Vegan gastropub—Austinite Ray McMackin says he owns the only one in the country, and it is tucked away in a Tarrytown strip mall.

McMackin, who has been vegan for decades and a vegetarian for nearly half a century, said he and his wife, Sarah, talked about opening a vegan restaurant that was accessible to everyone and not just the health-conscious.

“The key to our success is omnivores like our food,” McMackin said. “You don’t have to be vegan.”

At The Beer Plant, located in a largely residential area on Windsor Road, the menu features plant-centric pub fare, such as Buffalo Cauliflower Wings and hearts of palm mimicking fish and chips.

The McMackins’ business also features 40 beer taps plus wine and cider. Nitro coffee is also on draft.

In addition to wine and beer, The Beer Plant crafts “clean” cocktails, which are free of animal products. The whiskey sour at the pub, which traditionally includes egg white to make the drink frothy, is made with a wheat beer to establish a similar mouth feel, McMackin said.

Although McMackin has been eating a plant-based diet for most of his life, he said most of his patrons at The Beer Plant are not vegan.

He said his vegan gastropub provides a “nonjudgmental” environment. Customers can enjoy themselves without feeling like they are being preached to, said McMackin, who rarely brings up his thoughts on veganism to patrons at The Beer Plant.

The business has won over plenty of Tarrytown residents, he said, but because vegan restaurants are such a rarity the restaurant also receives considerable draw from outside the neighborhood.

“We are very gratified,” McMackin said. “Every night we’ve got a full house.”

He said he is looking forward to future offerings at The Beer Plant. Its menu has largely focused on comfort food options, such as veggie burgers, English pub-style curry and quinoa-based chorizo. But as soon as its fall menu, the gastropub will offer some more “elevated” options, McMackin said.

3110 Windsor Road, Austin
512-524-1800
www.thebeerplant.com
Hours: Mon.-Sun. 11 a.m.-midnight (kitchen closes at 10 p.m.)