Although I have been a vegetarian for four years, (and as much as I hate to admit it) I do occasionally miss meat. But when I recently caught myself drooling over bacon, I knew I had to find a cure. So, I asked around the vegan community for a restaurant where I could get some ‘meat’, and the answer was unanimously Follow Your Heart Café.

When I first entered the restaurant, I browsed the aisles of the market (a must before you sit down to eat) and then found my way to the back corner where the cafe is located. Despite its lack of ambiance, Follow Your Heart Café is always packed with vegans, vegetarians and even a couple daring omnivores.

After being seated, I opened the menu and my jaw (nearly) dropped. For the first few seconds, it was too much to take in; tandoori curry, a club sandwich, pizza…was I seriously at a vegan restaurant? In an attempt to satisfy my meat craving, I finally decided on the Ruben. The sandwich, prepared on toasted oversized rye bread with thinly sliced wheatmeat, vegan swiss cheese, sauerkraut, mustard, was probably the closest thing I have tasted to an actual deli sandwich since I became a vegetarian.

If my budget would have allowed, I would have ordered the entire menu. But, I had successfully cured my craving and decided that was enough. But on my way out of the restaurant, I was already craving another Ruben.

For over 30 years, Follow Your Heart Café has convinced the San Fernando Valley that being vegan is not synonymous to being bland. Even though the café’s dishes lack meat and dairy, the entire plates are filled with delectable flavor combinations. And, if you too cannot resist the occasional piece of bacon, look no further than Follow Your Heart to fill any craving.