As a result of the long-term order to stay at home, all hospitality businesses are in trouble. For small vegan businesses, the risks of pivoting solely to online sales and delivery is daunting, and many have chosen to close rather than reconfigure. However, some businesses have not only found a way to continue service, but to be of service to others. Throughout these past few weeks, we’ve seen vegan restaurants rally. Fine-dining establishments have developed affordable meal kits, cafés are offering now hard-to-find provisions such as flour and toilet paper, independent eateries are raising funds to pay workers who have lost their jobs, and pop-ups are donating food and supplies to the homeless and the overworked medical community. Check out these 13 vegan restaurants who continue to serve, and discover how you can help.
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1. Juice Press, multiple locations
In partnership with #FoundersGive, this popular juice chain is making sure nutritious vegan foods find their way to medical staff and volunteers. The company has also transformed its commissary into a grocery delivery service, offering everything from fresh produce to packaged tofu.
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2. Sticky Fingers, Washington DC
This longstanding Washington, DC vegan bakery is bringing awareness to the terrible rise of domestic violence. Under the stay-at-home orders, domestic crimes have escalated at an alarming rate. For the month of April, Sticky Fingers is donating a portion of its sales to the DC Coalition Against Domestic Violence. You can help support the effort by ordering the vegan cupcake decorating kit or the make-your-own pizza kit, along with the full menu of delectable goodies.
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3. Slutty Vegan, Atlanta, GA
When the shelter in place mandate fell upon the state mid-March, Slutty Vegan sprung into action. It closed its doors to the general public and limited its menu to service workers only. In partnership with The Pinky Cole Foundation, it also began packaging free meals and delivering them to local healthcare providers. On April 7, the quick service joint reopened its doors for delivery and promptly crashed UberEats!
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4. True Bistro, Somerville, MA
Ten years in business isn’t enough to prevent bankruptcy. This white-tablecloth local gem made a hard pivot from tweezer-plated meals to establishing a robust delivery program. The staff transformed into delivery drivers, and the kitchen is now offering more affordable options such as Brunch-For-Dinner. When placing an order, customers can add a donation to either support now-unemployed restaurant workers or sponsor a meal to give to the Somerville Homeless Coalition and other community organizations.
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5. Hip City Veg, multiple locations in PA and Washington, DC
When the pandemic closed in, this microchain immediately implemented a 14-day paid sick leave policy as part of its Hip City Veg Employee Relief Fund to protect workers. The company rallied local restaurants in Philadelphia to form a coalition asking legislators for urgent action to help restaurant workers. Locals can show their support by purchasing the new family-sized meal options, in addition to items on the regular menu.
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6. Simply Pure, Las Vegas, NV
This eatery’s new BOGO (“Buy One Gift One”) program allows its customers to help provide meals to those in need. The restaurant donates a free meal for each meal kit sold. The goal is to provide 100 free meals a week.
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7. WhyldAss, Phoenix, AZ
This chef-driven, eco-conscious kitchen is upping its provisions. Those who have the means can still order takeout from the regular menu of southwestern-style eats, but those in need can pick up a pint of soup with no questions asked.
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8. Majani, Chicago, IL
Knowing everyone could use a bit of comfort food right now, this vegan soul food spot kept its kitchen open to serve its customers and those who need it most. To date, the restaurant has provided over 200 meals to Chicago residents who have been seriously affected by the pandemic.
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9. Plum Bistro, Seattle, WA
Regulars are loving Plum Bistro’s new family meals. Each purchase triggers a free family meal for those less fortunate. Specials rotate daily, but each will make your mouth water. Last week’s menu included a Chopped Signature Salad, Classic Mac and Yease, Buffalo Portobello Burgers, and Strawberry Cheesecake Bites.
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10. Seed, New Orleans, LA
Deemed one of the “Hottest Restaurants in New Orleans in March 2020” by Eater New Orleans, this globally inspired chic eatery is blatantly transparent when it comes to finances during the pandemic. Seed is posting its daily bottom line to educate customers and fellow businesses on how dire the situation is for restaurants. It’s not a pity party—Seed is working with business owners to assess the risks and rewards of staying open. Supporting local businesses is simple: pick up your phone and order-in.
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11. Spiral Diner, Dallas, TX
Income for restaurant workers is expected to drop by over 70 percent in the coming months. To address this issue, Spiral Diner created an auto-gratuity to benefit its hard-working staff. The act serves as a reminder to tip—even if you’re not dining in.
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12. Herbivorous Butcher, Minneapolis, MN
The staff at Hennepin County Medical Center received a mass delivery of boxed lunches from America’s first vegan butcher shop last week. The plant-based deli and butchery plans on extending this thoughtful service on a weekly basis to medical workers across the city. Customers can support this effort by adding a $5 Meal for Hospital Workers onto their order.
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13. Urban Vegan Kitchen, New York, NY
While not everyone is out of the job or facing serious financial insecurity, most have been forced to tighten the purse strings. Recognizing this, Urban Vegan Kitchen decided to offer discounts on some of its best-selling items such as it’s hefty vegan lasagna and Chicken N Waffles. The “semi-sophisticated comfort food” restaurant also contributes to the newly formed Plants to the People initiative which provides free meals to New Yorkers in need.
Suzannah Gerber (Chef Suzi) is a Restaurant and Food Industry Consultant, Executive Chef, the author of Plant-Based Gourmet, and a medical researcher looking at diet and food behavior.
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