Ending Up On Veggy Street

It was the largest move of my life, because it was the first one that I was doing alone, well, just myself and my then two-year-old wonder Ember the Service Pup. I was moving from my home of 20 years in one place, 43 years in one city, Long Beach, CA. It had become just too expensive for one income (still is) and Las Vegas wasn’t too far away, had entertainment and the entertainment industry and was affordable.

But it wasn’t my only life change. I had quit opiates and gone plant-based two years earlier, and I was at the tail end of my 110 lb weight loss. I cared about what I ate, and cooked most of it. Processed foods, even Vegan, just don’t really have a place in my diet any more. I went from six meds to just one and I’m healthier than I’ve ever been (even though my back disability still gives me limits it’s much more manageable now). 

The day of the final move, the first night in Las Vegas with no Long Beach home to go back to, I was at my friend’s Daniel’s house in The Lakes area. It’s about six miles from the strip and likes to think of itself as exclusive; then Summerlin happened. I had not unpacked kitchen things, had not gone grocery shopping and was exhausted from the drive. My little girl’s dinner was taken of course handled (I cook for her, and no, she’s not Vegan) but mine was not. So, I did what any person in the new age with an iPhone and Wi-Fi would do I opened Yelp and typed in Vegan Food near me. The closest thing open to me that was Vegan was a sandwich type shop called Veggy Street at 5135 S. Ft. Apache, Las Vegas, NV. They had an interesting menu, so I thought, it’s close, it’s affordable, why not?

Hopes Smashed and Then Rebuilt

I wait 55 minutes for the delivery of a sandwich and fries made out Yucca. I ordered a Pressed chicken sandwich, and yes, it was done in a panini press. I get the delivery, open it, it’s cold. All of it. And the sandwich literally looks like it was run over by the driver’s tire. I have never seen two slices of bread with anything in between them flattened so thinly, it looked like a cartoon where someone ran over a sandwich and it got thin and flimsy. It was cold and smashed beyond belief. 

I reheated and salvaged what I could.

The next day I did something most don’t, and now I guess I’d be called Karen, but it’s Karel. I called and spoke to the manager. He apologized, he told me how the delivery was working; how it wasn’t their employee, they have no control once it leaves, in terms of timing, even quality if the person mistreats the bag. He expressed their frustration in that as well, but that it was how things were going with Yelp, Grubhub and more. We talked. 

And he invited me in, his treat, to try their food again because he believed I would like it. There weren’t many Vegan restaurants in the West, or in any of Las Vegas, when I first got here so I wanted to know them all from Henderson to Summerlin. 

I went in a week later, still fresh to Las Vegas, riding my incredible Piaggio MP3 with my little girl Ember on the back down to the Southwest and realized quickly nothing in Las Vegas is really far. It’s south of Tropicana, which isn’t that far in the Southwest. Its in a strip mall, near the South end of it.

It’s hip. It’s fresh. It’s Vegan. The menu has changed now, in 2022, but back then it had big burgers but also some cuban flavors and it’s always had fun fruit waters and drink (bombs, they call them). 

I spoke to the manager, had lunch, loved the food and atmosphere and became a fan. And while the menu has changed and evolved, some things staying and new things being added as others go, it’s still a great place for a burger, hot dog, wrap and interesting creations such as their dessert crepes (tapiocas). They still have the Yucca fries, which really are great especially with catsup because I’m still somewhat trailer park. 

Co-sheen are a cute little bite-sized snack with faux chicken or beef inside. You can get them on their own as a side.

Think of this place as Vegan faster food: burgers, hot dogs, wraps, Mac-n-cheese and now even pasta. It’s not a health food stop; the burgers have as much fat and such as their counterparts as some are the Beyond patties; the wraps are healthier but still some have fried ingredients. But when  you eat healthy, and when the place uses healthy ingredients, it’s fine. My blood numbers are all great, cholesterol, BP, etc, and I eat here at least a couple times a month when I can. 

So a super-smashed original delivery turned in to finding a great place for lunch with vegan and non-vegan friends alike because the food is interesting, tasty and affordable. There are definite flavor profiles to each dish, it’s not all generic. The restaurant is obviously a labor of love and that love is indeed poured in to the food. And you can tell because even though there are now there of them, each maintains the quality and flavors of the original. 

My GoTo: Decadent Day: Mea Culpa Burger with Yucca Fries and and H20 Bomb with Peanut Butter Tapioca (crepe) for dessert; Less Decadent Day: Ranch Chick’n Wrap with Black Bean soup and Acai Lemonade Of course, co-sheen could happen, too.

$$ out of $$$$

Recommend? Yes. A great place for burgers, hot dogs, wraps and more.

Check them out here. https://www.veggystreet.com

From their website:

Who We Are

We are a plant-based restaurant and our menu is designed to offer 100% vegan options – all of which are free of any animal products. We offer products inspired by the creativity and experience accumulated throughout our lives. We have the goal of causing the least environmental impact to our planet. Therefore, we do not sell any meat, be it red or white. Knowing who to serve and what to serve are our greatest commitments, with the purpose of fulfilling the socio-environmental responsibility, helping in the planet’s preservation, and creating awareness of current and future generations of customers.

Our Story

Veggy Street began with a simple mission in 2016: To pair healthy vegan and vegetarian fare with incredible flavors. By the Fall of 2017, our first location in Las Vegas opened its doors. Today, Veggy Street has two locations and is reaching more people each day who consciously choose healthy food in their lives.