A treasure right here in the neighborhood
Community Contributor | 4-12-2010 | Comments |
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By Sherion JohnsonI am guilty of driving from “the Hood” to the Westside or even Downtown for good food and entertainment. Whether consciously or not, I was oblivious to the many wonderful food establishments in my own neighborhood. But it can’t get much worse than the following example of quasi-elitism. I love fresh natural foods and literally around the corner from my house there is a vegetarian FAST FOOD restaurant that I passed by for about six years!
Quite by accident, I found out about Vegisoul at a business meeting after I mentioned a preference for vegetarian cuisine to my colleagues. Much to my delight, the food is great and minutes away from my home.
Since 2004, Vegisoul has been delighting customers with their signature vegan soul food creations. Many regular patrons of this hidden gem are from the Westside, Downtown and students of nearby USC. Over 90 percent of the menu is vegan with many soy-free options. There are no microwaves, no heat lamps and no MSG. The menu offers vegan German Chocolate Cake, Virgin Mojitos, BBQ Chik’un and the best veggie burger in town, just to name a few favorites.
Vegisoul uses fresh produce and prepares their food using distilled water. The menu is filled with affordable and healthy food choices blatantly missing from local fast food chains and so needed in our community. The founder, Mr. Hotep, set out to combine his love of vegetarian and soul food and make them available right here in the South Los Angeles. Who said fast food couldn’t be whole food? Taking dishes developed from his own kitchen, he created Vegisoul, healthy take-out for people on the go.
Another lesson learned. We often forego local businesses in South L.A. for the “greener grass” of more affluent areas, not knowing we may be passing up on some really great places in our own neighborhoods.
VEGISOUL is located at 1436 W. Jefferson Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90007. For more information, call 323.731.8344 or visit www.MYVegisoul.com.
Photo credit: Vegisoul