Dining out, vegetarian style

So I have recently become a pescetarian (but definitely limit the amount of fish), and eat out for dinner about 5+ nights a week.  I am wondering what good non-meat options are for dining out that don't include my typical pasta, pizza and sometimes salad.  Any suggestions (no beans please!)?  I am trying to stay away from a diet that is too carb heavy and it has been difficult for me so far, especially with the amount of time I go out to dinner each week-which I don't expect to change any time soon.  And I am willing to try new types of restaurants normally we stick to Italian, American or Japanese food.  I know Japanese food has many good options but at most we probably eat that once a week.

Thai food and Indian food both have lots of veggie options.  If you don't eat too much rice you can end up with some relatively healthy meals.  Restaurants with salad bars are also great for vegetarians, especially when there are tofu and other protein rich ingredients you can add in.  Cooking at home is really the only way to really know what's going into your food, though.

I've been really lucky to find some restaurants that will subsitute a veggie protein into one of their usual dishes.  You may want to expand your search a bit more and find restaurants like that.  Additionally, check the interwebs or yellow pages for vegetarian restaurants in your area.  I live in Edmonton, Alberta (beef country!), and there are veggie-only restaurants here.

And I completely agree with the above posters, ethnic restaurants are usually better for finding veggie-friendly options: Japanese, Thai, Indian, Ethiopian, etc.  And lots of more western-type restaurants have veggie burgers, as well.  Even fast-food places (here at least).

Good luck.  I also second the idea that cooking at home is the only way to really know what you're eating.

Wow, eating out 5 times a week!  How do you afford that?!

I second what everyone else said -- ethnic food is the way to go!  I've found that "American" food has little to offer in the way of vegetarian food.

Well avoiding salad, pizza, and pasta limits you enough. but then cutting out beans? That's where veggies get their good protein from.

I guess you could go with like a veggie soup (realllly good one at panera). Or try one of those restauraunts like FLATTOP GRILL or MONGOLIAN BBQ where you make your own stirfry, so you can control the rice. Veggie Burgers can be found at some places now, which you could get with like half the bun, and veggies instead of fries.

Thanks for the advice.  I'm not cutting OUT beans, I've never liked them.  I can stand minimal amounts and don't mind soybeans but other than that I really am not a fan.  I also never liked burgers so I don't think I'd like certain kinds of veggie burgers (and I don't like mushrooms so the ones that are mushroom based are out of the question).  Obviously I am a very picky eater, and that's why I've stuck to so many carbs!  I know I can sometimes just be happy with a plate full of vegetables- but then I'm not getting the protein that I need.

As for eating out 5+ nights a week, my family can't agree on what to eat at home- because they are meat eaters and also very picky with non-meat options (so I'm not really sure if they'll go for the more ethnic cuisines).  I know I could probably cook slightly more often, but lately (and into the foreseeable future) there isn't enough time.  As for "american" food I mean something like Cheesecake Factory or a non-chain place (there aren't too many chain restaurants here, never heard of the two mentioned above)- where I usually end up getting pasta or a vegetable quesadilla, which I don't mind every so often but I'd like some healthier options as well.  Oh and I do love Panera, but it's more of a lunch place to me.

Yes, "ethnic" cuisine such as Thai, Indian, Chinese/Mongolian, etc. usually offers up more choices than typical American cuisine.  Veggie curries, stir fries, etc.

Since you mentioned Cheesecake Factory, they offer Pad Thai - I am not sure but I think it is vegetarian (although does contain eggs).  You can actually go to their website and they have a list of menu items that are vegetarian.

Also if you have them, Pei Wei is great - they offer tons of veg options and they are marked on the menu.  You can get tofu in place of the meat on any of their entrees.

The best option is of course to cook at home.  Can't you cook a stir fry, casserole, or whatever for everyone to share, then the carnivores can add their meat on the side if they must have it?

I'm pretty sure most pad thai dishes are made with a fish sauce?  Might want to check on that one!

Yuk - maybe so!  The kind I make at home sure doesn't - it's just soy sauce and ketchup - really easy and very good!  Although the OP said she was pescetarian so I guess that would still be OK for her.

I couldn't find the pad thai on the cheesecake factory menu, but I DID find another option I might like.  A tuna dish.  I am a pescatarian for the time being, and will only eat fish though if something really appeals to me (and only eat tuna, crab and a tiny bit of salmon), which is less than once a week most of the time.

A stir fry could go over with my family but they would need to add the meat in so it would need to be cooked in two separate dishes- doable but time consuming.  And I just don't think a casserole will go over well at all!  I know I'm a tough one here, but I do appreciate the advice.  In a couple months I'll be living on my own and it all will be a little easier (except for the fact that I'll still have limited time to cook!).

you're a pescetarian. incorporate more seafood into your diet. grilled shrimp is super low cal and yummy. that can be tossed into any veggie meal to add protein and variety. seafood and veggie kabobs would work great for you too, especially because each kabob can be prepared to the specific person's liking.

Also, the mercury levels in shrimp are a lot better than other seafood.

Here's a helpful link on mercury in seafood!

Well I only eat the fish I like which is listed above.  And my ultimate goal is to remove it completely so I'm not really interested in adding more to my diet.  Thanks for trying to help though!

edit:  The funny thing is up until I was about 20 I thought I was allergic to all fish.  I finally got tested and found out that I wasn't and most fish tastes totally diffierent than I had imagined it would for 20 years.  Because of that I find shrimp really crunchy and gross.

Another healthy option is dim sum.  You can get steamed, baked or fried dim sum and there's tons of good veggie options.  Of course you get the usual with pork and chicken and there's a ridiculous amount with seafood but also loads of veggie ones.  Aside from that they usually serve up some good soups, salads, veggie side dishes etc.