The dinner menu is finally revealed at this U-District spot.
I’ve been cheering for this University District vegan café for years. YEARS. Bringing along Vegan Questionables to join me for its breakfast and lunch, they’ve always been floored. Wayward finally invites you to dinner. Introducing their new dinner menu, with a range of entrees from Ribz to Filet Mignon to satisfy all levels of fanciness. I stayed true to my Wayward roots and ordered whatever was greasiest.
Wayward sits high in my heart (and thick in my arteries)—fried and vegan holds the key. Its Fried Mozzarella Sticks ($8) instantly brought me back to when I was a kid and I’d shovel Costco quantities into my chubby little mouth. Mom was right by my side to marinate in the nostalgia. Layers of battered, breaded and fried stuffs hold a gooey fistful of Daiya mozzarella cheese in its grasp. If you think you’ll miss the stringiness from this cheese, think again mister! This cheese does its stretches. I can’t decide which is better: the inside or out. Dip a heavy triangle—or four—into the thick and flavorful marinara sauce that shares the plate. Mmmm…my heart and belly want more!
I’ve pretty much considered myself a gangster when it comes to veganism (and most other things) so trying the Fried Chicken and Waffles ($12) was a give-in. Thanks to Snoop, I’ve been dying to try this for years! A huge platter arrived with a Belgian waffle, triangles resembling our appetizer and a side of baked cauliflower mac ‘n’ cheese. Yet another evocative moment, bringing me to the elementary school cafeteria where they’d serve monstrous Belgian waffles and somehow I’d down the whole thing.
This time around it wasn’t too far off with its soft and thick texture, soaking up the Smart Balance and maple syrup I doused it in. The chicken was spongy tofu coated in the same wonderful golden brown breading the mozzarella sticks came in. I tried my hardest to get a full bite of both, and thank goodness it was my family joining me because I looked pri-tay ridic. The sweet and salty combination of the dish made me want to skip dessert. Ha. Yeah right. Oh and who could forget about this side dish. Big chunks of cauliflower soaked in doctored-up Leahey and then baked with breadcrumbs. If you can’t bring yourself to finish the whole platter, save this little guy and reheat it at home. Just like real pasta, it tastes just as good the next day.
Its dessert menu isn’t evergreen, which means you’ll have to get in there every few weeks to try what they have on their little neon white board. I am somewhat a chocolate and peanut butter fiend so DZUH I ordered the Chocolate Peanut Butter Cheesecake ($5). Thick and creamy, it was a real dairy cheesecake doppelganger. And the graham cracker crust was sturdy enough to hold it all in place.
This vegan spot is on top of the texture category. They presented the slice beautifully with a swirl of chocolate sauce making the plate even more decadent. If I could eat this everyday, I would do it. I would.
Dayum. I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again: Wayward Vegan Café knows how to grease me up good. I let them corrupt me over and over again. Bonding salty finger-lickin fun with a homey caress, I scream Wayward’s name to the Seattle streets and hold its second full cup of gravy high.
Wayward Vegan Cafe | 5253 University Way NE, Seattle | (206) 524-0204
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