Dish: Vegan TLT

Source: The Hazel Room

Price: $7

This is the classiest, and perhaps, the tastiest, TLT I’ve had in what seems like years. And years! And I do love me a TLT (and TLPs). 

Here’s where The Hazel Room elevates this basic sandwich - listen carefully: the tempeh is marinated in Smokey Lapsang Souchong Tea, in addition to a smother of Vegenaise and tangy Violette mustard. So, there. And it comes with a tiny side of yummy house-pickled veggies. And you can sit on Hawthorne and drink some tea or a tea cocktail on the side. 

I want another one. Pronto.

Dish: Slice & salad: Thunder and Lightening with a Caligula Caesar 

Source: Sizzle Pie, Westside

Price: $6

True story, there are some weeks I probably walk into Sizzle Pie every other day seeing if my favorite lunchtime slice, the vegan take on the classic ‘pepperoni + cheese’ (and twelve year old me would be shocked), is available. If I’m lucky, I can grab it once a week, and when I do, it’s nearly always with the salad combo. I’m usually more of a ranchy Rabbit salad fan, but the tangy, garlicky Caeser is a nice change. I have to give Sizzle Pie so much credit for being one of the very few restaurants I’ve been to that doesn’t over-use and over-rely on Daiya when using it on a pizza.

Do I dramatically walk out frowning when this slice isn’t available? Maybe.

Dish: Build-Your-Own-Hashbrowns

Price: $4.50 + toppings

Source: Jam on Hawthorne

The seemingly ever-expanding (really, they opened the portal between the big and little Jams recently) Jam on Hawthorne has been in my brunch repertoire since they opened. This was even before they had more than one basic tofu scramble options - before the chai blueberry pancake! While the Portland Roasting Coffee makes me want to skip a mug, they’ve got an appealing breakfast booze menu, with bloody mary variations you can order vegan (make sure to specify) or extra large. My go-to order in the past couple of years moved from a build-your-own scramble to what I was really going there for: the hash browns. Some days they’re crispier than others, and when they’re on - they’re on. Give me a plate of shredded potatoes, roasted garlic, a heap of wilted spinach and pass the Secret Aardvark and I’m more than content. And there’s toast with Earth Balance on the side. Jeez. 

That being said, my last experience including really bizarre service, and I’m taking a break for a while. Road Runner Cafe, let’s talk.