"To say Mera Kitchen Collective is unique would be an understatement. This worker-owned cooperative started off as pop-ups and now has its own permanent corner in Mt. Vernon to empower refugees to tap into their culinary heritage through cooking. Here you’ll find Middle Eastern, African, and Latin cuisine (with a lot of vegan and vegetarian options) including creamy hummus and eggplant mutubal, crushed red lentil soup, Burkina-style plantains, and carne asada tacos. A colorful mural from a local artist offers a vibrant backdrop while dining outdoors." - Jess Mayhugh