Vegan Rockaway Redux

You might recall that I visited Rockaway for the first time last year and ate all the vegan foodz. I found myself there again recently for a friend's birthday celebration and I have even more to report. The boardwalk was back and so was I!!

First we went to Caracas Arepa Bar. I've never been to their locations in Manhattan or Brooklyn and I now see the error of my ways.

We all ordered the Super V: black beans, sweat plantains, avocado, jalapeno. The flavor, texture, and temperature combination makes for a most glorious mouthful.

 

One friend ordered the cocada: coconut milkshake with a touch of cinnamon and I couldn't help but to be a copycat. Excellent decision on my part.

For dinner we went to Tacoway Beach- formerly Rockaway Tacos, now housed within the Rockaway Beach Surf Club and run by one of the original co-owners.

 

The menu remains vegan friendly with some of the best prepared tofu I've ever had. So good that while last year I'd tried one bean taco and one tofu taco, this year it was all about the tofu tacos with guacamole (hold the cilantro): no regrets!

 

I also ordered the plantain chips with salsa. The "salsa" was more of a sauce whose origin I couldn't quite put my finger on, but the chips were really great.

 

Even though it had been a dreary day, we got to sit in the outdoor section. Our large group was able to snag the premier table because it was relatively early; usually it's packed.

Altogether with watermelon juice.

 

Finally, cookie cake from Erin McKenna's bakery imported (from Manhattan) for the birthday girl:

 

By the way, how great is this carrot billboard? I always say, there's nothing like a convenient vegetable.

There's still plenty of summer left, so get to Rockaway if you can!

Rock, Rock, Rockaway Taco

I'm not really a beach person, so Rockaway was never on my radar until I started hearing rumors about the stupendous vegan-friendliness of Rockaway Taco.  Beach?  Meh.  Tacos?  Yes, please!

In fact, when a new friend mentioned he lived in Rockaway, one of the first things I asked was if I could visit for tacos.  True story.

And then it happened.

In my mind, Rockaway Taco was a clapboard building built directly on the beach (as I said, I'm not a beach person).  Luckily, in reality it's a few blocks further inland.

gracious pals

As promised, there were a lot of veganizable options.

89-approved!

I started off with a watermelon juice because A) it's my fave and B) it's hella expensive in Manhattan.

My pals went for the pineapple mint (note: the cups were served full, I was just late taking the photo).

Because there were so many choices I did a "I'll have what she's having." Pictured here are a black bean taco and a tofu taco: both with added guacamole.  They come with purple cabbage and radishes, which really hit the perfect notes of fresh crunch paired with the soft tortillas and savory fillings.  The spicy pickled onions on the side were added from their complimentary condiment bar where you can also add a brown sauce that I assumed was mole and in which I did not partake.  Be aware that the tacos are in a state of slight disarray here only because I forgot to say no cilantro and had to scrape it off before capturing the meal for all eternity.

I had the black bean taco first and it reminded me of creamy, refried black beans: very good.  However, the tofu taco was so stupendous that I think I'd go all tofu next time.  Check it out: pressed and marinated for the win.

We also shared an order of sweet plantains which I'm told aren't usually this well done.  However, we all really liked them this way and agreed we'd order them well-done on future visits.  They were the best I've ever had- by a mile; crisp on the outside and sweet, melt-in-your-mouth on the inside.

FYI: there's no indoor seating at Rockaway Taco, so you can sit at picnic tables across the street to enjoy your delicious grub.

Animal-friendly decor in the picnic area: "Sharks need their fins more than you."

By the time we left the line was down the block and around the corner, which I'm told is normal and I'm not in the least bit surprised; everything was ridiculously good.  Rockaway Taco is a MUST-VISIT for sure and would be particularly ideal for anyone embarking on a taco cleanse.

no dog tacos, I'm afraid