Fish-Free for Lent: Philadelphia Eateries Serve Up Vegan Seafood

For Immediate Release:
March 2, 2022

Contact:
Megan Wiltsie 202-483-7382

Philadelphia –

Now that Lent has begun, this is the first year that it’s been possible (and popular) to go all out with vegan seafood. Since roughly one-third of Philadelphians identify as Catholic—and nearly half of Americans express an interest in eating more vegan foods—PETA has shared guidance on where to find Lenten meals that are kind to all animals, including those who swim. Here are some of PETA’s top picks:

Swanky cocktail and tapas bar Charlie Was a Sinner (131 S. 13^th) offers zucchini “crabcake” sliders, slathered with Old Bay remoulade, topped with butter lettuce, and served on fresh brioche.
Philly’s longest-running vegan restaurant, The Nile Cafe (6008 Germantown Ave.), dishes up stew “fish,” “tuna” salad, and “tuna” salad wraps, all 100% fish-free.
At vegan café and juice bar Nourish (943 S. Ninth St.), diners can start their meal with savory “scallops” made from sautéed trumpet mushrooms.
Just outside Philadelphia, Lesbiveggies (112 W. Merchant St. in Audubon, New Jersey) dishes up blackened Cajun fried cauliflower sandwiches—topped with a sweet and spicy glaze, ranch dressing, and all the trimmings—served with a side of sweet potato wedge fries.

Of course, Gardein’s f’sh filets, Good Catch’s Plant-Based Tuna, New Wave Foods’ plant-based shrimp, and Sophie’s Kitchen’s Vegan Crab Cakes are available in most supermarket freezer cases. For more vegan Lenten options, PETA’s Christian outreach division, LAMBS (which stands for “Least Among My Brothers and Sisters” from Matthew 25:40), offers a roundup of easy at-home vegan recipes for Lent on its website.

For more information on PETA’s newsgathering and reporting, please visit PETA.org or follow the group on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram.