VegKC - Kansas City Vegan & Vegetarian Community

VegKC [Venue Pending] Restaurant Meetup!
📍 Location to be announced! Details will be updated once confirmed.

📍 Veg Friendly KC Restaurants to Explore
(Helpful placeholder suggestions.)
🌱 All Vegan

• The Littlest Bake Shop (South KC, all vegan, gluten free)
• Tree Hugger Kitchen (North KC, all vegan)
• Whole Harvest Kitchen (Leawood, South, all vegan)
• The Fix (Midtown, all vegan)
• Mud Pie Vegan Bakery and Café (Mission, South, all vegan)
• Sweet EMOtion (North KC, Ice Cream, all vegan)
• Inn-a-Cup (Midtown, Ice Cream, all vegan and gluten free)

🌱 Vegan Friendly

• Waldo Pizza (75th St., vegan menu)
• Blue Koi Noodles & Dumplings (Leawood, Cantonese style Chinese)
• Blue Sushi Sake Grill (Westwood, LOTS of unique veggie rolls!)
• Aladdin Café (39th St., Midtown, Middle Eastern)
• Holy Land Café (Lenexa, South, Middle Eastern)
• Meddys (Various South, Middle Eastern)
• Jerusalem Cafe (Various Midtown-South, Middle Eastern)
• Blue Nile Café (City Market, Ethiopian)
• KC Craft Ramen (OP, 1x vegan broth, Authentic Ramen)
• Thailand Restaurant (Blue Springs, vegan menu)
• Spices Asian Restaurant (North KC, Thai)
• Seven Swans Crêperie (Midtown, 2-3 options)
• Nguyen Pho (City Market, veggie broth!)
• The Corner Mexican (and Corner 2, Various, vegan menu)
• True Food Kitchen (The Plaza, 2-3 options)
• Bamboo Penny's (Leewood, South, Thai)
• Genghis Kahn Mongolian Grill (39th St, 3+ options with menu ordering)
• and Ibis Bakery (Midtown)
• Plus many other options in the area to explore!

🔗 Veg Friendly National Chains
Some widely available, veg friendly chains to be aware of locally and while traveling:

• Planet Sub
• Pie Five (vegan cheese)
• Mod Pizza (vegan cheese)
• Spin Pizza
• Chipotle (Sofritas!)
• Qdoba
• The Mixx
• PF Changs
• Ruby Tuesday (salad bar)
• Taco Bell (Ordering Fresco style easily makes many things vegan)
• Panera Bread/Saint Louis Bread Company (breads may not be strictly vegan)
• Noodles & Company
• Pei Wei Asian Diner
• Subway
• Bibibop
• Cava
• Among others....

🍲 Vegan Ordering Tips

• Vietnamese: Check for fish sauce or egg in dishes. Ask if Pho can be made with a vegan broth. Vermicelli noodles are often a safe option. For Bún, substitute peanut sauce in place of fish sauce.
• Mexican: ask about lard in the beans/tortillas, chicken stock in the rice, or rarely dairy in guacamole
• Chinese: sauces often use animal broth (i.e. brown sauce), egg noodles, but otherwise usually plenty of veggies and tofu
• Indian: most dishes use ghee, butter, cream, or soft cheeses, ask about vegan options without dairy. Roti and occasionally a plain Naan can be ordered without dairy.
• Ethiopian: usually very vegan friendly but ask about Ghee or butter
• Middle Eastern: Hummus, Baba Ganoush, dolmas (often made with just rice), falafel (often a shared fryer), Za'atar (roasted/fried cauliflower), and pita (sometimes contains dairy), tabouli salad, fattoush salad are all pretty safe. Ask about feta and watch for tzatziki yogurt sauce.
• Pizza: Waldo pizza has a vegan menu; many places now offer a vegan crust and cheese like Violife or Follow Your Heart and more interesting veg toppings.

[...please check back, event details will be posted here.]

🍴ABOUT THE VENUE
They offer a ..., and ... of the menu is vegan-friendly!

🍲 MENU EXAMPLES

• [Dish example]
• ... and more.

Their website includes a menu: [website link]

👫 WHAT WE WILL DO
Our monthly restaurant events are relaxed, casual gatherings focused around sharing a delicious meal and conversation.

• Usually held on the second Saturday of each month.
• We enjoy a late lunch and typically visit for a couple of hours.

✅ RSVP AND HEALTH GUIDELINES

• RSVP “Yes” only if you plan to attend, so the restaurant can plan accordingly.
• Update your RSVP if plans change. (Please!)
• 🤧 Feeling sick or recently exposed? Please stay home to keep everyone healthy.

