PlanTita’s Brings Vegan Mexican Food to Long Beach

At just 29, Aileen Elizabeth Castañeda Orozco decided to take a leap. With money she had saved and a passion for vegan food, she opened PlanTita’s Kitchen, a Mexican vegan restaurant in Long Beach, in May of 2023. 

For Castañeda, the restaurant isn’t just a business, it’s more personal than that. After struggling with an eating disorder, she found comfort through vegan food. That experience shaped her dreams to create a space where others could feel included and welcomed. 

PlanTita’s is in a quiet neighborhood but has quickly grown a following. The menu is filled with familiar Mexican dishes– but vegan. Castañeda’s goal is simple: to prove that Mexican dishes don’t lose their culture or flavor when it’s plant-based. 

Dishes like her à la carte mushroom al ajilio and aguachile made with imitation shrimp. Other favorites include vegan enmolada and flauta plates filled with cheesy potatoes and jack fruit carnitas.

Decorated with plants, colorful artwork, and bright accents, Castañeda said she designed the space to feel welcoming to all customers. She manages both the kitchen and the restaurant’s daily operations. 

Her motto, “work smarter, not harder,” keeps her grounded when business gets overwhelming. 

Her niece, Alejandra Carlos, has been by her side since day one and proudly works as a waitress at PlanTita’s.

“At first, I’d forget I was even at work,” Carlos said. “It just felt like hanging out with my aunt. But then I realized how much effort she puts into making this place real.” 

Carlos said she remembers Castañeda always talking about opening a vegan restaurant. For her, watching the dream become reality has been inspiring. “She actually made it happen,” she said. 

Being involved from the beginning gave her a sense of pride. 

“There was definitely hesitation at first,” she said. “People would ask, ‘How can you have Mexican food without cheese?’ But once they try it, they get it. The flavors are still there, they're just made differently.” 

Maria Lopez, 42, who lives nearby, said she visits often and brings her friends and family. 

“I like showing people that vegan food can taste good,” Lopez said. “Every time I bring someone new, they leave surprised at how much they enjoyed it.” 

Lopez said the restaurant feels like part of the community. “It’s not just food,” she said. “It’s the energy Aileen puts into it. You feel it when you walk in.” 

Lopez’ favorite dishes are the enchiladas and mushroom tacos, which she recommends to new customers. 

The bright colors, plants, and artwork make the space feel comfortable, she said. She also appreciates how Aileen stays involved in the kitchen and interacts with customers. “It feels like more than just a meal,” Lopez said. 

Running PlanTita’s hasn’t been easy, but Castañeda said the support from family and customers makes it worth it. She sees the restaurant as proof that challenges don’t have to define someone’s future. 

“It’s hard work, but it’s the kind of hard work I love,” she said. “If this place can help even one person feel better, it’s worth it.” 

Looking ahead, Aileen hopes to keep PlanTita’s growing and maybe expand one day. For now, she’s focused on her neighborhood spot, where family, food, and community come together. 

“I just want people to feel welcome here,”  Castañeda said. “That’s all I’ve ever wanted.”