Screaming Vegan is taking the town by storm

Screaming Vegan is a relatively new restaurant in Roanoke Va. and it is taking the town by storm. It is located at 2715 Melrose Ave. in a corner building of the Melrose Mart The eatery which opened in February sells plant based comfort food as well as fast food, and also whole foods plant based options. According to Thomas Leonard, the chef there is a need for a Vegan restaurant because many vegans find they have to ask a lot of questions when they eat at traditional restaurants. In an interview with the Roanoke Times, when the venue opened, Leonard said the goal is to serve meals that fool those who do not eat vegan.

The menu is vast and the prices are reasonable with combos averaging around $15.00 and a single sandwich can be purchased for $5.00. My favorite is the vegan cheeseburger and it does taste just like a beef cheeseburger. My three grandchildren love the hotdogs and sweet potato fries. They say they cannot tell the difference between these and beef franks. My daughter has been eating vegan for several years and she is delighted to know that this food spot is available. I am so thankful to have this healthy option in my neighborhood. There are so many people who can benefit by eating meals from this venue.

I have tried to go vegan at home but so far I cannot get the hang of it. Knowing I can stop by or have food delivered from Screaming Vegan is just what I need. For the month of April the special is the Screaming Vegan BBQ Burger! According to the restaurant's Facebook page this is an all vegan patty, that is seasoned, grilled, and brushed in barbecue sauce, with sauteed peppers, crispy onion rings, mushrooms, and onions. The burger is fried in grapeseed oil, dairy free pepperjack cheese, mayo and house made apple cider vinegar coleslaw that is sweetened with agave.

Screaming Vegan is in the heart of the black community which desperately needs this option. There are numerous fast food restaurants in the area and during the spring and summer there will be individuals selling regular hamburgers, hot dogs and hot smokes to raise money for various reasons. This is the first time a totally vegan option has been available and the community loves it. When the eatery first opened up they began the day at 1:00 PM. Today I was in the area and found out that it now opens at 11. I arrived at 11:40 and there were already customers inside and others calling to place orders.

As I waited for my food several more people arrived and I saw a few that I knew. The atmosphere reminds me of the barbershops and beauty salons in days gone by when everyone ran into someone they recognized while waiting to cut get their hair cut. There is limited seating inside for those who want to wait for their order. There are also tables outside for dining. There are several other businesses in the mini mall so you can shop while you wait. You can do pick up orders or also have your food delivered to your home.

Word has been spreading fast on social media and by word of mouth and so far there has been nothing but praise. Each time I visit this eatery there are more people waiting so vegan food is catching on. Screaming Vegan is in a neighborhood that is predominately African American. There was a time when you would not see nonblacks frequenting businesses in this neighborhood. I have been so excited to see that the clientele are from varied ethnicities and I believe this is why the restaurant is a success. Screaming Vegan is making it's mark in the area while giving customers delicious meals that are healthy.

I love the logo that says "Eat to Live" because so many people, especially African Americans are dying in part because of bad diets filled with grease and fat. The fact that Screaming Vegan is catching on indicates that more people are concerned about healthy living. I've seen customers in the age range from their 30s, to their 70s. I do believe that Screaming Vegan is not a novelty but is here to stay. I perceive that one day soon this restaurant will be like the bar in the television series Cheers. This will be the place to go where everybody knows your name and they're always glad you came.