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'Big Bang Theory' star describes her restaurant as 'vegan healthy Subway sandwich restaurant'

July 22, 2019

Mayim Bialik, an actress best known from her roles on televisions shows "Blossom" and "Big Bang Theory," is also a mother and neuroscientist. And now, she's in the fast casual restaurant business. 

Bialik partnered with Chef Ali Cruddas earlier this year to open Bodhi Bowl, a vegan fast casual restaurant serving nutrient-dense bowls, salads and sandwiches in downtown Los Angeles.

"Allie and I have known each other for about 20 years. We have been friends and co-vegans, dreaming of a world where we would not just eat salad and pasta and french fries," Cruddas told Haute Living. "She always dreamed of a fast food vegan place and throughout the years, we worked on my cookbook together (Mayim's Vegan Table) and she has catered events in my life and has taught me so much as a chef.

"When she was ready to open Bodhi Bowl I was so thrilled. I had been testing out her seitans and dressings for years, and now we can enjoy them in what's essentially a vegan healthy Subway sandwich restaurant at reasonable prices in Downtown LA. It's so exciting and my kids and I wish she lived in our house so we could eat this food daily."

Bialik, who is passionate about helping kids eat healthier, said her favorite dish at Bodhi Bowl is the Gautama — BBQ tofu or seitan, plus ranch cabbage slaw, pickles and herbed red onion. 

"I like it as a wrap, and my sons like it as a panini. It has three of my most favorite things: pickles, onions, and cabbage," she said in an interview with VegNews. "Add to that the BBQ seitan and dressing and it's creamy and complicated — but not too complicated — and I could eat it three times a day if you let me."

How do they get protein? What do you do about birthday parties? Are they OK?!

People ask a lot of questions about raising #vegan kids, and I get it! My new video has some answers.
Watch: https://t.co/yNClafKunX pic.twitter.com/xCjLXaDUto

— Mayim Bialik (@missmayim) July 11, 2019

Bodhi Bowl's mission is to "inspire people to choose a healthier, greener, more compassionate lifestyle through plant-based eating," according to its website. Its owners, who are all vegan, embrace the "giving bowl," a Buddhist concept centered around giving and compassion. Ten percent of all proceeds go to animal charities.