I’m “one of those.” A no-meat-eating, butter-eschewing, card-carrying member of the vegan menace. And I’m coming to your restaurant next. 


Believe it or not, I’ll probably be back.


I really enjoy dining out. It’s a fun social event, and since most of my friends are omnivores, more often than not I find myself in establishments that don’t specialize in vegan-friendly fare. 


Now, most vegans who show up at restaurants that primarily caters to meat eaters aren’t going to be indignant about a limited selection of veggie-heavy food; I certainly don’t expect a non-niche restaurant to provide me with a full menu of tofu dishes. In fact, when it comes to entrée selection my expectations are so comically low that it’s almost impossible to disappoint me. 


Here’s the thing, though: I’ve been to restaurants where all I could eat was a plate of dry lettuce and a side of ketchup. While I try my best not to be obnoxious about my dietary restrictions, I’m also not going to be satisfied with, nor sated by, a spoonful of salt or a few cherry tomatoes. When it comes to those restaurants, you can bet I’ll be turning my nose up at them the next time a friend suggests them. 


That vegan veto vote isn’t altogether insignificant, either. By the count of the oft-cited 2009 Vegetarian Resource Group/Harris Interactive survey, 3.4 percent of Americans are vegetarian, and roughly one-third of those are vegan. And with recent high-profile campaigns like Meatless Mondays and multiple celebrity adherents, it’s likely those numbers have increased since the survey was taken. 


Still, offering vegan-friendly dishes doesn’t have to be cost prohibitive or a big chore. If the restaurants in question had simply offered a vinaigrette dressing or a side of steamed vegetables, I would’ve been pleased as punch. If they’d had a black bean burger, I’d probably be back monthly, at least. 


Most of the vegans I know share my view. Sure, there are definitely those among us who seek to politicize a dining-out experience, either shunning all meat purveyors or making a fuss about menu offerings, but they’re generally in the minority — passionate and vocal though it may be. 


The rest of us just want what everyone else does from a restaurant experience: to enjoy a meal with friends. We aren’t going to 
proselytize and we’ll try not to be too much of a bother, but we also don’t want to feel marginalized. Having just one vegan or 
vegan-izable entrée on your menu can earn you loads of brownie points and, for this menace at least, all but ensure multiple 
return trips.


Contact Vanessa Van Landingham at vanessa.vanlandingham@penton.com.