Fall brings cooler temperatures and often, a craving for hearty comfort foods. Just because you’re vegan, doesn’t mean you need to miss out on all of the comfort food wonders. If there’s one thing Boulder gets, it’s delectable vegan cuisine and I’ll be your guide to find those comfort dishes devoid of dairy, animal products, and meat. Mmmmmm-hmmmmm. Let’s get started. Check out these delicious vegan comfort food dishes right here in Boulder:
Appetizers & Snacks
Flax Chips and Dip from Thrive Raw
Enjoy flax crackers with a variety of four dips, including guacamole, nacho cheese, salsa, and chipotle sunflower.
Thrive Raw, 1509 Arapahoe Ave., Boulder, 720-616-7785
Native Nachos from Native Foods Café
Classic nacho cheese is replaced with a creamy cashew cheese. Fresh tortilla chips are topped with this dairy-free cheese along with chipotle sauce, black beans, salsa fresca, roasted corn, green onions, cilantro, and fresh jalapenos. For an extra cost, add guacamole, seitan taco “meat”, or BBQ “chicken”.
Native Foods Café, 1675 29th Street, Suite 1272, Boulder, 303-442-0213
Cauli-Rado Wings from Zeal Food
Roasted cauliflower is served with a choice of diavolo-style or BBQ-style.
Zeal Food, 1710 Pearl Street, Boulder, 720-708-6309
Meals
Jackfruit – Carnitas Enchiladas from Leaf Vegetarian Restaurant
Enchiladas are filled with verde rice, black bean grilled pineapple salsa, creamy vegan sour cream, and covered in sun dried tomato mole and fresh watercress.
Leaf Vegetarian Restaurant, 2010 16th Street, Boulder, 303-442-1485
Plant Burger from Zeal Food
This veggie burger is made with a carrot and chickpea falafel, spinach, tomato ham, and a cashew cheese. Add Roasted Fingerling Potatoes ($2) that are cooked with olive oil, garden chimichurri, garlic, and Redmond salt.
Zeal Food, 1710 Pearl Street, Boulder, 720-708-6309
Tempeh Reuben Sandwich from Mountain Sun Brew Pub
Flavorful beer baked tempeh is topped with sauerkraut, tangy vegan 1000 island dressing, a slice of tomato, and sandwiched between two slices of rye bread. Don’t forget to order it without the swiss cheese to keep it totally vegan. It’s served with salty corn chips (or you can upgrade to French fries for an extra cost).
Mountain Sun Brew Pub, 1535 Pearl Street, Boulder, 303-546-0886
Longs Peak Pub, 600 Longs Peak Ave., Longmont, 303-651-7886
Korean Bibi Q Bowl or Bar-rito from Protein Bar and Kitchen
Be sure to order this vegan (the beef is subbed with the signature roasted tofu that’s marinated in the secret, savory recipe. The tofu is combined with diced radish, pickled carrots, cucumber, spinach, quinoa, and a spicy Korean chili sauce.
Protein Bar and Kitchen, 1855 29th Street, Boulder, 303-440-1028
Chickpea and Avocado Organic Sandwich from Organic Sandwich Co.
A French country loaf is filled with house-made chickpea salad, which combines protein-packed chickpeas, olive oil, lime, and cilantro. It’s topped with avocado, tomato, and cucumber.
Organic Sandwich Co., Corner of 16th and Pearl Street, Boulder, 720-639-3986
Also a Louisville Location: 459 S. McCaslin Blvd., Louisville, 720-598-5931
Desserts
Chocolate Shake from Zeal Food
Dark chocolate, house-made almond milk, coconut sugar, coconut cream, beet, and date are blended with bold seasonings (cardamom, chai, and cinnamon).
Zeal Food, 1710 Pearl Street, Boulder, 720-708-6309
Pineapple Upside Down Cake from Native Foods Café
Dense vanilla cake is topped with fresh cut pineapples, raspberry, and brown sugar caramel.
Native Foods Café, 1675 29th Street, Suite 1272, Boulder, 303-442-0213
