Though the great state of Texas is known for its barbecue, Houston’s vegetarians enjoy a number of meat-free restaurants that would rival any steakhouse in depth of flavor. Check out these tasty vegetarian eateries that serve much more than just tofu!

Pepper Tree Veggie Cuisine
This casual, healthy restaurant is the ideal place to pop in for a quick lunch. All of the food items are 100% vegan, and absolutely no MSG is used while cooking. The colorful salad bar offers a wide variety of unique items, and the lunch buffet includes almost 20 different foods ranging from hot soups to egg rolls. The dinner menu also offers a number of Asian-cuisine-inspired dishes, including a vegan General Tso’s Chicken that regulars insist you’ll crave for days afterward.

Field of Greens
Field of Greens uses a macrobiotic approach to eating that revolves mainly around whole grains and fresh vegetables. While this may seem restrictive, the upscale restaurant’s meat-free dishes are bright, diverse, and always flavorful. The eatery’s interior is airy and full of plants, and the cozy cafe-style tables are ideal for an intimate dinner. The expansive menu includes vegetarian salads, pastas, and a wide variety of meat-free sandwiches. The vegan daily soup includes split pea and tomato basil, and the dessert menu offers chocolate tofu pie, vegan carrot cake, and even vegan cupcakes in a number of flavors.

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr/U.S. Department of Agriculture