You’ve probably heard of FOMO (Fear of Missing Out), the agonizing concern that others are taking part in fulfilling experiences while you’re sitting at home watching cat videos. Well, sometimes those fulfilling experiences are also filling ones, which results in a new variation on the phobia: FOME (Fear of Missing Eat).
This disorder primarily afflicts vegans who, when visiting a distant city, become overwhelmed by the many mouthwatering options offered by popular vegan restaurants and, not knowing if or when they’ll ever return, are tempted to order one of everything on the menu.
The suffering is real.
People afflicted with FOME often become crippled with indecision when faced with a menu brimming with delicious vegan offerings. For example, how are you supposed to choose between Jalapeño Poppers, Country Fried “Steak,” or Truffle Mushroom Lentil Loaf at Chicago’s famous Chicago Diner if you’re only in town for a brief layover? Picking a favorite dish at Florida’s storied Sublime restaurant is like being asked to pick a favorite child, and deciding between the Mole Poblano, the Fried Avocado Tacos, or the Mushroom-Stuffed Chiles Rellenos at San Antonio’s Viva Vegeria could potentially take longer than eating them.
In desperation, FOMEies have even been known to order far more dishes than they’re able to eat in one sitting just so that they can sample “one of everything”—and not look back later and opine, “I really wish I’d tried the Portobello Carpaccio at Vedge!”
Some popular restaurants, knowing that they’ll likely be visited by FOME sufferers, have tried to ease their patrons’ symptoms by offering sampler plates, such as the famous “seafood tower” at L.A.’s Crossroads Kitchen.
Crossroads Kitchen
At New York’s Dirt Candy, FOME-afflicted diners are appeased with a seasonal menu with just two prix-fixe choices, The Vegetable Patch (five courses) and The Vegetable Garden (nine to 10 courses). Problem solved!
Carrot Meringue Pie at Dirt Candy
Similarly, Washington, D.C.’s highly praised Elizabeth’s Gone Raw, which is open only on Friday nights, offers an ever-changing tasting menu. Go ahead and try one of everything—that’s the idea!
Have you found yourself experiencing FOME while traveling? We want to hear about your FOME moments. Dish the details in the comment section below and/or share them with friends on social media using the hashtag #VeganFOME.
