Detroit Vegan Soul: What’s Vegetarian Editorial Review

Detroit Vegan Soul proves that plant-based eating and serious comfort food are not in conflict. The restaurant at 19614 Grand River Ave in Detroit’s Grandmont-Rosedale neighborhood is the city’s first 100% plant-based soul food spot, and it has been feeding Detroiters since 2013. Every item on the menu is vegetarian and vegan, with no dairy, no eggs, and no animal by-products of any kind. PETA named it the #1 vegan soul food restaurant in the country, and the kitchen has served everyone from Stevie Wonder to former President Bill Clinton.

What’s vegan and vegetarian at Detroit Vegan Soul

Everything. This is a 100% vegan restaurant. The kitchen uses no meat, no fish, no dairy, no eggs, and no animal by-products of any kind. The entire menu is safe for vegetarians and vegans alike, with no need to interrogate the server about hidden ingredients. Founders Kirsten Ussery and Erika Boyd built the concept around whole foods without GMOs, additives, preservatives, refined flours, refined sugars, or dairy. Many dishes are also gluten-free or soy-free, so it’s worth asking when you order.

Signature dishes to order

The southern fried tofu is the dish Kirsten Ussery describes as the one that makes you forget about chicken. The kitchen seasons and fries it to a crisp outside and tender inside, and it shows up in several forms: on plates, in sandwiches, and as the base for the fried tofu and waffles. The DVS burger and the plant-based pepper steak are repeat-order favorites. The soul platter covers all the bases with mac and cheese, collard greens, yams, black-eyed peas, and cornbread. If you want something lighter, the almond tempeh with brown mushroom gravy, fried rice, and sesame broccoli hits different. Spring rolls stuffed with smoked collard greens and sweet chili sauce are a standout starter. The catfish sandwich is tofu-based and draws serious praise in reviews.

How to order

Detroit Vegan Soul operates primarily as a counter-service and online-order spot. You can place orders through the website at detroitvegansoul.com or use the in-store kiosk. The restaurant offers takeout and delivery, and the catering operation (available through Toast) extends the menu to events. Hours run Monday through Friday, 11:30am to 7:30pm. Call ahead at (313) 727-1973 if you want to confirm current availability, since hours have shifted over the years as the team has found its footing after reopening the Grandmont location in 2022. No reservations are needed for walk-in counter service.

What to watch out for

Cross-contamination is not a concern here because the kitchen never handles animal products. That said, a handful of reviews note that the portions can feel small relative to the price, and the menu changes, so a favorite dish from a past visit may not always be on the rotation. The restaurant has also dealt with operational hiccups since the West Village location closed permanently in January 2022. The Grandmont spot is open and active, but hours can vary, so checking the website or calling before you go saves a wasted trip. Parking along Grand River Ave is street parking only.

Is Detroit Vegan Soul worth it?

Yes, if you are anywhere near Detroit and want plant-based food that actually delivers on flavor. This is not a salad-and-smoothie operation. Detroit Vegan Soul serves real comfort food built from scratch using mostly organic, locally sourced ingredients from Michigan farms and producers. The founders turned a personal health crisis into a restaurant that earned a national reputation and a devoted following. HappyCow users rate it 4.5 stars. Google sits at 4.4. The Tripadvisor score (3.6 from 18 reviews) is an outlier likely reflecting the operational turbulence of the 2022 transition period. For any vegetarian or vegan visitor to Detroit, this is a must-visit. For omnivores, the fried tofu and the soul platter are genuinely convincing evidence that plant-based soul food belongs in the conversation.