As the percentage of Americans who identify as vegan continues to grow, the concept of vegan food is shifting. No longer limited to bland kale salads and boring tofu scrambles, vegans can now enjoy long-lost comfort foods from their meat-eating days thanks to advances in plant-based protein and dairy. At these 10 metro Detroit vegan hot spots, the dishes pack just as much flavor as the meat-laden recipes that inspired them.
Nosh Pit
This vegan food truck and eatery, originally based out of Hamtramck, opened its new Royal Oak location this month. The menu features fried goodies like mozzarella sticks and potato latkes, along with meatball subs, Coney dogs, and burgers. The Kaz Burger features a house-made veggie patty topped with aioli, granny smith apple, and vegan cheeze. But the most inventive option might be a vegan twist on the Reuben sandwich, which includes sauerkraut, house-made corned beets, vegan cheese, and house-made thousand island dressing. Nosh Pit, 304 N. Main St., Royal Oak; 313-486-0777; noshpitdetroit.com
Ale Mary’s Beer Hall
Catering to both omnivores and herbivores, this elevated gastropub offers a special vegan menu and is known for plant-based takes on American favorites like milkshakes, chili dogs, and Nashville hot chicken. Veggie lovers are welcome at brunch, too, where they can enjoy morning classics ranging from faux-chicken and waffles to cinnamon French toast. For a hearty start to the day, check out the breakfast scramble, which features Beyond meatless sausage, peppers, onions, and redskin potato hash over an egg-free scramble. Ale Mary’s Beer Hall, 316 S. Main St., Royal Oak; 248-268-1939; alemarysbeer.com
SugarBuzz Bakery
Leave your preconceived notions about vegan baked goods at the door of this recently opened Ferndale bakery. The entirely plant-based menu features a huge selection of house-made treats, with an emphasis on comforting childhood favorites like oatmeal cream pies, rice crispy treats, cake pops, and chocolate peanut butter cups. The bakery does grown-up snacks, too — cinnamon coffee cake, French macarons, and tiramisu are just a few of the many options. Cake is available whole or by the slice — try the Redpop Velvet Cake, which is made with Detroit’s own Faygo Red Pop. SugarBuzz Bakery, 23131 Woodward Ave., Ferndale; 248-268-1355; sugarbuzzveganbakery.com
Chomp
Vegans will find lots to enjoy at this family-owned Rochester eatery, which offers a separate menu for its meat-free guests. Plant-based versions of classic bar food favorites such as nachos, burgers, and quesadillas balance out the menu’s more ambitious items, like the Double-Down, a monstrous sandwich consisting of two vegan “chk’n” patties, vegan cheddar cheese, avocado, lettuce, and tomato inside a pretzel bun. Chomp, 200 S. Main St., Rochester; 248-608-1054; chompeats.com
Spacecat V-stro
Nobody leaves hungry at Spacecat V-stro, a recent addition to Ferndale’s vegan food scene. The restaurant makes several of its plant-based proteins in-house, including a faux “chkn” that can be served up as nuggets, tenders, or even a chicken parmesan sandwich. Other options include macaroni and cheese, nachos, faux-meatball subs, and plant-based burgers with all the fixings. For something truly satisfying, try the Red Dwarf burger, a red beet, rice, and lentil patty topped with carrot bacon, purple cabbage, avocado, magic sauce, and your choice of vegan or dairy cheese. Spacecat V-stro, 255 W. Nine Mile Road, Ferndale; 248-268-3211; spacecatvstro.com
Detroit Vegan Soul
This Detroit soul food spot has made a name for itself by offering meatless interpretations of the owners’ favorite family recipes. Along with the usual variety of burgers and sandwiches, the restaurant offers a vegan take on fried catfish, a seasoned, cornmeal-breaded fried tofu. Grab it in sandwich form or go for the platter, a soul food smorgasbord featuring macaroni and cheese, smoked collard greens, candied yams, black-eyed peas, and other homestyle favorites. The restaurant’s East location is currently on a temporary break, but customers can still place to-go orders at the West location. Detroit Vegan Soul (West), 19614 Grand River Ave., Detroit; 313-766-5728; detroitvegansoul.com
Shimmy Shack
This food truck — which also operates a brick-and-mortar restaurant in Plymouth — brings its all-vegan, gluten-free, diner-inspired menu to a rotating schedule of locations in metro Detroit. All-American classics, including burgers, fries, and chili, are cooked up in the truck and served fresh. The Shack’s version of a Coney dog features a marinated, char-grilled carrot topped with vegan chili, mustard, and onions. Got a sweet tooth? Try a homemade chocolate-coconut-caramel cookie, then wash it down with a soy-based chocolate milkshake. Shimmy Shack, 1440 Sheldon Road, Plymouth; 734-228-5990; shimmyshack.com
Ima
All three locations of this beloved local ramen joint offer plenty of creative, comforting, and filling plant-based options. Noodle lovers will enjoy the rich umami taste of the Forest Udon bowl, which combines chewy udon noodles, roasted tofu, smoked trumpet mushrooms, garlic oil, and a savory porcini broth. Curry dishes, Vietnamese pho, and the eatery’s popular jicama-shell tacos are also available in meatless incarnations. Ima, multiple locations; imanoodles.com
Street Beet
Currently located inside Third Street bar in Midtown Detroit, Street Beet is a vegan pop-up restaurant that aims to satisfy late-night cravings. Standard fare like nachos and sandwiches come with a variety of meatless toppings, but the joint is best known for its take on the Taco Bell Crunchwrap, a tostada topped with walnut chorizo, vegan cheese, pico de gallo, and cashew sour cream, all wrapped in a warm flour tortilla. For a uniquely satisfying snack, try the Litty Fries, shoestring fries drizzled with hot chili oil, vegan mayo, and sprinkled with vegan parmesan cheese. Street Beet, 4626 Third Ave., Detroit; 313-638-1480; streetbeetdetroit.com
Laika Dog
Located inside of UFO Factory in Corktown, Laika Dog serves up vegan and non-vegan hot dogs and allows guests to choose from an extensive list of add-ons. Go classic and top yours in vegan chili and nacho “cheese,” or branch out and try wasabi vegan mayo and kimchi. Grilled cheese, fries, and tater tots are also available, along with the spot’s vegan Little Mack sliders, Impossible patties, vegan cheese, lettuce, pickles, onions, and special sauce on sesame seed buns. UFO Factory, 2110 Trumbull St., Detroit; ufofactory.com
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