Triangle VegFest (Durham 2017)

Still filled with throngs of people in the middle of the afternoon, several hours after starting.

Goodie Bag

As with most VegFests, the first x number of attendees is incentivized to show up on time with a goodie bag. The Triangle VegFest bag had the usual offerings of coupons and a few cosmetic samples, but then there was the sampler pack of Dandies marshmallows and the sustainable latex condom.

Receiving a condom in a food festival gift bag is one of the funniest things I've ever had happen to me.

That gift bag is like a vegan date starter kit: use the cosmetics to get ready, the coupon as an excuse to extend your date activities, the marshmallows to innocently invite the person in for hot cocoa, and the condom if things really go well (and you confirmed they don't have a latex allergy).

Baozi Food Truck

The Baozi Food Truck offered three options; I went for the "Kung Pao Soy Vegan BBQ Bao."

There was a good helping of the vegan BBQ nestled in the fluffy bao bun--they didn't skimp out. The toppings were obviously pretty: enoki mushrooms, red peppers (supposedly roasted, but their flavor didn't jump out at you), and shredded cabbage off to the side, keeping the fried rice company.

In being a Carolina native constantly lusting after a veg version of Eastern NC-style pulled pork, I though the BBQ--which I assume was TVP--was a little dry and could have used a dash of marinade or vinegar to offset the sweet sauce. But, as I've said before, not everyone can handle my preference levels for vinegar, so I understand why the food truck would cook to please as many palates as possible.

Overall: delicious and I wish I could eat these fluffy buns more often.

Souly Vegan Cafe

Their sampler plate of a main and three sides in addition to rice.

As you can see, my plate was greens, mac, and gluten-free cornbread alongside the BBQ chick'n.
I rather liked the BBQ sauce over the little bite-sized pieces of toothsome chick'n. The cornbread was a little too sweet for my tastes, but everyone knows Southerners only find perfection in cornbread they style themselves. The mac was the "soupy pasta" variety not the "heart attack casserole" kind I love best, but was still seasoned well. The greens were tender, but not very smoky and needed chili flakes plus vinegar (that's a theme with my country ass).

I really want to go to their brick and mortar location to further explore their menu and keep their business alive, since it's so damn hard to find good vegan soul/Southern food I don't have to cook myself.

Revolution Gelato

A blurry photo of a scoop of their coconut/cashew-based gelato in the espresso flavor. It was so thick and creamy! You'd never guess it was dairy free or had coconut in it, because they did not skip out on the espresso flavor. Gotta watch yourself around this brand or you'll make yourself into a piglet!

DCP Food Truck Rodeo

In March, I was out of the country and missed the Durham Food Truck Rodeo in DCP. This time around I got to go, but my lunch selection, Martin's Curry Rice was taken off the vendors list at the last minute. Anyways, I assure you I had backup plans, but it was less satisfying since my mouth was set.

As with all dining out, one can't help but wonder what is in one's food. I feel like I made plenty of vegan "oops" mistakes today, like not thinking twice about a hotdog bun probably having egg in it, or that the sugar in my popsicle probably wasn't vegan. But, these are the risks that one takes when eating out, veganism isn't about purity (for me anyways), and I'll just have to try harder to remember. ...Come to think of it, I found it really disorienting to order through a window--it's been so long!

No Sympathy for the Deli

Peakles--these were exactly what I decided on for an appetizer when I was going through all the online menus. In online reviews, people rave about these and described them as spicy. I really liked them, and could probably crunch down on them all day, but I was expecting visible chile pepper elements and a little bit more burn. Still want them at my next special meal, though.

Mama Duke's

Online reviews also rave about Mama Duke's good sized portions and falafel burger. But, much to my surprise, there were only "falafel dogs" on their menu today. Conceptually it was very strange, so I inquired with the window person and decided it was in fact worth it, which was then reinforced with an unsolicited "falafel tot" sample. (It was nom.)

The dog came with a vinegar-based savory slaw (under the dog), red pepper sauce, and tahini (I asked for no tzatiki); as well as some fried carrot(?) shreds and a sprinkle of raw white and green onion. Good, good stuff. Two rather unique 'hotdogs' for only $7. ...I found myself really wanting some more of that slaw.

Local in Motion

Homemade spätzle in NC?! Woot!

After much ado about excluding the (au) jus sauce, I finally got it ordered "vegetarian" in the words of the window person, with the sweet potatoes. (It was an amusing exchange whereupon I realized I should have just use the "v" word; especially since the chef's wife is vegetarian and thus hopefully understands when people don't want animal broth in their food.) Anyways, apparently it comes with Parmesan on it, so I was a 'bad' vegan and ate it anyways because I didn't want to waste. It was all kinds of savory goodness.

I recall these sweet potatoes and greens fondly.

LOCOPOPS

Today, on the aqua-based side, they had "Cinnamon and Apple Cider" flavored locopops. If it hadn't been so cold, I'd have probably gotten a second.

Daisy Cakes

Daisy Cakes was also there, but I didn't stop by since I'd been to their shop recently. Nonetheless, in their storefront residence they have the above.