Chicana: Bringing Bold, Comforting Vegan Eats to Fullerton
Chicana in Fullerton is redefining vegan comfort food with bold flavors and a menu that blends Mexican and American classics. Owner Jasmine shares her journey, from pop-ups to a thriving restaurant, and what’s next for this plant-based hotspot.
If you think vegan food means sacrificing flavor, one bite from Chicana will prove otherwise. This Fullerton gem is redefining plant-based cuisine with a bold, nostalgic menu that celebrates both Mexican and American flavors—think Cali burritos, loaded Asada fries, and juicy burgers.
At the heart of it all is Jasmine, the passionate owner behind Chicana. Her journey into the restaurant world wasn’t traditional, but it was driven by creativity, necessity, and an undeniable love for food.
From Experimenting at Home to a Full-Blown Restaurant
Jasmine never set out to open a restaurant. In fact, she hadn’t worked in food service beyond a stint at Starbucks in her younger years. But when she started recreating her favorite comfort foods at home—veganizing classics she grew up eating—something clicked.
“It kind of spread out of necessity,” she explains. “Then it turned into, ‘Hey, there's a need for this. People want it.’”
What started as a fun experiment quickly turned into pop-ups, then a food truck. The reception was overwhelmingly positive, and when a space in Fullerton became available, Jasmine took the leap—right as March 2020 rolled around.
Opening a restaurant in the middle of a global shutdown might seem like a nightmare, but Chicana thrived.
“COVID was all we knew,” Jasmine says. “A lot of restaurants struggled because they had to shift from dine-in to takeout, but we started with online ordering from the get-go. We were busy because there weren’t many options—no movies, no travel, just food.”
That unique start shaped the way Chicana operates today, where 80% of their orders are still takeout.
A Menu That Reflects Culture and Comfort
Chicana’s menu isn’t strictly traditional Mexican or American—it’s both. The name itself, "Chicana," represents Jasmine’s identity as a Mexican-American, and the food reflects the flavors she and her family grew up loving.
“At first, we thought about doing just authentic Mexican recipes, but that left out a lot of what we actually ate. We realized that being authentic meant serving the food that represents our experience here,” Jasmine says.
That means burritos and tacos sit alongside burgers and fries, all done with a plant-based twist. And unlike many vegan spots that focus solely on one category, Chicana does both Mexican and American comfort food exceptionally well.
So, what should you try first? According to Jasmine, these three dishes are customer favorites:
🌯 Cali Burrito – Inspired by the SoCal classic, this burrito is loaded with guac, fries, vegan Asada, cheese, and sour cream. It was one of the first items they ever recreated and remains their top seller.
🍟 Asada Fries – Perfectly crispy fries piled high with vegan Asada, creamy house-made cheese, and all the fixings. This dish was a hit during Chicana’s pop-up days and remains a fan favorite today.
🍔 Cali Dreamin’ Burger – A bacon avocado cheeseburger with grilled onions and a flavorful plant-based patty. It’s a must-try for burger lovers—vegan or not.
But if you ask Jasmine for her personal favorite? She’s all about the Chili Cheese Dog (made with their house chili) and the Hottie Burger, a spicy masterpiece topped with habanero aioli and grilled jalapeños.
Keeping It Small, Keeping It Quality
Unlike many restaurants that push to expand quickly, Chicana is focused on quality over quantity.
“We’re not looking to expand—at least not right now,” Jasmine says. “People measure success by how many locations you have, but to us, success is maintaining quality and making sure our restaurant is a place people love.”
That means focusing on new ways to serve the community, like potentially selling their house-made vegan proteins so customers can recreate Chicana flavors at home. They’re also considering adding breakfast items and hosting community events to keep things fresh.
With five years in business—a huge milestone for any restaurant, let alone a vegan one—Chicana has no plans of slowing down.
“Restaurants don’t survive off of two or three good days. They need steady support,” Jasmine says. “If you have a favorite spot, show them love when you can. Every bit counts.”