You know what's weird about veganism? Chances are you're an anarchist atheist, too, and you end up eating at so many religious cults! But luckily, brainwashing has never been so delicious. Here's my top 5 list for vegan cult foods.
5) Ananda Fuara: San Francisco
I'm not sure what this cult is about. Maybe knitting? In any case, stop in for a "chicken" salad sandwich, and lots of other menu items in scare quotes.
4) Krishna food: anywhere
I'm patiently awaiting a Krishna fashion trend, mostly because who doesn't want such a no-fuss ponytail? Krishnas are generally friendly, non-confrontational people that are fun to talk to. And that makes for a fabulous dining partner, or, er, 100 fabulous dining partners. The food is mostly Indian-inspired with a West Virginian twist. That couscous stuff! It's got nuts and dried fruits and things. Heavens, it's good. The best part is walking out with your friends and discussing whether or not you feel funny and convincing each other that they put something in the food. It's kind of like when you pretend you didn't push that thingy on the Ouija board. (P.S. According to Google, that Ouija board thingy is called a planchette.)
3) Supreme Master: San Francisco, Portland, Seattle, lots of locations
I actually really dig her. I tend to gloss over the particulars of how she became a Supreme Master, but she takes a strong environmentalist and animal rights position, which is cool. The food philosophy seems to be that god wants you to eat super greasy fake meat. Well, okay god, if you say so. Go against conventional wisdom and get anything on the menu that is unnaturally bright red.
2) Tempeh Reubens: all over Portland
Yeah, we pretend we're not a cult, but why the hell do we have to serve so many tempeh reubens then? Something about the tangy sauerkraut and succulent tempeh, and vegan Thousand Island dripping all over your face. Yeah, right, we're not trying to convert anybody. Pfft.
1) Cafe Gratitude: locations all over SF and the East Bay
You want to hate this place, you really do. I mean, the menu is written in affirmations and they want you to order that way. Who can deal with that? I Am Enlightened. I Am Fulfilled. I Am Abundant. Inevitably your table will start to come up with your own mean ones: I Am Self-Effacing. I Am Greedy. I Am Ashamed. So you want to hate but you cannot because of that goddam tiramisu. You know what? I'll buy into that pyramid scheme. Want my mom's life savings? No prob, just keep the live enchiladas coming.