According to Nation’s Restaurant News, “While vegetarian options have existed ever since Eve served Adam the apple, restaurants from independents to large casual-dining chains are fleshing out their offerings as operators see a growing audience for meatless menu items.”

“Vegetarian options, in fact, are getting more prominence on springtime menus, ranging from those at fast-casual Moe’s Southwest Grill to casual-dining Hard Rock Café. Paul Damico, president of the 428-unit Atlanta-based Moe’s Southwest Grill, said such programs as “Meatless Mondays” and increased attention to gluten-free diets have led to the growing popularity of rice bowls, introduced this past October and often ordered with tofu as the protein. They now generate about 5 percent of sales, he said. ‘We are seeing people choose one day a week to be a ‘flexitarian,’ or to try options other than a meat protein,’ Damico said. Moe’s recently changed its menu boards to highlight the vegetarian, low-calorie and gluten-free options available in its burritos and rice bowls, he said.”

Read more: http://nrn.com/article/vegetarian-dishes-crop-menus#ixzz1HQtGwjFZ