Spicy ‘meatballs’

Is eating meat getting you down? Do you fantasize about becoming a vegetarian but just can’t give up bacon? Then mock meats are for you. Cleverly disguised in a variety of sauces and spices, mock meats make it possible to have your “pork” and eat it too.

Masa of Echo Park

Sausage has a soul at Masa,

which serves up taste-tempting veggie-sausage panini with mozzarella cheese, sweet caramelized onions and

seasoned tomato sauce. These frisky soy-based patties can also be enjoyed a la carte or with a variety of breakfast dishes.

Veggie-sausage panini, $8.95. 1800 W. Sunset Blvd., (213) 989-1558.

Follow Your Heart Cafe

This cozy cafe tucked in the

back of a health foods store in Canoga Park is a beloved vegetarian institution. Even the meat-inclined will thrill at the prospect of devouring a fresh Reuben sandwich made with

thinly sliced wheatmeat, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut and vegan-friendly Vegenaise. Not a kraut fan? Try the super-saucy “meatball” sub.

Reuben sandwich, $9.50.

21825 Sherman Way, Canoga Park, (818) 348-3240.

Vegetable Delight

The extensive menu at this vegan-friendly Chinese restaurant reads like a who’s who of mock meats. Battered, deep-fried shrimp with edible tails; lamb; lemon chicken; and beef with broccoli are all hot and flavorful and ready to clean your conscience.

Luncheon menu starting at $4.95. 17823 Chatsworth St., Granada Hills, (818) 360-3997.

M Café de Chaya

This cheery cafe and deli -- featuring fresh macrobiotic cuisine -- dresses up the popular meat-substitute seitan to resemble spicy salami in its Panino Tuscano. With Tuscan white-bean spread, caramelized onions and arugula on fresh-baked focaccia, this hearty sandwich almost passes for the real thing.

Panino Tuscano, $10.95. 7119 Melrose Ave., (323) 525-0588.

Soul Vegetarian

Meatless soul food is practically unheard of, but this Earth-friendly mini-chain does it with gusto. Kale greens, pinto beans and biscuits are accompanied by vegan pot roast with gravy and Jamaican curried gotee (curried wheat gluten over brown rice).

Vegan pot roast, $12. 4067 W. Pico Blvd., (323) 734-4037.

-- Jessica Gelt