Taco Tontos

“Typical tacos” is not a phrase you would use to describe Taco Tontos.

On top of serving all of the Mexican-American basics, Taco Tontos offers a huge variety of vegetarian and vegan options, as well as some unusual creations, such as the Ratatouillerito, which contains roasted yellow squash and zucchini, potatoes, kale, cheese and two salsas.

Customers can also try the Stir Fry Burrito, which features a mix of carrots, peppers, rice, cheese and crunchy chow mein noodles.

“We’re not your traditional Mexican place; we’re unique,” owner Kevin Yohn said. “We’re making these ‘world burritos’ and kinds of food you can’t get anywhere else.”

Yohn and his wife, Emily, purchased Taco Tontos three years ago and have since added more vegetarian options. Yohn said that the menu is always changing. Specials change daily and are always different than the day before.

Yohn said he tries to balance the specials so that each day there is one with meat and one that is vegetarian friendly. For first-time customers, Yohn suggests trying the Sweet Potato Burrito, which contains mashed sweet potatoes, onions, black beans, lettuce and cheese — a unique combination Yohn said he has never seen at any other Mexican restaurant, only at Taco Tontos.

Troy Grille

Nestled in Downtown Kent on East Main Street, Troy Grille provides customers with fast, healthy Mediterranean food.

Troy Grille offers a selection of different Mediterranean soups, salads and wraps.

According to the Troy Grille staff, they said the Chicken Istanbul is one of the most popular items, served with mozzarella cheese and a special, sweet red pepper sauce. And with the self-proclaimed “best falafel in town,” Troy Grille is sure to please at an affordable price with tons of vegetarian options.

Laziza, Laroush

Placing in both the best vegetarian and ethnic food restaurants, Laziza serves up authentic Mediterranean food in Kent.

Owner Michael Awad said that Laziza strives for healthy food and that they even have a special menu for vegetarians and vegans.

“We make everything from scratch,” Awad said. “We also import all of our spices.”

Awad said that there has been a huge request for more vegetarian and vegan options, which Laziza looks to accommodate. With a large menu selection and tasty choices, such as homemade hummus, Laziza offers a fine-dining Mediterranean cuisine experience that is sure to please.

Tucked away on the edge of Downtown Kent, Laroush serves up healthy and fast Mediterranean, vegetarian food. Known for their wraps, Laroush’s menu has a wide selection of options for vegetarian and vegan customers.

A vegetarian customer favorite is the X-treme 15 wrap, which is loaded with one falafel, baked potatoes, sautéed mushrooms, onions and peppers, along with eggplant, baked carrot, hummus, lettuce and tomatoes, all on a fresh pita wrap.

“They have really good smoothies and pita folds with veggies and hummus,” said Sarah Kegg, a sophomore health education major. “Anything you get there, you can make vegetarian.”

Rather than using powders or smoothie mixers, Laroush’s smoothies contain nothing but real fruit and ice, such as their Green smoothie, which is a mix of spinach, banana, mango, guava and orange.