A vegetarian's guide to Springfield

A Vegetarian's Guide to Springfield

The mercury is rising and with that comes the inevitable -- summer beach bodies will be scrutinized, motorists will need to keep heads on swivels for increasing bicycle traffic, and winter couch potatoes will venture outside for sunny activities. In the spirit of healthy living and "going green," my fellow Metromixer pal, Laura Weis, joined me for an exploration of Springfield's vegetarian cuisine. Having dabbled in vegetarianism, I am familiar with the many veggie-friendly proteins that carnivores may overlook: eggplant, tofu, soy, mushrooms and legumes. Laura is a meat-eater, but was an active participant to see how the other roughage-resplendent half lives.

Whatever the reason, be it for health benefits, a respect for animals, or pressure from a new practicing-veggie boyfriend/girlfriend, vegetarians in Springfield can unite with the dishes we've tasted. Whether you are just thinking about taking vegetarianism out for a test drive, or have been chomping greens for years, this guide will lead you through some local flavor options. We hit up the Grotto, Tea Bar & Bites, South Avenue Pizza, Bangkok City, and Nonna's to sample a few vegetarian dining choices in town. -- Thomas Hardwicke and Laura Weis, Special to Metromix