The Slutty Vegan “Slut Mobile” has become one of the most sought-after food trucks in Atlanta since its debut in early August 2018. The powerhouse behind this plant-based food truck phenomenon is Pinky Cole, a decorated television producer and serial entrepreneur, who opened her first brick-and-mortar location in Atlanta’s Westview neighborhood to great fanfare on Jan. 13, 2019. A devout vegan, Cole saw a niche to create fast-casual food that is completely plant-based. She hopes to be a voice and an example to other Black entrepreneurs who have a vision about creating something they believe in and love.
What makes Slutty Vegan the best spot in Atlanta for vegan fare?
What makes Slutty Vegan the best is we put love and energy into our food. Every single one of my employees [is] happy to be there [and] happy to serve the customers because we know how long they wait in line. We don’t compete with anybody else. What we do is for us, by us.
Describe the moment that you fell in love with the city of Atlanta.
I fell in love with Atlanta in 2005 when I saw Ludacris on MTV. He went to CAU [Clark Atlanta University]. He surprised the students. I knew [then] that I wanted to go to CAU. I graduated from Clark Atlanta University, and that was the best experience of my entire life. I fell deeper in love with Atlanta when I opened up Slutty Vegan ATL.
How do you feel Atlanta supports and encourages Black entrepreneurs?
The love is overwhelming. When I started this concept, I never knew how many people would … come together to show me so much love, unconditional love, and they don’t even know me. It feels like I am seeing all my first cousins every time someone comes and stands in the line. I would never take this for granted, and I am so humbled by it.
Atlanta is often referred to as the Black mecca. What about Atlanta makes it a mecca?
There [are] so many successful, young, educated, intellectual Black individuals who live [here] that are coming together to win. So many people want to come here to be an actress, to be a dancer, to be a producer, to be a writer, and there [are] so many opportunities here, especially if you’re hungry. This is the mecca.
If someone if visiting Atlanta for the first time, what would you encourage them to experience?
You have to try a few of my favorite places. Tassili’s Raw [Reality Cafe] – that is one of the best vegan restaurants in Atlanta, aside from Slutty Vegan. Get some ice cream from The Plant-Based Princess [Dymetra Pernell, CEO of First Batch Artisan Foods]. Check out the aquarium and the Coca-Cola factory. Anything that you do, you’re going to have fun.
If you could give us a tweet-length description of the city of Atlanta, what would it be?
“Forever, I love Atlanta.”
