Why is Orange County becoming such a vegan hot spot?, WTH?

[Joan]

Okay so as of this writing there are:

Veggie Grill (2 locations in OC, including the original flagship store at UCI Marketplace)
Several Loving Hut locations: Orange, Huntington Beach and... Ladera Ranch. Ladera Ranch?
ZPizza with the Daiya cheese option.
Greens Cafe in Irvine.
That vegan Thai place in Irvine that I don't particularly care for (sorry).
Zen Vegetarian, Westminster (some of the mock meats may be non-vegan though)
Bo De, Westminster
Au Lac in Westminster
Thuyen Vien (closed but reopening, hopefully soon).
El Misti Picanteria Arequipe?a - whole vegan menu.
Native Foods, several locations.

There are more, but I have to get back to work. And WHY is IRVINE the steaming epicenter of a lot of this vegan action? Odd, very odd.

[Joan]

Just a note that if you sign up for Veggie Grill's birthday club, you get a coupon in the mail for one free entree. I used mine to get a cheeseburger "El Dorado style" which means it comes with pickled jalapenos and I think grilled onions.

I also love the peach iced tea at Veggie Grill, and the newly reformulated cookies.

[Priscilla]

Adding yet more evidence to your conjecture, Joan, the OC Reg's Food Frenzy reports on a new vegan place in fabulous Tustin's fabulous Prospect Village:

Freesoulcaffe

Cool name, and by the looks of it quite an investment of resources. Hope it goes for them!

Wednesdays of course the lovely Tustin El Camino Real farmers market is a short block away.

[Joan]

I was just reading about this place! I will have to take a look and report back.

[alosha7777]

Oooo. Thanks for the heads up. I'll definitely have to try since they're so close.