Plant-Based Pork Roll? 3 Belmar, Lake Como Restaurants Amid COVID

LAKE COMO – You can try everything at the Alternative Plate in Lake Como, other than anything with meat.

And that includes a plant-based pork roll.

The vegan restaurant has amazing plant-based food created by a "wonderful chef who makes all his dishes from scratch," said Keith Killea.

"I've tried everything on the menu and never had a complaint," he said.

Killea said the Main Street restaurant even serves pizza, and you "need to try" the plant-based "pork roll."

It's much like the New Jersey staple, he said, even if it lacks the pork and anything else meat-related.

"You don't know what you are missing," he said. "If I wasn't told it was plant-based, I would never have known."

The Alternative Plate was among several establishments nominated for Patch's "Business of the Year" in Belmar as many businesses continue to battle through the coronavirus pandemic.

But it was these businesses, the customers say, that also came through for others in need – even as they were struggling themselves.

Here is what customers said about two Belmar businesses:

La Dolce Vita: "Customer service is extraordinary," said James McCracken.

Brandl: "Donated food to those in need. Always helping the community. Great food with reasonable prices," said Linda Wojcio.

Patch readers nominated a Local Businesses of the Year. The local businesses included retail stores, restaurants, hardware shops, dry cleaners, plumbers, car mechanics, salons and more.

Patch will feature nominated businesses in December.

Thanks for reading. Learn more about posting announcements or events to your local Patch site. Have a news tip you'd like to share? Or maybe you have a press release you would like to submit or a correction you'd like to request? Send an email to tom.davis@patch.com.

Subscribe to your local Patch newsletter . You can also have them delivered to your phone screen by downloading, or by visiting the Google Play store.