Update: World Peace Cafe
Peace out!
When the Atlanta Journal-Constitution moves its offices to Dunwoody later this month, we will be a lot closer to some of my favorite lunch spots — including the World Peace Cafe in nearby Sandy Springs. Behind the utopian name is a very fine and reasonably priced vegetarian restaurant.
This restaurant is a local beachhead for a worldwide group of eateries attached to Buddhist centers (this one works with the nearby Rameshori Buddhist Center.) Most of the staff are disciples who volunteer their time to cook and serve.
You can find out more about the mission through tabletop literature, or you can just enjoy the soothing, loft-like atmosphere and precisely prepared food.
Blissful Glutton turned me on to this Classic Peace Burger ($9.50), which I hereby deem the best compressed patty of hamburger-like veggie matter that I’ve ever eaten. This oat-thickened, crisp-edged burger had a ton of flavor, as did the fresh whole wheat bun and rosemary mayonnaise garnish. Even the tomato was sweet and juicy.
Here’s the cross-section. You can also get spicy, Jamaican and Tex-Mex versions. I think about this burger, and I want one.
We also tried this veggie rice bowl ($8.50) featuring crisp-tender grilled vegetables, brown rice, tofu cut into hearts and flowers and a side of spicy peanut sauce. It came with a bowl of the day’s lentil soup, and together these dished made for a perfectly proportioned and perfectly satisfying lunch.
Where are some other good veggie burgers around town?
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34 comments Add your comment
Chip Shoulder
April 2nd, 2010
12:15 pm
Righteous Room veggie burger = a veggie burger I prefer over most real burgers (and I love real burgers). Get an extra tzatziki or buttermilk dressing to put on it, and vinegar wedges on the side. I daresay the RR veggie burger would stand up to BOTW scrutiny.
Muffin
April 2nd, 2010
12:37 pm
I agree with Chip 100%!!
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April 2nd, 2010
12:42 pm
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Sydney
April 2nd, 2010
1:25 pm
Not a spot that would usually spring to mind for vegetarian food, but J. Alexander’s has an outstanding veggie burger. One of the best I’ve ever had.
smokemonsterLocke
April 2nd, 2010
2:12 pm
There are none!
NEXT…..
Nice
April 2nd, 2010
2:14 pm
Sweet, I’ll have to check all those out!
Grant Park
April 2nd, 2010
2:14 pm
been a while, but the black bean burger at Dakota Blue isn’t bad – especially the SW set up (japs/salsa). it’s a natural combo.
ME
April 2nd, 2010
2:17 pm
Houstons – by far.
Paige
April 2nd, 2010
2:20 pm
Houston’s!
DMB
April 2nd, 2010
2:21 pm
Cafe Sunflower (the location in Sandy Springs, not the Buckhead location) is better in my opinion. More flavor and they have sweet potato fries.
http://www.cafesunflower.com/
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April 2nd, 2010
2:26 pm
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Melissa
April 2nd, 2010
2:27 pm
The veggie burger at Duck’s Cosmic Kitchen is one of the best I’ve ever had, and I’ve had more than a few. They make it themselves, from their own recipe. It comes with either roasted red pepper mayo or lemon mayo, and I usually get a bit of each. Plus, you can buy them uncooked to take home and serve your friends.
Jason
April 2nd, 2010
2:28 pm
I like the Porter’s more than others I’ve had, though admittedly I haven’t had many. My girlfriend who’s actually vegetarian and has had lots of them thinks that J. Alexander’s and The Vortex have the best (though I think her favorite part of the Vortex’s is the veggie chili she can get on it).
Jeff
April 2nd, 2010
2:34 pm
I’ve had World Peace and Cafe Sunflower…have to say Cafe Sunflower was better
Ramona Clef
April 2nd, 2010
2:34 pm
Ditto Duck’s.
