Uncle Maddio’s vegan pie via Sean Hedge on Instagram.
A slice of pizza is pretty much the perfect food, and vegans love cheese and tomato creations as much as any omnivore. Sadly, plant-based options are lacking in most major chains—just ask Domino’s.
Luckily, one rapidly expanding pizza purveyor is all about satisfying vegan eaters. The Atlanta-based Uncle Maddio’s has locations in 14 states and is opening a whopping 30+ outposts this year alone.
Known for its speedy firing times, reasonable prices and customizable menu, the company has offered vegan options since its launch in 2009.
Maddio’s will double in size in 2015, for the third year in a row. In the past month, franchise locales have popped up in Panama City Beach, Fla and High Point, NC, with deals for new spots being signed every day.
As far as plant-based options, customers can build their own pizzas using 27 vegetable toppings, six sauces, three crusts (including gluten-free) and Daiya cheese.
“Everything from traditional veggie pizza toppings like green peppers, olives and mushrooms to eggplant, sundried tomatoes and even black bean corn salsa,” says Matt Andrew, the company’s CEO and founder. “We also offer grilled tofu for vegan tofu lovers.
The vegan-friendly pizza chain is in a total of 14 states, including Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Texas, Colorado, North Dakota, Nebraska, North Carolina, South Carolina, Arkansas, Pennsylvania, Virginia, New Jersey and Tennessee. (You can check out their locator online to see if there’s a spot near you.)
“The response to our vegan menu items has been very positive,” says Andrew. “Our vegan guests are very appreciative that we’ve taken their dining preferences in mind, since vegan menu items can still be hard to come by.”
(Dying for vegan pizza in your hometown? If Uncle Maddio’s isn’t already there, they’re always looking for franchise owners.)
In the words of @PizzaGoth: “People disappoint. Pizza is eternal.”
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They lost me at Daiya cheese. Gross. Get on that Follow Your Heart cheese man!
Lol, send them a note! Personally I love Daiya shreds, but I dig Follow Your Heart, too. I know personal preference varies, haha.
I hate Daiya cold, and too much on a pie isn't good, but less cheese, add oregano, basil, and a veggie, and noooms!
would be great if they had more than just grilled tofu... like some gardein, boca spicy chickn, morningstar riblets, vegan pepperoni, tempeh. non-veggies tend to run screaming at the mention of tofu. people would be much more open to trying veggie meat.
and the daiya cheese at pizza places is so overdone. the new follow your heard provolone is fantastic shredded on pizza. And doesn't end up looking weird like daiya tends to.
love that more places are at least offering vegan stuff though, no matter how small the options are.
Maybe they'll take suggestions from customers? ;) Always helps to ask!
Just to let you know.....Morning Star products are GMO unless marked otherwise.......
Most of those, Morning Star, Boca, Gardin, Garden Burger, except Amy's Kitchen (which states non GMO ingredients, right on the box), may have hidden GMOs in them, in the form of corn starch and such things. They make a point to say "made with non GMO soy" but when asked about other possible GMO ingredients, they are silent. So be wary, and do research.
Daiya is tolerable on a pizza but Chao would be awesome!
I'm a Daiya fan, but agreed, Chao is amazing! ;)
Which bread do you like
OMG YES!! Chao cheeses are the very best!!! I can have grilled cheeze & tomato again!! YAY!
They are DELISH, aren't they?!
Where can I get Chao?
https://store.veganessentials.com/mobile/vegan-chao-cheese-slices-by-field-roast-p4350.aspx
It's a Field Roast product
I believe Whole foods carries this brand at least here in California and I am sure in most of their stores.
Chao IS awesome!
We make home made English muffin pizzas with it, but it's so expensive per pack, that a whole traditional pizza covered in it, would cost $30+!
I hope the price falls as it becomes more in demand.
I also with restaurants would carry and use it in sandwiches and other dishes, it's that good!
The absolute best!
Advice to all the wonderful vegan-aware food businesses such as Uncle Maddio's: Bring in a group of vegan foodies to test your fare before you launch. I'd prefer a dollop of any of Miyoko's cheeses to Daiya and would rather go cheese-less than go Daiya. The Mellow Mushroom pizza chain offers a sausage-like marinated tempeh.
Miyoko's is definitely the cream of the crop as far as artisanal cheese, but personally I'm a Daiya fan, too! Especially on pizzas. ;) It's all a matter of taste -- and availability. Daiya is probably much more readily available via distributors.
It's all a matter of personal preference, folks. I happen to adore Daiya, use it daily! Happily and healthily vegan for many, many years.
Couldn't agree more Amybeth!
YES AMAZING! Though I agree with the other commenters - at least have a non-Daiya option...WHILE you work on a house-made cheese!
Totally! House-made cheese is always amazing! It's fabulous what some spots can do with tofu and nut milks.
The Pizza Experience in Palmdale where I live has vegan pepperoni, vegan ground beef and vegan chicken. Now those ar vegan options.
If only every chain could have a lineup like that! Someday...
TEESE is another great vegan cheese option and they sell directly to restaurant owners
Awesome suggestion Allison!
more vegetarian and vegan options the better! Hope they open one near me!
how about making the cheese on site.....make the cheese from almond seed....it would blow your mind....subway make bread on site...but cheese on site that would be worthy of $25 just to see it in action