PETA Names Syracuse One of the Most Vegetarian- and Vegan-Friendly Cities

Fine Eateries Reflect the Growing Hunger for Meat- and Dairy-Free Dining 

For Immediate Release:
July 16, 2010

Contact:
Ashley Byrne 757-622-7382

Syracuse, N.Y. -- Local restaurants Strong Hearts Cafe, Alto Cinco, and Sparky Town helped Syracuse grab fifth place among small cities in PETA's 2010 survey of the most vegetarian- and vegan-friendly cities in North America.

"Syracuse residents should be proud that their hometown is on the cutting edge of healthy cuisine that is Earth- and animal-friendly," says PETA Executive Vice President Tracy Reiman. "Because factory-farmed animals are subjected to intensive confinement and cruel conditions, more and more people are demanding meat- and dairy-free dining options."

Among the menu standouts at vegan eatery Strong Hearts Cafe are the "Meat" Lovers pizza (featuring four mock meats and soy cheese), the Tofurky sandwich, and the vegan grilled cheese. The restaurant also offers vegan milkshakes, cupcakes, cakes, and more. At Alto Cinco, PETA's taste-testers recommend the barbecue tofu burrito (featuring rice, black beans, salsa, crispy tofu, and chipotle barbecue sauce) and the vegan quesadilla (including roasted tomato pesto, sauteed spinach, roasted eggplant, guacamole, and salsa inside a grilled tortilla). And Sparky Town serves the stellar Jocko Sandwich (with grilled tempeh, lettuce, tomato, artichokes, red pepper, red onion, black-bean paste, sun-dried tomato spread, and avocado spread).

Olympia, Wash., took first-place honors among small cites, and Burlington, Vt., came in second. Rounding out the top 10 are Iowa City, Iowa; Bloomington, Ind.; Topeka, Kan.; Worcester, Mass.; Lincoln, Neb.; Providence, R.I.; and Boise, Idaho. The winner among big cities was Washington, D.C.

PETA divided the survey of U.S. and Canadian cities into two categories: cities with a population of 300,000 or more and cities with a population of 300,000 or fewer. For each city, PETA took into account the number of vegetarian restaurants and vegetarian-friendly restaurants per capita and also asked for input from PETA supporters and staff members on the quality of the options. The mayor and tourism bureau of each city that ranked among the top 10 in either category will receive a framed certificate and a letter of congratulations.

For more information, please visit PETA.org or click here.