Laika Dog has since been closed. We were so sad to see them leave​!

Type: Vegan-friendly 
Meal: Dinner 
Price: $ 
Laika Dog is a casual, hipster-esque hot dog and grilled cheese service out of UFO Factory. They have fill-out-yourself menus that you take to the bar and then your meal is brought out to you by the bartender. 
UFO Factory, which serves as a music venue on Fridays and Saturday nights, is your run of the mill dive bar. It has booths lining the walls, a bar stretching across one side of the room, and a small stage, which has old movies, TV shows, and music videos projected during the day. In addition, they have a few classic arcade games: pinball, Vanguard, and Phoenix.  
Their menu offers conventional meat dogs in addition to Field Roast vegan hot dogs. On top of the conventional hot dog toppings, they have a number of unique toppings including thai-peanut, spicy vegan mayo, wasabi mayo, raspberry-ancho-mint, a number of pickled veggies, spicy slaw, and pinot grigio mushrooms. My go to dish is one of their signature dogs: Nacho, which includes vegan nacho cheese, pickled red onion, jalapenos, avocado, and cilantro. They also offer tater tots and crinkled fries which can be topped with any of their toppings. Lastly, they offer a couple of small salads and sometimes soup.  
This place is a great option when you’re looking for an unhealthy, fast-food style meal. However, it lives up to more than that with the distinctive toppings. Also considering almost all of their food has an equal vegan option, it’s a great place for those looking for vegan options! 
Also, if you’re interested in taking advantage of their specials, they have a number of deals: ½ off meals on Wednesday from 4pm-10pm, $5 off food for dine in groups of 3 or more until 4pm on weekdays, $1 off hot dogs and grilled cheese on weekdays until 7pm for 60+ seniors and CCS and WSU students, $1 off well drinks and standards domestic bottled beers from 4pm-7pm during the week. ​

Type: Veg Friendly
Meal: Lunch
Price: $$

I love salads so I decided to visit a new salad place that I had heard about in downtown Detroit. 7 Greens Detroit Salad is located at 1222 Library St. near the McGregor Branch of the Detroit Public Library. Boy, has that area changed over the years. As we approached the restaurant, we noticed that there is outdoor seating as well as indoor seating, and since it was a warm day, they opened the entire wall window on Library so that the people sitting at the counter could also enjoy the nice weather. You order your meal cafeteria style.

When we walked in, there were no other people in line but the people that worked there seemed a little uninterested in their customers. Eventually, they asked us what we would like. I chose a ‘Fashion Your Own’ salad which means you can select up to two greens and 4 toppings. Each veggie topping beyond that is fifty cents extra except for the avocado along with some other” premium” toppings which is $1.50 extra. I like a lot of toppings and made my selections. The base $7.35 salad ended up costing about $11.00 because of the number of extra toppings I ordered. You also get a slice of bread, which is a really delicious nutty wheat type of bread. I got the Sesame Garlic dressing which was excellent. There were several other vegan dressings such as Spicy Cashew, Spicy Korean and Walnut Pesto which I plan to try in the future. The service was pretty quick, since there is very little prep work other than chopping up the salad. We ended up eating outside which I enjoyed since it was a beautiful warm day. Since it was lunchtime, I believe most of the customers walked on over during their lunch breaks as it was getting more and more crowded.

Along with a build your own salad menu option, there are several ‘Classic Salads’ which are static and are always on the menu such as:

• K Foxy (romaine, parmesan, and Caesar sauce)
  
• Detroit Greek (typical greek salad)
  
• Kale you Later (Kale, green apple, onions, raisins, almonds, parmesan with a tahini sauce)
  

 It looked as if there was one Classic Salad that was vegan (the Yoga Girl).  You can also order your salad in a wrap which is what my husband did.

All in all, the atmosphere and the vibe there was very nice and I look forward to going back in the future.

http://7greens.com

Pilar's Tamales has since been closed in Warren, MI. However, they still have a shop in Ann Arbor!

Type: Vegan Friendly
Meal: Dinner
Price: $
 
I had heard about a Tamale place called Pilars in Warren that does not use lard in their Tamales and got very excited! I finally made a point to go there for dinner shortly before they were to close (they close relatively early for dinner; at 6:00PM Tuesday thru Thursday and at 6:30 on Friday and Saturday).

