February 12, 2025

AmericanHummus

Food & Travel Enthusiast

Alabama cafe serves Southern convenience foodstuff that could shock you

Alabama cafe serves Southern convenience foodstuff that could shock you

Major, sloppy burgers. Crisp mounds of fries. Po’boys piled superior with substances. Tenders with sauces for dipping. Sweet and creamy shakes.

People in Alabama usually obtain their mouths watering when they search at the food served at Khalilah Sowell’s restaurant in Birmingham. But some are hesitant to consider it. Other folks are downright frightened.

It’s comfort cuisine with a twist — a plant-dependent twist — and that can be an unsettling strategy for traditionalists. Sowell, even so, is a innovative and decided entrepreneur who doesn’t discourage easily.

She’s on a mission to alter hearts, minds and attitudes about vegan meals — specially, the menu things at Underground Vegan, an eatery in the 5 Factors South community.

“If you’re seeking for tofu or salads, we’re not the restaurant for you,” claims Sowell, 37. “This is Southern vegan consolation foods. When I feel about that, I consider about cookouts and barbecue burgers and bacon and BLTs. Philly cheesesteaks. Incredibly savory foods, grab and go.”

Contact it vegan speedy food stuff and Sowell will not argue, as extended as you’re willing to acquire a chunk.

“That 1st bite, it shocks us and tickles us at the exact time,” Sowell says. “Our No. 1 overview is: ‘We were being shocked.’ We have consumers who occur in and say (to others), ‘I’ll pay out for your food items if you never like it.’ We experienced 1 woman who came in the other day who explained, ‘Oh, I’m not vegan. I just appreciate it right here.’ I’d say 99 % of our shoppers are not vegan at all.”

Scan the menu at Underground Vegan and you’ll see dishes that element “chickun,” “cheez,” “bakun,” “wangz,” “skrimp” and “hunnay.” That is not just innovative spelling it displays an ethical philosophy that seeks to assist the planet, regard animals and sustain the natural environment.

There is no meat on the agenda at Underground Vegan — the kitchen area relies on plant-based meat options — and no animal products and solutions are made use of in the recipes. That indicates no beef, chicken, seafood, dairy, milk, eggs, cheese or honey. Also. no byproducts of animal agriculture, these types of as lard or whey.

Sowell, a Birmingham indigenous, suggests she commenced to take a look at a vegan diet program as a freshman at Howard College, feeding on at Soul Vegetarian Cafe in close proximity to the campus.

“I’ve often been a foodie, and almost nothing beats feeding on non-cafeteria meals when you are in higher education,” Sowell says through an interview with AL.com. “My roommate was a lifelong vegetarian. She experienced hardly ever eaten meat in her lifestyle. I was variety of in and out of it all through the several years. As soon as I started viewing the rewards of vegan food items and the additional I educated myself on the life style, the animal recognition and diet program side of it … I acquired to a issue in which I was, ‘No, this is incorrect. There is no will need to eat meat.’ After you know and your eyes are open up, you can hardly ever go back.”

Whilst Sowell is happy to examine her factors for adopting a vegan eating plan, she’s not preaching to the clients who take a look at Underground Vegan at 2012 Magnolia Ave. South.

As an alternative, Sowell is attractive the tastebuds, demonstrating the attractiveness of vegan foods in a immediate and delectable way. Delicious-searching photographs of the menu objects at Underground Vegan, on a regular basis posted on social media, really do not hurt both.

“People take in with their eyes and they know what a burger appears to be like like,” Sowell states. “With vegan food stuff, they have to see it. No tofu (in the dish) and it does not seem like we’re feeding on branches.”

Sowell — a homeschool mother with 5 children and a banker partner — established her business about 3 yrs in the past, spurred by a really like of vegan food items and a talent for cooking. Underground Vegan began as a touring pop-up store, then settled in for a thriving run at the West Homewood Farmer’s Marketplace.

“The very first point I did was get accredited,” Sowell suggests. “I would phone community organizations, arrive at out to people today and notify them, ‘I would like to set up a tent and provide meals.’ Fortunately for us, the West Homewood Farmer’s Market was open. I set up a tent, experienced my gear and served food stuff. From there, we had two-hour strains. The lines bought for a longer period and extended and longer.

“From there, I made a decision I desired a food truck to be additional cell,” Sowell says. “There ended up very long traces again. Folks did not head ready, but I care. Which is the giver in me. I’m pretty massive on purchaser knowledge. I opened a restaurant since I wanted to provide much more folks who want this food.”

Underground Vegan opened its brick-and-mortar location in June 2021, supplying sandwiches, burgers, baskets, shakes, sides and much more. Specials were included to the menu — a few-bean chili proved to be a beloved, along with mac and cheez — and the restaurant’s fan base ongoing to improve.

“They explain to you in company school to have a target current market, but we really don’t,” Sowell suggests. “All persons are welcome. There is an ambiance of appreciate and loved ones and society at our restaurant. We want you to appear in, have a burger and really feel good while you’re listed here.”

Lots of folks in Birmingham will identify the site of Underground Vegan as the former home of Cosmo’s Pizza, an legendary eatery that shut in 2016. Sowell says she chose the spot in 5 Points South for the reason that the building was structurally seem and substantial construction wasn’t needed for her restaurant.

At the very least one intangible variable arrived into engage in, as effectively, maybe thanks to all the superior vibes produced by Cosmo’s. “I’m all about the strength,” Sowell states, “and I realized the electricity was ideal.”

Like lots of dining establishments in Alabama, Underground Vegan has faced issues owing to the coronavirus pandemic, such as shortages of foodstuff, employees and primary supplies such as cups, lids and containers. The cafe closed in early January for a reboot and reopened about two weeks afterwards with new hours: Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 1 p.m.-6 p.m. Fridays, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturdays noon-5 p.m.

The day-to-day menu was trimmed a little bit, as properly, to concentration on core dishes with elements that are readily offered.

“The way we have been in a position to sustain and continue to keep heading is by not quitting,” Sowell suggests. “You normally want to go for it, and surround your self with people and constructive energy. Indeed, you are heading to have employees shortages. You stop and pause. You pivot, but you hold likely, pushing by means of all the challenges. It is so worth it if you are passionate about what you’re doing.”

Vegan restaurants have popped up in Alabama in recent many years, this sort of as Plant Bae in Montgomery, The Veggie in Huntsville and Vegan Time, a food items truck in Cell. Sowell claims she’s not guaranteed if a craze is at work or a movement underway, due to the fact she’s been intent on developing her personal organization.

“When I glance at the eyesight I experienced for Underground Vegan, I was not searching to the remaining or the right,” Sowell suggests. “It’s all about peace, like and acceptance for foods. If there is a movement for vegan foodstuff, I want to see it. I just can’t wait. And I’m happy to get to be at the forefront of it in Birmingham.”

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