On a mission to bring more vegan options to the Charleston area, Vined The Vegan Experience is serving up plant-based takes on American favorites.
Southern fare makes up much of the breakfast menu. Vined The Vegan Experience is headed by Christian Keith, a newcomer to the restaurant business.
Keith said her rendition of chicken and waffles and shrimp-and-grits have been fan favorites so far. The restaurant also serves other staples such as burgers, pizza, tacos and “vings,” a plant-based alternative to chicken wings.
Before founding Vined, Keith was in finance for nearly a decade. She began experimenting with plant-based foods about four years ago, after she discovered she was allergic to pork and beef. She and her family have been vegan ever since.
Keith said she’s always loved to cook, but decided to make the career jump official after the pandemic hit and her son’s day care closed.
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“I took the leap of faith and went full-time entrepreneur,” she said.
Before opening a brick-and-mortar restaurant, she did pop-ups, tasting events and catering.
Keith said she wants Vined, which is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, to be a place where vegans and vegetarians can dine stress-free.
“They don’t have to worry about their order being wrong,” she said.
Vined The Vegan Experience, 5117 Dorchester Road, Unit G, is open 8 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Friday and 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturdays. To learn more, call 843-996-4621 or go to facebook.com/VinedTVE/
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Owner Christian Keith greets customers at the counter as they go over the menu at Vined The Vegan Experience on July 9, 2021, in North Charleston. Gavin McIntyre/Staff
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Diners enjoy their lunch at Vined The Vegan Experience on Friday, July 9, 2021, in North Charleston. Gavin McIntyre/Staff
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Dionne Brown (left) and Vicki Jenkins talk while waiting for their order inside Vined The Vegan Experience on July 9, 2021, in North Charleston. Gavin McIntyre/Staff
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Loaded Nachos and other dishes are available at Vined The Vegan Experience on July 9, 2021, in North Charleston. Gavin McIntyre/Staff
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Owner Christian Keith arranges tables inside her restaurant, Vined The Vegan Experience, for customers on July 9, 2021, in North Charleston. Gavin McIntyre/Staff
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Owner Christian Keith carries a customer’s order to their table at Vined The Vegan Experience on July 9, 2021, in North Charleston. Gavin McIntyre/Staff
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The Vined Burger is ready to be served to a customer at Vined The Vegan Experience on July 9, 2021, in North Charleston. Gavin McIntyre/Staff
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Peach Cobbler is available for customers at Vined The Vegan Experience on July 9, 2021, in North Charleston. Gavin McIntyre/Staff
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Plants decorate tables at Vined The Vegan Experience on July 9, 2021, in North Charleston. Gavin McIntyre/Staff
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Vined The Vegan Experience is now open in North Charleston. Gavin McIntyre/Staff
Vined_4.jpg
Owner Christian Keith greets customers at the counter as they go over the menu at Vined The Vegan Experience on July 9, 2021, in North Charleston. Gavin McIntyre/Staff
Vined_8.jpg
Diners enjoy their lunch at Vined The Vegan Experience on Friday, July 9, 2021, in North Charleston. Gavin McIntyre/Staff
Vined_2.jpg
Dionne Brown (left) and Vicki Jenkins talk while waiting for their order inside Vined The Vegan Experience on July 9, 2021, in North Charleston. Gavin McIntyre/Staff
Vined_3.jpg
Loaded Nachos and other dishes are available at Vined The Vegan Experience on July 9, 2021, in North Charleston. Gavin McIntyre/Staff
Vined_1.jpg
Owner Christian Keith arranges tables inside her restaurant, Vined The Vegan Experience, for customers on July 9, 2021, in North Charleston. Gavin McIntyre/Staff
Vined_5.jpg
Owner Christian Keith carries a customer’s order to their table at Vined The Vegan Experience on July 9, 2021, in North Charleston. Gavin McIntyre/Staff
Vined_6.jpg
The Vined Burger is ready to be served to a customer at Vined The Vegan Experience on July 9, 2021, in North Charleston. Gavin McIntyre/Staff
Vined_7.jpg
Peach Cobbler is available for customers at Vined The Vegan Experience on July 9, 2021, in North Charleston. Gavin McIntyre/Staff
Vined_9.jpg
Plants decorate tables at Vined The Vegan Experience on July 9, 2021, in North Charleston. Gavin McIntyre/Staff
Vined_10.jpg
Vined The Vegan Experience is now open in North Charleston. Gavin McIntyre/Staff