COST

• Free! VegKC events are intentionally free to keep them accessible.
• Optional: If you are able, a small contribution toward annual costs is appreciated.

VegKC November Fall/Thanksgiving Potluck
Located at Dragon’s Cozy Cave!

Arrive around 5:00 PM with a tasty vegan dish to share.

Please read all event details before attending—thanks!

📍 The venue address is not listed publicly, please message a host 2-3 days before the event for directions.

👫 WHAT WILL WE DO?
🎨 For November, we will be enjoying a fall holiday themed potluck, so bring your favorite fall dish and come hang out!

Our periodic potlucks are relaxed, casual gatherings focused around sharing a delicious meal and conversation.

• Usually held on the fourth Saturday of a given month.
• We usually dig in after about 30-60 minutes
• Or sooner if there are appetizers!
• Expect to settle in, enjoy some good conversation and visit leisurely.

We may follow dinner up with a board game, a jigsaw puzzle, a movie, or something like Mario Kart, depending on the crowd and conversation...

🍲 WHAT DO I BRING?

1. Yourself! Friends and family are welcome. This is a family-friendly, alcohol-free event (as are most VegKC gatherings).
2. A vegan dish (appetizer, main, side, or dessert) that serves about 8 people. One dish per 1–2 guests, including yourself.
   💬 Comment here with the dish you plan to bring.
   🌱 All dishes must be strictly vegan (no dairy, eggs, honey, or animal products of any kind).
   💡 A few helpful vegan recipe sites - Gaz Oakley, The Minimalist Baker, or Nora Cooks.
   🍴 Serving utensils (if needed).
   📖 List of ingredients or a recipe link (great for allergies and curious cooks)
3. Optional, helpful, fun, or nice to haves:
   ☕ Beverage for yourself or to share.
   🎲 A favorite board game (we have a few fun games).

✓ We have an electric hot water kettle with teas available.
✓ We have enough dishes and utensils for about 25 people.
✓ There may be an induction burner available for heating, there usually isn't fridge space.
🧽 Cleanup: please rinse your dish and put it in the dishwasher, help keep things neat if you can.

🍲 Dish ideas
We are planning on having a phyllo dough Field Roast as a main dish, as well as a pumpkin pie. Feel free to bring whatever main or side sounds good to you!

• roasted garlic mashed potatoes (always a hit!)
• maple and pecan-roasted acorn squash
• roasted pumpkin, butternut squash, or cauliflower soup
• rice pilaf
• bean salad
• green bean casserole
• stuffing
• Brussels sprouts
• rolls
• roasted cauliflower with lemon tahini sauce
• corn pudding
• cranberry sauce
• cashew cheese mac & cheese
• roasted fingerling potatoes
• stir fried greens
• butternut squash potstickers
• shepard's pie
• pecan pie
• chocolate silk pie
• vegan baklava
• vegan cheesecake
• ... or another dish you would like to share.
  See what others are planning in the RSVPs.

🏠 VENUE
The potluck is at Dragon’s Cozy Cave, a private residence with plenty of space to sprawl about and relax.
Capacity: Space for 25+ guests.

Please be respectful of the space so we can continue hosting future events here.

🐱 Venue Note: A clowder of kitties live here. Please close doors carefully to keep them safe. Hardwood floors help with allergies, but be aware if you're sensitive.

🚗 DIRECTIONS AND PARKING
The house is near I-29 and Barry Road, close to Zona Rosa, and about 20 minutes north of downtown KC and the River Market.

• Direct Message a host via Meetup a few days before the event for directions (click on a hosts name, then "Chat with [name]").
• Street parking is available in the neighborhood. Please keep driveways and fire hydrants clear and accessible.

🔑 ACCESSIBILITY

• A split-level house with stairs; not wheelchair accessible.
• No front railing

✅ RSVP AND HEALTH GUIDELINES

• RSVP “Yes” only if you plan to attend, so everyone can plan accordingly. Include the dish you plan on bringing too!
• Update your RSVP if plans change. (Please!)
• 🤧 Feeling sick or recently exposed? Please stay home to keep everyone healthy.

COST

• Free! VegKC events are intentionally free to keep them accessible.
• Optional: If you are able, a small contribution toward annual costs is appreciated.

VegKC [Venue Pending] Restaurant Meetup!
📍 Location to be announced! Details will be updated once confirmed.

