Second Helpings: Vegetarian Friendly

Veggie Heaven (Photo By John Anderson)

Tasty, bite-sized restaurant listings compiled from new and previous reviews, guides, and poll results. This week's entries were compiled by Lindsey Simon. When you need quick, reliable information about Austin eateries, check here.

Veggie Heaven

1914-A Guadalupe, 457-1013

Daily, 11am-9pm

Buddha meets Laura Ashley in the decor of this vegetarian and vegan restaurant. Once you've read over the philosophy of guru Suma Ching Hai on the front of the menu, you'll find an array of Asian dishes, meat- and dairy-free pastas, sandwiches, and desserts. There's something very welcoming and yet disciplined about this little spot on the Drag, evidenced by the care taken with every dish that leaves the kitchen. Don't be afraid of Protein 2000 -- the fried, chewy wheat-gluten in brown sauce with rice is one of the tastiest dishes on the menu.

Casa De Luz

1701 Toomey, 476-2535

Daily 11am-2pm, 6pm-8pm

Welcome to the macrobiotic community. All organic and vegetarian meals for eight bucks every day of the week. That's why we named it the Best Thing You Can Do for Your Health in our "Best of Austin" issue. Too full? Relax and take one of their yoga or tai chi classes.

Mr. Natural

1901 E. Cesar Chavez, 477-5228

Mon-Sat, 9am-7pm

A Mecca for Austin vegetarians, Mr. Natural is a juice bar, bakery, health food store, and vegetarian Mexican restaurant in one -- your one-stop shop for soybean ceviche, pineapple empanadas, and queen bee royal jelly.

Mother's Cafe & Garden

4215 Duval, 451-3994

Mon-Fri, 11:15am-10pm; Sat-Sun, 10am-10pm

Mother's has some of the best salads in the city, hands down. With over 10 ingredients piling high, these big salads are fresh, crunchy, and flavorful. But don't stop there; Mother's offers a variety of unique vegetarian dishes like Tofu BBQ and Eggless Lasagna. The fresh soups of the day are almost always hearty and exceptional. Save room for their homemade desserts that give meaning to the phrase "ingredient enhancing."

Wheatsville Deli

3101 Guadalupe, 478-2667

Daily, 9am-9pm

Some vegetarians eat fish, some don't. For those who do, Wheatsville deli's tuna salad provides the ultimate in dolphin-free sandwich fare. For the rest, the deli has lots of vegetarian and vegan edibles ranging from exotic formosas and empanadas to an all-American three bean salad and even chili. They use Great Harvest bread on all their sandwiches, and fashion the typically ordinary lunch into a first-class one using the organic, fresh produce that glistens on aisle one.

West Lynn Cafe

1110 W. Lynn, 482-0950

Mon-Thu, 11:30am-10pm; Fri, 11:30am-10:30pm; Sat, 11am-10:30pm; Sun, 11am-9:30

With an all-vegetarian "international" menu, West Lynn offers West Austinites a moderately priced, refined vegetarian cuisine inside a high-ceilinged, modern-art building. If it's eaten abroad, you're likely to find it on the menu, which showcases Thai, Indian, and even Russian vegetarian specialties.

Threadgill's

6416 N. Lamar, 451-7201

Mon-Sat, 11am-10pm; Sun, 11am-9pm

301 W. Riverside, 472-9304

Mon-Fri, 11am-10pm; Sat, 11am-11pm; Sun, 10am-9pm

Before it was considered New Age to order a vegetable plate, folks were getting their fill at Threadgill's. Plates of three and five vegetables and even the Chef's Choice -- the "nine hot vegetable orgy" -- are as popular as the chicken fried steak. The menu particularly distinguishes its vegetarian and non-dairy selections. It's no wonder that Threadgill's frequently wins Best Veggies in The Austin Chronicle Restaurant Poll.

Eastside Cafe

2113 Manor, 476-5858

Mon-Thu, 11am-10pm; Fri, 11am-11pm; Sat, 10am-10pm; Sun, 10am-10pm

This dining spot has become a destination in and of itself. The gardens, which provide the basis for many of the menu's offerings, are frequented by pre- and post-dining strollers. It's difficult to say which is more of a draw, but the delicate soups, numerous daily specials, and pastas make good use of the bounty grown out back. A charming gift shop next door offers to-go items and cookbooks featuring favorite items from the menu.