Sunnyside Diner

Eight years ago, Shannon Roper, the “S” of S&B Burgers, hired someone who would end up changing his career. Aly Cunningham, now co-founder of Happy Plate Concepts, had been bartending at a local Mexican restaurant and was hired as a part-time server at the original S&B location. Shannon knew something was special about Aly. “She was smart and she worked her ass off,” claims Roper, so he asked her if she had any management experience. She didn’t, but said she would work hard to get it. Soon after, Aly was offered a general manager position at the 9th street S&B location; she ended up opening and running other S&B locations as well. These two would work so well together that five years after meeting, they would form Happy Plate Concepts and open the first Sunnyside Diner.

Sunnyside Diner is quickly becoming a local breakfast favorite. With four metro locations, it has expanded rapidly in the last three years. Sunnyside has a vegan menu at their Edmond location which they are rolling out to all locations this summer. Aly and Shannon both have vegan daughters, so making delicious vegan food is a passion for both of them. Whether it’s vegan shepherd’s pie, vegan biscuits and gravy, or vegan chilaquiles, you can find something vegan you will love at Sunnyside. They offer plant-based substitutions such as vegan chorizo, scrambled tofu, vegan cheese, the Impossible burger patty, and a Chick’n Patty, so you can substitute and enjoy their regular menu options as well.

“Everyone should be able to eat comfort food,” says Cunningham. “Food is a memory.” She believes that people who grew up eating burgers and shakes with their families should still be able to do so regardless of their dietary restrictions. Roper enjoys finding new products that are great meat substitutes and finding creative ways to make vegan food. As a meat eater, he can enjoy their vegan options just as much as the meat options. In fact, he once served vegan fried chicken to a family member who didn’t realize it wasn’t the real thing.

Sunnyside is proud to use Made in Oklahoma products such as J&M Mushrooms, Shawnee Mills flour, and Griffin’s syrup and mustard. Eote Coffee makes a blend just for Sunnyside called Sunday Morning that can also be purchased at each of the diners to take home.

Roper is the dreamer and Cunningham is the doer. They are currently working on new concepts that they aren’t quite ready to share, but with the success of Sunnyside Diner, I’m sure these will be spots we won’t want to wait to try!