📍 Veg Friendly KC Restaurants to Explore
(Helpful placeholder suggestions.)
🌱 All Vegan

• The Littlest Bake Shop (South KC, all vegan, gluten free)
• Tree Hugger Kitchen (North KC, all vegan)
• Whole Harvest Kitchen (Leawood, South, all vegan)
• The Fix (Midtown, all vegan)
• Mud Pie Vegan Bakery and Café (Mission, South, all vegan)
• Sweet EMOtion (North KC, Ice Cream, all vegan)
• Inn-a-Cup (Midtown, Ice Cream, all vegan and gluten free)

🌱 Vegan Friendly

• Waldo Pizza (Waldo, vegan menu)
• Blue Koi Noodles & Dumplings (Leawood, Cantonese style Chinese)
• Blue Sushi Sake Grill (Westwood, LOTS of unique veggie rolls!)
• Aladdin Café (39th St. and Overland Park, Middle Eastern)
• Holy Land Café (Lenexa, South, Middle Eastern)
• Meddy's (Various South, Middle Eastern)
• Jerusalem Café (Various Midtown-South, Middle Eastern)
• Blue Nile Café (City Market, Ethiopian)
• KC Craft Ramen (OP, 1x vegan broth, Authentic Ramen)
• Thailand Restaurant (Blue Springs, vegan menu)
• Spices Asian Restaurant (North KC, Thai)
• Seven Swans Crêperie (Midtown, 2-3 options)
• Nguyen Pho (City Market, veggie broth!)
• The Corner Mexican (Grandview, Independence-Corner 2, large vegan menu)
• True Food Kitchen (The Plaza, 2-3 options)
• Bamboo Penny's (Leewood, South, Thai)
• Genghis Kahn Mongolian Grill (39th St, 3+ options with menu ordering)
• and Ibis Bakery (Midtown)
• Blue Bird Bistro (Westside, wider variety available than the menu suggests)
• Mesob Restaurant (South KC, Ethiopian)
• Plus many other options in the area to explore!

🌱 Vegan Regional Travel Chains
Honorable mentions:

• Veggie Grill (West Coast + Colorado)
• Native Foods (Colorado + California)

🔗 Veg Friendly National Chains
Some widely available, veg friendly chains to be aware of locally and while traveling:

• Cava
• Bibibop
• Qdoba
• Planet Sub
• Mod Pizza (vegan cheese)
• Pie Five (vegan cheese, Midwest / South)
• Taco Bell (Ordering Fresco style easily makes many things vegan)
• PF Changs
• Pei Wei Asian Diner
• Noodles & Company
• Spin Pizza (regional)
• The Mixx (regional)
• Blaze Pizza (vegan cheese, regional-not local)
• Among others....
  Additional Fallback options - may or may not be great for price vs quality vs options.
• Panera Bread/Saint Louis Bread Company (breads may not be strictly vegan)
• Ruby Tuesday (salad bar, dry baked potato)
• Chipotle (Sofritas!)
• Subway

🍲 Vegan Ordering Tips

• Thai: Most curries use fish sauce or shrimp paste; ask for “no fish sauce, no shrimp paste.” Also ask for no oyster sauce and no egg.
• Vietnamese: Check for fish sauce or egg in dishes. Ask if Pho can be made with a vegan broth. Vermicelli noodles are often a safe option. For Bún, substitute peanut sauce in place of fish sauce.
• Mexican: ask about lard in the beans/tortillas, chicken stock in the rice, or rarely dairy in guacamole
• Chinese: sauces often use animal broth (i.e. brown sauce), egg noodles, but otherwise usually plenty of veggies and tofu
• Indian: most dishes use ghee, butter, cream, or soft cheeses, ask about vegan options without dairy. Roti and occasionally a plain Naan can be ordered without dairy.
• Ethiopian: usually very vegan friendly but ask about Ghee or butter
• Middle Eastern: Hummus, Baba Ganoush, dolmas (often made with just rice), falafel (often a shared fryer), Za'atar (roasted/fried cauliflower), and pita (sometimes contains dairy), tabouli salad, fattoush salad are all pretty safe. Ask about feta and watch for tzatziki yogurt sauce.
• Japanese: Miso soup often contains fish broth; tempura batter often contains egg. Avocado and Cucumber sushi is usually available at a minimum, also Agadashi Tofu. Some Ramen shops offer a veg broth.
• Pizza: Waldo pizza has a vegan menu; many places now offer a vegan crust and cheese like Violife or Follow Your Heart and more interesting veg toppings.

[...please check back, event details will be posted here.]

🍴ABOUT THE VENUE
They offer a ..., and ... of the menu is vegan-friendly!

🍲 MENU EXAMPLES

• [Dish example]
• ... and more.

Their website includes a menu: [website link]

👫 WHAT WE WILL DO
Our monthly restaurant events are relaxed, casual gatherings focused around sharing a delicious meal and conversation.

• Usually held on the second Saturday of each month.
• We enjoy a late lunch and typically visit for a couple of hours.

