In November 2023, Brick City Vegan became Montclair, New Jersey’s only 100% plant-based vegan restaurant.
Today, its culinary commitment is rooted in changing the culture’s mindset about eating plant-based foods. Brick City Vegan founders Adenah Bayoh and chef Emeka Onugha provide an array of dishes, such as made-from-scratch biscuits and plant-based burgers, that are not only better for its diners but for the planet overall, KGET.com reports.
“I made the choice to become a vegan due to some health issues that I found myself dealing with,” Bayoh recalled in an interview with Blavity. “The food I loved growing up suddenly started making me sick, so I knew I had to listen to my body. It hasn’t always been easy because I’m a big foodie! I absolutely love good-tasting, satisfying food, and for a long time, people believed that being vegan meant we only eat lettuce, fruits, and veggies. Brick City Vegan is here to show the world that a plant-based diet can be just as tasty and fulfilling as a meat-based one. We offer plant-based options for everyone, no matter what your taste is.”
When the company’s first location opened in July 2021 in downtown Newark, NJ, Bayoh says the city showed an outpouring of love and support. Expanding the restaurant to two locations, including the one in Montclair, came with its own set of challenges, but Bayoh says the journey was worth it in the end.
“Expanding to open two Brick City Vegan locations was exciting but challenging. Between the planning and then finding the funding to make it happen, it took a lot of people to make it happen,” said Bayoh to Blavity. “I have a great team of people behind me, though, so it came together. We successfully grew our business and positively impacted our communities by staying true to our mission of providing delicious, plant-based cuisine while prioritizing customer satisfaction and community engagement.”
As a self-taught chef, Onugha recalled his culinary journey that led to Brick City Vegan.
“My culinary journey includes all types of cuisine. Vegan food was an area I knew could not be ignored, so I made it a staple in my menu offerings,” he told Blavity. “Building a vegan menu differs greatly from building a non-vegan menu. If I attempt to mimic the flavor profile of meat, I must find plant-based ingredients that still give the taste and texture of meat. If I am creating a vegan dish that is solely inspired by plants, I have more freedom of ingredients but am challenged to create something satiating that can stand alone and not come off as just a side. It’s a beautiful process, and I love the challenge!”
While fan favorites include Brick City Vegan’s in-house burgers, which include a black-eyed pea burger, a sweet potato burger, and a chickpea burger, Bayoh admits that the restaurant’s “create-your-own” bowl continues to hold the key to her heart.
