Why it's important to eat at all kinds of restaurants

Most vegans would agree that eating at an all vegan restaurant is a treat. There's a sense of relief and happiness knowing that you can order anything off the menu without asking multiple questions about what is in each meal. That is why we work with restaurants to Veganize their menu. Everyone should be able to have a satisfactory meal no matter their dietary choices. That being said, it's important that vegans eat at non vegan restaurants despite the obvious inconveniences. Here's why:

1. It allows the chefs to be more creative. A few months ago I spoke to a chef who works at a non vegan restaurant and asked if he would get annoyed if someone walked in asking for vegan food and he said not at all. They want to accommodate everyone and being vegan isn't always seen as demanding or annoying. It also gives the chefs an opportunity to get creative seeing as they make the same dishes over and over again.
2. It demonstrates the demand for other options. We're proof that restaurants will change their menus if they find out that people are more interested in what's off the menu. Restaurant owners understand that there is a demand for vegan food. If no one asks for anything else, why would they offer anything else?
3. It shows your non vegan friends that you can be vegan anywhere. Some people have a misconception that being vegan means only eating lettuce. Eating vegan at non-vegan restaurants proves that vegan food is more accessible than they realize. It is also important to realize that depending on the restaurant, the vegan food might be very limited. If you complain about how little food you get, people will interpret it as a vegan diet being difficult to maintain and that it's tough to find food. If you go with the flow and eat where your friends eat, they won't think of being vegan as being a big deal or an inconvenience.

Eating out as a vegan doesn't have to be a stressful outing. Most likely you are eating with family or friends so there is no reason to be uneasy about what you can and cannot eat. By sticking to your principles in an environment that is abundant with animal products, you are demonstrating that being vegan is easier than people think.

One day every restaurant will only offer vegan options, but until then, we have to prove that people want vegan food and it's worth serving it at your restaurant.

​-Bridget, www.berrybridget.com