For the past few years, a progressive movement has been on the rise in Fresno. This movement calls for a vegetarian or even a vegan diet.
This progression towards a healthier lifestyle has been relatively successful in many cities such as Los Angeles and Berkeley, but how do you bring this kind of success to a city that relies on farming? Even with a city of a half million people, vegetarianism has been a foreign concept to many.
Luckily, Au Lac vegetarian restaurant is here to spread the ideas of cruelty-free eats to the citizens of Fresno. Each day, the cooks cater to those willing to try something new. The all-vegetarian menu features items such as soy fish, soy chicken, soup, and tofu dishes served with a side of rice and vegetables.
Those with a sweet tooth can also order a slice of cake, which is free of dairy and eggs. Currently, they offer vanilla cake topped with coconut or chocolate cake with a raspberry filling.
Those who are looking for a take on an old favorite can order the Happy Burger. This burger features an all-vegan bun and patty served with mustard, sprouts, and even a vegan mayonnaise spread. To wash it all down, you can choose from their selection of teas, juices, and smoothies. This is a far cry from your average fast food meal.
What also makes Au Lac a unique place is that you can distinguish which items are vegan on the menu. What makes a vegan diet different from a vegetarian diet is the fact that it abstains from all animal products. This includes the use of eggs, milk, butter, and parts of an animal that most vegetarians would not consider avoiding. Most of the items on the menu can be altered to cater to vegans. For example, some vegetarian meals can contain eggs or gelatin that can easily be replaced with tofu.
Au Lac has been open for almost two years now. Beforehand, most Fresno citizens relied on making food at home or making variations at restaurants. “Fresno was dull. There were no restaurants with real vegetarian food,” said Trung Tran, owner of Au Lac. Opening a vegetarian restaurant in Fresno was a risky task for Trong, who had previously worked in vegetarian restaurants in Los Angeles and San Francisco. However, the feedback has been very positive. “People have said that this is the beginning of a new era,” said Trong.
“I like to order the chow fun, says Linda Reneau, an FCC student.” “Compared to other restaurants, it tastes much fresher.” Linda claims she has been going there ever since she heard that there was a vegetarian restaurant in town.
To many FCC students, it’s quick, conveniently located, and offers the perfect lunch in between classes.
The menu has been relatively consistent, but lately they have added a few new options.
Au Lac just added a freezer stocked with vegetarian and vegan products like soy chicken, soy fish, and soy goose. Now, customers have the opportunity to take these home and prepare the foods they love at Au Lac.
This allows new vegetarians to prepare and explore options with soy products when it comes to home cooking.
Since Au Lac opened its doors, vegetarianism and veganism have become much more of a hot topic around town.
Other vegetarian restaurants have followed and now many restaurants feature vegetarian and vegan options on their menus.
The public support has shown that there actually is a demand for vegetarian foods. Au Lac is not only a sign of a new era, but a sign of what could come for Fresno and its vegetarians.