Bacaro LA

One of my roommates, an LA native, is really into brunching. She considers us all "ladies who brunch" even though she's really the brunch queen. Anywhoo, Bacaro is somewhere I've been meaning to go since I got to USC, since its where everyone goes, at least once. I never got around to it last year, or when my friends did go, I was on Catalina or somehow busy. So this blog has given me the excuse to go! 

I wanted to go to show fellow vegans that we can indeed go to brunch and enjoy it with all our meat-eating friends. 

the outside doesn't look very inviting, but its a good place

It may not look like a friendly place, but it's a very intimate setting inside. We went this morning, my friends Rachel (Brunch Queen), AJ, and Mark, a little before 11. And it was perfect timing, since we got seated at a long table in the side room, but it was before the crazy brunch rush around 11:30. We didn't make a reservation but it might not be a bad idea (if they even do that) because it was surely crowded.

We all sat down and those of us who were new to Bacaro had to take a good look at the menu... well not me. Since there is exactly 1 vegan option, and that's what I went to try. 

THE menu....

they label it to make it easy!

So, that's what I got, not surprisingly. And let me just say, I don't like tofu. I'm a weird vegan in that I don't like tomatoes, mushrooms, tofu, brussels sprouts, broccoli, or a lot of other vegetables. So going vegan has been a learning experience as well as a food exploration. I've learned to tolerate many more veggies than I ever did, but I'm still on the fence with tofu. I can do it, but I won't love it. BUT, this dish was great!! 

tofu scramble! 

It was actually so good. And so filling and I would totally get it again if I had lots of money. But really, I couldn't taste the tofu at all, it was well seasoned with onions and red peppers and some spices in there too, and I really really enjoyed it! I'd recommend it to my non-vegan friends too...... it was super good. And remember, I don't usually like tofu. As you can see, all of their brunch dishes come with delicious home fries (one of my favorite foods) and a salad (balsamic vinaigrette), and at the end of the meal, it was alllll gone. I'm not even a huge sourdough bread fan but it was a nice touch and I could put some tofu on it and mix it up. 

All in all, it was a really fun experience and I would definitely go back again. Except for the service, which was pretty slow (to refill water glasses and give us the bill), I have to say its a great restaurant, and deserves all the business it gets and all the raving reviews from USC students. A perfect nearby brunch location for vegans and non-vegans alike! 

Located at 2308 S. Union Ave, its within easy walking distance from USC. Bacaro is open for Sunday brunch from 10:30-2:30. It's located right next to Nature's Brew coffee shop, which is also on my list of places to explore ASAP.