Vegan Coney Island Hot Dog Shop Debuts in Detroit

Vegan eatery Chili, Mustard, Onions is slated to open in Detroit this August. The shop will feature plant-based gyros, hamburgers, “chicken” lemon rice soup, spinach pie, grape leaves, salads, fries, soups, and a veganized version of a Detroit classic dish—the Coney Island hot dog, loaded with a signature meatless meat sauce. Chili, Mustard, Onions will also serve a vegan take on McDonald’s Big Mac, breakfast items such as pancakes and waffles, and Polish-inspired pierogies and stuffed cabbage. Owner Pete LaCombe learned to cook in the kitchens of his Italian and German grandmothers. “Different experiences in life brought me back to that passion, except now I’m vegan, and my wife and daughter are vegan,” LaCombe said. “I want to make a difference and change the world with food—vegan food.” Creative vegan concepts are sprouting up nationwide as evidenced by Baked Roots, a “fries-only” restaurant that opened in Portland, OR last week.