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10 Vegetarian Sandwiches Even Carnivores Will Dig

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After three days' indulgence in fried fare and booze at Outside Lands, you may be feeling a little less than balanced in the diet department. So why not make it a meatless Monday and tuck into a delicious vegetarian sandwich? From grilled-cheese nirvana to fake meat that will fool even the most hardened meat-eater, SF boasts tons of delicious options to enjoy without the carnivore factor—an especially nice thing to do given that we're in a drought, and meat is a big consumer of water. And if you're already a vegetarian, there's no time like the present to bring your friends over to the light side.


We know this is only the beginning in terms of tasty vegetarian sandwiches. Share your favorites in the comments.

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The Plant Cafe Organic

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The Plant is generally abundant with options for vegetarians, but it's their veggie burger that frequently earns the title of the city's best. Bright-red from its primary ingredient, beets, it also contains lentils, mushrooms, cashews, and bulgur. You can get it topped with avocado and white cheddar, or wasabi, raspberry aioli, and sauerkraut (the latter option is vegan).

Il Cane Rosso

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OK, we'll be straight: Cane Rosso's warm egg salad sandwich has a very small amount of anchovy butter in it. But since we know a few vegetarians who are willing to look the other way on small amounts of fish, we had to include it, because it's otherwise so good, with the delicious eggs, aged provolone, and crisp Acme foccacia. If you can't see around it, they always have a seasonal vegetarian sandwich that's usually quite good.

The American Grilled Cheese Kitchen

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The American has a ton of vegetarian options, but a crowd favorite is the mushroom Gruyere grilled cheese, with roasted potatoes, melted leeks, and caramelized onions all tucked inside. Add in some smoky tomato soup or quinoa salad for a hearty meal.

Merigan Sub Shop

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Liza Shaw's takes on East Coast-style Italian grinders are legit, and vegetarians aren't left out with the eggplant parm sub, packed with basil, fresh tomato sauce, and oozy mozzarella. For a more California direction, the panelle, with chickpea-flour fritters, ricotta, and olive salad, is equally killer.

Ananda Fuara

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Made from grain, eggs, and ricotta, Ananda Fuara's "neatloaf" is pretty fantastic in sandwich form, on toasted wheat bread with a tahini spread. They'll make it vegan by request. "Turkey" clubs and "chicken" salad are also available.

4505 Burgers & BBQ

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It may not seem like a great place for a vegetarian, but Ryan Farr's meat palace boasts a solid veggie-friendly sandwich, with a patty made of fried grits and topped with roasted green chiles, Oaxaca cheese, and a fried egg, all on a buttery bun.

Love N Haight

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Carnivores have long been converted by the smoked duck sandwich at Love N Haight, which is made of fake meat. Other solid options include "chickensteak" (without chicken, of course), and there are several vegan bread options.

Dinosaurs

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The crispy tofu banh mi at Dinosaurs is so beloved that even many carnivores skip the meat in favor of it. The key is that the tofu is shredded, not fried in slabs, ensuring maximum crunch with every bite. You can also get it in a fresh spring roll; both are vegan, as are the avocado or mango-mint shakes.

Rhea's Market & Deli

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Rhea's is known for their Korean cheesesteak, and vegetarians can enjoy it too with a marinated "vege-beef" option that comes topped with cheese, pickled red onions and jalapenos, chili sauce, and more. There are also several options made with vegetarian chicken, like the BBQ chicken or the Miss Piggy (with mozzarella, avocado, pesto, and tomatoes).

La Torta Gorda

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La Torta Gorda is known for its massively meaty sandwiches, but the rajas con queso is a sleeper, filled with slices of roasted poblano pepper, Oaxaca cheese, and queso fresco, with the standard accompaniments of guacamole, refried beans, and pickled jalapeños.

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The Plant Cafe Organic

The Plant is generally abundant with options for vegetarians, but it's their veggie burger that frequently earns the title of the city's best. Bright-red from its primary ingredient, beets, it also contains lentils, mushrooms, cashews, and bulgur. You can get it topped with avocado and white cheddar, or wasabi, raspberry aioli, and sauerkraut (the latter option is vegan).

Il Cane Rosso

OK, we'll be straight: Cane Rosso's warm egg salad sandwich has a very small amount of anchovy butter in it. But since we know a few vegetarians who are willing to look the other way on small amounts of fish, we had to include it, because it's otherwise so good, with the delicious eggs, aged provolone, and crisp Acme foccacia. If you can't see around it, they always have a seasonal vegetarian sandwich that's usually quite good.

The American Grilled Cheese Kitchen

The American has a ton of vegetarian options, but a crowd favorite is the mushroom Gruyere grilled cheese, with roasted potatoes, melted leeks, and caramelized onions all tucked inside. Add in some smoky tomato soup or quinoa salad for a hearty meal.

Merigan Sub Shop

Liza Shaw's takes on East Coast-style Italian grinders are legit, and vegetarians aren't left out with the eggplant parm sub, packed with basil, fresh tomato sauce, and oozy mozzarella. For a more California direction, the panelle, with chickpea-flour fritters, ricotta, and olive salad, is equally killer.

Ananda Fuara

Made from grain, eggs, and ricotta, Ananda Fuara's "neatloaf" is pretty fantastic in sandwich form, on toasted wheat bread with a tahini spread. They'll make it vegan by request. "Turkey" clubs and "chicken" salad are also available.

4505 Burgers & BBQ

It may not seem like a great place for a vegetarian, but Ryan Farr's meat palace boasts a solid veggie-friendly sandwich, with a patty made of fried grits and topped with roasted green chiles, Oaxaca cheese, and a fried egg, all on a buttery bun.

Love N Haight

Carnivores have long been converted by the smoked duck sandwich at Love N Haight, which is made of fake meat. Other solid options include "chickensteak" (without chicken, of course), and there are several vegan bread options.

Dinosaurs

The crispy tofu banh mi at Dinosaurs is so beloved that even many carnivores skip the meat in favor of it. The key is that the tofu is shredded, not fried in slabs, ensuring maximum crunch with every bite. You can also get it in a fresh spring roll; both are vegan, as are the avocado or mango-mint shakes.

Rhea's Market & Deli

Rhea's is known for their Korean cheesesteak, and vegetarians can enjoy it too with a marinated "vege-beef" option that comes topped with cheese, pickled red onions and jalapenos, chili sauce, and more. There are also several options made with vegetarian chicken, like the BBQ chicken or the Miss Piggy (with mozzarella, avocado, pesto, and tomatoes).

La Torta Gorda

La Torta Gorda is known for its massively meaty sandwiches, but the rajas con queso is a sleeper, filled with slices of roasted poblano pepper, Oaxaca cheese, and queso fresco, with the standard accompaniments of guacamole, refried beans, and pickled jalapeños.

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