Introduction
I’m always looking for new food experiences in Pittsburgh, so when I heard about the Vegetarian Festival at Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall, I knew that it was something that I had to try. The festival featured more than two dozen vendors who served everything from vegan cheese and meatless sauces to sweet potato dogs and plant-based ice cream.
The space was filled with vendors who sold items including vegan cheeses, veggie burgers and meatless sausages.
The space was filled with vendors who sold items including vegan cheeses, veggie burgers and meatless sausages. Other vendors sold items such as vegan ice cream, cookies and pizza.
Some of these vendors were local businesses while others were traveling from all over the country or even the world to be there at this festival!
One of the first things I tried at the festival was a sweet potato dog from Mama Dogs, which was only $4!
One of the first things I tried at the festival was a sweet potato dog from Mama Dogs, which was only $4! This Pittsburgh-based food truck offers vegan hot dogs and sausages as well as cheesesteaks. They were one of the first vendors at this year’s festival and they sold out quickly!
The sweet potato dog is made with grilled onions and peppers, pickled jalapenos, mustard relish and ketchup on top of their homemade vegan sausage patty – it tasted amazing! The texture was perfect too; it didn’t fall apart when you bit into it like some other veggie burgers do sometimes (I’m looking at you Impossible Burger). If you’re looking for something a little more adventurous than your typical ballpark fare but still want something filling enough to hold you over until dinner time then definitely give these guys a try!
I also got a cookie from Peace, Love and Cookies, which sells cookies made without eggs or dairy, but made from ingredients like coconut oil and peanut butter.
The cookie was delicious, and it was the first time I had tried a vegan cookie. I liked it so much that I bought another one! The price was also good, at only $2 per cookie. The name of the company is funny too: Peace Love & Cookies sounds like something out of an old Looney Tunes cartoon!
Next up was a taste of plant-based ice cream from Cool Beans Creamery.
Next up was a taste of plant-based ice cream from Cool Beans Creamery. This vegan ice cream shop sells cones, sundaes and milkshakes made with coconut milk. They also have an array of flavors including mint chocolate chip, cookies and cream, and coffee.
Cool Beans uses cashews as a base in their recipes along with other ingredients like dates or agave nectar for sweetness. The result is a delicious treat that’s healthier than traditional dairy-based options because it has fewer calories per serving!
I also tried pizza from Mellow Mushroom, which offers vegan cheese as an option on their pizzas.
I also tried pizza from Mellow Mushroom, which offers vegan cheese as an option on their pizzas. The cheese is made from cashews and has a flavor all its own. It’s not the same as regular dairy cheese–it’s more tangy and sweet, but it does melt like regular mozzarella! If you’re looking for something that tastes just like your childhood favorite pizza toppings, this probably isn’t going to hit the spot–but if you’re looking for something delicious that doesn’t contain animal products at all? This is definitely worth trying!
Conclusion
If you’re looking for something to do in Pittsburgh, check out Taste of the South. This is a great way to get introduced to all of the vegan options the city has to offer and get excited about what’s coming next!
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