In my eyes, the hallmark of a good vegan food venue is one where the chef can prepare honest, wholesome ingredients without making promises that a veggie burger is going to taste like a steak. Although I appreciate restaurants offering Beyond Burgers on their menus, I sometimes wonder how big of a disservice it does to a vegan food culture. The rising vegan food culture is more than just fake meat and hydrogenated oils; it's about owning the narratives and the flavors plants can provide. Conscious Eatz is just one business trying to do just that.
This mission was one of the many reasons owners Tyler Weith and Jane Morgan decided to open Conscious Eatz, a vegan food truck in Burlington. They both decided to go vegan in 2017 after living most of their adult lives as omnivores. Morgan worked for V Shops, a vegan food venue in Miami, which precipitated into a professional (and personal) interest in vegan cooking. Weith, on the other hand, focused primarily on the entrepreneurial side of running a business.
Concious Eatz's menu focuses around "approachable, yet unique" vegan offerings. You can find classics like mac & cheeze, buffalo cauliflower tacos, and chickpea "tuna" sandwiches. You can also finish off your lunch with a slice of blueberry cheeze-cake or chocolate sprinkle cake.
As a business, Jane and Tyler want to do what they can to serve the community. A couple of months ago, they sent a survey to the vegan/vegetarian community to see what kind of food would fill the niche of the area. They went forward with crafting a simple menu and designed a brand around it.
In five years, Tyler and Jane want to grow Conscious Eatz around the East Coast, with the possibility of brick-and-mortar stores in cities. They're hopeful the exposure to new plant-based offerings will encourage people to adopt more sustainable dietary practices without compromising flavor.
The Concious Eatz food truck can be found at 193 Church St. from Wednesday thru Friday or at 4 Main St. (Waterfront) on weekends.