With menu items like Kale Satan and War Pig (a vegan hot dog with sautéed kale, cashew cheese or lentil chili), it’s clear that the folks behind mobile food company Onion Maiden are fans of heavy metal and puns.
They’re also devoted to providing appealing options for those who don’t eat animal products. Onion Maiden — which has recently set up at Pittsburgh VegFest, the Polish Hill Arts Festival and the Strip’s Bayardstown Social Club — is all vegan, with a focus on Asian fusion.
“We make all of our own toppings, including kimchi and vegan mayo,” says Elyse Hoffman, who runs Onion Maiden with partners Diana “Dingo” Ngo and Brooks Criswell. The menu also includes baked goods and nachos: “We cater to nostalgia for vegans,” Hoffman says. “People are really excited to have nachos again.”
The idea for the pop-up restaurant was born in February, when Hoffman’s music-promoter husband was putting together a show and wanted to provide food for concert-goers. Ngo and Hoffman had already talked about collaborating on a food-service project, and gave it a shot. “The response was really positive, so we kept going.”
You can track Onion Maiden’s whereabouts on Facebook and Twitter, though Hoffman says a food truck will be in the company’s future. For now, the goal is to make food that vegans and non-vegans alike enjoy. “[We want] to make it approachable,” Hoffman says. “We’re trying to keep things fun.”
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