Eat vegan junk food like pizza, burgers, tacos, cake in Delaware

Shawn Thomas knows what’s it like to eat vegan food that tastes like paint chips and sadness. Nearly a decade ago, he became vegan and would eat just about anything as long as it was healthy, sacrificing taste for nutrition.

But Thomas made a vow never to go back to those dark ages of culinary, and the founder of Go Vegan Philly in Wilmington isn’t alone.

Delaware has a number of businesses that are part of the “vegan-junk food” scene, a movement where customers can enjoy plant-based alternatives that look and taste incredible, yet they’re made with healthier ingredients than their meaty or dairy counterparts. 

Think burgers and pizza, for a start.

Dan McKelvey, owner of Daily Veg in Wilmington, is trying to turn more folks onto vegan junk food. One of the reasons many people in the country aren’t vegan, he said, is because of the roots of American culture.

“I think it’s the years of watching TV commercials and family gatherings and how much meat is a part of our society,” McKelvey said. “It’s almost pre-programmed into us almost from our parents with eating hot dogs, burgers and etc., as kids.”

For those of you who can’t kick the habit of eating burgers, fried chicken and cake – we’ve got you covered.

Here are eight places in the First State that will satisfy your taste buds in plant-based fashion, whether you want to call it “junk food” or not.  

Evangelina’s Vegan Desserts, Newark

Evangelina Guajardo isn’t your typical vegan mom. She leveled-up so much that she can bake a mean custom cake with a “Dungeons & Dragons” theme. We know this because she baked one for her son.

Evangelina’s Vegan Desserts gives patrons a little bit of everything in the world of baked goods including cakes, cupcakes, pies, bread and muffins, cookies and brownies. The most popular item there are the doughnuts, which include Cookies n’ Crème and S’mores.