Vegan Restaurant To Be Featured On Hit Food Network Show

Edited by The VEGPRENEUR Team

Local vegan favorite, Donna Jean, gets a national spotlight on Food Network’s hit show Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives, but needs community support to get there.

Donna Jean, a plant-based restaurant nestled in the heart of Sherman Oaks, California, has been selected for a coveted feature on Food Network’s Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives, hosted by Guy Fieri. The episode, filmed in recent weeks, showcases the restaurant’s scratch-made vegan fare and could mark a turning point for the small business after years of economic setbacks.

Chef Roy Elam, co-founder and executive chef, prepared two of Donna Jean’s most popular dishes — their signature lasagna and the “Black Widow” pizza — for the episode, which is expected to air in mid to late August. Both recipes highlight the restaurant’s commitment to organic ingredients and from-scratch cooking. The segment also includes interviews with customers, many of whom praised the restaurant’s food and community vibe.

The national attention couldn’t come at a more crucial time. Since opening during the pandemic, Donna Jean has struggled to stay afloat amid industry-wide challenges, including supply chain disruptions, a drop in local foot traffic due to Hollywood’s industry strikes, and the broader impact of regional wildfires. While the feature is expected to bring a dramatic uptick in business — restaurants showcased on Triple D often see a short-term 500% increase in traffic — Donna Jean must first make it through the summer.

In a personal message to Chef Roy, Fieri offered words of encouragement:

“No guarantee, but I think people are gonna be so surprised and excited to know that you are right under their noses. I know times are tough, but please at least hold on till the airing and ride it out. You have something special there, and I think L.A. is gonna go nuts.”

In order to bridge the gap until the episode airs, the restaurant is aiming to raise $30,000 through community support. The team is offering shares in the restaurant, short-term loans, and accepting donations to help cover operating costs over the next few months.