It’s October in Sacramento. That means the temps are getting cooler, the leaves are changing, Halloween is almost here, and it’s time for Sacramento chefs to showcase their talents.
Yep, it’s time for the 8th Annual Sacramento Vegan Chef Challenge!
This year, chefs from more than 30 restaurants in the Sacramento region are participating. Each menu will feature special vegan options for the whole month. You can find a complete listing of participating restaurants here.
So, where do you start? Here is a rundown of a few places that I am definitely going to visit:
Veg Cafe – Midtown Sacramento
We go to this restaurant at least a couple of times a month. From dinner to brunch, everything is vegan and everything is amazing. I’m excited to see what they add to the menu in honor of the chef’s challenge!
Broderick – West Sac, Midtown, & Roseville Locations
I love this place! Their Vegan Mac and Cheese is so good, and they feature Impossible Burgers, too. Their very first restaurant location opened right here in my neighborhood (the Broderick area of West Sacramento), and they have had nothing but success serving up unique options for burgers, salads, and fries.
They had an amazing impossible burger during the Vegan Burger Challenge in June called the Big Sac, styled after the iconic offering from the Golden Arches, and it was unbelievably good. They’ve also had vegan options since they opened many years ago, so you know they do it right!
The Porch – Midtown Sacramento
Southern vegan food??!! Yes, please! We also frequent this location, and I have often been able to make small changes to a number of their dishes to make it vegan. But now they will specifically focus on vegan offerings, so I am waiting with anticipation for us to visit them!
Buffalo Pizza
I’ve never been, but I’ve heard so many great things. Definitely checking it out this month. Stay tuned for pics and a write-up!
DeVere’s – Midtown & Davis
I haven’t been to DeVere’s in a while but used to go there on a regular basis. My husband still frequents the Davis location, mostly for business lunches or meetings after work. I am excited to see what they are serving up this month.
Lou’s Sushi – Midtown Sacramento
Since going vegan so many people have asked if I’ve been to Lou’s Sushi. I’ve never been, but that needs to change. I know they feature vegan options all year long, but I’m excited to see what they are offering up this month.
Revolution Winery & Kitchen – Midtown Sacramento
We went here for the Vegan Burger Challenge, and it was amazing. I’m sure they will deliver some delicious meals this month, too.
And remember, this isn’t a restaurant challenge, it’s a chef challenge. That means one of the best vegan chefs in town who focuses on delivery to your door is also in the mix.
Chefboyarleezy Meal preps is a super-talented local chef AND he has one of the most inspirational stories out there.
He’s lost and kept off over 100 pounds since changing his lifestyle and going vegan a few years ago. He offers delicious, healthy, fresh, vegan meals that will have you eating healthy and happy. To learn more, you can check out his Instagram and Facebook pages.
And if you’re in the mood for a sweet treat, pick up some Conscious Creamery this month. You can find them at local events throughout the month (and all year long, for that matter). Check out their Instagram for where they are heading to next.
So, that is my short list, but I’ll definitely be checking out more restaurants as the month goes on. I’ll share my eating adventures on my Instagram and I’ll post reviews on the blog.
And I’ll also be supporting the great companies and organizations that are putting on this event. It’s no easy task, and I’m so grateful for this awesome Sacramento foodie community!
The goal of the Vegan Chef Challenge isn’t to convert people into eating vegan.
It is focused on opening your eyes to just a few of the ways amazing dishes can be prepared without meat and dairy. And let’s be honest with each other, we could all use more variety in our diets… think of it as a way to sneak in your veggies without giving up on things that taste delicious.
So meat-eaters, vegetarians, flexitarians, and vegans alike – it’s time to eat and be merry!!
