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Vegan burger food truck sensation Slutty Vegan opened its full-service restaurant, Sunday, January 13, in the former KarbonStar Vitality space on Ralph David Abernathy in the Westview neighborhood. The line formed early (and never subsided) as the six-month-old food truck’s fans clamored to be one of the first to dine at owner Pinky Cole’s new permanent establishment and partake in one of her provocatively named meat-free burgers, like the “One Night Stand” and “Ménage à Trois”.
At the end of what turned out to be an incredibly busy first day, Slutty Vegan served over 1,200 people, some of whom waited in line for hours. Cole recently told the AJC she chose the name of her business because, “Sex sells, and I think healthier eating can sell as well.”
Cole, a Clark Atlanta University graduate and former television producer, began serving the line-inducing vegan burgers last August as a delivery service. People contacted her via Instagram to place their orders. However, Cole and her meatless burgers quickly amassed a cult following, leading to a mobile kitchen and mostly late night pop-ups, announced on social media. Lines would form even before the truck arrived on scene.
Slutty Vegan’s seductive moniker may be a clever marketing ploy meant to entice people to the food truck and restaurant, but what keeps them coming back are Cole’s meat-free patties, topped with everything from vegan bacon and shrimp to guacamole, jalapeños, grilled onions, and vegan cheese — all served on a subtly sweet Hawaiian bun.
Now with a legion of followers (82,000 and counting on Instagram,) a food truck which continues to roll around town, and a permanent location in southwest Atlanta, Cole hopes to grow Slutty Vegan into a brand, while breaking down stereotypes associated with veganism.
Open Tuesday - Thursday, 4 p.m. to 12 a.m.; Friday and Saturday, 4 p.m. to 1 a.m.
1542 Ralph David Abernathy Boulevard, Atlanta. sluttyveganatl.com.
- All Westview coverage [EATL]
