Healthy Substance Kitchen — Restaurant in Lake Township

My wife & I have been coming here on & off over several years, & it has been wonderful to see them grow & endure as a vegan small business which is also woman & latino owned 💙 We will support them always for that alone & love their values & how they are proud to share them!

Being vegan & gluten-free, my wife & I often struggle to find good, quality food where we can dine out, especially when it comes to breakfast & latino food which we LOVE so much. This spot has always had options for us that are so yummy, & we love that they use JustEgg & provide hearty meals that taste culturally authentic 💯

😪 As much as I love this place tho, I've come to be a lil' disappointed in recent years. Mostly bc I became GF (my gut's choice, not mine) & then realized that meant I was limited on options from their menu since there are no GF bread options. There are no GF desert options either. While I love me some corn tortillas, tamales & gorditas, I very much miss tortas (& sammies in general) & burritos. Many GF breads out there often contain egg making them not vegan, but I know for a fact there ARE brands that offer vegan/GF bread options since I buy them in grocery stores. There are also dedicated GF small business bakeries that offer vegan products that restaurants can partner with. Burrito-sized vegan/GF tortillas also exist. I wish more vegan spots would acknowledge that gluten intolerance is on the rise & that many of us would appreciate options to accommodate the vegan/GF community. I say this with love & not with any bad intentions but I'd visit more if I could eat more options.

Aside from that, while I really love how creative & presentable their menu is, which is displayed on 3 large screens in-store, it is somewhat confusing. We so much appreciate when menus are marked with icons to indicate wheat, soy, nuts, etc for dietary restrictions... but I've found it is not marked accurately. I've asked about menu items that are NOT marked with the wheat or GF icon, only to be told the item DOES contain wheat. Not sure how that came to be, but it would be great if it were overviewed & fixed to relay accuracy. I don't like to have to bother staff with questions, we really do our best to inform ourselves & read everything, but I don't like when the menu is unclear either.

It is also not fun when the staff member at the counter, most of the time a young man named Diego, seems to have an unhappy demeanor. Often he comes off as if he does not want to be there or seems inconvenienced when approached with menu questions, which doesnt make me feel confident staff is entirely informed on the menu either. I'm left wondering if he's okay? bc the interactions are not entirely welcoming, which is a bummer bc a friendly, kind engagement from staff can lend to a much more positive experience.

While the menu can be a lil' pricey, it is one of the more affordable vegan spots, & we do appreciate the generous, tastey portions which hit the spot. Tho we didn't expect the Chilaquiles to basically be crispy chips with salsa & chz shreds on top since authentically they are usually made soft (we are latinas ourselves who cook culturally at home) I wasnt looking to eat nachos for breakfast. Love love love the beans, rice & salsas, just wasnt what I was expecting in that dish. They never seem to have horchata anymore either, which is our favorite & this was like one of the only places to find it made without milk. We really love this spot, but wish these things would improve. Especially considering we drive almost 40 mins to visit & support their business.

Overall, we will always recommend this spot for healthy vegan latino food options, one of the best...

This is one of the harder reviews that I will have to write as part of the Archer Avenue project. That is, I know Mexican food well, and I was therefore intrigued with the idea of a vegan Mexican restaurant. I have experimented along these lines when I have cooked authentic Mexican food for Indian friends, so I have some opinions.

So here is a set of thoughts. The restaurant is clean and attractive, and the service to the customers is excellent. The personnel is pleasant and efficient, and they put an excellent face on this place.

I tried all three of their tamales, which were poblano, green mole, and "milpa." At first glance, they were well-prepared tamales. Biting into them, the "masa" (cornmeal) was mostly right... actually impressively so, given that they were made without pork lard. Getting to the filling, however, things were more disappointing. That is, the poblano and red peppers had not been griddle-roasted in advance, and their waxy skin removed, which is an absolute in Mexican cooking. What is more, the green mole seemed to be lacking "pepitas" (pumpkin seeds) entirely, and so were missing the magical flavor of that dish. In sum, the tamales were pretty disappointing.

The restaurant also has a rather broad menu of Mexican "antojitos" (comfort food? snacks?), like burritos, gorditas, etc. Most of these menu items are made with plant-based meat (see the menu photo attached to this review). I did not try any of these dishes, I have to admit.

So I come to appreciate two paths that a vegan Mexican restaurant might take. The first is what Healthy Substance has done... take a broad sample of Mexican dishes, and make them vegan. This can be done by using plant-based meat, or by substituting "meaty" ingredients (e.g., red bell peppers) for the meat.

The other approach would be to explore Mexican dishes that are by nature vegan, or at least nearly so. If you go deep on Mexican cuisine, you come to appreciate that there is a dimension to Mexican food that is mostly vegetarian, at least. This is the set of dishes that are enjoyed during Lent, and includes myriad dishes made with potatoes, chiles, and other non-meat ingredients. Yes, one might have to switch out a few animal-derived ingredients, but the contrast would be far less dramatic. This approach to creating a vegan Mexican menu would be far more challenging, but I believe far more rewarding than what Healthy...

In the bustling culinary landscape of Chicago, Healthy Substance "The Vegan Side of Mexico" stands out as a true gem for plant-based enthusiasts and food lovers alike. My recent visit to this vibrant eatery left me utterly enamored, particularly with their scrumptious Family Size Soup and the exceptional service provided by the lovely waitress, Isabella.

Upon stepping into Healthy Substance, I was immediately captivated by the warm and welcoming ambiance. The vibrant Mexican-inspired decor set the stage for an authentic dining experience that transported me to the heart of Mexico itself.

The star of the show was undoubtedly their Family Size Soup - a delightful concoction of rich flavors and wholesome goodness. Brimming with an assortment of fresh vegetables, aromatic spices, and tender legumes, every spoonful was a comforting delight for the palate. The generous portion made it an ideal choice for sharing with loved ones, elevating the meal to a heartwarming family affair.

What truly made the experience exceptional was Isabella's impeccable service. Her infectious smile and genuine enthusiasm radiated throughout the dining area, making every guest feel at ease. Isabella's knowledge of the menu was impressive, and her recommendations were spot-on, guiding us to explore some of the restaurant's hidden culinary treasures.

Healthy Substance "The Vegan Side of Mexico" not only tantalizes the taste buds but also celebrates the art of vegan cuisine in a way that leaves a lasting impression. From their thoughtfully crafted dishes to the inviting atmosphere, every aspect of the restaurant exudes passion and dedication to their craft.

For anyone seeking an unparalleled vegan dining experience in Chicago, Healthy Substance is an absolute must-visit. Don't miss the opportunity to savor their incredible Family Size Soup and let Isabella's exceptional service enhance your dining journey. This establishment is a testament to the fact that plant-based cuisine can be both delicious and...