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Photo by Dave Decker

Anisa Mejia, chef and owner of Nana’s Juice Bar & Restaurant in Ybor City, Florida.

Three months after a permit-related work stoppage led to the effective closure of Nana’s Restaurant & Juice Bar in Ybor City, Anisa Meija is back in the kitchen.

The celebrated plant-based chef – who is usually seen greeting and hugging her regular customers – has decided to team up with a new partner and switch to a food truck rather than reopen her popular storefront.

Nana’s Rooted is at Food Truck Culture’s site is located at 4914 E Broadway Ave. (about three miles from Meija’s closed Ybor City restaurant) and will also be available for events and festivals throughout the greater Tampa Bay area.

“The goal is definitely to open another restaurant at some point.”

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“This food truck is separate from the restaurant – a whole new business. It’s not a brick-and-mortar business, which is nice because the overhead isn’t as high,” Meija tells Creative Loafing Tampa Bay. “The goal is definitely to open another restaurant at some point, but this is just the next step to getting there one day.”

The food truck will continue to serve plates of full-course “daily specials” as well as the expected smoothies, juices, empanadas and sandwiches that Nana’s Restaurant & Juice Bar was known for.

In addition to Nana’s walnut-based empanadas, Meija is currently developing a spinach version for people with nut allergies, as well as a vegan version of an empanada with guava and cheese.

“I also want to add some more baked goods, salads, wraps, take-out and gluten-free options to the menu,” adds Meija.

For those unfamiliar with the popular plant-based dishes from the previous Nana’s location, the food truck’s menu includes bang bang broccoli with coconut mac and cheese, walnut bolognese pasta, jackfruit griot with rice and beans, braised eggplant Dominican style, lentil meatloaf, black bean flautas and more.

Nana’s restaurant in Ybor City closed in early April, and in the meantime, Meija has hosted numerous pop-ups, worked as a private chef, and offered food prep services.

Visit @nanas.rooted on Instagram for the latest news on this new plant-based food truck and its rotating menu.

While the official opening is scheduled for August 31, Meija may open her new food truck sometime next week.

After the grand opening, Nana’s Rooted will be open Tuesday through Saturday from approximately 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. or 8:00 p.m., but hours are subject to change.

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