Weird vegan fast-food chain closes Venice Beach branch one year after opening

Menu items imitate those of McDonald’s, including the “Big Chuck” or the “Not a Hamburger”

By Zach Armstrong

Mr. Charlie’s, the California-based fast-food chain that offers plant-based dishes and satirical variations on the McDonald’s menu, has closed its Venice Beach store along the Ocean Front Walk.

The closure comes about a year after the store opened – the third Mr Charlie’s location after San Francisco and the first in LA on La Brea Ave. – “Venice Beach just got weirder,” the company announced in an August 2023 Instagram post.

The location’s windows have now been sealed, the paint from the sinister yellow logo has been wiped off the building, and two “For Rent” signs have been put up.

Representatives of the franchise did not immediately respond to Mirror Media Group’s request for comment.

The goal of Mr. Charlie’s is to “redefine fast food” by addressing serious topics in a not-so-serious and sarcastic way.

Menu items are modeled after those at McDonald’s, including “Big Chuck,” “No Hamburger,” “No Cheeseburger,” “Double Not,” “No Chicken Sandwich,” “No Chicken Nuggets,” and “British Chips (French Fries Only).” The Happy Meal version is “Frowny,” a choice of “No Hamburger,” “No Cheeseburger,” “Double Not,” “No Chicken Sandwich,” or “BigChuck,” with 4 nuggets, French fries, and a drink; or “Mini Frowny,” a choice of “No Hamburger,” “No Cheeseburger,” with 2 nuggets, mini French fries, and a drink.

The chain is also community-focused, employing people who need a second chance but have been “overlooked by a broken system.” It partners with the Dream Center to give people who have left homelessness, prison or addiction a chance.

The company had previously announced plans to expand abroad to Australia, New Zealand and Singapore.