When I asked for dining recommendations in Melbourne, a number of vego pals said that I MUST visit Lord of the Fries. Lord is an Australian owned chain (hooray) offering delicious snacks that are vegetarian, kosher and halal, with vegan and gluten free options (double hooray!)
Famous for homestyle fries, Lord also has burgers, hot dogs, nuggets and onion rings. Goodies are made from soy and textured protein and being the lover of vegetarian meat that I am, this makes me super happy!
On a mild (and thankfully rain free) Friday on my recent visit to Melbourne, I caught a train to Flinders Street station, in the city. As I arrived close to midday the streets were busy with well dressed office workers, jingling loose change in their pockets, rushing to make the most out of their break from the hectic corporate world.
After a spot of shopping I came across Lord, displaying a poster boasting the recently awarded ‘Best Vegetarian Restaurant’ on the window. It’s really great to see more vego options popping up. Knowing I could order anything on the menu had me giddy with excitement! And with such a vast menu I couldn’t make a decision so, as recommended by my friendly server, I went with a chick’n burger and fries drizzled with the Parisian sauce. Yum!
Nothing about this place felt like a fast food chain. Sat on a stool at the window, watching busy Melbourne pass me by, made it a diner-like experience. The fries (like the hand-cut chips you used to get from the local take away shop) were crisp and chunky, the burger bun was soft and light and the staff were incredibly friendly. Sorry folks, I was too excited to get snappy, I only took one pic!
As I was leaving, I stopped by the counter to let the staff know how much I enjoyed lunch. The Area Manager for Victoria was visiting so we chatted about how great it would be to have Lord in Sydney. Personally I think they’d do quite well here.
So here’s a little treat for my Sydney readers – Lord will be at the Cruelty Free Festival in Haymarket next month (Sunday 28 October). If we’re lucky, this visit may even lead to Lord branching out in NSW. Hurrah, I won’t have to fly to Melbs for a fix!
What about the rating?
Lord is great. I wish I had tried more on the menu! Next time I’m in Melbourne, it will be a mandatory snack-spot-stop. It’s fun to see tasty vego take away, we’re not just all lentils and beans you know! It’s absolutely a happy face for me.
Oooo, I really do hope they come and set up shop. I’m a real fan of Grill’d so far but this is at the top of my list for visiting in Melbourne
I’ve not yet tried Grill’d! I hear they have some tasty vego burgers, a tad expensive though. Moo Gourmet Burgers have some good vego options too
I ALL CAPS LOVE LORD OF THE FRIES. I’m not even vego but how I wish they had a Sydney joint! Their “chicken nuggets” are also worth trying, FYI
I AM ALL CAPS WITH YOU! I’d love to try the nuggets, the hot dogs sound pretty good too
Oh yum! I have a vegan Mum so I’ve developed quite a taste for mock meat as well despite being a somewhat-carnivore… love the name of this place as well! That Cruelty Free Festival sounds like fun, I should go check it out!
My sis and her man are vegan so I’d love to hear of any recipes you have! I’m going to the festival – hope to see you there
I’m seriously addicted to this stuff called Lamyong – have you ever tried it? It’s like Asian fake meat stuff. They have fake fish, fake chicken, fake duck I think and also fake meatballs (made of shiitake mushrooms. SO freaking delicious!)
Their website is here: http://www.lamyong.com.au/
I don’t have any specific recipes but I chuck them into everything! Soups, stir fries, meatballs with tomato sauce over rice, pasta, all the good stuff!
I certainly do, I love mock meat! http://vegetaraian.com/2012/07/07/meet-mock-meat/