Anti Dairy Fight Club

A Local’s Inspiring Approach To Vegan Cuisine

Written by Carolyn Bokinskie Photos by Luc Stringer and Elijah Hickman

Whoever said vegan cuisine is not delicious has never had the chance to visit the Anti Dairy Fight Club (ADFC) located in Riverside. Whether looking for a fun take on vegan classics or trying to broaden food options, this establishment offers something for everyone.

Po Lee, founder of ADFC, explains the restaurant's purpose.

“Our mission has not changed from the beginning — we value compassion above all else and strive to always create a place and atmosphere where people are free to be themselves, try new things and learn more about the cultures around them,” Lee says.

Breaching a gap in affordable and centrally located vegan options is the primary reason Lee began this venture.

Po lee (right), founder of Anti Dairy Fight Club, cooks beside Leila Noguez, chef and manager at ADFC.

Leila Noguez prepares basic and essential ingredients for ADFC’s food options.

“In the beginning ADFC was just an opportunity for me to cook my friends new vegan foods that they never had but I grew up eating,” Lee says. “Slowly, more and more people became interested in what I was doing so I made the decision to open up and serve my food to the public every Sunday.”

That decision has now translated into a fully operational kitchen open 10 a.m.-7 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. The change has allowed Lee to create a marketable brand that has fueled a revolutionized approach to vegan cooking.

Po and Leila smile in front of ADFC’s menu, ready to make delicious meals for hungry customers.

California Baptist University alumna Cassie Vela has been a regular ADFC customer for years.

“It is by far my favorite place to get vegan food in the area,” Vela says. “I first got into it a couple years back when they first started at Arcade (Coffee Roaster) a few days a week.”

The consistency in quality and range of Asian inspired dishes has influenced a steady flow of regulars and new customers.

“Since from where we started in 2018 we have more than tripled the amount of people we serve, and we have extended our menu from six options to two full menus,” Lee says.

The noticeable success of Lee’s restaurant has served as inspiration for other vegan restaurants to flourish in the Riverside community.

Finding completely vegan options is no easy task, and often it is considered lucky to find a handful of good options that meet one’s criteria.

“Seeing this problem, I knew that I wanted to change that and bring my community an original take on an unrepresented type of cuisine that would be both affordable and close to home,” Lee says.

ADFC has not only these convenient options but also truly delicious food.

“The Bangkok chicken fried rice is my favorite,” Vela says. Offering two full menus that change regularly, customers can expect great Asian-inspired options with fun twists and new flavors.

The challenges facing many small businesses in LA and Riverside counties are challenging in the best of times, but this past year has forced many to close their doors permanently. The lasting impact of COVID-19 has led to increased regulations on indoor dining and food establishments’ ability to function overall. Although there have been difficulties, such as increasing delay in shipments, supply shortages and an influx in produce prices, Lee expresses that opportunities have also risen out of these obstacles.

“Through COVID, we have been able to expand and reach these amazing heights that we didn’t think were possible. We completely switched the accessibility of our food from a predominantly sit-down style to one that can be taken anywhere and still be good during the week or later in the day,” Lee says. “This allowed us to reach a new crowd of people and has made us more accessible to our community.”

This continued shift in the approach to dining highlights the power of community support and perseverance through difficult times. This support is clear as customers continue to recommend and rave about ADFC. “Anyone vegan or not should try it out,” Vela says.

Whether dabbling in vegan culture and cuisine or simply wanting to explore new restaurants in the area, Anti Dairy Fight Club is a great place to start. This business continues to exceed expectations, leaving customers wanting more. ◆