Community Highlights: Meet Ashley Evans of Vegan Me Please

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashley Evans.

Hi Ashley , can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Vegan Me Please began in 2019 with a simple question: “What do vegan people really eat, and why is it considered a healthier choice?” As a pescatarian/vegetarian at the time, I noticed how few options existed beyond salads and plain vegetables. The more I explored, the more I understood how intimidating healthier eating could feel for anyone trying to make a change.

One day, at a vegan pop-up in downtown Atlanta, I met a man who was extremely passionate about being vegan. When I told him I didn’t understand how to start, he said, “I don’t understand what’s so hard about being vegan—just do it.” His words stayed with me, not because they inspired me, but because I thought, How does someone “just do it” when they know nothing about it?

That night, I called my best friend and told her about the experience. I said, “Instead of telling me to just do it, I wish someone would help me… Vegan Me Please.” And that’s when the name was born.

I started doing pop-ups selling “accountability T-shirts” with fun, encouraging sayings. The message was simple:
Accept people where they are. Applaud how far they’ve come. Encourage them along the way.
I wanted everyone to feel included—not judged or pressured. Whether someone was vegan, transitioning, or simply curious, Vegan Me Please was meant to feel like a soft landing.

During that time, I took a vegan cooking class where we made “chicken” out of mushrooms. I didn’t even like mushrooms, so I wasn’t excited. But once I tried that crispy, golden piece of oyster mushroom “chicken,” my eyes opened. I thought, This is it—this is the replacement I’ve been searching for.

During the pandemic, I started frying up my own version—seasoned, sauced, and served like wings. When someone told me, “You need to sell these,” I immediately said no. I wasn’t a chef. But then Tan from ATL Food Truck Park tried them, loved them, and put me on blast on social media. Suddenly, people wanted more.

I started with one table and a fryer at the Atlanta Food Truck Park. Then two fryers. Then three. Then the crowds grew faster than I could keep up. Overwhelmed, I stepped back—but the vision never left me.

In March 2023, I took a trip to Dubai and returned inspired. I wanted to create a space where different vegan chefs could rotate and introduce the community to a wide variety of delicious vegan food. I signed a three-year lease to bring that vision to life—but getting chefs in the building was harder than I imagined. And with no way to turn back, I pivoted.

I opened a full vegan restaurant—even though I never planned to own one and never considered myself a chef. To learn the business, I worked as a server. And slowly, the Vegan Me Please menu came together, built entirely from dishes I had made at home throughout my journey to healthier eating.

Now, approaching our third year, what’s most different is my faith. I tried running the business on my own strength and ended up with stress-induced asthma, hives, and seven-day work weeks. This past year, I surrendered that pressure to God. John 14:27 became my anchor:
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you… Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

Running a business with God at the center has brought me a peace I never knew was possible.

Vegan Me Please is more than a restaurant. It’s a journey, a community, and a reminder that change doesn’t have to be harsh. It can be gentle, loving, and absolutely delicious.

We’re here to help you take steps—not leaps—toward healthier living. One bite, one choice, one day at a time.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Absolutely not — far from it. Running a restaurant day-to-day is a wild ride, and this past year has been one of the most challenging seasons yet, especially the last four months. With the economy slowing down, business has been much quieter, and keeping up has required a lot of resilience.

I also learned just how many taxes and responsibilities a restaurant owner is accountable for. Navigating all of that on my own was overwhelming. For a long time, I tried to handle everything by myself until I finally reached a point where I realized I needed help. Bringing in support was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made — not just for the business, but for my peace of mind.

The road hasn’t been smooth, but it has strengthened me. Every challenge has taught me something, pushed me to grow, and reminded me why I started. And by trusting God through all of it, I’ve found a peace that keeps me moving forward, even when the journey gets tough.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Vegan Me Please ?
At Vegan Me Please, we’re like your Vegan American Deli — serving all the comfort foods people already love: wings, Philly’s, wraps, tenders, and more. The twist is that we specialize in oyster mushrooms as a vegan alternative to fried chicken. We’ve taken something familiar and made it plant-based, flavorful, and fun so that anyone, vegan or not, can enjoy it.

What truly sets us apart is that we’re a community brand first. We’re proud to create a space where everyone feels welcome — whether you’re fully vegan, thinking about making a change, or just curious. There’s no judgment here. Our goal is to make healthier eating approachable, not intimidating.

People often tell us, “You’re the reason I even started trying vegan food,” and that means everything to us. We’re not just serving food — we’re opening minds, offering alternatives, and creating an environment that feels warm, familiar, and supportive.

That combination of comfort food, community, and compassion is what makes Vegan Me Please different.

What makes you happy?
Animals. Beautiful creatures God made. What an unconditional love. I believe they were also made in the image of God. Because they love us no matter what.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.veganmeplease.net
• Instagram: @veganmeplease
• Facebook: Vegan Me Please