Mind-Blowing Burgers: Vegan Edition
FEBRUARY 14, 2024
BY: KATIE GONCALVES
There is a special place carved out in the culinary world made specifically for those who are vegan and vegetarian. In Metro Detroit, there are several hidden gem eateries serving out-of-this-world vegan and vegetarian dishes. Foodies from across the area are flocking to these restaurants and singing their praises because even though the menu items may be plant-based, the flavors and unique qualities of the dishes make them undeniably delicious. The next time you’re looking for a restaurant, try one of these vegan and vegetarian eateries in Metro Detroit, you won’t be disappointed.
SHIMMY SHACK For a 100% vegan, gluten-free, sassy, 1950s-themed diner experience, Shimmy Shack is the food truck to find. For 11 years, Shimmy Shack has been a trailblazer in the vegan food truck scene. With a menu boasting handmade burgers, topped with all the classic fixings, Shimmy Shack has proven that vegan food is anything but boring. “Our classic burger is handmade from lentils and brown rice topped with melted veg cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickle, ketchup, and mustard. Our southwest burger is made from black beans and topped with salsa, guacamole, and lettuce,” shares Debra Levantrosser, affectionately known as Shimmy Mama. The commitment to creating delicious, healthy options has not only garnered a loyal following but has also placed Shimmy Shack among the top vegetarian food trucks in the country. Keep up with Shimmy Shack on social media to see where the truck will be popping up next.
Making Tom Yum soup with Shimmy Shack
By Deena Centofanti
Posted January 1-9-2024
Debra Levantrosser from Shimmy Shack demonstrates how to make Tom Yum soup, inspired by her time living in Thailand. For more, visit shimmyshack.com. Shimmy Shack’s Tom Yum (yummy) Soup Recipe! Recipe: Cook 2 cups dried jasmine rice or basmati rice according to the package and set aside. You can also boil some Thai rice noodles if you prefer. Set aside. SOUP: ½ cup water or 2 TBSP garlic oil or chili oil 1 TBSP minced garlic 6 x ¼ inch thick slices of fresh ginger 1 stalk of lemongrass (broken into pieces in an herb infuser) 1 TBSP lime juice NOTE: If you don’t have lime juice and lemongrass use ¼ cup tamarind paste ¼ cup fresh basil (can also use dried basil) ½ bunch cilantro (diced) 2 green onions, diced 1 TBSP Bragg’s liquid aminos (or soy sauce) 1 TBSP chili garlic sauce (more if you want it spicier but wait til the soup is done to add more) 2 cups diced tomatoes 4 cups vegetable stock 4 cups coconut milk or coconut cream 12 ounces extra firm tofu, diced\ ½ cup bean sprouts (optional) 10 ounces diced mushrooms (shiitake, oyster, lion’s mane or any mushrooms you have on hand are fine) Sautee’ the garlic, ginger, basil, cilantro, onions and tomatoes in the water/oil, Bragg’s, tamarind paste and garlic sauce for 3 minutes. Add veggie stock, coconut milk (or coconut cream), tofu, bean sprouts and mushrooms. Bring to a boil then simmer for 20 minutes. TO SERVE: The soup can be eaten alone or poured over the rice or noodles.
Meatless Monday: Vegan Caramel Apple Dip
Shimmy Shack’s Caramel Dip for Apples 1 TBSP Arrowroot or Cornstarch 2 dates (pitted and chopped) 1 ¼ cup coconut cream or full fat coconut milk ¾ cup coconut sugar ¼ tsp salt ½ tsp vanilla 1. Add arrowroot, dates, ¾ cup coconut cream/milk to food processor or blender. Blend until creamy and smooth (re-cream if date chunks are present) 2. In a saucepan add coconut sugar then add the mix from step 1. Heat on medium and WHISK for 2-4 mins. Do not boil. When glossy and deep golden brown it is done. 3. Remove saucepan from heat and add remaining ½ cup milk/cream, salt and vanilla 4. Taste 5. Cool 6. Transfer to glass jar and let cool completely 7. Put a stick in any apple of choice and dip in the caramel. Add sprinkles or chopped peanuts or swirled chocolate or even flavored buttercream. To view the video CLICK HERE
10 Best Vegan Food Trucks in America
Remember the joy that arose as a kid when you heard that telltale jingle of the ice cream truck? These vegan food trucks evoke that same emotion. Instead of procuring Sailor Moon-shaped novelties with gumball eyes with a handful of quarters, we’re frequenting these mobile kitchens for their sumptuous vegan comfort food and swiping our phones with Apple Pay. From fast food burger replicas to fluffy, savory bao, these vegan food trucks are worth chasing after.
