Food and Drink

Meatless meatloaf, sea moss smoothies, baked goods at new plant-based cafe in West Charlotte

Joseph Butler, one of the partners with Love in Action Cafe and a co-founder of Love is Love Always, works behind the counter.
Joseph Butler, one of the partners with Love in Action Cafe and a co-founder of Love is Love Always, works behind the counter.

A new vegan restaurant has opened its doors on Tuckaseegee Road with the addition of Love in Action Cafe. The cafe offers locally sourced meals available for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

The cafe’s menu features classic comfort foods with a vegan twist — think meatless meatloaf and cauliflower wings — with entrees starting at $12. Guests will also be able to satisfy a sweet tooth with a full array of baked goods from chef Renate Moore of LadyRen’s — who also serves as the chef at WBTV.

News of its opening was first reported by QC Nerve.

Love is Love Always offers a second menu at Love in Action, with options including sea moss smoothies, cereal bowls and ice cream bowls that you can top off with fruit and herbs.
Love is Love Always offers a second menu at Love in Action, with options including sea moss smoothies, cereal bowls and ice cream bowls that you can top off with fruit and herbs. Love in Action

One menu item you may not have seen before? Sea moss. You can order sea moss smoothies, cereal bowls and ice cream bowls, as well as sea moss gels.

Sea moss is known for its health benefits such as supporting gut and heart health, boosting immunity and controlling blood sugar.

Traci D. Jones and Dumar Hemingway of Love in Action Cafe.
Traci D. Jones and Dumar Hemingway of Love in Action Cafe. Love in Action

Love in Action Cafe is run by Traci D. Jones, who started the non-profit Love in Action in 2022. Thirty percent of the cafe’s sales go to the 501c3, which provides housing, programs and services to those in need — primarily focusing on veterans, the elderly and the disabled.

With local chefs Dumar Hemingway and Moore at the helm, the cafe featured a rotating list of guest chefs for its grand opening week and will continue to have slots available to local chefs wishing to get involved.

“The need grows greater and greater every year,” Jones told CharlotteFive of starting the non-profit. “Being a boots-on-the-ground community member opens your eyes. So many people have lost faith in society or the world as a whole and have been kicked down so many times without being given a chance.”

Love in Action cafe can hold up to 60 guests and offers both sit down and takeout food options. It operates Monday through Friday from 8 a.m-8 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. The cafe will host a variety of events such as yoga and Zumba classes, meditation sessions and art therapy, with a percentage of the proceeds going to the nonprofit.

Love in Action offers sit down service, as well as takeout.
Love in Action offers sit down service, as well as takeout. Love in Action

Love in Action Cafe

Location: 4419 Tuckaseegee Road, Charlotte, NC 28208

Menu

Cuisine: Vegan

Instagram: @loveinactioncafe

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Laurie Larsh
The Charlotte Observer
Laurie Larsh is a freelance writer and travel junkie with an affinity for sunglasses, coffee and all things Tarheels. Relentless curiosity about people and places keep her wondering and wandering near and far and writing stories about it. Follow her travel adventures on Instagram @goexplauring or her website www.goexplauring.com.
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