Starting September 23rd (2020), Shelter Lounge is going completely plant-based and becoming Seattle's first-ever bar to switch from a meat-filled menu to one that's completely free of animal products.

This bold move, originally set for early April, was delayed due to Covid-19, which forced the restaurant to close temporarily.

But despite challenges, setbacks, and fears of being too risky, owners are confident that this menu change is still a smart play.

Shelter is well-known for its busy weekend nights with the 21+ crowd, fueled by local DJs spinning 90s hip-hop and dance music.

It's also a favorite spot for families with youngsters to grab a bite during its kid-friendly hours before 9 pm.

But business has slowed in recent years; and in March, compounded with the Covid-19 pandemic, Shelter Lounge, like most restaurants in the city, was forced to temporarily close in order to keep its patrons and staff safe.

Fast-forward to now - nearly six months later - Shelter is one of the millions of local businesses in need of a serious saving grace.

This plant-based menu transition - especially now - could be the game-changer it needs to not only survive this pandemic but thrive long after.

The New Plant-Based Menu At Shelter Lounge Ballard

So, what's the food gonna be like?

Well, imagine for a moment that Cycle Dogs moved into a brick-and-mortar, and designed the ultimate vegan bar menu.

Think modern Americana favorites like burgers, sandwiches, hearty salads, mac n' cheese, and a super-indulgent weekend brunch menu.

If that sounds pretty awesome, then you're in luck - because that's exactly what's happening: Chef Keaton Tucker of Cycle Dogs has crafted the entire menu.

Support Behind Chef Tucker And Cycle Dogs A Promising Benefit

Cycle Dogs has grown a devout fan base of its own over the years, from local brewery-goers to out-of-state vegan tourists.

Loved by eaters of all types, especially for its Fast Food Nights with "veganized" favorites like the Breakfast Jack (which they call Breakfast Jill), Double-Doubles, Whoppers, and Taco Bell specials like the Volcano Burrito, Cycle Dogs is an indulgent surprise to many who think that vegan food is bland and boring.

The new Shelter menu is sure to shock and please diners in the very same way, as the very same passion and culinary talent are behind it.

The Quick Backstory

So, how did this all come about? It's a love story, really. A love for food. Goddam, deliciously good food.

Chef Tucker made friends with Shelter Ballard owners Kevin Carlson and Derek Sepesy in early 2020, after borrowing some available refrigerator space from the restaurant in exchange for free grub.

Cycle Dogs' food truck had been parked nearby at Peddler Brewing prior to the pandemic and has since relocated just across the street from Shelter Lounge, in the Electric & Folding Bikes Northwest parking lot.

It didn't take long for both crews to become good pals, at least partly due to the delicious plant-based burgers and chicken sandwiches that Cycle Dogs was feeding to Carlson, Sepesy, and the Shelter team.

This friendship came at a critical time for Shelter, as the owners were feeling the weight of the bar's uncertain future.

A Plant-Based Menu At Shelter Ballard Was Born

Like many bars in the area prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, lunch and daytime service at the restaurant tended to be slow.

But for Shelter over the years, even dinner had gone quiet, despite their menu offering well-above-average bar food that regulars consistently came back for.

What kept Shelter afloat was its heavy weekend crowd and busy bar program, where the real money is made in the restaurant business. But they knew they needed to do something, or somehow pivot, to get more people through the door beyond just the weekend nights.

The pivot had to be the food.

That pivot became a complete menu overhaul, as Chef Tucker's experience and expertise with plant-based comfort food convinced Carlson and Sepesy that this could just be the break they needed.

The new and "veganized" Spicy Grilled Cheese, one of Shelter's former signature sandwiches, is just one of many menu items that have been near-perfectly replicated by Chef Tucker and his crew.

They also created some new signature items, including a few specialty burgers, a smoky mac n' cheese, and buffalo chick’n salads.

Covid-19 Forced Closure, Delay In Plans

The Covid-19 pandemic hit, and Shelter was forced to close its doors in mid-March, just days before the new menu would be introduced in early April.

Now, after losing six full months of business, Shelter's plan to re-open on September 23rd will still feature the new menu. And it's gotta work, as the future of resuming any form of a nightlife scene is, well, very unclear.

But despite the uncertainty, there's major potential for this plant-based move - even in the soul-crushing year of 2020.

It's a move that many other bars and restaurants (if they're paying attention), may want to consider making themselves.

Seattle's Vegan Restaurant Scene Is Ripe For The Picking

"Niching down" might seem to limit business further, but it makes sense in the restaurant industry: choose a very specific focus, make it awesome, and success will surely follow.

And contrary to popular belief: Seattle does not have the prominent vegan restaurant scene that folks assume, for such a "green" city with ample vegan grocery products.

In fact, Seattle was recently rated one of the top 10 worst cities for vegans, due to high grocery costs and limited restaurant options.

What's worse, Seattle continues to lose many long-standing, vegan-friendly establishments, including Chaco Canyon, Silence-Heart-Nest, and, by end of September, Flying Apron's flagship cafe in Fremont - all due to rising rents and impacts of the pandemic.

Competition in the plant-based restaurant scene is incredibly low, giving Shelter's new venture an upper hand if done well.

And the number of plant-based eaters in Seattle - whether they're full-time, part-time, or just some of the time, is incredibly high.

Despite The Risk, The Future Looks Rewarding

This plant-based menu pivot will undoubtedly attract vegan-friendly foodies both near and far.

But what will Shelter's regulars think of the new changes - the folks who've been the lifeblood of this establishment since its opening in 2009?

Some fear it's a risky move - to bank on such a small percentage of the population to keep them afloat, and potentially isolating their long-time supporters - it's a decision that owners Carlson and Sepesy do not take lightly.

But for both Chef Tucker and Shelter's leadership, the food speaks for itself; and those who like great-tasting food will come around.

They're well aware that a few regulars might not be down with the thought of vegan chicken or plant-based burger patties.

However, they are hopeful that long-time supporters will trust in the transition, especially as they made sure the new menu pays homage to some old favorites.

While Tucker trains the kitchen leadership for take-over as he continues the food truck and other projects, the new kitchen crew, made up of both new and former staff, are a strong, experienced group to lead Shelter's promising future.

Shelter Lounge in Greenlake To Keep Its Current Menu, For Now

For the time being, Shelter Lounge in Greenlake will stay as-is until the pivot is deemed successful enough to transition to its second location.

It's much too soon to tell, but Greenlake's menu remodel could be very likely - especially as both locations are perfect environments for a plant-based menu.

Their greenhouse-like construction - with cedarwood and stone interior, and lush greenery from succulents to snake plants to ferns adorning every corner - is a unique ambiance unlike anything else in Seattle's restaurant scene.

It's a place where a plant-based menu not only matches the current ambiance but enhances it.

Deep Down, It's The Same Shelter We Already Know And Love

Former fans of Shelter needn't worry; at its core, its the same ol' Shelter Lounge you remember: A great place to catch a Seahawks game, a friendly spot to enjoy a messy-delicious burger and a cold pint of Manny's (or a Rainier Tall Boy), and the place to lounge by the fireplace with a cocktail and friends.

For those still iffy about eating plant-based burgers and faux-cheese, Sepesy has a message for you:

"Just try it and tell me it ain't good." We bet you can't.

Visit Shelter Lounge in Ballard

Shelter Lounge in Ballard will be open Tuesday through Sunday, with brunch on weekends.

What do you think of Shelter's plant-based pivot? Let me know in the comments!