How to Order From Restaurants as a Vegan - EASY Tips + Tricks!

[@EmilyLena]

I recently went traveling in Europe and I didn't exactly have a hard time but I was really missing my home staples. I went into a restaurant in London called Tabernacle (very nice aesthetic too) and there were no vegan options on the menu but I told my server I was vegan and he got the chef. The chef simply said "oh you are vegan? I'll fix you something" he came up with his on creation of curry veggies and rice and beans. Something similar to what I would make but also so much better than what I can do in the kitchen. The chef seemed excited to be able to go "off book" and create me something and I was so grateful :) such a wonderful experience

[@CaitlinShoemaker]

That is awesome!

[@anniexo3179]

Awwww that's super nice of them!!

[@Sonja25997]

EmiPerks that happens to me all the time. They often love to do something different (: And I have literally done that everywhere. Especially in service areas on highways. They have been the kindest people and have always prepared something for me.

[@mikekuppen6256]

That´s usually my experience when I go out to my family of allergics: we usually call ahead because we combine so many different allergies but they pretty much always try to be helpful and fix up something gorgeous.

[@catherinebiermann295]

Same thing happened to us in a little fish shack in Exuma. My daughters, both vegan, were resigned to just getting French fries. I happened to mention it when the waitress seemed a bit confused that they only ordered fries. She said "oh, you're vegan? One sec". And she went into the kitchen. A moment later the chef came out. He was vegan too. He made them the best curried stirfried veggies over roasted potatoes. He even walked to his house up the road to get these potatoes he wanted to use for them. It was truly a very memorable experience.

[@alisonishikawa]

transitioning to becoming vegan and these videos are so helpful :)) love you !!

[@100spoonsonatable9]

Download vegan amino. It's amazing app where you can post recipes, ask questions, make polls etc. I see over 10 people asking for help with transitioning a day, you're certainly not alone. Ayways good luck!

[@CaitlinShoemaker]

That makes me so happy to hear!

[@Raddiebaddie]

Mexican restaurants are good too! Veggie fajitas, veggie burritos, rice and beans, etc.

[@CelStarProductions]

Rachael DeLashmit Agreed! Just make sure to ask if they put bacon grease or meat in the beans because that is common in my experience with many Mexican restaurants in San Antonio, TX

[@CaitlinShoemaker]

For sure! I agree with Celeste too :)

[@kelticenigma7987]

Also be prepared that the veggies may be grilled on the same surface as the meat. That's been my experience.

[@nightembergrl]

Also Mexican restraints tend to use lard in their beans or cook their rice with chicken stock

[@SLAMSwan]

I agree! Sometimes the rice and/or rice are cooked in chicken stock, so I always ask.

[@pansyjess5223]

When you speak I can tell you're educated, your pronunciation is lovely

[@CaitlinShoemaker]

Why thank you! I appreciate that :)

[@okjessicah]

Almost every restaurant will prepare a vegan dish if you call ahead. I've done that and when I was at the restaurant and the server took out orders, all I had to say is that "the chef already has my order, if you could let him know that I'm here. That'd be great" I've never ran into an inconvenience with it. Plus it helps them to know I'm coming as a vegan 😁

[@N0ASAURUS]

Jessica Braunscheidel est

[@booksandbroadway]

Something I'd love for you to talk about is making mistakes as a vegan. I've been a vegetarian for four years and a vegan on and off through out that time, but I committed about a month ago and I'm not looking back. I'd say since becoming a vegan I've messed up 2-3 times, as in accidentally eating something that contains animal products, in situations where I'm eating out/someone else is cooking/etc. So I guess I'm curious about how you avoid slip ups and how to not be too hard on yourself when you do.

[@CaitlinShoemaker]

I'm definitely going to cover this soon! :)

[@audreyroland5015]

THANK YOU!!! Yes, I'm a server and it is honestly more stressful than my internship! I'm vegan and take all of the extra care in special orders because I'm the one that special orders when I go out as well!! But just be nice and friendly. I've been treated like GARBAGE because a gluten free burger came out wrong (which I'm not even in charge of, the kitchen and food runners are) and then they didn't tip. Let's leave a good impression on the world and give vegan a good name by being polite and not rude!💕

[@CaitlinShoemaker]

That's so frustrating! I've definitely been there :(

[@Potterhead50]

Audrey Roland I am a server as well and vegan. I’m curious if you feel weird about being vegan but also serve meat. I almost feel guilty somehow. I love my job, but I feel bad every time I bring out that plate full of animals :(

[@lindsaysimplyliving803]

You can tell your mind was brimming with ideas for your channel! Love the recent uploads. Keep it up!

