PROCESS:
1) Mix dry ingredients together in a bowl
2) Add in milk slowly, whisking, until you get the right consistency – thinner than a batter but thicker than just a standard liquid
3) Before you start prepping your french toast, get out your pan and start heating it on medium heat on your stove top
4) One at a time, place your bread in the bowl and fully saturate with the liquid on both sides. If you are using a thicker or firmer bread, soak for longer. You want it to be fully saturated but not mushy.
5) Now that your pan is hot, add some oil or vegan butter (I use vegan butter) to your pan
6) Transfer each piece of saturated bread to your pan. Let it cook on one side until it looks golden, and then flip. I often do 2 rounds on each side.
7) Serve with maple syrup, butter, berries, or any other favourite french toast toppings!

Don’t forget, this is a super adaptable recipe – experiment and have fun with it!

I came up with the besssst tofu egg recipe. The key is to press the tofu and have it marinade for at least 1-2 hours.

TOFU EGG MARINADE:
– 1/4 cup nutritional yeast
– 1/2 tsp tumeric (or more until it looks yellow)
– 1/2 tsp black salt (or more until it smells sulfurous)
– 1/4 cup dairy free milk (I used oat + any more milk you need to get a good marinate consistency that will coat your tofu)
– Garlic Powder, Onion Powder and Black Pepper to taste/to your liking

Mix the above ingredients together until smooth. Cut a block of tofu into squares that will fit on an English muffin. I got 6 tofu eggs out of one block. Press for at least 20 minutes.

Marinade for 1-2 hours (or longer) rotating the patties in the marinade.

Pan fry + assemble with your favourite meat and cheese sub. I used Lightlife bacon and Gusta Foods cheese.

Bonus points for popping your oven on broil and melting the cheese slices on your English muffin prior to assembly.

You can make these patties in advance and store them in the fridge all week for easy breakfast sammies! Or you can freeze them for later (just remember the texture of the tofu will likely change)

Quick & Cheap

Queen Street Commons and Fresh Ground

Both spots are run by The Working Centre (bonus points for supporting an amazing local organization), Queen Street Commons is an all vegetarian cafe with plenty of vegan options. A soup, toast and side salad will set you back less than $6. Their chickpea burger is also a standing item on the menu.

Fresh Ground is an entirely vegan cafe offering a “hot” meal daily such as stew, soup or chili. They also have plenty of other whole food + vegan options. Healthy, light and cheap, and both offer the option of dine-in or take-out.

Elevenses

Found in Market Square, Elevenses offers salad and sandwich options that can be catered to vegans. While it might not be as cheap as Fresh Ground and Queen Street Commons, you will get the best service from Michelle (the owner) and her lovely staff. They offer vegan mayo and cheese options for sandwiches. Elevenses has also implemented the Ritual app, which you can use to order your food in advance for quick pick-up! Elevenses is also a great option for those who are gluten free.

Nova Era

Nova Era offers veggie sandwiches that can easily be made vegan. While they don’t have any fancy vegan options, their bread and produce is fresh, and their sandwiches are delicious. You also can’t beat the prices – a veggie sandwich is less than $5.

Cafe Pyrus

I don’t have to tell you all to go to Cafe Pyrus…It’s the best and we all know it. Be sure to watch out for their monthly specials that are always changing! Cafe Pyrus offers a great space for working + lunch dates, and they also deliver and do take out.

Holy Guacamole

Okay, that was a lot of sandwich talk… Looking for tacos, burritos, salads, or burrito bowls? Holy Guacamole has vegan options for all of these and within moderate prices. Beware, there is often a decent line at lunch time if you are in a rush.

Deli Banh Mi Givral

Vegan Banh Mi for $5…Need I say more? Be sure to request the vegan version with no mayo!

Queen Shawarma & Kebab

This family run business is a hidden gold mine! They offer falafel plates and falafel pitas that are easily made vegan. The owner is incredibly knowledgeable of vegan restrictions and even offers a vegan garlic sauce. Bring your own container to avoid Styrofoam!

Other Quick + Cheap (ish) Spots

• The Yeti
• Quick Sandwiches
• Mr. Sub
• PURE Juice Bar + Kitchen

Unique Lunch Options

Looking for something different for lunch in DTK? These spots have you covered.

Pupuseria Latinos

This spot may not have many on-menu vegan options, but they are happy to omit meat and dairy from almost any dish to accommodate. Burritos, pupusas, nachos, enchiladas – what more could you ask for?

Guanaquita

Another Latin American option, but one not to be missed. Guanaquita offers a huge selection of vegan options including nachos and even a vegan platter. The prices are modest and the food is authentic!

