Farewell Foodswings

A friend stopped by vegan fast-food staple Foodswings in Brooklyn this weekend to find it unexpectedly closed during normal business hours.  A little bit of Facebook sleuthing revealed that many others had a similar experience; so, it would appear that Foodswings has bid us an even earlier adieu than previously expected.  [UPDATE 1/24/14: Foodswings will be open today through 1/26!].  As you might have heard, Foodswings was originally slated to close at the end of the month, making this all the more surprising.

 

Normally I'd suggest keeping an eye out just in case they reopen for a goodbye blowout, but it's not looking promising.

aka Fatswings

Like many vegans disappointed by the impending demise of the institution of Foodswings, a few friends and I made a plan to enjoy some of their famous drumsticks earlier this month- before they disappeared for what seems like will be for good.

The place was pretty crowded- even Dr. Michael Gregor, nutrition expert, was there to show his support.

 

The decor was slightly different from what I remembered, but the atmosphere was as frenetic as usual.

The menu, however, was mostly the same.  Since I didn't want to waste any stomach space on extraneous foods I can enjoy elsewhere, I decided to focus on the delicious drumsticks.  I even waived the combo plate options of salad or mac.

The Southern Fried drumstick with sweet mustard dipping sauce has always been my favorite, so that was a given.

But, on this occasion, I decided to bid them all a fond farewell.

The assortment:
Southern fried (1 of 2!): "battered and fried;" also known as the best!

 

Barbeque: "drenched in BBQ sauce and fired up on the grill;" really good: a little sweet, a tiny bit smoky.

Buffalo style: "breaded, fried,and then smothered in buffalo sauce; served with bleu cheese;"  I know this is everyone else's favorite, but it's my least.  Plus, the bleu cheese doesn't hold a candle to the sweet mustard.

 

Sweet Southern fried: "battered, fried, and then drenched in a sweet BBQ sauce;" so, the problem with this one for me is that the BBQ mushifies the perfect crunch of the southern fried batter.

 

Aaaand, the rad sweet mustard.

 

We were all so focused on the matter at hand (stuffing our faces) that properly recording the table's other indulgences slipped my mind.  Nachos, disco fries, and mac 'n' cheese were all represented whilst I focused solely on the drumsticks.  No regrets.

Keep an eye on their Facebook page for any new developments, but it does appear that they've closed permanently.

Non-vegans are prone to dismissing veganism because "there are so many people who need help"- presumably before animals.  In most cases, those making such declarations don't actually do anything to help humans, so it's just a theoretical excuse.  In the broader picture, by helping animals we are helping humans; veganism is a tremendous start towards alleviating all unnecessary suffering.  And, the bottom line is: you don't bring any harm to humans by helping an animal. 

Support vegans.  Support their events, products and businesses.  But, most of all, support their plight.  It's just as easy to go vegan in order to consciously decrease animal suffering as it is to make excuses and continue to directly contribute to it.  Take responsibility for your actions. 

Southern Fried Drumsticks a.k.a. FoodWINGS

Yes, yes; I know I use the words wings and drumsticks interchangeably.  Get over it and get to Foodswings.  See, I don't really like fake meat all that much, but for some reason there's a special place in my heart for Red Bamboo drumsticks.  Now too there is even more space for Foodswings' version.

You may remember the travesty of my having ordered a southern fried drumstick and having been erroneously served a  sweet southern fried BBQ drumstick instead.  It was delicious, but it was the original that I wanted.  So, when I returned with some vegan peeps I finally got my southern fried wing...oh yeah, and a tempeh reuben.

Make no mistake, this reuben is Foodswings style: greasy (but oh so good)!

And then the wing; exactly what I had hoped: coated in breadcrumbs and fried to crispy perfection!

My fellow drumstick lover got the combo with Daiya mac n' cheese and his fave: the buffalo style wings.

But I'm a purist and once I'd tasted the southern fried marvels I had to get more.  So I did!  (It wasn't the same day; I swear).  Bonus points for the adorable to-go bag that kept the drumsticks in perfect condition.

I suppose you might be able to reheat them in the bag, but I decided against the risk (of ruining my drumsticks, not starting a fire).

They reheated just great; it was as if I was eating them freshly served.  And the sweet mustard that they came with was extraordinary!  Take it from me, you'll need one container for every two drumsticks.  At least. 

One day I will order one of each wing flavor that Foodswings offers and have a proper taste test, but for now I am extremely satisfied with my southern frieds!

Bonus: Foodswings now carries Lula's ice cream by the pint!