[@CaitlinShoemaker]

thank you so much! I have plenty more ideas comin ;)

[@AntiUplineUnicorn8254]

yes its so good!!

[@April-vc9rq]

Maybe its different in my country but servers receive a full salary from their employer. The tip is a kind gesture which the customer chooses to do or not to do; not something the server is entitled to as part of their salary.

[@1.stitch.at.a.time.creations]

April most all servers in the US earn significantly under minimum wage as their salary so the majority of their pay comes from tips. However, it is common practice to under-tip servers based on service quality. The whole system is bullshit to me and completely subjective to the customer. Why I would never want to be a server in the US.

[@petra123987]

Nikita Falen How can they pay the workers below the minimum wage? Isn't that illegal or something?

[@ml199524]

petra123987 there is a different minimal wage for servers (at least, in Canada)

[@saraisreading4231]

A full minimum wage in the US is $7ish in most places, but for tipped workers it's closer to $2.

[@minime7375]

Same for me, I tip because i want to and tip higher as appreciation for good service but it's not a must where i live. If people are paid poorly and tips are part of their income that might explain the "rule" Caitlin detailed. They should get paid better though:/

[@Layla-yo3ph]

I live somewhere where we don't have many vegan restaurants

[@ninaserak9238]

Heather Perry same 😓

[@Layla-yo3ph]

in the south I have never actually met a vegan/vegitarian

[@lmb804]

Heather Perry I feel you. I live in the south and the nearest place is 45-60 minutes away :((

[@Layla-yo3ph]

yeah in the south its super hard to find vegan or vegetarian options

[@Layla-yo3ph]

the struggle is real

[@tuuanabal]

You're ADORABLE!! Such a chill, passionate and down to earth person who really wants to help without forcing anything upon your viewers or spreading the well-known “I'm right, you're wrong” attitude. Go Caitlin!

[@CaitlinShoemaker]

thank you!

[@RainbowPlantLife]

Such a useful post, Caitlin! Love your enthusiasm :)

[@victoriaprichard]

Aspyn Ovard mentioned you in one of her latest vlogs! SO great to see you being appreciated. I have been watching your channel for awhile now & have loved how you have progressed over the months. You seem like such a genuine person! Keep producing quality content!

[@Nikcholey]

I loved how passionately you spoke about being polite to your server and tipping appropriately. Before you even said it I knew you must've worked in the industry - people who haven't never really understand the struggle!!

[@calleigh4287]

I'm a server and I really appreciate u addressing tipping!!! Usually someone who asks a ton of questions or asks for a complicated order tips accordingly but I have had people who take up a ton of my time while I'm keeping other customers waiting who end up not tipping what I may deserve. I'm in NJ and we make $2.13 per hour and literally rely on tips. I do want to also stress that if the chef or kitchen staff will not modify a dish or create a vegan dish it definitely SUCKS but that is not the server's fault as some customers believe. Loved this video! As someone transitioning to vegan your videos are so helpful! Thanks! 💕

[@sharib104]

Yes! Thank you for adding the part about being polite and tipping your server.

[@tonia2483]

I looked up vegan restaurants in my area and come to find out I found a complete gluten-free vegan small café very close to my home that was amazing

[@m211020]

#4 is my go to! My grandma doesn't quite have her head around the whole 'vegan' thing, and one of her favourite restaurants is a steak house, and they have the most amazing roasted chilli potatoes that are totally vegan - that plus a side salad and steamed veggies is perfect!

[@gabyfernandes6334]

Thank you! This series came to me at a really good time because although I've been vegan for almost a year now, I've found myself less motivated and more frustrated eating out socially with non-vegan friends so this helped give me a boost.

