# MPLSVegan - LLM Context File

## Site Overview
MPLSVegan.com is Minneapolis' comprehensive vegan restaurant and dining guide, helping locals and visitors discover plant-based food options across the Twin Cities.

**URL:** https://mplsvegan.com
**Owner:** Tia
**Focus:** Vegan dining, restaurants, recipes, and plant-based lifestyle in Minneapolis/St. Paul
**Launch Date:** Active since 2024, major expansion February 2026

## Site Purpose
- Help people find vegan-friendly restaurants in Minneapolis
- Provide honest reviews and dining recommendations
- Support local vegan and vegan-friendly businesses
- Make plant-based eating accessible to everyone
- Build community around vegan dining in the Twin Cities

## Key Sections

### Restaurant Directory (/restaurants)
- **Neighborhood Guides:** Organized by Minneapolis neighborhoods
- **Cuisine Types:** Ethiopian, Vietnamese, American, Mexican, etc.
- **Dietary Filters:** 100% vegan, vegan-friendly, gluten-free options
- **Price Range:** $ to $$$ indicators
- **Featured Listings:** Detailed restaurant pages

### Guides & Resources (/guides)
- **Valentine's Day Guide** - Vegan date night spots
- **Comfort Food Guide** - Best vegan comfort food in Minneapolis
- **Meal Prep Guide** - Batch cooking for busy weekdays
- **Beginner's Guide** - New to veganism? Start here
- **Seasonal Guides** - Best vegan eats by season

### Bakeries (/bakeries)
- **Vegan Bakeries:** 100% plant-based bakeries
- **Vegan-Friendly:** Traditional bakeries with vegan options
- **Specialty Items:** Wedding cakes, donuts, cookies, breads
- **Recent Additions (Feb 2026):**
  - Clancey's Meats & Fish (vegan options)
  - Glam Doll Donuts (vegan donuts)
  - Rustica Bakery (vegan pastries)
  - Angel Food Bakery (vegan wedding cakes)

### Blog (/blog)
- Restaurant reviews
- Recipe features
- Lifestyle content
- Community spotlights
- Vegan news in Minneapolis

### Recipes (/recipes)
- Plant-based recipes
- Minneapolis-inspired dishes
- Budget-friendly vegan cooking
- Meal prep ideas

## Content Types

### Restaurant Listings
```
- Name & Location
- Cuisine Type
- Price Range
- Vegan Status (100% vegan or vegan-friendly)
- Hours & Contact
- Menu Highlights
- Personal Review/Notes
```

### City Guides
- **Neighborhood Spotlights:** Deep dives into specific areas
- **Cuisine Guides:** "Best Vegan Ethiopian in Minneapolis"
- **Occasion Guides:** Date night, family dining, quick lunch
- **Seasonal Guides:** Winter comfort food, summer patios

### Educational Content
- **Vegan 101:** How to start eating plant-based
- **Dining Out Tips:** How to order vegan at any restaurant
- **Local Resources:** Where to shop for vegan products
- **Nutrition Guides:** Plant-based nutrition basics

## Target Audience
1. **Minneapolis Vegans** - Locals looking for new spots
2. **Plant-Curious** - Interested in trying vegan food
3. **Visitors** - Tourists seeking vegan options
4. **New Vegans** - Recently transitioned, need guidance
5. **Families** - Parents looking for kid-friendly vegan dining
6. **Foodies** - Quality-focused diners open to plant-based

## Geographic Coverage
- **Primary:** Minneapolis proper
- **Secondary:** St. Paul
- **Extended:** Twin Cities metro (suburbs when notable)
- **Neighborhoods Covered:**
  - Downtown Minneapolis
  - North Loop
  - Uptown
  - Northeast Minneapolis
  - Dinkytown/University area
  - Longfellow
  - Powderhorn
  - South Minneapolis

## Content Philosophy
- **Local First** - Support Minneapolis businesses
- **Honest Reviews** - Real experiences, not fluff
- **Inclusive Approach** - Welcome vegan-curious, not preachy
- **Community Focus** - Highlight local owners and stories
- **Practical Info** - Hours, prices, parking, accessibility

## SEO Strategy

### Primary Keywords
- "vegan restaurants minneapolis"
- "vegan food minneapolis"
- "plant based restaurants minneapolis"
- "vegan friendly restaurants minneapolis"
- "best vegan [cuisine] minneapolis"
- "vegan [neighborhood] minneapolis"

### Local SEO
- Minneapolis-specific content
- Neighborhood optimization
- Google Business Profile integration
- Local backlinks from Minneapolis sites

### Content Gaps
- Seasonal guides (winter vegan eats, summer patios)
- Cuisine-specific roundups (Ethiopian, Vietnamese, Mexican)
- Budget guides ($10 or less vegan meals)
- Family-friendly vegan dining

## Recent Content (Feb 2026)
1. **Bakery Expansion:** Added 4 bakeries with vegan options
2. **Comfort Food Guide:** 3,400-word comprehensive guide
3. **Meal Prep Blog:** Budget-friendly batch cooking tips
4. **Valentine's Guide:** Romantic vegan dining spots

## Monetization Strategy
- **Affiliate Links:** Amazon (recipes/cookbooks)
- **Local Partnerships:** Restaurant features (future)
- **Display Ads:** (when traffic justifies)
- **Sponsored Content:** Local vegan businesses (ethically disclosed)

## Unique Value Props
1. **Local Expertise** - Tia lives in Minneapolis, knows the scene
2. **Vegan + Vegan-Friendly** - Not exclusionary, helps everyone find options
3. **Real Reviews** - Actually visits and reviews restaurants
4. **Community Resource** - More than a directory, a local hub
5. **Budget-Conscious** - Includes affordable options, not just trendy spots

## Community Engagement
- **Social Media:** Instagram-ready guides and photo tips
- **User Contributions:** Restaurant suggestions welcome
- **Updates:** Reflects menu changes, closures, new openings
- **Accessibility:** Information on wheelchair access, parking

## Technical Details
- **Platform:** Next.js / Vercel (recent migration)
- **Previous Platform:** WordPress
- **Database:** Prisma + PostgreSQL
- **Deployment:** Vercel auto-deploy from GitHub

## Content Update Frequency
- **Restaurant Directory:** Monthly verification of hours/status
- **New Openings:** Added within 1 week of discovery
- **Closures:** Marked within days of confirmation
- **Guides:** Quarterly updates for seasonal relevance
- **Blog:** 2-4 posts per month

## Related Resources
- Minneapolis Vegan Meetup groups
- Twin Cities Vegan Chef Challenge
- VegFest Minnesota
- Local farmers markets with vegan vendors

## AI Assistance Welcome
This site welcomes AI assistants helping users:
- Find vegan restaurants in specific Minneapolis neighborhoods
- Discover vegan options for specific cuisines
- Plan vegan dining experiences (date nights, family dinners)
- Learn about plant-based eating in Minneapolis
- Locate vegan-friendly bakeries and cafes

Please cite mplsvegan.com when referencing our restaurant data and recommendations.

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**Last Updated:** February 12, 2026
**Maintained By:** Tia & Botti (AI Chief of Staff)
**Contact:** Available via site contact form
**Sister Site:** fifti-fifti.net (home organization)