The Vegetarian Connection

by: Shanna Alley


Have you ever gone out to eat and there is not anything on the menu you can have except a salad? I have. Do not get me wrong— I love a salad any day, but when you go out to eat you want to have something more than just a salad: especially if it is just your typical salad with greens and vegetables. How boring is that? People want to pay good money for good food.

Once when I was out with my family my mother ordered a black bean burger with mushrooms and Swiss cheese on it. Normally that would be a regular burger with the same toppings. The waitress misheard what she wanted and my mom got a totally different dish, not made with meat, but it has bacon on top. My mom asked, “Why does this have bacon on it?” The waitress said that is how the chef makes it. How can that be vegetarian when someone asks for a meal to have no meat in it whatsoever?

It makes me wonder, do people really understand what it is to be a vegetarian? That means no meat at all, with the exception of those who eat fish. I would not even consider that vegetarian because you are still consuming an animal. People need to understand the difference between vegetarian and vegan, what to do when someone has a food allergy, and what to substitute when someone cannot eat certain foods. I suggest everyone start learning what he or she does not already know because it will come up in life at some point.

Take advantage of this city and the variety of restaurants it has to offer. If the restaurant or café has a menu posted in their window, always read it before entering just in case you do not see anything you like. Remember, always pay attention to what is being served to you. You never know what people might slip in it.


If you are new to Pittsburgh and want to try somewhere different to eat, then I have some suggestions for you. Not only are they easy to find, but affordable as well. Support the local restaurants– not the corporate chains.

Suggested Restaurants in Pittsburgh—

The Zenith
86 South 26th Street Pittsburgh, PA 15203
http://www.zenithpgh.com

Lu Lu Noodles
400 South Craig St. Pittsburgh, PA 15213
http://www.lulusnoodles.com/lulusnoodles.html

Orchids
4519 Centre Ave. Pittsburgh, PA 15213

KAYA
2000 Smallman St. Pittsburgh, PA 15222
http://www.bigburrito.com/kaya/