‘Un-chicken and waffles:’ This vegan restaurant serves up a different take on classic Southern food

Bill Coulter takes a tour of Hogtown Vegan on College Street in the latest installment of CP24's 'On the Menu' series

Editor’s note: CP24’s Bill Coulter has been visiting some of Toronto’s most notable restaurants as part of our recurring ‘On the Menu’ series. Stay tuned for more features on CP24.com and CTVNewsToronto.ca taking a look inside some of these hidden gems.

For over a decade, the Hogtown Vegan has been serving up classic southern-style comfort food, made entirely of meat and dairy-free ingredients.

The vibrant College Street restaurant has established an extensive customer base since opening, attracting both die-hard vegans and meateaters alike.

Owner and chef Jordan Hamilton describes his menu as plant-based Southern food with a twist, offering comforting, soulful and hearty meals. Menu items like “mac and cheez” and “pulled un-pork sandwiches” have familiar flavours and textures, but are made cruelty-free, he says.

“The Hogtown Vegan originally opened to show a different side of plant-based food,” he said. “There don’t have to be limitations in plant-based cooking.”

Hamilton said first time visitors should try the “un-chicken and waffles,” which is his personal favourite and “a great examples of the Southern comfort food we’re known for.”

The hearty menu doesn’t stop at savoury dishes. The spicy espresso brownie is made with real espresso and topped with whipped cream and caramel sauce, which are both made in-house.

Not only is The Hogtown Vegan completely meat and dairy free, it’s also a safe place for people with nut allergies to dine, as the kitchen is completely nut-free.

As for the restaurant’s name, Hamilton said it comes from a familiar place.

“The hogtown in ‘The Hogtown Vegan’ actually comes from the nickname for Toronto, putting an ironic plant-based twist on it,” he said.

The Hogtown Vegan is located at 382 College Street.