While almost every vegetarian will tell you that finding plant-based options is much easier than one may think, the often irregular eating schedule of a college student can sometimes make sustaining a vegetarian diet a little more difficult than it was in high school. After spending hours cooped up in the library, we all crave a late-night snack, and in a world where after-hours dining options are ruled by chicken fingers and hamburgers, finding a solid vegetarian option can be a struggle. For this reason,  I have compiled a guide to the vegetarian frozen foods at Eagle Convenience. 

 While most of us blow past the frozen food at Eagle Convenience on our way to grab a bubble tea from Mama Tiger, there are plenty of great options (for vegetarians and meat-eaters alike) available to sate your late-night hunger pangs. Since no one wants to waste their precious Dooley dollars on a meal that is just not worth it, I've went ahead and tried eight of the vegetarian frozen options from Eagle Convenience and ranked them here from worst to best. 

8. Amy's Vegetable  Lasagna

meat, pasta, cheese, vegetable, beef, lasagna
Julie Goldberg
Taste: I love you Amy, but this dish was not my favorite. While I enjoyed the cheesy top layer, the spinach filling was bland, watery, and underwhelming. The dish lacked cohesiveness overall and, if you've ever had a good piece of lasagna, this frozen imposter will seriously let you down. 

Dooley Damage: $6.39

pie
Julie Goldberg

7. Amy's Cheese Pizza

pizza, cheese, crust, mozzarella, pie, dough, pepperoni, tomato, pastry, sauce
Julie Goldberg

Taste: This pizza looks absolutely nothing like the photo on the box, but it actually wasn't bad. I knew that there was no way this pizza would have the thin, crispy crust that I look for in fresh pizza, and I was right, but the doughy crust was good for what it was. This one may have come out more like a real pizza if it was heated in the oven as opposed to the microwave, but so is the life of a college student.

Dooley damage: $9.39

porridge, soup, vegetable
Julie Goldberg

6. Amy's Country Cheddar Bowl

pasta, vegetable, tomato, cheese, tortellini, sauce
Julie Goldberg
Taste:  This dish had a nice, creamy consistency. The tofu, however, was rubbery, and didn't need to be there. The broccoli was just the right size, and the potatoes had nice texture. Overall, this dish was fine, but some of the components didn't seem to quite go together. 

Dooley Damage: $6.39

tortellini, pasta, shrimp, ravioli
Julie Goldberg

5. Amy's Pesto Tortellini Bowl

vegetable, tortellini, fiddlehead, meat
Julie Goldberg
Taste: While the pesto sauce was a bit watery, the strong basil flavor made up for the lack of creaminess. The pasta shell had a bit of a rubbery texture, but it was essentially what I expected from a microwaveable pasta dish. The tortellini filling was rich and cheesy, and overall this meal was hearty and satisfying. 

Dooley Damage: $6.39

pesto, pasta, olive oil, sauce, herb, oil
Julie Goldberg

4. Sweet Earth Santa Cruz Burrito

Julie Goldberg

Taste: Full of hearty beans, Monterey Jack cheese, and seitan, this burrito has a meaty texture (despite being totally vegetarian) and a tangy salsa to top it off. I definitely recommend this burrito for a healthy, organic option. 

Dooley damage: $4.39

bread, burrito, salsa, chili
Julie Goldberg

#SpoonTip: I microwaved the burrito for at least 2 minutes on each side, and then cut it open and microwaved it for an additional 2 minutes, which was significantly longer than the instructions indicated (one minute on each side).

3. Kashi Sweet Potato Quinoa Bowl

pizza, rice
Julie Goldberg

Taste: While the quinoa and brown rice base was a bit watery, the sweet potatoes were perfectly soft and flavorful, as were the beans. This is a great choice if you're looking for a light, healthy option.  

Dooley damage: $5.79

chicken, curry
Julie Goldberg

2. Kashi Amaranth Polenta Plantain Bowl

chicken
Julie Goldberg

Taste: The sweet, tender plantain is what made this dish #2 in my book. The vegetables tasted fresh, and were not mushy or dried out but flavorful and had just enough bite to them . While this bowl is a bit more of a mess than the picture on the box advertises it to be, it was pretty yummy nonetheless. 

Dooley damage: $5.79

curry
Julie Goldberg

#SpoonTip: The instructions tell you to microwave for 2 1/2 minutes, stir, and them microwave for another 2 minutes. My meal was still somewhat cold after doing this, so I recommend microwaving it for another two subsequent intervals of 2 minutes, stopping between each to stir again.

 

1. TaDah! Falafel Wrap

Julie Goldberg
Taste: Hey, it's no Falafel King, but for a frozen sandwich, this was pretty damn good. The garlic flavor in the hummus was strong yet not overpoweringly so, the wrap was soft yet sturdy enough to support the falafel, and while the falafel was more of a cohesive filling as opposed to several distinct fritters, and was therefore lacking the exterior crunch we know and love, the interior texture and flavor were on point and this sandwich was a definite success.

Dooley Damage: $4.48

broccoli, bread, burrito
Julie Goldberg

While the selection at Eagle Convenience is hit-or-miss, they definitely make an effort to provide plenty of vegetarian options, so take advantage of them! It's always good to have something in the freezer after coming back from the library, or for those nights when you just can't seem to leave your bed. Whether you're craving pizza, pasta, a burrito, or even a Polenta Plantain Amaranth Bowl, Eagle Convenience has got you covered. Happy microwaving!