After a few brief pop-ups in the city, Slutty Vegan, a Black woman-owned, plant-based restaurant, has decided to open up a permanent location between 12th and H street.
Slutty Vegan is a plant-based vegan restaurant, serving tasty variations of Jamaican-inspired and American burgers. The new location is part of a $25 million nationwide franchise expansion as result of Series A funding from Danny Meyer’s “Enlightened Hospitality Investments” and Richelieu Dennis’ “New Voices Fund,” according to Forbes Magazine.
After her Jamaican restaurant was destroyed by a grease fire, according to CNBC, Aisha “Pinky” Cole, a Baltimore native and graduate of the historically Black Clark Atlanta University, opened up Slutty Vegan in 2018 on the West End of Atlanta – a huge upgrade from selling her food off of Instagram and later a food truck. Since then, the restaurant has served hundreds of thousands of foodies and has seven locations across Georgia, New York and Alabama.
Students at Howard University have already made plans to attend the new location, raving about the new vegan options available near campus. Taloria Edwards, a junior nursing major from Detroit, resonates with the mission of the restaurant – to get the Black community excited about great tasting and healthier food options since the community suffers from so many heart and gut health issues.
“People need to start eating better and what better way to get people excited than a Slutty Vegan in D.C.,” she said.
Some students from Atlanta such as senior political science major Justice Crwaford, are happy to see more familiar places from home.
“I think D.C. needs Slutty Vegan. There are vegan places up here, but the food is bland. A lot of it doesn’t have that southern love. Even though it’s vegan, it still has the flavor like you’re eating your mom’s food or something. It’ll bring more value and influence to the city,” Crawford said.
With such positive reviews and anticipations, Slutty Vegan is continuing their expansion. The restaurant’s executive team recently partnered with MACRO, a global media agency, to set up a catered activation at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival. The D.C. location has yet to release a tentative grand opening date.
Copy edited by Chanice McClover-Lee