10. Shimmy Shack
Detroit
Pretty in pink with a 50s flair, this retro vegan food truck will take you back to the days of malts and sock hops. The accessible menu includes everything from a classic vegan cheeseburger to a carrot hot dog Coney Island-style (covered in chili, diced onion, and mustard). On the sweet side, Shimmy Shack offers a variety of divine vegan cookies, shakes, and three different kinds of banana splits that will make you jitterbug with joy.
For people who suffer from food allergies, carefully reading the ingredients on food labels is a matter of self-protection. The thought of that label not being accurate is downright frightening.The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently announced it has temporarily relaxed food labeling and packaging rules for food manufacturers because of the coronavirus pandemic. The agency said it is relaxing the rules to avoid disruptions in the food chain.The move is not sitting well with groups that advocate for people with food allergies. Those with food allergies can face serious, and sometimes deadly, health consequences if they eat food containing ingredients they are allergic to.”If you can’t trust what’s on the label, how do you know if you’re not going to get sick whether you are in a restaurant or the grocery store,” said Debra Levantrosser who owns Shimmy Shack vegan restaurant in Plymouth and is gluten-sensitive herself.Food allergies can cause a myriad of symptoms, including hives, digestive problems and trouble breathing, according to webmd.com.This is the fifth time since the pandemic began that the FDA has relaxed food labeling and packing rules, saying it is attempting to avoid disruptions in the food supply chain. Previous temporary changes included relaxing rules on nutrition labeling. menu labeling and packaging and labeling of shell eggs. .The Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE) advocacy and research organization said the FDA’s move poses a “significant threat to the food allergy community,” which includes more than 32 million Americans.
“The FDA guidance issued on May 22 temporarily changes labeling requirements for food manufacturers leaving the food allergy community concerned that they could no longer trust the labels of the food products they buy,” FARE CEO Lisa Gable said. “However, if the guidance were extended indefinitely, there would be additional concerns and anxieties around proper disclosure of ingredient changes..”During COVID-19, FARE said, food allergy families are already struggling. The group is asking the FDA to “reverse course by sharing the fears and anxieties of the food allergy community. “Under the new guidelines, manufacturers cannot substitute ingredients to the eight common allergens: cow’s milk, eggs, tree nuts, peanuts, shellfish, wheat, soy and fish.The relaxed guidelines allow food manufacturers to make “minor formulation changes” without making changes to its existing product labels. A reason for the relaxed rules is because of the pandemic food manufacturers faced sourcing some ingredients.For example, a change would allow a food manufacturer to use unbleached flour in place of bleached flour or sunflower oil if canola oil couldn’t be found without a label change.This new guidance is temporary, the FDA said, and intended to remain in effect for the duration of the COVID-19 public health emergency.In addition to her vegan restaurant, Levantrosser operates a food truck offering 100% vegan and gluten-free fare and a nonprofit food pantry, Shimmy’s Cupboard, that she opened in April. The pantry is a source for vegan and gluten-free items.At Shimmy Shack, if they are out of an ingredient or can’t find an ingredient they normally use, Levantrosser said, they wouldn’t make the item.”I couldn’t just change our oil because I couldn’t find canola oil,” Levantrosser said. “I couldn’t just switch to soy (bean oil) because a lot of people are allergic to soy.”Dave Bloom, CEO of SnackSafely.com in post wrote that “unfortunately, the devil is in the details, and the guidance goes on to introduce numerous loopholes that are of concern to members of the food allergy community.”In a video on the website explaining the new changes Bloom pointed out the guidance does not change the disclosing the top eight allergens. But what is an issue is highly refined oils such as peanut, sesame, soy bean oil being used in place of, say, canola oil.”It’s easy for companies to apply stickers to their products warning of an ingredient change and issue a similar statement on their respective websites,” Bloom said. “Why the FDA didn’t require these is astounding to me and the food allergy community.”
