Eight years ago Leslie Naylor became a vegetarian. It was after viewing the documentary "Meet your Meat," about factory farming, that her decision was made.

Today she is the owner of Sanctuary Vegan Cafe, 151 N. Seven Oaks Drive, a new West Knoxville restaurant that opened on Dec. 15.

"I am a cancer survivor and had decided to cut red meat out of my diet when one day my oldest daughter said she wanted me to watch this video. I watched it with my youngest daughter Hayley. Afterward we looked at each other and said we would never eat meat again. I've been 100 percent meat-free for eight years and a vegan for five years," she said.

As a vegan she found it difficult to find many suitable Knoxville eateries in which to dine out. That's what spurred her decision to open the business. She has no restaurant experience other than having served as a waitress and a manager of a Denny's when she was younger. Her career for the last 23 years has been selling used books via the internet.

"I found myself traveling to Asheville, Chattanooga, Atlanta and Nashville to eat out and begging some of my favorite restaurants there to please come to Knoxville," she said adding "I am forever thankful for the Tomato Head, however. That was one of the places in Knoxville I felt most comfortable with when eating out."

She is a member of the Vegetarian Society and the K-Town Vegans, so she knew there was a steady demand for vegan and vegetarian cuisine.

Once she decided to take the leap, she quickly acquired a location, required permits, and Jeff (Chef Dino) Godfrey as her chef.

Every food item in the restaurant is organic, and she drives to Asheville to buy her bread because the bakery there uses organic flour.

The menu includes appetizers, sandwiches, lunch and dinner entrees, salads, sides and a kid's menu. Sample menu items include tofu fingers battered and fried, grilled beet burger, mashed potatoes and gravy, Greek salad, black bean and chipotle burger, quinoa lemon spinach quiche and more.

Costs range from $3.95 to $11.95.

Packaged foods will be available for grab-and-go customers.

In addition to Naylor and Chef Dino, four support kitchen staff and daughter Hayley work there. The cafe is open 11 a.m.-9 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, 2-9 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m.-6 p.m. on Sunday.

"I have been volunteering with the Gentle Barn since it opened here two years ago, and on Saturday I get to spend time with Dudley (a cow that was rescued and given a prosthetic foot). I'm not ready to let that go yet so we will open late that day," she said.

Sanctuary Vegan Cafe

Address: 151 N. Seven Oaks Drive

Hours: 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Wednesday-Friday; 2-9 p.m. Saturday; 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday

Phone: 865- 200-8042

Web: www.sanctuaryvegancafe.net