I like big buns and I cannot lie.
I didn’t want to leave you all weekend looking at something ugly like that last Anthony Bourdain post, so I will leave you with something much prettier, and I’ll bet, much tastier too.
This is the garbanzo bean (chickpea) salad sandwich at Pure Luck, which I think might have a fancier official name to it but I don’t have the menu in front of me. In all of it’s straightforward simplicity, I’d have to say it was an outstanding sandwich. It’s like a really good chicken or tuna salad sandwich, minus the animal bits and mayo (they use Vegenaise). The texture of the beans is thick and chunky, with some celery in there too I believe… it really does have a nice meaty bite to it that is neither pasty or mushy. They’ve come up with the perfect combo of seasonings to where it’s just right, truly a delicious sandwich that leaves you licking your fingers after each bite. I always love their bread here too and this lightly toasted and tasty bun was no exception. Don’t get me started on tasty buns.
This sandwich is usually served with fries or their yummy vegan Cesar salad but they were happy to oblige my request for the Potato Pals instead (fried gnocchi). The garbanzo salad can also be ordered as part of a larger salad, a full meal in it’s own right. This sandwich is a newer addition to the Pure Luck menu, and like everything else I’ve had there, it surely did not disappoint.
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HAHA! The title of this post made me laugh - I forgot about that song! :0D
Looks like a delicious sandwich!
Comment by VeggieGirl — May 4, 2008 @ 6:14 am
foodeater! WONDERFUL post! what a great idea to get potato pals on the side. absolutely genius, i will try that next time. i’ve never had the garbanzo bean salad…i’ve got to try that as well. i was at pure luck yesterday…wonder if i saw you there. :) i’ll post on that later.
i seriously love that place.
Comment by quarrygirl — May 4, 2008 @ 7:48 am
Looks wonderful
As for the carnivore’s comment, it was more cowardly and rude than constructive. I have many omni regular readers and they have never said anything so obnoxious. I’m glad you’re laughing it off, b/c that’s all it’s worth.
Comment by urbanvegan — May 4, 2008 @ 8:44 am
Oh man, I need to get down there & try those Potato Pals! yum.
Comment by Melisser — May 4, 2008 @ 10:19 am
I’ve had the potato pals at Pure Luck and they ARE FABULOUS! However, they are served with a barbecue-type sauce (if I remember correctly) that really doesn’t go with them. If anyone orders them, you might try substituting a different sauce, if possible.
Comment by Jason Platt — May 4, 2008 @ 11:52 am
Comment by FoodEater — May 4, 2008 @ 6:01 pm
Yes, I seriously love this place too. I hesitate to call it my favorite restaurant but it’s certainly one of the frontrunners. And no, we did not pass each other like ships in the night… this meal was actually from a couple of weeks ago. But I don’t know, maybe you were there then too?!
Comment by FoodEater — May 4, 2008 @ 6:06 pm
Comment by FoodEater — May 4, 2008 @ 6:14 pm
Comment by FoodEater — May 4, 2008 @ 6:15 pm
Love the post! Too funny! What a GROSS photo of AB!. I know this is totally creepy, but I actually enjoy his show and just overt my eyes at the dead animal consumption. Is there something wrong with me? I really thought his show in Lebanon was note worthy.
Comment by lex — May 4, 2008 @ 7:40 pm
well, maybe i was there! i try to get to pure luck at least once a week if i can. yeah, i really love the potato pals but i never thought to order them as a SIDE! that sounds perfect. and i too love the sauce….it tastes like bbq sauce and vegenaise to me. :p
Comment by quarrygirl — May 4, 2008 @ 8:28 pm
Wow… this looks delicious.
Hope to one day make out there.
Comment by Vegan Tickles — May 4, 2008 @ 11:09 pm
Hi! Agreed. That Pure Luck does a simple sandwich really well.
Comment by Trina — May 5, 2008 @ 8:05 am
here’s the perfect example of why you never need to go to that lotus place again. i love pure luck. i’ve only been there twice, but both times the food and the service was top notch! patty even hugged me the last time i was there.
now i am going to sit at work the rest of the day with my mouth watering until i can get some decent food in my belly.
Comment by scott — May 5, 2008 @ 10:54 am
Still, even before I went vegetarian, his utter disregard for the animals he eats was somewhat disturbing to me. Even when I was a meat eater, I had compassion for the animals who had to die so that I could eat them. I am not of the ilk who feels that everyone must become a vegan or a vegetarian, and yet, I am disgusted by the sheer delight that Bourdain derives from being a total glutton for animal flesh, and how much he enjoys rubbing our vegetarian faces in it. I can’t really watch his show anymore because in each episode it seems he needs to make a point of putting down vegetarians, usually right before a scene involving mass pig slaughter. What’s the point? Why can’t he just eat his pigs and shut up about it…. leave us hippie vegans to happily consume our tofu in peace.
Comment by FoodEater — May 5, 2008 @ 1:13 pm
Comment by FoodEater — May 5, 2008 @ 1:15 pm
Going to Lotus Vegan for me involves either a 15 minute walk or a 2 minute drive. Going to Pure Luck involves either a 35-45 minute drive depending on traffic and then a struggle for parking (got ticketed last time I went), or a 20 minute subway ride plus a mile & a half walk once I’ve made my way off the train and through all the whistling sombrero dudes who hang out in that area (not a journey I’m willing to make alone at night if I’m on foot).
For a quick lunch when I’m not in the mood for a struggle, Lotus Vegan is going to win. I was there again the other night and not only was the food excellent (post coming soon), but the service was also great… the place looked full, was clean, and everyone eating there looked happy. And guess what… I GOT A HUG FROM THE CHEF TOO!
I think it’s a big bummer that you didn’t enjoy your experience there, but I also think that comparing Lotus Vegan to Pure Luck is like comparing apples and oranges. Pure Luck is really something special and I don’t think hardly any other place in town, even the fancy joints, come anywhere close in regards to originality and overall awesomeness. If Pure Luck was easier for me to get too, I’d probably be there so often they’d be asking me to leave!
Lotus Vegan on the other hand is serving simple and straightforward homestlye Thai food. I can go there for anything from a giant healthy salad, a hearty breakfast or a spicy and fried Thai specialty. I like that they have a giant menu with lots of options and I like that they are cheap, friendly and close.
At least I’ll know that you and I won’t have to be fighting over the last seat in the place, eh?!
Comment by FoodEater — May 5, 2008 @ 1:26 pm
Oooh, looks tasty!
Comment by Wheeler's — May 5, 2008 @ 3:41 pm
Oh my. Vegan Caesar and vegenaise in a restaurant? I’m jealous. On a positive note, I just discovered a St. Louis diner with plenty o’ vegan options, including our hometown specialty the vegan slinger. So we’re not LA yet, but it’s a start!
Comment by Lisa (Show Me Vegan) — May 7, 2008 @ 7:35 pm
Oh… a St. Louis vegan slinger you say? I have no idea what that is but I am certainly intrigued!
Comment by FoodEater — May 12, 2008 @ 2:34 pm
I’m in love! I had the jackfruit-carnitas tacos (had to blink a couple a’ times - it looked so much like a chicken taco), which came with a pile of deceptively-simple-looking-yet-highly-tasty rice and beans. Haven’t been so thrilled with something so straighforward in a while. :)
Comment by Annette O'Neil — May 28, 2008 @ 5:11 pm
Comment by FoodEater — June 5, 2008 @ 7:05 pm