Fort Worth, Texas (a.k.a. “Cowtown”) is a city known for its western heritage. Rodeos, Stockyards, Cattle Drives– sounds like a vegan nightmare, huh? So it’s quite a surprise to discover that Fort Worth is also the home of VegNews Magazine’s “Restaurant of the Year” for 2007.
The Spiral Diner is a 100% vegan diner and bakery that attracts vegetarians and omnivores alike with its expansive– and mostly organic– menu. What’s more, Spiral is committed to the environment. They use environmentally-friendly paper products and take-out containers, recycle as much as possible, and donate excess food to local shelters. Plus, their menu states, “Our goal is not to make tons of profit; it is to provide the community with tasty vegan food at a reasonable cost. Our goal is also to pay everyone working at Spiral a decent wage. We will never charge more than we absolutely have to in order to pay the bills.” But the most important part? Their food is darn tasty!
After a long day of shopping in Fort Worth last weekend, my mom, my aunt, my very-eager cousins, and I drove over to Spiral for a delicious vegan dinner. We started out with two appetizers– chips and salsa (the boys commandeered this appetizer!) and the hummus plate. I wasn’t a huge fan of the lemony hummus, but the lemon flavor was exactly the reason my mom loved it. To each’s own, I guess.
All three kids opted for the spaghetti and soy meatballs (and each kid ate ALL his/her meatballs!), and my aunt ordered (and savored) the pasta primavera. These little cuties also thoroughly enjoyed three thick, creamy soy chocolate milkshakes, topped with a generous squirt of Soyatoo.
My mom and I also split a chocolate milkshake. Well, actually, I ordered it. But Mommy Dearest took one sip, and that was the end of MY milkshake! She drank almost half of it!
My only complaint with the dinner was that they were out of seitan, so I couldn’t order the Parmigiana wrap I’d wanted. But I ended up with a great meal anyway– the Tofu Broccoli Bowl, with Spiral’s famous ranch, and soy meatballs subbed for the tofu.
And my mom ordered her favorite– the BLT sandwich, which comes toasted, with lettuce, tomato, vegan mayo, and bacon bits. Did you know that bacon bits (such as BacOs brand or Fronteir brand) are actually vegan?! It’s true! There’s also potato salad in the picture, but it’s not worth mentioning.
It was still light outside when we got home from Spiral, so I took the boys rollerblading. (Wow, they can really skate fast!) Our Spiral meals must’ve given us a lot of energy, because we stayed out blading for over an hour!
The Spiral Diner is an amazing place. In fact, so many people think this that there was enough demand for them to recently open a SECOND Spiral location– in Dallas! So if you’re ever in the Fort Worth OR Dallas area, be sure to hit up Spiral Diner. And don’t hesitate to take your omni friends/family along. My cousins, aunt, and mother can attest to the fact that omnivores love this place too!
Post categorized here: My Vegan Restaurant Posts.
That all looks so amazing! Too bad there aren’t more restaurants like that out there!!!
I hope you get to try the Parmigiana wrap in the future – it’s one of my faves (I live around the corner from FW Spiral – actually, I chose to live in FW over D BECAUSE of the Spiral!). I also love the taco salad and the tempeh jerk sandwich. Wow, do I love the Spiral!
Hey Sarah C.
The Parmigiana wrap is my absolute favorite! I was so sad that they didn’t have it. And what’s worse– they were also out of my 2nd favorite, the Jamaican Jerk sandwich! I have no idea why they were out of so much that night :o/
Oh well, it’s a good reason to go back soon, right?
Haha, it’s so funny that you chose to live in Ft. Worth because of Spiral!
Ah, now I can sleep tonight with dreams of spiral diner… please ask them for me to open one up here in Houston!
why aren’t there any cool places like that here?! I need to come to Dallas just eat your amazing food! Your cousins are too cute, by the way. I’m sure you are leading them with your positive vegan example to love animals, the earth and their bodies!!!
yr cousins are seriously adorable and REALLY cool!
Damn, I wish we had something like that. We don’t have a single 100% vegan eatery, not even a 100% vegetarian place…that ranch looks awesome and I totally wish I could drink that milkshake through the computer.
!!! I want a vegan diner!!! lucky! it all looks amazing.
What a delicious-looking spread!
My grandparents live in Fort Worth (well, White Settlement, but whatever) and we visit them pretty frequently. Next time we’re in the area I am going to DEMAND we go to Spiral Diner at least once – instead of the steakhouses they usually drag me to!