Michelle Martinelli, iEG contributor
We’re all familiar with the arguments for why to shop, eat, and buy locally. And as vegans and vegetarians, you never know what little, life-changing gems you could find.
Tucked away in the corners of big cities and smaller communities, restaurants specifically catering to vegan and vegetarian lifestyles are popping up everywhere, and a simple Google search is an easy place to start. So, on a whim, I recently visited a spectacular restaurant while home for the holidays.
Vegan soul food might seem like an oxymoron, but based on my experience at Detroit Vegan Soul located in Detroit’s West Village, heavenly and delightfully surprising are just two of the many ways I’d describe the food. Established in 2012, Detroit Vegan Soul’s was packed on a weekday lunch.
The tomato soup of the day was perfect for a cold, December afternoon, and my mom’s soul platter — which included savory and smoked collards, sweet yams and cornbread — provided a remarkable and welcomed variety. My brother’s house-made veggie burger was light and fresh, and my carnivorous sibling devoured it. I had the catfish tofu sandwich, which was full with flavor and accompanied by delectable tartar sauce. (It made for great leftovers too.)
All items were vegan. All items were delicious.
In addition to the restaurant’s vegan, organic and cholesterol-free menu, it’s a local business run by two young, entrepreneurial women, and, turns out, having lunch at their restaurant was one of the best food choices I’ve ever made.
Of course, there is nothing wrong with going mainstream for dining out, but I encourage vegans and vegetarians to find the local businesses looking to specifically support their healthy, dietary choices and patronize them in return.
Searching around local businesses and trying new places is definitely worth it– you never know what local treasure you might find.