EXPERIENCE: Fast-casual

By Maggie Pearson

Not-So-Guilty Pleasures

Bristol’s newest vegan hub offers plant-based twists on fast food faves

Among Bristol’s ever-growing Unity Park complex is a vegan eater’s dream that’s garnered quite the following with their food trailer – fondly dubbed “Flu y” – slinging burgers and tots since 2020. Basil & Bunny, with owners Lyslie and Mat Medeiros at the helm, opened their brick-and-mortar in the summer, with other recently opened hot spots as their neighbors, including Borealis Co ee Company,

Must-Try Items

Bunny Mak ($12):

Two house-made bean and mushroom patties, cheddar cheeze, grilled onions, lettuce, tomato, house pickles, and fancy sauce on a double decker sesame seed bun

The Bu Bunny ($13)

House-made crispy chicky seitan, cabbage slaw, lettuce, tomato, bu alo sauce, and house ranch on a flu y vegan brioche bun Brick Pizza Co., Pivotal Brewing Company, and O’Brien & Brough Distillery.

The gorgeous space, designed by Libby Slater, is full of natural light, live green plants, and pops of color throughout. The Australian-inspired printed wallpaper and porcelain floor tile design are eye-catching features that bring to life Lyslie’s love of natural flourishes with a welcoming island feel.

Originally operating out of Hope & Main, Basil & Bunny’s expansion has allowed for an expanded menu of, as Lyslie put it, “the best of the trailer,” as well as new items that may be too di cult to prepare and serve in the trailer. Using locally sourced ingredients to create fresh spins on fast food staples, the Medeiros’ recipes center around the belief that eating plant-based shouldn’t mean giving up your favorite comfort food dishes, which has been the mission from the start.

The fast-casual concept begins at the counter – don’t forget to grab a beverage while you’re ordering. Choose from kombucha and imported sodas for now, though

they’re in the midst of getting a liquor license, so watch for handcrafted cocktails to come!

I visited midweek for lunch and started with the Nacho Fries, which are hand-cut and made with locally sourced potatoes. The fries themselves are super crispy and downright addicting, and come loaded with toppings of chili, pickled onions, jalapeños, tomatoes, and avocado. The house-made cashew nacho “cheeze” is well seasoned, smooth, and tasty, tying everything together nicely.

A visit to Basil & Bunny isn’t complete without trying a burger. The Bunny Blake is their classic o ering. I honestly couldn’t tell that I wasn’t eating real meat – it was that good. The combination of the toasted brioche bun, the seasoned Impossible™ burger, the crunchy lettuce and pickles, and Bunny sauce made it

CUISINE: Plant-based comfort food ATMOSPHERE: Relaxed and inviting fast-casual Photos courtesy of Basil & Bunny

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