Arlo's Junior — Restaurant in Austin

Why is vegan/vegetarian food so bad in Austin? I mean this is not to say that it’s not edible. But seriously, if I am going to go out to eat and spend money for a place such as Arlo’s, that isn’t cheap, it should be pretty f*ing amazing. I don’t want to be eating something that I could have made better in my own kitchen. I’ve been vegetarian for 20 years now (vegan for 2) and moved to Austin from another state. What strikes me about all the vegan/vegetarian places is that when you start to eat the food served, it’s more than obvious that you’re eating a veggie patty or some other fake version of meat. Typically if I go to a vegan/vegetarian restaurant, I’m taking a meat eating friend with me to show them that eating vegan/vegetarian is just as good if not better than what they would have had with animal flesh. I want them to say to me “are you sure this isn’t meat” like a carnivore friend of mine said to me when I took him to the Bodhi Tree (not in Texas). And, he was genuinely sincere as he bit in to the Crispy “Chicken,” eyes lighting up as he questioned what he’d just ate.

When one bites into the burger at Arlo’s, it’s oh so grainy like the old school Garden Burgers of the 90’s with a taste that is rather bland to say at best. At $8 bucks for a burger, you’re better off spending $6 bucks for a 4 pack of Field-roast vegan burgers from Whole Foods and serving them to your friends. For the same price you can serve 4 of your friends and not only will they be questioning if it wasn’t a real burger that they just ate, but so will you because it’s that good. Arlo’s on the other hand, I guess if you’re vegan and in a pinch and have to eat out, you can at least eat there being fully aware that you’re eating a vegan burger with every dry grainy bite of your hard spent $8 dollars. To all the vegan/vegetarian places in Austin, you seriously need to up your game. Check out places like Native Foods, Wheel of Life or the Bodhi Tree to get an idea of how good vegan food...

I'm very conflicted about this review because I adore Arlo's. I love their food, and they are one of the few places that's Veg that's open late. Unfortunately, they've got some issues. Number one: food inconsistency. The last 3 times I've been here I've gotten a different amount of fries and each time it's somehow less than the last time. Last time we were there, my husband and our friend picked the order and there was only one bunch of fries in the basket when we ordered 2. We asked the person working there that we only got one fry and they told "No, it's actually two". Uh, what in the gaslighting?! My most recent Hoss order was half the size of every single other time I've gotten it. Shrinkflation or bad management? You decide!

Second and very related is staffing issues, they've consistently had only 1 or 2 people working on the busiest nights where they really need at least a third. This translates into very slow service, mistakes in the orders, and ornery/ stressed/overworked staff. You can really see it on their faces (and when they argue with you about how no, there are really 2 baskets of fries in you bag, when there's actually only one...) Something isn't right here, and since it's hard to pin down exactly what, I bet it's management. Come on y'all, pay people a living wage and get more people on the clock for shifts you know...

Driving through Austin this was a good stop. Not even 5 minutes off I35 and great choice for those whom do not eat meat. I have heard that Austin had quite a few spots catered to those who do not meat so I had to check out some where to stop in for lunch. We found this place on a "vegan guide to Austin" blog that popped up in a Google search.

We grabbed 2 of their Bac'n N Cheez Burgers ($8.00/ech) that was prob one of the best burgers I have had in a while. It gave me that good ol Whataburger, Burger King, McDonald burger feel without having been made with meat. Even if you enjoy "the meats" you should give this burger a shot. Bet you wouldn't even notice a difference. If you don't. Come back. Hit the like button for the "I told you so". It was nothing short of pretty dang good. For the kiddos. We went with 2 sides of Mac N cheese. Vegan. Tasted great although are youngest didn't care for it much, even him being a Mac N cheese lover.

Arlos is a food truck attached to Cheering Charlie's or something along that name. Few benches, a port o potty, and some umbrellas to sit under. It was a casual experience. Grab and go with few eating on site. Pets allowed as well. Cooks were great as well offering some good suggestions and answered questions.

Ill for sure be stopping in each, and every, time we drive...