VegKC - Kansas City Vegan & Vegetarian Community

On the 4th Saturday of the Month, VegKC is having a picnic-style bbq Potluck at the Dragon's Cozy Cave...

Bring a tasty vegan dish/dessert and drinks(non-alcoholic) at about 6:00pm. If you have a recipe you want to try, know how to make, or if you feel inclined to lighten things up a bit with a good salad, sandwiches, dessert, bbq, favorite dish associated with your heritage, or something else that intrigues you - feel free.

Please read the full event details before coming!

For privacy the venue address isn't listed publicly, please email one of the hosts via Meetup 2-3 days before the event, for the address and directions.

WHAT WILL WE DO?
For August, we will be doing a picnic theme again, since our last one was brought inside. Bring your favorite idealistic picnic inspiration. Or whatever floats your boat, of-course. Optionally, bring a blanket and basket, wear a checkered shirt and sunhat...or just your usual fare.

This will be a relaxed and casual event. We will mainly be enjoying the delicious food that everyone brings, once most everyone is ready - typically after about 30 minutes, unless there are appetizers in the mix to snack on right away! There will definitely be good conversation and relaxed visiting...and possibly a bubble machine.

We may follow dinner up with board games, a movie, or something like Mario Kart, depending on the crowd...this is always a family-friendly event, so kids are welcome!

WHAT DO I BRING?

1. Yourself (of course). Family and friends are welcome, too. The event will be kid-friendly (VegKC events generally maintain an Alcohol-free environment).
2. Comment here with what dish you intend to bring!
3. Vegan food dish(es) with serving utensils:

• Everything must be vegan (no dairy, no eggs, no honey, no animal products of any kind).
• Bring a tasty main dish, side dish, or dessert, and bring the utensils needed to serve it.
• Any dish should be big enough to feed about 8 people, and you must bring one dish for every 1-2 guests (including yourself).
• If you need ideas, there are a number of vegan recipe blogs and sites online - such as Gaz Oakley, The Minimalist Baker or VegWeb.com, The Candle Cafe Cookbook, or ask for recommendations.

4. Feel free to bring a beverage for yourself or to share. There will be an electric hot water kettle and assorted teas available.
5. We have enough dishes and utensils for a moderate sized group (at least about 25).
   Optionally - bring some easily packed reusable travel tableware if you have it - plate, bowl, utensils, cup and or mug for teas or drinks.
6. List of ingredients or a recipe: Helpful for those with food allergies, and curious chefs. Alternatively post a link in the comments below. Comment if you have any dietary restrictions and other guests may choose to accommodate. (Raw, GF, Oil Free, etcetera.)

WHERE IS IT?
The potluck is at "Dragon's Cozy Cave". There is limited table seating, assorted couches and chairs, benches, cushions, and plenty of space to sprawl around casually and visit.

This is a private residence, so please be respectful of the space so that we may continue to host future events here!

This space is home to a clowder of kitties, so please be mindful coming in and closing the door to keep our furry friends safe. We do have hardwood floors which helps if you have allergies.

HOW DO I GET THERE?
It is located near I-29 and Barry Road about 20 minutes North of downtown / the River Market, please email the organizers for directions 2-3 days before the event (Click on an event host, click "Chat with [name]").

The parking is in a residential area on the street, please be mindful of leaving driveways, roadways, and fire hydrants clear.

ACCESSIBILITY
It is a split level with stairs and no front railing - it is unfortunately not wheelchair friendly. The house is in reasonable shape, but is gradually undergoing renovations.

ADDITIONAL DETAILS
If you RSVP yes, please commit to showing up so everyone can better plan and prepare.

Covid / Flu / Colds, if you are sick, or have had close proximity, please be considerate of others' health and cancel your RSVP this time around.

Please - Update your RSVP if anything changes so everyone can plan accordingly for the size of the group!!! While you're at it, please specify to the group what dish you plan on bringing!

Coffee Brunch will now be on the schedule in the March, May, July, and September months, likely always the first Friday or Saturday.

We will tour around KC for great coffee brunch locations. Take or leave the coffee, of-course, because there are also juice, smoothie, and tea options available at most places.

The cap is currently set at 20 for this event, but some locations will require an even smaller group, so this event will always be just a little more friendly. Check the weather and bring your small-talk note cards, jic! 😆

Mud Pie is a fully vegan bakery, so there are no animal products to be wary of, but if you have an allergy, please let them know.

There usually is a breakfast sandwich available, savory and sweet scones, kolaches, muffins, cake donuts, and more. There are gluten-free options available, also.

This is their new location, which Michael Jay and I have actually never visited, so I'm unsure of the layout or seating, but this location is unshared and all Mud Pie.
See you soon! ☘️

Please commit to showing up BEFORE you RSVP.

[***We will be selecting and posting a venue for this month's restaurant event shortly.***]

Some of our favorite veg-friendly places in the area, that you may enjoy checking out are:

• The Littlest Bake Shop (South KC, vegan)
• Tree Hugger Kitchen (North KC, vegan)
• Café Gratitude (Midtown, vegan)
• The Fix (Midtown, vegan)
• Mud Pie Vegan Bakery and Café (OP)
• Waldo Pizza (75th St., vegan menu)
• Blue Koi Noodles & Dumplings (OP, Cantonese style Chinese)
• Blue Sushi Sake Grill (Westwood, lots of unique veggie rolls)
• Aladdin Café (39th St., Middle Eastern)
• Holy Land Café (OP, Middle Eastern)
• Blue Nile Café (City Market, Ethiopian)
• KC Craft Ramen (OP, 1x vegan broth Ramen)
• Thailand Restaurant (Blue Springs, reasonably vegan friendly)
• Spices Asian Restaurant (North KC, Thai)
• Seven Swans Crêperie (Midtown)
• Nguyen Pho (City Market, veggie broth!)
• True Food Kitchen (The Plaza)
• Sweet EMOtion (North KC, Vegan Ice Cream)
• and Fervere/Ibis Bakeries (Midtown)
• Plus many other options in the area to explore!

Some popular variably veg friendly chains to be aware of locally and while traveling include:

• 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
• Among others....

If you're new to a particular type of food and interested in ordering it veg*n, be sure to ask or research what to substitute for or order it without...; for example:

• Thai food often has fish sauce, shrimp paste, egg, or oyster sauce
• Waldo pizza has soy cheese--which isn't vegan--see their vegan menu--many pizza places have vegan cheeses now, and really good pizza places may not even need vegan cheese to be interesting.
• Vietnamese food frequently uses fish sauce--you can often substitute peanut sauce for their Bûn, occasionally a place will have a vegetable broth, and vermicelli / noodles are often an option
• Mexican food may have lard in their beans/tortillas, frequently has chicken stock in their rice, or occasionally dairy in their guacamole
• Chinese food often uses animal broths as a base for their sauces like their brown sauce, but is otherwise pretty easy
• Indian food frequently has ghee, butter, soft cheeses, or cream in most of their dishes by default, some places will make dishes without
• Ethiopian, is usually pretty easy with half a dozen plus dishes often being veg right off, but some places may use Ghee or butter as a base of many dishes.

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

Please - Update your RSVP if anything changes so restaurants will continue to kindly accommodate our group!!!

*** Covid / Flu / Colds *** If you are sick or have been in close proximity, please be considerate of others health and cancel your RSVP this time.

Events are free so everyone is able to participate. If you are able, please consider donating a bit to help us cover our group Meetup costs which recently doubled (~360/year paid almost entirely by us / volunteer organizers). You can contribute in person at events.