It’s not a phrase you hear every day — unless you’re lucky enough to live in Atlanta — so what’s the deal with the Slutty Vegan and how do we have a One Night Stand with it?
Stop clutching your pearls guys, because Slutty Vegan is the hottest vegan burger joint in Atlanta, Georgia. Friends don’t let friends burger-shame, but if you haven’t enjoyed one of the myriad of stacked plant-based menu items here, you might not have lived yet. The question is, what makes them so newsworthy and special?
The making of a legend
Founded in the midst of a craving for junk food, the Slutty Vegan name is the brainchild of Pinky Cole, who described it as referring to vegans who aren’t afraid to get down and dirty with old-fashioned junk food. As long as the patty isn’t made from anything that has to be killed, it’s fair vegan game and ripe for topping with decadent vegan cheese, faux shrimp, avocado and anything else Cole can dream of.
Has the name caused a little confusion? Of course, but you can’t deny that it’s a great marketing technique. If it makes your eyebrows rise, there’s a good chance that plenty of people are talking about it, and that’s exactly what’s happened with Slutty Vegan. First came the shock, then came the taste tests and now, the Atlanta-based restaurants are a favourite with celebrities, locals and tourists alike. Not to mention vegans and non-vegans, both of which queue around the block to buy.
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What makes Slutty Vegan different?
Basically, everything. The restaurants are a moment in time, changing by the minute according to the soundtrack that’s playing or which servers are at work that day. You could visit twice in a 24-hour period and have a totally different experience with only two things being the same: the customer service and the food quality.
Vegan food has come a long way, especially in recent years, but until Slutty Vegan came about in 2018, there hadn’t been a viable plant-based junk food alternative. We’re talking unapologetically juicy burgers, fresh salad, heavy cheese and dogs that don’t stop barking until they hit your stomach. Cole saw the gap in the market because she wished for those foods herself and when she couldn’t find them, she made them. Created by a vegan, for everyone that loves proper junk food. That’s what makes Slutty Vegan unique.
What’s on the menu?
Slutty Vegan restaurants, as well as the food truck that is available for hire, serve up a broad scope of foods including burgers, hot dogs, fries, desserts and drinks (the slushies are to die for). Some of the most highly recommended choices are:
One Night Stand Burger: A rich vegan patty loaded with vegan bacon, cheese, caramelised onions, lettuce, tomato and ‘Slut Sauce’.
Sloppy Toppy Burger: A burger with all the regular additions, plus a thick layer of spicy jalapeños.
Ménage à Trois Burger: Vegan bacon, cheese, shrimp. What doesn’t this burger have? It’s one of the most ordered options, with customers enjoying the sauce of asking their server for it.
Slutty Fries: French fries served with a coating of ‘Slut Dust’. Yep, slut dust.
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Clever name, unforgettable food
Here’s the thing. It’s not a stretch for an entrepreneur to come up with a fun name that creates some mystique around itself but following that up with a globally sought after-product? That takes skill and personal investment. Cole might make light of the Slutty Vegan moniker but it was a high mantle to live up to. That being said, we can’t say no to any of her burger recipes, so maybe we’re the ones who are easy?