East African Cafe

The East African Cafe offers a vegan buffet on Tuesdays for lunch. The spread is a variety of East African curries, chapati and some salad options. The buffet is small and will cost around $18 a person but is a great option to try something different. They also have a number of vegan options on their regular menu.

Pho Vietnam K&W & Pho Dau Bo

Both of these spots have a variety of noodle or rice dishes that can be made vegan. Be sure to specify no fish or oyster sauce and be clear about the use of eggs. There aren’t any specific on-menu options, but with a little extra communication, you can enjoy a vegan, authentic Vietnamese meal.

Upscale (ish) Options

If you are looking for options for a business lunch, this section is for you.

Gilt

Gilt doesn’t have many vegan options on their lunch menu (compared to their dinner menu), but they are more than willing to accommodate and can offer even more options if you phone to give them some advanced notice. They do a daily soup and it is often vegan (and also to die for). They whipped up something for me last minute and it did not disappoint.

Rich Uncle

Rich Uncle has the perfect ambiance for a business lunch and they also offer an incredible vegan tofu bowl. A number of other options can be made vegan, but remember their menu changes seasonally.

Abe Erb

Abe Erb is located in a terrific location for a business lunch. Close to the LRT and located inside the Tannery, it’s very accessible. They have a few great vegan options including their cauliflower wings and a tofu banh mi that is easily modified to be vegan.

There are an abundance of vegan options throughout Kitchener’s downtown core and new options are joining our community everyday. Crafty Ramen and Grain Food Lounge have most recently joined the Downtown Kitchener food scene and both offer vegan options. Any favourite DTK lunch spots that were missed?

Do you ever find yourself struggling to come up with things to do? Whether it be with your significant other, your children, or your BFF, these ideas should keep you entertained and inspire you to try something new (all while remaining vegan + vegetarian friendly).

1. For the Adventurous: Climbing at Grand River Rocks + food at the Wooden Boat Food

Start your day at Grand River Rocks for some climbing or bouldering. You can rent your gear if you’ve never done it before. Once your arms are all pumped, head over to the Wooden Boat Food Co for some Vietnamese cuisine. They have a tempeh vegan banh mi on the menu. Sit outside at one of the picnic tables, or pop over to Short Finger Brewing for a pint of beer.

Tips: Wooden Boat is only open Thursday – Saturday each week – so plan accordingly! 

Price: $30-40/person (cheaper if you’re a Grand River Rocks member – you’ll get into the gym for free AND you’ll score a discount at Wooden Boat when you flash your member card) 

2. For the Strategic Board Game Fanatic: Sunday Brunch at Show and Tell + games at Adventurers Guild 

Head on over to Show and Tell for lattes, coffee or their vegan light Sunday brunch fare (times/info about this is always changing, so check out their Instagram for updates). Move on to the Adventurers Guild (about 10 steps away) for all you can play board games for $5/person. 

Tips: Take the LRT downtown to avoid scrambling for parking! 

Price: $15/person if you indulge in brunch

3. For the Nature Lover: Picnic + Hike at Huron Natural Area 

Huron Natural Area is a nature oasis within the city limits. Explore the extensive network of trails and stop at one of the designated picnic tables for lunch or dinner. Pack yourself a selection of vegan crackers and cheese (which can be purchased at Fiddleheads, Coven Market in J&P grocery or Full Circle Foods).  Queen St Commons also has plenty of take away options that are picnic friendly – baked goods, sandwiches, and unique salads.

Price: FREE (except all of the money you’re inevitably going to spend on vegan cheese if you’re anything like me)

4. For those with a sweet tooth: Iron Horse Trail Walk + Ice Cream @ Graffiti Market 

Take a stroll down the Iron Horse Trail – stop for some Geocaching or catch some Pokemon along the way (depending on what you’re into). Make your way to Graffiti Market and take in some beer from Red Circle Brewing Co or some ice cream from Four All at the scooping counter inside. Four All always has one vegan option available whether it be an ice cream flavour or sorbet. 

Tips: Sections of the Iron Horse Trail have been closed throughout 2019 – be sure to check info with the City of Kitchener before starting your adventure.

Price: $5/person (unless you want beer…)

5. For the Nostalgic: Meltwich + Arcade Games 

Hit up Meltwich in University Plaza for a vegan grilled cheese (also lots of options for the non-vegans in your life) and then move over to play some old school arcade games at Pin-Up Arcade Bar. Meltwich uses Violife cheese on all of their vegan sandwiches (which is the superior vegan cheese in my opinion). This bar is a total blast from the past with an overwhelming number of old school pin-ball machines + lots of other games. They are also licensed and serve beer and cider. Note: there is a cover charge to play unlimited games.

Price: $15-20/person (not including alcohol)