Queens Tribune

132-09 Liberty Ave., Richmond Hill
(718) 641-8342
CUISINE: Vegetarian
HOURS: 10 a.m.-10 p.m., 7 Days
PARKING: Street
CREDIT CARDS: Cash Only

Finding delicious vegetarian meals can sometimes be a challenge, but a good trick is to head to neighborhoods known for having ethnicities that promote a meat-free lifestyle, such as certain South Asian and Caribbean enclaves.

One such area can be found in Richmond Hill, which is rich in Guyanese and South Asian immigrants, and have great stores and restaurants that cater to their needs.

On a recent trip, we discovered the meat-friendly alternative to White Castle, that bastion of greasy, steamed meat that people either love or hate.

Veggie Castle whips up delicious vegetarian dishes that not only nourish the system but also satisfy the taste buds. Even meat lovers would find it a treat to dine here. With dishes that include soy chicken, tofu and veggie salmon, you could hardly tell that the protein item in your dish is not meat, fish or fowl.

Veggie Castle opened its sister location in last year in the neighborhood. The first restaurant is located in Brooklyn in, of all places, a former White Castle restaurant.

The food is laid out in colorful array and kept warm in steam trays, allowing customers to order any combination they desire, seeing for themselves what looks best and freshest. The meals are served in three different sizes, $5.97 for the smallest size, $7.60 for the medium dish, and $10.50 for the largest sized dish.

The small dish features one choice of veggie protein with two side dishes, the medium comes with three side dishes and the large, which is more like a super size, comes with four side dishes and your choice of two veggie proteins.

Sides refer to callaloo (a Caribbean relative of spinach), spinach, pasta, yams, noodles, vegetable stir-fried rice, rice and beans, brown rice, steamed vegetables and potatoes, while the protein refers to baked or jerked tofu, soy chunks, stewed beans, veggie mince and other veggie stew combinations.

Veggie Castle is Trinidadian-owned but dishes are Caribbean and American on the menu.

“Natural” juices are made fresh to order each day. Bottled juices include Irish moss, peanut punch, apple juice, carrot, a celery and apple juice combination and pineapple juice.

Customers have the choice of eating in or dining out. The meals are served in “to go” containers just in case you find yourself in a rush after having ordered.

For a deviation from the norm or if you are a vegetarian or omnivore, this is a magnificent restaurant to dine-in or order from.