You may have heard that the music line-up at Friday’s H&8th is set to slay, thanks to a little help from Oxford Karma. Music is often our main event, but apparently there are a lot of people out there who make it to this monthly festival in top pursuit of some great food.
So what’s a veggie to do when presented with an overwhelming sea of food trucks commandeering Hudson Avenue? The Night Market isn’t quite Veganville, but its array of meatless options is still pretty freakin’ impressive. And since list curation is definitely our jam, here’s another one for you.
The Loaded Bowl
This little green and white food truck is a straight-up slice of heaven on wheels. Take a hater to this place, and I guarantee they’ll soon be eating a giant piece of eggless humble pie. Though The Loaded Bowl is entirely vegan (insert gasp-face emoji here), you would seriously never know it. A lot of their stuff is made with cashew cheese, which is just as rich and creamy as the real stuff. My favorite drool-inducing dishes are the homemade lasagna, featuring organic noodles and marinara, tofu ricotta, cashew cheese, zucchini, squash, and spinach. Or the layered enchiladas, made with organic corn tortillas, roasted sweet potato, zucchini, squash and soy chorizo with lentils. In the words of teen sensation Lizzie McGuire, this is what dreams are made of.
The Hall’s Pizza Kitchen
This family for real needs to open up a brick-and-mortar restaurant, because they by far sling some of the best wood-fired pizza pies in town. Though there’s only one veggie-friendly option on the menu, it easily holds its own. Called The Matt, this slice is slathered with homemade pesto, caramelized onions and peppers, artichoke hearts and whole milk mozzarella and topped with fresh basil, parmigiano reggiano and the Halls’ secret red sauce. Someone please challenge me to an eating contest so I can stuff my face with this crazy good pizza and be patted on the back for it.
Café Bella on Wheels
Café Bella’s menu is so packed with veggie options that it’s hard to know where to start. On the appetizer menu, you have classic pita and hummus, tabouli and dulma (stuffed grape leaves). Move on to the main courses, and there’s everything from hummus wraps and falafel sandwiches to salads and veggie burgers. And if you’ve got a major hankering for Greek grub, opt for the Mediterranean plate, on which practically all the veggie favorites are combined. If Café Bella doesn’t leave you saying “ompa!” then you’re kind of the worst.
Ciao Wagon
Quinoa is easily one of my main food groups, so it really floats my boat to see a quinoa-based ball (yeah, yeah) on a menu. And jump back, because then you get to slap that sweet spherical goodness on either a pretzel slider or a slice of classic polenta and cover it in marinara, buffalo sauce, tzatziki or chimichurri. Hot and tasty, just like a great meat(less)ball should be.
Kaiteki Ramen
Believe it or not, the first time I ever consumed ramen was last summer at Kaiteki. I mean, everyone babbles on about ramen basically 24/7, so it has to be decent, right? I’m sure the fresh noodles that Kaiteki dishes up are vastly different from the shriveled, dry stuff of college fame, but um, yeah, ramen is good. Kaiteki serves a special vegan version made with veggie broth, noodles, tofu, snap peas, grilled enoki (a type of mushroom), pickled cucumbers, pickled fresno peppers, fried shallots and negi (Welsh onion). Mix in some sriracha and your palate will be very pleased indeed.
