Over the weekend, I got to visit the Vegan Food and Wine Festival – a special event hosted by the Orlando Bearded Vegan. (You may recognize this name from his amazing Instagram account or free, monthly event – The Vegan Outlet at the HENAO Contemporary Center in Orlando.) Sunday’s festival included 80+ vegan and environmentally-conscious vendors, free yoga classes, a DJ, and beautiful views of the Apopka Amphitheater.
There were so many delicious-looking food options that it was really difficult to choose just one item for lunch. I wish I could have had a little bit of everything. However it was so incredibly hot outside that, before purchasing our meal, we simply had to get a nice, cold drink.
Pucker Up Old Skool Lemonade
We needed hydration, and we needed it fast! Thankfully, one of the first booths we came across was an awesome food truck called Pucker Up! While the truck does offer a full food menu, their specialty is freshly prepared lemonades.
I chose the traditional option while my friend had the hibiscus lemonade. Both drinks were incredibly flavorful and delicious without being too sweet. In fact, our only complaint was that we purchased the 16oz instead of the larger 24 oz portion. There was only a $2 difference for 8 more ounces of lemonade! I won’t make that mistake again!
The best way to grab your own Pucker Up Lemonade is to find them at a local event or business. They post weekly and monthly schedules on their social media accounts. Make sure to follow them on Instagram and Facebook for updates!
Bar a Brik
After satisfying my thirst, it was time to satiate my hunger! I decided to try Bar a Brik, a woman-owned business featuring “briks” – deep fried, North African pastries filled with either sweet or savory ingredients. I ordered two handmade brikrolls – La Chick’n Curry with mixed vegan chicken, potatoes, and homemade curry sauce and Le Vegan Hemp Yeah with tofu, cabbage, broccoli, spinach, sweet potatoes, onions, hemp protein, and curry sauce. Bar a Brik served my rolls with a spicy side sauce that complimented the flavors well. Both varieties were delicious and easy to munch without utensils (though you will definitely want a few napkins)!
If you need a bit more heft to your meal, Bar a Brik also features a variety of side dishes such as my friend’s choice: La Vegan Truffle Mac and Cheese.
You can order Bar a Brik for delivery or pick up. Visit their website for the full menu and ordering information.
Missed the Festival? Try The Vegan Outlet!
While the Vegan Food and Wine Festival is not currently scheduled for future dates, you can still enjoy the monthly Vegan Outlet at the HENAO Contemporary Center in Orlando. While the event is a little smaller, you can still find amazing vendors (many of which were also at the Festival), lots of delicious food, and live entertainment. The next Vegan Outlet is scheduled for March 13 from 11am-3pm.
