Is Gracias Madre Vegan and Cruelty Free? La Feliz Verdad

April 26, 2023

If you’re in the California area and you’ve heard of Gracias Madre, you might want to know for sure if its cuisine is truly vegan.

Restaurants often have many items on their menus and each dish can have several ingredients. Many of these ingredients may not be vegan, such as dairy products, eggs, honey, and gelatin. And while there are some vegan substitutes available, not all restaurants use them.

To make sure that you’re only consuming food that aligns with your vegan diet and lifestyle, I’ve investigated the ingredients and production processes at Gracias Madre.

Here’s what I found out.

Is Gracias Madre Vegan?

Yes! Gracias Madre is vegan.

Gracias Madre (Thank You, Mother Earth) restaurant is home to vegan Mexican food. The restaurant is based in San Francisco, CA, and has locations throughout the state, including West Hollywood and Newport Beach in the greater Los Angeles area.

The menu contains a variety of plant-based dishes, including appetizers, main courses, desserts, and drinks. Gracias Madre makes traditional Mexican cuisine with meatless, dairy-free, and many gluten-free ingredients (though not all of its dishes are gluten free).

So if you’re near one of Gracias Madre’s locations and are looking for not just great food, but vegan food, check it out!

Is Gracias Madre Cruelty Free?

Yes! Gracias Madre is cruelty free.

Gracias Madre does not test its menu items on animals at any stage of its production, nor do its dishes contain ingredients, such as artificial colors, that are commonly tested on animals.

Animal testing is an out-of-date and inhumane process that needs to be stopped. This practice often results in the death or suffering of innocent animals. There are alternative methods of testing products that don’t involve animals and are even more accurate. So brands don’t have any excuse to test on animals anymore.

What Is Gracias Madre Made Of?

Here are the ingredients of Gracias Madre Brunch Starters Coliflor:

  • Cauliflower
  • Lemon
  • Salt
  • Rice bran oil
  • Cashews
  • Tomato
  • Garlic
  • Salt
  • Morita chiles
  • Olive oil
  • Shallots
  • Oregano
  • Apple cider vinegar
  • Smoked paprika
  • Tomato
  • Tomato juice
  • Basil
  • Citric acid
  • Pea shoots
  • Pepitas (pumpkin seeds)
  • Lemon wedge
  • Aleppo

Let’s break down each ingredient of Gracias Madre Brunch Starters Coliflor:

Cauliflower

Cauliflower is a cruciferous vegetable that is naturally high in vitamins and minerals, including fiber and B-vitamins. It is often mistaken for white broccoli, but they are two very distinct vegetables. Cauliflower is vegan.

Lemon

Lemon is a citrus fruit that is used as a flavoring agent in many recipes. It is also a good source of vitamin C. Lemon is vegan.

Salt

Salt is a mineral that is used to add flavor or as a preservative. It is vegan.

Rice bran oil

Rice bran oil is a vegetable oil that is extracted from the bran of rice. It is vegan.

Cashews

Cashews are a type of tree nut. They are often used as a vegan replacement for dairy products, such as cheese and milk. Gracias Madre makes its Cashew Nacho Cheese from cashews. They are vegan.

Tomato

Tomato is a fruit that is often used as a vegetable in cooking. It is used in many savory dishes in cuisines from around the world. Tomatoes contain lycopene, a powerful antioxidant. Tomatoes are vegan.

Garlic

Garlic is a type of vegetable that belongs to the onion family. It is used as a flavoring agent in many dishes and has many health benefits, such as reducing cholesterol and boosting the immune system. Garlic is vegan.

Morita chiles

Morita chile is a type of chili pepper. It is used as a spice in many dishes, especially in traditional Mexican cuisine. Morita chiles are vegan.

Olive oil

Olive oil is a type of vegetable oil that is extracted from olives. It is used in many dishes and has health benefits, such as reducing cholesterol and preventing heart disease. Olive oil is vegan.

