Phil Newman and Mandy Morris-Newman were running a Hawaiian shaved-ice truck when Covid-19 hit, forcing them to pivot to a less event-based concept. The result? Tree Hugger, a vegan spot that got its start on wheels but is now a brick-and-mortar restaurant in the Northland. The eatery offers loaded tater tots, tacos, burritos, sandwiches and more. Phil is particularly excited about the chickpea meatloaf sammy with house-made vegan mayo and ketchup on grilled sourdough, a dish that underlines the couple’s approach to making tasty, approachable plant-based food: “It’s just down-home cooking that happens to not use any animal products,” he says. Guests can expect the restaurant to have the same rustic-chic aesthetic as the truck, since wood slats, corrugated steel walls, and a giant chalkboard menu are prominently featured.