VEG-N started as a food truck, serving up plant-based American classics. Now it's a vegetarian and vegan restaurant on the edge of Old Town.
Vegan food isn't exactly a staple of the Lansing region, but, since the restaurant opened last week, it's done a brisk business in from plant-based chicken sandwiches, black bean burgers and much more.
"The community has been wonderful. They've really been coming out to support. It's been really amazing. It's been a good first week, all things considered," said owner Christabelle Dozeman.
Catherine Nicoli and Joe Ramey both follow a vegan diet and decided to try VEG-N for lunch after finding out about it online.
"Sometimes it's hard to get a full vegan meal at places. Sometimes you can just get a side, or something can be made vegan. So, a place that actually caters to a full vegan diet is pretty nice," Ramey said.
About four years ago, Dozeman fell in love with eating plant-based meals, and she wanted to share her experience with others.
"Kind of just help them realize that you know even if it's once a week or you know if you're shifting your lifestyle or however you want it to be, vegan, vegetarian food can be delicious. It can, you know, make you be like, okay, yes, I can do this. It's easy," Dozeman said.
The concept for VEG-N started in April of 2019. That fall, Dozeman launched a food truck.
She decided to expand, she said, because, "it's really the right time. Lansing does not have, you know, just a place that's vegetarian and vegan. Everything is like shifting towards that, and we really really needed a place like that in Lansing. And just having the drive-thru opportunity really just made it happen."
Dozeman still has the food truck, but it's up in the air what exactly she will be doing with it.
"We will see if events come back this summer or not," said Dozeman.
VEG-N is located at 902 E César E. Chávez Ave. in Lansing. It's open Monday through Friday from 11:30 a.m. until 8 p.m.
