Spotlight: Chaco Canyon Cafe

My newest obsession: Chaco Canyon Cafe.

Going out to eat poses a challenge for me. Firstly, I do not eat meat or any byproduct of it (making it difficult to consume ethnic cuisine, which is often cooked with some kind of animal fat and/or broth). Secondly, I have food sensitivities: MSG, wheat, and high fructose corn syrup. Thirdly, it's an impossible challenge to communicate this to a food server, much less find out what exactly goes into that platter of black beans. Not to mention the fact that I tend to eat ALL of whatever I'm served (leading to overeating), or that I really do prefer organic food. Enter Chaco Canyon Cafe.

I discovered this little cafe last year and didn't get a chance to eat there until last month. It's too bad, or I could have tried everything on the menu by now. Anyway, it's located on the corner of 50th and 12th in the University District, here in Seattle. A few blocks from the Saturday Farmer's Market. It's 90% organic, 100% vegan, and a good half of the menu is gluten-free.

If you want a great smoothie, some excellent juice, killer raw food, experiment with veganism, or want to expand your gluten-free meal options, head here. Good for lunch or dinner. Their juice menu alone is... worth a trip. Just to witness the raw power (get it, raw?) of that hulk of a juicer. Everything goes into there, including unconventional juiceable wondes like kale, basil, and garlic. They have sandwiches, a raw menu, daily soups, desserts, and bowls of yum. Oh, and a full espresso bar. Serving organic coffee.

Some dishes include: raw pizza, sandwiches on wheat, rye, or spelt bread, bowls with rice or quinoa and vegetables and/or beans, raw lasagna... Sandwiches come with salad or soup or tabouleh. And the juice... the last one I tried was called "Swamp Monster" and included carrots, beets, apples, and kale. Wow.

Why it's called "Chaco Canyon" Cafe is beyond my grasp. The dishes served are not southwestern. We're in Seattle.. Must follow up on that one.

It's fresh, it's clean, people are nice, and they compost or recycle most of their "trash." Meals are reasonably sized and leave you feeling... great.

So, check them out! Here is their website:
Chaco Canyon Cafe

Remember, 50th and 12th.