World Vegan Month 2025 Starts Saturday in Portland

Birria Ramen made with locally foraged chantrelle mushrooms, from Mis Tacones for World Vegan Month 2025.
Birria Ramen made with locally foraged chantrelle mushrooms, from Mis Tacones. Photo credit: Mis Tacones.

It’s back! World Vegan Month 2025 is happening in Portland throughout the month of November. Now in its third year, this is a great opportunity to try and experience the variety of vegan and plant-based offerings in Portland, through dishes made especially for this occasion.

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Where to Get a Big Salad in Portland

hercules-salad-garden-monsters-portland-oregon

A big salad from Garden Monsters—The Hercules with chicken

Over the years, I’ve heard people ask, “So where can I get a big salad in Portland?” If they are a New York transplant, they are probably thinking of those chopped salad and panini spots that were (are?) ubiquitous in Midtown Manhattan. Or the kind of “Big Salad” referred to in Seinfeld. But really—sometimes you just want a big salad, no matter where you come from. 

Here are some places where you can get the classic “Big Salad”—but instead of a bowl of “big lettuce, carrots, tomatoes like volleyballs,” a la Seinfeld, you can get a mix of diverse ingredients that will be delicious and satisfying—enough for a whole meal (sometimes two, if you play your lettuce cards right—Romaine stands up better overnight compared to mesclun greens).

Canteen

Photo credit: Yelp

Self-described at a “​​world famous organic juice and smoothie bar,” the food here I would say is nutrient dense, healthy, and fresh—the kind of place I like to go when I need to nourish myself. They offer two substantial salads at their SE Stark location: 

  • Walnut Taco Salad: mixed greens, carrot, red cabbage, avocado-curry sauce, walnut taco crumble, pico de gallo, cashew nacho spread, avocado, green onions.
  • Quinoa Confetti: quinoa, curried cashews, currants, apple, celery, mint, cilantro, lime, balsamic vinaigrette. (Add a bed of balsamic dressed greens for $2.)

I usually get a smoothie with my salad (The Orange One is a fave). I love eating here. Definitely put it on your list of tasty healthy crunchy food spots. 

2816 SE Stark Street, Portland. http://www.canteenpdx.com/

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