Best bets for vegetarians

Most vegetarians who live in small towns stay home a lot and cook in, preferring their own combinations to the scarcity of veggie-friendly dishes on local menus.

But throughout Volusia and Flagler counties, you can find some fabulous dinners that are just as equally healthy, delicious, and reasonably priced.

Here are my favorites, in no particular order:

Avocado Kitchen in Daytona Beach:  As a vegetarian, I keep going back to its class "Dancer." Starting with a deliciously seasoned bread, the dancer is stuffed with fresh avocado, melted cheese, onions, sprouts, tomato and other goodness. I also like the Barbofu sandwich, which is great for vegans. They make a spicy barbecue tofu between toasted bread with sprouts, tomato and onion that is better than a sloppy joe but equally delicious.

Penachos in DeLand:  The yellow squash with corn quesidillas are filled with cheese, tomato, onion, lettuce and topped with sour cream and salsa if you like. But Penachos has a taste unlike any Mexican restaurant you've ever been to. Maybe it's the atmosphere. Maybe it's the oregano they sprinkle on most dishes. Whatever it is, you won't be disappointed.

Almond Blossom Cafe in Flagler Beach:  I have yet to eat here, but judging from reviews on vegetarian restaurant search Happy Cow the organic, vegan, raw foods restaurant is a new delight. I'm dying to check out the Mexican "sushi," "lasagna," and raw "ice cream." Yum!

Cook's Cafe in DeLand:  At so many delis, I find myself stuck eating a grilled cheese and paying $4 for something I could make for about 50 cents at home. Cook's Cafe is totally different. They make a veggie version of their most popular dishes, from the steak and cheese to the regular burger. My favorite is the veggie reuban. On marble rye bread, they top a veggie burger with thousand island dressing, kraut and swiss cheese. It's so satisfying you won't even be hungry for their brown bagged steak fries!