Turning Vegan Dining into an Accessible Adventure with Bougie Bites STL
Bougie Bites, the Black-woman owned food truck, celebrates laid-back American fare with a plant-based twist.
Owner Latoya Elnora also celebrated her second year in business this year. She first opened during one of the biggest parties of the year: Mardi Gras 2023. Elnora said, from the start, she had her eye on building a loyal fanbase that would come to crave her food.
“I wanted to create more accessibility in the plant-based space,” she said. “Many people assume vegan food is expensive, exclusive, or lacking flavor, and I wanted to change that. I also wanted to provide a space where people — especially Black and Brown communities — could access high-quality meat alternatives without sacrificing taste or cultural familiarity.”
The menu at Bougie Bites has the American favorite burger and fries. However, you will not find cheese or beef because every ingredient is plant-based.
“We specialize in vegan comfort food with bold flavors, and our five-ounce vegan burger is at the heart of what we do. We focus on making plant-based eating approachable and delicious.”
However, Elnora said she also fuses flavors and cultures on her menu.
“Our No Cap Eggrolls are our cheeseburger eggrolls. [They] are definitely a crowd favorite! People love the crispy texture and the bold, cheesy, savory flavor.”
While the food can certainly be fun, Elnora said she has to work hard to keep her popular offerings from running out.
“Sourcing high-quality vegan and gluten-free options in bulk has been a challenge,” she admitted. “Many manufacturers discontinue products without warning, making consistency difficult. Rising food costs also impact our ability to keep prices accessible while maintaining quality.”
Tempting foodies through her Instagram and offering her food through Uber Eats, DoorDash, and her popular food truck, this Black business owner said she has worked daily to overcome challenges in launching, growing, and promoting Bougie Bites.
“Access to resources, funding, and distribution partnerships can be more difficult as a Black business owner.”
She also with the word “vegan” in front of her food, she hoped Black customers would see the menu and give Bougie Bites a try.
“There’s also the added challenge of breaking stereotypes. People assume vegan food isn’t for us, or that it’s an exclusive lifestyle. I’ve worked hard to create a space where everyone feels welcome.”
Customers not only feel welcome, they follow the food truck and the new spring hours on Instagram. Elnora loves her fans, but she also loves greeting new guests.
“Seeing people’s reactions when they try our food for the first time! I love proving that plant-based food can be just as satisfying, if not more, than traditional options. Also, building a community around food has been really rewarding.”
Elnora is looking forward to the warm weather, and with it new opportunities for her and her customers.
“We’re currently in the process of opening our first brick-and-mortar location at 10082 Page Avenue,” she said. “Going through permitting now and aiming to open in late spring. We’re also exploring opportunities for community partnerships and expanding our menu offerings.”
https://www.bougiebitesstl.com/
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