renedering of 655 K Street, NW
Ed. Note: Shouk closed here back in 2025.
From a press release:
“PLNT Cafe, a new fast-casual dining concept from the founders of popular plant-based restaurant brand PLNT Burger, is slated to open in November / December at 655 K St. NW in DC’s Mount Vernon Triangle neighborhood.
The new, 1,521-square-foot cafe concept from Just Ice Tea co-founders Seth Goldman and Spike Mendelsohn features an expanded, vegetable-forward menu created by Chef Spike that looks beyond plant-based burgers and fries to healthy dishes that appeal to a broader range of diners – vegan and otherwise. Alongside PLNT Burger’s viral menu items like the PLNT Cheeseburger and the Lil’ Chik’n Dippers, the menu will also feature
dishes such as the new Smashed Cucumber Salad, a punchy combination of cucumber, chili crisp, sesame and tamari. Diners can also expect the Tropicauli Pastor Taco, featuring crispy breaded cauliflower tossed in a sweet and smoky al pastor marinade, topped with bright mango salsa, pickled red onions, and a drizzle of cilantro crema. Several of the new dishes, including wraps and tacos, have been market-tested at PLNT Burger locations to rave reviews.
photo by Scott Suchman
While most of the 13 East Coast PLNT Burger locations operate inside Whole Foods Markets, PLNT Cafe will offer counter service and a more cafe-like seating from lunch through dinner.
The opening also marks the highly anticipated return of the Chik’n FUNGUY, a fan-favorite sandwich absent from PLNT Burger menus for nearly five years. Made from oyster mushroom root that’s battered in rice flour and proprietary Bloomies spice, then fried until golden, the sandwich is served with lettuce, pickles and plant-based garden herb mayo. The Chik’n FUNGUY will launch exclusively at PLNT Cafe before rolling out to PLNT Burger locations.
“Our goal has been to make plant-based food something everyone can enjoy, whether you’re vegan or simply looking to eat more vegetables,” said Chris Treloar, CEO of PLNT Burger. “We’ve built a brand around burgers that people genuinely love, but we’ve always known there was an opportunity to do so much more.”
PLNT Cafe, which plans additional locations, also represents the next chapter in the mission shared by Mendelsohn and Goldman. Together, the pair have helped bring plant-based eating into the mainstream by making familiar, satisfying foods accessible – all with a lighter environmental footprint.
PLNT Cafe will be open from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.”