Jokes like “What’s the ancient word for a vegan? Bad hunter!” were funny when we were about 15 years old. Now it just feels a bit silly. Giggles aside, we’re heading straight to flavour town. Sorry, Guy Fieri, you’re not invited. Buckle up and sit tight because we’re visiting one of our favourite vegan spots in Joburg.
What started out as a dietary change soon turned into a lifestyle and eventually a business for self-taught chef and owner Werner Prinsloo when The Fussy Vegan opened its doors on 21 January 2018.
Werner noticed that there was a gap in the market for good vegan food on the go. “There are only so many times you can eat plain salted Lays,” he jokes.
The gap in the market Werner is referring to is vegan fast food. The kind of food you grab on the way to work, but better. With that said, this hidden vegan gem does not slap a sandwich together and send you on your way. The aim here is what Werner calls “slow fast food”. The Fussy Vegan focuses on meals that are quick but made with real attention to detail.
An example of this is the toasted tofu mayo and bacon sandwich.
Wait, bacon?
Yes, vegan bacon.
It's made from seitan, a wheat gluten meat substitute that dates back to 6th century China. Werner is a bit of a mad scientist in the kitchen and enjoys experimenting with different ingredients. Patrons can expect dishes such as mushroom risotto, mac and cheese, shiitake lasagna, and a variety of other comfort foods.
The menu also includes a range of plant-based burgers, wraps and bowls that recreate familiar comfort foods using ingredients such as tofu, mushrooms and seitan. Popular options include the Tofu Facon Sub, Seitan Strib Burger, Breakfast Burrito and Texan Chimichanga. Even die-hard carnivores have been known to enjoy them.
The Fussy Vegan has grown since opening its first location. What began as a single takeaway spot has expanded to multiple branches across Johannesburg, including Blairgowrie, Greenside and Fourways, as well as a location in Cape Town. The original Blairgowrie store, located at a service station near Vega School, is where it all started. The Greenside branch on Gleneagles Road has become a popular spot with seating available, while the Fourways location makes it easier for those in the northern suburbs to get their vegan fix.
The Fussy Vegan is also well priced for the freshness you get. For roughly the same price as a chicken mayo wrap at Woolworths, you can get a toasted sandwich and something sweet on the side. Alongside the food menu, the store stocks pressed fruit and vegetable juices, kombucha, vegan cheeses, yoghurts and other plant-based products.
All in all, The Fussy Vegan is well worth a visit. The service is friendly, the atmosphere is relaxed, and the food is seriously good.
Be warned, though. The toasted BLT and the burgers can get you hooked. There's usually a lunchtime rush, so try popping in before or after the usual lunch hour. If a place is busy at lunch, it usually means the food is worth it.
Can I tell you a vegan joke?
I promise it won’t be cheesy.
