This Charlotte restaurant made PETA’s list of top 5 vegan soul food spots in the U.S.

Charlotte-area vegans likely already know what PETA has announced to the rest of the country: Veltree’s Krab Cakes and Fried Chic’n are among the best in the United States.

In the era of COVID-19, as restaurants begin to reopen in limited capacity for dining across the country, PETA has named its Top 5 Vegan Soul Food Restaurants. One of our Charlotte restaurants, Veltree, is on the list.

Owners Chef Velvet Jacobs (aka “Chef Vel”) and Tre’ona Kelty-Jacobs (aka “Tree”), serve menu items such as “It’s Not Popeye’s” Chik’n, Shrimp Po’ Boy Subs, drumsticks (in Buffalo or Sweet Heat sauce), Mac n Cheeze, and more.

Veltree has been endorsed by vegan influencer Tabitha Brown and celebrities including Erykah Badu, Lamman Rucker and Common.

During the coronavirus safer-at-home Phase 2, Veltree is open for takeout Tuesday 1 p.m.-7 p.m. and Wednesday-Saturday 1 p.m.- 8 p.m.

“We are so honored to be chosen by PETA as one of the top vegan soul food places,” Kelty-Jacobs told CharlotteFive. “We appreciate the award and say congrats to the other winners as well — we are in great company.”

PETA’s other top vegan restaurants are Souley Vegan in Oakland, California; Oh Vegan Soul in Boise, Idaho; Drop Squad Kitchen in Wilmington, Delaware; and Trio Plant-Based in Minneapolis.

Vegan restaurants do more than practice kindness to animals, PETA said in a statement. “Vegan restaurants help keep some communities from being stranded in food deserts, which contribute to higher rates of strokes, heart disease, and diabetes — all conditions that going vegan can help prevent.”