Vegan Wing Review: No FOWL play at FOTM

My history with eating chicken wings doesn't span very much of my life's timeline.

Bourbon Chipotle Seitan Wings.

If I'm being honest with you, I don't believe I've ever eaten a hot wing made from a chicken (and I'm, clearly, one hundred percent okay with that).

That's not to say I never ate chicken - I did. I just ate chicken tenders because I liked the breading, and the occasional grilled chicken at my grandmother's, once upon a time or two.

So, when I came into my own with veganism, I wasn't really thinking about places that served hot wings, let alone vegan wings. My veganism started out with whole foods and the rare novelty items that were around in the early 2000s (namely Follow Your Heart mozzarella, Veganaise, and soy or rice milk).

2019 is a WHOLE different ball game.

Commence my further infatuation with veganized fridge staples, curiosity about vegan fast food items, and my affection for entire restaurants that are solely vegan. Of all the places around the U.S. I've inhabited, I feel like Denver keeps surprising me. And it's so wonderful.

So, let's get into it!

This blog post is more than just a shout-out to just Fire on the Mountain. This is a thank you to my boyfriend for going out of town for a week and leaving my mind to wander, wondering what vegan finds Denver had that I had yet to explore. 😂

It's also a shout out to the adorable cafe across the street from FOTM... Cafe Zuri!

Manhattan, stirred, Cafe Zuri.

What does this cute little cocktail have to do with my wing night? I'll tell you.

When I walked into Fire on the Mountain, it was swarming with wingnuts. I was inevitably going to be put on the waitlist for a table, and while I was given 45 minutes to wait for their text confirmation of an open table, I wandered. (Go figure.)

Photo courtesy of Cafe Zuri social media.

As I planned to walk a few blocks to the nearest brewery, this cafe caught my eye. I was drawn to them, even if I had to settle for a non-alcoholic beverage while I waited - but, glory be, they had alcohol, as well.

Zuri has a no WiFi & no laptop policy so that everyone can enjoy the intimate ambiance without feeling too detached. They not only serve caffeine and alcoholic beverages, but they also serve adorable baked goods and a vegan option among their panini selection.

I struck up some small conversation with the bartender and a local. By the time I really started to enjoy myself, my phone prematurely vibrated with a text that my table was ready (in only ten minutes as opposed to a full 45 - woo!) - so I slammed my carefully crafted & strong Manhattan, asserted my goodbyes & thanks, and walked back across the street, ready for a solo wing night.

Mural on the side of FOTM's buidling.

I was guided to the far corner of the restaurant at a two-top, tucked in the back. I notice the table is well-stocked with silverware, napkins, and condiments, including malt vinegar (rightfully, so). Fire staff seats you with a menu and invites you to order at the counter when you're ready.

FOTM Food Menu.

This night, there were lots of folks in line, both to dine in and to carry out, but it was well worth the wait. The hostess took her time with each customer and was thoroughly friendly. My cashier was patient and kind, so I was excited to tell him I was loving their extensive vegan options - and when I casually ordered my "wings" (without specifying), he clarified that I wanted the seitan wings... and I am so grateful for that potentially expensive mistake, both in my wallet and in my gut.

Vegan Ranch, Cauliflower Wings with Raspberry Habanero, and a small fry.

Let's get to what we all really want to talk about: the food.

First things first: I noticed immediately that my ranch was left with the "VR" label on the lid when delivered to me - again, much appreciated! Knowing that my meal is truly, fully vegan is always the biggest relief when going to an omnivorous joint for grub.

Second, these fries.

Now, I may not have ever *eaten* wings before, but I neglected to mention one little fun fact about my past... I worked at a Buffalo Wild Wings. While vegan. Hey - it was 2009, and ya girl needed a job in a college town, okurr? Point being - WHILE I was working at B-dubs, I served a lot of french fries. And for some reason, at these wing joints, all the wings have a similar dusting of seasoning... if you're a wing aficionado, you'll know what I'm talking about. And these fries... they're dusted. 👌 Nice.

Round #1: Cauliflower Wings.

A basket. I chose raspberry habanero for my wing sauce, without realizing it was automatically served on the side - which, when realized upon receiving, I was instantly happy about. Who likes soggy cauliflower? NOBODY, JANET.

Cauliflower Wings

I reached for the crispy girl first (Hallelujah! Crispy fried food!) and was impressed. This choice? Strong. I love cauliflower wings more than most folks, and I usually prefer them to seitan wings. These are simultaneously juicy and crispy. So pleasant.

