I Tried a Vegan Restaurant For the First Time- Vegan Soul Food!
Let’s talk Vegan! A few weeks ago, my best friend and I decided to try a vegan restaurant in our hometown( Macon, Ga) called Southern Vegan Soul. The occasion for this outing was to say our last goodbyes as she was leaving for a 5 day visit to California the very next day. What better way to prepare her for the juice obsessed, clean-eating, planet-sustainable world of the West Coast than to try a local vegan spot?!
Southern Vegan Soul is tightly and inconspicuously situated within the many small shops, restaurants, and businesses in the antiquated Vineville Historic District of our hometown. It is so small and inconspicuous that I had never noticed it during the hundreds of times I must have passed it on my way to school or work. That seems to be the reputation of many vegan restaurants. They’re conveniently around providing healthy alternatives without overtly forcing you to think about changing your diet.
We were instantly greeted with quaint cafe vibes and a colorful mural of the restaurant's moniker on the wall. There was enough room for a few small tables and chairs. Soulful paintings depicting black culture line the walls. It is a great spot for a quick meet up with a friend or co-worker for a bite which was exactly what we were there for. Our anxious entrance was met with friendly smiles and greetings as we were helped with our questions as to what would be good for non-vegans.
Due to my slightly neurotic and high-strung nature, I had already looked up the menu online and gotten a good idea of what to get and what to avoid. As a picky eater I knew this was going to be a risky situation that would take careful thought and examination. Going in I had already decided to avoid ANYTHING with jackfruit. No judgment to anyone who loves jackfruit, it is just not for me. To those who have never tried it… tread cautiously because you’ll either love it or hate it.
After crossing out all items on the menu with jackfruit, I decided on the American tacos. This was a flour tortilla filled with beefless meat crumbles, lettuce, onion, tomato, salsa, and a dairy free “cheese sauce”. Definitely the safest choice, you can never go wrong with a “beef” taco.
Service was extremely fast and efficient, which always adds points to a place in my book. We were both surprised by the enormity of the tacos that were filled to the brim with “meatless” protein and toppings! When I tell you those tacos were delicious, I mean I completely forgot I wasn’t eating actual meat! It will never cease to amaze me how they do that.
The only problem with my meal that I could think of was that it only came with one taco, and I definitely needed two more. I did not try the sweet potato cupcakes they had on display, but my bestie did, and she can attest they were also delicious! We washed down our meals with lemonade and left happy customers.
All in all I would give Southern Vegan Soul a 5/5 and not just as a vegan spot. I would honestly eat there anytime because it tasted just like non-vegan food. I felt a craving for their tacos the other day, so I just may have to drop by on my way to work this week! If you’re in the Macon area you should definitely drop in for the lovely atmosphere and a chance to have a new dining experience.
Check out their menu and pics of awesome food here https://www.facebook.com/southernvegansoulcafe/
