Tiger Lily's Local Flavors Restaurant

I went vegan this past year, which makes eating out in northwest Indiana a bit tricky, so I was thrilled to find out about this place.  Today was the third time I went.  It was a special free sampling event, so I got to try out several of their seitan-based vegan options.  The barbecue sandwich and the pub sandwich were my favorites.  The barbecue seitan had a nice chewy texture with just enough crispiness on the edges, and the sauce was tasty.  The sauce on the pub sandwich was also delicious.  The seitan italian beef was okay, but the texture was a little mushy for my taste.  The chu sho wrap was also good but not my favorite.  The only thing I didn't like was the vegan "shrimp."  Again, the texture just didn't work for me.  My meat-eating husband joined me and also enjoyed the samples.  He even liked the shrimp.  But I'm sure he'll try the real meat versions the next time we go here.  And I'd like to try some of the non-seitan vegan dishes.  I'll have to update this post when I've tried them.  

They also had yummy vegan cheesecakes for dessert today.  And I've tried their vegan cupcakes in the past, and they were just as good as any non-vegan cupcakes I've ever had.  And they also do ice cream, real and vegan.

My only criticism of the place is that it's laid out kind of funny so I feel a little out of place.  The small cafe area is in the front of the building, and you have to walk through it to get to the store (where they sell vegan groceries as well as toys, gifts, etc.) in the back.  I've never been quite sure whether to seat myself or order at the counter, so I've ended up just kinda standing around without anyone who works there providing much direction.  With the store in the back, it's probably hard for them to know who'se heading through to the store and who'se there to eat, but I would have felt more comfortable if someone had acknowledged my presence a little sooner.  Once seated, the staff was friendly and service was fine, though.

If Vegan and gluten free is your thing, then this is your place to eat and shop. If you're not, then this is the place for a nice home cooked meal to satisfy even the most discerning of taste buds.