If you’ve frequented the intersection of Vine and Liberty streets during lunchtime recently, you may have noticed a food cart on the corner. There’s something special about this particular pop-up eatery, helmed by general partner/operator Lynette Houston: It’s the only 100-percent vegan street food cart in the Tri-State.
Houston first had the idea for a vegan food venture 15 years ago. She wanted to start a national food chain called “American Vegetarian.” Over time, her vision of the business changed as she did. “I became vegan, more self actualized and mindful of cause and effect,” she says via email. “So, Vegan St. evolved as an entry point into the street food community right here in Cincinnati.”
Though you can often find her at Vine and Liberty streets, Vegan St. doesn’t have a set schedule for when and where they will be. Houston updates her social media pages with where fans can find her daily. You can also text or call 513-341-8646 for the current location and specials.
The options for vegan food are limited in town, and that challenge was an inspiration behind starting Vegan St. “Starting with the industry’s general lack of knowledge to product availability to the redundant struggle of piecing together a meal from sparse, unfulfilling, nutritionally depleted side dishes to the awkward ordering experience itself, which singled out and ostracized vegans, I would often think, ‘It shouldn’t be this uncomfortable to dine out,'” Houston says.
Her objective for Vegan St. was to make vegan food easier to find, order and eat.
“My goal not only was to alleviate the vegan burden by creating a space/platform for us to be in charge but secondly (and more importantly) to introduce and expose the vegan lifestyle to as many people as possible. Especially children,” she says.
Every menu item offered by Vegan St. is completely vegan — from coneys and hot dogs to Philly cheesesteaks, “fish” or “pastor” tacos, to vegan ice pops and ice cream bars.
Vegan St. offers affordable bites at every location, but when stationed at the corner of Vine and Liberty Streets, food is offered at a discounted rate. Hot dogs are $3, tacos are $1 on Taco Tuesday, etc. but regardless of where they’re located, according to Houston, “You can be more than satisfied for $10 or less including a side and drink and even dessert.”
The eatery also offers discounts to seniors, teachers, students, military, first responders and health care workers with proof of ID. Vegan St. also does catering.
Houston says her next steps with Vegan St. are to add additional carts throughout the Cincinnati area as well as “dedicating a couple of them to authentic Mexican street food — 100 percent vegan of course.”
Follow Vegan St. on Facebook or visit their website for more info.
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This article appears in May 22-29, 2019.