Imagine Vegan Cafe

Imagine Vegan Cafe Restaurant Review:

Imagine Vegan Café occupies an old house in the Cooper-Young Historic District. Eating here feels more like dining at your mom’s than in a restaurant. And that’s what owners Adam and Kristie Jeffrey want. Three separate dining rooms fill the former bedrooms and living room of the house, and two of the rooms are separated by a fireplace. Despite such names as “chicken,” “beef” or “cheese,” everything is made without animal products. Mock meats, such as seitan, compose a faux Philly cheesesteak or faux beef tips over rice. But the fried eggplant sandwich or the garlicky Southern-style beans and greens over brown rice work as vegetable-based mains. Among the popular items, the Big Smack is a vegan version of a Big Mac with two non-beef patties and special sauce, and pizzas piled with plant-based pepperoni, pineapple and myriad vegetables. The wide selection of vegan desserts includes a rich, creamy peanut butter milkshake, cupcakes, layer cakes, brownies and cookie sandwiches by baker Stephanie Roy of Swell Baked Goods. Some brunch dishes, such as the massive Memphis Slam (biscuits topped with gravy, vegan sausage, tofu scramble and vegan cheese) are served anytime, but special menu items also appear. Numerous quality brews are available, too. Patrons may bring their own wine for a $3 corkage fee.