Phoenixville: A Cute Small Town With Vegan Eats

An hour from Philadelphia is the lovely borough of Phoenixville. Once the site of iron and steel mills, Phoenixville now has a thriving downtown strip containing diverse eateries, watering holes, and breweries. And some vegan eats! It is one of those places that feel like a mix of home and a refreshing liberation from the overpopulated pitfalls of the Tristate area.

It also has some cinematic clout–the classic horror film The Blob was filmed in town. Featured prominently, The Colonial Theater.

From The Blob (1958)

Our dinner destination: Taste, an all-vegan eatery affiliated with the local Sand Castle Winery.  Opening in May of this year, the eatery reflects changing attitudes towards plant-based foods. The plant proteins featured on its menu are from Minneapolis’s trail-blazing Herbivorous Butcher (see my visit there on this blog post). This is a wonderful partnership as Herbivorous Butcher creates from scratch in small batches.  

What is better than warm bread? Warm bread with plants on it! A delicious flatbread with cashew cheese (thank goodness no Daiya!), mushrooms, arugula, etc… just general yumminess.  So satisfying. 

Next, their version of Chicken & Waffles. Batter-dipped seitan atop waffles and sprinkled with meat bacony pieces.  This was pleasing but, with 2 forms of seitan, needed a straight up maple syrup for balance.  The syrup was sweet but had savory notes too. 

But c’mon. This was spectacular.  And in such a wonderful little downtown? Even better. You’ve come a long way, Vegan!

Also around in Phoenixville, Gangster Vegan Organics, the all-vegan, mostly raw counter spot perfect for recovering zombies.  Yes, we hit this spot up with our beautiful zombie faces.

Throwing vegan zombie gang hand gestures.

Since they were out of rice, we order two big packed salads. I had the Esta Loca, Romaine, Walnut Taco Meat, Pico De Gallo, Pickled Jalapeno, Cilantro Date Dressing, Cashew Nacho Cheeze, Avocado.

And my fellow zombie Kalefornia Love, Marinated Kale, Pickled Cabbage, Carrots, Cucumbers, Red Bell Pepper, Red Onion, Cashew Cheeze, Sunflower Seed Cheeze.

Though raw feels so good, we next headed to Steel City Coffeehouse, a cool coffeeshop for finally real coffee as I was having D.T.s all day dealing with only a weak cup of Wawa cofffee and a day of standing in the woods scaring runners. I also needed a sweet vegan treat, like this magic bar. Yummy.

Finally, our hotel in Reading’s hallway brings to mind The Shining.