking? haha If not, a handful of nuts or a salad or just go to bed, if yes - I've been known to make cheezy sauce all hours of the night!

16. If you have an animal companion, what is her/his favorite food?

My kitties love their fancy gross meat food, but they (especially Cookie) love to eat whatever else I'm eating. Zoey loves vegan coffee cake, Smart Bacon, and goes wild over chevre when my husband has it.

17. Worst injury you have gotten in the kitchen?

I burned myself pretty good on my inner forearm on the oven the night before I left for Italy... when I got back 2 weeks later it was still all scabby. No scar now, though! That was about 2.5 years ago.

18. When you have a food-related question, who do you call?

Whoever I think will answer the phone! Usually my husband or my best friend.

19. Summer is ending-what food will you miss the most?

That's a toss up between heirloom tomatoes and berries. I love summer!

20. What snacks do you keep in your purse/backpack/desk at work?

Purse - dried fruit and nuts
Work - Lara bars and sometimes a box of cereal or packets of oatmeal. I'm trying to start eating breakfast... it's really hard for me :(

21. Favorite soup to make on a rainy day?

Does chili count?

22. What is your favorite combination of fresh vegetable/fruit juices?

I really like green juices, a la Naked or Columbia Valley.

23. Favorite brand of root beer?

Root beer is foul

24. You are having three vegan celebs to dinner! Who are they?

~James Cromwell

~Woody Harrelson

~Erykah Badu

25. Make your own veganic question! Here's mine:
When was the first time you heard the word "vegan?" What was your first impression?
I remember hearing the word vegan (pronounced vay-gun) when I was a sophomore in high school. A punk friend of mine thought I would be interested in all this stuff he had found out about dairy because I was a vegetarian. He told me about it while I drank a milkshake and he ate a burger at Burgerville. I didn't believe him. I never heard anything about vegans again until I started college and met a few!

And here's a yummy little sticky bun I just ate from Dovetail Bakery