Revitalize Your Restaurant and Stay in Business with a New Vegan Menu: 3 Tips for Success!

With many restaurants closing and facing economic hardship due to the challenges brought on by Covid-19, we’re excited to share a success story here on our blog today. Keep reading to learn how a Chicago bar used their vegan menu launch as a way to bring in new business, and how your restaurant can model their success.  

80 Proof is a relatively new Chicago bar (they opened their doors in 2018) and is one of 15 establishments in the hospitality group 4 Corners. When they reopened after the Stay at Home order back in the spring, they launched an extensive vegan menu, created by Corporate Chef Chris Ponce and Culinary Director Ryan Devitt. 

The vegan menu is filled with classic bar food, but veganized! It includes nachos, cauliflower wings, jackfruit chicken nuggets, mac n’ cheese, and so much more. It is a testament to the fact that vegan food can be indulgent and exciting. 

Tip #1: When drafting your vegan menu, make sure it’s on-theme with your traditional menu. Start by creating vegan versions of your best sellers!

I recently got the chance to speak with Chef Ponce about the new menu and why they decided to go the vegan route. Chef Ponce was concerned that launching the vegan menu would be quite the change for this bar because 80 Proof used to be a steak bar! He says they decided to make the drastic change in the menu because they wanted 80 Proof to stand out and be unique. Most of the surrounding bars and restaurants on Wells do not offer such high-quality vegan options. They decided to make a bold statement on Wells by designing this menu, and Chicago vegans are loving it!

Tip #2: Be bold! Sticking with “safe” options like veggie burgers and pasta primavera won’t get you noticed. Create a dish that will be your “signature” vegan dish. A dish that your customers will home and tell their friends “you’ve got to try this!”

Chef Ponce says a lot of the guests at 80 Proof are vegan, which, of course, is a huge demographic that they were missing out on before. I certainly loved the food when I went there, and I’m not alone. One review on Happy Cow reads, “My Omni friend and I ordered take out during Covid together. I could not be happier. We got the Nashville cauliflower, it was INSANELY good. Nachos which were top notch. I got the Bahn mi for my self and tater tots. It was fabulous. I don’t like to eat junk food often but this was great decision to feast. I don’t have a lot of vegans or vegetarians in my inner circle so I love finding places that can make a whole party happy. Everyone can be happy here.” 

After I posted on Instagram about 80 Proof back in May, a friend (who is the only vegan in her family) messaged me saying, “My family and I ordered a FEAST of vegan food from 80 Proof after I saw you mention them. We live in the South Loop now. I think it’s gonna be our new go-to. The food was amazing.” 

Both of these reviews are excellent examples of the impact vegan-friendly service can have on everyone involved. The vegans get a great dining experience (which can be hard to come by as a vegan), their friends and family get to enjoy great food that they might not have tried on their own, and the restaurant gets new business from a portion of the population that would not have gone there if not for the vegan menu. Having vegan-friendly service is a win for everyone!

Tip #3: Promote your new vegan options as enthusiastically as you promote your traditional options: make sure the new options are visible on a hard copy menu as well as on your website, involve local influencers for promotion, and respond to (and share) reviews from satisfied customers to grow your vegan following. 

My favorite dish from 80 Proof that I’ve tried so far is the mac n’ cheese, which is perfectly creamy and savory. Chef Ponce says his favorite is Banh Mi mushroom sandwich, which has crispy fried mushrooms and spicy aioli. He says the sandwich hits every note of the palate. I think I will have to order that next time I'm there!

Chef Ponce wants people to know that the food at 80 Proof is FUN. He said a lot of people hear “vegan food” and think it’s boring or just veggies, but vegan food can still be fun! You can still enjoy a classic bar meal, complete with quesadillas, carnitas, and, most importantly, beer! 

If you’re in Chicago and would like to order from 80 proof, check out their menu here!

Restaurants, Hotels, Bars, Food Trucks and Caterers: To work with an expert on your new vegan menu, we recommend scheduling a consultation with one of our professionally trained Vegan Hospitality Consultants. We offer this free 30 minute consult as an opportunity for you to discuss your business goals and challenges, learn about our consulting method, and set you up for a successful menu launch. CLICK HERE to schedule an in-person meeting with a consultant in your region or a call with a virtual consultant.

- This article was written by Rosemary Davy, Vegan Hospitality Consultant in the Chicago area. Contact her via social media or email her directly at veganfriendlychicago@gmail.com. To read Rosemary’s bio and meet our consultant network in other regions, click here.