Exploring egg alternatives in Tucson during the global egg shortage


January 20, 2023
a woman sitting at a table with food
By Hannah Hernandez
By Hannah Hernandez

In times of egg shortages, there are a variety of egg substitutes to add to your meal and utilize in recipes. These include tofu, banana, applesauce, flaxseed, chia seeds, aquafaba, and the bottled JUST Egg.

On that note, egg alternatives are becoming increasingly popular as people look for ways to reduce their consumption of animal products. Some are fortified with plant-based proteins, making them a great source of protein for vegans and vegetarians.

Tooley's Cafe (Photo by Hannah Hernandez)
Tooley’s Cafe (Photo by Hannah Hernandez)

Also, egg substitutes can be used in various ways to help reduce the number of eggs needed in a recipe.

“Knowing how to make a flax egg is a great life skill to have, not just because of the current spike in egg prices, but because it’s handy when you need an egg in a pinch but don’t have any in the fridge,” said Shane Reiser, CEO of Tucson Foodie. “Flax eggs are great for cooking and baking. I use them for pancakes, brownies, muffins, cookies, and much more. They aren’t good for a scramble. If you want vegan eggs on your plate for breakfast, go with JUST Eggs or make a tofu scramble.”

Flax egg recipe

Ingredients:
  • One tablespoon of ground flaxseed
  • Two and a half tablespoons of water
Steps:
  1. Add ground flaxseed and water to a bowl or measuring cup and whisk it up for a few seconds with a whisk (or just a spoon if you can’t be bothered)
  2. Let rest for five minutes to thicken into an egg-like consistency
  3. Add to recipe in place of one egg

Listed below are a few places you can find Tofu and JUST Egg on the menu.

Goodness

2502 N. Campbell Ave.
Photo courtesy of Goodness on Instagram

Goodness is happy to sub Just Egg for egg in any dish! One of their most popular menu items is the Plant Based Breakfast Burrito filled with tofu chorizo, beans, quinoa, pico de gallo, avocado, and vegan cheese.

For more information, visit goodnessfresh.com. 

Tooley’s Cafe

299 S. Park Ave.
Tooley’s Cafe (Photo by Isaac Stockton)

Tooley’s offers a variety of tofu options. From their classic tofu scramble and rustic home fries to their breakfast burrito with tofu scramble, veggies, and beans, there’s something for everyone. Grab breakfast any time of the day.

Read our October 2022 article, “The past, present & future of Tooley’s Cafe.”

For more information, follow Tooley’s Cafe on Facebook. 

Del Cielo Tamales Restaurant

3073 N. Campbell Ave.
Breakfast at Del Cielo Tamales
Breakfast at Del Cielo Tamales (Photo by Hannah Hernandez)

Vegan omelettes exist. Del Cielo’s vegan omelets are made with JUST Egg and filled with your choice of plant-based meat alternatives. Their pancake breakfast plate includes crispy cubed potatoes, handmade corn tortillas, and a fluffy JUST Egg scramble. Breakfast is available all day, and the all-you-can-eat vegan breakfast buffet is every Thursday from 9 – 11 a.m.

For more information, visit delcielotamales.com. 

Lovin’ Spoonfuls

2990 N. Campbell Ave. #120

 

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Enjoy a variety of Lovin’ Spoonfuls’ tofu scrambles made with organic tofu, served with nine-grain toast and home fries. Or, try one of their breakfast burritos wrapped in a vegan flour tortilla and served with salsa. Available until 3 p.m.

For more information, visit lovinspoonfuls.com.

Midtown Vegan Deli and Market 

5071 E. Fifth St.
Breakfast Sandwich (Photo courtesy of Midtown Vegan Deli and Market)
Breakfast Sandwich (Photo courtesy of Midtown Vegan Deli and Market)

Midtown Vegan Deli and Market offers a wide selection of breakfast items, including sandwiches, scrambles, and burritos. Choose between JUST Egg or tofu scramble. Breakfast items are available to order at any time of the day.

For more information, visit midtownvegandeli.com.

Charro Vida

7109 N. Oracle Rd.
Brunch at Charro Vida (Photo by Hannah Hernandez)
Brunch at Charro Vida (Photo by Hannah Hernandez)

Find burritos, breakfast tacos, huevos rancheros, chilaquiles, and hemp tamale hash, all featuring JUST Egg at Charro Vida’s weekend brunch. Stop by Saturday through Sunday from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

For more information, visit charrovida.com. 

Café Maggie 

745 N. Fourth Ave.

CafĂ© Maggie’s Southwest Tofu Scramble is a flavorful mix of tofu, peppers, onions, and spices. The Mushroom Tofu Scramble is a savory blend of mushrooms, onions, and garlic. For a heartier breakfast, try The Tofu Burrito with soyrizo, tofu, seasoned potatoes, caramelized onions, green chiles, and salsa on the side. The breakfast menu is available all day.

For more information, visit cafemaggieon4th.com.

Cup Cafe

311 E. Congress St.
Cup Cafe patio (Photo courtesy of Hotel Congress)
Cup Cafe patio (Photo courtesy of Hotel Congress)

Cup Cafe’s Vegan Breakfast Tamale plate features an El Charro hemp tamale with vegan poblano cashew crema, calabacitas, tofu scramble, and fresh pico de gallo. This vegan breakfast is available until 2 p.m. so get there early to enjoy it.

For more information, visit hotelcongress.com.

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One of Tucson’s distinguished media creators, Hannah Hernandez, also known as Death Free Foodie, navigates the realms of digital imagery, video editing, and photography. The trajectory of Hannah’s life changed in 2017 when she adopted a vegan lifestyle, which invited...

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