The FDA also added restrictions including that the ingredients substituted “does not cause any adverse health effect (including food allergens, gluten, sulfites, or other foods known to cause sensitivities in some people, for example, glutamates).” The ingredient has to be 2% or less by weigh of the finished food. Also, the ingredient can’t be a “characterizing ingredient,” like raisins in raisin bread.Dr. Devang Doshi, chief of pediatric allergy and immunology at Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak, advises families to continue to be as diligent as they normally are.”Stay well informed. Go to the companies’ websites, always reach out to your doctor,” Doshi said. “Continue to read labels and purchase from reputable companies and products that one has tolerated in the past.But, like others, Doshi worries if it becomes a permanent thing, it’s a big step backward. “We just don’t know how temporary of an issue this is,” Doshi said.
Original Article Click Here
Metro Detroit restaurants make updates and improvements during pandemic downtime
From a new coat of paint to a complete rebranding, business owners have been keeping busy while their dining rooms are closed
While dining rooms across the state have been sitting empty, some restaurant owners have taken this downtime to spruce up their businesses.
What better time for a deep clean, a paint overhaul, new floors — and in one case a total concept change — than a weeks-long government-forced shut down? Monday Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced dining rooms could open June 8 at 50% capacity after being closed since mid-March.
Besides the downtime to make cosmetic improvements, restaurants also used this time to make changes that will better facilitate social distancing when they reopen.
At the Benstein Grille in Commerce Township, owners are celebrating five years of business by adding new landscaping, an extended parking lot, a patio and an addition they’re calling a “four season room.”
“Since day one, when we purchased the property, the parking lot has had us handcuffed here, but we said we’re here for a while … we live in the community here, let’s stay here and really maximize what we can do here,” said Mike Richardson, who co-owns Benstein with Glenn Kaplan. “This will keep us here longer.”
“The four season room will be an enclosed room that we’ll be able to use all year around and the patio itself will have six tables that will be covered over a canopy and we’ll have heaters out there so we can have that, (depending on) Michigan weather, for as many weeks as possible,” he said, adding that these additions will grow the capacity of the restaurant from 160 to closer to around 200.
Construction is now underway while the upscale-casual restaurant runs a very hearty carryout business — Richardson estimates it’s about 70% of what sales would normally be — and the new additions should be finished later this summer.
On Detroit’s east side, Sindbad’s Restaurant and Marina shared with social media followers updates they have made, including steam cleaning and sanitization of the kitchen, bathrooms, bar area and the dining room’s tables and chairs.
The family-owned restaurant, which opened in 1949 on the Detroit River, also had its hardwood floors refinished, installed new bar tile and did some paint and patch work.
A favorite in Corktown, Mudgie’s Deli closed in mid-March and reopened for carryout service in late April. While dark, owner Greg Mudge took the time to re-coat the 110-year-old floor in the dining room. He and his crew also sanitized the steel bar and stained it with new coat.
“I laid low for a few weeks and then I decided, well, there’s some projects at the restaurant that you definitely can’t do while open and one of those is resealing the floors in the manner that I did them,” said Mudge. “That stuff takes like two three days to dry before you should have people on it.”
He said at first he wasn’t sure if his efforts were futile. He and many other restaurant owners wondered if they would ever reopen. Since reopening for carryout, though, Mudgie’s has seen steady enough business to keep things chugging along. Mudge plans to expand his popular Lobster Week in July to the entire month.
Known for pizza and a huge patio and yard with volleyball nets and horseshoes, the team at Z’s Villa near New Center have been working hard inside the historic restaurant, which was once a house. When restaurants are allowed to reopen, customers will enjoy updated bathrooms with touchless features, new floors and a new paint job.
On Detroit’s east side, the Cadieux Cafe has been working on adding a beer garden, and will be installing a garage-door entrance through the side wall.
Debra Levantrosser, owner of vegan and gluten-free restaurant Shimmy Shack in Plymouth, has been taking this time to deep clean, organize and experimenting with new menu items. She even launched the state’s first vegan and gluten-free food pantry for those in need.
“When the pandemic started I thought this would be a good time to clean the things that have been bothering me or things that we just never have time to get to,” she said, adding that they removed all the furniture in the restaurant and had the floor refurbished and waxed. “We’ve been fixing equipment … deep cleaning, getting rid of things and reorganizing.”
Levantrosser said Shimmy Shack, which is also a food truck, has been doing carryout but seeing less than 50% of sales. She’s been getting creative, selling ready-to-bake items. She said dessert sales are up, too.
“A lot of people are wanting desserts right now,” she said.
Restaurateur and chef Johnny Prepolec, owner of Mr. B’s in Royal Oak, had plans to make major concept changes to his large Main street restaurant at some point, but not this soon.
