Yeah it's a genuine struggle unless the restaurant is explicitly vegan. A lot of restaurant workers (at least where I live) are often unfamiliar with what vegan means and might not be able to answers questions about menu items. I've been handed fish before at a restaurant after saying I'm vegan, then I reiterated how I'm vegan, and the staff said to me "Oh, you're also pescatarian?" I wasn't annoyed though, I just get sad because it means we have a lot of meat eating culture to break through.

Honestly I don't blame them though. I don't blame wait staff for not understanding, or maybe not having the cultural background to know about veganism. Or they're overworked or simply don't know how some food are prepared. It feels like it's our job to continue our work to make veganism more well known. If people don't understand us, then we still have work to do. I don't believe in just dismissing people who've only known carnism their whole lives. Veganism can show them that an alternative exists.

But I agree with you too, veganism has really helped me appreciate my own cooking. It's helped me appreciate simpler, cheaper meals as well. The simplicity of beans, rice, and some vegetables is really soothing to me now.