“Big Bang Theory” star Mayim Bialik has set her sights on a new universe since the CBS hit ended its 12-season run. Bialik, who’s a neuroscientist in real life and a longtime vegan, is now also the co-owner of a vegan restaurant in Los Angeles.
Called Bodhi Bowl, the plant-based restaurant is focused on making healthier food more accessible. While celebrities in the restaurant space is nothing new – musician Moby owns the fine-dining spot Little Pine in the nearby Los Angeles neighborhood of Silver Lake, and Blink 182’s Travis Barker helped open Crossroads Kitchen in West Hollywood — Bialik partnered with Chef Ali Cruddas for the stripped-down casual venture. Cruddas opened the restaurant in 2017.
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Casual Vegan Food
“Ali 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,” Bialik 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.”
Bodhi Bowl takes its formatting from other popular fast-food chains, like Subway and Chipotle, where each meal is made to order.
“It’s a casual and low priced place with bowls, salads, sandwiches, and wraps. You can customize things however you want or go with her menu items,” Bialik said. “The Gautama is our favorite because it has pickles and cabbage salad and the seitan is so delicious. I like it as a wrap and my kids like it in a sandwich. I also love the bowls which I can have any way I feel on any day. Some days I want more of a Tex-Mex flavor, sometimes I want spicy Thai; the possibilities are endless.”
