Today we take a peek at Spiral Diner as part of the Magnolia Avenue Restaurant Series. Spiral Diner brings the Town of Cow vegan cuisine full of flavor and rebellious charm.

Spiral Diner

The Vibe
Expect to be greeted by a quirky, eclectic vibe and kooky metal sculpture as soon as you step foot into Spiral Diner. The open aqua colored dining area has a bright retro feel with 50′s era tables, chairs and vinyl booths. One look at the crowded dining room and you’ll see Spiral Diner is not just for hipsters and hippies.

The Food
The food prepared at Spiral Diner is 100% vegan. That means they don’t use any animal products at all (no meat, milk, eggs, or cheese). As part of Spiral Diner’s environmental commitment they buy certified organic products whenever possible. They even post a list in the restaurant of the organic ingredients available for the week. I love that Spiral Diner has not sacrificed a bit of flavor in their commitment to serve 100% vegan food.

The Service
The service is casual and mostly self serve. Servers take your order and answer any questions about the menu. You serve your own drinks, such as the organic iced tea (made with fresh filtered water) or Blue Sky Sodas on tap. You also grab your own silverware and napkins.

Eat This
You will be surprised at the creativity and flavor found in the many and varied dishes. Meati-tarians will enjoy the Taco Salad or Jamaican Jerk sandwich. Kids will love the Sketti and Meatballs that tastes like the real thing. Try the Mediterranean wrap for a fresh treat in the summer or find comfort in the Red Coconut curry in the winter.

Spiral Diner
1314 W. Magnolia
Fort Worth TX 76104
817.332.8834

Today is Earth Day and there are things we can do with our eating habits that can leave less of an impact on the Earth.

Become a Locavore
Try and get all your produce needs from local sources.  You cut the carbon footprint because food has not been trucked in or flown in thousands of miles to get to you.  Plus local food just tastes better and fresher.  Farmer’s markets are Fort Worth’s best sources for locally grown food.  The Cowtown Farmer’s Market only sells food that is grown, raised, or produces within a 150 mile radius.  The market is open every Saturday from 8AM – Noon, get there early for the best selection.  They are located in west Fort Worth at the junction of 183, 377, and 80W.

Eat Sustainable Foods
The issue of sustainable foods is a big one and one that I’m still educating myself on.  In terms of sustainable agriculture Fort Worth has a valuable resource with EatGreenDFW.com.  EatGreenDFW provides sources for grass fed beef, free range – grass fed chickens and lamb.  They also provide teas, jellies, herbs and free trade coffee.

Plant a Garden
You can’t get any more local and fresh than your backyard.  A garden doesn’t have to take up much room and is a great activity for your whole family to become involved in.  Start small if you don’t have a green thumb, a tomato plant and some herbs will come in handy during the summer months.  Our family is using the square foot gardening method, and our garden doesn’t take up much space at all.

Eat Less Meat
If you can’t commit to being a full time vegetarian, try and do at least one meatless meal a week.  You’re a google search away from many resources that will help you find vegetarian meals that are delicious, good for you, and good for the Earth as well.  In many cases vegetarian meals are also cheaper because you are using whole foods which generally cost less than processed foods.

The Environmental Defense Fund estimates that, “If every American skipped one meal of chicken per week and substituted vegetables and grains … the carbon dioxide savings would be the same as taking more than half a million cars off of U.S. roads. … If every American had one meat-free meal per week, it would be the same as taking more than 5 million cars off our roads. Having one meat-free day per week would be the same as taking 8 million cars off American roads.”

If you want an introduction to what incredibly tasty vegan food tastes like go visit Spiral Diner at 1314 W. Magnolia Street.

More Resources
Here are some books that have helped me learn more about sustainability and cooking yummy vegetarian meals:

In Defense of Food: An Eater’s Manifesto – Michael Pollan

How To Cook Everything Vegetarian – Mark Bittman

Here’s the latest news from Spiral Diner, Fort Worth’s one and only vegan restaurant.

Spiral Diner’s Blue Plate Special brings a taste of New Orleans with the Big Easy Zucchini Po’Boy.  Breaded zucchini, grilled onions, red bell peppers, garlic, lettuce, pickles, and tartar sauce sandwiched between soft french bread sounds like a tasty treat I’ll have to try next time I’m there.  Going along with the New Orleans theme they are also offering a Da’ Gumbo.  Okra, carrots, celery, and vegan sausage are mixed in with a Creole Roux with hints of cayenne and sassafras.  If you could use more sassafras in your life (and can’t we all) make sure and order up a steaming bowl of Da’ Gumbo.

Now you can have some vegan vino at Spiral Diner.  They are offering Badger Mountain Organic Wine by the glass (red/white).  The wine is vegan and sustainably grown.

