Plant-based comfort food has found its rhythm at Questlove’s newest venture. The Grammy-winning Roots drummer opened Mixtape on May 19 at Neighborly food hall in Westlake Village, creating a beefless burger joint that challenges everything diners think they know about fast food.
This marks Questlove’s second foray into health-conscious dining, following his successful plant-based cheesesteak concept in New York. The musician-turned-entrepreneur draws inspiration from childhood memories of corner diners and late-night comfort food runs, reimagining those nostalgic flavors through a contemporary lens.
Every menu item eliminates beef, gluten, seed oils, and dairy without sacrificing satisfaction. The approach transforms familiar comfort foods into something both healthier and surprisingly faithful to the originals, proving that conscious eating doesn’t require culinary compromise.
Familiar Beats in New Arrangements
The OGB Royale burger anchors Mixtape’s offerings like a bass line anchors a song—steady, satisfying, and impossible to ignore. Each bite delivers the umami-rich depth burger lovers crave, built from plant-based foundations that mimic traditional flavors with remarkable precision.
The Only the Classics Chicken Sandwich maintains crispy textures and savory seasonings that create the satisfying crunch comfort food demands. Gluten-free preparation doesn’t diminish the experience—it enhances it by removing what many diners never needed in the first place.
For those seeking heartier options, the Eat Your Greens burger provides substantial satisfaction without the heaviness traditional beef brings. Waffle fries arrive alongside black-eyed pea slaw, an unexpected pairing that bridges Southern comfort with California innovation in ways that surprise and delight.
Questlove’s philosophy resonates throughout every menu decision: “It’s about delivering the same comfort and flavor you crave, just made better.” This thoughtful approach extends beyond individual dishes to create a cohesive dining experience that feels both familiar and revolutionary.
Sweet Finales Without Guilt
The “Saturdaes” soft serve collection redefines dessert expectations entirely. Flavors like Strawberry Graham Jam and Loaded Dark Chocolate Brownie prove dairy-free preparation can enhance rather than diminish indulgent experiences. The approach transforms simple frozen treats into memory-making moments, where each scoop delivers both indulgence and the satisfaction of conscious choices.
These frozen treats represent something larger than menu innovation—they signal a fundamental shift in American dining culture. Health-conscious choices no longer require sacrificing the weekend dessert rituals that bring joy to ordinary moments.
Mixtape’s location within The Promenade at Westlake positions it perfectly within Los Angeles County’s thriving alternative dining scene. The communal food hall atmosphere, shared with vendors like Mini Kabob and the Cheese Store of Beverly Hills, reflects the inclusive spirit Questlove brings to both music and dining.
The restaurant’s opening reflects larger cultural movements reshaping American food—the rise of food halls as community gathering spaces, mainstream acceptance of plant-based comfort food, and the power of celebrity influence in driving dietary change. Walk-in service keeps the experience accessible, while the curated Neighborly environment ensures quality consistency across all vendors.
For diners seeking familiar flavors wrapped in contemporary consciousness, Mixtape offers more than just another plant-based option. This celebrity-driven dining approach mirrors trends across exclusive destinations, where high-profile figures increasingly champion authentic local flavors alongside innovative concepts. It provides proof that the future of comfort food can honor the past while embracing a more thoughtful approach to ingredients, health, and sustainability. Sometimes the best innovations sound like songs you already know by heart.
