Donna Jean

About

Seasonal, sustainable, plant-based, rustic, and comforting. These words are at the foundation of Donna Jean, Chef Roy Elam’s dream restaurant concept, which first opened its doors in San Diego in 2017, and more recently in Los Angeles in 2022.

Donna Jean is named after chef Roy’s mother, who passed away at the young age of 55 from aggressive breast cancer that he believes could have been prevented if she had been given the knowledge and resources to seek out a plant based diet earlier in life. The story of Roy’s mother is what inspired him to create something that would not only have made her proud but offers comforting, homey, and delicious plant-based food to appeal to even the most stubborn meat eaters. Donna Jean is meant to feel like home to everyone who walks through the door.

Donna Jean serves comfort food that celebrates Southern California’s finest produce—and happens to be 100% plant-based. Seasonality, sustainability, and partnerships with nearby farms are the driving forces behind our menu. Our hope is to start a conversation about what plant-based cuisine can be and to set the wheels in motion for a larger movement.