Follow Your Heart Market & Cafe — Restaurant in Los Angeles

I have been coming to FYH for the past 35 years. What I am able to tell you is about the appalling recent developments at this establishment.

Every time I came here during 2021 and ordered waffles, the server would tell me they do not have them. Is it not the responsibility of a server to advise patrons what food they do not have BEFORE they take your order? I used to be a waiter. I always made it a part of my daily practice to find out which items were not available so I could advise the patrons in advance. Failing to do so is not good for business because now the patrons have to decide on another menu item which takes up more time at the tables.

This practice eventually upset me so much that one day I spoke to the manager. The manager looked at me with a blank stare and said, "Okay." After I found he had nothing else to say, I walked out without ordering anything.

In 2022, they printed new menus. Waffles were not on them. I asked the server if they discontinued them. She explained that they actually do have waffles, now, but did not have them before because their waffle iron was broken. Due to the pandemic, they had a hard time getting a new one. WHY the manager did not explain this to me when I complained in 2021 instead of looking at me with a blank stare and saying, "Okay" to my complaints is beyond me.

The IRONY of all this is they did not have waffles when they had them on the menus - now, they have waffles but forgot to put them on the menus! Another irony is that I got a better explanation of the situation from the server (a year later) than from the manager.

My 2nd issue is their new "Optional 5% Service Fee". Should they not also charge a utilities fee, insurance fee, and a toilet fee? I would rather they raise their menu prices by 5% than insult their patrons. To add a fee is blatantly advertising that they do not know how to pay employees a living wage. When I pay for my food, I am paying for the whole business - not separate sections of it. I e-mailed Follow Your Heart about this but they are silent. Maybe I need to pay a...

FOLLOW YOUR HEART MARKET AND CAFE is a wonderful vegan eatery. Dinning in or carry-outs, you will find how good American style, vegan cooking can be.

The vegan market includes organic fresh vegetables, a bakery, and a selection of refrigerated, frozen, and canned vegan products. Many difficult to find vegan food products and Follow Your Heart (brand) of vegan products are displayed.

Located in the Follow Your Heart natural foods grocery store, this unique restaurant offers an upscale menu of coffee shop favorites, that are vegan. Separated from the retail store, the room is relaxing, softly illuminated with lighted salt crystals and sculptures. The tables and chairs are comfortable. There are no booths. A small patio, in front of the store, also offers table service. Our server is knowledgeable and friendly.

The straws are made of paper. The napkins are made from recyclycled material. No styrofoam is used. Follow Your Heart is doing their part to save our planet.

I ordered the Club Sandwich. It's large, very large. Three slices of whole wheat bread, a garden of veggies, vegan turkey slices, house-made vegan baccon crumbles and vegan cheese, and, of course, Follow Your Heart's Vegenaise spread. The massive sandwich was covered with crispy french fries. Luckly, they divided the sandwich into four, holding it together with sandwich picks. I ended up devouring the delicious sandwich, but, sadly, left most of the fries.

Many of their sandwiches and entrees are available for takeout in the refrigerator case, located near the front of the store. I particularly enjoy the triple layer, vegan club with bacon bits, turkey, tomato, lettuce, and Vegenaise. It's similar to the restaurant's, only the bread in not toasted.

STUFF: Everything is wheelchair accessible. Parking in their lot is free. There is a handicapped entrance, near ADA spaces at the rear of the parking lot. Metered street parking is also available. ADA compatible restrooms are located at the rear...

Follow your heart is an experience. Worthy of calling it an institution in the valley that is a must visit.

At the back of the vegan grocery store is the restaurant. For the unfamiliar, follow your heart makes vegan cheese and other products available nationwide in natural foods and grocery stores.

The vibe is eclectic and very hippie. You may as well be in Joshua tree or Palm Springs.

Bill our server was super friendly, funny and had great recommendations. We asked for deconstructed nachos since they do not travel well and we wanted to take some for our nanny.

Desc: Organically grown stone ground corn tortilla chips with spicy chipotle cashew cream, organic black beans, guacamole, sour cream, Pickled Onions, Pickled Jalapeno & fresh salsa. Insanely delicious. On hindsight we should’ve just asked to bring it all mixed together.

The banh mi is spectacular and packs a lot of flavor and with the jalapeños some heat. Desc: Savory tofu topped with pickled vegetables, jalapeños, fresh herbs and Sriracha Vegenaise on a French baguette. Served with Coleslaw or Housemade Pickles. We opened for coleslaw.

The favorite item on the menu was a Russian roulette gamble, where we asked bill to make us a pizza that’s insanely delicious and a surprise. He picked pesto, and the toppings of artichoke hearts, tomatoes, fresh garlic and roasted red pepper. FYH makes their own cheese and the crust felt like it was made with high quality ingredients, lots of flavor.

Overall a very positive experience where you don’t feel gross and crave your next meal and the 100’s of items you could not try. You pay in the grocery store and 5% service charge for staff is added, you can add additional tip. We picked our deserts to go and ate it in the car. Their triple chocolate cake is decadent and so is their Whoopee pie.

Tip: If you have kids, ask for their kids menu. Tip: Parking is easy and free in the lot besides...