Vegan Restaurants Evolution Fast Food and Donna Jean in San Diego to Open in Shared San Diego Space | Eater San Diego

"Founded in 2017 by chef and co-owner Roy Elam, the restaurant has been a cornerstone of San Diego’s vegan scene adjacent to its longtime neighbor. Final service at the current location is set for Sunday, January 26, with a reopening in the shared North Park space on Thursday, February 13, just in time for Valentine’s Day. Elam tells Eater, “There was always the sense of how long we were going to be here,” and, “Just knowing we have at least 14 more years [on the lease] is exciting.” The operation will maintain its signature menu with seasonal updates while exploring quicker lunch options like grab-and-go deli salads; a new Pizza Master oven will allow increased pizza-making capacity, a long-awaited upgrade for the chef. The new space will feature indoor dining exclusively for the restaurant, along with a shady patio adorned with the plants from its original location, and most of the current staff will transition to the new site. As with its partner in the building, it will operate independently with its own entrance, staff, and kitchen while benefiting from an oversized shared kitchen and communal atmosphere; both businesses see the move as providing more permanence and room for growth. The location’s large parking lot and its siting on bus- and soon-to-be-bike-friendly El Cajon Boulevard add practical convenience for guests." - Kelly Bone