The raspberry habanero is probably my favorite sauce of all. Spicy and sweet, it doesn't leave you without tastebuds. Respect.

Let's talk ranch, quick.

Milky, buttery, sweet. Not a mayo consistency, but legitimately saucy (therefore, not quite hitting the "dip" mark of what I was expecting, but the flavor is so on point that I don't even care). I don't think I've ever tasted a more legit ranch. And for a wing place, that's how it ought to be! I don't know if this is a vegan brand that they buy in bulk or if they make it in house, but I will say that they absolutely know what they're doing with vegan ranch in this place.

Wing Trio: Cauliflower Basket, Bourbon Chipotle Seitan, & Jamaican Jerk Seitan.

Round #2: Bourbon Chipotle Seitan Wings.

As a woman who just came across the street after having a Four Roses Manhattan straight up, I'll let you know a little secret... I am a bourbon lover.

The flavor is almost sweet, at first, then it hits you high on the back of your palate and kicks you in the throat. (Like I said: bourbon, you do me proud!)

Bourbon Chipotle Seitan Wings

Texture: a great chewy texture. And in all honesty, it does have that particular seitan texture, which resembles steak more than chicken, in my opinion. The flavor and the chewing process take a while, so you probably don't need too many wings to enjoy the experience of your vegan wing night. But we're not amateurs, so we're going in for Round 3.

Round 3: Jamaican Jerk Seitan Wings.

Jamaican Jerk Seitan Wings.

Not gonna lie - I had to research this sauce, beforehand. (I told you, my wing history is nearly a clean slate.) Every sauce on the menu seems to have a spice kick, especially if you're sticking to the vegan options (R.I.P. Honey BBQ), however, you can taste all of them before you order! Yes, you heard me right, folks. You can sample any of the sauces listed on their menu with pretzel sticks as you're ordering at the counter, to ensure that you make a choice you're proud of (or at least a choice that you can't blame on the restaurant if you dislike it, later). Each sauce is marked with vegan and gluten-free notes, so you can be in-the-know. Here, I'll even show you the menu, below, for reference.

FOTM Food Menu.

Anyway. Jerk sauce seems to be sweetened, typically, with brown sugar. A nice contrast to all of the buffalo, habanero, hot, etc. markings. 

Flavor reaction? 

"Okay. Yep."

Cloves.

Smoky, sugar-y, saucy cloves. 

This is almost like a sweet gravy at first (think Sputnik's incredible vegan brown gravy *drool*) and then it slaps you with that familiar clove smokiness once you've swallowed and licked your lips. (Sorry for the foodporn-dirty talk. But... I'm being honest.) I do wish the gravy aspect lingered more.

Texture: Somehow more crumbly than the bourbon chipotle basket. I enjoyed this more than the bourbon chipotle, surprisingly. I think the jerk must just soak into the seitan better. 

At the end of the day, which round would I go back for?

Round #1: Cauliflower Wings.

Cauliflower Wings win me over every time, fam. But that's also due to the fact that I never liked meat or meaty textures growing up - hence why I'm vegan now!

I love a crispy fried veg any day of the week, and this basket did not disappoint. If you're in a similar boat as me, preferring the vegetable option to the faux-meats, then I'd opt for this basket and order a few sauces on the side to get a nice spectrum of flavor. The lime-chipotle, spicy peanut, and raspberry habanero would all be wonderful companions to this juicy, fried wing.

All in all, this place is rockin' with the vegan options. You can sub any protein of your choice for their sandwiches, salads, etc. - play around with it, and have fun! They're super accommodating. (They'll also be at Vegan Restaurant Week in May - so perhaps you can give them a go, then, if you're local.)

And that's all, folks! 

Additional things to note regarding Fire on the Mountain's vegan options:

• Every Thursday is $2 off meatless menu items including vegan cauliflower and seitan wings!
• Vegan week special menu starting 11am on Thursday 5/16 through Thursday 5/30
• Munchies- Fried mac and "cheese" balls 3 for $9 served with vegan sriracha ranch 
• Salad- Kale pesto pasta salad. kale pesto- peas - tomato- green onion- carrots- pasta bowl for $5
• Sandwich- Jack fruit pulled BBQ sandwich with avocado ranch slaw served with a side of fries. $12

Be sure to grab one of FOTM's bazillion delightful beers to wash down those plant-based wings. And don't forget to tip the staff after you order at the counter, because they're working their butts off. I tipped an extra $5-6 bucks, and they're worth every penny for their stellar service. 

Fire on the Mountain: Worth It. They... bring the heat, as it were. 😉