Falafel & Sushi in Peoria

Haddad's; Falafel Sandwich and Baklava
Peoria, IL 

Overall Rating: A- ; This place is owned by the sweetest family, so not only is it a welcoming experience, the food is delicious and fresh and, well, read on for more raves. 

Parts & Points

Falafel Sandwich:

• Pita: Felt pre-warmed which is a must! Mine fell apart a bit but that was due to the amazing and copious amounts of tahini sauce and fresh tabouli. There is no complaining here!
• Falafel: I love a good falafel. Is there bad falafel? Oh yes there is and it's a sad thing. Good falafel is a textural experience that you will know when you have it! Bad falafel will then make you realize that there truly are people who hate you in the world. Hadadd's falafel will always fill you with joy and praise!
• Tabouli: This place has some of the best homemade tabouli I have ever tasted. It is juicy and crisp at the same time and it's refreshingly not over-powering! Which is a problem I sometimes have with tabouli - but not this tabouli! Oh no! This tabouli is a dream!
• Tahini Sauce: Though I developed a hole in the bottom of my sandwich early in the devouring, therefore causing some of the sauce to succumb to gravity into the bowl waiting directly underneath, I would not let that small set-back keep me from enjoying this garlicy, buttery (but without butter!?) sauce that really brought the sandwich together. I poured the sauce, small amounts at a time, back into the sandwich and then quickly replaced the bowl to catch the inevitable drip of sauce moving to the bottom. Regardless of all that...I enjoyed it to the last drop! 

Baklava: 

• The Whole Damn Two Pieces I Ate: In case you are unaware, baklava is a dessert made from a mixture of minced nuts (usually almonds or pistachios) and spices baked in the center of layers of phyllo dough and drizzled with a glaze of honey or, as was this case (at least as it tasted) an infused syrup.                                         If you only go in for the baklava, be prepared to buy a dozen. They are just so dreamy! I cannot think of a better way to describe these pasteries that are better than sex! Am I right, ladies!?!?!?           The syrup that coated the crunchy, moist rhombus was infused with something glorious - I think it was jasmine but for some reason I didn't ask! Why didn't I ask!? 

In Conclusion...

   Haddad's has a street cart downtown on the weekdays (as far as I know they still do, anyway) but I did not like my sandwich from the cart as much as I enjoyed eating in the establishment. Now it's a small place, you have to be okay with eating next to strangers in a close proximity but hey, what's wrong with that? You think everyone wants to hear what you have to say? Don't worry - they do and they will definitely talk about you once you leave but who cares? It's kind of like being famous!

Sushi Ko; Avacado Roll & Inari
The Metro Center
Peoria, IL 

Overall Rating: C ; The food here is absolutely fantastic, but the service was atrocious! The main sushi chef (and I believe owner) was very kind and thanked us for coming & was extremely busy the entire time. Unfortunately it seemed the wait-staff were holding a coup against him as we were visited once when we arrived, the second when drinks were brought, the third to bring food, once during the whole time to ask about drink refills and once for the check which doesn't sound unreasonable but there were at least 10 to 15 minute waits between each instance. It was ridiculous!
                              That said, allow me to reiterate, the food is worth it!


Parts & Points

Avacado Roll: 

• Avacado, tempura and spicy mayo filling: SO good! I recently stopped eating all seafood so going to get sushi is quite difficult as most of the seafood-filled options are absolutely phenomenal. However, this filling came with the perfect combination of textures and flavors that made it easier to stave off the slight remorse that comes with missing the inner fixings of the Scorpion roll. 
• Seaweed (or Nori): I am not one to notice much of a difference in this from eatery to eatery but I will say I love the rolls with the rice on the outside rather than the seaweed outside. I think it's called maki and as I'm not a huge fan of that part of sushi, I appreciate the aforementioned structuring. 
• Sushi rice with black sesame seeds: As sushi rices go, it was pretty good and you can't go wrong adding black sesame seeds!

Inari (sweet tofu): 

• Rice filling: See 'sushi rice' above, sans black sesame seeds. 
• Inari (sweet fried tofu skins): First of all, how does tofu have skin? Second, I absolutely love,and I do mean love inari. It, for me, beats the hell out of any dessert. I would gladly have inari as a meal, though I'm not sure how glad my doctor would be about my sodium content! They are the perfect combination with the soft, binding rice and a little wasabi-infused soy sauce.

In Conclusion....

 

 I am committed to going here once more for a dine-in experience as I believe in second and even third chances. But after three, my friend, I must say to you 'good day'! Unless it is to order carry-out because I seriously cannot stop thinking about that inari and now the avacado roll! Oy vey! 

