Share
Go Vegan will offer soul food but with a plant-based twist.
A new vegan restaurant is about to enter the Wilmington dining scene.
Go Vegan, previously located in Conshohocken, Pennsylvania, is set to open at the end of September or early October. The restaurant will be located at 607 N. Lincoln St., the previous spot of V-Trap Kitchen & Lounge.
Owners Charmaine Quarles and Shaun Thomas went on their own individual journeys into veganism four and six years ago, respectively. During that time, they discovered how to make Southern and soul food classics sans meat.
“What sets us apart from a lot of vegan places is our menu is primarily soul food,” says Quarles.
Their recipes for plant-based fried chicken, fried fish, macaroni and cheese, greens and crab cakes were perfected and now grace the menu of Go Vegan, among other dishes. Quarles says they steer away from the fake meat and soy products and instead use ingredients like jackfruit, oyster mushrooms, hearts of palm and chickpeas.
Quarles and Thomas began Go Vegan in 2018, first serving customers out of their homes in Delaware County then transitioning to a restaurant space in Conshohocken that closed in April. The restaurant won Best New Vegan Restaurant from the Philly Vegan Awards in 2019.
They decided to bring Go Vegan to Wilmington when the right opportunity came their way. Plus, with Quarles being a Delaware resident, it only made sense for a shorter commute.
The restaurant’s mission is to provide the community with healthier food options. Thomas says his journey to veganism was difficult at first, with many restaurants not offering more than meatless side dishes and salads.
“This vegan thing is just eating grass all day,” he jokingly remembers.
But, now he’s discovered how many options there are in the plant-based diet. He says Go Vegan is a great middle-ground for those looking to try veganism, but don’t want to give up foods they’ve always loved.
“We wanted to give people the things that they’re used to,” he says.
Both Quarles and Thomas have felt benefits from becoming plant-based, including weight loss, more energy and an entirely new perspective on the world around them. They hope Go Vegan customers feel the same when the Wilmington location opens in a few weeks.
“[We’re] bringing the goodness of Go Vegan to this area,” Quarles says.
Go Vegan; 607 N. Lincoln St., Wilmington; facebook.com/goveganphilly