Come Vent - Share Your "You must be joking" Veggie Experiences Here!
I thought it would be interesting if my fellow vegetarians & vegans would share some of their most absurd experiences in regards to their diet.
I’ll share a story to give an example of what I mean. I’ve been a vegetarian for 16 years, so I have many stories, but this one is burned in my brain….. I went to a large family gathering in a restaurant. The host (my grandmother) made prior arrangements with said restaurant to have a vegetarian meal (spaghetti w/ marinara) provided for me. The waitress came around & took our orders. We had a choice between steak or chicken. I told her I was a vegetarian & I would have the spaghetti w/ marinara. After our side salads, they brought out the entrees. The waitress placed a big steaming pile of noodles w/ meat sauce in front of me. I told her I could not eat it & I needed sauce w/out meat in it. She said that it was the only sauce they had. Keep in mind that the entire time I am having this discussion, my entire family (who even now after 16 years have not accepted my dietary choices) is listening intently :-[. Since they didn’t have non-meat sauce, I made other suggestions - such as olive oil & stir-fried veggies over the spaghetti noodles. Well, apparently this restaurant didn’t have vegetables or olive oil for that matter. The very unpleasant & irritated waitress brought me a plate with about 2lbs of spaghetti noodles smothered in vegetable oil. So now my entire family is staring at my food thinking “so that’s what vegetarians eat”. To top the evening off, my uncle, who was sitting across from me - mooed as he ate his steak (yes, my family is very classy).
This event occurred in my early vegetarian days. I would not tolerate such poor service now. I can look back at it now & think how ridiculous the whole thing was & how ignorant the chef, waitress, & my uncle were. At the time, I was mortified though.
So does anyone else want to contribute a story that only one of your own kind could truly appreciate? ;)
what?! they had NO vegetables? how ridiculous. what restaurant doesn't have any veggies?
i'm sure i have stories, but i can't really think of any right now.
How about the time in about 1982, when my mom and I were trying to eat in a chain restaurant. I finally asked if I could get a plain hardboiled egg...the snotty waiter who was younger than me (and I was about 20) flounced into the kitchen, brought my mother's meal, and after an unconscionably long wait brought me a whole egg in the shell. When I touched it with my knife, it simply vanished! Turns out they had "boiled" it in the microwave and it exploded when I touched it. And then the little so and so tried to charge us for it! Needless to say we didn't pay.
Ah the joys of eating establishments that have no ability to think outside their box or family members who flail about willy nilly at the thought of something not to their 'normal'.
I typically do not remember things that are upsetting to me so you have to make do with a recent(ish) incident. My hubby, our friend Chris and I go out for Mexican food at the small chain nearby. Now I have gotten food from them and it been perfect aside from always sending the rice and beans back as they always put cheese on there. This time though, we went out on a Friday night and sat down in a corner and got our drinks, chips and salsa. We order and I watch a family enter and sit down across the restaurant. Now these good people (fighting couple, him drinking heavily, and screaming toddlers included) order, get their food and eat before our waitress even apologizes for our delay. Finally they bring out plates and mine is enchiladas. Mind you I ordered veggie in verde sauce. It comes out chicken in rancho sauce. Thats it, chicken only. I tell the waitress that this is wrong, I ordered veggie only, no cheese. She stops the guy who delivered the food and tells him "NO, veggie with no cheese." He says "Chicken only." and she says "NO! veggies with no cheese.". Needless to say it goes on a few more times and he leaves scratching his head and I am sure I am getting another plate of chicken. *sigh* Well that determined waitress went back there and set someone right as they sent out the correct thing. IF you consider 1 mushroom 1 anemic broccoli florette and CUCUMBER enchilada veggies. *sigh* I ate rice and beans and had another margarita!
hespeda ^^^^
Indeed this restaurant had veggies (I saw a tomato on my salad) ;). They were just completely unwilling to accomadate my needs. It was almost as if they were being spiteful by bringing me a big plate of plain noodles.
yabbitgirl^^
Love your story. It's pretty bad when a chef can't boil an egg. Maybe you should have asked if they'd like some basic cooking instructions.
I have MANY stories but I'll relate this one. Several years ago, living in Florida, my partner was in charge of press and PR for a civic group raising money for a zoo to be built in sarasota. There was a large kick off party by invitation only in a very nice place. There were pictures of the glorious animals on all the walls, there was an open bar, and a large buffet table, all beautifully arranged. I checked out the buffet and turned to one of the hostesses who smiled effusively and asked me if I were having a good time. I said "yes, but I find it interesting that a group of people so intent on taking care of beautiful animals and giving them a home have no trouble killing and eating them" and gestured to the buffet. The blood absolutely drained from her face. She was ashen and had no response, so she departed.
People can't stand being caught in their double standards.
You all remember the story of the dead chicken in my burrito at the chain restaurant...I'm sure. But that was like- you know...they didn't put it there because they couldn't figure out what I wanted....they put it there because they were being careless...so it doesn't really fit...