More Memories!

The Vegan Nom's Vegan Chorizo & Black Bean and the Vegan Tempeh Bacon & Organic Tofu Scramble Breakfast Tacos
Austin, TX; next to the greatest kitschy thrift stores that we (my real-life friend and I) biked upon!

Overall Rating: A+ ; Due to my lack of funds at the time I could only get one taco & my friend got only one too but I'm thinking that was due to her self-control to overeating (which I fight furiously for). I will review both, however, because we are friends and we share because that's what you're supposed to do Susanne!


Parts & Points: 

1.) Vegan Chorizo & Black Bean Taco

Corn Tortillas: I have never really been a fan of corn tortillas so I wasn't looking totally forward to that part but I....WAS.....WRONG! The perfect combination of soft and malleable and warm and flavorful. Another must-visit-when-in-Austin-again!

Black Bean Filling: SO GOOD! I love a place that's not afraid to spice their food with real spices that aren't simply black or white.

Vegan Chorizo: Know how I mentioned in previous reviews that I am a vegan...sort of? If you don't then you haven't read it and you're kind of an asshole right now but I will forgive you and allow you to continue reading this because we do support democracy here in this great America!
This "chorizo" is like none I'd had before and I can only imagine how delicious real chorizo must taste! It's really just so good you have to have it for yourself as soon as you get there!

*bonus* various hot sauces: If I remember correctly, and I believe I do, 3 different types of hot sauces accompanied our tacos. That's right....3! And each one was ridiculously  phenomenal. It made no sense how these were so good and all different levels of hotness so BE SURE to ask if you have a sensitive mouth or are a grandparent. 

2.) Tempeh Bacon & Organic Tofu Scramble

Corn Tortilla: Revert to above point.

Tempeh Bacon: Another great replicate! Tempeh bacon really is the greatest for taste and they did it with flare!

Organic Tofu Scramble: If I remember correctly (and I think I do) there are some peppers and onions in the scramble. Even without them it would have been fantastic. Seasoned perfectly and just the right texture!

*bonus* Kumbucha tea from the adjacent "corner store": Locally brewed & a great pairing with our breakfast tacos! 

In Conclusion: My friend and I biked all the way to this place - and it was much further than we thought but it was all worth the hot ride. I don't think my head's ever felt such suffocation as that from a bike helmet though yes, yes it is important to be safe and wear one or a friend like mine will try and make you crash and get a head injury to prove a point.

Capital City Bakery *a cupcake truck*:  "P.B. Bats" & "Cookies 'n' Scream" (we were there on Halloween!)
Austin, TX 

Overall Rating: B ; "What!? A 'b'?" you may be saying. Look, as you will read the taste and frosting and everything was so awesome.....except the size! These were so tiny for the price! If it would hurt the business to make them bigger well then I would rather accept the smaller one but I'm a vegan who believes that an oversize vegan treat is just a bit better than a regular oversize treat and dammit I just want a bigger cupcake! Phew!   

*FUN FACT* ATX's vegan dessert scene use chick-o-sticks the top a ton of delicious items like cupcakes and sundaes and they are a love from my childhood! Thank you ATX for remembering to keep the chick-o-stix fond memory alive!

Parts & Points

1.) "P.B. Bats"

Vegan Chocolate Cake: Like a lot of vegan cupcakes this one was so very moist! I don't mind a mess when I eat so the soft crumbs I had to mash to my fingertips so as to not deprive my taste-buds of any of the delicate natured cake. 

Vegan Peanut Butter Frosting (with chick-o-sticks!): Sometimes places have a hard time with the cake to frosting ratio, but I can say these folks got it pretty well down pat! And chick-o-stix.....oh those wondrous chick-o-stix! 

2.) "Cookies 'n' Scream"

Vegan Chocolate Cake: Refer above.

Vegan Cookies 'n' Scream frosting: Same ability to know to say "when" on the frosting and you really have a hard time going wrong with chocolate sandwhich crumbles!

In Conclusion: Another great recommendation from Miss Heather - how fantastic! What's better on a hot, Austin day when you've biked all around evolution, eating frugally to have enough money for a vegan cupcake? 

Concious Cravings: Vegan BBQ Seitan & Vegan Chimichurri Seitan "burritos" (the truck next to Capital City Bakery) with a blueberry lemonade drink!
Austin, TX

Overall Rating: A : I really loved my vegan chimichurri burrito and I am not really sure of my friend's or my reaction to the bbq but the folks running the truck were so charming and fun!

