Eating Vegan in Reagan International Airport, Part 1 -

I knew as soon as I was awarded a base at DCA, Ronald Reagan International Airport, I would track down all the vegan eats within its Gates. I would spend many hours, days really, sitting reserve within its halls and, at times, new meal prospects were the only thing that sweetened a relatively uneventful day if I was not call upon to fly. So without further ado, my first installment of what I discovered. I put the dishes I enjoyed most up to the top. Those I was more critical of towards the bottom. For the locations, click on the title links and let me know what you think!

Big Bowl

I know that this might seem boring to you, but Big Bowl’s Emporer’s Tofu & Vegetables is so damn good. The sauce is flavor-packed (ginger!) and not overly sweet and gloppy in texture, the vegetables are not overcooked and the tofu is plentiful. As I ate it I thought, “The is the best meal I’ve had in here so far!” It was piping hot and pleasing, with sparse string beans. (Do you know I am not a fan of string beans? Well, now you know.) Admittedly, it is perhaps the contrast of this dish with a “similar” one from PF Changs (reported on at the end of this post) that heightened my appreciation of Big Bowl. It was exactly what you want when you order a dish like this.

Ben’s Chili Bowl

So yes, you can get an all-vegan chili dog at the airport. This Peta-approved eatery has veggies burgers and a veggie dog to offer along with a vegetarian version of their namesake. This historic landmark in Washington DC, rooted over 90 years ago, is a wonderful stop in DCA for more than just the food. Just look at all the cred.

Cava Mezze Grill

One of two mezze grills in the airport, I enjoy the variety at Cava most. Though a build-your-own bowl can add up quickly, the result will be oh-so satisfying, protein-packed and colorfully nutrient dense. Also just having tahini for a dressing appeases that desire for some creaminess–an often unmet need when eating vegan in conventional eateries. This bowl was so delicious, though $24 in the end.

Mezeh Mediterranean Grill

The second mezze grill is the one I am most often nearby in Gate E. Their bowls are also delicious and include the option of Israeli cous cous, though, in general, they often skimp on portion. It’s frustrating because if I am not adding in meat, go hard with my scoops of all else please! Be careful on the sauce as I was once given dairy-based tzatziki and not tahini. If you are killing time, take a walk to Cava instead.

&Pizza

This one blew my mind… and entire vegan pizza with vegan cheese and choice of toppings. Do yourself a favor and share this with someone else. I ate the entire thing and felt a kind of gluttonous guilt afterwards. Do I require that much pizza? No, no I do not. But it is really good and you get to say “Go easy on the vegan cheese,” though they may not listen to you. Crust is perfection due to their interesting cooking contraptions you get to stare at when you wait for your pizza.

Matsutake Sushi

They’ve got a good amount of vegan sushi rolls on the menu and seem aware of how to veganize other vegetarian rolls too. In fact, their menu does a great job in distinguishing their vegetarian choices from their vegan choices, which always puts me at ease. I plan to return to try an entree or two (Tamarind Tofu… yesss) though they are even more expensive than airport expensive. The sushi was fine, for airport sushi.

Below an avocado roll and the Tofu Shiso maki

Cafe DCA (North & South)

If you are craving a sweet bite in baked good form, I was happy to see that Cafe DCA, at both the North and South security checkpoints, offer a vegan scone. And it is aptly called “Vegan Scone”! Nothing tricky there. It includes cranberries and a sweet scone-y dough that hits the spot. But it’s over $5, be forewarned. Is that a lot? It seems like it but I guess not in this day and age.

Farmer’s Fridge

You may have seen Farmer’s Fridge in other airports? Well it has some really good options for no-hassle sustenance. Breakfast can be hard for a vegan out and about, but I have long-loved their Pineapple Coconut Chia Pudding. I have taken to buying a banana and adding it to the mix. The flavors go so well together. They also have a chocolate chia pudding I have yet to try and their Napa Chickpea Wrap is always a texture, flavor and protein pleaser… three components that can be sacrificed when eating vegan on the fly with just conventional eateries about.

Taylor Gourmet

So file this one under very hearty… It’s named the “Cumberland” and you needn’t ask for any modifications on this bad boy. You get this really long sub bread with big deep-fried falafel balls they refer to as “chickpea fritters,” banana pepper, pickled red onion, lettuce, tomato, roasted garlic tahini dressing, olive oil… it’s pretty tasty albeit a bit dry.

P.F. Chang’s

The worst of the airport goes to PF Chang’s and their Buddha’s Fest: which is supposed to be five-spice tofu, a savory white sauce, garlic, green beans, mushrooms, cabbage, broccoli, carrots… besides a terrible ordering experience with my particular counter person I was disappointed to receive–at most–two pieces of tofu in this mess of slimy, flavorless vegetables in a water-like sauce. Not to mention I have a problem with the name of the dish as strict buddhists do not consume garlic… which was the only barely-detectable flavor I perceived in this waste of money. Though there are a couple of other vegan eats I could report on at DCA’s PF Chang’s, I have been reluctant to return.