Believe it or not, vegan food is officially taking over the streets of Oakland, California. Don’t believe us? Just head down to any of the branches of Kwik Way burger shops located near Oakland’s Lake Merritt.
One would think that the long queue of hungry foodies awaits a special beef or chicken burger but, wouldn’t you be surprised to know that hundreds die to get their hands on some garlic noodles with lumpia, shrimp po’boy sandwiches, and barbecue brisket plates with smackaroni? These highly intriguing dishes are created by the Vegan Mob, a restaurant working to blur the lines between BBQ, soul food, and veganism.
Pexels | Vegan Mob meals offer all the good flavors you want minus the animal products
Other start-ups and eateries are opening up their customer base by providing vegan options. One such eatery is Malibu Burgers, mostly known for their divinely creamy milkshakes made from cassava ice cream and their to-die-for vegan burgers. The owner Darren Preston is adding new items to the menu, the latest of which is the “Winnipesaukee – fried “fish” fillet, served with mashed peas, french fries, and a dairy-free tartar sauce. Oh, did we mention that the fish is plant-based?
Pexels | Thanks to plant-based meat, you don’t have to give up your favorite foods
Vegan Food Is Here to Stay
Oakland is home to a plethora of people hailing from different cultural and ethnic backgrounds, creating a unique way of living. Vegan eating has been an ingrained part of its history, dating back to the Black Panther Party, which used to grow their own vegetables in the backyards to make school meals free of meat. It’s about time that vegetable-centric food made a comeback.
Refining Vegan Dining
Recently, Black restaurant owners started working to bring a new change into the Oakland dining culture by creating and incorporating animal-free cuisines that summon flavors from Puerto Rico, Mexico, Ethiopia, and soul food. They are rewriting the common narrative about vegan food and giving it a whole new definition, style, and taste.
Pexels | Who said vegan food can’t taste good?
Why Veganism?
If you’re wondering why the sudden rise in veganism, its numerous benefits might just convince you to switch. The food industry is notoriously known for its ill-treatment of livestock, and people are turning to veganism as a way to protect animals from brutal treatment and eventual butchering.
As many millennials and gen x-ers become increasingly aware of the situation, they have taken it upon themselves to make changes necessary to protect the Earth and its climate. Breaking the stereotype against vegan food just might lead to more people giving the vegan lifestyle a chance.
