Bushra Griffith
As veganism becomes more popular, many pizza chains and small pizzerias are offering vegan options. However, some larger pizza chains do not currently offer plant-based cheese or meats. Some pizza places allow customers to bring their own vegan cheese, while others offer vegan cheese and meat substitutes. It is always worth checking with the restaurant before you visit to see what options are available.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Pizza places with vegan cheese options | MOD Pizza, Toppers Pizza, UNO Pizzeria & Grill, Sarpino's, Pizza 73, PizzaRev, Minsky's, Amici's East Coast Pizzeria, Fresh Brothers, Mellow Mushroom, Papa Murphy's, zPizza, Blaze Pizza, Pie Five, Buddy's Pizza, Artistic Pizza, Pizza Artista, Pizza Nova, Pizza Pizza, Panago |
| Pizza places without vegan cheese options | California Pizza Kitchen (CPK), Pizza Hut |
| Pizza places with unclear vegan cheese options | Domino's, Papa John's |
| Pizza places that allow customers to bring their own vegan cheese | One source mentions a pizza place that invites customers to bring in their own vegan cheese in a sealed package |
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What You'll Learn
Pizza places with vegan cheese options
There are a number of pizza places that offer vegan cheese options, either as a standard menu item or as an optional extra. Here are some of the options available:
Papa Murphy's
With over 1,000 locations across the US, Papa Murphy's is a popular pizza spot that offers vegan cheese from Violife on its Garden Veggie pizza and create-your-own options. You can also get these ingredients in a calzone.
Fresh Brothers
Fresh Brothers has multiple locations across California, including several spots in Los Angeles, Orange County, and San Diego. They offer three vegan options, all loaded with Field Roast Mozzarella. These include Vegan Da Works (with vegan sausage and pepperoni), Vegan Cheese, and Vegan Pepperoni.
MOD Pizza
MOD Pizza has locations in multiple states, including around 70 in Washington and more than 110 in Texas. They offer a build-your-own model with plenty of plant-based toppings to choose from, including dairy-free cheese, plant-based sausage, and veggies.
UNO Pizzeria & Grill
UNO Pizzeria & Grill serves customizable pizzas with tons of vegan options, including Daiya mozzarella cheese and Beyond Burger Crumbles.
Sarpino's
Sarpino's is a pizza chain with locations throughout the Midwest and Southeast. They offer an exciting vegan menu that varies per location, ranging from classics like Vegan Margarita pizza to a Vegan Sausage Calzone made with Daiya cheese and Beyond Meat Italian sausage.
Pizza 73
Pizza 73 is a popular Canadian chain that allows customers to customize their animal-free pizzas to include a vegan cauliflower crust, dairy-free cheese, and Yves Veggie Cuisine pepperoni.
Blaze Pizza
Blaze Pizza has been expanding across the US since 2011 and now has hundreds of locations across the country. They offer a Vegan Pizza option with spicy plant-based chorizo and vegan cheese, as well as mushrooms, onions, peppers, and olive oil. You can also build your own pizza with dairy-free cheese.
Mellow Mushroom
Mellow Mushroom will swap any of its regular cheese options for vegan cheese from Follow Your Heart. They also offer other plant-based options like pretzels and tempeh pieces.
Local pizzerias
Some local pizzerias and delivery stores may also offer vegan cheese options. For example, Artistic Pizza near Washington Square in New York City is highly recommended for its vegan options.
Bring your own
Some pizzerias may also allow you to bring your own vegan cheese to add to your pizza. It is always best to check with the restaurant first to ensure that they are happy to accommodate this request.
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Pizza places that allow customers to bring their own vegan cheese
While many pizza places now offer vegan cheese and other plant-based options, it is unclear whether customers are allowed to bring their own vegan cheese to a pizza place. However, one source mentions a pizza place that invites customers to bring in their own vegan cheese in a sealed package.
Papa Murphy's
Known for its Take 'N' Bake pizzas, Papa Murphy's offers vegan cheese from Violife as an option on all its pies. You can create your own pizza or try their Dairy-Free Cheese Garden Veggie, which is vegan.
Minsky's
Minsky's offers gourmet pizza with Daiya vegan cheese and Beyond Meat crumbles. All of its crusts are vegan, and it also has vegan deep-dish and pan pizzas.
