The Raw Deal in Menomonie.

With deep farmland roots and dairy running through the blood of every Wisconsinite, it’s not the easiest place to be a vegetarian or a vegan.

Truly vegetarian restaurants are few and far between around here. According to the Vegetarian Resource Group, only a little over a dozen restaurants consider themselves to be 100 percent vegetarian. Where they do show up, it’s sort of like a little oasis – so Travel Wisconsin put together a list of Sconnie favorites and what makes them so special.

For vegetarians living in the Chippewa Valley, don’t plan on going much farther than Menomonie. The Raw Deal made the list. It's been there for nearly 10 years, supporting local farms from around the Valley and beyond.

Vegetarian dessert at The Raw Deal.

What makes Raw Deal so unique? Well, everything is raw, for starters. The menu changes daily and will make anything from salad to tacos, cheesecakes, and even brew some of their own beer right there. They also like art and host art shows, live music, and a Learner’s Lounge Lecture Series.

While it is the only completely-vegetarian restaurant around, there’s still a ton of places that consider themselves vegetarian friendly like Randy’s, Water Street Deli, Acoustic Cafe, and The French Press, to name a few from our latest Best of the Chippewa Valley Reader Poll.