Melt Eclectic Deli

While also in Cincy, we paid a visit to the 1/2 veg, 1/2 meat Melt Eclectic Deli. Almost everything veg can be easily veganized with their house-made vegan cheese and tofu or seitan. This was clearly the perfect place for my family, since we all have different dietary preferences.

Upon walking into Melt, we knew we had made the right choice. Fun interior, quirky neighborhood, and  foremost awesome smell wafting from the kitchen. I ordered the custom burger, which had beef-inspired seitan, vegan cheese, lettuce, pickles, and mustard on a whole wheat bun. My mom went with the ratatouille melt with provolone, which also sounded tres bon (if it were vegan)! The wait was a little long for a deli, but well worth it. It is safe to say that this is by far the best vegan food I have had in a long time. My mom's sandwich sounded awesome too, so I may have to try that some time with vegan cheese. The seitan was perfect, as was the vegan cheese. If it were a blind taste test, I probably would have freaked out, thinking it was real meat and dairy cheese. Yum! Five stars for Melt!!!

LOVING HUT!

I have been dying forever to go to a Loving Hut. I've heard all about them from friends who live in real cities, and since becoming vegetarian it has been my ambition to find one. So one day, my mom and I were on our way to Trader Joe's and took a different route than usual, and THERE IT WAS. Loving Hut! I forced my mom to eat there with me. We weren't disappointed.

The restaurant itself was sort of odd. Complete silence and pictures of famous vegetarians all over the walls. The TVs were all set to "Supreme Master TV," which I assume is linked to Supreme Master Ching Hai, who started Loving Hut. My mom commented that it was slightly like brainwashing.Oh well. We were undeterred. We stepped up to the counter. We both decided to order veggie sloppy Joes, served with corn chips and cole slaw. The girl behind the counter was incredibly sweet and gave us each two free spring rolls, which were phenomenal. 

Our food was magnificent. I was too hungry to take pictures, but take my word for it, the sandwich looked, smelled, and even tasted exactly like a real sloppy Joe. Even my hardcore omni mom concurred. The cole slaw was also phenomenal. I would certainly return to the Hut in a heartbeat, odd environment and all.