URGENT UPDATE: The popular vegan restaurant ChagaRoot in Las Vegas has abruptly closed its doors, sending shockwaves through the local dining community. Just weeks after a controversial menu change, owner Shane Stuart announced the closure on July 7, 2023, via Instagram, stating, “ChagaRoot is now closed. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for being part of this journey.”
The decision to add a bison burger to the previously strict vegan menu has drawn fierce backlash from loyal customers. Many accused Stuart of betraying the vegan community he once championed. In a Facebook video, he defended his move, saying he sought to attract a broader clientele while maintaining separate cooking areas to prevent cross-contamination.
However, the fallout was swift and severe, including a reported delivery of a headless chicken, a shocking act that underscored the tensions surrounding the decision. The restaurant, known for its mushroom-focused cuisine, had previously ranked #55 on Yelp’s Top 100 Vegan Restaurants in the U.S. for 2024.
The closure comes amid a troubling trend for vegan establishments in Las Vegas. Just days prior, on July 7, another local plant-based deli, NoButcher, announced it was “taking a step back” due to 30% lower sales than projected and serious building issues. This highlights the significant challenges facing both well-reviewed establishments and newer ventures in the post-pandemic dining landscape.
ChagaRoot’s sudden closure is not an isolated incident. Several other vegan restaurants in Las Vegas have also shut down recently. VegeNation, a pioneering vegan spot that opened in 2015, closed earlier this year, while other local favorites like Graze Kitchen and Pots have quietly disappeared from the scene.
Despite this downturn, the Las Vegas dining scene continues to evolve, with new establishments opening regularly, including the upscale food court Via Via and a $50 million rooftop sports bar called Bottled Blonde, both offering vegetarian options.
As the landscape shifts, the community is left to grapple with the implications of these closures, particularly for diners who have embraced plant-based lifestyles. The situation remains fluid, and observers are keenly watching how the market responds to these changes and whether new vegan concepts will emerge in the wake of these closures.
Stay tuned for more updates as this story develops.
