Have you ever wondered where you’d up sticks and move to if you could? We certainly have, and we’ve settled on an answer: Portland. Well, for now, anyway. According to a new study, Portland is the best US city for vegans and vegetarians, so that settles it.
Want to know which other cities made the top 10? Read more about the study here.
But before we start packing our bags, it’s time for this week’s food news. We’ve got updates on everything from free baked goods and Halloween margaritas to Cheez-It’s latest offering. Spoiler alert: that last one isn’t such good news.
Cinnaholic is giving away free vegan cinnamon rolls in honor of National Cinnamon Roll Day. | Cinnaholic
How to get a free vegan cinnamon roll this weekend
PSA: it’s almost National Cinnamon Roll Day. Are you really surprised that this beloved sweet treat has its own holiday? To celebrate the very important occasion, vegan bakery chain Cinnaholic is giving away free cinnamon rolls this Sunday, October 4. This is not a drill.
Simply head to one of its more than 90 locations across the US and buy a cinnamon roll to get another one free. Options include the Old Skool, a classic roll topped with vanilla frosting; the Cookie Monster, featuring housemade cookie dough; and the seasonal Caramel Apple Pie, topped with fresh apples, pecans, and housemade pie crumble.
Chipotle’s margarita is embarking on a spooky Halloween tour. | Chipotle
Chipotle’s margarita is back for Halloween, and it’s vegan
If you were a fan of Chipotle’s margaritas, you’ll be pleased to learn that the fast-casual Mexican chain is bringing the cocktail back. Well, kind of.
The margarita is vegan by default, made with tequila, triple sec, citrus juice, agave nectar, and lime, and this October, it is embarking on a Halloween-themed tour of select Chipotle locations.
Dubbed the Summon the Spirits Tour, the spooky margarita, or rather, the Margaritaaaah, will stop in Denver, New York, Dallas, Los Angeles, and New Orleans for two nights in each city.
Wholly Veggie’s Dill Pickle Cauli-Drums have arrived at Whole Foods. | Wholly Veggie
Meaty dill pickle-flavored drumsticks land at Whole Foods
Is there anything cauliflower can’t do? To borrow a Mean Girls reference in honor of October 3, “the limit does not exist.” This versatile vegetable can be blended into soup, roasted whole, and, according to Wholly Veggie, transformed into meaty drumsticks.
The popular Canadian plant-based brand launched its Cauli-Drums over the summer, and the new Dill Pickle flavor has now appeared on Whole Foods Market shelves. The Cauli-Drums are available in five varieties: Buffalo, Ranch, Japanese BBQ, Dill Pickle, and Nashville Hot.
Yep, it’s time to start stocking up on vegan Halloween candy.
Spooky vegan candy has arrived for Halloween
It’s officially October, which means one thing: it’s time to get spooky. But don’t wait until the end of the month to stock up on delicious vegan Halloween candy.
TCHO’s vegan chocolate is on shelves now in festive flavors such as Shock Dog, Bone Crunch, and Total Nutbar. Other favorites include Annie’s Sweet & Sour Bunnies & Bats, YumEarth’s Sour Littles, and Unreal’s Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups in special Halloween packaging.
Find all our seasonal favorites in our vegan Halloween candy guide here.
Cheez-It’s new launch is packed with protein, but where is the dairy-free option?
They’ll make anything but vegan Cheez-Its these days, and we’re not annoyed or anything
Earlier this year, Cheez-It released its first gluten-free cracker, and we won’t lie, we got excited. Could a vegan version finally be on the horizon, too?
Well, we’re sorry to say that doesn’t appear to be happening. The brand’s latest launch is another first-of-its-kind product, but it isn’t dairy-free. It is, as you’ve probably guessed, Cheez-It Protein. Because it’s 2026, and apparently everything needs more protein.
Listen, we’re not annoyed. Okay, maybe a little. Fortunately, though, plenty of vegan cheesy snacks can satisfy the craving, including From The Ground Up’s Cheddar Cauliflower Crackers and Back to Nature’s Cheezy Cracker Squares.
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Charlotte is a VegNews editor and writer based in sunny Southsea on England's southern coast.
Here at VegNews, we live and breathe the plant-based lifestyle, and only recommend products we feel make our lives amazing. Occasionally, articles may include links where we might earn a small commission, but in no way does this effect the editorial integrity of VegNews.
