Best vegan bites
A look at vegan options on campus
Momogoose Food Truck
If only this truck parked in front of Building 1, instead of behind MIT Medical, I would eat at Momogoose every day. I usually order a tofu and rice/noodle entrée, which comes in a variety of flavors, including Korean Barbecue, Thai peanut, and a daily special. The servings are generous, and the staff is quick and efficient. If you see a long line, don’t worry, you’ll get through it faster than you think. The only downside is they only take cash, so plan ahead (although I forgot cash one time, and the server said I could just pay for it next time!). If you have class on the east side of campus and want a generous and economic ($5–6) lunch, my vote is for Momogoose.
Clover Food Truck
Probably the tastiest vegan food you can buy without stepping off campus, the Clover food truck is a great lunch option. Also located on the street behind MIT Medical, Clover serves a variety of delicious pita sandwiches. My personal favorite is the “Chickpea Fritter,” with tahini, coleslaw, and hummus. The also serve their famous rosemary fries, among a number of other vegetarian/vegan sandwiches. The staff members are friendly, and they care about providing a fresh and healthy lunch option for only $5–6. They take credit/debit cards, which is convenient. However, they are not quite as fast as Momogoose (and the portions aren’t as large), so expect to wait a few minutes before getting your food.
Chipotle
Located in Kendall square, just across from The Coop, Chipotle is sure to dish out a delicious and filling lunch. I usually order a veggie burrito stuffed with steaming black beans, brown rice, grilled pepper and onions, salsa, lettuce, and guacamole. While a veggie burrito/burrito bowl is pretty much the only vegan option on the menu, the food is scrumptious and filling. Veggie burritos are $6–7, and, if you can, try to avoid the lunch crowd. Also, ask for the black beans, as the pinto beans are not vegan.
Steam Café
Steam Café is a surprisingly little known venue, nestled on the fourth floor of Building 7. This is my most frequented lunch haunt — it’s a conveniently-located and low-cost place to get a hot meal. The vegan fare usually consists of some combination of a starch such as brown rice, roasted potatoes, or lo mein, served alongside some sort of veggie stir-fry or soup. I’ll admit it is not the most exciting or flavorful venue, but for $4 I can grab a quick and decent lunch between classes.
In a pinch
If you’re in a rush and just want something to fill your stomach before a four hour lab class, there are a few options. Café Four, Steam Café, LaVerde’s, and Stata’s Forbes Café all stock a variety of pre-packaged vegan meals, including veggie sushi (sporadically), PB&J sandwiches, or bagels with peanut butter. And if I’m in a terrible rush, I just grab a fruit juice and down it on my way to lab.