I think the most obnoxious one, was at a taco bell. I ordered a bean burrito sans cheese...as i drove away. I saw it had freaking cheese in it. Turned around, walked into the restaurant and said...I really need a burrito without cheese. I gave back I handed the guy the (wrapped burrito) and he said I could keep it. Yippie ??? So after sitting there for a few minuets with their thumbs up their...nevermind...They finally make me a burrito and bring it out. I'm running quite late at this point, but I unwrap the burrito right there and see that it was JUST BEEF. Theres not normally any beef in a BEAN burrito. I threw the burrito into the bag and said "I can not eat this....its not what i asked for at all!" but i left the restaurant. I was flaming pissed but i wasn't rude really. They didn't apologize after either incident....later I called to complain to like, corprate or whatever...and didn't got the runaround but no apology. >:(
ahhh! Thinking about it still makes me mad!!
the other one was at applebees shortly before I left tucson...that has got to be one of the least veg friendly chains in existance. They have penne with chiken and with beef...so i order penne with steamed veggies and merrinera instead. No biggie, right? Well the chiken was like 9 bucks, the beef was about 10...they charged me like 12.99 for the freaking vegtable penne. FURTHER...there was a hair in it, which I found like 4 bites in. I politly told my server and he just shrugged and fiannly said "sorry?" he didnt offer ANY kind of solution. Because of the people I was dining with i let it go...but i was rip-pissed.
OK, so it's not really a restaurant story, but here's mine.
The town I live in is the home of Hormel and Quality Pork Processing. There is also a SPAM museum. I am not kidding. A SPAM museum. Anyone want to visit? I'll provide the vegan eats.
Anyway, I went there with my 12-year-old brother when I first moved here, more out of curiousity and because he was hanging out with my while my parents went to a wedding and he wanted to go. There is one part where they show you how SPAM is prepared around the world and then this lady comes out with a plate of "Spamples." So he takes one, and I say, no thanks, I'm a vegetarian (guessing the word vegan wasn't even in her vocabulary), and she goes, "oh, that's OK! We have turkey ones!"
So then I had to explain, that yes, in fact, turkey is meat....
Trader Joes relabeled many of there products to read "processed on machinery that also processes dairy, eggs, fish and shellfish".
I would let the "processed on machinery that also processes dairy" slide.
But having a difficult time with eggs, fish and shellfish.. as in I stopped buying those particular products.
Not really food related at all but my 30 year old cousin once questioned me on the idea of a vegan being able to like animals who kill/eat other animals.
"I thought you were vegan. How could your favorite animal be one that eats meat?"
Not really food related at all but my 30 year old cousin once questioned me on the idea of a vegan being able to like animals who kill/eat other animals.
"I thought you were vegan. How could your favorite animal be one that eats meat?"
HA!
the other one was at applebees shortly before I left tucson...that has got to be one of the least veg friendly chains in existance.
It is! The last time I went there, I was vegetarian, and there was literally nothing for me to eat. Good thing the food's not that great anyway.
the other one was at applebees shortly before I left tucson...that has got to be one of the least veg friendly chains in existance.
It is! The last time I went there, I was vegetarian, and there was literally nothing for me to eat. Good thing the food's not that great anyway.
oh yeah, i forgot to comment on this. the last time (and probably first time) i went there i was vegan (i was forced into going by others for someone birthday) and i griped about how even if i was only vegetarian there would be nothing on the menu for me. what a crap place.
the other one was at applebees shortly before I left tucson...that has got to be one of the least veg friendly chains in existance.
It is! The last time I went there, I was vegetarian, and there was literally nothing for me to eat. Good thing the food's not that great anyway.
oh yeah, i forgot to comment on this. the last time (and probably first time) i went there i was vegan (i was forced into going by others for someone birthday) and i griped about how even if i was only vegetarian there would be nothing on the menu for me. what a crap place.
The last time I was at applebee's I ordered the onion rings after I found out the dish I wanted had cheese on it and it couldn't be taken off. I felt dirty ordering the onion ring, but I was hungry. Don't you know they come out with cheese sprinkled on top after I told the waittress I didn't want a dish specifically because there was cheese on it! Not wanting to cause a scene and have to explain why I'm a vegan etc. (central new york isn't exactly a veg-friendly place), and I regret doing this, I told the waittress I was lactose intolerant. I sat there watching my friends eat dead animal then cooked something delicious when I got back to my house.
Yeah, just had to add to the Applebee's comments. I have had to endure that place a couple times. I think I got a taco salad minus pretty much everything but the iceberg lettuce. They actually got it right though. No 2nd or 3rd tries here. However, for some reason the price doesn't go down when you omit almost all the ingredients. Interestingly though, they forgot to put the bacon on my brother's hamburger(yeah, I know) & his meal was free due to the inconvenience.
It seems like it is getting harder to get a vegetarian salad in chain restaurants. What's up with that? I guess people think as long as the meat is thrown on some crappy iceberg lettuce it is somehow healthier? So, restaurants are catering to that idea with all these meat-filled salads, perhaps?.
