Plant Based Heat Express to Transition to Catering, Searching for New Downtown Site

Plant Based Heat ’s Downtown “express” location will soon transition into a full-service catering and meal prep kitchen. Additionally, owner Ralph “RJ Groove” Johnson is on the hunt for a new location.

According to The Daily Memphian , the vegan comfort food haven—situated at 363 S Front St —will cease its daily restaurant operations starting tomorrow, June 1, 2024. This shift aims to optimize the compact kitchen space available at the current site.

Plant Based Heat caters to diverse gatherings, from intimate family dinners to large wedding receptions and corporate functions. Johnson said that the catering menu boasts a broader array of offerings than the dine-in selections, featuring dishes such as Salisbury steak, chicken and rice, chicken and dressing, sweet potato candy yams, and mashed potatoes with gravy.

Moreover, Johnson told The Daily Memphian that he’s actively pursuing another Downtown venue—preferably one with entertainment options—which would align with his career in radio broadcasting.

For patrons seeking an in-house dining experience, the original Plant Based Heat at 669 S Highland St remains open. Johnson will release a fresh menu this week, which will include favorites previously exclusive to the Downtown locale.

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