A Vegetarian's Guide To Ruston Louisiana
I'm always on the lookout for tasty food. Sometimes though, as a vegetarian, it can be challenging to find good meat-free options. It's always helpful when someone shares their favorite spots with me. If you're looking for vegetarian dining in Ruston, these are some of my favorite restaurants and dishes.
Mi Casa Latin Restaurant
Latin food is one of my all-time favorites, and Mi Casa does it right. There are two Mi Casa locations in Ruston. There's the smaller Mi Casa Taqueria and then Mi Casa Latin Restaurant, which has a more extensive menu and a small market inside. Because the menu is larger, Mi Casa Latin Restaurant has more vegetarian options. You can't go wrong with the Baleada, which is kind of like a quesadilla filled with beans, cheese, and veggies wrapped in a thick tortilla. I also enjoy getting pupusas or fried plantains. But in my opinion, the best thing about Mi Casa is the salsa bar. I could have filled up on chips and salsa alone!
Baleada and plantains
Uptown Downtown is a cute salad and sandwich shop located, as the name would suggest, right in downtown Ruston. Uptown has several good veggie options from large, filling salads to warm toasted sandwiches. And because everything is made-to-order, they will gladly customize most of their dishes to exclude the meat. Along with their savory options, they also bake delicious cupcakes and desserts, some of which are even gluten-free and vegan. You won't lack selection when you visit Uptown Downtown.
I love Indian and Asian flavors. Kimlin, the owner of Chindian Flavors, blends East Indian, Chinese, and African spices to perfection. Most of her menu items are vegetarian, so it makes ordering easy. I picked the spicy green beans and curried potatoes. It was so good! Her hours change a lot, though, so be sure to follow her on Facebook to see when and where her food will be available. You won't want to miss her.
Directions to Chindian Flavors.
Roma Italian Bistro
Italian restaurants usually have several meat-free dishes on the menu. Roma is no exception. Some of my favorite dishes are the rigatoni vodka, the chicken murphy (without the chicken), and the margarita pizza. You should also order a side of "pink sauce" to dip with your bread. Roma has a great menu, and the staff is super friendly and helpful. The bar also has several drink specials, so if you're not looking for a full meal, you can pop in for cocktails and appetizers.
Directions to Roma Italian Bistro.
Brister’s BBQ
As a vegetarian, you can't always pick the restaurant where the group wants to eat. Generally, a BBQ place wouldn't be my first pick for dinner, but Brister's has some unique options. Most of their sides are meat-free, and they also serve salads. Something you don't see on too many menus though is a smoked sweet potato. At home, I usually eat sweet potatoes topped with black beans and grilled veggies. Brister's potato with brown sugar and butter though hit the spot on the rainy day that we visited. If your friends want BBQ, you'll still have options at Brister's.
Conclusion
Depending on the city you're visiting, being a vegetarian can be easy or difficult. In Ruston, I never have a problem finding good food that fits the way I want to eat. These were some of my top vegetarian meals in the city. Are you a vegetarian? What are your favorite spots for healthy eating in Ruston? Let me know below in the comments.