Gothamist

A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.

Gothamist

WNYC Listen Live

Donate

Food

Buttermilk Channel Is Ready For You, Vegan Beyonce And Jay Z

Jen Carlson

Published Dec 4, 2013

Modified Dec 4, 2013

FacebookTwitterRedditEmail

Never miss a story

Email address

By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .

Jen Carlson

Published Dec 4, 2013

Modified Dec 4, 2013

FacebookTwitterRedditEmail

We rely on your support to make local news available to all

Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations

via I Am Beyonce

Jay Z announced on his website that he and Beyonce would be going vegan for 22 days, writing:

"On December 3rd, one day before my 44th birthday I will embark on a 22 Days challenge to go completely vegan, or as I prefer to call it, plant-based!! This all began a few months back when a good friend and vegan challenged me to embrace a 'plant-based breakfast' everyday. It was surprisingly easier on me than I thought. Why now? There’s something spiritual to me about it being my 44th birthday and the serendipity behind the number of days in this challenge; 22 (2+2=4) coupled with the fact that the challenge ends on Christmas day…It just feels right!

So you can call it a spiritual and physical cleanse. I will post my progress… Any professional vegans out there that have any great food spots please help out! Please ha. I don’t know what happens after Christmas. A semi-vegan, a full plant-based diet? Or just a spiritual and physical challenge? We’ll see…

P.S. B is also joining me."

Well, that has their pal Gwyneth written all over it.

While there are plenty of great vegan restaurants around the city, Jay Z and Beyonce have some favorite spots that aren't entirely "plant-based," namely Buttermilk Channel, where the two have enjoyed chicken and waffles time and again. The restaurant does offer a stellar vegetarian menu to accompany their meat-based one, but we reached out to owner Doug Crowell to find out what vegan options the two may enjoy there. He tells us:

(Courtesy of Buttermilk Channel)

"We have always offered a separate vegetarian menu so we're ready for them! Ryan (the chef) actually just introduced a really wonderful new vegan entree (note: the vegan version is served without the egg on top). It's an heirloom bean stew made with beautiful beans from Rancho Gordo in California, and some gently cooked braising greens over a thick slice of grilled sourdough bread. Rancho Gordo sells some truly special beans. We know Jay Z and Beyonce don't mess around. If they're going to eat beans for dinner, Goya will just not do."

Tagged

beyoncé

buttermilk channel

jay-z

stew

vegan

original

Jen Carlson

Jen Carlson is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations

MORE food

Why NYC restaurants are playing coy about sustainability

Though it has multiple benefits, the practice remains popular for one basic reason: it saves money.

Samantha Dady

Published Oct 26, 2026

Where are the cheapest drinks in NYC? A new report details the city's average prices.

The median price of a cocktail in the city is now $16, and $9 for a draft beer.

Hannah Frishberg

Food

Where are the cheapest drinks in NYC? A new report details the city's average prices.

The median price of a cocktail in the city is now $16, and $9 for a draft beer.

Hannah Frishberg

North African restaurants are rare in NYC. These 10 are the best.

Robert Sietsema

10 dishes that demonstrate the delicious diversity of curry in New York City

Robert Sietsema

Frozen yogurt is back in New York City. So are the super long lines.

Sonia Rao

Never miss a story

Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.

Sign upEmail address

By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .