New Vegan Deli and Dessert Shop Opens in Florida

The founder of vegan snack brand Chunkie Dunkies recently launched a plant-based delicatessen and dessert shop in West Palm Beach, FL. Vegan Deli and Desserts by Chunkie Dunkies offers vegan versions of classic deli items such as Philly Cheesesteaks stuffed with housemade seitan steak, Boardwalk Gyros with tzatziki sauce, and Italian Hoagies filled with seasoned vegan salami. New menu items such as manicotti, BLTs, cannoli, and pound cake are currently in development. Chunkie Dunkies Founder and CEO Dina Lauro first launched the wholesale snack brand in 2011 after graduating from the Natural Gourmet Institute in New York City and now sells her products in more than 150 locations nationwide. Expanding her brand to include a deli and dessert shop came from a desire to connect with customers. “I love to create delicious, healthy dishes and to satisfy taste buds,” Lauro told VegNews. “Since Chunkie Dunkies is all wholesale, I was missing the direct contact with my customers and their enjoyment.” Lauro currently sells the deli and dessert items next door to Chunkie Dunkies’ wholesale location on Thursdays and Fridays and at a local market on Sundays, but plans to open a permanent location in downtown West Palm Beach in Summer 2019.