Well, as you may have noticed, there are several write-in contests around this time of year where you are asked to vote for the "Best of Tucson," or, as this publication likes to put it, the "Weirdest of Tucson." Well, I think that's all just fine and dandy and I always like to put my two cents worth in whenever I can. However, I've noticed that sometimes in such public opinion surveys some of the categories- best barbecue, best butcher shop, etc.- are really not pertinent to those of us who don't indulge in eating dead animals. And categories I would like to see- best Indian vegetarian cuisine, organic salads, etc.- are usually not part of the survey. Therefore, in keeping with the spirit, Donna and I would like to celebrate some of the dishes and restaurants we have had the pleasure to enjoy by bestowing our own awards (maybe next year we'll print our own list of categories and let readers vote, but this year we'll make the decisions) to those restaurants that promote and best exemplify fine meatless dining. The winners are selected solely for their vegetarian cuisine and the selections are based on our own tastes and opinions. Unfortunately, we have no plaques or statuettes to bestow on the winners, so if someone would kindly show copies of this column to the winners, at least they will know they are appreciated. If lots of people show them the article, they will really feel appreciated (especially if they buy something as well). So please help us out by supporting the winners. Let them know you love them.So without further ado, here are the first annual winners of the Vegetarian Best of Tucson:
Best Veggie Burger: Native Cafˇ's Barbecue burger
Best Pizza: Magpies' Greek pizza on a whole wheat crust
Best Raw Foods and Salads: Native Cafˇ (many veggies are organic and always fresh!)
Best Traditional Vegetarian Fare:
Garland Restaurant
Best Greek Food: Athens on 4th
Best Mesquite-Oven Pizza: Ovens (honorable mention: Time Market)
Best Middle Eastern Food: Torks
Best Falafel: Torks
Best Baba Ghanouj: Royal Kabob
Best Middle Eastern Buffet: Famous Pita
Best Middle Eastern Market: Torks
Best Indian Buffet: Sher-E-Punjab (honorable mention- Gandhi's and India Oven)
Best Indian Market: Taj Mahal
Best Palak Paneer: Gandhi's
Best Mango Lassi: Sher-E-Punjab
Best Garlic Na'an: Sher-E-Punjab
Best Ethiopian Cuisine: Zemam's
Best Indian Cuisine without onion or garlic: Govinda's
Best Thai Food: Char's Thai
Best Thai Buffet: Karuna's
Best Chinese Food: Szechuan Omei
Best Vegan Chinese Food: Guilin
Best Vietnamese Food: Three Sisters
Best Indonesian Food: Seri Malaka
Best Asian Market: 17th St. Farmer's Market
Best Mexican Restaurant: El Saguarito
Best Mexican-Tarascan Indian: La Indita
Best Guatamalan Food: Maya Quetzal
Best Mexican Fast Food: Sanchez Burrito
Best Frijoles (no lard): El Saguarito
Best Black Beans: Maya Quetzal
Best Enchilada: Spinach and Nut Enchilada at La Indita (honorable mention: Calabacitas Enchilada at El Saguarito)
Best Ambiance for Mexican Dining: El Parador
Best Place to Buy Chiles and Southwestern Ingredients: Native Seed/Search
Best Italian or pasta dish: Caruso's Pesto Pasta
Best Vegan Breakfast: Hopi Blue Corn Cakes at the Campbell Coffee, Etc.
Best Fine Dining: Cafˇ Terra Cotta
Best Decadent Dessert: Divine Madness at Cafˇ Terra Cotta
Best Smoothies: Sundanse Cafe
Best Pie: Mt. Lemmon Inn
Best Place for Carnivores and Vegetarians to Dine Together: Sweet Tomatoes
Best Catering: Kristine Jensen's Gallery of Food
Best Natural Food Store, Retail: Food Conspiracy Co-op
Best Natural Food Store, Wholesale: Tucson Cooperative Warehouse
Best Organic Produce: Food Conspiracy Co-op (honorable mention: Aqua Vita)
Best Bulk Food Selection: Food Conspiracy Co-op
Best Sandwich Counter in a Natural Foods Store: New Life Health Centers
Best Popcorn in a Movie Theater: The Loft (with nutritional yeast!)
Most Missed Restaurants: Gallery of Food, Tao of Natural Foods, 4th Ave. Garden Cafˇ, Sprouts, Cafˇ Magritte, Blue Willow
Disclaimer: Alright, so I work at the Food Conspiracy Co-op; they honestly do have the best organic produce and the best bulk department. Convince me otherwise or I stand by my opinion.Now, I know others may have differing opinions, so please, let us know about the places and dishes we've been missing. What are your favorites? Write and let us know and we'll write about them in future articles. If you own a restaurant that specializes in or has a good selection of vegetarian dishes, please let us know so we can tell our readers. E-mail us at bababob99@hotmail.com or write us at Food Matters, 2530 N. Geronimo, Tucson, AZ, 85705. And, as always, please continue to support locally-owned and operated restaurants and markets. It's good for the local economy, it's good for the community and it's good for you! Until next month, smile and enjoy!!
Robert Oser is a local chef, teacher and author of "Flavors of the Southwest" and an upcoming vegetarian chili cookbook. He currently works at the Food Conspiracy Co-op.