“The Almond Milk District” Vegan Options for January and beyond.
The Milk District, an Orlando Main Street, may be named after local landmark T.G. Lee Dairy milk factory, but there’s a plethora of plant based and vegan options in this progressive neighborhood, which prompted a delicious promotion and temporary renaming to “The Almond Milk District” this January.
I was an invited media guest for a preview of a few of the businesses participating in this delicious promotion. All opinions are my own. As always I only share with you experiences and products I love to inspire you to go #MakeSomedayHappen one delicious bite, sip and trip at a time.
What is The Almond Milk District All About?
The special campaign aims to promote and encourage vegan-friendly options in the District. The name recognizes a diverse range of plant-based alternatives. If you’re vegan in Orlando, chances are you already know all about the Milk District’s fine plant based options like Market on South. But if you’re vegan curious and looking to add more meat-free and plant based options to your diet, then you’ll definitely want to add a visit to your plans.
The Almond Milk District project will primarily run January 1-31, to inspire resolutions for better choices for the New Year – coinciding with Veganuary, a campaign in the U.S. and UK that encourages vegan choices for the month of January.
Who is Participating in The Almond Milk District Promotion?
Explore the neighborhood’s restaurants, bars, and stores to find a variety of plant-based and vegan-friendly options throughout January, and beyond as many of these businesses offer plant based/vegan options on a regular basis. There are over 16 participating businesses in the The Almond Milk District project, with these offerings and specials.
A La Cart Orlando
The food truck park offers a variety of mobile food vendors with a fun outdoor courtyard as well as socially distanced indoor seating. The bar inside has 15 taps featuring a rotating lineup of beers, most of which are vegan. Be sure to ask about lactose and honey. À La Cart is open seven days a week for lunch and dinner.
Food trucks offering vegan options include: PokeKai with vegan bowls, Dulce Pecado with refreshing fruit slushes and SwedeDish with vegan meatballs and handmade cauliflower burger.
Bad As’s Sandwich
The award winning sandwich shop is known for their amazing sandwiches. Request the Happy Healthy Humans (known as the “HHH” sandwich) to be made vegan. Loaded with roasted zucchini, roasted cauliflower, mushrooms, lettuce, tomatoes, pickled onions, topped with crispy chips and tasty vegan aioli. An Almond Milk District (AMD) Special sandwich & soup combo is also available.
Drunken Monkey
The funky coffee shop is a popular favorite to work on your laptop or catch up with friends. They will offer 2-3 soups, 7+ sandwich options, and 3+ milk types for coffee drinks, all vegan.
Eola General
The co-op general store serves 5+ vegan dishes daily including Buffalo Chick’n Avo Wrap, Daytripper Panini, Eola Soul Bowl and vegan artisan boards. Also look for home goods and self-care products from Fox Cottage, Juniper Patisserie desserts and baked goods and Curate Natural Wines. During select days Oak Flame Pizza pops up with scrumptious vegan pizza options.
The Hemp Depot Orlando
The small shop and CBD dispensary sells a variety of products and plant based foods including fresh organic hemp milk, Yum Yum Pops popsicles, hemp protein powder, hemp tea and much more. During our visit, we sampled the cold hemp tea and learned directly from owner David Desormoux about its many health benefits.
Juice Bar
Stop in the Juice Bar for cold pressed juices made to order daily as well as healthy bites including spicy kale hummus veggie wraps, chia muffins and more. Their AMD Special includes 16 oz juice and a veggie fold up for $10.
During our visit we sampled the Sassy Grassy and “You’re Kale-in it” juices, cold pressed house made almond milk with a scrumptious chia muffin topped with coconut milk icing, and house made spicy hummus. All so delicious I had to take some home! The chia muffin was a special treat you would never guess it’s dairy free.
Market on South
This popular market leads the charge with 100% vegan offerings. Dharma Fine Vittles and Valhalla Bakery are located here, along with a marketplace of locally produced provisions.
“Plant-based cuisine is about community.” says Chef Shaun Noonan, who opened Dharma Fine Vittles at Market on South in The Milk District in 2015. “It’s about healthier options and the impact of those options on our environment. It’s about making our world a better place and providing an increased quality of life for everyone, despite our differences. I couldn’t be more proud to be part of a district of businesses working to actively embrace everyone who passes through their doors.”
