Vegetarians know the perennial challenge of searching for a hearty meal when eating out; vegans even more so. Many of us non–meat eaters are tired of the same old portobello sandwiches and black bean burgers, not to mention dinners consisting of chips and salsa or sides of eggplant. Luckily, many restaurants in New Mexico are expanding their menus to include creative (and substantial) veggie fare, and I’ve been collecting notes on my most flavorful and filling finds. For this latest edition of my ongoing veggie quest, I’ve compiled a few of my favorite sandwiches around Santa Fe (and the choices were tough—I had to leave off some solid options at Jambo Bobcat Bite, Chocolate Maven, and Sage Bakehouse, so keep exploring!). Not only will all these sandwiches leave you feeling well fed, but they are all under twenty dollars.

(Psst: Meat eaters, this list is for you too. Beyond the health benefits of a varied diet, not just for you but for the planet, trying out more plant-forward foods can be fun for the palate.) 

Bánh Mì at Counter Culture

One of my go-to lunches in town, this bánh mì involves a perfectly soft, lightly toasted baguette lined with grilled tofu, a lightly spicy and tangy chile-lime aioli, thinly sliced cucumber, and cabbage slaw. The filling yet light sandwich is perfectly accompanied by Counter Culture’s vegan cold sesame noodles, dressed in one of the most delicious sauces I’ve ever tasted: a smooth blend of peanut, cilantro, soy sauce, sesame oil, and a hint of chile oil. The lime and serrano aioli is dairy free but contains egg; request it without aioli for a vegan or mayo-free option. The tofu (imbued with flavor from grilling) and cabbage slaw are more than enough, and you can always use the plentiful noodle sauce for dipping! 

The flavors of this meal make me feel like I’m being transported to a food stall in Saigon—bright chile balanced with zesty lime and hearty peanut and sesame. The Counter Culture menu is expansive (and includes the familiar portobello sandwich), but this one is always a good choice, particularly in the heat of summer. 

Bonus: They’ve got not one but two patios to choose from, plus artsy shops to peruse nearby.

📍930 Baca, Ste 1

Fried Green Tomato Sandwich at The Betterday

Anyone who’s a fan of the beloved ’90s film might know about fried green tomatoes, but if you’re not from the South, you may never have tried them. Here’s your chance—a somewhat rare treat in these parts! And if you’re a vegetarian who feels left out when you see big juicy burgers, this one’s for you.

Betterday’s take on this Southern classic includes two slices of breaded and fried green tomato (slightly sour and subtly sweet) topped with American cheese, pickles, and coleslaw, served on a house-made bun spread with green chile mayo and hand-cut fries. This loaded sandwich would be just as delicious vegan; just leave off the cheese and ask for straight green chile instead of the mayo. It’s a filling meal on its own, so skipping the fries is also a solid option (though both their fries and ketchup are made from scratch and absolutely bangin’.)

Bonus: Their hang-out atmosphere is the stuff of community building. 

📍905 W Alameda

Roasted Veg Sandwich at Bread Shop

This refreshing sandwich full of local produce and rich sheep and goat cheese on fluffy focaccia is perfect for a summer day. The veggies include roasted carrots and cauliflower, pickled beets, butter lettuce, and radish, though the local ingredients may change based on availability (Bread Shop gets their produce from Ground Stone Farm in Nambé and Silver Leaf Farms in Corrales). The sandwich is dressed with a light seasoning of oil and red wine vinegar along with cumin seeds and black peppercorns. Blended and marinated goat and sheep cheese (from Meredith’s Dairy) makes a tart and creamy base, and they also run a vegan version with savory tahini spread. You can always order this as a veggie plate without the bread.

Pair with some espresso from the Pivot counter (serving coffee roasted in-house) and enjoy their recently expanded, bustling, and bright dining room or quiet back patio.

Bonus: They of course have plenty of bread options to take home (I recommend the Cherry Poppy), and numerous grocery items for sale. 

📍1703 Lena

London Royale Mushroom at Time Traveler’s Gastropub

Be prepared for a messy meal: The ingredients of this pub sandwich can barely be contained, even by the huge and perfectly crispy hoagie. The Time Traveler’s London Royal Mushroom (the veggie version of their London Royale Steak sandwich) has something pretty special: lion’s mane mushrooms. These white mushrooms, with the appearance of their namesake and the consistency of lobster, don’t have a strong flavor on their own, but grilled with caramelized onions and served with pesto, bell pepper aioli, and melted Gruyère, they have a wonderful pungency. I don’t think this sandwich would work as vegan, unfortunately; without the Gruyère and aioli, much of the flavor and texture would be lost. 

The meal comes with fries topped with fantastic house-made Old Bay–style seasoning. Pair with a stout or a gin cocktail and pretend you’re in London. 

Bonus: They have generous happy hour discounts before 5 pm. 

📍907 W Alameda

Vegetarian Reuben at Second Street Brewery at the Railyard

Second Street’s Vegetarian Reuben is a well-known favorite: Multiple people I’ve talked to claim it as one of the best sandwiches in town. Whoever came up with this veggie alternative to a deli classic deserves a medal. Just three main ingredients make a deliciously simple sandwich: grilled portobello mushrooms, melted Swiss cheese, and house-fermented sauerkraut. Unlike a portobello-steak sandwich, the mushrooms on this dish are thinly sliced into tender, bite-sized pieces. The Thousand Island dressing (normally not my favorite) is not overpowering, just spread lightly on the toasted marble rye. This is a premier example of hearty brewery fare that is perfectly paired with your choice of beer (or better yet, get a flight!). 

Bonus: Unrivaled sweet potato waffle fries, but they have about a dozen other choices of sides, in true gastropub fashion.

📍1607 Paseo de Peralta, Ste 10 (also available at the Rufina Taproom)