Their delicious shakes are still made with Klein's, so it counts as two totally separate things.  In other words, you can get a shake AND a pint and there's nothing wrong with that.  Take it from me.

Veggie Conquest V: Anniversary, Basil, and Foodswings!

We missed the first one, but VM and I have been proud supporters of Veggie Conquest, the NYC vegan cooking competition, since number II.  Number III was a blast, and number IV was so much fun that I kicked back and relaxed, not even bothering to blog about it (sorry).  This latest installment was one of the best.

For starters, VM and I were lucky enough to have been invited to sit with Mr. and Mrs. M., co-creators of vegan socialite, entrepreneur, and VC founder: Jessica.  Much like a trip to Lula's, Veggie Conquest is a great place to meet new and interesting people; these dining companions were no exception.

Per usual, Joshua Katcher did an extraordinary job as emcee: effortlessly commanding the audience with his unparalleled charisma,  entertaining quips, and general swoon-worthiness.  Did I mention that VM is a big fan?   Actually, I'm a big fan: her fandom is cosmic.

The secret ingredient was basil and, per usual, the chefs' submissions were inventive and involved.  Not a pesto in the bunch, the creativity and variety of the "tastes" was further proof that I should never embarrass myself by being a chef; I belong in a taster seat indefinitely. 

The second course was so extraordinary, it may have even surpassed the one we enjoyed at VC II when a lentil dish prepared by a volunteer (not Susan!) bowled us both over.  We haven't stopped talking about it since, but have been too lazy to make it ourselves never attempted it.  This time around, in addition to the volunteers' submissions, Foodswings donated the world's cutest double decker cheeseburgers: each identically and artfully presented with like-sized accoutrements and the requisite party pick to hold it all together!  They also brought along Daiya mac & cheese with smoky bits of mushroom.  I really wanted to go back for seconds on both of these scrumptious eats, but even I was too full.  Suffice it to say that they were even yummier than they look.  Obviously, another trip to Foodswings is in order.

As if that wasn't enough, there was also a pasta & vegetable salad, sweet potatoes with pumpkin seeds, quinoa & veggies, and a kale salad with avocado dressing: a plateful of vegtastic goodness.

In addition to their company and conversation, our dining companions treated the entire crowd to a ridiculously fortuitous bonus: an incredibly huge and gorgeous Champs' cake in honor of VC's 1 year anniversary.

No mere "sheet cake", this rectangle of beauty boasted fluffy, moist, crumby vanilla cake with a just-sweet-enough berry center and cream cheese frosting: it was startlingly and absolutely delicious, even to this unapologetic chocolate lover.

If you're looking for a fun, delicious way to spend the evening with like-minded people, sign up for Veggie Conquest's mailing list so you don't miss out on the next event.  Or don't, because if I get shut out from buying tickets VM is not going to be happy!

Who Orders a Small Shake From Foodswings?

I'm not gonna lie; when deciding where to eat for breakfast/lunch the other day, Foodswings won hands down on the merit and reputation of their epic shake menu alone.  It was my first visit, so I was expecting some kind of crazy, shake decor/atmosphere.  Obviously there isn't any, but imagine my surprise to walk in and find that the only nod to the shake extravaganza that exists within the four walls of Foodswings is a display of the two available cup sizes: small and miniscule.  WHAT!?  Isn't this a vegan establishment...catering to hungry vegans?  To be fair I should note that Foodswings refers to their size offerings as "Regular" and "Large", but to that I say, "Um, no; I don't think so." 

For the moment, I was able to look past the absurdity: partially because I was hungry and needed to get my grub on before moving on to dessert (shakes and Vegan Treats!) and also because part of me thought that the small cup was a kind of joke.  So tiny, how could it be serious?  Really!  Ha ha, good one.

Anyhoo, we had no idea what to order; how often do you find yourself in a vegan fast food joint?  Slightly overwhelmed, we decided to go for a bunch of old favorites. 

I could not pass up the eggie and cheese sandwich: Fried Tofu "egg style" with Sliced Soy Cheese on Toast.  I was hoping it would be served on a kaiser roll, but the toast wound up working really well with the sandwich.  Not sure what kind of cheese was on this, but I'm pretty sure it wasn't Daiya; it seems that they use Daiya only where specifically noted on the menu.  To that I say, USE IT ON EVERYTHING; so good!  Certainly the other cheese was fine, but who needs fine when you can have stupendous Daiya?  Yes, although I still pronounce it incorrectly, I am involved in a love affair with Daiya.  The whole sandwich was really good and authentically diner-y.  One note, though: go for the ham or sausage as an add-on.  I chose the bacon only because I was expecting it to be crisp.  Since it was kinda the same mushy (in a good way) texture of the egg, cheese, and bread it didn't really add anything, so I'd suggest one of the other options.  Also, ketchup, black pepper and hot sauce, of course!

