All vegan restaurant, Plantz Cafe, now open
DRACUT, Mass. – A new 100 percent vegan and gluten-free cafe is seeing its business grow quite rapidly, organically of course.
Owners and employees at Plantz Cafe, located at 1734 Lakeview Ave. in Dracut, Massachusetts, celebrated their grand opening on Nov. 10. Majority owner Mystie Ziminsky said since then, the business has continued to grow. She and her friend Brett MacLean co-own the eatery, while she and Chef de Cuisine Lauren D’Agostino are Institute for Integrative Nutrition health coaches.
“It’s really been an organic marketing so far,” Ziminsky said.
Being 100 percent gluten-free has been a huge draw for them, especially since customers who have celiac or any type of gluten allergies are able to order anything on the menu.
“You can have a full entire life and menu with 100 percent gluten-free,” Ziminsky said.
Owners and employees try to offer foods that are raw and as fresh and local as possible, which so far has been a hit among locals and area residents, including Mindy Abodeely, who was enjoying the cafe Tuesday morning.
Plantz Cafe offers a range both Smoothyz and Smoothy Bowlz, including Awake-accino, Bright Blue Sea and Maui Mylk to name a few.
“I have a dairy allergy, so going out to eat is always stressful,” Abodeely said. “So, coming in here, dairy is not a factor.”
Ziminsky said Smoothy Bowlz are quite popular. Other favorites include their burgers, pizza, nachos and macaroni and cheese, which she said is the top seller at the moment. The macaroni and cheese features lentil and rice noodles covered in their homemade cashew queso cheese.
“It’s pretty much a macro complete meal,” Ziminsky said. “There’s 20 grams of plant-based protein in the noodles.”
At Plantz Cafe, they are trying to show customers it is possible to eat less food, while receiving more nutrition. Moreover, as they continue offering healthy comfort food that nourishes the body, she said more and more people are becoming aware of what they eat and how it directly correlates to how one feels and how one performs in life. She said it was a pleasant surprise that this area features many health and wellness-minded people.
“I’m not vegan myself, although I’m starting to wonder if I should be,” Abodeely said. “Any questions that I have they can answer, and they are excited to answer and they’re excited to share the knowledge that they have about a vegan lifestyle, and that’s appreciated.”
Ziminsky said there is an emphasis placed on customer service at Plantz Cafe, as employees treat customers as friends and family so that folks feel at home when they walk through their doors. The cafe features a warm, cozy environment with couches for people to sit on while grabbing a bite to eat.
“I know so many people. They gravitate to fast food because it’s quick,” Abodeely said. “This is no more time consuming and it’s so much higher quality, and it fuels you.”
The cafe offers from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, as well as from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. It is closed Wednesdays.
More information and a complete menu can be found online at, https://www.plantzcafe.com/.
Adam Urquhart may be contacted at 594-1206, or at aurquhart@nashuatelegraph.com.