His speakeasy-themed restaurant in the basement level, Johnny’s, will stay the same but is giving a new identity to the main dining room known as Mr. B’s Gastropub.
This means a new name — Alchemy — new look and a complete overhaul of the menu to be more of a farm-to-table concept with a focus on creative cocktails.
“We’re rebranding. We’re basically opening a whole new restaurant,” he said, adding he wants the concept to move away from pub grub and be more a more creative, chef-driven contemporary restaurant, which is more in his wheelhouse.
Mr. B’s Gastropub in downtown Royal Oak is being renovated to become Alchemy with a focus on farm-to-table dining and “creative cocktails.” (Photo: Courtesy of Johnny Prepolec)
“I believe that’s kind of where the market it, I think the market in Royal Oak needs more chef-driven and creative food restaurants.”
The nightclub on one side and the arcade on the other are also going to evolve and are getting updated with changes to the floors and color schemes.
Prepolec, who had COVID-19 in March and has recovered, says right now is a great time to make updates to the restaurant, and not just because it would be against the law to open their dining room now.
“I’m executing a strategy today that I was hoping to execute a year from now,” he said. “I’m doing it at a much lower cost and much more efficiently than I ever could have done. Because we’re not open, because lenders are being reasonable, because you’re getting grants … there’s a lot of people that are helping and accommodating.”
“When else can you just shut down and drop your overheads? You can’t. Normally to shut down it’s an incredible cash drain and this is a good of a time as it is,” he said. “I’ve got a group of employees coming in and we’re painting and creating the new menu.”
“I’m an optimist,” he said. “I think the silver lining in this whole thing is it’s giving people the opportunity, who want it, to take their businesses in strategic directions that they may not have had the opportunity to.”
Original Article Click Here
Animal activists blast officials for using live reindeer at Plymouth holiday event
Ed Wright
Published 1:56 p.m. ET Jan. 7, 2020 |
Animal-rights activists are decrying the presence of a live reindeer last month at a downtown Plymouth holiday event, arguing it posed a dangerous threat to the public and the health of the animal.
Michigan State Director of The Humane Society of the United States Molly Tamulevich and four other advocates addressed the Plymouth City Commission Monday, urging the commissioners to create an ordinance prohibiting future live-animal exhibits, emphasizing that placing an animal in an out-of-its-element setting is potentially harmful to the public and the welfare of the animal.
Read the full article here.
Debra Levantrosser, owner of the Shimmy Shack, and Faith Frontera stopped by the Fox2 Kitchen Saturday morning to share the new line of vegan and gluten free cupcakes and to preview their new 2020 calendar.
To see this on Fox2Detroit click here.
Shimmy’s version of Jingle Bells
Shimmy’s version of Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer
From Fox2Detroit:
Meatless Monday with Shimmy Shack
Shimmy Shack Food Truck’s Debra Levantrosser joined us on The Nine for Meatless Monday and to talk about their upcoming seven-year anniversary party.
To see this on Fox2Detroit click here.
From Fox2Detroit: Shimmy Shack, Michigan’s first and only 100 percent vegan and gluten-free food truck and restaurant, will host Michigan’s first-ever all vegan and all gluten free prom for adults tonight from 7:30-10:30 p.m.
Tickets are $45 each and include: dancing with live music, goodie bags, jungle juice and a buffet including cheezy spinach salad, baked noodle casserole, Indian lentils and rice and mini cupcakes.
Owner Debra “Shimmy Mama” Levantrosser, visited the Fox2 Kitchen Saturday morning to preview the event and to share some of her signature menu items.
To see this on Fox2Detroit click here.
Is it Vegan, or Not?
There’s a lot of options when it comes to selecting a menu for vegan diet. But how do you now if what you’re eating is actually vegan? It’s not as simple as you think, as our Fox2 News anchors found out with the help of expert Debra Levnatrosser, also known as the ‘Shimmy Mama’ in the Fox2 Kitchen Sunday morning.
Watch the video above to see more.
Original story here.
Shimmy Shack restaurant opening this week
Posted Feb 25 2019 02:09PM EST
Video Posted Feb 25 2019 01:58PM EST
(FOX 2) – Shimmy Shack is known for its vegan and gluten free food truck. They’re opening their first brick and mortar location this week in Plymouth.
Shimmy Shack Owner Debra Lavantosser joined us on The Nine to tell us more about their food and the new restaurant. You can hear from her in the video player above, and get their firehouse chili recipe below.
