Founded in Minnesota, Stalk & Spade Plant-Based American Grill is about to make the trek down to South Florida next spring. The first location is expected in March, at 4437 Lyons Rd E105 in Coconut Creek, with four further locations expected to follow shortly thereafter, including in Midtown Miami, Pinecrest, and Plantation.
“It started as a passion project,” franchisee Steve Gustafson told What Now on Monday. Gustafson is a co-franchisee with his wife, Deb Wright. Minnesotan in origin and plant-based eaters themselves, the family was casting about for a franchise opportunity, and after meeting with founder and CEO Steele Smiley, they were sold on the concept.
“Deb is a healthy plant-based eater, so she was familiar with the concept already. We met with Steele and listened to his vision for this brand.”
And how would Gustafson describe that vision?
“It’s making plant-based eating accessible to be people,” Gustafson said. “We need to have not the best plant-based chicken sandwich, but the best chicken sandwich, stop. We’re trying to go beyond the traditional community of vegans. One of the avatars is the mom who picks the kids up from soccer and needs to feed them. Here’s something that’s better for their body and better for the environment.”
The Stalk & Spade menu highlights burgers like the Classic Cheeseburger, the ‘Shroom Burger (smoked gouda, mushrooms, arugula, red onion, roasted garlic mayo) and the Fiesta Burger (Avocado, pepper jack, chipotle mayo, tomato, red onion, lettuce), along with chick’n sandwiches in varieties like Crispy Southwest Chick’n, Spicy Sriracha Chick’n, and Nashville Hot Chick’n. On top of these are a selection of salads, sides, and Frozen Treats like shakes and ice cream, all of which are “rich, creamy, and 100% dairy-free with an oat milk base.”
There’s still a bit of a wait until the spring, when Stalk & Spade’s South Florida locations will begin to roll out, but if you can’t wait, you’ll be able to try some at the Seed Food and Wine Festival in January.
“If people give a try, we know they’ll keep coming back,” said Gustafson.
