As a vegan, you probably seek out vegan restaurants when the choice is up to you. But there may be times when eating at an all-vegan restaurant is not an option. For example, you might attend an interview where the future employer chooses the restaurant. Or you might be invited to a family party at a non-vegan restaurant. Finding vegan food options at a non-vegan restaurant isn't always the easiest, but here are some tips that will help.

1. Call ahead with menu questions.

When you look at the menu at a non-vegan restaurant, you might have a few questions. For instance, you may wonder if a certain vegetable dish is made with butter. Asking numerous questions while everyone is waiting to order can make you feel a little self-conscious, and it can hold up the ordering process for others. So instead, consider looking up the menu and calling ahead with any questions. When you actually arrive at the restaurant, you'll have a better idea of what you want to order, and you won't have to ask the server numerous questions while others wait.

2. Look at side dishes as options.

If the restaurant does not have any vegan main courses, or if you don't like the options they do have, then look at the sides menu. You can often make a nice meal by ordering a couple of sides, and there are often a few side dishes that just happen to be vegan. For example, you can order a side salad and sweet potato fries, and end up with a pretty filling and decently healthy meal.

3. Don't assume the servers know what "vegan" means.

These days, vegan diets have become pretty popular, and most people know what the word "vegan" means. But there are still some people who aren't as well-educated in the particulars of vegan dietary restrictions. So, when you do ask servers questions about the food, try to be more specific instead of just using the word vegan. For example, instead of asking whether a potato dish is vegan, ask "does this potato dish contain any butter, milk, or eggs?" Or, you can say "I don't eat meat, dairy, or eggs. Do you have any dishes without those in?"

Dining out at a non-vegan restaurant is not always the easiest for vegans. But if you call ahead with questions, remain open to options like side dishes, and explain what you need in clearer terms, you can have a good experience.