Behind Mooney’s Market and Emporium is the newest addition to the Mountain restaurant scene, the Crescent Cafe. The Crescent Cafe is a food truck, specializing in vegan and vegetarian fare. It opened June 27.
“So many customers were asking for take-away, ready-to-eat food items while shopping at Mooney’s, having a commercial kitchen was the next step,” said Joan Thomas, owner of Mooney’s. “And, I always knew it was going to offer only vegan and vegetarian food.”
“Joan had a vision that a commercial kitchen offering good, healthy food was needed,” said cook Lucinda Hawkes. Thomas bought the food trailer, and Hawkes stepped in to be the cook.
As a grocery store, Thomas is allowed to have a deli as long as it is permanently anchored. “The food truck is not mobile,” said Thomas. Thomas still plans to sell ready-to-go food out of the store during the week.
Hawkes uses her own kitchen recipes for the Crescent Cafe menu. As a vegetarian for the last 10 years, she has tweaked many recipes to find out what works best and tastes good. Hawkes uses local products, mostly organic, whenever possible. The menu items are made from scratch, except for the veggie dog.
“Lucinda knows good, healthy cooking. Menu items are low in fat and salt, and the food tastes good,” said Thomas.
The menu will change weekly, with such offerings as black bean and sweet potato burgers, black-eyed pea hummus and kale smoothies. Hawkes plans on offering more gluten-free options in the coming weeks.
The Crescent Cafe is open Thursday through Saturday only, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. All foods are packed for take-away. Patrons can dine outside or inside on the porch. Customers can also call ahead at (931) 924-7400 or (423) 994-0419 for carry-out orders.
Mooney’s Market and Emporium sells local food, gardening supplies and antiques and art on consignment. The store is located at 1265 W. Main Street in Monteagle.
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