To support the vegan cause, I like to support business establishments that also promote the vegan lifestyle. I don’t mind paying extra for something if I know its for a good cause. During a recent trip back east I was in Rochester, NY, and due to a friends suggestion, I checked out a place called Two Paisans Pizza. What makes Two Paisans special? They have a good selection of vegan versions of their regular fare. I ordered a number of things from there one afternoon, and I enjoyed it all so much, I am posting this review.

Vegan Trash Plate

Rochester is home to the original Nick Tahou Garbage Plate. Like many, I was introduced to Garbage plates during college. You really couldn’t beat the price of $5.25 when you looked at the amount of food you received. In any case, many resturaunts have their own version of the famous Garbage Plate. Two Paisans is no different in that respect. However, what Two Paisans does offer that no one else does, is a vegan version. I hadn’t had a plate or variation in years, and when I saw that on the menu, I had no choice but to order it.

Two Paisan uses seitan for the meat and Vegenaise as a mayo substitute in the macaroni salad. You get two good sized vegan patties, lots of fries, scoops of macaroni salad, onions, ketchup, mustard, and crumbled vegan burger on top. It was the best plate I’ve probably ever had. Where as “real” plates, have a heavy, fat feeling to them, this vegan plate was all about taste. It was still very filling. It really was an amazing meal. I only wish I could order one and have it airlifted to Kansas City.

Vegan Buffalo Sandwich Sub

This was your standard Buffalo style sub using seitan and Vegenaise. The texture of the Seitan was very good and it tasted great. A very good sub, I only wish I had gotten more.

“Phillysteak” & Cheese Sub

I’ve never had a real Philly Cheesesteak. To me, it looks like a heart attack on a bun. Getting the vegan version doesn’t leave me with much to compare to. It was still a good sub though. I liked the seitan, the peppers, mushrooms, onions and vegan cheese. It was very tasty, and I can’t imagine I’d ever want the “real” thing.

Vegan Calzone

The vegan calzone is not really on the menu. I called up Two Paisans and asked if they could substitute vegan cheese in their veggie calzone, and they obliged. About fifteen minutes later, someone from Two Paisans called me back and asked if I wanted them to throw in some seitan. I said go for it.

The result was a large, tasty calzone that I got three meals out of. The cheese tasted great and I enjoyed the selection of vegetables.

Conclusion

Everything I tried from Two Paisans was quite good. I would definitely go there again if I ever come back to Rochester. It would be probably be my first stop. Hell Food gives Two Paisans a very enthusiastic recommendation.