Can't Believe It's Not Meat

Ordered the vegan Philly cheese sandwich, it was so good I'm definitely coming back for it.

Went in here on a Friday when the taco place next door had a long wait. Had the club sandwich and a smoothie, enjoyed both. Lots of other stuff on the menu that looked good. My gf enjoyed her gyro.

I hope I can come back and update this review someday when I get the chance to try their other food. We just got some "Chicago St." Hot dogs as we were visiting and wanted to try some iconic Chicago food. A few things: I just realized while writing this that we didn't receive the bags of chips you're meant to get with your order. It was honestly just meh, except for the fact that the pepper they put on it was so crazy spicy that it made it impossible to enjoy. I'm not a super wuss about spice, either. It was packed full of seeds to set your mouth on fire. I was downing the ice from my water after I finished it, and I scraped out the seeds halfway through. I think it was the peppers that also gave an occasional strange chemically taste. Someone else in the restaurant complained of their food being undercooked, but someone who I believe was the owner took it back to get cooked more.

vegan sausage links mad decent- get the sauce on the side. vegan burrito and smash burger were meh. smoothies go hard.

Food: 3

Some of the best vegan chick’n I have had, and at a really good price! Great fries too.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

We went twice in our three day trip to Chicago! Huge menu with a variety of options for vegan fast food.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

I liked the sandwich an fries a lot

Loved their drinks and food. Got the Italian not beef and the philly cheese steak both were excellent. Tuesday-Thursday 3pm-6pm they have a small list of happy hour food and drinks for only $10 each.

This place had a good selection of food. And would visit again.

Standard American food (burgers, Philly cheesesteaks, hot dogs, pizza, chicken wings, etc.), all of which are plant-based. Cheese, mayonnaise, and ranch dressing are available in vegan and non-vegan forms. I ordered the Philly cheesesteak, and it was so good! Their vegan meats are unbelievably delicious. Can't Believe It's Not Meat shares a location with another restaurant called Soul Vibez. Make sure you ask for the "vegan menu" if you dine in. There isn't much seating, so you might have to sit at the bar if you're alone. The bartenders are super friendly and helpful. They also have outdoor seating. Apparently, the two restaurants have separate kitchens, so you don't have to worry about cross contamination. Updated from previous review on 2025-05-27

Food was 100% disgusting. I had the plant based chicken tenders and they were AWFUL. Not cooked thoroughly, breading mushy, and tasted like old grease - the brand used was not the issue. Mind you I typically eat plant based but this wasn’t it. Never going back, waste of $20! Service was great, shoutout to the young black men who were cashiers last nite.

Had the Philly, fish sandwich and the Philly egg rolls. Everything was super tasty. Veggies very fresh. Awesome staff.

The restaurant felt like an authentic diner! I was impressed with the size of the vegan menu and the drink options like shakes and smoothies. The price was also very reasonable, and the food tasted like the real deal! However the food did take longer than I would have liked to arrive.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Black-Owned Brilliance — Flavorful, Fresh, and Filling!

If you’re looking for a Black-owned vegetarian spot that serves up serious flavor and comfort food with a plant-based twist, this is the place! The brunch menu alone is worth the visit — creative, satisfying, and made with so much love. Everything I’ve tried has been amazing, but let me tell you… the patty melt is next level. Crispy, melty, savory perfection that hits all the right notes.

And don’t even get me started on the Oreo shake — thick, creamy, and indulgent without being too sweet. It’s the perfect treat to top off any meal (or to enjoy all by itself — no judgment!).

What I really appreciate is the vibe — welcoming, soulful, and clearly run with passion. The staff is friendly and attentive, and the food is made with care from start to finish. Whether you’re vegetarian or just looking for a great meal, this spot delivers every time.

Support Black-owned. Support delicious food. You won’t regret it!

There have been a couple of times now where I enter the Chicago Ave location and have a hard time even being acknowledged. I waited to try again to say anything. I don’t get it. I order their food and it’s great but the service at this location seems to only happen for certain people. It’s a shame cuz I really like their food as a vegetarian.