Why so few vegan restaurants in the Bay Area?

[Guest guest]

Hi folks,

 

I'm here on vacation in Santa Monica and am overwhelmed by the number of choices

of vegan restaurants. We've had so many delicious meals and have yet to eat

Chinese or Indian (not that I don't love those cuisines, but they do seem to

make up the majority of affordable vegan options chez nous). We've been to

Madeleine Bistro for brunch (amazing), Real Food Daily, The Seed Kitchen, J's

Kitchen, The Golden Mean, The Veggie Grill (it was packed!) and M Chaya (which

serves fish but other than that is vegan). Folks down here are amazed when we

tell them how limited our options are up north. We live in Marin County, where

we have only one vegetarian place (Cafe Gratitude). Although the rest of the

Bay Area is better off, So Cal still has us beat by a long shot. I'm wondering

if anyone has any insights into why this is, and what we can do to about it.

Looking at all those people at the Veggie Grill gave me so much hope, and also

made me think about the power a good meal has to change people's opinions. In

other words, I don't want more vegan restaurants just for my own convenience,

but to help show others how great vegan food can be.

 

Francie Salle

franciesalle

[Guest guest]

Here's the reason why and here's the proof...

 

during lunch time (NY burger joint, even thought it's not in the Bay Area, you

get the point) more than 40 people line up for their burgers.

 

 

http://www.shakeshacknyc.com/

 

click on Shack CAM

 

 

the owner put this cam out so people will know how long their wait will be. You

NEVER see long lines like this for a vegetarian restaurant.

 

This shows despite all our hard work and even with the movie, " Supersize Me " it

shows we have a long way to go.

 

A friend in the animal rights movement, he said, " despite all his efforts and

others, not that much has changed. "

He pretty much is not longer in the animal rights movement.

 

As far as I know for the past many many years, there's still ONLY 3% vegetarians

in American... (and I hope the statistics are not counting the fish-eaters!)

Vegans around still 1% of the American population.

 

==

 

another example,

 

Healthy Heaven (Geary and 16th Ave, SF), like many vegetarian restaurants (the

owner and family are full time vegetarians) went out of business due to lack of

business. The Burger joint next door was doing SO well, that they took over

Healthy Heaven's location.

(note: Buffalo Burgers-name of the Burger place, got free publicity with large

photo with Supervisor Eric Mar on the July issue of Richmond Review)

 

UGH, not good

 

==

another item,

 

What I don't like is various Animal Rights Group and/or Vegetarian Groups should

work together.

 

(I'm not directing the above comment to one or two organizations, I'm talking

about over l/2 doz)

 

Like many non profit organizations, it would be nice if we can work together in

harmoney as one big unit.

 

(I'm involved with various " Green " organizations and they don't work or

communicate with each other and of course they fight for the same grants.)

 

on the positive note, there's room for improvement, and most of us will never

hurt the animals...

 

My apologies if I am long-winded today.

 

winnie

 

, " franciesalle " <franciesalle wrote:

>

> Hi folks,

>