We were greeted by Juan, the owner of Pilars and his adorable son. The restaurant is small, with only a few tables. We went to the counter to order tamales. I ordered one vegan black bean tamale and one tempeh tamale. The homemade tamales both come covered with delicious homemade sauce and served with a side of curtido (similar to cole slaw). Juan also gave us several levels of hot sauces to add to the tamales in case they were not spicy enough. Although my tamales were delicious all by themselves, I did try each of the hot sauces which were a bit too spicy for my liking.
Other items on the menu include:

Pupusa – handmade tortilla filled and grilled.
Quesedilla dessert  (Vegetarian)
Chocolate Chip Bliss Bar - Vegan

Juan told us that his tamales are a traditional Salvadoran recipe, his homeland which he left in 1984 at the young age of 14. Juan and his wife Sandy, who is also a yoga instructor along with other relatives work at the restaurant. Although they always have a variety of tamales on the menu, Juan told me that during the summer and fall months, they will use whatever vegetables (such as squash varieties) happen to be fresh in their tamales, particularly the vegan tamales. Juan also said that his sister had opened the original Pilar's in Ann Arbor on Liberty which is still in operation. Pilars also sells their food at the Royal Oak Farmer's Market. I was very impressed with the taste of the tamales as well as the price.

http://www.pilarstamaleseast.com/

Type: Vegetarian, mostly vegan
Meal: Dinner
Price: $$
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The saying goes “Everything gets better with time”. The Chicago Diner, which touts that they’ve been “meat-free since ‘83”, is pure proof of this saying: that the longer a restaurant has been open, the better its food will taste.
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This restaurant is completely vegetarian, but apart from the bright “MEAT-FREE” sign at the back of the restaurant, you wouldn’t be able to tell. The restaurant is contemporary, as opposed to an earthy or Zen-focused atmosphere you get at some veg restaurants, and this made it more comfortable for your run of the mill patrons. Exposed brick wall is complimented by unique light fixtures and wooden floors. To add a level of community, the middle of the restaurant is home to long booths that can be used for large parties or multiple parties.

On a Friday night, it was bustling. Before being seated, we sat at the bar to glance at the drink menu. Though all the cocktails seemed interesting and diverse, ranging from Lavender Gimlet to Vegan Russian, we didn’t end up getting alcoholic drinks. Their menu highlights their award winning vegan milkshakes, which we tried and which lived up to the hype. The chocolate peanut was luscious, creamy and thick, the perfect consistency for a milkshake. The chocolate chip cookie dough had the rich taste of cookie dough blended into a smooth milkshake. Both were topped with vegan whipped cream, which hit the spot.

We started with the BBQ Wings, which tasted eerily similar to conventional wings; at points while eating them, I had to take a step back to remind myself that they were indeed vegan. They tasted spot-on with the slight crunch and chewiness of wings and were topped with a delicious sauce.
Other notable appetizers included:

• Poutine
• Chimichurri Plantain Cakes
• Toasted pumpkin ravioli

For our entrees, we chose the Truffle Mushroom Lentil Loaf and the Country Fried Steak. The Truffle Mushroom Lentil Loaf was flavorful and little peppery. Served with potatoes and green beans, it was a very filling and dense meal that continued to get better bite after bite.  However, the best meal we tried there was the Country Fried Steak. The steak had just the right amount of chewiness and crunch on the outside, was topped with a rich peppery gravy, and was served with a side of mashed potatoes. If this didn’t scream “classic comfort food”, I don’t know what does.

Other notable entrees included:

• Shepherd’s Pie
• Pierogi Quesadilla
• The Radical Reuben sandwich
• Titanic BLT Burger

After these options, we were completely full and had no room left to try dessert. However, some items stuck out to us:

• Fudge Brownie Sundae
• Carrot Cake
• Cocoa Mousse Cake

Despite not trying these desserts at the restaurant, Whole Foods in Detroit actually sells slices of some of these desserts. The Carrot Cake and Cocoa Mousse Cakes are both available sometimes at Whole Foods and are both delectable with smooth, creamy frosting and fluffy cakes.

The pricing for our meal was reasonable. We both ended up taking home leftovers which ended up being a little more than a meal. Considering the amount of food on top of the quality of the food, I can’t complain about the slightly higher prices. 

Type: Vegan
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch Dinner
Price: $$

Located in the historic neighborhood Kerrytown, The Lunch Room fits perfectly in its neighborhood, showcasing the unique and welcoming atmosphere that the neighborhood strives for.

The restaurant is bright, with floor to ceiling windows that are lined with succulents. A counter lines about half of the restaurant, making up the bakery case, the ordering spot, seats that face the windows or watch your food made, and seats lined up to the small, but quaint bar. The interior is friendly, with mid-tone painted walls and bright accents. Though the seating is limited inside with about 12 tables and approximately 8 bar seats, they also offer outdoor seating during the warmer months. 

Per the name, their daily menu is focused on lunch-style dishes: salads, sandwiches, noodles. Our favorites are the Pad Thai, Mac and Cheese, Banh Mi Chay, and the Buffalo Wrap. They offer a daily soup and chili and for dinner, they have a rotating themed special: Mondays are Sushi night, Tuesdays are taco night, and so on. Though some of the specials stay the same, such as the same hearty pasty they serve on Friday nights, they sometimes have rotating options. For example, on Wednesday which is Asian Night, they have had Bibimbap, Ma Po Tofu, and different rice bowls. Though the specials are usually a little more than the normal menu, I highly recommend them because they’re usually overflowing with food.

