LOS ANGELES — Taco Vega is a new Mexican spot with no meat or meat alternatives on the menu. Chef and co-founder Jared Simons wants diners instead to focus on the texture and flavor of vegetables and grains.

The restaurant's California burrito, for example, features oyster mushrooms in place of carne asada.

“On the menu, there are things inspired by items I ate growing up in San Diego post-surfing,” said Simons.

He tries to find vegetables and grains that feel like meat. He steers away from using any of the popular meat alternatives at his restaurant.

“Plant-based for me is recreating familiar textures, so people are into it. I love catering to omnivores,” he said.

From Yuba pastor to quinoa that acts as ground beef or faro replacing chorizo, it’s the feel and the flavor that makes Taco Vega's dishes distinct.

“If you give the same attention you give to animal proteins, you will end up with a better product,” said Simons.

Simons’ plant-based journey started when he began training for triathlons. After researching different meal plans, he found going plant-based was better for him. Six years later, he has never looked back.

“I was a lifelong omnivore. My signature dish was fried chicken, so it was a tough decision,” said Simons.

He slowly replaced meat with veggies and grains, which led to opening his plant-based concept restaurant. This required teaching himself how to replicate dishes to impress meat eaters.

“A taco is a very approachable vessel for omnivores. It’s something familiar,” he said. 

In SoCal, there’s nothing more familiar than a good Mexican restaurant and Taco Vega fits the bill. From breakfast burritos with imitation egg, to fully loaded nachos and the creamy horchata, you'd be hard-pressed to tell that some of the menu items were even plant-based — a term Simons prefers to "vegan."

“Vegan comes off as a bit political, so when using the term plant-based, it really reinforces a whole plant diet, which to me is important,” said Simons. “I want to be a better food option for people and the meat alternatives, while good for the environment, aren’t as good for you because they are processed.” 

Taco Vega is located at 456 N Fairfax Ave. Los Angeles, CA. 90036.