A Note to Vegans 

Over the course of many years, we have modified recipes and added new menu items to satisfy the Vegan choice.  While we are not primarily a Vegan or even vegetarian restaurant, we do offer many items to satisfy a broad range of tastes and dietary restrictions.  There is no reason why families of different views can’t eat at the same restaurant and enjoy the same quality and taste despite their different views or dietary choices. 

It must be noted however, that our primary goals are the flavor and integrity of the products we sell.  That’s why we still make our own meatballs and all of our own sauces and dough.  We even cook our mushrooms fresh rather than use canned.  Our salads come from fresh vegetables that we meticulously wash before use.  We never use pre made salads from nitrogen packed plastic bags. 

All of our red sauces, whether for pizzas or pastas are Vegan.  I grew up in a home where the red gravy for pasta cooked all day, with meatballs and pork simmering in the pot for a rich and robust flavor.  It took me a year of trial and error before I finally replicated the taste and texture of that red gravy without using any animal products.  Even my relatives can’t tell the difference.  And I did this with no artificial ingredients or chemicals of any kind. 

Why?  I believe that families should be able to break bread together at the same table and share a meal that is as satisfying to the Vegan as the vegetarian or omnivore.  That’s why we try to offer choices that mirror the flavor of my family’s meals regardless of dietary choices. 

Even though our red sauces are Vegan, not all of our pastas are.  The fresh pasta is not Vegan, so when ordering, specify the imported rigatoni or imported whole wheat spaghetti.   We will gladly make a vegetable medley over either of those pastas instead of fettuccini, and we don’t charge a surcharge. 

All of our dough (except for fresh pasta) is Vegan, whether for pizza, Stromboli, or garlic loaf.  We use no dairy or honey or animal product of any kind.  We use no dough conditioners which often contain chemicals derived from dairy products.

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Soy Cheese 

We have been serving soy cheese pizzas and Stromboli since the late 1980’s.  We purchase our soy cheese directly from the Oregon manufacturer.  It is made primarily from organic soy beans, but it does have casein.  Casein free soy cheeses like “Follow Your Heart” liquefy when heated, and just don’t work well on pizzas, steaks, or Stromboli.  It’s like pouring yellow catsup on top of the baked pizza.  It just doesn’t measure up to our standards in terms of taste, texture or appearance.  

We always try the latest products, and I firmly believe our manufacturer continues to work on a solution to this problem.  However, so far no protein has been found to mimic the elastic properties of casein.  In the meantime, if you can’t or won’t eat casein, there are still choices open to you.  Order your Vegan steak sandwich or Stromboli without cheese.  Order a tomato pie instead of a soy cheese pizza.  Our tomato pies are a true taste of Italy, and my personal favorite, especially on organic whole wheat.  They are prepared and baked to order, and offer a satisfying alternative to dairy or soy cheese pizzas.