Krimsey’s is a uniquely flavorful vegan Cajun restaurant, supposedly the “world’s first,” which Baton Rouge native Kristen “Krimsey” Ramsey opened to start March in the back corner of a strip mall at busy intersection of Coldwater Canyon and Victory boulevards.

Cajun jambalaya is a well-spiced rice dish loaded with two types of vegan sausage, red beans, black-eyed peas, bell peppers, onions and garlic, dressed with scallions, purple cabbage and lashings of spicy house sauce. Okra gumbo and veggie étouffée are both reimagined Cajun classics served over rice.

New Orleans po’ boy skips classic fillings like shrimp in favor of battered hears of palm, served on a French sourdough roll with shredded lettuce, tomatoes, dill pickles and house-made Tabasco “mayo.”

Sides include thick-cut Cajun fries, dill potato salad and “buttery” cornbread slathered with vegan butter based on a vegetable oil blend. Any Cajun restaurant pretty much needs Zapp’s chips, and Krimsey’s serves three flavors of the classic Louisiana potato chip.

If you like the concept, Krimsey’s sells T-shirts with an aggressive motto: “I Can’t Believe It’s Not Murder,” a pro-animal play on I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter. Krimsey is a strong animal defender. On her website, she writes, “Animals are not ours to use. We cook without any animal products or byproducts in our foods, and we donate a percentage of our profits to animal rights organizations. You gonna chop up your dog and eat your dog?” This message is bold but gets Krimsey’s point across—just like her food.

12906 Victory Blvd., North Hollywood, 818-308-6166