[@kiddieuwke]

That sucks so much when you are depending on tips.... In the Netherlands you have a full salary and tips rarely happen. that is because basically the tips are included in the food prices so everyone has a fair salary and is not depending on people. Let's face it. Not al police men, office workers or any profession are hard workers, so why reward them but let waiters work for their money. loveee your videos video!

[@rachellechacon2905]

I like this video . its helpful . I started eating plant based back in september 2016, I remember feeling a little stressed about asking servers to make accomadations to my meals or even if id find options at certain places, especially because prior I was never very particular about adding or taking ingredients out of meals.now its easier and not so stressful.

[@paigegaldieri6243]

Do you have any tips for going to friends houses as a vegan? Sometimes it's uncomfortable when they or their family makes food and you have to turn it down

[@natalierosehilvert9946]

Honestly I NEEDED this! Eating at restaurants has been the hardest part of going vegan for me.

[@nicoleaggarwal7451]

You are one of the most helpful vegan you tubers! Thank you for making videos relevant to today's struggles!

[@Hokagenoel]

I love your videos, I'm trying to eat vegan foods and all your videos have been super helpful thank you so much ❤️

[@CaitlinShoemaker]

You're so welcome Noelea!

[@pppotatoes]

thank you so much for the last tip!!!!! I worked in food service for so long as well and being polite is so important

[@JJones-bo7zk]

Pointing out how important it is to be respectful to servers is sooo important. I don't get how some people go in with the mentality of being able to behave however they want just because they're paying. No, they bring you the food that you're going to consume. It's so foolish to think everyone is honest enough not to retaliate by doing something to it. There are some servers who have been caught doing inappropriate things to food unprovoked. And, it's just respect. I've never been a server, but I feel it's just common sense to be nice to people who are serving you food.

[@vasilikidalla5829]

thank you for this video Caitlin! love you so much! never stop making videos 😊❤❤

[@SarrrAvery]

Thank you so much for this advice!!! I am not vegan but I have always wanted to be I just wasn't sure how it would go if I get stuck needing to go to a restaurant. You are such an inspiration and I am looking forward to using all of this helpful information! thank you for being amazing!

[@roedub]

Thanks for the info! Just started the plant based nutrition lifestyle so this was helpful. Will have to pull up more of your older videos.

[@user-sv7ub3fd5w]

So glad you are doing this series!

[@ewq123ify]

two restaurants i went too last week were fully vegan fortuitea and loving hut in Washington PA and Pittsburgh PA

[@CaitlinShoemaker]

Yum! I've been to that Loving Hut before :)

[@ewq123ify]

that loving hut is getting ready to close :( but fortuitea is amazing

[@ewq123ify]

also @4:06 i am an ambassador for my town for that website

[@voidfest]

I love your videos! I live in Mississippi and it's so hard to find options for food. I have to drive an hour just to get groceries for the week. Your videos have definitely helped!

[@xoxAshh137]

thank you so much for including the bit about tipping appropriately!!! it is very frustrating when customers don't believe in tipping and punish the server as a result. Also i think a lot of people are simply unaware how much of a difference 10% vs 20% makes when tipping is your main income!!! Thank you for this!!

[@amypeattie2300]

Can you please do a video in going on holiday as a vegan or going to an all enclusive resort as a vegan please btw I LIVE YOUR VIDEOS!!!!

[@phonethatmello8989]

Adding to Tip 3, if you don't want to talk to people on the phone, a lot of restaurants have a Facebook page or another social media where you can message them directly and ask what vegan options/accommodations they can make!

[@Layla-yo3ph]

omg I love your channel soooo much

[@CaitlinShoemaker]

aw thank you!

[@carlotaperez7673]

I really like and enjoy this series!!! I think it would be a good idea to do a video in staple vegan (more "weird") aliments such as nutritional yeast, kale, spirulina... etc at which not everybody is used to!

[@priyal1415]

"Feel more than entitled to..." Empowering words. Thanks ❤️

[@Laylamarie97]

So happy to say I'm now vegan with a lot of help from your channel! Loving this lifestyle, thank you Caitlyn!

[@annacpea]

Aspyn Ovard talked about you in her last vlog!! It's the "summer clothing haul" vlog in the last two minutes of it

[@paigetaylor4531]

Yay! I love this video! This is so helpful!