In addition to lunch and dinner, they also offer a Saturday and Sunday brunch, which include items such as French Toast, Bisquit, Sausage, and Gravy, and numerous types of rice bowls.
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Make sure to try a dessert when you’re there. They usually offer between 5-10 desserts ranging from cinnamon rolls, whoopee pies, cakes, and cookies. I’ve never had a bad dessert there and more often than not, it is unbelievable how good these dishes are. Some of our favorites have included the Bourbon Caramel Donut, Oatmeal Cream Pie, and Cookie Dough Brownie.
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On top of it, the service is always great. The servers are friendly and the food comes out quickly. If a mistake is made, they're always quick to fix it and offer to make it up to you. 

Type: Vegan-friendly
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch
Price: $$

This restaurant is basically a diner with some updates. It has inset stools that are at the small counter, but also has exposed brick and an exposed ceiling, hinting at a hipster vibe. The windows were lined with plants giving it a homey feel and complimented the mint green walls.

There were 2-3 vegan options on the menu. I settled on the Tofu Sweet Potato Hash. Although it wasn’t really a hash since the sweet potatoes were cubed (as opposed to shredded), it did have great flavor. The tofu was prepared excellently: squeezed and fried up well and the steamed kale was fresh and full of flavor. It was served with really good bread which possibly could have been homemade, a side of Earth Balance butter, .and a small salad.
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The menu also included vegan pancakes and vegan tacos. In addition, they offered soy milk. Very delicious brunch overall. Be aware though that they only take cash. They have an ATM in the restaurant that has an added fee, but I would still recommend coming prepared with cash.

Type: Vegetarian
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch
Price: $$
Website: www.victorysbanner.com

Victory's Banner is breakfast and lunch spot for many Chicagoans. Their Zen-like atmosphere is welcoming and relaxing, with bright walls, colorful artwork, and plants around the restaurant.

Though their entire menu is vegetarian, they offer a completely separate vegan menu which includes a breakfast and lunch section. The breakfast section offers items such as French Toast, Tofu Scramble, and Oatmeal.  I got the Tofu Scramble for my meal with mushrooms and vegan chicken. It was delicious- flavorful and filling, especially with the vegan chicken. It came with a side of delicious hearty bread and fabulous potatoes. The only complaint I had was that the “Tofu Scramble” was not a scramble at all. In fact, the tofu was cut into cubes and fried. So while it was delicious, it shouldn’t be marketed as a tofu scramble. The lunch menu offered salads, burgers, and wraps and a daily soup. Last, they also offered soy and almond milk and had vegan lattes on the menu. I got the Chai latte with soy milk which was delicious- perfect amount of spice and richness.

If you're looking for a good brunch that offer vegan meals other than oatmeal and fruit, Victory's Banner is definitely an option.

Ingredients :

• 7 cups vegetable broth
• 2 cups of lentils
• 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
• 4 - 5 cloves of garlic, chopped
• 2 bay leaves
• 2 sprigs of thyme or about 1 tbsp dry
• 2  lb bag of potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 8 oz bag of frozen corn and/or peas
• 1/2 cup plant based milk
• 4 - 5 large carrots, chopped
• 5 - 6 stalks of celery, chopped
• 1/4 cup red wine
• 3 oz. plant based margarine
• 8 oz pkg of mushrooms
• 1/4 cup red wine

Directions

1. Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees
2. Heat the oil and sauté the carrots, celery and onions until translucent.
3. Add the garlic and sauté another couple of minutes.
4. Add the mushrooms and red wine and sauté another couple of minutes.
5. Add the corn and/or peas, vegetable broth and lentils and bring to a boil. Add your bay leaves and thyme.
6. Let this come to a boil and then simmer for about 40 minutes or until the lentils are soft and the broth has been absorbed. Meanwhile, boil the potatoes until fork tender about 20 minutes. 
7. Strain and put in a bowl where you will add the margarine and plant based milk and mash.

Assemble

1. Use an olive oil spray on a large pan.
2. Put the lentil mixture in the pan and top with the mashed potatoes.
3. Bake for about an hour or until the potatoes are browned.

Note: If you would like to speed the process up a bit, you could bake for a lesser amount of time and then put the broiler on for about 4 - 5 minutes to brown the potatoes lightly.

Makes 3 sandwiches 
Ingredients

• 1/2 package tempeh 
• 3 slices of tomato 
• 3 slices of lettuce 
• 6 slices of wheat bread 
• 1/4 cup Just Mayo 
• 1 clove garlic 

Marinade: 

• 1/8 cup soy sauce 
• 2 tsp maple syrup 
• 1/2 tsp liquid smoke 

Directions

1. Cut tempeh into thin strips. Steam tempeh strips for ten minutes. 
2. While steaming, mix marinade ingredients. Once tempeh has been steamed, soak in marinade for at least an hour up to 12 hours. 
3. Once tempeh has been marinated, grill the slices until brown on both sides. Toast slices of bread. To make garlic aioli, mix Just Mayo with garlic and then spread on a slice of the toast.
4. Put three slices of tempeh, a slice of tomato, a slice of lettuce, and a slice of avocado.
5. Repeat with two more sandwiches.