By Tracy F. Lightfoot
It may seem like Louisville has enough restaurants to suit any taste, but there are a few palettes that aren’t whetted by what the ‘Ville has to offer. For students trying to find a place to eat that caters to alternative diets – whether it be religious, dietary or just voluntary – the pickings are slim.
“Almost everywhere has something,” vegan and U of L student Heather White said, even if it’s just a salad. But she picked Ramsi’s Cafe on the World and Third Avenue Cafe as her favorites, at least as far as variety.
Third Avenue Cafe, White said, offers up a wide selection of vegan-friendly items. U of L alum Jordan Carroll, a vegetarian, recommends the jerk tofu sandwich.
Ramsi’s is a great choice for vegetarians, vegans and their friends – the extensive menu serves up a variety of foods, from hummus to pad Thai. A favorite of many Louisvillians, the kitschy atmosphere and unique selection of entrees make Ramsi’s a great stop for those who like to eat outside of the “meat-and-potatoes” box.
Plus, Ramsi’s just opened a new dining area, added on to accommodate more visitors. The restaurant is located in the Highlands on Bardstown Road, near Heine Brother’s and another vegetarian favorite, Kashmir, on Bardstown Road.
Indian restaurants usually feature a vegetarian menu, heavy on rice, potatoes, peas and other vegetables. Kashmir offers delicious vegetarian appetizers and dishes, which with rice make great meals. It also makes delicious vegetable biryani, as does Shalimar on Hurstbourne Lane.
Indian food is ideal for vegetarians who aren’t that adventurous with their food – although the spices are different, many of the dishes are just food staples cooked up a bit differently. Vegetable samosas, for instance, are another potatoes-and-peas dish fried in dough.
Other ethnic foods, especially Asian, feature meatless dishes. Chinese restaurants serve up egg rolls, vegetable lo mein and tofu dishes. Thai restaurants also deliver.
Another vegetarian favorite is a little farther from campus, but is worth the drive. Zen Garden on Frankfort Avenue in St. Matthews, is the city’s only vegetarian-only restaurant. The menu is Asian-influenced with a heavy emphasis on Vietnamese cuisine.
Also in the Highlands, on Baxter Avenue, is Cheba Hut, a college-student hang-out. Cheba Hut is marijuana-themed and serves up “toasted subs,” most of which are named for strains of marijuana. The veggie subs menu has six sandwiches, including the “Hydro,” an eggplant sub, and “Griefo,” a hemp cream cheese concoction.
Like White said, most places offer something. Mexican joints will often substitute beans for meat – even Taco Bell does that. Italian places offer cheesy dishes, like ravioli and manicotti. Delis like McAlister’s usually have a selection of meatless dishes.
There are four McAlister’s Delis in the Louisville area, including one on Hurstbourne Lane and one on Bardstown Road in Fern Creek. McAlister’s has a vegetarian menu that features a number of deli sandwiches and baked potato options. The restaurant also offers a wide selection of breads and toppings and several vegetarian soups. The vegetarian chili is loaded with beans and great for a fall day – and you can also get it in a bread bowl. Plus, McAlister’s has great sweet tea and lemonade.
Finding food is even harder for those on religious diets. Kentucky doesn’t have much to offer in the way of kosher dining. Louisville has only one kosher eatery, which also claims to be the only one in the state. It makes sense that it’s in the Jewish Community Center, too. Cafe J, at the JCC at 3600 Dutchman’s Ln., is a cafe and deli.
What about people who are just plain dieting? Many large chains are catering to popular diets – T.G.I. Friday’s offers an Atkins-approved menu, and Applebee’s got the thumbs-up on several items from Weight Watchers.
While most of Louisville’s restaurants cater to the generalized American diet, a little investigation can turn up possibilities for every diet.
Delicious diets
Dietary needs or intolerances keeping you from enjoying a night of fine dining? Maybe you just need to know where to look.
Cafe Fraiche, 3642 Brownsboro Rd.
Caters to people with celiac disease, diabetes or gluten intolerance. Serves sandwiches, pastries, soups and sides.
Low Carb Sugar Free Market and Bakery, 10278 Shelbyville Rd.
The bakery full of sugarless desserts like cheesecakes, pies, cookies and pastries may draw in diabetics.
Harper’s Restaurant, 871 S. Hurstbourne Pkwy.
Harper’s advertises that it will adapt any meal to meet customers’ needs. They also have a “Low Carbohydrate/Heart Healthy” Mediterranean menu, ideal for people with heart disease.
Hahn’s Mongolian Grill, 9148 Taylorsville Rd.
Choose from a variety of pastas, meats or vegetables with a chef nearby to answer questions about the dishes.
â?” Compiled by Matt Thacker, News Editor
