Vegan Taco “Hell” Pop-up Takes on the Bell in St. Louis 

St. Louis, MO-based Vegan Deli & Butcher will host a vegan Taco Bell-inspired pop-up this weekend. The vegan “Taco Hell” pop-up will feature a full menu of veganized favorites from the fast-food chain, such as Nacho Hell Grandes, Cheesy Gordita Crunches, Double Decker Tacos, Fritos Burritos, Cheese Quesadillas, and Crunchwrap Supremes. The deli has also partnered with local doughnut shop Strange Donuts to offer vegan Baja Blast jelly-filled doughnuts, and local eateries Frida’s and Diego’s to provide margaritas for the event. The pop-up will take place at Vegan Deli & Butcher’s brick-and-mortar location on January 16 and 17 from 11 am to 5 pm. 

“What inspired me to do this pop-up is really my love for junk food and fast food,” Vegan Deli & Butcher co-founder Chris Bertke told VegNews. “And being that Taco Bell is like the king of fast food and junk food, I figured why not pay homage to one of my favorites as a kid. I just love the nostalgia of it. It definitely brings back good memories for me. And making it 100 percent vegan just makes it even better.”

Vegan Deli & Butcher opened in St. Louis last year, offering soups, cold deli sandwiches, grab-and-go deli-style salads, and house-made vegan meats sold by the pound.