Veggie Today Concord

100% vegetarian, mostly vegan, mostly tasty (4/5 Green Stars, also). Veggie today is pretty casual and brightly lit, so it has more of a café atmosphere than an intimate restaurant. We had four items and thought that two or three of them were good. The foo young appetizer was a highlight – it was large but not as heavy as other versions that I’ve had in the past, and had good flavor and a little crunch. The wonton soup was mixed: good flavor in the soup but maybe too heavy on salt (I was so thirsty after it!) and the wonton wrappers were a bit thick (but the filling was good!). The caramelized vegan chicken had good flavor and a nice chewy texture but the dish could have done with a bit more spinach (to justify being called a “bed of spinach” on the menu). The tamarind beef was our least favorite – it was just too sweet for both of us. But other people seem to love that dish so don’t let me put you off ordering it; perhaps it’s just me – I’ve rarely found a vegan “beef” dish that I love. Vegan chicken (or just good-old tofu) always seems like a better bet. Both of the protein dishes were pretty light on veggies (esp. the tamarind beef) so bear that in mind when ordering. I’d like to go back and discover some favorites. I’m also giving Veggies Today 4/5 “green stars” for social and environmental impact, based on these reasons: • As stated on their menu: 100% vegetarian. • Almost all items on the menu are vegan (check with your server). The wonton soup is specifically labeled on the menu as not vegan so I think there are only a few dishes that are not vegan. • As anyone who’s trying to go plant-based knows, restaurants where you can order almost anything on the menu are a blessing for the movement! • No information about sourcing on the menu (e.g., is the tofu organic?). That’s the main downside for me – I like my tofu to be organic, if possible (rice & veggies too). • Drinks are provided by Coke (so they could do better there, but they do have tea). • For people getting take-out, they use standard Chinese take-out boxes and plastic bags (a third area for improvement: compostable boxes and paper bags). Interested in writing green star reviews? If so, contact me or check out the Green Stars Project online!