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'It was exhausting': LA vegan restaurants are putting meat back on the menu
SF Gate ^ | December 5, 2023 | By Karen Palmer

Posted on 12/05/2023 10:40:21 AM PST by Oldeconomybuyer

California has been at the forefront of healthful eating and plant-based cuisine for decades, from restaurants like Chez Panisse in Berkeley to Michael’s in greater Los Angeles. But despite decades of offering meatless this or gluten-free that, some Southern California restaurants have recently decided that going entirely vegan is not a recipe for long-term financial success.

After years of being vegan, some very well-known LA restaurants are adding meat, dairy or both to their menus to appeal to a larger audience.

Even in a city like Los Angeles, which has consistently been named one of the most vegan-friendly cities for its plethora of meat-free dining options, targeting the vegan market may prove to be too limiting. A Gallup poll in August of this year, for instance, found that only 1% of Americans identify as vegans, with 4% considering themselves vegetarian.

“For the past three years as a vegan restaurant, it was exhausting trying to build that community. We were always petitioning for people to come to the restaurant,” he says.

The challenge of a vegan menu is one that even owners of successful plant-based restaurants can relate to. Heather Tierney, who has operated an outpost of her vegetarian restaurant the Butcher’s Daughter in LA since 2016, believes that appealing strictly to vegans is too limiting.

“There aren’t enough vegans in the cities we’re in. If you’re just targeting vegans, you’re losing out on a larger demographic,” Tierney says. “Plus, vegan food was traditionally thought of as bland, and not necessarily good for you, with ingredients like cashew cream. Part of our secret of winning customers is to be more inclusive.”

(Excerpt) Read more at sfgate.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Culture/Society; News/Current Events; US: California
KEYWORDS: meat; vegan; wankers
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1 posted on 12/05/2023 10:40:21 AM PST by Oldeconomybuyer
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To: Oldeconomybuyer

Eliminating over half the population from your customer base is not a good business model...............


2 posted on 12/05/2023 10:41:25 AM PST by Red Badger (Homeless veterans camp in the streets while illegal aliens are put up in hotels.....................)
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To: Oldeconomybuyer

Bill Gates is throwing a tantrum now.


3 posted on 12/05/2023 10:41:54 AM PST by Vahan1987
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To: Oldeconomybuyer

Common sense takes over again.

Plus it’s tough to put a $50 tag on a bowl of lentils.


4 posted on 12/05/2023 10:43:24 AM PST by JudyinCanada (America's enemies want you to "trust the plan." Fight in reality, not the rabbit holes.)
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To: Oldeconomybuyer
When you have to beg adults to eat the food you prepared like they are small children, you are not a good cook.

Go into some other line of work.

5 posted on 12/05/2023 10:45:17 AM PST by Harmless Teddy Bear (Keep America Beautiful by keeping Canadian Trash Out. Deport Jennifer Granholm!)
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To: Oldeconomybuyer
If you’re just targeting vegans, you’re losing out on a larger demographic

Particularly the "demographic" that's taking over California. Not too many illegals coming across the border feel guilty about eating bacon cheeseburgers.

6 posted on 12/05/2023 10:45:18 AM PST by Tell It Right (1st Thessalonians 5:21 -- Put everything to the test, hold fast to that which is true.)
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To: Oldeconomybuyer

So the “powers that be” are trying to get meat off the table/menu & the ‘vegan’ restaurants are putting it back on ... that’s just hilariously ironic.


7 posted on 12/05/2023 10:45:52 AM PST by Qiviut (If the genocide was unintentional, they would have pulled the poison vaccines, long ago.)
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To: Vahan1987
Bill Gates is throwing a tantrum now.

I would imagine he's having a cow.

8 posted on 12/05/2023 10:47:35 AM PST by ImJustAnotherOkie
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To: Oldeconomybuyer

It’s that goshdarn ol’ free market again. Plus, vegans don’t eat bugs. Might as well plan for the future.


9 posted on 12/05/2023 10:54:06 AM PST by Billthedrill
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To: Oldeconomybuyer

Translated:

Vegans are exhausting!


10 posted on 12/05/2023 10:54:21 AM PST by aMorePerfectUnion (I didn't come here to guide lambs, but to awaken lions - 🦅MAGADONIAN⚔️)
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To: Oldeconomybuyer

I once bought some of that ‘impossible meat’ at the store. When I looked at it, I just threw it away.

(And I LIKE old school vegeburgers. I just couldn’t stomach the way this stuff looked. Since we eat a lot with our eyes, I haven’t expected it to do well.)


11 posted on 12/05/2023 10:55:38 AM PST by Jamestown1630 ("A Republic, if you can keep it.")
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To: JudyinCanada

$63.95

Oh - you said a $50 BOWL of lentils, not a BAG.

My mistake....

12 posted on 12/05/2023 10:59:02 AM PST by GaltAdonis
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To: Oldeconomybuyer
obligatory:


13 posted on 12/05/2023 11:00:08 AM PST by verum ago (I figure some people must truly be in love, for only love can be so blind.)
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To: Oldeconomybuyer

The funny thing is that the effort may not attract many non- vegans. But on the other hand, may drive away vegan purists for fear of “cross contamination” of their vegan meals or for their political obsession being rejected.


14 posted on 12/05/2023 11:00:18 AM PST by sjmjax
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To: Oldeconomybuyer

A kitchen without butter is a kitchen without love.


15 posted on 12/05/2023 11:06:08 AM PST by thegagline (Sic semper tyrannis! Goldwater in 2024)
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To: Oldeconomybuyer

Used to visit Zott’s often. Burgers, dogs and beer.

https://www.alpineinnpv.com/


16 posted on 12/05/2023 11:06:22 AM PST by sasquatch
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To: Oldeconomybuyer
Maybe they're just lousy cooks. I've had delicious vegan food before (seitan that tasted like pastrami, jack fruit that tasted like pulled pork) but you have to know what you're doing and be good at it.

I would love to have a good vegetarian or vegan restaurant here in Southwest Florida but it's pretty much chain restaurants, bar food type places, or steak and lobster houses.

17 posted on 12/05/2023 11:07:34 AM PST by Lizavetta
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To: Red Badger
Eliminating over half the population

Closer to 97% eliminated nationwide. Although the percentage of vegans is likely higher in Kali

18 posted on 12/05/2023 11:10:26 AM PST by PAR35
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To: Red Badger

Read the article. It’s 99% hours f the population


19 posted on 12/05/2023 11:10:30 AM PST by cyclotic (Don’t be part of the problem. Be the entire problem)
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To: Oldeconomybuyer

Ex-vegans tell me it’s a difficult regimen to follow and stay healthy.


20 posted on 12/05/2023 11:12:08 AM PST by SaxxonWoods (Successful People Have a Sense of Gratitude. Unsuccessful People Have a Sense of Entitlement)
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