There’s nothing I love more than discovering mind-blowing vegan food at a restaurant with televisions streaming football on the wall.

The days of picking the bacon bits out of your side salad at the local pub are gone. While I’m a huge fan of ethnic food, you don’t always feel like getting Thai takeout just to get a hearty meatless meal, so enter San Antonio Sam’s; the perfect escape for the everyday vegetarian. It’s a great vibe for the meat-free man or woman who needs a place to kick back after work with some friends while enjoying a serious array of vegetarian and vegan friendly Tex-Mex. My vegetarian buddy Tony and I found that last week when we scoped out the restaurant for this Veg Review.

After a day at the office, I was pleased with the relaxed vibe of the restaurant. Quiet jazz played from the speakers, and the oaky rugged décor mixed nicely with the dim lighting. Chatter from the bar was barely audible since the nightlife setup is hidden away from the main dining area in an adjoining room.

We settled into a booth and were promptly greeted by our server Kat, who was not only efficient and friendly, but also very knowledgeable about the vegan and vegetarian menu options. Tony and I sampled several dishes; I dove into the vegan fare and Tony stuck with the vegetarian entrees, so that all of our meat-free readers could get some insight.

The food, overall, was mouth-watering. The restaurant sticks to its Tex-Mex roots–every dish had a kick to it. As a girl bred on Cajun fare, the spice in each bite was certainly appreciated. Check out the play-by-play below, but note that when you’re in the restaurant, you have to specifically ask for dishes to be made vegan. They don’t have a vegan section on the menu but will happily accommodate you if you want to order something with vegan cheese instead of cheddar, etc. Also note that there is a $1.50 up-charge for vegan cheese on any dish (but it’s hella worth it).

Seven-Layer Dip (Vegan)
Actually this turns into a five-layer dip when you veganize it, but it was a great start to our meals. Refried beans, jalapeños, green onions, tomatoes, and the coveted Daiya cheese make up this vegan appetizer, which is served with a large bowl of chips on the side (not shown in the picture). The dip is served cold and so the cheese wasn’t melted. Personally, I think Daiya melds the other complimenting flavors together much better when warm and melted, so I wasn’t thrilled about this, but I still enjoyed the dip. The size was perfect to split between about three people as a starter, and this dish runs for $9.50 (including the up-charge for vegan cheese).

Cup of Vegetable Soup (Vegan)
Huge chunks of potatoes swimming in a thick, spicy tomato broth made this vegetable soup stand out from the average recipe. Served with triangles of pita bread for dipping, it’s a very satisfying way to start your meal and the warm, fresh flavor made it an ideal choice on a chilly January evening. The tender veggies melt nicely in your mouth as the dish gives off a peppery garden aroma.

Spinach Enchiladas (Vegetarian)
These enchiladas can be made vegan upon request, but Tony ordered it the standard way from the menu, which comes purely vegetarian since real cheese is used. He described the flavor as sharp, smoky, and savory, with just the right hint of spice. Each of the two enchiladas were literally stuffed to the brim with spinach, so it was an impressive and very hearty presentation. Served with a side of beans and rice, this meal runs for $10.

Veggie Burger (Vegetarian)
The only thing separating this burger from being vegan is the mayonnaise, which I’m sure could be easily left off. Tony assured me that any traditional burger lover would enjoy this veggie burger as the texture crumbles like it’s made from scratch and the flavor does not resemble the typical Gardenburger style of vegetable-flavored patties. While carrot pieces were evident in the burger itself, the flavor and aroma were more that of a typical burger (only without all the calories and cruelty). Typically served with fries, this meal costs only $9.

Spinach Quesadillas (Vegan)
I saved the best for last! One bite into this Daiya delicacy, and I was hooked. In my opinion, this is by far the best vegan option on Sam’s menu. Since it’s listed as an appetizer, it runs a bit small, but is a must-eat for any vegan who wants to start their meal off right (it’s a perfect-sized starter for two). As a vegan, one of the textures I miss is hot, melted, stretchy cheese, and this quesadilla rocked my nostalgia back into a reality. Each bite was infused with a strong onion flavor (which I adored), and each slice of the quesadilla was thick and stuffed full of fresh spinach and velvety cheese. With the $1.50 up-charge for vegan cheese, this dish runs for $11.50, but is worth every cent and then some. It can also be ordered vegetarian if you eat real cheese, but Tony agreed that the Daiya had a much cleaner and creamier texture than the cheddar–so even if you’re just vegetarian, we’d recommend you faux it up for this one.

Overall I was very impressed with the restaurant’s ability and generosity to cater so well to a vegan and vegetarian clientele. Kat explained to us that each server has a “vegan cheat sheet” so that if someone were to say, “I’d like the enchiladas made vegan,” they’d be able to look at their sheet and note that not only does that mean vegan cheese, but also no sour cream, etc. I love the effort and respect behind that notion, and while not being vegan or vegetarian herself, she seemed supportive and happy with the place’s newfound vegan-friendliness.

I’d highly recommend Sam’s to any vegetarian, vegan, or health-conscious local who’s interested in spicing up their palette a bit. My experience left me wanting more, and now I can’t stop dreaming in Daiya.

San Antonio Sam’s is located at 1501 Colley Ave in the heart of Ghent.