VM went with the classic nachos, Homemade Corn Tortilla Chips [!] Served w/ Chili or Black Beans, Tomato Salsa, Cheddar Soy Cheese & Tofu Sour Cream.  Again, I don't believe this was Daiya, but it was really good and saucy and they sure did put a whole heck of a lot of toppings on the giant mound of chips; no skimping at Foodswings!  Also, I don't know if it was Tofutti sour cream (unpictured) or not, but it was really thick and yummy.

As spicy potato fiends, neither of us could pass up the chipotle cheese fries.  Perfectly cooked, shoestring "McDonald's"- type fries drenched in a creamy (presumably not Daiya) cheese and-- purportedly-- chipotle sauce.  Except for that no, it was actually BBQ sauce.  Huh?  Here's the thing.  I really like to dunk fries in BBQ sauce (especially sweet potato fries), but BBQ doesn't equal chipotle!?  What's going on here; I don't know, but the flavors do manage to work: just don't expect it to be spicy.  And, if you do: no matter; just drizzle some hot sauce onto your cheesy, inexplicably barbecue-y fries and enjoy.

Foodswings has four varieties of chicken drumsticks: buffalo style, barbecue, southern fried, and sweet southern fried barbecue.  I normally only eat chicken wings about once a year from Red Bamboo, but I couldn't resist trying the southern fried drumstick: Battered & Fried; I hadn't had crispy fried chicken in decades.  (Yes, I know I keep using the terms "wings" and "drumsticks" interchangeably; who cares when they're not real appendages?)

Ain't no thang but a chicken wing!

The especially cool thing about the Foodswings' wing menu is that you can order however many you want (even one!), or a combo plate that includes 3 wings and a side.  The side is huge, but I think it should be 4 wings & a side because how are you supposed to leave one out!?  Anyhoo, the southern fried drumstick was authentically crisp just like I expected; definitely a very good choice.  One oddity, though: there was some weird sauce slathered on it when I expected it to be dry.  The sauce was nice and tasty, but I couldn't put my finger on exactly what it was...or why it was there.*  Then again, I wouldn't hesitate to place a repeat order, so what do I know?  In other news, doesn't my bite mark look like a sideways heart?  Yikes!  I've been tweeting too much, <3!  *It would seem that I accidentally received a buffalo drumstick.  I have since seen the southern fried and will need to get one in my belly pronto.

Even I couldn't eat like this all the time, but it was a nice divergence from the norm.  If, like me, you overindulge and find yourself too full for a shake right away, don't fret.  Simply take a walk and come back.  But whatever you do, you must have a shake.  And not the tiny one, wuss!

While we were eating I noticed quite a few people coming in for takeout and taking shakes to go along with their food order; sweet!  But wait, what was that?  Some of them had that teeny size!  Crazy much?  Honestly, two sips and I'd be thinking, NEXT!?  I don't know, Foodswings, this is a mystery to me.  At least label it "kiddie size" or something in order to maintain your street cred.

Do you need me to clarify that we had two larges (one each)?

I knew going in that I was having The Tank shake: Chocolate Ice Cream, Peanut Butter & Cookies (I know, right!); it's the one on the right with the "T" on the lid.  As a fellow fan of Terri's version, VM took one look at the menu and immediately chose the Butterfinger shake: Chocolate Ice Cream & Chik O' Stiks.  I don't know how she does it, but after I deliberated over my choice for weeks, at a moment's notice she managed to pick the superior flavor.  It was crunchier, sweeter, thicker, and I'd even go so far to say colder (maybe that part was in my head), but it was definitely THE shake.  Go get one!  But remember: if you get a small I'm going to laugh.  Or cry, whichever.  More shake for me (take that, Sip)!

So Foodswings is exactly what they say it is:

vegan (score) fast (yep) food (yum). 

I do want to point out that it's counter service: the gal at the register is super friendly and nice and sweet, so you should definitely tip her a lot because she could just as easily be an eye-rolling, snotty, punk, hipster, but she's not.  The entire place is no-nonsense, the cooks are super fast and efficient, and I can't imagine they serve anything that you wouldn't like.  The end.

P.S. Their Daiya chicken parm sandwich is ridics.