Heather Torpy

Special to the Register

Dining in Iowa goes far beyond meat and potatoes, and the wealth of choices for Des Moines-area vegetarians proves it.

So for full-time vegetarians or those who like to participate in Meatless Mondays, here are some dishes to try the next time you are out to eat.

Avocado Curry

Cool Basil

1250 86th Street, Clive

Order this dish with tofu to make it vegetarian. Cool Basil offers a different take on curry by including avocado. The dish is a green curry that along with avocado includes coconut milk, lima beans, bell peppers, carrots and fresh basil. It is served with jasmine rice.

Vegan/Gluten Free Mac n Cheeze

Fresh Cafe & Market

12493 University Avenue, Clive

Although located inside the YMCA Healthy Living Center, you don’t need to be a member to enjoy the vegan and gluten-free Mac n Cheeze at Fresh Cafe and Market (open Monday-Friday from 8 a.m.-2 p.m.). Gluten-free pasta is topped with a cashew based “cheeze” sauce that will satisfy your mac and cheese cravings. The sauce is also available for sale so you can make your own at home.

Review: Combat #SadDeskLunch at Fresh Cafe & Market

Bandeja Vegetariana

Mi Patria

1410 22nd Street, West Des Moines

Mi Patria offers a vegetarian dish that gives diners a chance to try most of the sides the restaurant serves. You get steamed white rice, bean menestra, white corn and fava beans, fried ripe plantains, patacones (fried green plantain), grilled potato patty, lettuce and ensalada criolla (thinly sliced tomato, bell pepper, tomato, red onion and cilantro).

Cauliflower Cake

Gilroy’s Kitchen + Pub + Patio

1238 8th Street, West Des Moines

Found in the sandwich section of the menu, Gilroy’s has its own take on a vegetarian burger. It starts with a seared cauliflower panko patty and is served on a Parmesan buttered brioche bun topped with marinated tomatoes, mixed greens, feta, and creme fraiche.

Gilroy's features fab comfort food — and a big patio

Vegetarian Sampler

Open Sesame

313 E Locust Street, Des Moines

The Vegetarian Sampler at Open Sesame is sure to fill you up. Available at lunch and dinner, you get hummus, baba ganouj (roasted eggplant mixed with garlic, lemon juice, and tahini sauce drizzled with olive oil), tabouli, grape leaves (rice, garbanzo beans, sun dried tomato, parsley and onion rolled in grape leaves and slowly cooked), falafel and pita.

Diner: Break (or keep) your resolution at Open Sesame

Po’ Boi

Ritual Cafe

1301 Locust Street, Des Moines

Ritual Cafe’s entire menu is all vegetarian, all the time. One hearty option to try is the po’ boi made with red and green peppers, onions, artichoke hearts, cheddar cheese and feta, grilled and served on garlic focaccia bread.

Vegetarian Wrap

HoQ

303 E 5th Street, Des Moines

During lunch hours throughout January you can enjoy a vegetarian wrap. The wrap is homemade falafel, basmati rice, local black beans, salsa, Milton Creamery white cheddar, creme fraiche, Chef Suman’s naan bread and is served with root fries. The menu at HoQ changes often but there are always vegetarian options available.

Com Tau Hu Ram Man (17c)

A Dong

1511 High Street

A Dong has long been a place that vegetarians head to in Des Moines. With a two-page vegetarian menu with appetizers, noodle and rice dishes, a decision can be tough. Try the Com Tau Hu Ram Man, otherwise known as 17c. You’ll get tofu simmered in caramelized house sauce served with a side of veggies.

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Crispy Mushroom Stir Fry

Krunkwich Ramen House

2721 Ingersoll Avenue, Des Moines

Once located in the East Village and now open on Ingersoll Avenue, Krunkwich has an entire vegan menu. Ramen, tots and sandwiches are all options. One dish to try, the Crispy Mushroom Stir Fry, includes house made ginger seitan or fried tofu, onion, and shitake and crimini mushrooms stir fried with ramen noodles in a sweet soy and mustard sauce.

The Angry Forester

Get Fit Grill

5585 Mills Civic Parkway #140, West Des Moines

Get Fit Grill has nutritional information on the menu so you know exactly what you’re getting. Food is never fried, meals are under 600 calories, you can eat at the restaurant or purchase pre-made meals to bring home. Try the Angry Forrester bowl, made with a ground black bean veggie burger, Get Fit Grill rice, steamed broccoli, Get Fit Grill veggie blend (zucchini, squash, asparagus and peppers) and served with a lime cilantro drizzle.

Review: Get Fit Grill makes strong debut