The best vegan burgers in the world served in the cutest food truck that's ran by the sweetest people––that's what The Trashy Vegan is all about! We got to interview the Asheville legends behind all the vegan goodness and ask them how they got started, their personal favorite menu items, and a whole lot more. Read the full interview after the jump!
In another life, if y’all weren’t running one of the coolest lil food trucks in town, what do you think you’d be doing?
Music y'all have been listening to lately?
Joel usually has Juice WRLD on repeat.
Tell us about who y’all are and what you do.
We are the trashy vegans, which is made up of Michelle (they/she) and Joel(he/him) and our friend Joe(he/they). And we try to make comforting junk food that appeals to both vegans and non-vegans while being financially accessible
We are the trashy vegans, which is made up of Michelle (they/she) and Joel(he/him) and our friend Joe(he/they). And we try to make comforting junk food that appeals to both vegans and non-vegans while being financially accessible
When did y’all hatch the idea of starting The Trashy Vegan?
The food truck was Joel’s dream idea, and we started making moves in early 2020 right before quarantine started. After we both were out of a job due to COVID, we kicked it into high gear since food trucks were one of the safer options for eating out.
The food truck was Joel’s dream idea, and we started making moves in early 2020 right before quarantine started. After we both were out of a job due to COVID, we kicked it into high gear since food trucks were one of the safer options for eating out.
Do y’all have a personal favorite item on the menu?
Michelle is partial to the chick’n sandwich with our “honey” mustard and Joel prefers the bbq burger special we’ve done a few times.
Michelle is partial to the chick’n sandwich with our “honey” mustard and Joel prefers the bbq burger special we’ve done a few times.
In another life, if y’all weren’t running one of the coolest lil food trucks in town, what do you think you’d be doing?
Michelle would be running a vegan cat adoption cafe (maybe it’ll happen in this life too) and Joel would play video games for a living.
What’s one of the biggest things y'all have learned since opening The Trashy Vegan?
ALWAYS SALT YOUR TOMATOES. But for real, we couldn’t do any of this without our amazing customers.
ALWAYS SALT YOUR TOMATOES. But for real, we couldn’t do any of this without our amazing customers.
If y’all could have any person (living or dead) come help out in the truck for the day who would it be?
We looked at each and both said “Gordon Ramsay!” Haha we love watching his shows (particularly kitchen nightmares) and he may not be a big vegan ally but we’d love to get him to try our burger.
Music y'all have been listening to lately?
Joel usually has Juice WRLD on repeat.
Favorite food spot in Asheville besides yourself?
Nine Mile when we need a treat and Simple or China Taste any day of the week.
Nine Mile when we need a treat and Simple or China Taste any day of the week.
Anything else you'd like to add?
It has been a freaking honor to feed our community. Our customers are truly amazing!
It has been a freaking honor to feed our community. Our customers are truly amazing!
Follow The Trashy Vegan on Instagram (@the_trashy_vegan)