Wintzell’s Oyster House, a Southern seafood institution founded over 85 years ago, has introduced plant-based seafood options in partnership with Mind Blown Plant Based Seafood Co. Its Montgomery, Alabama, location now offers a range of plant-based alternatives, including oysters, shrimp, and crab cakes, available as part of its regular menu.
Wintzell’s has built a reputation over the years with its “Fried, Stewed, and Nude” oysters, and the decision to introduce plant-based options is a response to changing customer preferences for more sustainable dining choices.
“We take pride in tradition, but we also recognize the importance of offering innovative and sustainable choices for our customers”
“At Wintzell’s, we take pride in tradition, but we also recognize the importance of offering innovative and sustainable choices for our customers. Partnering with Mind Blown™ allows us to expand our menu while staying true to our commitment to serving the best seafood—plant based or otherwise,” said Danielle Kennedy, CEO of Wintzell’s Oyster House.
Monica Talbert, co-founder and CEO of Mind Blown, expressed her excitement about the collaboration in a recent LinkedIn post: “A legendary oyster house that’s been serving seafood since 1938 and just named the number one Seafood house in Alabama, is embracing plant-based seafood and offering their consumers a delicious meatless choice! We even brought our Mind Blown plant-based oysters out of the innovation vault to launch on their menu in time for Lent as an LTO.”
The menu now includes Mind Blown™ Plant Based Oysters, which are featured in po’boys, baskets, and as a salad topping or entrée. The Crispy-Coated Plant-Based Shrimp is served in baskets and as a salad topping, while the award-winning Plant-Based Crab Cake is featured in Wintzell’s Magnolia Crab Cake Sandwich.
A shared vision
The partnership between the two companies, both led by women, reflects a shared vision of providing seafood alternatives that maintain the same flavor and texture as traditional seafood dishes. Talbert, commented, “This partnership is a testament to how far plant-based seafood has come. Whether you’re a longtime seafood lover or looking for something new, these dishes will absolutely blow your mind.”
