The Best of the Rest

So many cities are vegging out in America, we had a tough time paring down to 10 winners. Based on our survey, we identified 200 contenders!

Honorable Mention: WASHINGTON, DC
Any way you slice it, our capital's comin' up big time in veggin out! In DC you can savor exotic meals at dozens of vegetarian and veg-friendly restaurants (like the miraculous Soul Vegetarian Café), vacation at nearby animal-loving retreats (like Sweet Thyme Inn), make friends and influence carnivores by joining fab groups (like the Vegetarian Society) ... and you can find inspiration at groovy get-togethers (like VegFest). On all fronts, DC is delicious eating. Check out www.vegdc.com for the scoop on all the great grub.

Honorable Mention: LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA area
The City of Angels and beyond is now blessed with a divine total of some 60 vegetarian restaurants and health food stores in the area! Although one city doesn't particularly stand out to merit individual acclaim, the L.A. area has always been at the forefront of creative and wonderful vegetarian foods. Check out the Veg Paradise Web site to see just how good it gets.

Honorable Mention: DENVER, COLORADO
You just know America's going vegetarian when one of the top beef states, and home to the National Cattleman's Beef Association, is home to great veggie living! The Mile High City is a mile above in per capita sales of vegetarian food products, scoring a top-3 sales ranking in all America for two of the nation's biggest veg-food makers. Also turning the tide for Colorado's good eating are Denver's dozen or so vegetarian restaurants and health food stores. Denver is definitely one place where great eating and great living come together quite spectacularly.

Honorable Mention: PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA
There is a lot of brotherly love for animals demonstrated by Philly's growing number of veg restaurants, now at 10 and counting! This emerging culinary bastion is quickly building a reputation as a place where you can get vegetarian food just about anywhere. Some choice selections acknowledged by veggie insiders in Phili say the buffets at Essene health store and Samosa Indian are both wonderful. The Kingdom of Vegetarians restaurant is a solid favorite. Lastly no trip to Phili is complete without a jaunt to Gianna's Grille which has the best vegan pizza and traditional (but vegan) "cheese steak" sandwich in America.

Honorable Mention: EUGENE, OREGON
We go back to the Great Northwest again. Eugene residents are soy happy, thanks to a combination of at least 16 vegetarian restaurants, health food stores, and wonderful farmers markets. Eugene has such a culture of health and vegetarianism that you can safely assume that anywhere you go, there will be vegetarian options. There are tons of vegetarian restaurants that allow you to choose from fast food to fine dining. But even cooler than that is the "non" vegetarian spots will accommodate. Every coffee shop has soy milk, most of the locally owned pizza places offer soy cheese, even the biggest BBQ restaurant downtown offers a BBQ Tempeh chili or a vegan sloppy joe. The natural food stores are as big, bright, modern and plentiful as the chain supermarkets. The Saturday Market, as well as a dozen produce stands in the area will inspire you to eat only the freshest, yummiest produce. You can't help but buy carrots, turnips and tomatoes from the beautiful displays. One of Eugene's largest industries is the manufacturing of natural foods. Rising Moon pasta products, Emerald Valley Kitchen (organic salsa and hummus), Golden Temple Granola and Toby's Tofu Pate and Salad Dressings are all based in Eugene.

Honorable Mention: AUSTIN, TEXAS
Texans are known for liking all things big and there's no denying that vegetarianism is BIG-no wonder vegetarianism is taking root in Austin, Houston, San Antonio, El Paso, and Dallas, all of which have active vegetarian societies with growing memberships. All proof that Cattle Country is transforming into Carrot Country! While all of Austin is accommodating to veg food, the neighborhoods of Tarrytown, West Lake, Travis Heights, and Clarksville are especially so. While in exciting and eccentric Austin go to Veggie Heaven and it's fantastic mostly vegan menu. The Kerbey Lane Café has a truly delightful vegan cheesecake that many rave about. Mothers and West Lynn Cafe are two favorites that cater not only to vegetarians and vegans but to a huge meat-eating crowd that appreciates great veggie fare. Guerros is a very popular Mexican food veg-friendly joint frequented by stars. Even fast-food places like Thundercloud Subs, which is a popular chain serves various veg sandwiches including one called a "Nada Chicken." The Wheatsville food co-op earns top marks for having a strong vegetarian and vegan food selection. Indeed it seems the Texas cultural mecca of Austin has also become Texas's vegetarian mecca as well.