PETA names 2013 top vegan-friendly cities in the US

With its quintessential cheeseburgers and fries, the United States is hardly the first place that comes to mind when you say vegan-friendly. 

 

But as the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals' list of Top Vegan-Friendly Cities of 2013 shows, the US may be a meat lovers' paradise, but vegans can find a taste of heaven, there too. 

 

The number one spot went to Austin, Texas, for being the vegan food truck capital of the world. 

 

PETA lists mobile joints such as The Vegan Yacht, The Vegan Nom, and Guac N Roll as well as stationary spots like Mother's Cafe & Garden, Mr. Natural, and Guero's Taco Bar. For dessert, there's vegan ice cream parlor Sweet Ritual.

 

Described as a "mecca for all things vegan," Portland, Oregon came second on the list. Apart from vegan-friendly restaurants, the hipster haven has plenty of cruelty-free places including a bike shop, parlor, salons, a mall, and even a strip club.

 

Los Angeles was third on the list, with all-vegan chain restaurants like Real Food Daily, Native Foods Cafe, and Veggie Grill. Even Disneyland has vegan options, from vegan burgers to veggie gumbo.

 

New York came fourth on the list, with restaurants like Beyond Sushi, Blossom, and 3 Brothers Pizza Cafe, winner of PETA's best vegan pizza award.

 

Even Chicago, a city once known as "Porkopolis," was on the number-five spot for its cruelty-free restaurants, including The Chicago Diner, with its slogan "Meat Free Since '83." The restaurant's menu includes country-fried seitan steak, shakes, Macaroni & Teese among other cruelty-free comfort food.

 

PETA also mentioned newer vegan spots such as Thai restaurant Urban Vegan and Chicago Vegan Foods. Chicago's Wrigley Field and US Cellular Field also made it to PETA's list of the Most Vegetarian-Friendly Major League Ballparks. 

 

"If Chicago has taught us one thing, it's never to underestimate this shining city on the lake, and that includes leading the charge in the vegetarian revolution," PETA Executive Vice President Tracy Reiman said in a press release.

 

Other places that made it to the top 10 were Seattle, Salt Lake City, Las Vegas, Boulder in Colorado, and Richmond in Virginia. 

 

To find vegetarian and vegan-friendly dining places in your area, PETA recommends online guides such as Happy Cow. —Carmela G. Lapeña/KG, GMA News