Mr. Charlie’s in Brentwood — A Full Circle Moment for the OG Vegan Storyteller
This blog is personal.
Mr. Charlie’s was the first brand that made me pick up a camera and create my very first vegan food video content. Before that moment, I was only doing photos and written reviews. But in 2022, I came across their now-iconic red box and bold, disruptive energy on social. It immediately sparked something in me — nostalgia, joy, and the urge to film that moment.
That first visit turned into a full-on love affair, a storytelling journey, and the beginning of what I now call my purpose: building bridges between food, culture, and community through the vegan lens.
Welcome to Brentwood — the Boldest Location Yet
Over the years, I’ve watched Mr. Charlie’s grow — from late-night bites to adding breakfast menus, forming amazing partnerships, and expanding their reach in ways that still feel rooted in who they are.
I’ve featured them in press, written about them, and included them in countless stories — and through it all, Mr. Charlie’s has continued to hold a place in my heart as my first love.
Now with their fourth location opening in Brentwood — and their second in the LA area (joining Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Sydney) — they’re taking up even more space, in the best way.
Walking in, you feel it. This location is more spacious than their original flagship, with red and yellow details, cheeky art, and a design-forward layout that brings some of that signature San Francisco vibe into LA. It’s modern. It’s bold. It’s giving longevity.
This isn’t just a restaurant — it’s a statement.
The Legacy Lives On… and Expands
This brand isn’t just staying local. Mr. Charlie’s is gearing up to open 18 new locations in Arizona — their biggest move yet. These aren’t just storefronts — they’re hubs of community, second chances, and delicious plant-based food done joyfully.
They’ve set out with intention, backed by strategic partnerships and purposeful growth. And every new location keeps that same spark that drew me in from day one.
Shoutout to the Ones Behind the Vision
Shoutout to Taylor McKinnon, the founder, whose vision has changed the face of plant-based fast food. And to Adam Wilks, the president, whose kind words at the Brentwood opening left me both inspired and hopeful. It felt like a bridge being built — between my creative mission and the brand’s ethos.
This Is More Than Food — It’s Legacy Work
This visit wasn’t just nostalgic — it was a reminder of how far I’ve come. From documenting that first meal in 2022 to now leading stories across blog, press, film, and brand collaborations. Mr. Charlie’s continues to be a brand I hold close because it helped me discover my voice.
I’m actively seeking opportunities to collaborate — and this Brentwood location feels like a sign of alignment, promise, and purpose.
📍 Mr. Charlie’s — Brentwood
262 26th Street
Santa Monica, CA 90402
Turn That Frown Upside Down™ — More space, more flavor, more future.
📝 Follow the journey
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🍔 Pull up for a Not a Cheeseburger and tag me when you do.
Their Mission, My Alignment
At its core, Mr. Charlie’s is about second chances — and that’s what makes them powerful. They’re creating a space where people from unhoused and formerly incarcerated communities are given opportunities to work, grow, and thrive.
It’s plant-based food with purpose. A culture of kindness wrapped in fries, red boxes, and unapologetic flavor.
And for me, that’s what makes this more than a meal.
It’s a mission I believe in — and a future I want to help build.