3 TBSP Oil (or water)
1.5 lbs sweet potatoes (diced) soaked in lime juice and water
3 cups onion of choice (diced)
1/3 cup minced garlic
12 ounces chopped chiles
2.5 TBSP cumin
1.5 Tsp salt (optional)
1.5 TBSP chili powder
3 TBSP lime juice
1.5 TBSP chipotle
8 cups diced tomatoes (fresh or canned)
4 cans black beans
¼ gallon water
1 bunch cilantro
1. Chop the cilantro in food processor, set aside
2. Sweat the potatoes, onions, garlic and salt in olive oil (or water)
3. Add seasonings, tomatoes, chiles and water.
4. Simmer for 20-30 minutes
5. Add beans and lime juice
6. Simmer another 30-40 minutes or until it thickens to a chili consistency
7. Remove from heat, stir in the cilantro
8. Eat with a smile on your face! And a fire in your belly
Article can be found here.
Vegan food in retro air
January 22, 2019 Dana Casadei
Come late January, the inside of Shimmy Shack’s first brick-and-mortar – located at 1440 Sheldon Road, Plymouth – will be filled with rooms similar to a house in the 1950s, complete with the TV trays and record player to match, and food that probably wasn’t made much in the era. “Our whole mission is to dispel the myth that vegan and gluten-free food is boring and bland,” said owner Debra Levantrosser. They’ve done that for the last six years already with their food truck, which will still be used for larger events. Everything offered on the food truck will be at the restaurant – with a few additions. Levantrosser said they will offer rotating soups, new desserts, and are going to do Freaky Friday, a dish that will be offered all day – but guests will only know the mystery dish is vegan and gluten-free. “It’s going to be sort of an Iron Chef, whatever we have in the kitchen kind of thing,” said Levantrosser, a vegan for 29 years. FYI – no one will be riding around on roller skates.
Article can be found here.
Shimmy Shack food truck expands to new restaurant in Plymouth
(WJBK) – On meatless Monday, Shimmy Shack is here making their bestselling gluten free cookies the Cowgirl Cookie.
Cowgirl Cookies Makes 23 cookies
4 cups all-purpose gluten-free flour
2 tsp baking soda
2 tsp baking powder
1 ½ tsp salt
2 cups vegan margarine, softened (we usually use Earth Balance)
2 cups unsweetened peanut butter
1 ½ cups cane sugar
1 ½ cups packed light brown sugar
2 cups unsweetened applesauce
2 tsp pure vanilla extract
5 cups gluten-free quick cooking oats
4 cups semisweet vegan chocolate chips
2 cups coarsely chopped walnuts (toasted)
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or silicone mat. Heat oven to 350°.
Combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
Spread the walnuts on a baking sheet and roast in the oven at 500 degrees for 5-10 minutes. (keep checking).
In a large mixing bowl, beat margarine and peanut butter with cane and brown sugars until creamy. Beat in vanilla and applesauce until smooth. Slowly stir in the flour mixture. Then stir in oats, chocolate chips and nuts until incorporated. Drop cookie dough by ½ cup size scoop-fulls onto the baking sheet, no need to flatten. Bake for 16-18 minutes, until lightly browned.
Original article can be found here.
Vegan fast food restaurant Shimmy Shack to open in January
January 07, 2019 at 10:19 AM
The long wait for the brick and mortar version of Shimmy Shack is nearly over as the restaurant prepares for a late January opening.
Owner Debra Levantrosser tells Metro Times the Plymouth Township location has passed all its inspections, and she and her staff will spend the next few weeks training employees and making final preparations. However, no firm opening date is yet set.
When the doors do open, you’ll find much of what the company has made its name on as a food truck — a retro, 1950s diner now with counter service and dine-in seating.
Shimmy Shack bills itself as metro Detroit’s only 100-percent vegan and gluten-free food truck. It launched in 2013 and was named one of the nation’s top five trucks by PETA.
The menu includes items like a coney dog smothered with black bean chili, mustard, and onions on a warm gluten-free hot dog bun. It also offers burgers like the Southwest Burger, made with a house-made black bean and rice patty topped with guacamole and salsa, and the Classic Burger – its version of a fast-food cheeseburger. The truck also serves french fries, sweet potato fries, chili fries, and chili cheese fries with special sauces.
