AUGUSTA, Ga. () – If you’re searching for a place that offers vegetarian and vegan options, then, Veggie In may be the spot that you are looking for.

Carol Boone, owner of Veggie In, is bringing her northern flavor down south with a delicious menu and a peaceful atmosphere, which some have called a “hidden gem.”

Welcome to Celebrating Black Excellence. Let’s get started with your beginning. How did you get started with cooking?

Well, actually, I cooked all my life. On a vegan and vegetarian side, I helped somebody with their place, and I kind of fell in love with their vision. My son and my daughter-in-law just encouraged me like, “Oh, you should do it. You should do it,” and here I am.

Why did you decide on the name of Veggie In?

It just resonated with my spirit. Veggie In Smoothie Bar and Bistro. I did a bistro because things are always changing so just to keep a twist on it if I take something on or add some new things.

Now, can you tell us about your menu?

Everything is vegan and vegetarian. It is listed which is vegan and which is vegetarian. We have everything. We have buffalo cauliflower, portabella sandwiches, and a variety of stuff.

What made you decide to do the vegan and vegetarian?

About seven years ago, the meat just started smelling really bad to me. Somebody told me, if you can stop eating meat, you can conquer anything. That just stuck with me, and I just stop.

Even though this is considered a “hidden gem,” this is a popular place here in Augusta. With that, what is your most popular dish? What is the dish that everybody’s getting when they come here?

Well, I started off with the Oh Burger first, and that’s pretty much it, but every day, it changes. People just come, and they want to try everything on the menu.

What is the Oh Burger?

The Oh Burger is a vegetarian burger with sauteed mushrooms and onions, lettuce, and tomato, and then, I do a homemade sauce. All my sources are homemade.

People have raved about the fries as well.

Yeah, and I do a rosemary sauce with it.

If people want to find Veggie In, how can they do so?

We are at 2516 Peach Orchard Road in Augusta, Georgia. We are on Facebook: Veggie In, and our website is veggiein.net.