McDonald’s’ controversial change of the beloved “Happy Meal” format got me thinking about being healthy today. For those of you who are unaware, McDonald’s is trying to combat critics who say that the restaurant chain has bred an army of the obese, and furthermore has enticed children into unhealthy eating with the toy and food combination in a Happy Meal.
The way they have gone about trying to change this image is by implementing menu items like salads, smoothies, and granola breakfasts and advertising their chicken sandwiches on television instead of their Quarter Pounders. To help their image in relation to the Happy Meal, they are now making the primary side item for the Happy Meal apple slices, doing away with the caramel dipping sauce, and requiring patrons to specifically ask for fries (that will come in a smaller size) to go with Happy Meals.
While first lady Michelle Obama praised McDonald’s’ actions, there has been quite a bit of backlash from consumers. Understandably so, seeing as many people don’t go to McDonald’s to try their apples. One radio DJ said this morning that she takes her children to McDonald’s for a Happy Meal as a special treat, an idea I find reasonable and relate my own upbringing to. Even with the change, Happy Meals still clock in at a little under 600 calories though, and that’s a lot of playtime little Johnny is going to have to crank out for one Happy Meal.
Treats can be bad for your health no doubt, but how about treats that taste good but are healthy? I’ll admit, it’s sometimes hard to find a healthy treat and not wish you were eating a juicy Big Mac instead. Yet, I had quite a treat when I went to Sluggo’s North Vegetarian Café located on Cherokee Boulevard. As the name suggests, Sluggo’s is about as far away from a McDonald’s as you can get. Their menu is all vegan. This means there is no dairy, no meat, lots of organic food, and plenty of local produce. This doesn’t mean though that you are getting a plate of steamed veggies. You will get a meal that is comparable to a meal in any other restaurant in good taste and with good flavor, but you won’t get any meat. You might even be surprised after you finish eating that you didn’t have meat and still had a great meal.
You can have an Italian sandwich on a crusty roll with grilled seitan, tomatoes and soy cheese and hardly tell the difference between this “faux meat” and the real deal. Their Culture Club features seitan, faux bacon and turkey and soy cheese. As someone who is very much against ham, this is one of my favorite sandwiches in town. Their tofu scramble features well seasoned tofu chunks, faux eggs, peppers, and onions and is also worth a try. Then there is the spinach hummus wrap with sprouts and onions that I am also quite fond of. Needless to say, I’ve been to Sluggo’s a few times, but I still have a lot to try.
Items I’d still like to try include their golden bowl tofu and their seitan chicken wings. For those new to faux meats, seitan is wheat gluten, made by washing wheat flour dough with water until all the starch dissolves, leaving insoluble gluten as an elastic mass, which is then cooked before being eaten. This may not sound appealing, but when seasoned and cooked right, it’s great. Grilled tempeh is also another one of my faux meat favorites. It is made by a natural culturing and controlled fermentation process that binds soybeans into a cake form, similar to a very firm vegetarian burger patty.
The meals at Sluggo’s also come with some pretty kicking sides. Their almond topped salad is always good, and their creamy Italian pasta salad is simple and tasty. Garlic mashed potatoes, vegetables, and lentil soup are also options. Sorry, there’s not a French fry in sight. Sluggo’s is an interesting place in itself. Upstairs, they have Christmas lights hanging from the ceiling which resembles a diner that has undergone an artsy makeover. Wood paneled flooring, art on the walls, and a stack of board games to play while you wait or eat are also on hand. It’s eclectic and it’s comfortable. If you are new to vegan fare, you won’t feel judged or out of place.
Downstairs, Sluggo is where they have their live music nights. On July 27, “Reaction” from San Francisco played with “Dark Rides” and “Possible Side Effects.” It was an all ages show and had only a $5 cover. Although I profess a deep love for McDonald’s whether it’s treat night or not, Sluggo’s is a way to have a treat you don’t feel guilty about and support great local fare.