Amici's East Coast Pizzeria
Amici's East Coast Pizzeria offers clearly labeled vegan options that vary by location. For example, the One Step Beyond Pizza features housemade Beyond Meat sausage and can be ordered with vegan cheese.
Sarpino's
Sarpino's, a pizza chain with locations throughout the Midwest and Southeast, offers an exciting vegan menu that varies per location. Options include classics like Vegan Margarita pizza and a Vegan Sausage Calzone made with Daiya cheese and Beyond Meat Italian sausage. Some locations also offer vegan cheesy bread, garlic bread, salads, pastas, and grilled cheese.
Pizza 73
Pizza 73, a popular Canadian chain, allows customers to customize their animal-free pizzas with a vegan cauliflower crust, dairy-free cheese, and Yves Veggie Cuisine pepperoni.
In addition to these chains, there are many other pizza places that offer vegan options, including Blaze Pizza, Mellow Mushroom, Pieology, MOD Pizza, and Toppers Pizza. For those in New York City, some popular vegan pizzerias include Screamer's Pizzeria in Brooklyn, Blackbird Pizzeria in Philly, and Cruzer Pizza in Los Angeles.
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Vegan cheese types and brands
It is generally acceptable to bring vegan cheese to a pizza place, especially if the restaurant allows it. Some pizzerias even encourage customers to bring their own vegan cheese in a sealed package. However, it is always best to call ahead and confirm with the restaurant before bringing your own ingredients.
The key to producing a good vegan cheese lies in replicating the texture, taste, and melting characteristics of regular cheese. The ingredients used in vegan cheese depend on the style of cheese being replicated, as different foods lend themselves to different flavors and applications. Everyday vegan cheeses often include oils, starches, nut milk, water, lactic acid, and natural flavorings or spices. Artisanal vegan cheeses are traditionally made with a blend of cashews, oil, cultures, and spices. Cashews provide the creaminess of soft cheeses like brie, feta, mozzarella, and chèvre, while cultures add the "funk" that makes cheese so addictive.
- Daiya: A major brand in the dairy-free cheese scene, Daiya offers a wide range of shreds, slices, sticks, and cream cheese. Their products tend to be globby when melted and don't spread evenly, but they have a wider range of flavors compared to other brands.
- Go Veggie: This brand offers cheddar-style shreds made with modified potato starch as its primary ingredient. However, these shreds do not spread like saturated fat and lack the taste of cheese.
- Babybel: Babybel's plant-based snacking cheese is made with modified food starch, coconut oil, and calcium citrate. While it is not meant for melting, it has the exact flavor of cream cheese and a subtle tangy aftertaste.
- Chao: Chao's Creamy Original has a neutral taste and comes in shred or slice form. This white cheese adds a creamy element and a touch of funk to sandwiches, salads, and flatbreads.
- Follow Your Heart: This brand offers a variety of vegan cheeses, including slices like Smoked Gouda, Mozzarella Shreds, and shakable Grated Parmesan.
- Miyoko's: This brand uses organic cashews and traditional fermentation techniques to create buttery, creamy, and tangy dairy-free cheeses.
- Good Planet: Good Planet offers a lineup of shredded, sliced, and snackable cheese wedges in classic flavors like Cheddar, Mozzarella, and Smoked Gouda.
- Violife: A fan favorite, Violife offers a smooth-textured and rich-tasting variety of shreds, slices, blocks, and spreads in flavors like Mozzarella, Cheddar, and Smoked Provolone.
- Treeline: This cashew-based brand crafts soft French-style cheeses, aged cheese wheels, and dips with a simple, clean ingredient list that excludes gums or fillers.
- Nuts for Cheese: This brand offers a gourmet selection of handcrafted, organic, and cashew-based cheeses with flavors ranging from bold and smoky to creamy and tangy.
- Kite Hill: Kite Hill uses almond milk to create ultra-creamy spreads, tangy ricotta, and melt-in-your-mouth cream cheese.
- Vevan: Vevan offers melty, stretchy, and flavor-packed cheeses, including cream cheese, shredded, and sliced options in varieties like Ched, Mozza, and P'Jack.
