Being vegetarian, I often find that certain decadent and fat-laden food options are generally off limits to me. Sure, you can smother fries in cheese and eat greasy pizza, but giant ½ pound beef burgers and chili dogs are not usually available in tofu/seitan/TVP versions.
But sometimes you just crave the comfort and calories of junk food. So I approached the vegetarian menu at Mustard's Last Stand, 2081 South University Boulevard, with both excitement and trepidation. The bulk of the menu in this small, university-area mainstay is hamburgers and hot dogs for carnivores, but it also features a tofu Reuben and a veggie hamburger and hot dog.
I picked up a veggie dog done in the stand's classic style, which is a sort of modified Chicago dog. The grilled veggie dog is placed on a sesame seed bun that's slathered in mustard then topped with onions, sauerkraut, hot peppers, tomatoes and a whole dill pickle ($3.55). I added a small side of fries ($1.60) to my order, along with two dipping sauces for $.50 more. The hot dog was one of the more satisfying and tasty veggie dogs that I've ever had, and I highly recommend scooping up some of the special jalepeno, carrot and onion sauce that they have at the counter to add even more heat to your dog. The ancho chile dipping sauce was also a nice accompaniment to the fries, but I would skip the super-sweet mango habanero sauce. Total damage to my wallet: an even $6 with tax.
If you're a vegetarian looking for a meat-free version of a classic summer staple, this is a deal that's hard to beat. Call 303-722-7936 for more information.
- Aubrey Shoe
