This Arizona Restaurant Serves Po-Boys, Cheesesteaks, And Chili Fries That Happen To Be Entirely Plant-Based

A spicy po-boy stacked with buffalo mock chick’n has become one of the most talked-about sandwiches in Arizona. Not one bite of it comes from an animal.

The same kitchen turns out a Chicago cheesesteak with grilled seitan and spicy giardiniera. Then it piles fries high with melted cheeze, grilled onions, and zippy sauces.

Every single item on the menu is vegan, which still makes me grin.

I like how this place skips the lecture and simply makes comfort food taste like comfort food. It feels built for cravings first and labels second.

I believe that’s exactly why meat eaters keep walking out surprised.

So here’s the real question. Could a plant-based cheesesteak win over the biggest skeptic at your table?

I can’t imagine a more fun way to find out.

Your New Favorite Comfort Food Stop Sits Right Off 7th Street

Green New American Vegetarian is the full name, though most folks just call it green. The Phoenix location calls 7th Street home, a short hop north of downtown.

Every dish here is vegan, from the starters to the sauces. That means nobody has to interrogate the menu or quiz a server about hidden ingredients.

The overall mood leans upbeat and cheery. Think bright cafe energy rather than hushed fine dining with tiny portions and big prices.

What really sets it apart is the menu’s mission. The kitchen takes familiar American comfort foods and rebuilds them entirely from plants.

So you’ll find po-boys, cheesesteaks, burgers, wings, tacos, and loaded fries. You’ll also spot noodle bowls and salads for anyone craving something a little lighter.

Arizona has plenty of trendy vegan spots that come and go. This one has stuck around for over 20 years, which says a lot in a restaurant world that moves fast.

A second location operates in Tempe, too. Today, though, our focus stays on the Phoenix spot and its impressively crave-worthy lineup.

Fair warning before we go further. Reading about these sandwiches on an empty stomach may lead to a sudden lunch plan.

Two Decades Of Changing Minds One Sandwich At A Time

Chef Damon Brasch set out with a bold goal. He wanted to open the hearts and minds of meat eaters everywhere.

That mission shapes the whole menu at green. Instead of serving plain salads to skeptics, the kitchen meets them with buffalo wings and juicy burgers.

The restaurant describes its style as New American Vegetarian. It pulls influences from a variety of global cultures and cooking styles.

You can taste that range in the lineup. Classic American sandwiches share space with dan dan noodles, samosas, and crab puffs.

Staying power is the quiet headline here. The restaurant has been a Phoenix staple for more than 20 years now.

That longevity matters in Arizona’s food scene. Plenty of spots open with buzz and vanish before the next summer heat wave.

A big part of the menu is built in-house, too. All of the sauces are made from scratch, and many specials feature house-made seitan, cheezes, and focaccia.

That kind of care helps explain the loyalty. Some people grew up eating here and still stop by whenever they’re downtown for a concert or ballgame.

The Spicy Po-Boy Has Earned Its Iconic Reputation

Buffalo heat on a toasted roll is a pretty great way to start any meal. The Original G Spicy Po-Boy delivers exactly that, with zero animal products involved.

It’s built with green’s classic buffalo mock chick’n. Fresh lettuce, tomato, and creamy mayo join the party on a toasted ciabatta roll.

This sandwich is often called iconic, and that word fits. It’s one of the most frequently mentioned items on the whole menu.

The buffalo sauce packs a real kick. Spice-shy eaters might want a cool drink nearby, just in case.

I like that it doesn’t try to be fancy. It sticks to the familiar po-boy formula and lets the bold sauce do the heavy lifting.

Ciabatta is a smart choice, too. It holds up to saucy fillings without falling apart halfway through lunch.

For first-timers, this is a natural entry point. It shows quickly what the kitchen does best, which is comfort food that skips nothing on flavor.

Pair it with fries, and you’ve got a classic combo. Your only problem will be deciding which sandwich to order next time.

A Chicago Cheesesteak That Brings Serious Heat

Grilled seitan steak is the star of this show. Caramelized peppers and onions pile on top, followed by crisp lettuce, fresh tomato, and creamy mayo.

Then comes the part that earns the Chicago name. Melted cheddar cheeze and spicy giardiniera finish everything on a warm, toasty ciabatta.

The cheesesteak ranks among the most talked-about dishes at green. It shows up again and again alongside the wings and the po-boy.

Seitan is a wheat-based protein with a hearty, chewy bite. That makes it a natural fit for a sandwich usually stuffed with sliced beef.

Giardiniera adds a tangy, peppery punch. It cuts through the richness of the cheeze and keeps each bite lively.

Out-of-town visitors seem especially happy to find this one. It’s a strong reason to swing by after a day of exploring Arizona.

Honestly, this sandwich could fool a few skeptics. Hand it to a friend who swears they’d never go vegan and watch the reaction.

Grab extra napkins before you sit down. Saucy, cheesy sandwiches rarely play nice with clean hands.

Loaded Fries Worth Fighting Over At The Table

Chili fries come up often when people talk about green. Thyme fries and West Coast fries get plenty of attention as well.

The menu offers several ways to dress up those shoestring fries. Easy Cheezy Fries arrive topped with melted cheezy sauce for a simple, gooey win.

West Coast Fries go bigger with melted cheddar, grilled onions, and 1000 island sauce. It’s a combo that should feel familiar to any burger-joint fan.

East Coast Fries take a spicier route. Melted cheeze, grilled onions, ranch, and buffalo sauce all crowd onto the plate.

These aren’t sad little side dishes. They’re big enough to anchor a meal or feed a hungry table of friends.

Preferences on fries are personal, of course. Some folks call them among the best around, while others prefer to save room for something else.

