There are lots of reasons people choose to eat vegan part time or fully, and there's no sense in debating the merits. What's worth your time is knowing where the good vegan spots are so you always have a place to go when you're with vegan friends or if you'd just like to try interesting food made within challenging restrictions.

When I noticed that The Bayside Cafe describes themselves online as "delicious, plant-based bar food" I messaged them right away, curious if they were vegetarian or fully-vegan. Co-owner Jasper Mosbacher got back to me right away to let me know everything they serve is fully vegan, and I said I'd be over soon for takeout.

Chef-owner Ryan Housner has been either vegan or vegetarian for over 20 years, and cooks the food that he and Mosbacher want to eat: grubbin' bar food that everyone will love and non-vegans might not even notice isn't animal-based. I brought home three dinners to get a sense of how the dishes compare to their animal analogs as well as how good they are when judged individually.

We wanted the Classic burger to get an idea of what the standard is before eventually moving on to the more elaborate options. All the burgers come with a Beyond patty standard, or you can upgrade to an Impossible patty for $2 more. The Beyond is good, but I'll definitely upgrade the next time because I've heard the Impossible has more of a chew and a char to it. But make no mistake, the Beyond is good too, and Bayside serves it on a perfect potato bun with Chao, lettuce, tomato, onions, and "mayo." It's delicious and a far cry from the veggie burgers I remember from the '90s.

The Fishless Filet Sandwich has a very generous layer of house-made tartar with lettuce, onion, and tomatoes. I wish I'd been more methodical and taken it apart to really see what the filet was like on its own, but the sandwich was so tasty and messy that I gobbled up my half without even putting it down. It was our least favorite of everything we tried, but still so good. 

If you ever spent any late nights (or, ahem, early mornings) clubbing in Seattle, you probably tried the signature Seattle dog from any number of vendors. It's cream cheese and grilled onions on a regular hot dog, and it's perfect when you've been out a little too long. If you're enjoying the beer, wine, or cider at Bayside, you might pair it with their Everett Brat, a Beyond brat with plant-based cream cheese plus grilled onions and garlic. The brat's filled with an interesting blend of spices and the only bad thing I can say about the toppings is that I wish there were more of them. 

The Bayside Cafe also has a way with side orders. The fries, curly fries, and onion rings were hearty, hot, and perfectly packed in the to-go boxes. My husband even said the onion rings were the best he's had in years, and I agree their crunch is a lot more interesting than the batter-dip type often found elsewhere. Neither of us is vegan but we're both excited to try more of their dishes. Personally? I can't wait to try the nachos, breakfast sandwich, and buffalo wingz, which have a stick of sugar cane inside in place of the bone. 

When you stop by, be sure to check out the newly-refreshed space full of cool art and comfy seating areas. It's a great new spot to add to your list of Hewitt hangouts and downtown deliciousness.

THE BAYSIDE CAFE
1717 Hewitt Ave.
Everett, WA 98201
(425) 322-3924

Christopher Bragg works from home in Everett and loves walking, swimming, and cats. You can find him all over town, but only if you keep weird hours and avoid crowds like he does.