Suma Veggie Cafe Richardson, TX

Whether you are a strict vegetarian, vegetarian, enjoy vegetarian food or simply tolerate tofu then Suma Veggie Café will be your kind of place. I fall into the third category and therefore Suma Veggie Café is my kind of place. Kishore, who falls into the first category, and I went there for lunch today. This is some really good vegetarian food, some of the best in fact. You can read what others say about it at Happy Cow. It is located at 800 E. Arapaho Suite 120 in Richardson, TX. Their number is (972) 889-8598.

 

They serve a buffet of all vegetarian dishes for only $6.80 with tax per person. The buffet has many great options like “pork” cabbage. I just have to same something about the ‘pork’. It is based on soy and they have done an awesome job in imitating pork both in taste and even in texture. They also have two soups – hot and sour and another with a clear broth. They serve a normal tofu dish, several good mixed veggie dishes, and a potato dish with a greenish color that is my second favorite dish. They also have some good bread, ‘egg’ rolls and much more. Last, but not least, they have white rice, fried rice and brown rice. I am hungry about it just writing about it tonight, even after eating the steak I just cooked on the grill for dinner (never said I was a vegetarian)J Here is an interesting webpage espousing the virtues of vegetarian eating (Check out the list of vegetarians on the top right link).

 

The story here is a good one. Philip and Elaine Chang have owned Suma Veggie for the last 9 years. Previously, they owned a Chinese restaurant for over 10 years that served meat. They then started following Supreme Master Ching Hai. They did a 180 degree turn, stopped serving meat and began serving only vegetarian food (not sure if they sold there other restaurant or just transitioned). Elaine did mention that she uses several of her ‘meat’ recipes and has transformed them into vegetarian dishes. They wanted to provide a place where others can enjoy very tasty vegetarian food. Since they are experienced vegetarians with professional cooking experience they are achieving their goal. This story is a solid 4 page story.

 

The first table for 4 is reserved for Philip, Elaine and the wait staff to sit, eat, read the paper, mail, magazines etc. They treat their wait staff as family; in fact Elaine said they were all like family. This really sets a casual feel to the place, like you were sitting in their living room. The hole in the wall factor; not a difficult choice, 3 holes.

 

Hopefully, I will return soon and take some pictures. Until then check out Suma Veggie Café, my kind of place.

Lee’s Catfish Richardson, TX – teaser

I can’t wait until I can post the complete entry for Lee’s Catfish. This is definitely my kind of place and potentially the prototype for my kind of place! I had lunch there today with Hooman and Hal. I have been eating here for many years and simply love it. Here is a picture from the outside.

Hopefully I can complete this post by early next week at the latest.

Dining Hall in Buddhist Temple in Richardson, TX

When was the last time you went to eat lunch at a Buddhist temple? I went Monday, accompanied by Hooman and Malcolm, to the dining hall of the Buddha’s Light International Association. It is located in Richardson at 1111 International Parkway. From the outside you think you are at a normal 3 story office building. The only indication is the sign on the building that says “International Buddhist Progress Society”. Walk in the front door by the playground (there is a preschool for children inside) go up the elevator to the 2nd floor and you will find the dining hall.

They serve a buffet of all vegetarian dishes for only $6 per person. Additional donations are accepted in a large wooden donation box. In years past they had a big screen TV on with a Buddhist priest teaching. The last couple of times I’ve gone the TV has been off.

The food is always very good. There is a large pot holding white rice and two buffet tables holding a great variety of your favorite veggie recipes including: broccoli, tofu brown sauce (for the noodles), noodles, fried rice, spring roll (cabbage), a tasty seaweed, tofu dish, thin noodles (Hooman called them nano-noodles) – these are my personal favorite, fried balls (carrot, cabbage & potato) hot & sour soup, some veggie that I thought was sweet potato, but Malcolm said it is a type of gourd with green skin and grapes for dessert. There is also a nice black spicy sauce that is my kind of sauce (nice flavor and good kick). The menu does change often. Hooman, Malcolm what else did I miss?

The temple has been at this location since 1992 and has been serving food since 1994. They decided to serve food to provide a convenient place for their church goers to eat and experience good vegetarian food and for others to experience a meal where no animals had been killed. I received all this information from a lady who also served as a translator from one of the leaders there in the temple. She told us that a vegetarian meal is more peaceful (since no animals were killed). Another thing I learned while talking to her is that they do not serve garlic or onions either. Both can alter your mood and since in Buddhism you are trying to reach a state of peace you would not eat mood altering foods (garlic & onion) or meat (you have participated in killing a living creature). Interesting thoughts, maybe I need to start another blog related to philosophical and religious discussions (why do other animals eat animals… why do humans have many carnivorous biological features… is it wrong to kill mosquitoes who carry west Nile virus…why do we do evil things… who can help us and how), but that is for another day.

The hole in the wall factor is challenging for the Buddhist temple. As mentioned before the building looks like an office building and you would never know there is a restaurant there unless someone told you (that’s pretty ‘hole in the wall’ ish). The décor is next to nothing; a few Chinese character posters and then one wall with several posters and sayings. For example: “Relax and indulge yourself with vegetarian food and determine to be a noble person.” However, there is a lot of room and it is in a large 3 story building. So, taking all things into consideration, I will give it a 3 ‘holes in the wall’ rating.

The story rating is also challenging. It is not an official mom and pop restaurant. However, eating in a Buddhist temple is quite a story in and of itself. I will give it a 3 page rating (save the 4 & 5 page story rating for more interesting personal stories) since it is only one of the two Buddhist temples of the Buddha’s Light International variety in the country that serves food.

So, next time someone says lunch, tell them ‘have I got a place for you’ and take them to the Buddhist temple dining hall, my kind of place.