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This post is WELL overdue—I traveled to Phoenix in spring 2016! But I ate some amazing food while traveling in central Arizona, and I want to fill y’all in!!

Phoenix

Kaleidoscope Juice

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First meal in Phoenix was a total win! I was on my way to some other restaurant when the logo of this place caught my eye. They apparently only just started being open on saturdays–there’s my vegan luck! I’ll have to come back on Monday though because their cooks still don’t come in on Saturdays. So I ordered the acai and pitaya bowl. Look at this beast! Everyone, check out Kaleidoscope Juice! Not a 100% vegan or even exclusively vegetarian place, but really good food! Plus, the cashier/acai bowl master was vegan and she told me of some great recommendations! I went back for my last meal in Phoenix: ordered a quinoa and vegetable (broccoli, peppers, sweet potatoes,etc.) and miso tofu burrito, with a vegan Thai ginger dressing. Soooo good!

Kaleidoscope Juice, Downtown Phoenix | 1 N 1st St, Phoenix, AZ 85004

The Vegan House

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I’m not going to lie, I may or may not have selected my hotel based on the fact that there was a restaurant called “Vegan House” a block away!! I went here twice during my visit. The first time, the service was efficient and the food was delicious. The second visit, the service was abysmal, but the food was still delicious. Pictured above: a spicy green curry! The place was flooded with conference attendees. The curry was hot (I love spicy food but my external reactions make it look like I’m miserable—sweaty red face, runny nose, watering eyes..so I always order medium heat.)

The Vegan House | 20 W Adams St, Phoenix, AZ 85003

The Coronado

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Um, wow. Absolutely delicious food from The Coronado. I sat outside, sipping cocktails as the sun fell below the trees, which made for a super relaxing atmosphere despite the fact that the restaurant was on a major thoroughfare. And Mexican Street Corn? Yes please.

The Coronado, Historic Coronado Neighborhood | 2201 N 7th St, Phoenix, AZ 85006

The Green New Vegetarian Restaurant

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I was a little concerned that I had made a bad choice—ordering chili cheese fries after I just biked in the heat and felt like death (gay bar karaoke during pride week…yasss). But another win! The vibe at is super cool and these chili fries were fantastic. Just what I needed!

Green New American Vegetarian | 2240 N Scottsdale Rd #8, Tempe, AZ 85281

Nami

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Nami is right nextdoor and possibly owned by the same folks as Green New? Only word of advice: maybe don’t go here on a full stomach? I asked for a kiddie size…Yeeaahhh…but it was delicious!

Nami | 2014 north 7th Street, Phoenix AZ 85006

Arcosanti/Cordes

Arcosanti Cafe

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After Phoenix, I stayed at Arcosanti for a few nights. The food from their cafe was unexpectedly delicious. Used mostly with produce grown just steps from the restaurant, and supplemented with items during off-seasons. Every meal was delicious and the views were spectacular! And not only was the food great, but it was fun to chat with the locals!

Cafe at Arcosanti | 13555 S Cross L Rd, Mayer, AZ 86333

Cafe Charro Mexican Grill

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Makes sense when you think about it: when there’s a wedding on the premise, the Arcosanti Cafe won’t be open for dinner. I didn’t connect those dots, though, until it was dinner time and I was hungry. I heard there was a Mexican place nearby—Cafe Charro. It was the equivalent of a subway. On a different (lower) level than Chipotle or a Q’Doba. But just like pizza, even bad “Mexican” food is good to me. I got two soft tacos and a plate of rice and beans. Skipped the refried beans since the server wasn’t sure if they had animal products in them.  Still, I was super sad that I didn’t get one more meal from Arcosanti cafe…


Cottonwood

Wholesome Fast Food

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Alas, another place I just passed through and couldn’t enjoy further. Trust that I will find the vegan spot in Anytown, USA, while traveling (well, #happycow finds it for me usually). I was delighted with this spot! I got a coconut craze smoothie with a chocolate coconut muffin (also gluten free). They have a drive through for drinks and they also have wraps, salads, and other healthy snacks.

Wholesome Fast Food |  704 Main Street, Cottonwood, AZ 86325


Sedona

I was only in Sedona for an afternoon, so I didn’t have time to explore more food options (because, let’s be honest, if anything’s more important than vegan food, it’s extraordinarily gorgeous hikes in the red mountains of Sedona!). I would, nevertheless, highly recommend the one place I did visit…

ChocolaTree Organic Eatery

A wheatgrass shot and Dance to the Beets juice! Yum! This made an already really great day even better! But then… Um, hello! This is the “Sedona 2012 Wrap.” Vegan cheese sauce, guac, mamas hot sauce, potatoes, veggies, etc. yummmmmm. Tasted wholesome but oh-so-delicious!

ChocolaTree Organic Eatery | 1595 West Hwy 89A, Sedona, AZ 86336


Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport

Los Taquitos

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The airport’s website claims it’s the “tastiest airport in America.” The jury is out. But my Mexican veggie torta was pretty good! A bit heavy, though, to end a week full of eating on  this meal. Alas, such is traveling as a vegan. We eat so much as traveling vegans, because we probably have limited diversity back home. So we don’t want to miss out on any delicious food. I ate so much this trip, and was already prepared to come home 10 lbs heavier. But then I ate this. And it looks like it’ll be more like 12 lbs. ugh. So good but I think I’m about to explode. Mexican veggie torta for breakfast…

Los Taquitos | Terminal 4, Gates C1-C10


And there you have it.

With the exception of the two fast food mexican meals (Cafe Charro and Los Taquitos, which honestly weren’t bad it was just, you know, fast food), I would highly recommend making a visit to all the restaurants above. They were phenomenal and I was not expecting such delicious food from this trip! Honestly, the food made for an amazing experience!


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