VeganFabulous

the lowdown: Perry’s Restaurant | 131 4th Street West, Ketchum, ID 83340 | 208.726.2203 | Entrees between $5.50 - $11

The three veggie options which should be easily veganified do not come without a lot of explaining, confusion, and waiting.

Perry’s is one of those pretentious family restaurants with pushy parents and screaming kids. You may also find the occasional mangy mutt off leash on the patio scavenging near the garbage because the owner is too rich to care how unsanitary that is. Are you grossed out yet? Good, because if you aren’t read on. This is a sandwich place with several veggie sandwiches but the teenage wait staff don’t know what it means to be vegan and even if you try to tell them what to hold, they screw up your order so bad that you end up with the wrong sandwich altogether. I literally had to send my order back 2 times and when it finally came out right the 3rd time, it was only a half sandwich when I had ordered a whole sandwich. If this isn’t enough to deter you and you still go, good luck.

the lowdown: Rickshaw | 460 N. Washington St., Ketchum, ID 83340 | 208-726-8481 | Website | Entrees $6 - $11

This place offers momentarily relief because the menu offers a vegetable section with vegan items specified but don’t get too excited, the service is disorganized at best.

Surrounded by trees and an open patio, Rickshaws offers an inviting atmosphere with a lively staff. Unfortunately, these great qualities don’t translate to good food or good service. The Jungle Curry was very disappointing because there were only a few pieces of watered down tofu. I am no chef, but even I understand the importance of pressing tofu before using it! The other downside was that my boyfriend’s hot and spicy soup (which he really liked) came out 10 minutes before my food and the folks at the nearby table who were seated well after us received the exact dish I ordered well before me! I guess we can’t have it all here.

the lowdown: The Kneadery | 260 Leadville Ave N., Ketchum, ID 83340 | 208-726-9240 | Entrees $8 - $11

Although the wait staff seemed perplexed when asked if something could be vegan, as long as you don’t mind explaining what that means and eating your cruelty-free grub under a wall mounted moose head, you have some options.

Family owned breakfast/lunch spot is great place for the gang and offers salads, a sandwich and fresh squeezed juices so you aren’t left out. The veggie sandwich is made with avocado, tomato, red onions, and sprouts and can be made on whole wheat bread. Just make sure to tell them to hold the mayo and cheese and if you get the side salad, have them hold the cheese on that too. The place gets busy so expect to wait 20+ minutes but constant stream of toddlers sticking their hands in the fountain then their mouths should keep you entertained!

the lowdown: Akasha Organics | 160 N. Main Street, Ketchum, ID 83340 | 208.726.4777 | Website | Entrees $9 -$13

The safest place in all of Sun Valley, everything on the menu is raw AND vegan. Your friends won’t feel too left out because they will put cheese on any of the dishes.

This tiny cafe is nestled in the back of a quaint bookstore and offers and entirely raw menu in which all items are vegan or can be slightly modified. I know little about raw foodism, but I do like the food. However, I can’t see myself taking that huge step as it takes so much preparation, planning, and care to eat this way. It was fascinating to watch them put together our dishes as nothing was premade or precut. It does seem that raw foodism doesn’t make for many options as the Spicy Tostado and Taco Plate were exactly the same with the exception of the spices. Don’t forget to stock up on teas and raw nuts while you are there!