2. Mike’s Deli at Lazy Sundae
112 N. West St., Falls Church City
If you’ve always wished someone would recreate classic diner foods in herbivore-friendly form, look no further than Mike’s Deli, co-owned by siblings David and Rebecca Tax of Clare & Don’s Beach Shack (another of our top picks). Here you can chow on a Philly cheesesteak that’s done up with tasty veggies and melted cheese (with soy substitutes available in lieu of meat), stuffed into a hoagie roll and perfectly toasted on the grill. The vegetarian Reuben has all of the components of the traditional sandwich—Thousand Island dressing, sauerkraut, crisp rye bread—but with a very convincing mock chicken filling in for the corned beef. (And for those who still decry soy-based meats as “too artificial,” the Deli’s version of “chicken” is adequately salty, not at all rubbery, and pulls apart in a way that most soy products fail to do.) The provolone can also be swapped for soy cheese upon request.
Other dishes to try:
- Vegi-bacon breakfast sandwich
- Cali “chicken” club
- Haifa hummus