My advice is simple. Order a loaded basket for the table and let everyone grab their own verdict.

Plant-based or not, cheesy fries have a magnetic pull. Good luck keeping just one fork in that basket.

Wings Steal The Spotlight Nobody Expected

Out of everything on the menu, the wings get mentioned more than any other dish. That’s saying something in a lineup packed with sandwiches.

The buffalo wings at green have earned awards. They come with fresh veggies and a house-made ranch for dipping.

BBQ buffalo wings are another option. They bring a sweeter, smokier twist for anyone who wants a break from straight heat.

That ranch deserves its own small round of applause. Like every sauce here, it’s made from scratch in the kitchen.

Wings make a perfect shareable starter. Order a plate while everyone debates sandwiches, and the conversation gets much easier.

The buffalo sauce shows up elsewhere, too. Some diners even pour it over salads for an extra burst of flavor.

I can’t imagine a better way to win over a hesitant friend. Wings are the ultimate game-day food, and these happen to be fully plant-based.

If you only try one appetizer, this might be it. Then again, the brussels sprouts and crab puffs are waiting in the wings, so to speak.

The Big Wac And Other Must-Try Surprises

Fast-food nostalgia gets a plant-based makeover with the Big Wac. It’s green’s take on a famous double-decker burger, complete with special sauce.

The burger stacks hand-packed patties for a hearty bite. Plenty of diners call it one of the best burgers they’ve had, vegan or otherwise.

Side dishes hold their own here, too. Brussels sprouts rank among the most mentioned items, praised for being seasoned just right.

Starters offer even more fun. The quasi-dilla is super cheesy, and samosas show the kitchen’s global side.

Crab puffs come with a citrusy dipping sauce. It’s tasty enough that people end up dunking other dishes in it.

Noodle fans have options as well. The dan dan noodles and other noodle bowls make a nice change from handheld comfort food.

Tacos and salads round out the huge menu. You could visit weekly for months and still discover something new.

That variety makes green great for mixed groups. Burger lovers, noodle fans, and salad people can all order happily at one table.

Save Room For A Sweet Stop Next Door

Dessert sits just a few steps away. Right next door, Nami serves vegan soft serve and other sweet comfort treats.

The pairing feels almost too convenient. Finish a cheesesteak at green, then wander over for something cold and creamy.

The famous vegan soft-serve is handmade daily in small batches. That small-batch approach gives it a homemade feel you don’t always find.

Flavors like Mr. Peanut Butter have caught attention. Nami also offers drinks, including a baklava latte that sounds like a treat in a cup.

In Phoenix heat, soft serve isn’t just dessert. It feels like a smart survival strategy for a warm Arizona afternoon.

Before heading over, check out green’s homemade fountain beverages. They’re another small detail that makes the meal feel thoughtfully put together.

Kids especially might love this two-stop outing. A big meal followed by ice cream is a winning formula at nearly any age.

So go ahead and plan your evening around it. Dinner and dessert on the same block makes for a very easy night out.

Casual Counter Service With Cheery Energy

Ordering here keeps things relaxed. You order at the front counter, grab a number, and staff bring your food to the table.

Food tends to come out quickly, even when the dining room gets busy. That makes green an easy pick for a work lunch.

Seating comes in two flavors. There’s an indoor dining room plus outdoor seating for nicer Arizona days.

The vibe is upbeat and casual, with cute decor that adds personality. It works just as well for a date as for a lunch with coworkers.

Staff earn a lot of warm words, too. Friendly recommendations help first-timers figure out where to start on such a big menu.

Families should feel at home. High chairs are available, and the setting is kid-friendly without feeling chaotic.

Accessibility options and parking add to the convenience. Those small things matter when you’re wrangling a group or visiting from out of town.

Maybe the best part is peace of mind. Everyone with dietary restrictions can order freely, knowing the whole menu is vegan.

Easy Hours, Friendly Prices, And A Simple Drive

Planning a visit couldn’t be much simpler. You’ll find green at 2022 N 7th St, Phoenix, AZ 85006.

The location sits close to downtown Phoenix. That makes it handy before a concert, a baseball game, or another event in the area.

Hours run from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

On Sundays, the kitchen closes a little earlier, at 8 p.m.

Prices land in a friendly range for most budgets. A full, satisfying meal won’t require a special-occasion splurge.

Hours can shift, so a quick check before heading out never hurts. That’s especially true around holidays.

Day-trippers can easily build an outing around a meal here. The Desert Botanical Garden makes a lovely pairing for a full Phoenix day.

Visitors from Tucson and beyond make the drive, too. Some even stop after trips to the Grand Canyon for some hearty comfort food.

Parking is available on-site. That alone can feel like a small victory in a busy part of Phoenix.

Why Skeptics Might Leave As Fans

One story sums it up nicely. A diner brought a friend along, and that friend seriously considered going vegan afterward.

That’s the magic of green New American Vegetarian. It makes plant-based eating feel indulgent, familiar, and fun instead of strict.

Longtime vegans will appreciate the huge, worry-free menu. Curious meat eaters will find comfort food that tastes like the classics they already love.

Families, coworkers, and date-night couples all fit in here. The casual setup keeps the pressure low and the flavor high.

Arizona has its share of flashy restaurants with fancy price tags. This one wins with value, consistency, and a menu that hits the cravings.

Of course, not every dish will suit every palate. That’s part of the fun with a menu this big and this playful.

Start with the spicy po-boy, the Chicago cheesesteak, or a basket of loaded fries. Add wings for the table and save room for soft serve next door.

Then tag the friend who swears they’d never try vegan food. This might be the meal that changes their mind.