Parts & Points

1.) Vegan BBQ Burrito

Vegan Tortilla: From what I can recall it was a great tortilla! I've never really had a bad tortilla (unless it's corn) so I would imagine a bad one would stick out in my mind pretty heartily! 

Vegan BBQ Filling: It's the cloudy portion of my memory but upon reading the menu I am realizing it was amazing and we could not stop talking about it! Bbq seitan is what keeps my veganism strong (along with non-carnivorous morals).

2.) Vegan Chimichurri Burrito

Vegan Tortilla: Mine was oven-cooked so nice and crispy on the outside - which I love!

Vegan Insides: If I am remembering correctly, mine was stuffed with a vegan "chicken" mix of creamy green chimichurri sauce! It was the favorite of the two for sure!

*bonus* Their seasonal beverages are freshly made and delicious! We got the organic blueberry lemonade and oh my god! It was so fantastic! Hit the spot for some thirsty bikers!

In Conclusion: Vegan or not, go to Concious Cravings! We went to their truck and I don't know whether or not they have a stationary location but whatever you find out don't miss out on this great food opportunity!


Hey Cupcake! Truck: 
 Vegan Cupcake of the Day: Raspberry Swirl with Cream "Cheese" Frosting
Austin, TX

Overall Rating: B: This cupcake was just phenomenal but it was the only vegan cupcake they had! Come on guys! It's just too easy not to accommodate. Also the pricing - again, I thought things were supposed to be bigger in Texas?

Parts & Points: 

Vegan Raspberry Swirl Cake: SO FUCKING AMAZING! I literally yelled that just now - the neighbor downstairs is stamping at the floor with the bottom of the broom like we're in New York City!

Vegan Cream "Cheese" Frosting: Atop the glorious raspberry cake was a creamy, luscious vegan frosting sprinkled with vegan white chocolate! Oh man.....I should make some cupcakes.

In Conclusion: My hands are getting dry and I need to get up so this will be my last entry today SO you really, really, REALLY should check out their vegan cake 'o' the day and make a decision for yourself. However, if you see the Raspberry Swirl with Cream "Cheese" Frosting - JUMP ON IT! Just like Sugar Hill Gang proposed to Tonto.

What I Remembered at Once

Arlo’s Vegan “Bacon Cheeseburger”
Arlo’s Food Truck in Austin, TX

Overall Rating:  A fucking + (plus)  - So damn phenomenal, I still talk/dream/jerk-off to it every day!

Parts & Points:

The Vegan Burger: Who knew a vegan burger could be so juicy? And thick? With stick-togetherness? I knew it could be done but I hadn’t experienced it until that night.

The Vegan Cheddar: This was no tease-cheese and if it was it was made by vegan cheese sex slave workers because everyone knows they make the sweetest vegan cheese (that was not meant to sound as disgusting as it did). It was melty and not stringy or gummy. Absolute perfection.

The Vegan Bacon: For the love of all things potentially holy......fake bacon cannot be good you say? WRONG! Wrong you naysaying son of a bitch or bastard! This came straight from the fields of vegan glory. I agree that fake bacon/hamburgers/chik’n patties will never taste like the real thing but I don’t remember what the originals taste like anymore so I’m LOVING this!

The BUN:  Ooooo.....this was a great surprise. The bun.....stayed......a bun! It didn’t sag or sog or meld to become one with the rest of the sandwich in a slimy, general bun-type way. It stayed in a perfect tectural form even after having soaked up some of the most delicious toppings.

In Conclusion: I have asked a myriad of times to have one of these air-mailed to me on the daily. Not yet successful so the next step is to attempt to replicate it in my own kitchen. I have a dream......


Vegan “Bacon Cheeseburger” with house-made bbq sauce
The Coffeehouse in Normal, IL

Overall Rating: C - because the fries were great.

Parts & Points:

The Vegan Burger: It wasn’t bad, really. A bit dry but held together well.

The Vegan Cheese: Meh....

The Vegan “Bacon”: This was the worst part! The cook told us it was soy-based “bacon” they’d just started using and it tasted like it. The attempt to replicate the “fatty” parts of meat bacon were gelatinous goop and felt like it in my mouth. Not a fan.

The House BBQ Sauce: In all fairness, I am a bbq sauce connoisseur. I am SO very picky about my bbq sauces and the one thing I truly miss about not eating meat is sweet, tender, juicy bbq so this is a sensitive subject. On that note, this bbq sauce was no good. It was too vinegary/ketchupy and tart. It needed more smoke, more sweet and more spice! Dare to dream real bbq!

