(The revolutionary new meatless salad!) One of the charming little touches of the city of Kellysburg, Minnesota is the local eateries. They range from Bill’s Barbeque Pit, home of the Bacon-Wrapped Slab O’ Ribs, to Swarley’s Bar and Grill with their Pickled Pig’s Feet Chow-Down Challenge.
However, Kellysburg has a considerable vegetarian population as well, and more often than not they find their food options limited. That’s why they’ve petitioned local restaurants to add meat-free salads to repertoire, something no place in town has available. Some are happy to comply. Others are meeting this demand with more resistance.
However, Kellysburg has a considerable vegetarian population as well, and more often than not they find their food options limited. That’s why they’ve petitioned local restaurants to add meat-free salads to repertoire, something no place in town has available. Some are happy to comply. Others are meeting this demand with more resistance.
“I’ve got three salad items on my menu,” says Tony Norton, owner of Fat Tony’s Diner. “Chicken Caesar, with grilled or crispy chicken, Lean Mean Salad with shredded turkey, and the Chef’s Choice Taco Salad. All of them have bacon crumbles on top as well.”
Fat Tony’s is one of many restaurants that has little to no vegetarian options. Only the beer-battered onion rings on the appetizer menu is meat free, unless you pay the extra $1.49 for the chili cheese on top. Otherwise customers need to request a salad without the added meat.
“I’m not afraid to be vocal about my needs,” says Wendy Hamilton, who adheres to a strict vegan diet. “I can’t tell you how many times I’ve ordered a salad without the chicken and bacon, only to discover that it has tuna in it as well!”
“Fish ain’t meat,” Fat Tony clarifies. “These vegetarians need to be more specific.”
He also says that, when asked, he’s more than willing to pick any unwanted ingredients out of the pre-made salads his staff serve. But now, mounting pressure has forced him to add a fourth salad item to the menu.
“Yep, just lettuce and tomatoes. Spinach. Some vinaigrette on the side. I didn’t open this restaurant to serve rabbit food without any substance, but if that’s what the people want, I’ll throw it all in a bowl and call it a meal.”
Fat Tony’s is one of many restaurants that has little to no vegetarian options. Only the beer-battered onion rings on the appetizer menu is meat free, unless you pay the extra $1.49 for the chili cheese on top. Otherwise customers need to request a salad without the added meat.
“I’m not afraid to be vocal about my needs,” says Wendy Hamilton, who adheres to a strict vegan diet. “I can’t tell you how many times I’ve ordered a salad without the chicken and bacon, only to discover that it has tuna in it as well!”
“Fish ain’t meat,” Fat Tony clarifies. “These vegetarians need to be more specific.”
He also says that, when asked, he’s more than willing to pick any unwanted ingredients out of the pre-made salads his staff serve. But now, mounting pressure has forced him to add a fourth salad item to the menu.
“Yep, just lettuce and tomatoes. Spinach. Some vinaigrette on the side. I didn’t open this restaurant to serve rabbit food without any substance, but if that’s what the people want, I’ll throw it all in a bowl and call it a meal.”