What is it like being vegan in Corvallis, REALLY? (Portland: appointed, coop)

[funkypuppet]

We visited Corvallis in September and found it to be fairly vegan-friendly, but in only a week it was hard to visit too many restaurants. The coop was fantastic, and Sunnyside Up and Nearly Normals were great, but what about everywhere else? One of the main reasons I seek to leave the Deep South is the lack of veg-friendly restaurants. I'm tired of having to cook every meal from scratch. Can it be done? I'd like to hear from some vegans if possible. Don't want to move somewhere and then find it only marginally better than the place I fled.

[Shorty77]

I live in Corvallis and it's VERY friendly for vegetarians, and just a little less so for vegans. They have Cafe Yumm, has vegan mayo etc, of course Sunnyside Up and Nearly Normals, Fireworks which is local organic ingredients etc, Woodstocks Pizza, and most of the restaurants around here at least have vegetarian options. I can't see how it wouldn't be an improvement from the deep south as far as healthy eating goes...

[ak.nessa]

Corvallis is very vegan friendly!!!! VERY

[EatinTime]

Corvallis, for all its supposed progressiveness, is pretty shabby in the vegan department.

There are plenty of options for vegetarians, but if you're vegan then expect to do a lot of home cooking since you'll quickly exhaust the limited restaurant selection. Home cooking is often cheaper and healthier anyway

Two other options not mentioned by others : China Delight has a number of vegan friendly menu items, as does American Dream pizza (and their attached Crow Bar will serve vegan pizza until maybe 1 or 2 am)

[Fiddlehead]

Corvallis is largely a bunch of science nerds, so don't expect exceptional cuisine. However, Eugene and Portland are just up the road, and especially Eugene would be an easy weekend jaunt for better eats. Farmer's markets are also common and well stocked. That said, I think I would spend a lot more time worrying about getting a job, so you can afford your vegan eats. If you can land one, I don't think you will be disappointed, except, perhaps, by the weather.

[jjpop]

Originally Posted by Fiddlehead

Corvallis is largely a bunch of science nerds, so don't expect exceptional cuisine.

Science nerds don't like to eat good food? Actually, I kinda agree with you--but I think Corvallis doesn't do too bad considering it's small population (50k).

Originally Posted by Fiddlehead

However, Eugene and Portland are just up the road, and especially Eugene would be an easy weekend jaunt for better eats.

Agree. Many more choices in Eugene and Portland.

Originally Posted by Fiddlehead

Farmer's markets are also common and well stocked.

Including Corvallis's farmers markets. One on Saturday and one on Wednesday. Excellent selections of high-quality local produce and other goods.

Originally Posted by Fiddlehead

That said, I think I would spend a lot more time worrying about getting a job, so you can afford your vegan eats. If you can land one, I don't think you will be disappointed, except, perhaps, by the weather.

Ah, the job market. Now that we are in a recovery, there may be more of a need for service workers to cater to the needs of OSU students, hospital workers and retirees.