If you want to learn more about cooking vegan at home Spiral Diner offers cooking classes.  The Protein class will show you plenty of ways to incorporate protein in a vegan diet.  Monday May 18, 7PM – 9PM.  Classes are $40, call or walk in to reserve your spot.  Pre-payment is required.

Spiral Diner
1314 W. Magnolia
817-332-8834

King Tut may conjure up ancient images for some.  In the landscape of Fort Worth, King Tut is more of an “original gangsta”.  King Tut’s longtime presence in an otherwise deserted spot on Magnolia earn it some serious street cred.  Thankfully, Magnolia has experienced a resurgence beyond the Mad Hatter’s heydeys of the early 90′s (let’s pour one out for those homies now). Vegetarians of Fort Worth must also give props to King Tut as being one of the first and few places to include vegetarian fare on it’s menu.

The Vibe
Upon entering King Tut the small dining area looks like a modest diner when contrasted with the more open dining area.  The larger dining area is fully bedecked in requisite King Tut replicas and Egyptian themed linens. Egyptian “artifacts” complete the space, but alas none are doing the sand dance (don’t you know).  The dining area has an open lofty feel punctuated by a vintage tin ceiling and cement floors.

The Food
King Tut provides a mix of Egyptian, Middle Eastern, and Greek dishes that make it a great option for dining with a big group.  Classic dishes such as gyros, kabobs, schwarma, and moussaka are on the menu.  Everything I’ve tried always tastes exceptionally fresh.

Maybe it’s the veggie bohemian roots of King Tut that compel me to order vegetarian options when I’m here.  Perhaps it’s just my love of a snack dinner and an appetizing mezze platter.  Either way the mezze platter is the best way to start off a meal at King Tut.  The mezze platter comes in a small ($12), queen ($15), and king versions($18).  The king version could indeed serve as a full meal or be split between friends.  The mix and match options give you a nice sampling of the Egyptian slash Middle Eastern slash Greek appetizers.  The dolmas were refreshing and slightly sour.  The garlicky and creamy hummus is a must order item, all the better for enjoying the homemade pita bread, in fact order extra because it’s that good.  The sambosas from the appetizer menu are like Middle Eastern eggrolls and just as tasty with their rich, fried wrapping. On my last few visits to King Tut I also enjoyed the contrast of the feta cheese with the homemade pickles on the mezze platter.

The vegeterian naan crust pizza is a good option if you have the same illicit love affair with cheese that I do.  Somehow the homemade naan crust survives the deluge of cheese that covers it and makes for a wonderfully delicious dinner.  The naan crust pizzas range in price from $8.00 – $13.00.  Pilaf rice makes a lovely bed for the veggie shwarma.  The vegetables were good but just a tad too oily.  While the dish was good and filling I thought the $10.50 price tag was a bit high for sauteed vegetables and rice, but it does come with a nice house salad.  Other interesting veggie options include the falafel salad and faul madammus (fava beans, onions, and tomato).  Deserts are a bargain at $2.00.

The Service
It’s not uncommon for the owner, Amin Mahmoud, to be the one efficiently taking your order and bringing the food out.  At other times the waitstaff get the food out without alot of fluff and friendliness, which is fine.  Sometimes it takes awhile for the dishes to arrive, so if you’re in a hurry stick to the appetizers.

Overall
With all the dining options now available on Magnolia Avenue, King Tut’s reign as an original gangsta is still intact. The vegetarian menu and Greek and Middle Eastern classics served up at King Tut make this a favorite spot.  Lunch is always bustling with folks from the medical district and downtown.  The spot is not exactly first date worthy, a little too well lit (and no alcohol is served).  However, it is a great spot for larger groups or for grabbing a bite before catching a show at The Fairmount or The Chat Room Pub.

Eat This
Yes!  You’ll be walking like an Egyptian if you eat here.

I Eat This
Mad for the Mezze Platter

Hours
Monday – Friday 11AM – 2PM, 5PM – 9PM
Saturday 5PM – 9PM

King Tut
1512 W. Magnolia Avenue
Fort Worth 76104

Want sweets for your sweet?  Order adorable Petit Fours from Spiral Diner.  Petit Fours are little bite sized cakes and they will be presented in a cute little box.  The Petit Fours are filled with raspberry filling and come in chocolate or vanilla cake.  They are also covered in chocolate ganache and daintily decorated, yum and ever so sweet.  They are $15 for 6 or $30 for 12.  Place your order by Friday and let them know if you want chocolate or vanilla cake, or half and half if you can’t decide.

What better way to make sure “Vegans get Plenty” than to visit Spiral on Valentine’s Day? On Valentine’s Day Spiral will  have tiny romantic candles on each table, beer specials and wine by the glass.

Spiral Diner
1314 W. Magnolia
817-332-8834