PETA's Vegan-Meatball Survey Puts 'Haastile Meatball' Sub Above Other Restaurants' Fare  

For Immediate Release:
November 4, 2009

Contact:
Kate Brindle 757-622-7382

Philadelphia -- If you're one of the growing number of Americans who are looking for tasty, healthy, and humane alternatives to a traditional favorite, you're in luck. That's because delicious, 100 percent meat-free meatballs are springing up at restaurants everywhere. So PETA set out to find the finest of the faux, and Gianna's Grille in Philadelphia has grabbed the number three spot in the nation.

Gianna's Grille's "meatball" sub is made with sauteed onions, green peppers, and mushrooms. Bursting with flavor, the faux meatballs have a truly "meaty" texture or "mouth feel."

"The delicious faux meatballs at Gianna's Grille are the real deal because they offer all the flavor of traditional meatballs but are associated with none of the cruelty or cholesterol," says PETA vegan campaign coordinator Kate Brindle. "This eatery is a great example of the growing number of restaurants that are satisfying America's hunger for healthy and humane cuisine."

Taking the crown was San Francisco's Ike's Place for its Vegan Meatless Mike with spicy marinara and soy cheese and its Not So Sloppy Ike with tangy barbecue sauce. Rounding out the top five are Caravan of Dreams (New York City) for its Live Love Boat featuring almond-Brazil nut meatballs and Twisted Tree Cafe (Asbury Park, N.J.) for its baked tofu meatball wrap. All winners will receive a framed certificate to display on the wall.

For more information on all the winners, please visit PETA's Blog.