[@CassieTranthesuperfitbabe]

Asian restaurants are my favorite! You do have to be careful of Indian curries because there are some that use yogurt and cream EVEN in their coconut curries :/ Vietnamese restaurants usually offer veggie spring rolls (my fave) and the best stir-fries!

[@Sunnylilies]

In my area there is one vegetarian restaurant and no vegan. This video is so helpful, thank you!

[@CaitlinShoemaker]

you're welcome!

[@christinalittle3708]

Great tips! Thanks so much! Love that you added the politeness tip. ❤️

[@kassitea6746]

I love your channel! Your so chill! I also love your recipes!

[@jada2061]

have been mia lately but girl love where you're at with your channel will forever watch!❤️❤️

[@CaitlinShoemaker]

thank you Jada!

[@gabriellebenoit8750]

Really good partnership- enjoyed this video so much!

[@ninaserak9238]

This video was super helpful! Thank you so much!! ❤️❤️

[@sophienapoli138]

Aspyn Ovard gave you a shoutout in her latest vlog!! So cool, thought you should know :)

[@juliettelackner7452]

Very helpful tips Caitlin! Thank you so much! 😄

[@peoplecallmeagoth]

thank you for talking about tipping!!! 👏👏👏

[@CaitlinShoemaker]

girl, my pleasure haha

[@brandim4764]

Yes! Thank you so much for emphasizing being polite. people tend to forget that their servers are people too

[@opipcardenas]

loving the recent videos caitlin! subbed just this january and you have helped me so much. thank you!!!

[@jessicapatton7721]

Thanks for the info!!

[@Donna_Dana]

Indian food is my favorite! There's a lot of legume-based dishes that are vegan!

[@ewq123ify]

on steakhouses there is one where i live that has a vegan burger

[@jonsparano6937]

You just changed my life by spreading the word about the Happy Cow app !

[@carolinaschechter3285]

I love your videos so so much!! You are really inspiring ❤️❤️

[@CaitlinShoemaker]

thank you Carolina :)

[@esmee928]

Does Grubhub only work in America?

[@brennathompson3854]

I usually have no problem finding vegan food at steakhouses. My mom's favorite steakhouse has a 4 for $10 option: choose any four sides for $10. They have 7-8 veggie sides, so it is worth it! A local seafood restaurant was my worst vegan dining experience: there was not a single vegetarian entree or side, let alone anything which could be veganized.

[@noraa2804]

Extremely helpful and practical, for everyone involved; thank you!!!

[@CaitlinShoemaker]

you're welcome!

[@ElinevanderLaan]

I went to a Texas ribhouse about a month ago with my family and I called ahead of time. When I got to the restaurant the chef came to our table to say that he liked the "challenge", because I was the first vegan to have ever visited the restaurant. The staff did an amazing job and were super friendly. They even told me that they always thought vegans were annoying and naggy people. Please remember that the impression you leave as a vegan on a restaurant's staff is going to make or break their impression of the vegan community!

[@thefamilymixx]

I really appreciated this video. I really avoid eating out mostly bc of my kids but also bc there aren't many options for us. this video definitely made me think twice and I may order pizza for dinner bc your pizza looked incredible!!

[@CaitlinShoemaker]

it was so yummy!

[@CarlitaVinci]

Very helpful and informative video! Thank you:)

[@CaitlinShoemaker]

You're welcome!

[@bawangputih360]

Aspyn mention you in her recent vlog !

[@lexieleighxoxo]

ooo you should make a nutritional yeast nacho cheese sauce for that pizzza!

[@April-vc9rq]

cheese on pizza is a must for me. I dont know if I'll ever be able to give that up. I however very rarely have pizza. Its wonderful to see though how much your pallette loves being vegan, where your tastebuds even start to prefer the vegan version of dishes.

[@Ella.L.]

you don't have to miss out cheese when going vegan! have you ever tried vegan cheese?

[@CaitlinShoemaker]

there are a lot of vegan cheeses out there that are SUPER realistic nowadays! Maybe you could give those a try :)

[@April-vc9rq]

Caitlin Shoemaker we don't really have good tasting melty ones in my country yet but I'll keep an eye out.

