Ah, the joys of a road trip on spring break – the open road, the sun on your face, the wind rushing by, the challenge of finding something vegan to eat. For me, it’s that long stretch between San Jose and the Central Coast where eating options are bleak.
Any snacks that I actually remember to bring with me have long been eaten. Sure there’s always fast food chains or unknown restaurants where vegan inquiries are met with blank stares and the sound of crickets.
Then an Ike’s Place opened in Salinas of all places. Although Google maps had me driving the long way around to get there. Maybe it thought I should do a little sightseeing before arriving at Ike’s. It’s actually located not that far off of the 101 freeway.
Typical Ike’s, there’s something for everyone with separate sections of meat, vegetarian and vegan sandwiches made by super friendly folks. And the wait wasn’t too bad either.
I previously tried the Meatless Mike and the Vegan Backstabber at their Redwood Shores location. This time I went with a Vegan Handsome Owl – teriyaki, vegan breaded chicken, vegan cheese and wasabi mayo on dutch-crunch bread.
Delicious, a bit messy to eat, but so nice to be able to enjoy a good vegan meal at a pit stop.
Nice! Thanks for the intel! The last time we were in Monterey we saw Ike’s Place and assumed it was a knock-off. Ha! Thanks for setting us straight. And Salinas too! Man, do I love a good sandwich in an unexpected locale.
It’s getting easier to find vegan food all the time — maybe someday it won’t be such a big deal to find a plant-based meal anywhere.
Now that’s a sandwich! It’s so stuffed, I’m not sure I’d be able to wrap my jaws around it… But even if I had to attack with a fork and knife, I have no doubt that the bold flavors would shine through. It looks like such a tasty find.
trina – Me too. I didn’t know there was one in Monterey, it’s awesome there’s so many locations now.
Andrea – It’s definitely getting better but there’s still some holdouts. :-)
Hannah – Yup, it’s no small thing, hence the messy eating but it’s so good.
Ike’s was supposed to be opening in Westwood (LA area) a while ago, but I haven’t heard anything about it in ages. Not that I need yet another place to get decadent vegan food…
I was skeptical about teriyaki pairing with vegan cheese and vegan wasabi mayo. Your photo makes it look fab, though!
its always a gem finding good food to eat. I just returned from a trip to Austin, TX, the vegetarian capitol! I was so lucky to enjoy so many treats like a vegan tuna salad, vegan lavender cheese cake, and a vegan bbq sandwich. I said I had some authentic Texas bbq :-P
Man, that sandwich is to die for – wasabi mayo and vegan breaded chicken?! Do you have any idea what brand they use for their vegan chicken or did they make their own?
Vegyogini – I had no idea Ike’s was looking to expand to SoCal, if it happens that would be so cool.
LittleMonsterx14 – Sounds like a great trip and some super yummy treats to be had in Austin. :-)
rika – I don’t think the vegan chicken is made in house but I don’t know the brand either.
Brilliant! I would have to order that for its amazing name alone (though it doesn’t look like it tasted half bad either!)
Nice, I live in Monterey and am going to try this today. I am figuring out where to get good vegan eats but spend most of my time cooking in my kitchen. So many great things to eat and made. Been about 1.5 months on the diet now.