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August 1, 2006
Bubba Gump Shrimp Vegan Co.
Let's sing it together, shall we: "Only in Santa Monica."
Not that I'm not happy about it, because I am, and not that I'm going to be hot-footing it over there, because I'm not, but the Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. location in Santa Monica has gone vegan, as reported by L.A. Observed via the Santa Monica Daily Press.
It seems that former Santa Monica mayor (and current vegan) Michael Feinstein (I take it this is a different Michael Feinstein than the piano-playing, Gershwin-singing guy) noticed there was NOTHING FOR HIM TO EAT at Bubba Gump, excepting fries and a side salad, and he remembered that Bubba's MUST serve vegan food or be in violation of its Santa Monica Pier lease.
Now on the menu: tofu fajitas, balsamic tofu salad and a Boca burger, plus a more extensive vegan menu on request.
Now that wasn't so hard. If only ALL restaurants had onerous leasing agreements that would make it better for me to eat there. Here's what I say: Offer the vegan alternative, and they will come. They meaning me. Ever been to Millennium restaurant in San Francisco. Fine dining AND all vegan. Why can't they do that here?
That said, if you tire of the vegan fare at Bubba Gump and want to explore Santa Monica's other, real vegan restaurants, there's no better place to go than Real Food Daily, 514 Santa Monica Blvd.
And if you want to stay in the good ol' Valley, it's practically a clause in your lease agreement (for your space on the planet, dude) to try Follow Your Heart, in what's called "The Sherman Way Corridor." (FYH is not totally vegan -- so don't have a cow.) Check out this recent review from Laist.com. Shop for some overpriced antique junk down the street, then step back in time to the 1970s at 21825 Sherman Way in Canoga Park, and have a nice meal. You can't go wrong with the Follow Your Heart Burger. Have a smoothie to go with it. Peace and love to y'all, brothers and sisters.
Posted by Steven Rosenberg at August 1, 2006 10:43 AM