For dessert, Levantrosser makes shakes that come in chocolate, pumpkin, strawberry, and cookie monster, and she also recently introduced a line of vegan cookies. Those include the Cowgirl Cookies (chocolate chips, oats, toasted walnuts and peanut butter); Chocolate, Caramel, and Coconut (vegan shortbread cookie sprinkled with toasted coconut and drizzled with chocolate and housemade caramel); and Strawberry Loveprint (a sugar cookie topped off by Shimmy’s “loveprint” — a vegan strawberry jam heart).
The new restaurant is located near Ann Arbor and Haggerty roads in Plymouth Township. Check back for an update on the grand opening date.
Levantrosser also announced the return of Michigan’s Sexiest Vegans calendar 2019 edition. For more info, check out Shimmy Shack’s website.
Article found here.
Vegan and gluten-free Shimmy Shack expands with brick and mortar restaurant in Plymouth
Restaurateur Debra Levantrosser knows that eating vegan isn’t just a fad.
Owner of the Shimmy Shack food truck, which serves a totally vegan and gluten-free menu, Levantrosser has been eating a plant-based diet that is free of animal products for nearly 30 years.
For the past five years that she’s been running the truck, Levantrosser has seen the demand for her food grow, and she’s gearing up to open a brick-and-mortar Shimmy Shack restaurant later this month in Plymouth. She said she chose this suburb after doing her research.
“When I did the research on where the vegan restaurants currently are, and where there were gaps and where there is a population of vegan people, it really became clear to me that Plymouth was the perfect location,” she said. The chef was trying to find a location with a drive-through window, but that proved to be nearly impossible. Instead they’ve nestled in a former consignment shop in a strip mall at 1440 Sheldon in Plymouth.
The Shimmy Shack restaurant will serve the same plant-based menu folks familiar with the food truck have come to crave, including a falafel pita, “burgers” and fries, nachos and vegan shakes. Again, the food is plant-based and gluten-free, making the whole menu fair game for diners with those kinds of dietary restrictions.
Levantrosser says her burger, which is her top seller, is made with a lentil and brown rice patty and topped with vegan melted cheese along with the standard burger toppings. The vegan cheese is tapioca-based and Levantrosser describes it as “freaking amazing.” The milkshakes — chocolate, strawberry and cookie monster — are made with soy and rice milk.
The vegan chef sees her business as a restaurant and food truck that is unique and fun, and just happens to be vegan and gluten-free. She’s hoping that with the opening of the brick-and-mortar Shimmy Shack will help build a community with a space for kids, a vegan marketplace and parties like a vegan trick-or-treating event near Halloween.
The vibe in the cafe will be casual, with fast counter service instead of table-side service. The decor will be a mix of 1950s vintage, re-purposed and up-cycled decor (no leather).
Shimmy Shack in Plymouth is expected to open by the end of the month. Visit shimmyshack.com for updates. Once open, the shack will have service 10:30 a.m.-8 p.m. Mon.-Thurs. and 10:30 a.m.-9 p.m. Fri.-Sat. Sunday will be available for private events only, such as birthday parties and showers.
mbaetens@detroitnews.com
Shimmy Shack vegan food truck drawing long lines in Jackson
Shimmy Shack’s signature light green finish and 1950s atmosphere is a regular sight at the “Food Truck Tuesday” events, hosted by Consumers Energy. And the food truck has been drawing some of the longest lines there…
THE REINHART BLOG
The 15 Food Trucks You Have to Try in Ann Arbor This Summer
Track them down on Facebook
Always vegan and always gluten-free, the food at Shimmy Shack turns vegetarian and vegan food stereotypes on their heads. Featuring American classics like burgers, coneys, chili, fries and milkshakes, the menu includes mouthwatering descriptions like homemade sweet potato-black bean chili and a grilled lentil patty topped with vegan cheese.
To see the entire article, click here.
Thieves steal cash, electronics from the Shimmy Shack vegan food truck
Posted By Tom Perkins on Wed, May 9, 2018 at 8:59 am
Misfortune has struck the Shimmy Shack vegan food truck for a second time in under a year.
Owner Debra Levantrosser says someone broke into the truck while it was parked in the South Lyon VFW Hall parking lot and stole over $500 worth of cash and electronics.
The incident comes just nine months after someone poured what appears to be anti-freeze or some kind of red liquid into the truck’s gas tank in South Lyon.
