Vegetarian Sandwiches
Your guide to eating out from a vegetarian who doesn’t want to cook
If I had to choose a favorite food, I think I’d go with sandwiches. There are just so many options when you start with two slices of bread. In 1762, John Montagu, the 4th Earl of Sandwich, who was a British Navy Commander and notorious gambler, was said to have invented the sandwich so that he would not have to leave his gaming table to eat. His version was putting meat between two slices of bread, but the sandwich has evolved to include a multitude of vegetarian options. From fabulous flatbreads, to insanely good grilled cheeses, OKC has a host of restaurants offering great sandwiches minus the meat.
Saturn Grill
In Nichols Hills Plaza, Saturn Grill is one of the hottest lunch spots in the city. With an updated menu, which includes some delicious sandwiches, it is more vegetarian-friendly than ever before. Saturn Grill cooks their flatbread to order for each sandwich, so you know they take freshness seriously. Their Portobello Mushroom and Roasted Veggie sandwiches both have fresh veggies and pesto, while their Falafel sandwich includes a house made falafel and delectable spicy red pepper sauce. My favorite is the #12, which you have to adjust to make vegetarian. Have them replace the turkey and bacon with mushrooms, which go perfectly with the caramelized onions, grilled jalapenos and red chili mayo. Get there before noon, as tables at Saturn Grill are at a premium.
The Mule
If you haven’t been to The Mule yet, you are missing out. Any foodie worth their salt has been there, and gone back again . . . and again . . . It is in fact, the location of the best sandwich I’ve ever had, ANYWHERE. But we’ll get back to that. The Caprese sandwich has a delicious balsamic reduction, along with tomato, two types of pesto, and two types of cheese. The Portacatoosa includes roasted portabello, fontina and goat cheese, with sundried tomato pesto and the balsamic reduction. And of course the Big Ass Grilled Cheese with their Big Ass Cheese Blend is a staple. All of these are outstanding, but now to the best sandwich ever, the Herbivore. As a fan of cheese made from cow’s milk, I would not have thought a sandwich made with cashew cheese could be so delicious. Oh, but it is. With mushrooms, avocado, grilled jalapenos, grilled onions, sundried tomato pesto, and chipotle aioli, it combines different flavors and textures perfectly. The Herbivore does come with beets as well, which I leave off due to preference, but if you are a beet fan, leave them on and tell me about it. Make sure to let your server know if you want it vegan, and they will switch out the honey wheat for sourdough and oven bake the sandwich to keep it butter free.
Red Cup Café
It’s always a pleasure walking into Red Cup and knowing I can order anything on the menu. They have by far the best vegetarian sandwich selection in OKC, and it is impossible to list them all. From the Epic, with house made sauerkraut, mushrooms and cheese; the Muy Tres, with tomato, onions and peppers on a jalapeno bun; to the #1, with peanut butter, honey and banana spears, there is a sandwich for every vegetarian at Red Cup. Try their Sloppy Jane or Meatless Ball Sub for a hearty meal. And as Vegans are aware, they can make almost anything vegan upon request.
Paseo Grill
Known for their delicious dinner fare, Paseo grill’s lunch menu is a bit of a secret. It includes an exceptional veggie sandwich, and others that can be altered to be vegetarian. The Grilled Veggie sandwich combines marinated portabellini mushrooms, eggplant, tomato and spinach, with basil pesto and a roasted red pepper coulis. It’s terrific, and is always a hit when I order it for catered lunches. Another option is the Turkey BLT wrap, sans turkey and bacon. It comes with avocado, baby Swiss, lettuce and tomato, with avocado ranch, all wrapped in a jalapeno tortilla. Feel free to request menu adjustments to fit your diet, as the staff at Paseo Grill aims to please.
501 Café
I remember the days when I had to drive to Edmond to enjoy the fabulous sandwiches at 501 café. When the Classen Curve location opened, it was an instant hit. Their fantastic focaccia with all of the creative combinations is truly something special, and they have several vegetarian sandwich options. Whether you go with the Grilled Portobello sandwich, with spinach, onions, avocado, and mushrooms; the Grilled Tomato and Cheese sandwich; or the Grilled Vegetable sandwich, with Swiss cheese and a plethora of sautéed veggies; you will leave satisfied. I like to order the Boar’s Head Grilled Turkey sandwich, subbing mushrooms for the meat. It pairs superbly with Swiss cheese, tomatoes, spinach, and spicy chipotle mayo. 501 is slammed at noon, so get there early to avoid the wait.
