BANKERS HILL.  Barrio Star, located in Bankers Hill, is one of several restaurants created by Isabel Cruz.  This means fun decor, smart servers, creative drinks, and the fusion of Latin and Asian cuisines.  But Barrio Star is a curious example.  At first glance, the menu suggests Mexican food.  Then, a closer inspection reveals a broader swathe of Latin cuisine.  When the food arrives, however, the subtle strokes of Asian influence reveal themselves in coconut sauces, marinated tofu, and other surprises.  The result is a variety of bold dishes with complex and unique flavors.

Although there are separate menus for lunch and dinner, they both offer the same vegan options:

• Guacamole, salsa and homemade tortilla chips
• Sliced cucumbers
• Tofu Tacos
• Soy Chorizo Tacos
• Brazil Bowl
• Barrio Bowl
• Tamal de Maize

My favorite items on the menu are the “Bowls.”  The Brazil Bowl and the Barrio Bowl are equally delicious, so I usually alternate (no hurt feelings this way).  The Brazil Bowl (pictured below) offers coconut rice, black beans, mango salsa, coconut chili sauce, and steamed greens.  The chili sauce plays a fun game the coconut and mango flavors, providing a special treat.  The Barrio Bowl lays the same foundation – beans, rice, and steamed greens – but honors a more traditional Latin flavor with pico de gallo and cilantro lime sauce.  Tofu can be added to both bowls.

Another great vegan option is the Tamal de Maize, which proves that the quality of the core ingredients is more important than loud bells and whistles.  Here, we have a slightly sweetened corn tamale with roasted tomatillo sauce, served with beans, rice, and steamed greens.  All flavors in balance.  And very satisfying.  It will make you wonder why most Mexican restaurants rely so heavily on cheese and other distractions.

Barrio Star provides an eclectic atmosphere.  Blue walls and Christmas lights hung from the ceiling – why not?  Back-lighting brings the bar to life, the seats are usually full, and the space is cozy.  Somehow, it all works!

I would point out that the brunch menu does NOT have vegan options.  However, happily customers are able to order from both the Lunch and Brunch menus on the weekends.

2706 5th Ave

San Diego, CA 92103

619.501.7827

The post Barrio Star: Vegan Friendly appeared first on The Fussy Fork.

BANKERS HILL.  Fast food that is good for you?  An oxymoron no longer, thanks to Evolution.   Located in Banker’s Hill at the corner of Quince Street and 5^th Avenue, Evolution provides an entirely vegan menu with a vast selection of burgers, sandwiches, wraps, soups, smoothies, juices, baked goods, and ice cream.  I cannot cover them all.  This is a blog, not a book.  But I will highlight some of my favorites . . .

I love burgers.  Always have.  In fact, when I recently reconnected with an old friend, his immediate reaction to my vegan path was: “But your favorite food used to be cheeseburgers!”  Indeed.  So thank goodness for Evolution, where there is no “wrong choice” on the burger menu.  There are six ways to dress the burger – but I usually go for the Southwest Burger, packed with guacamole, jalapeno, lettuce, tomato, onion, and salsa.

Then, you choose from two types of vegan patties.  For those who miss the “feel” of a meat patty, I recommend the “Gardein” patty, made from soy, wheat, quinoa, amaranth, and kamut.  Otherwise, the home made black bean patty is worth the extra dollar.  Also, if you are feeling ambitious, add an order of the sweet potato fries, served hot, crisp, and salty.

Putting the guilty pleasures aside for a moment, Evolution also has a “Raw Specialties” section with hyper nutritious options.   If you are interested in learning more about raw food – and the potential health benefits – click on the following link!

http://vegetarian.about.com/od/vegetarianlifestyle/f/rawfoods.htm

Evolution’s Raw Burger (I told you I love burgers!) is my favorite raw option in San Diego.  This “burger” is a ground nut and seed patty, topped with raw hummus, sprouts, and red onion, wrapped in a cabbage leaf.  After I eat it, I feel light and full at the same time.  And happy.

What about desserts, you ask?  Don’t worry, Evolution dedicates an entire cold case to vegan brownies, cookies, crumbles, and more. On my most recent trip to Evolution, I tried the Raw Lime Tart, which is made from walnuts, coconut, agave, avocado, sea salt, lime juice, vanilla extract, and coconut oil.  The tart had a sticky and sweet crust, and the lime layer was sweet and tart.  Again, happy.

Then there are the juices and the shakes!  (This is the danger of Evolution.  If you are disciplined, you can manage lunch for under ten dollars.  Otherwise, hand them your credit card and look away.)  My new favorite shake is the Mystic Monk.  You choose soy or almond milk, which is blended with chocolate powder, banana, and tahini.  Yes, tahini.  Which made me both curious and skeptical.  But I should have had faith in Evolution’s smoothie scientists, because the Mystic Monk surpasses the classic chocolate milk shake.  The chocolate is strong, but the tahini curbs the sweet before it becomes too sweet.  Bottom line, it is delicious, and I will be having another one soon!

Although it is hard to imagine becoming bored with Evolution’s menu, they offer daily specials and a variety of pre-made “take away” options that are not listed on the menu.

In the true spirit of fast food, Evolution provides a drive thru window for those customers who are short on time

If you do have time to stay and eat, I would suggest taking advantage of Evolution’s outdoor patio.  It is a great spot to enjoy the food, the people, and the day.

2965 5th Ave

San Diego, CA 92103

619.550.1818

The post Evolution Fast Food: 100% Vegan appeared first on The Fussy Fork.