Shallots

Shallots are a type of small onion often used as a flavoring agent in dishes. They have a subtler flavor than larger onions. Shallots are vegan.

Oregano

Oregano is a type of herb that is used as a flavoring agent in many dishes. It also has health benefits, such as fighting bacteria and preventing cancer. Oregano is vegan.

Apple cider vinegar

Apple cider vinegar is a type of vinegar that is made from apples. It is often used as a flavoring agent or a natural cleaning product. Apple cider vinegar is vegan.

Smoked paprika

Smoked paprika is a type of spice that is made from smoked chili peppers. It is used as a flavoring agent in many dishes. Smoked paprika is vegan.

Tomato juice

Tomato juice is a type of juice that is made from tomatoes. It is often used as a flavoring agent in many dishes. Tomato juice is vegan.

Basil

Basil is a type of herb that is used as a flavoring agent in many dishes. It is also a good source of vitamin K. Basil is vegan.

Citric acid

Citric acid is a type of acid that is found in citrus fruits. It is used as a flavoring agent or a preservative. Citric acid is vegan.

Pea shoots

Pea shoots are the young leaves of the pea plant. They are often used as a garnish or in salads. Pea shoots are vegan.

Pepitas (pumpkin seeds)

Pumpkin seeds are the edible seeds of a pumpkin. They are vegan.

Lemon wedge

A lemon wedge is a piece of lemon that is often used as a garnish. Lemon wedges are vegan.

Aleppo

Aleppo is a type of chili pepper that is used as a spice. It is vegan.

Why Is Gracias Madre Vegan?

Gracias Madre is a fully vegan restaurant because it does not use any animal products or by-products in its traditional Mexican cuisine. All Gracias Madres menus are strictly plant-based and they use organic ingredients from local suppliers and farmers. 

No meat, dairy, eggs, honey, or gelatin is present in any of Gracias Madre’s dishes. If you’re craving some good Mexican food and want to try something new, Gracias Madre is the perfect place for you!

Is the Gracias Madre Wet Burrito Vegan?

Yes! The Wet Burrito at Gracias Madres contains no animal-based ingredients.

This burrito is safe for vegan consumption.

Are Gracias Madre Nachos Vegan?

Yes! Gracias Madre Nachos contain only plant-based ingredients. The chips are made from corn tortillas and rice bran oil, while the cashew crema and cashew nacho cheese do not contain actual dairy.

These nachos are safe for vegan consumption.

Is the Gracias Madre Taco Trio Vegan?

Yes! The Gracias Madre Taco Trio does not contain any animal-based ingredients.

This taco dish is safe for vegan consumption.

Is the Gracias Madre Madre Burger Vegan?

Yes! Gracias Madre’s Madre Burger, with a mushroom and black bean patty, does not contain any animal-based ingredients.

This burger is safe for vegan consumption.

Is Gracias Madre’s Taco Tuesday Menu Vegan?

Yes! The Taco Tuesday Menu includes Coliflor Al Pastor, Jackfruit Carnitas Taco, and Mushroom Chicharron. Like all of Gracias Madre’s menu, these dishes contain only plant-based ingredients.

These Mexican food dishes are safe for vegan consumption.

Are Gracias Madre Carnitas Vegan?

Yes. The Carnitas at Gracias Madre is made from jackfruit.

These carnitas are safe for vegan consumption.

Are Gracias Madre Enchiladas Verdes Vegan?

Yes. Gracias Madre’s Enchiladas Verdes are made with potatoes, peas, zucchini, and black beans.

These enchiladas are safe for vegan consumption.

Final Words

So, there you have it! Gracias Madre’s Mexican food restaurant is proper vegan food. This restaurant strictly uses only plant-based ingredients in all of its dishes, and many of its dishes are gluten-free as well. It uses farm-fresh and local organic ingredients, which is an added bonus. 

So whether it’s Taco Tuesday or you’re just looking for Mexican food in West Hollywood or Newport Beach on any old day of the week, be sure to check out Gracias Madre!