✅ RSVP AND HEALTH GUIDELINES

• RSVP “Yes” only if you plan to attend, so the restaurant can plan accordingly.
• Update your RSVP if plans change. (Please!)
• 🤧 Feeling sick or recently exposed? Please stay home to keep everyone healthy.

COST

• Free! VegKC events are intentionally free to keep them accessible.
• Optional: If you are able, a small contribution toward annual costs is appreciated.

VegKC December Holiday Potluck
Located at Dragon’s Cozy Cave!

Arrive around 5:00 PM with a tasty vegan dish to share.

Please read all event details before attending—thanks!

📍 The venue address is not listed publicly, please message a host 2-3 days before the event for directions.

👫 WHAT WILL WE DO?
🎨 For December, we will be enjoying a Yule, New Year's, and holiday themed potluck, so bring your favorite dish and come hang out!

Our periodic potlucks are relaxed, casual gatherings focused around sharing a delicious meal and conversation.

• Usually held on the fourth Saturday of a given month.
• We usually dig in after about 30-60 minutes
• Or sooner if there are appetizers!
• Expect to settle in, enjoy some good conversation and visit leisurely.

We may follow dinner up with a board game, a jigsaw puzzle, a movie, or something like Mario Kart, depending on the crowd and conversation...

🎁 We will have a "white elephant" gift exchange.
If you would like to participate:

• Please bring one wrapped gift valued at ~$15 to $25 per participant.
• Consider re-gifting something *nice* and useful that others would appreciate and you no longer need. Helps keep it sustainable.
• Or pick up something fun you think others will enjoy.

🍲 WHAT DO I BRING?

1. Yourself! Friends and family are welcome. This is a family-friendly, alcohol-free event (as are most VegKC gatherings).
2. A vegan dish (appetizer, main, side, or dessert) that serves about 8 people. One dish per 1–2 guests, including yourself.
   💬 Comment here with the dish you plan to bring.
   🌱 All dishes must be strictly vegan (no dairy, eggs, honey, or animal products of any kind).
   💡 A few helpful vegan recipe sites - Gaz Oakley, The Minimalist Baker, or Nora Cooks.
   🍴 Serving utensils (if needed).
   📖 List of ingredients or a recipe link (great for allergies and curious cooks)
3. Optional, helpful, fun, or nice to haves:
   ☕ Beverage for yourself or to share.
   🎲 A favorite board game (we have a few fun games).
4. 🎁 A white elephant gift

✓ We have an electric hot water kettle with teas available.
✓ We have enough dishes and utensils for about 25 people.
✓ There may be an induction burner available for heating, there usually isn't fridge space.
🧽 Cleanup: please rinse your dish and put it in the dishwasher, help keep things neat if you can.

🍲 Dish ideas

• Roasted garlic mashed potatoes
• Corn pudding
• Cranberry sauce
• Baked lentil loaf
• Scottish shortbread
• Focaccia
• Corn bread
• Wild rice and mushroom pilaf
• Roasted Brussels sprouts (e.g. maple pecan)
• Dinner rolls with jam and apple butter
• Sweet potato casserole
• Apple pie or pecan pie
• Ginger cookies
• Mulled cider
• Black eyed peas (and some more New Year's themed ideas)
• Collard greens
• Toshikoshi soba
• Mandu dumplings
• Italian lentils
• ...or another dish you would like to share.
  See what others are planning in the RSVPs.

🏠 VENUE
The potluck is at Dragon’s Cozy Cave, a private residence with plenty of space to sprawl about and relax.
Capacity: Space for 25+ guests.

Please be respectful of the space so we can continue hosting future events here.

🐱 Venue Note: A clowder of kitties live here. Please close doors carefully to keep them safe. Hardwood floors help with allergies, but be aware if you're sensitive.

🚗 DIRECTIONS AND PARKING
The house is near I-29 and Barry Road, close to Zona Rosa, and about 20 minutes north of downtown KC and the River Market.

• Direct Message a host via Meetup a few days before the event for directions (click on a hosts name, then "Chat with [name]").
• Street parking is available in the neighborhood. Please keep driveways and fire hydrants clear and accessible.

🔑 ACCESSIBILITY

• A split-level house with stairs; not wheelchair accessible.
• No front railing

✅ RSVP AND HEALTH GUIDELINES

• RSVP “Yes” only if you plan to attend, so everyone can plan accordingly. Include the dish you plan on bringing too!
• Update your RSVP if plans change. (Please!)
• 🤧 Feeling sick or recently exposed? Please stay home to keep everyone healthy.

COST

• Free! VegKC events are intentionally free to keep them accessible.
• Optional: If you are able, a small contribution toward annual costs is appreciated.