The Fries: Technically, not part of the actual burger but it was the side and they were fabulous! Oh man, these were the true gem of the whole meal. They are steak-cut fries, house-made and they actually come out crispy - which is really hard to do with house-made steak fries! I was so impressed!

In Conclusion: I would never eat this sandwich there again, nor would I suggest it to anyone unless super changes were made.
******HOWEVER!********
The Coffeehouse has AMAZING vegan cupcakes and their coffee was really great! I was so mad at myself for not getting a cupcake instead as they really are SO good and worth the calories, girls! They may have great meat meals, I do not know but what I do know is this:
a.) go there for a vegan cupcake and a cup of dark joe (be specific - turns out the cooks name is actually Joe).
b.) do not, just do not, get the vegan bacon cheeseburger unless they’re touting “new recipe! Not that shit fake bacon we were using before! Oh, and our bbq sauce has also changed!” Then, I’d say go for it!

The Alexander Garden, sub tofu and soy cheese
One World Cafe Peoria, IL

Overall rating: A+  - I like mine with a side of marble rye or gluten-free bread with hummus for spreadin’.

Parts & Points:

The Garden itself: The tofu is always done just so; wonderfully spiced, not mushy at all! And the vegetables are always fresh! Always! Not overcooked or can-style mushy!

The Soy Cheese: Not technically vegan as it does contain casein but it does hold its own and I enjoy it all right. It’s not greasy which is part of what I don’t enjoy about the dairy cheese.

*Bonus* The Marble Rye: I know they don’t make it in-house but it really is so good!
  The Hummus: For a mere $.50 (I think) more you can get the house-made hummus to spread on your toasted bread and it is WAY better than jellies, jams or creamy cheeses (well, maybe not as I do love creamy cheeses).
One World’s Coffee: Usually the flavor of the day is all right, but the house coffee is always great! Nice and dark and has never tasted old or burnt. I drink at least 5 cups everytime I’m there. If I’m on a time-crunch then my throat really burns as I still find it necessary to slam at least 5 cups.

In Conclusion: If you’re in Peoria and you have a mixed crowd of vegans, vegetarians and carnivores, then just head over to One World. Everyone will be satisfied and the atmosphere is pretty comfortable.

The Parlor: Specialty Pizza and Local Beers: Vegan Pepperoni Pizza
Austin, TX

Overall Rating: A solid ‘A’. The service was pretty awesome. The atmosphere of the whole place was rather comfortable and it was extremely spacious! They also had a Ms. Pacman Galaga Multicade Cocktail Arcade Game Machine and anywhere that has one of these glorious machines will rate very high for me!

Parts & Points:
***Full Disclosure: I don’t remember exactly what my friends and I had on our pizza but I know we did try the vegan pepperoni. I believe we had a few vegetables on it as well, like, mushrooms and onions and probably green peppers and jalapenos but I cannot be sure. Suffice to say, I remember loving it and not having any serious complaints! Now, with that said..........

The Crust: The base of a good pizza must always be able to not only hold the delicious amount of toppings you plan on piling atop your pie, but must be allowed to crisp without burning and be just the right amount of thickness so as to not overwhelm your mouth with either breadiness or lack of breadiness. This crust met all of these expectations and more!

The Sauce: When reviewing a pizza, it is important to me that all components come together in a harmonious glory and therefore the breakdown is entirely necessary! The sauce was fabulous; just thick enough, just thin enough and spiced just so as to add a wonderful variety of flavors.

The Vegan Cheese: Again.....perfect! Absolutely perfect! As grand a vegan cheese usage as the aforementioned Vegan Bacon Cheeseburger from Arlo’s. I don’t know how they do it in Austin but I’m certain that all things, inanimate, animate and food alike, are just all a little happier down there.

The Vegetables: As you will know if you read the “full disclosure” above, I don’t exactly remember what vegetables we chose for our pizza but they didn’t stick out in my mind as a “never do that again!” moment so I assume they were just rad!

The Vegan Pepperoni: Well....here’s where I couldn’t go with ‘+’ or ‘-’. It was....okay. I am one of those who is borderline vegans who really does enjoy the meat alternatives there are available (even the processed ones). It’s never going to be like real meat but sometimes it could be closer. I felt like this with the pepperoni but I didn’t hate it at all. It was enjoyable.

In Conclusion: Go here for a fabulous Austin “Pie” and sit outside if it’s a beautiful enough day (and there seem to be an abundant amount of those there). Have a brew or don’t, but either way it will be enjoyable.