vegetarian cafe

Hello everyone!!!
I am so happy to have happened onto this site and am enjoying the reads.
Currently I am putting together my plan to open a cafe here in South Bend Indiana area (go Notre Dame!) Since I am a vegetarian and there are no such restaurants here, I'm leaning towards offering good fresh vegetarian/vegan selections for the breakfast and lunch crowds. I know firsthand how hard it is to find something to eat when I go out or just want to grab something and the choices are usually a blah sandwich with the usual veggies or just a salad. (ugh, Subway) But here's where I am puzzled. I know that people are looking for this kind of food as my vegan son works in a very popular coffee shop/cafe and people are constantly asking his advice for veggie type foods off of their menu, so why hasn't it been done already in this large college town? (broad thinking out loud question) Is it a unknown fact to me that vegetarian type restaurants don't make it in the Midwest? Does anyone have any advice or know of any good websites that offer suggestions on running such a business?
Also looking for really, really good recipe ideas that will work for deli type eaterie AND that offer high flavor as well as menu ideas that will get a buzz going around town!

One thought would be to open a restaurant with a good veg selection along with some excellent options for those that aren't. My thought is there will be those that like the veg and those that don't. This gets both sides of the food equation and makes both happy. There are going to be those that thing veg food is "rabbit food" and will never walk into your place. With a selection for that side they may very well see veg items while eating and try those later. RJF

There are several successful vegetarian restaurants in Columbus, Ohio, as well as several that offer a wide range of vegetarian dishes. (Not, of course, that I'd be caught dead inside one of them.)

Benevolence Cafe and Bakery
41 Swan St. Columbus, OH
614-221-9330
http://www.benevolencecafe.com/

Whole World Natural Restaurant
3269 N High St, Columbus, OH
614-268-5751
http://www.benevolencecafe.com/

Udipi Cafe
2001 E Dublin Granville Rd
Columbus, OH 43229-3510
Phone: (614) 885-7446

Banana Leaf Vegetarian Restaurant
Olentangy Square Plaza
816 Bethel Rd, off 315 N, near Ohio State University
614-459-4101

Dragonfly
247 King Avenue
Columbus, OH
614-298-9986
www.dragonflyneov.com

I keep hearing good things about this place to the point that my vegetarian SO wants to make this a destination vacation next spring. If you have a good solid vegetarian/vegan menu, people will seek you out. Go for it! We may come your way too.

http://www.cookingvegetarian.com/

Not a pro, and I don't know the Midwest, but in my experience college towns are prime markets for reasonably-priced veggie fare. It sounds as though you're thinking of a cafe/lunch type spot rather than a fine dining room and that fits the college mode I know.

I'd suggest finding veggie items that can satisfy a meat-eating palate. One off the top of my head is falafel. If you can make the best falafel in pita in town and serve it at a good price you can draw in many folks looking for an alternative to burgers. In a college town don't forget to have a good hot sauce on hand.

Middle Eastern cooking has some other good satisfying veggie options. That might be a start for researching offerings. Maybe look at vegetarian Mex and Asian, as well.

Good luck!

As someone I once knew said: focus on the fact the food is generally healthier and less on its being vegetarian. I have served people vegetarian food before, and afterwards told them what they ate. Some were not happy, but admitted that it was good (and even asked for the recipe). A lot of people have misconceptions about vegetarian food, but once they actually try it they change their attitude. (My experience anyway.)

If you serve good food, they will come.

I myself plan to open a vegetarian place in the future (working on the basics right now), and I wish you good luck. Work on good food, great service, and a whip for the employees (just kidding, sorry couldn't help it).

As for why no one else did it, well... maybe they thought it wouldn't work. I have been told that many times over (I am in the mid-west as well) that it will not work, and I shouldn't even try it. My response, I don't know it won't work. I do know that great food and great service will draw people in.

My sincerest thanks to those that offered advice! I'm leaning half way between healthy and tasty deli sandwiches and a serious array of vegetarian sandwiches done right! Also want to mix with really, really good coffee! How fun! I am by no means a seasoned chef and have little experience in owning a food emporium, but I know what's missing out there for our $$. Seems like Subway, Jimmy John's and Panera are the only competition and they leave alot to be desired although Panera serves with some class. This is my dream and I'm going for it and I'm still open to suggestions if anyone has any sandwich ideas that they've had that made them want to go back, and back, and.....
Thanks again!

quote:

Originally posted by pom7756

My sincerest thanks to those that offered advice! I'm leaning half way between healthy and tasty deli sandwiches and a serious array of vegetarian sandwiches done right! Also want to mix with really, really good coffee! How fun! I am by no means a seasoned chef and have little experience in owning a food emporium, but I know what's missing out there for our $$. Seems like Subway, Jimmy John's and Panera are the only competition and they leave alot to be desired although Panera serves with some class. This is my dream and I'm going for it and I'm still open to suggestions if anyone has any sandwich ideas that they've had that made them want to go back, and back, and.....
Thanks again!

I would suggest healthy and tasty and vegetarian. Many people have told me you can't have both, but I have proven them wrong. It can be good for you and taste good at the same time.
Being a seasoned chef helps, but working in the food service industry is also important. I have worked in a couple of restaurants (and managed one), as well as fast food. Many lessons were learned that will aid me when I open my own place.
I am currently working on vegetarian sandwich ideas myself, and I wish you good luck. I have also been working on some good side dishes like: oven baked potato chips, eggplant rolls, and spiced plantain bites. There are some good cook books to give you some ideas, as well as some good websites.

This place is by no means in a college town and has no trouble attracting customers. Like I said upthread, if you are good, people will seek you out.

http://www.cookingvegetarian.com/Wisconsin_Dells_Restaurants/Menus.html

on the West Coast, there are many more healthy sustainable/organic type places with meat
than Vegetarian or Vegan places. How strict do you intend to be in definitions?
Are you planning on more snacks/sandwiches, or sitdown casual?
Here's a lady with a string of West Coast Places, including one here in Ashland.
http://www.isabelscantina.com/index.html
Plenty of non meat dishes, but something tasty for everone also...

I eat at Beans and Barley in Milwaukee. It's on the east side, across the street from Whole Foods and between the campus of the University of Wisconsin and Marquette University. The neighborhood supports the restaurant, which includes a small bakery, deli and hot food counter, and food store. Lot's of take-outs for lunch and dinner. No matter what day or what time, the wait for the restaurant is normally 20-30 minutes. Saturday and Sunday morning breakfast/brunch is at least an hour. They also have a sit-down counter for dining. Best of luck to you on this venture. www.beansandbarley.com

CSD

Here in Peoria (IL), One World Cafe has been around since 1993 and is located near Bradley University. It has a combination vegetarian and general menu and is very popular. Check out their "History" section on their website. http://www.oneworld-cafe.com/site/index.htm