At least in North America, one thing I have seen is an increasing number of restaurants that have a vegetarian option that is decent. In the past it was always

At least in North America, one thing I have seen is an increasing number of restaurants that have a vegetarian option that is decent. In the past it was always just a regular meat dish minus the meat, but it costs the same. Or worse, take a dish that gets most of it's flavor from the meat and then substitute tofu or some basic (e.g. carrots/potatoes) boiled/steamed vegetables, making a dish that is extremely bland. It's not a surprise that lots of people cannot even fathom how anybody could be vegetarian. It seems to me that thanks to immigrants, fusion food, and cuisine from countries like India, people are starting to realize that you can add spices and flavors to any cuisine and make these dishes tasty without meat. In this way you have dishes that everybody can eat without feeling like the vegetarian options at restaurants are horrible. Instead, they can see something on a menu that actually looks appetizing and be willing to try it. There are more choices than just a meat-substitute. Note that I'm referring at non-chain restaurants in more populated areas, or newer or smaller-chains. The large chains still think a baked potato with cheese is a vegetarian entree. I also think that a lot of times vegetarian/vegan American food has been synonymous with things like raw, super-healthy, vegetable smoothies, etc. So it's bland and basically only for people who specifically want that kind of food. Even that changing, and you can find 100% vegetarian restaurants with food that is fried, has salt/sugar/spices, and is just generally super tasty while not being that healthy. Basically, the reason why I like to eat out in the first place :)