My Vegan Pilgrim's Passport

This is what the officially issued pilgrim's passport looks like:

Walking the Camino, we got it stamped at any tavern where we stopped and at the place where we spent the night.

Here's the vegan pilgrim's passport that I created, stamping each vegan or vegetarian restaurant with a card or thumbnail photo.

And these are actually vegetarian restaurants for the most part--in Madrid, Paris, and New York City, where I continued my vegan pilgrim's camino!

Is Original Joe's Trying to Punish Vegans?

I came across my receipt from Original Joe's, and I noticed something disturbing after I figured out which dish I was charged for.  (Javier had the Calamari Steak, Jeanne had the Filet of Sole Piccata, and Ken had the Ravioli with Meatsauce.  Sorry, Spell Check.  That's how Original Joe writes it.)

They charged me for the Spaghetti with Meat Sauce  even though they didn't include the meat sauce, AND for the side of Sauteed Vegetables, which is what they gave me instead of the Meat Sauce.

Something tells me they may not be adding a vegan entree to their menu.

An Open Letter to Original Joe's after a Very Nice Dinner

Our friends of thirty-seven years chose Original Joe's for a farewell dinner before moving to Arizona from San Francisco, and even though I had some misgivings because I am a vegan, even I was able to eat well there with very good service from Antonio, who didn't look alarmed when I revealed my dietary choice.

He suggested a pasta with a marinara sauce and vegetables.  They could leave off the cheese.
See how good this looks?!  (I trust that what looks like cheese is really breadcrumbs or something non-dairy.)

"It's a very popular dish," Antonio said.  "We really should put it on the menu."

I agree.

Putting a vegan entree on the menu would send a message that all diners are welcome.

Sometimes people check the menu before making a reservation, and if they don't see something they can eat, they choose another restaurant.

Right now Original Joe's doesn't have to worry about clientele.  There are plenty of people content with the menu as it is.

But vegetable dishes are kinder to the environment than livestock and seafood, and there are an increasing number of people who are horrified by factory farms.  There are also a lot of people whose health concerns direct them towards more vegetables and less meat.

The Italian cuisine is so good that it can retain its flavors even with dishes that are free of dairy and meat.

So I'd like to raise my glass (a Negroni) to Original Joe's and the prospect of seeing a vegan entree on the menu someday soon!

What's for a Vegan at Original Joe's?

Friends I love are moving away, and their last wish is to go to Original Joe's, so we're granting their wish.  (I did suggest that I prepare them dinner at my house, and she enthusiastically accepted--until she talked to her husband!)

 I just looked at the menu, and I see that while vegetarians have a choice or two, vegans really don't.

I wish all restaurants just automatically had an entree, but since they don't, I'll bring my own pine nuts and ask them to leave stuff out.

By Googling Original Joe's and vegan, I found an interview with the owner of Original Joe's, and this was the vegan part:  I will drink, take on gluten, and be nice!

What's the most outrageous request from a customer you've ever had to accomodate?A non alcohol drinking, gluten-free Vegan with a hostile attitude....its happened and its scary!!

 I will drink alcohol, take on gluten, and be nice!  Will they be nice?