Dads’ John Bradley at Chicago Diner (photo: Carly Hoskins)
A couple months ago we had Silver Snakes’ Alex Estrada pick his five favourite vegan spots, now it’s time for John Bradley, drummer/vocalist of New Jersey emotional rock duo Dads, to choose his favourite animal-free eateries. And just like Estrada, Bradley, who currently resides in Ann Arbor, MI, had trouble narrowing it down to just five places, starting with his local haunt.
The Lunchroom, Ann Arbor, MI
Bradley: It’s an all-vegan café that used to be a food truck, and they were able to get the funding to make it an actual restaurant. It’s in a little spot in Kerrytown, which is downtown Ann Arbor. I used to live right around the corner, but we moved and now I’m a five or 10-minute walk away, but it’s very worth the walk. It has a set menu that isn’t too big, which is easier for picking things if you’re a first-comer, and they also do specials every night. Last night they had a butternut squash and bean cheese quesadilla, and they have a really cool cashew cheese. And they always have a lot of good sides and desserts and a great bakery selection of cupcakes, and cookies, and brownies, and all of that stuff.
I like how you were there just last night!
Yeah, I just got back from a small tour and it’s always the last thing we do before we leave for tour, go to the Lunch Room, and then the first thing I do with my girlfriend when I get back from tour is go to the Lunch Room.
Chicago Diner, Chicago, IL
It’s a big place with a diner-like atmosphere and it’s all-vegan. It’s probably one of the biggest vegan restaurant I’ve ever seen, and they have a bunch of selections. I’ll usually get the Reuben sandwich. If I’m trying to be a little bit healthier, I’ll try to get something else. The last time I was there was when we were in Chicago for Riot Fest and we went there and I ended up getting the Titanic BLT Burger and the mac and cheese, which is always amazing. They also have amazing vegan milkshakes. It’s a great place.
Real Food Daily, Los Angeles, CA
This one’s a lot more healthy. You don’t feel terrible after leaving it [laughs]. I can eat a whole plate of nachos and not feel guilty and regret it; it’s all very healthy vegan stuff. They have juice shots and juices. Their cheese is very light; it’s also a cashew cheese. Everything there is just very nice.
Watercourse Foods, Denver, CO
We were just there during Riot Fest Denver. Their seitan wings were probably the best wings I’ve ever had. And then I got these BBQ jackfruit sliders recently that were really good. Usually I’ll get the blackened tofu Caesar wrap, but I’m trying to avoid the soy, so I didn’t get it this time. Their mac and cheese is also really good and they have a bunch of great stuff to choose from. Oh, and their chicken waffles are really good.
Aux Vivres, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Aux Vivres is probably higher than five on my list, but this is just off the top of my head. It’s a great place and they have a great veggie pate, and they have a BLT where the bacon is actually smoked coconut, which is the best thing I’ve ever had in my life, and usually what we’ll do is one of us will get a BLT and one of us will get the veggie pate, so we’ll share with each other.
Aaaaaww, that’s nice!
Yeah, and they also have great smoothies.
Dads‘ I’ll Be the Tornado is out October 14 on 6131 Records.
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