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Vegan pizza toppings
While some pizza places offer vegan cheese, others do not. In such cases, you can bring your own vegan cheese to the pizza place.
Now, let's dive into some mouth-watering vegan pizza toppings to satisfy your cravings!
Veggie Extravaganza
Load up your pizza with an assortment of vegetables, such as bell peppers, zucchini, mushrooms, spinach, eggplant, tomatoes, and artichoke hearts. You can also add some roasted red peppers, fresh basil, green olives, or even pineapple for a tropical twist. If you're feeling adventurous, try grilled veggies like zucchini, red bell peppers, and red onions for a smoky flavor.
Tofu and Vegan Meats
If you're looking for a protein boost, tofu is a fantastic option. Try marinated tofu cubes or silken tofu for a creamy texture. For a meatier experience, explore vegan options like pepperoni, sausage, or bacon. These can be made from soy or wheat gluten and add a savory touch to your pizza.
Cheesy Alternatives
Vegan cheeses have come a long way, and you can now find delicious options like cashew mozzarella, which adds a creamy texture to your pizza. If you're feeling creative, make your own vegan cheese sauce by blending cooked potatoes, carrots, and nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavor.
Creative Combinations
Experiment with unique combinations like BBQ jackfruit with jalapeños, green peppers, and cilantro. You can also try a Thai-inspired pizza with a creamy peanut sauce, carrots, zucchini, bell peppers, and chickpeas. For a refreshing twist, top your pizza with hummus, artichokes, spinach, and olives, or go for a classic combination of tomato, basil, and garlic.
Extra Touches
Drizzle your pizza with extra virgin olive oil and a sprinkle of flaky sea salt to enhance the flavors. You can also add a tangy twist with balsamic reduction or a creamy dressing like vegan ranch. Don't forget to check the crust and sauce ingredients to ensure they are vegan-friendly too!
With these toppings, you can create delicious vegan pizzas that will satisfy your taste buds and your compassion for animals. Enjoy your vegan pizza adventure!
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How to advocate for vegan options at pizza places
The good news is that vegan pizza is becoming more and more common, with many regional and independent pizzerias permanently adding vegan cheese and plant-based meats to their menus. Some pizza places even allow customers to bring their own vegan cheese in a sealed package.
However, if your local pizza place doesn't offer vegan options, there are several ways you can advocate for change. Firstly, you can call or write to the manager to express your desire for vegan options. This helps create public pressure and lets the restaurant know that there is a growing market for vegan choices. You can also ask when they plan to offer vegan options to meet the rising demand for plant-based alternatives. Social media campaigns and online petitions can also be effective methods for creating public awareness and pressuring businesses to adapt.
Another strategy is to support and promote businesses that already offer vegan pizza. By choosing to spend your money at these establishments, you are sending a clear message to other restaurants that offering vegan options is good for business. You can also spread the word by leaving positive reviews, recommending these places to your friends and family, and sharing your delicious vegan pizzas on social media.
Finally, you can get creative with your own vegan pizza toppings. While some people enjoy the challenge of making their pizzas from scratch, others prefer to buy ready-made pizzas and add their toppings. You can experiment with various plant-based cheeses, meats, and vegetables to find your favorite combinations. Remember, the more we talk about and normalize vegan options, the more likely pizza places are to listen and adapt their menus.
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Frequently asked questions
It's best to call ahead and ask the pizza place if they allow customers to bring their own vegan cheese. Some pizza places do allow this, but it's always good to check first.
Not all pizza places offer vegan cheese, and some people prefer to add their own.
Some pizza places that offer vegan cheese include Blaze Pizza, Pie Five, MOD Pizza, UNO Pizzeria & Grill, Sarpino's, Pizza Artista, Mellow Mushroom, Papa Murphy's, and zPizza.
Many pizza places offer vegan-friendly crusts, sauces, and toppings. For example, California Pizza Kitchen offers a Plant-Based BBQ Chicken Pizza without the cheese, and Amici's East Coast Pizzeria offers the One Step Beyond Pizza with vegan cheese and Beyond Meat sausage.
Popular brands of vegan cheese include Daiya, Follow Your Heart, NUMU, Miyoko's Creamery, and Parmela Creamery.
