I’ve eaten at or been regaled with stories of a great many vegan brunch across the land, from decadent waffles soaked in syrup and Earth Balance pillows to healthy homemade oatmeal with soy milk and fresh strawberries. I wanted to celebrate my favorite of these options, but also open it up to you, fellow vegans of the planet, to share your own favorites:
1. Vegan waffles from Gussie’s Chicken and Waffles, San Francisco
Gussie’s is a great place to start because you’d never expect, based on name alone, there were would be a surprisingly delectable vegan option on the menu. Alongside all those non-veg-friendly menu choices (lots of chicken), there’s a shining beacon of brunch: the Vegan Buckwheat Waffles. They’re fluffy and sweet, with “a touch of spice” and the stack comes served with Earth Balance and warm maple syrup.
2. Vegan Relleno at St Francis Fountain, San Francisco
A fairly new addition to an already-stellar menu, the Vegan Relleno is an instant classic. The plate is not visible; it’s literally smothered in spiced-up chile tofu, garnished black beans, Daiya cheese, and fresh tortillas. The Mexican-inspired flavors mix well and it’s seriously the perfect antidote to a night of a heavy drinking.
3. Nicky’s Polenta from Boogaloos, San Francisco
Polenta should really be on every menu. The packed cornmeal is tasty, healthy, and adds a little grainy spark of something different to every dish. A textured mix between cream of wheat and sweet corn, it’s neither breakfast nor lunch: ah, brunch. At Boogaloos they slice it into rounded discs, grill, and set it on display with black beans, salsa ranchero, veggies, and brightly purple cabbage salad. The result is a pop of color, and almost disarmingly attractive. The taste is even better.
4. French Toast at Herbivore, San Francisco
If breakfast is a healthy, well-balanced weekday staple, brunch is its slutty, sweet-toothed weekend warrior sister. Herbivore’s French toast, on either thick sour dough bread or wheat, is of the latter variety. It’s gooey, as French toast should be, and has hints of orange.
5. Hangover Scramble at Sputnik, Denver
With a pounding headache and weak stomach, a hangover needs something extra special to soothe its violent spirit. Say, something with an everything-but-the-kitchen-sink mentality. The Hangover Scramble at Denver’s Sputnik is described as “the cure” and I believe it. How could anything with that many hearty ingredients not help your sore body? The dish can be made vegan with tofu, cilantro, and salsa served over home fries smothered in vegan chili. (Not on our brunch list, but awesome!)
6. Chicken and Waffles at Flore, Los Angeles
This is the kind of vegan dish that throws a big fat finger at those who doubt the deliciousness of meat-free cuisine. The dish has so many elements that the plate is often served overflowing. There’s lightly breaded soy “chicken” over breakfast potatoes covered in mushroom gravy, and a banana waffle with maple syrup. It doesn’t get better for brunch.
7. Vegan Benedict at M Café, Los Angeles
I don’t often miss much as a vegan, but I do very occasionally pine for those fancy brunch benedicts of my past. Luckily, when I visit L.A., I get the chance to taste that creamy hollandaise sauce I yearn for (because really, it’s all about the sauce). M Café’s Vegan Benedict starts with a whole-grain baguette the places a tower of kale, tomato, and tempeh bacon, all covered in that memorable hollandaise. — typically made of egg and butter, this version is soy. Fancy brunches are here again.
So fellow vegans, where else must we brunch?