[@barrbuff]

great idea, don't see any one else doing this!

[@fatimac5253]

8:55 thank god the uk system is diff I typically don't tip/ tip them like 20p e.g order was £19.80 and I put down a £20 #StudentLyfe

[@bjorginio15]

I'm grateful for orlando being vegan friendly 👌🏽

[@jccastle3452]

Thanks for the great ideas! How about a video at some point discussing how to "veganize" your favorite recipes.

[@kaseyjordann]

Preach preach those tips girl

[@Angieforeva1]

Aspyn and Parker shouted you out on their recent vlog!!!

[@nunolopes3910]

Thanks for the video i actually do most of this stuff like calling ahead to the restaurant so i can be sure i can eat a good meal and not have to be worrying about asking all to be vegan while i'm there ;)

[@meghanb8319]

We have no vegan restaurants where I live. It's basically chipotle or salad

[@garden_therapy_nj]

Hailey my God you must live in the country...lol

[@lesbienby]

I find that Italian restaurants often have vegan noodles so I can get some sort of pasta dish with marinara :)

[@spenceraronfeld4456]

Hi I am in I am a Vegan in Miami too- and I find that a lot of restaurants use so much oil and salt that I don’t enjoy the food. Which pizza place is your favorite?

[@basicveganbitches]

what an awesome series! :)

[@AlexandraVicunaPerry]

Great video Caitlin...I'm vegan and I suffer from the 8 food allergies so I'm afraid to go out and eat, so yesterday I had one of those days were I went to a restaurant and I couldn't eat anything...didn't know anything about Grubhub, so thank you

[@celinejustine9747]

Love your videos, I am transitioning right now and your videos are helping me a bunch :) xx

[@carleymills322]

This was such a helpful video!

[@kelticenigma7987]

Well done, informative video.

[@suukikang]

Very helpful! Thank you for sharing these tips for going out to eat at restaurant is vegan options arent available!

[@melissataylor441]

Great video !! very helpful !

[@girlymoonlightsilke19]

thanks for the tips

[@SteffaniesJourney]

Great tips!! TFS

[@angelacastro7594]

I absolutely hate that there aren't any vegan/vegetarian restaurants near me 😩

[@CaitlinShoemaker]

I think if you're a little creative you may still be able to find some vegan options!

[@katlynisgreen13]

I love your videos, p.s. Aspyn Ovard just mentioned you in her vlog!

[@KennedyWalsh]

There was an ad for grass fed beef before this video... :/

[@evanbrown6039]

Kennedy Walsh mine was for a steakhouse :/

[@mariagabriela5721]

That's me in case of the pizza!! I mean I always do pizza by myself instead of ordering but I feel like without that cheese and just enough suuuper delicious veggies it tastes even better than a pizza which you can't even taste anymore bc of all the dairy cheese...

[@Sally-hc5bz]

The tipping system USA has is like non existent in Europe

[@mrsworldwide7631]

Sally99 in Hungary we always tip the server if we are satisfied with the meal. At least 10% of the total bill.

[@Cristina-rr9rf]

Love all these creative videos. Also, they're making me wanna go vegan ❤️

[@leedelacruz3444]

how do you do that when you're traveling in a foreign country?

[@saraelkassabany3735]

Yeah girl get that paper!!!

[@Woahhhitsmonica]

I love the thumbnail! :D love the smile

[@janaicr9629]

I honestly think ur so beautiful. Inside. Outside. ALL SIDES. Ur one of the sweetest honest ppl ever and i love and appreciate u so much. Like if u agree this girl beautiful😉❤️

[@CaitlinShoemaker]

haha aw! you're too sweet

[@katherinepayne3761]

Does it matter what dry yeast u use. I am a new vegan don't know much bout that.

[@mimiace1780]

I saw you wrote that you were allergic to dairy and eggs when you were ordering - do you have an actual allergy to them, or did you just add it to emphasize which food groups you were specifically avoiding? just wondering!

[@CaitlinShoemaker]

hahaha nope, that's a bonus tip ;) then they're extra careful LOL

[@mimiace1780]

Figured! I say I'm allergic to dairy too

[@KitKat-7417]

That pizza looks so good