“This is sad and a bit frustrating” Levantrosser says. “We are simply trying to do our part to end animal suffering and someone seems intent on breaking our spirits, which they won’t. We hope whoever committed the crime now has money for food but we really wish they hadn’t taken our things. We work very very long hours to make the little money that we do and when people take the things we have worked hard for, it is frustrating. It feels like someone took the wind out of our sails.”
Shimmy Shack is planning an Aug. 1 opening for its new brick and mortar location near Ann Arbor and Haggerty roads in Plymouth Township. Thankfully, not South Lyon.
The mint green, retro restaurant has an American diner feel and serves vegan and gluten-free versions of classics like burgers, coney dogs, and nachos. PETA named it one of the top five vegan food trucks in America in 2015.
Anyone with information is asked to call the South Lyon Police.
For more information, check out Shimmy Shack’s Facebook page and website for its calendar of upcoming events and locations.
April 20, 2018 10:05 a.m.
Shimmy Shack settles down
The free-wheeling Shimmy Shack is settling down in a new Plymouth Township location.
The popular vegan food truck is targeting Aug. 1 to open its first brick-and-mortar restaurant at the corner of Ann Arbor and Sheldon roads, owner Debra Levantrosser said. The move has been in the works for the mobile food purveyor since 2013.
The restaurant will have a walk-up counter like a typical fast food restaurant, and there will be seating in a “’50s-style setting” for a quick sit-down bite. In addition, a “vegan marketplace” will be available for birthdays and special presentations, the release said.
Levantrosser said $100,000 will be invested into the 1,620 square-foot building.
On the menu will be the usual truck favorites, including a Coney dog smothered with black bean chili, mustard and onions blanketed on a gluten-free bun. Chocolate, strawberry and cookie monster shakes will be offered as well.
The truck isn’t going away; it will still be frequenting the streets of metro Detroit, staying true to its roots.
Sunday’s VegFest in Novi will help visitors explore a plant-based lifestyle
’50s Style Vegan Diner Opens in Michigan
Vegan food truck Shimmy Shack will launch a brick and mortar space in August 2018
Shimmy Shack’s Special (Veg) Roasting recipe
(WJBK) – Shimmy Shack is Michigan’s first and only 100 percent vegan and gluten-free food truck.
Debra Levantrosser joined us on The Nine with one of her roasting recipes that you can make at home. Click here to get her recipe.
Shimmy Shack has their annual calendar for sale now, too. This year it’s a bit more cubicle-friendly but is still just as sassy. Models in the calendar are, by design, not professional models, but rather female and male vegans from southeast Michigan.
(WJBK) – Debra Levantrosser from Shimmy Shack joined us on The Nine to show us how they make their garlic sauce. You can get her recipe below.
Shimmy Shack is Michigan’s first 100 percent vegan and gluten free food truck. For more information, visit www.shimmyshack.com.
Vandals pour liquid into gas tank of Shimmy Shack food truck in South Lyon
July 28, 2017
SOUTH LYON, Mich. – A food truck parked in South Lyon was vandalized when someone poured a red liquid into the gas tank.
The truck was parked at the South Lyon VFW Tuesday night. Late Tuesday or Wednesday morning, someone put what is believed to be Gatorade in the truck’s tank.
‘Sexy vegans’ aim to debunk stereotypes, aid farm
September 16, 2016
Vegging Out Takes on New Meaning with Erie’s First Ever VegFest
September 14, 2016
The Shimmy Shack ‘Sexiest Vegans’ calendar is back
September 9, 2016
“You can’t miss this sexy pink vehicle – or its mission. Based in South Lyon, Michigan’s only vegan, gluten-free food truck aims to make cruelty-free food groovylicious. Try the burgers,f rioes and shaeks during CNU at Detroit Opera House June 8-10, or roll through the online calendar for more stops. Shimmy on! shimmyshack.com”
UPDATED: JUN 12 2017 01:35PM EDT
DETROIT (WJBK) – A kickoff event was held at Campus Martius on Monday to mark the first day of Men’s Health Week.
“Blue Monday” was held downtown Detroit from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The event, a partnership between Detroit Parks and Recreation Department and Healthy Detroit, included free health screenings, games, food, yoga, music and prizes. For recipe visit HERE For recipe visit HERE For recipe visit HERE
Shimmy Shack is included in Baron Magazine’s
“40 Vegan and Vegetarian Restaurants to Discover in Detroit and Michigan”
SpringFest emphasizes new sustainability practices
April 13, 2016
Free Press Article
September 2, 2013
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