The Elusive Country Fried Steak

In late April, Imagine Vegan Cafe, Memphis' only totally-vegan eatery, opened in Cooper-Young to satisfy the appetites of comfort food-craving vegans. I did a massive post (with loads of photos) a few weeks ago.

The menu at Imagine is huge! I actually printed a copy, and I've been highlighting each dish as I try it. Sort of an Imagine bucket list, if you will. But almost right after the cafe opened, it sold out of the one item my friends and I have been dying to try — Country Fried Steak!

A few of us started a little Imagine Vegan Supper Club on Wednesday nights, and every time we'd ask if the steak was in, co-owner Adam would give us a sad, knowing look and shake his head. There was some issue with the supplier not being able to re-stock, and Imagine co-owners Adam and Kristie were as saddened by the delay as their customers.

But when I arrived at Imagine for our Food Awareness meeting (our local veggie social club) on Saturday, I was thrilled to see the little "sold out" sign missing from the space next to Country Fried Steak on the menu. So guess what I ordered?

Oh yea. Every bite of this meal was pure bliss. The steak was a thin seitan-based patty, breaded, fried, and smothered in creamy white gravy. You can choose your own sides, but the only proper sides for a country fried steak are vegan mac & cheese and green beans. Am I right? By the way, Imagine's vegan mac & cheese is out-of-this-world too. Um, I totally devoured that plate and finished the meal off with a shared slice of Imagine's Flying Elvis Cake (layered peanut butter, chocolate, and banana cakes iced with buttercream).

So if you live in Memphis and you too have been anxiously awaiting the country fried steak, heed the good news. Just save some for me.