The Chick'n Parmesan Sub is so rich and cheesy, but its best component is the ciabatta bread on which it is served
Culture Writer
If you’re like my dad, you’re probably snickering as you reluctantly begin to read this… a restaurant review of (gasp!) a vegan establishment.
Although Dad and I are both Southerners (and he now calls Colorado home), he lovingly (but relentlessly) refers to me as “a bleeding-heart, tofu-eating California liberal.” Well, of course, I’m compassionate. Yep, I live in Cali now, dude. Indeed, I am a registered Democrat. But I actually don’t eat tofu that often.
If you’ve gotta put a label on it, I suppose I’m what you might (but probably wouldn’t) call a pollo-pescatarian; I do consume dairy and poultry, but I don’t eat any other type of meat. However, I do try to have vegetarian and vegan meals as much as possible. The primary reason for this choice is health, but I’m also motivated and excited by the potential— the possibility of being amazed that a scrumptious and satisfying meal could actually be non-carnivorous.
That’s why I like Long Beach Vegan Eatery, “affectionately” abbreviated as LBVE. When I dine there, I don’t feel as if I’m consuming something so light and nutritious that it’s going to render an empty-stomach feeling half an hour later. Despite what good ol’ Pop might imagine, you won’t find a bowl full of alfalfa sprouts and wheat germ at this place. Quite to the contrary, their food is actually surprisingly satisfying— but not just in terms of portion size. I’m talking hearty, flavorful dishes that make you forget you’re eating vegan-style.
In fact, the front page of their menu says it all: “Our principles are simple— to offer stick-to-your-ribs comfort foods which are dairy- and cruelty-free and contain absolutely no animal products or bi-products.”
Naturally, it took some cajoling to get my alarmingly carnivorous pal David to join me for a dinner at a vegan place, but I somehow managed to do it. (I think the agreement involved a first-born child or something to that effect.) Despite his meat-eating inclinations, David is an impressive cook who, like me, takes pleasure in experiencing various types of cuisine. He has a sophisticated palate, and I was confident that, once he gave in to it, he’d find LBVE as delectable as I do.
I got my go-to favorite, the Drumsticks, which you can order with sweet-and-sour, barbecue or buffalo sauce, as well as two sides of your choice. They offer numerous sides, but I especially like the sweet-potato tots— just like those tater tots you enjoyed when you yourself were a tot, but made with the sweet-tuber variety, of course. They’re a particularly good choice for those who enjoy a savory-sweet dish. And LBVE gives you plenty of them; I usually eat half during my meal and take the rest home to snack on in front of the TV later.
Another side worth mentioning is the Southern Style Baked Beans, which are cooked with onions, brown sugar and imitation bacon. It’s another one that is so fulfilling that you’ll probably need to finish half of it during your next meal. David ordered the beans, and he was equally impressed with their tastiness and satisfaction factor. As his entrée, he had the Chick’n Parmesan Sub. (For the uninitiated: “chick’n” is used to refer to vegetarian forms of chicken dishes.) He liked it so much that he insisted I taste it. I too liked it so much that I ended up ordering it on my subsequent visit to LBVE. Neither one of us could believe that what we were eating was indeed vegan. The Chick’n Parmesan Sub is so rich and cheesy, but its best component is the ciabatta bread on which it is served. Believe it or not, this sandwich is the best of its kind I’ve ever had, and I’ve had many a chicken parmesan sandwich.
These dishes are but a fraction of what is on their menu. Other sandwiches they offer are the Vegan Burger, the Mock Meatball Sub, the LBV Beefless and Cheese Sub, the Chick’n Sammich, the California Chick’n, the Tuna-Free Salad, the Waldorf, the Crispy Chick’n Wrap, the Sloppy Joe and the Eggless Egg Salad.
In addition to the entrées that David and I ordered, LBVE has: Stuffed Shells, which are filled with ricotta-style tofu, covered in tomato-basil sauce and served with garlic bread; Meatless Meatloaf, made with onions and peppers, and covered with marinara sauce; Vegan Dogs; Burritos; Quesadillas; Tacos; Pineapple and Mandarin Chick’n; Stir Fry; and BBQ.
Their kids’ menu offers up Mac & “Cheeze,” Vegan Dogs, Spaghetti and Meatless Meatballs, Chick’n Nuggets, and Grilled “Cheeze.”
Seriously, if you’ve never eaten a meal that is void of anything with a mother or a face, Long Beach Vegan Eatery is the place to do it.
LBVE is located at 2246 N. Lakewood Blvd. and is open Mondays from 11am to 2pm and Tuesdays through Sundays from 11am to 8pm. To find out more, visit lbveganeatery.com or call them at (562) 986-LBVE (5283).