...his meal was free due to the inconvenience.
That's unbelievable. >:(
But yeah, I've been told by waiters that leaving the meat off won't change the price. Whatever. If they gotta stick strictly to the menu price .. whatev. I'm happy as long as some of the horror stories I've read here don't happen.
the other one was at applebees shortly before I left tucson...that has got to be one of the least veg friendly chains in existance.
It is! The last time I went there, I was vegetarian, and there was literally nothing for me to eat. Good thing the food's not that great anyway.
oh yeah, i forgot to comment on this. the last time (and probably first time) i went there i was vegan (i was forced into going by others for someone birthday) and i griped about how even if i was only vegetarian there would be nothing on the menu for me. what a crap place.
I feel the same way about Applebees. The last time I was there I had to order a pasta dish without the chicken. And it's true, their food is not worth it anyway.
It seems like it is getting harder to get a vegetarian salad in chain restaurants. What's up with that? I guess people think as long as the meat is thrown on some crappy iceberg lettuce it is somehow healthier? So, restaurants are catering to that idea with all these meat-filled salads, perhaps?.
Oh this just reminded me. I'm so aggrevated with most places not even having a meat free salad. I went to an italian restaurant not long ago and ordered a spinach salad. The first thing that came to the table was not even spinach so I knew it wasn't mine and didn't feel bad about sending it back. When my salad did come and I was eating it I saw these odd chunks. I knew it had to be meat so I stabbed it with my fork and said to my bf "eat this" ;D and tell me what it is. He said it was bacon. It wasn't even listed on the menu in the salad description! No where did it say "spinach, croutons and big greasy chunks of bacon." I was so irritated. I gave the rest to my bf and just waited for my pasta, then carefully examined it for hidden, unmentioned, meat products.
To go along w/ the salad rant....Back in Jr. High, we had this day called "Touch of Class" where you were encouraged to dress up and you had to RESERVE tables for lunch where the school staff would serve you spaghetti w/ meat sauce.... One year, a friend of mine was on the student council, and was very proud of herself because she got the school to add a "Chef Salad" onto the menu for vegetarians.... Yeah.... Looking at her blankly, I told her thanks for thinking about me, but next time look at the ingredients before you order. Somehow diced ham, a mysterious shredded yellow substance and iceburg lettuce qualified as a suitable vegetarian option!!!
I can very much relate to all of these stories! I was a vegetarian for many years (about ten) before going vegan..so I have multiple stories..I'll begin with a vegetarian story that took place at the grand ole' establishment we all know and love-Denny's (God, how I hate it..) Anyway, I was trying to find something on the menu..and my now husband and friends were trying to help me. Finally, our waitress comes around and takes orders..and I tell her my situation and she says something like, "oh, I see..I understand...well, we have a great grilled chicken sandwich!" I think I wasted my breath with something like no, chicken is meat..I don't want meat...
Second, when we were back in Texas for the holidays my husband went to a local restaurant with his friends (Pioneer Restaurant). Now mind you, #1 this is in TEXAS #2 the restaurant is called Pioneer...so, my husband had on a vegan nonviolence shirt with VEGAN on the front. He was looking the menu (which had NOTHING), and the waitress comes to take orders..and same as above..his friends try to explain that he doesn't eat meat, and one of his friends says, "look at his shirt," and she says...uh.."v..eh..guhn.." (obviously she had never seen the word before), and suggested the chef salad with ham and egg..
Thirdly, more recently I was at my husband's aunt and uncle's (who are both very aware of our lifestyle) house here in Montana to have dinner..we are passing around the food..and I take some of everything that seems like it would be ok to eat. I start pushing around my potatoes and notice a weird stringy substance clinging to them, so I kindly ask, "what's in the potatoes?," and she says, "nothing." I can tell that they have been cooked with the roast..but I don't say anything. So, Patrick says something like, "isn't it meat?" She's finally like, "oh, yeah, well they were just cooked with the meat." So, I ended up eating some corn kernels and a whole bunch of applesauce.
What the heck?!?
So many more..sorry to rant so long!
#1
at a chinese restaurant I was drilling the guy on whether or not the soup had chicken broth in it. I think the answer was yes. I ended up ordering a tofu dish, and ate a few bites and realized the tofu came with pork in it! And he thought I was just worried about chicken broth~!
#2
At Macaroni Grill (I used to LOVE their warm spinach salad but I bet now its not vegan) I asked the waiter if the soup of the day was vegetarian and he said "yes" but I could tell he didn't really know. I ordered it and could tell it was chickenbroth. I asked another waitress and she said, "NO! NONE of our soups are ever vegetarian!" When I confronted our original waiter he said ,"well, it probably only has one or two cubes of it (as in chicken bouillion!) in the whole pot!"
when he then asked how long I'd been vegetarian, I said, "well, now, thanks to you, only about 5 minutes!".
The girl waiter got our tip and he got none!
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