Dharma Fine Vittles
All menu items are always vegan. There’s a new loyalty punchcard coming soon! During our visit we sampled a few of their indulgent Southern style sandwiches including The Orange Bird, Brew Burger and my favorite Fried Green Tomato. Crispy Chik’n Wings and their popular Mac n Cheese trio.
Valhalla Bakery
This 100% vegan bakery always delights with all sorts of treats, cupcakes, cookies, doughnuts, custom cakes & more. During our visit we sampled their Peanut Butter Chocolate donut, kitchen sink cookies, double chocolate and red velvet cookies. The Kitchen Sink cookie was my favorite with bits of pretzel, chocolate and nuts.
Curate Natural Wines
All wines are vegan. Available at Market on South, Eola General, and shipping online
MX Taco
You can’t go wrong with anything you order at this authentic Mexican taqueria by chef Ryan Manning. However, if you want plant based vegan tacos, try the Camote con Mole, sweet potato taco or Hongo Sikil Pak made with mushrooms and pumpkin seed pesto. Quesadillas, nachos, rice bowl, and sides including refried beans can also be requested vegan. MX offers vegan cheese & vegan chorizo. During our visit we sampled the vegan birria tacos, hongo sikil pak with pumpkin seed pesto taco and a vegan rice bowl. All delicious!
The Nook on Robinson
95% of available beers served at this quaint local bar are vegan. Ask to confirm no lactose or honey.
Pom Pom’s Teahouse and Sandwicheria
This Milk District favorite sandwich shop just celebrated their 15th anniversary. Ask for the secret vegan menu, which includes 10+ sandwich options. All salads can also be made vegan. During our visit we sampled the Dreamwich with peanut noodles and ginger cranberry chutney, Tuscan Melt with sun dried tomatoes, basil, black olives, red onions and black beans and Vegan Pom, a Vietnamese sandwich with carrots, daikon, cilantro, cucumber, sprouts in a creamy peanut vinaigrette. Pair it all with one of their hosue teas, most of which are vegan. We sampled a delightful pumpkin spiced bourbon tea.
Se7en Bites
The popular bakery offers espresso, latte and cappuccino drinks with almond milk. No food items are vegan.
Sideward Brewing
Most available beers at this popular craft brewery are vegan. Beers with lactose are labeled as such but be sure to double check. Vegan options on the menu include veggie wrap with no feta, tomato & pesto, and a fantastic tempeh reuben. Plus boiled peanuts, hummus, slaw and vegan cucumber salad.
Stasio’s Italian Deli
Vegan sandwiches with roasted veggies & more can be made to order and numerous vegan items are available in the market section of this favorite Italian deli.
Additional Businesses Participating:
In addition to showcasing the District’s restaurants, food shops, and bars’ vegan food & drink options, the project also includes promoting salons’ products that are not tested on animals & contain no animal-based ingredients.
The District has worked to share resources between businesses to help them ensure newly added vegan options are indeed vegan, with training on preventing cross-contamination and how to spot hidden ingredients.
Alchemy
The hair salon offers Rahua hair care products. Request during appointment, and available to purchase retail.
ATJ Fitness
10% off plant-based meal plans (Use promo code: FYys5)
Bare Me Waxing
AMD Special: Handmade Aloe Rose soap
Zac Alfson, Executive Director of The Milk District, shares “As meat alternatives rise sharply in popularity across the country, it’s important to know that our local, independent businesses have long been leaders in this sector. By promoting these options, it lets those among the estimated one-third of Americans who are replacing meat with other options at least once a week know that they are welcome, and have plenty of choices, in The Milk District.”
Visit The Almond Milk District to learn more about events throughout the month, Almond Milk District branded gear and an online directory of participants.
Cheers!
Go Epicurista
Disclosure: I have been hosted as a media guest for promotional purposes. I am under no obligation to share this post. As always, all opinions are my own. I only share with you products and experiences I love to inspire you to safely get together with family and friends, celebrate life, and go #MakeSomedayHappen one delicious bite, sip, and trip at a time! You can read more about my guidelines in my disclosure policy. Cheers!
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