By Brian McVicar | MLive | Published June 18, 2022

GRAND RAPIDS, MI — Customers at Stella’s Lounge can now choose from an expanded selection of vegetarian and vegan menu options.

The bar and restaurant, located at 53 Commerce Ave. SW in downtown Grand Rapids, is known for its stuffed burgers, retro arcade, and an expansive selection of whiskeys.

But Stella’s also prides itself on its vegetarian and vegan menu options, and it has decided to expand its offerings in the area in time for its 12th anniversary, said Shawn Blonk, vice president of operations at Project BarFly, which owns Stella’s.

The expanded menu, which includes six items, was created in response to customer feedback, Blonk said. The idea, according to the menu, was to create “great vegan or vegetarian food that’s fun, not boring, and even a little spicy.”

One item is the Not Chicken Tostadas, which consists of two tostadas on crispy corn tortilla shells with chipotle black beans, plant based fried chicken, fried Brussels, pickled red onion, tomato, and Stella’s queso. It costs $11 and can be made vegan by adding Stella’s signature vegan queso for an additional $1.50.

Another item is the Shrimp Rangoon Mac and Cheese.

It includes elbow pasta, vegan cheese sauce, plant-based shrimp, scallions, black sesame, and crispy wonton.

There are also two salads, the Trail Mix Salad and Green Machine Salad.

Blonk said Stella’s hasn’t been big on salads in the past, but he and his colleagues wanted to add two more options to round out the restaurant’s menu.

The Trail Mix Salad includes a blend of salad greens, toasted walnuts, sunflower seeds, dried cranberry, goat cheese, red onion and balsamic vinaigrette. It costs $11.

The Green Machine Salad features a blend of salad greens, fried brussels, bell peppers, shredded cheddar, red onion, and honey Dijon dressing. Plant based fried chicken can be added to both salads for an additional $3.

Stella’s is open from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, and from 4 p.m. to 1 a.m. Friday. On Saturday, it’s open from 1 p.m. to 1 a.m. On Sunday, it’s open from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. The restaurant’s menu can be found on its website, stellaslounge.com, and it can be reached by phone at (616) 742-4444.