Veg-out in Westchase; Neighborhood Boast Meat-Free Options

One of the best things about Westchase is that it offers an impressive gamut of dining options. Still, like anywhere else, those with limited diets – namely vegetarians and vegans – may have trouble sniffing out those eateries offering veggie fare beyond salad and baked potatoes.

To be clear, there is a lot of confusion surrounding the terms vegetarian and vegan. Vegetarians avoid all meat – including fish, chicken, meat stocks, gelatin, etc. Vegans adhere to a more strict diet; they also eliminate dairy products, eggs, and everything else derived from an animal.

Here, we highlight a handful of places throughout Westchase whose menus include some quite tasty items for vegetarians and vegans.

• This laid-back homage to rock and roll has every kind of pizza topping imaginable, including a slew of savory veggies. Mellow Mushroom is a chain, but Little Caesar’s, it is not. The majority of MM’s locations serve college towns or otherwise-hip enclaves like Gainesville and Delray Beach. Vegetarians have tons of options, from standard cheese pizza to the Gourmet White. Vegans can rest assured that, as long as they order correctly, their pizza will be made without animal products. The Mega Veggie (piled with spinach, mushrooms, artichoke hearts, banana peppers, and tofu) is a go-to option for vegans – as long as you specify that you’d like it cheese-less. If you’re not game for an entire pizza, check out the long list of appetizers like hummus and stuffed Portobello mushrooms. (Address: 11955 Sheldon Rd., 813-926-3600.)

• Pacific Thai Cuisine: Options at this aesthetically-pleasing establishment abound. Vegetarians new to Thai food would do well to start out with Pad Thai with tofu – you can’t go wrong with these thin rice noodles mixed with veggies and a sweet peanut sauce. This dish is a no-go for vegans, as egg is also a key part of the mix. Vegans would do well to opt for a curry with tofu, served alongside a small mountain of rice. There are tons of variations on curry, including red, green, yellow, pineapple and jungle. We recommend the Massamun Curry, which features coconut milk, peanuts, and potatoes in a spicy-sweet collaboration. (Address: 4058 Tampa Rd. Suite #5, Oldsmar 34677. Phone: (813) 855-6633, www.pacificthaicuisine.net)
• HAPA: You don’t have to hop on a plane to experience aloha, a Hawaiian tenet meaning love and good will. Aloha is alive and well in a cozy, upscale spot off Tampa Road. Hapa is Hawaiian for “half.” The menu at this upscale (somewhat pricey) fusion eatery shows influence from across the globe. Vegetarians may find the Portobello and Goat Cheese Napoleon appealing. Chef Brett Gardiner tells us he’s happy to whip up vegan options – just call a little in advance. He makes a super-garlicky nutted brown rice that’s out of this world.(Address: 3970 Tampa Rd., Oldsmar, 34677, (813) 749-8400, www.hapasfinedining.com)
• : Mexican food is always a good stand-by for veggie types, but there’s a caveat: some Mexican joints use lard in their refried beans. This is not the case here, so veg types can rest easy. The veggie burrito and fajitas are probably your best bets (vegans, be sure to specify that you don’t want any cheese or sour cream. Give the guacamole a try as well. (Address: 12217 W. Linebaugh Ave., 33626, Phone: 814-2023, www.chicosgrill.com)