Roll the Veg has rolled out new holiday food options as part of its rotating menu to accommodate plant-based dieters this Christmas, while helping health enthusiasts fulfill any 2023 New Year’s resolutions in a lifestyle change that has transformed the entire deli family.
“A meatless diet is not for everybody,” said Anthony Lagrosa, who co-owns and operates the plant-based deli with fiancée Jamie McNeal. “This is just a way everyone can celebrate the holidays without feeling left out. People typically offer salad without too many other options. Now, customers can pre-order and pick up meals to take to family get-togethers, so they can be part of the table.”
The health-conscientious couple has recruited their kids to help out around the restaurant, as they prepare pre-ordered ham and turkey roasts said to simulate the texture and taste of real meat, just as the sausages on their holiday charcuterie boards do. Accompanying the little sausages are specialty made cheeses, mild to sharp, pending preference.
“We customize meals for customers,” said Lagrosa, going on to tell why vegan-living is important to the Roll the Veg family.
For years, McNeal battled an autoimmune disease and the multiple life-altering symptoms it brought. Things grew especially tough for the family when in Las Vegas through the COVID pandemic. Money was tight and food became scarce.
“Places stopped selling chicken,” Lagrosa said. “There were no alternatives for meat in a big city when the prices skyrocketed. We needed to find an alternative means.”
McNeal decided to explore a meatless diet… nothing against eating animals. After all she loves and fully supports sister and brother-in-law Amy and Dan Jere of Jere farms.
Once on the diet, McNeal started to feel better almost instantly.
“She had less pain and aches,” Lagrosa said. “She was no longer fully dependent on medication. She has been off of her medication for four months now.”
McNeal was eager to learn new recipes and try new foods. That was about the time her fiance jumped on board.
“Things were better for us both within three months,” Lagrosa added, having dropped approximately 40 pounds in that time frame.
Eventually, he started exercising in the gym two days per week in what became a lifestyle transformation for everyone.
Lagrosa was born in the Philippines and raised in Hawaii. He lived in San Diego when in the military. At which point, he left for Sin City. The year was 1991, and his eyes were glued to success.
Success meant jobs as the senior general manager for MGM Grand Hotel & Casino’s beverage department, chief executive officer of Mohawk Motors, owner of Vegan Majjac, general manager at Riviera Hotel and Casino, and restaurant manager at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.
“You live there,” Lagrosa said. “You have no life at home because you are training 28 managers and dealing with 500 employees.”
It was during those moments of health and togetherness when the couple decided to refocus accordingly.
“We vacationed here (EUP),” said Lagrosa, who traveled over 2,000 miles north from Sin City last year to visit the Jeres. “I was like, ‘I don't want to go back. We shut everything down and spent the last dime we had to come up here. With the support of Jere Farms, we got where we wanted to be.”
Lagrosa and McNeal sought to open a plant-based deli in Sault Ste. Marie, where they could spend time with each other and kids in a more tranquil setting.
“We are working as a family,” Lagrosa said, beaming. “Our 13 year-old son is baking and our adult son is cooking. Everyone is working together.”
The Roll the Veg family is content with their recent life choices, happy to help others along their meatless health journeys.
“Meat isn’t unhealthy,” Lagrosa reiterated. “People have special dietary needs and this can fit them.”
He knows based on the many customers who have come to them for help.
“We customize meals based on what people can and cannot eat as part of their dietary restrictions,” Lagroda said. “We have private clients who connect with us.”
One customer came to Lagrosa and McNeal with high diabetic A1C levels.
“We prepared meals for three weeks to lower AC1 levels,” said Lagrosa. “We were able to alter his eating habits.”
Located in the Avery Square atrium, Roll the Veg is the perfect place for elderly residents living in the apartments overhead.
“Some cannot digest meat,” Lagrosa said. “We offer alternatives to meat."
That is what this holiday season is all about to the Roll the Veg family – Giving back by sharing the knowledge and foods they have discovered along their own journeys.
"The joy and happiness it gives people brings us joy,” Lagrosa finished.
If you know of someone who might be interested in customized plant-based diets, or pre-ordered holiday meals, visit Roll the Veg online.
Grab-N-Go ready to heat and eat food items include, but do not limit: Ratatouille with a twist of ginger rice, topped with shredded vegan cheese; Chick'n with potatoes sauteed Filipino adobo style and rice; Penne topped with vegan cheese and vegan ground beef; Ground Be’fless Burrito; Korean barbeque with rice; and Philly cheesesteak.
Roll the Veg is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Closed Sunday and Monday. Special Christmas Eve hours run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Closed on Christmas. Special New Year’s Eve hours run 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Closed on New Year’s Day.
Roll the Veg is located at 510 Ashmun St, Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783. Its number is 906-767-8696. Be sure to check out its Facebook page for more.
