LIL VEGGIE EATS

Your Guide to Vegetarian Eats

Author: Riley James

  • And The Best Bagel Spot in Chicago Goes To…

    I’ve found my favorite bagel place in Chicago. Corey’s NYC Bagel Deli tastes so fresh and always revives me after a long night. Their bagels always hit the spot, and they have a sweetest employees.

    Their garlic and herb bagel is packed with flavor. I like to order one toasted with lettuce, egg, tomato, cream cheese, and avocado. This bagel sandwich is under $10, which makes it a bit cheaper than others in the city. Whenever I stop in to order a bagel sandwich, I always get some extra garlic and herb bagels to take home with me.

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  • Three Great Breakfast Spots in Joshua Tree

    If you’re heading into Joshua Tree today to explore, it’s very important you eat a delicious breakfast that fuels you for the day. There’s so many restaurants in town, but here’s a few of my favorites that you’re bound to love:

    Crossroads Cafe is a western diner that serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I went for breakfast and ordered the Hi-Ho Combo, which comes with the options of pancakes or French toast, two eggs any style, and a side of: home fries, fruit, veggie sausage, bacon, sausage, ham, or andouille. I decided I needed both veggie sausage and home fries, and I definitely did.

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  • Joshua Tree Is Full of Plant-Based Bites and Breathtaking Views

    I always love a visit to Joshua Tree, California. I mainly go to hike and explore the national park, but there are also so many incredible restaurants in the high desert as well. Here’s a few cozy spots with great vegetarian options:

    I always crave a veggie burger and a beer after hiking, and the Joshua Tree Saloon always hits. Their veggie burger is great and, the mac n cheese is the perfect comfort food. I love visiting this spot as it has a few sustainable vegetarian options, outdoor seating, and a fun atmosphere.

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  • Eating My Way Through New Orleans

    I ate tooo good during my recent trip to New Orleans. When I visited when I was younger it could be difficult to find vegetarian food, but now there’s so many options everywhere! Here’s what I ate:


    Beignets and the veggie sandwich from Cafe Beignet. I love their Bourbon St. location in the Musical Legends Park.


    Some drinks and sushi while attending French Quarter Fest in Jackson Square with my friends. 

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  • Peppermint Ice Cream Cake Recipe

    The Christmas tree should be up all winter if you ask me. I made this minty ice cream cake to celebrate the beginning of winter by layering sugar cookies, mint chocolate chip ice cream, Klondike bars, and peppermint chip ice cream in a Pyrex deep baking dish. I crushed candy cane pieces on top and stored in the freezer overnight before eating. It was delicious!

    Watch the recipe video here.

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  • Some Merry Moments from Christkindlmarket 2023

    I was able to eat my way through both of the Christkindlmarkets this year, and they did not disappoint. I went to the Wrigleyville location on a Wednesday around 5pm and there was barely anyone there. I visited the downtown location on a Tuesday around 8pm and it was very crowded. Here’s all the delicious plant-based snacks I enjoyed while wandering around the Christmas Tree.


    PuffyHouzz has a plethora of mini pancakes with different toppings, and I tried The Santa’s Favorite Puffy, which was covered in strawberries and Nutella. It was the perfect sweet treat to start off my evening there. The collectable mug this year is an aqua blue showing snowy a night at the downtown Christkindlmarket.


    Whenever I see a La Boulangerie booth I have to get a croissant – they’re the best in the city.

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  • Burlington is the Spot for Mouthwatering Fall Flavors

    As winter quickly approaches, I’m reminiscing on a lovely, autumn weekend spent in Vermont with my sweet friends and all the fall flavors we enjoyed. Here’s everything I ate while exploring the Burlington area:

    We started the weekend off with these delicious vegan pancakes made by my sweet friend, Caitlin. I always love sharing breakfast with friends, especially when it involves fresh fruit. After eating we decided to go for a bike ride along the vast Lake Champlain.


    After a bike ride and hike, we stopped at the food truck outside of Foam Brewers for these delicious maple Brussels sprouts. I’m still daydreaming about them. 

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  • Sweetgreen Harvest Salad at Home

    I love the harvest salad from sweetgreen, but for $20 I can make a much bigger portion of the salad at home that’s just as good.

    It’s so easy and all you need to mix together is:

    • 1 sweet potato, chopped and tossed in olive oil, garlic salt, and lemon pepper and air fried at 375˚F for 8-12 min
    • 1 bunch of kale, stems removed and chopped
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  • Late Nights in Lakeview: Where to Stop for Vegetarian Cravings

    One of the best parts about living in a city is getting delicious food when the midnight hunger strikes, and Chicago has some great plant-based options to try. Here are a few of my favorites after a night out in Lakeview.

    You can’t beat a late night Golden Apple trip, and y’all know I love a classic diner that always serves breakfast. I tend to order their chocolate hip waffles or pancakes, and the hash browns were the perfect savory side. There’s not many plant-based lunch or dinner options, so I usually go here when I’m craving breakfast food. So thankful for this 24-hour diner in Lakeview.

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  • Early Spring in Marquette, Michigan

    I spent Earth Day weekend in Marquette where I was constantly surround by amazing food, fun people, and fresh Lake Superior air. Here’s a few things I did and ate while wandering around this upper peninsula, college town.

    We toured the production facility of Blackrocks Brewery where I tried their acclaimed American wheat ale, Honey Lav, before it was released for the season.

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