Karebear
April 2nd, 2010
2:45 pm
I second Houston’s.
mary
April 2nd, 2010
3:03 pm
I love Ducks. And Houston’s. Both are great.
tazzie
April 2nd, 2010
3:14 pm
Houston’s.
bogiesmom
April 2nd, 2010
5:30 pm
I haven’t tried World Peace’s, but Cafe Sunflower’s rocks! I have a friend who is an avid beef burger lover and he loves Cafe Sunflower’s veggie burger.
Puerquito
April 2nd, 2010
5:34 pm
sweet and juicy tomatos in April? Are you kidding Mr. Kessler?
SLP
April 3rd, 2010
12:09 am
Righteous Room.
Stephanie
April 3rd, 2010
12:35 pm
As strange as it seems: Houston’s!
Fred
April 3rd, 2010
12:52 pm
I had never heard of this place before. Thanks John, I’ll have to try it. SO far, I have not been disappointed in a single place you have written good things about that i have tried. It’s bound to happen, but it hasn’t so far.
BTW A small complaint/suggestion: I have often times tried to go back in the archives to find someplace you blogged about (and I had forgotten the name) and the article isn’t there. Would it be possible to compile a list of the places you have blogged on somewhere?
And since everyone else is plugging their fav’s I will too lol. I went to Woodfire again last night. Of course the food was good, but that darn Bernard. He makes you feel like an invited guest, no a close friend, in his home for a special holiday, not just another diner in a restaurant. If I had the cash, I’d eat there every night lol. Wonder if he would give me a job as an apprentice……….
DecaturCyn
April 4th, 2010
8:51 am
Great suggestions! I like the Vortex for its creative combinations, using ingredients like pepperjack cheese and pineapple salsa, blue cheese spread and hot sauce, pesto, guacamole, etc. (BTW, if Vortex folks are reading, please bring back the fried jalapenos on the cheddar & bbq Tex Mex burger. Onion rings are a tad wimpy.)
steph
April 5th, 2010
8:41 am
Love World Peace Cafe, their rice bowl, and their fabulous kale mushroom soup. MMMHHH
KoPP
April 6th, 2010
10:35 am
Try Veggieland in Buckhead – good vegan burgers for fairly cheap prices.
justonemom
April 7th, 2010
1:48 pm
World Peace is awesome. Breakfast there is great – one of my “treat Mom days” is workout and then breakfast at World Peace- really get’s your day started right – calmer.
S.C. Foodie
April 7th, 2010
3:40 pm
This is the place that has the most decadent, heavenly chocolate cake I have ever tasted! I still can recall how my heart leaped inside of me, when I witnessed the pure beauty of a thick, tall slice of chocolate cake, being placed right before me. One bite of this surprisingly moist, rich cake… you can’t help but close your eyes and savor the delicious moment. You won’t believe its vegan.
Steven A.
April 7th, 2010
5:22 pm
I’ve liked World Peace Cafe in my three or four visits there (although I haven’t been in about a year), despite being a confirmed carnivore. I recommend their stroganoff, which deftly uses meaty chunks of portobello mushroom in lieu of beef.
Lindsey
April 8th, 2010
12:59 pm
Def the edamame veggie burger @ Hobnob! So crispy and delicious!
Stephanie
April 8th, 2010
2:48 pm
I miss the Vortex veggie burger so much! Now that they allow smoking in there I can’t go anymore, but it really is the best veggie burger in town. I’ve had Houston’s v.b. and I’m just not a fan.
Bren
April 8th, 2010
9:33 pm
Really liked Vortex, Cafe Sunflower,Ok Cafe and yes J. Alexander’s. All are great for veggie burgers. Everyone has raved about Houston’s, but didn’t care for it and it was expensive.
Maya
April 14th, 2010
2:16 am
World Peace Cafe’s burger is good, but I would have to give the crown to Grindhouse’s veggie burger, made out of bean and quinoa. Tastes amazing, especially prepared in their “Apache” style.
Lawrence
April 28th, 2010
1:28 am
I am now feeling like eating that hamburger.So just let me know where is the World Peace Cafe located in other places?