Interview: The Fussy Vegan, Where Delicious Meets Compassion

Read Time:6 Minute, 48 Second

Are you ready for a vegan experience like no other? Look no further than The Fussy Vegan, the 100% vegan franchise taking Cape Town and Johannesburg by storm.

Founded on the principle of compassion for animals, The Fussy Vegan is unapologetically vegan and proud of it. But don’t let their commitment to animal rights fool you – the food is absolutely delicious. From hearty burgers to delicious burritos, The Fussy Vegan proves that vegan food can be just as tasty, if not more so, than its non-vegan counterparts.

But it’s not just the food that sets The Fussy Vegan apart – the service is top-notch as well. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable about the menu, and always happy to make recommendations.

But what really sets The Fussy Vegan apart is its celebration of veganism. As a vegan franchise, they are committed to spreading awareness of the benefits of a plant-based diet not only for the animals but also for the environment and our health.

So if you’re looking for a vegan dining experience that’s truly one-of-a-kind, head to The Fussy Vegan in Cape Town or Johannesburg. Trust me, your taste buds (and your conscience) will thank you.

I had a quick chat with Werner Prinsloo from The Fussy vegan to learn more about what they are all about, check out the interview below:

How did The Fussy Vegan come to be, and what inspired you to start a vegan restaurant? “The Fussy Vegan exists as my contribution to the animal liberation movement, unashamedly for the animals, TFV exists as a model of a food business where the main objective was not to make money off of living beings but to create an alternative to consuming animals and their secretions.”

What’s the story behind the name “The Fussy Vegan”? “Personally when making the decision to become vegan, I faced a lot of ridicule, it became obvious to me that for many people, remaining oblivious to the violent treatment of animals in our society was a way to fuel the disconnect that allows them not to deal with the reality. They would use humour as a defence tactic when faced with the obvious dilemma of the violent treatment and commodification of living, feeling beings and their offspring. I decided to lean into that and created a name that embraced all the derogatory comments from family and friends unwilling to even consider veganism. Creating a brand name that would resonate with both sides of the issue. Whilst at the same time being proudly and unapologetically vegan.”

What sets The Fussy Vegan apart from other vegan restaurants? “We are not ashamed to be a vegan business, we do not use terms like plant-based to avoid the ‘stigma’ of veganism. We are vegan for the animals and there should be no confusion around that. We are a humble brand that is for everyone vegan or not, to give our customers access to yummy vegan food that is made with quality ingredients and presented in a no-fuss kind of way (once again playing on the humorous notion that being vegan makes you fussy).”

Can you tell us about your menu? What are some of the most popular dishes? “Our menu lives in a Tex-Mex realm offering american-style meals such as subs and burgers as well as Mexican-inspired options like burritos and chimichangas. We offer Gluten free options on Burger buns and Toasties. Our customers absolutely love our subs and burritos. Our tofu bowl is also a worthy competitor in the popularity game.”

What is your favourite dish on the menu and why? “Personally I love the breakfast burrito. It is such a well-rounded meal that leaves me satisfied every time.”

What has been the most rewarding aspect of running The Fussy Vegan? “The most rewarding aspect of running TFV has most certainly been the realisation that we have created a space where other vegans have found validation. People do not stop consuming animals because they do not like doing so. They make the sacrifice in the hope of making a positive change down the line. Our community has voted us as the best vegan restaurant in Joburg for 2 years running which truly warms our hearts as we realise that we are achieving our goal of spreading the love of veganism through delicious vegan food.”

How does The Fussy Vegan work to promote veganism? “We exist as a banner for veganism. We create awareness in many different ways by welcoming every person regardless of what they do or don’t eat to experience what veganism is about. We will only ever exist as a fully vegan brand. Showing brands like WW who have sent many a scout to our stores, that we do not need to profit off of animals because we exist as a new kind of business for a new kind of consumer that is considering the ramifications of big corporate greed.”

Can you tell us about the community The Fussy Vegan has built? How do you involve your customers in the restaurant? “We are extremely privileged to have a large family of “Fussy Vegans” that see what it is that we are doing in this realm. Many who have supported us since the start as well as many newcomers to our community. We pride ourselves in spreading the message of veganism beyond the debate stage and into people’s tummies where they are able to see, taste and experience how delicious vegan food truly is. We see this in action when our community brings their non-vegan friends and family to enjoy a delicious meal made with love.”

How do you source your ingredients, and what do you look for when choosing them? “We have various suppliers that we have found. We have always supported small local suppliers that produce great quality vegan products like cheeses and seitan. We do not have any fresh produce delivered as we always go out to select the freshest and the best quality available.”

How do you create new and exciting dishes while staying true to a plant-based menu? “We are all about flavour and satisfaction. We pride ourselves on consistently producing the meals our customers love. We introduce one or two new menu options per annum but generally, we have achieved a standard menu like would be expected with any mainstream take-out restaurant.”

How do you stay up-to-date with the latest trends in veganism and the restaurant industry? “To be honest, we truly exist in our own little bubble when it comes to this. We like to do what rings true to us and not necessarily jump on to industry trends.”

What is the most memorable moment you’ve had while running The Fussy Vegan? “Being voted the Best of Joburg for the second year running was definitely a major event for us.”

How do you ensure that your customers are satisfied with their meals and experience at The Fussy Vegan? “We believe that good food starts with happy and well-trained staff. We love all the women who work in our kitchens and do what we can to ensure a favourable working environment for all. Health and safety training is also a top priority for us. Beyond that, we value customer feedback and do what we can to maintain the standard expected of TFV.”

What does the future hold for The Fussy Vegan? Any expansion plans or new exciting projects in the works? “As with most food businesses, we are still finding our footing after the major impact of the Covid lockdowns amongst a debilitating electricity load shedding schedule. We hope that the energy supply in our country will soon return to what it needs to be for our economy to thrive. For now, we will continue to focus on our existing locations but hope that in the near future, we would be able to spread awareness to more cities across South Africa.”