Pigging out in Charlotte, vegetarian-style

McAlister's Deli: chili nachos (foreground), chili bread bowl (background)

Vegetarians and vegans hear it all the time. "What do you eat?" Most veg-eaters don't mind the question at all, but welcome the opportunity to educate people on their healthy lifestyle. 

But the question itself is a bit leading, and tends to suggest that not only is there not much variety for vegetarians and vegans, but that surely the portions must be minuscule. Restaurants don't tend to serve up broccoli and cauliflower on quite the grand scale as they do chili-bacon-cheese fries. 

While cheering consumers on to appreciate largely-portioned veg-friendly meals should be done with caution, the fact remains, a gigantic plant-based entree stands to be a heck of a lot healthier and responsible than a gigantic meat, cheese, and cholesterol-laden entree. If you're going to pig out, at least leave the pig (and other farm animals)... out, right?

A few Charlotte-metro restaurants stick out immediately that serve up massive portions of veg heaven:

McAlister's Deli - Known to be one of the most accessible large chains in the US for vegetarians and vegans, McAlister's boasts chili nachos (nix the cheeses) for about $5. As evidenced above, a junior baseball team could share this quite happily, as it seems an entire bag of tortilla chips is used to form the base, topped with salsa, jalapenos, black olives, onions, and chili beans. For about $6, you can order an entire round loaf of bread, hollowed out and filled with veg-friendly chili. Not to mention the famous "giant spuds" McAlister's is famous for, loaded with veggies of your choice.

California Pizza Kitchen - CPK and Brixx are two of the most veg-welcoming chains around, and both just happen to offer plenty of pizza options (CPK can take off the cheese, while Brixx offers heart-healthier soy cheese). CPK earns a highlight, however, because their salads are utterly enormous. The Thai Crunch salad is a favorite, with oriental noodles, edamame, and a plethora of other colorful ingredients. Ask to substitute avocado for the chicken, and replace the dressing with a veg-friendly option (since there is fish paste in the advertised dressing). Their new grilled vegetable salad or field greens salad with candied walnuts (hold the Gorgonzola) will attract jealous stares from any meat eater. 

Pho Nam - While teeny-tiny, this Vietnamese gem's portion sizes are anything but. Located in the Huntersville area, Pho Nam is family-owned and the staff go out of their way to accommodate any veg request. While most pho (Vietnamese rice noodle soup) broth is meat or fish-based, just tell the Pho Nam staff you are vegetarian or vegan, and they will happily substitute vegetable broth. Served in a gigantic bowl with lots of tofu, steamed veggies, and optional bean sprouts, this filling meal will allow most customers to leave with a nice-sized leftover. And don't forget to order an iced red bean beverage, or a blended avocado shake (with soy or coconut milk) for dessert.

Fuji Japanese Steakhouse - While some vegetarians or vegans may shy away from a restaurant proudly touting "steakhouse" in its name, Fuji is worth a shot if you're pretty hungry. The hibachi grill offers a nicely-sized entree for plant-eaters, with plenty of grilled veggies, rice, and udon noodles. Meanwhile, if you're in the mood for vegetables dressed up as junk food, opt for their tempura vegetable platter, containing a large array sweet potatoes, asparagus, onions, and carrots, all clothed in a golden batter. Not the healthiest option, but it is sure to impress your meat-eating friends, and perhaps change their mind about "plant food".