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    Healthy Substance

    4.6 (265 reviews)
    Closed 11:30 am - 8:00 pm

    Order Healthy Substance Takeout or Delivery

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    HEALTHY SUBSTANCE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Trendy
    Moderate noise
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - Healthy Substance

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    Giselle L.

    If you're looking for vegan Mexican food, Healthy Substance is a solid choice! Most Mexican restaurants don't have many vegan options, but this place offers plenty of delicious ones. [[HIGHLIGHT]]It's a cozy spot that's great for lunch, with a welcoming atmosphere and friendly, fast service. We felt so welcomed from the moment we walked in.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] I ordered the al pastor burrito, which came with rice and beans (really flavorful and filling!) I also tried the potato and chorizo flautas. They were a bit small, but the taste made up for it. For dessert, I had the banana and carrot cake. The banana cake wasn't my favorite, but the carrot cake was amazing (moist, flavorful, and just the right amount of sweetness). Overall, a great spot for vegan Mexican food with a welcoming vibe! Definitely worth checking out. They had this flyer on the tables and loved it to much!!! (Pic included)

    Menu
    Louie N.

    I decided to try something vegan since I'm a bit under the weather. This place was a nice option. I tried the nachos carne asada which was delicious, my fav so far. Also got the chili which was divine. The carne asada burrito which was tasty. The lady who took order/cashier was very friendly and cool. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Nicely decorated.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] No one was inside when I arrived and I received order in a timely manner. I will be back!!!

    Dining area
    Manuel G.

    This was my first time coming here! I didn't realize at first that this was a fully vegan restaurant! I came here because I had it saved on my list of places to try. The atmosphere was very simple and had lots of light (reflective of the cuisine). The guacamole was tasty and quite creamy. I would expect this to be good at a vegan restaurant. The tortilla chips were good and crispy, but not too hard or greasy. The flautas were well done, crispy, with a smooth potato filling. I couldn't quite make out the vegan chorizo in those flautas, but it was good nonetheless. I tried an al pastor taco and a carne* asada taco. Both were good, but I would still give the edge to using actual meat. Kudos to the owners for being pioneers in this field of cuisine. The refried beans were flavorful and so very smooth. The rice was good Mexican rice. Nothing special though. The prices were reasonable as well.

    Gordita Mushrooms & Cheese
    Khadijah H.

    Mmmmmmmmh..... I'm not sure how I feel about this place. I'm really on the fence. I've had this place on my visit list for at least two years and finally went two days ago. So boom!... I ordered two tacos and a Gordita. My guy ordered the enfrijoles dish. Together my total was $23 and some change. Here's where my discomfort is. This is vegan food. There is zero reason to 1) be stingy with the veggies and 2) stingy with the seasoning. For goodness sake, all vegans have are veggies, starch and carbs. Give me veggies! Geeeesh. The two tacos were smaller than a easy bake oven cake. For $6, that's absolutely unacceptable. User bigger shells or add more toppings. The Gordita was decent but the mushrooms were tasteless. If it weren't for the salsas that came included in the meal, I don't believe I would've been able to bear getting through to finish. My guy and I purposefully didn't get any dishes with soy because often times places will use the overly salted soy or seitan to do the work of the entire dish and that's not true veganism. Would I return? Yes to try the burrito meal. If that's a no go, I wouldn't recommend.

    Al pastor taco (card included to show size comparison)
    Mro C.

    Pros: This place offers very tasty and authentic Mexican food with a more health-conscious approach. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The space has expanded and there's always seating available.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] They offer many good options, but I stick to the steak burritos or steak burrito bowl which is more filling than the tacos. Speaking of, on to the one con: Their tacos have gotten noticeably smaller, meaning you're going to have your order (and spend) more than you normally would. These have earned the record of smallest tacos in town. Check out this pic. Hopefully they shift to giving us more bang for our buck to earn a full five stars.

    Al pastor burrito
    Jaclyn W.

    I completely understand why this restaurant has high reviews. Yesterday for the first time we came here. I ordered the Al pastor burrito, it came with chips and salsa. I also ordered double rice on the side. I would have never known that this burrito was vegan. It was absolutely delicious and tasted like regular meat. I was shocked. That Al Pastor had so much flavor and the burrito was a good size. I loved it. My fiancé had the chorizo with egg burrito, which came with chips and salsa. He ordered rice with beans. They actually forgot his rice and beans so I had to go back in and let the girl know. His food was delicious also. Once again I could not tell that it was vegan at all. Parking in front. The girl at the counter was very nice. We will definitely be back!

    Christine L.

    SOOOOOOOO AMAZING!!! We eat vegan often as vegetarians living in Los Angeles. We were passing through the area and found this place on Yelp and had no idea what to expect. It's wonderful! The food is delicious!!! Mia was helpful in suggesting what I should try with other dietary restrictions. Mia was also friendly and professional. The burrito was awesome! The chips are great. The rice pudding was one of the best desserts ever. And my husband loved the hot chocolate. Oh and the chili is yummy. Great ambience. Clean. Bathrooms are good and the family bathroom might have a doorway to Narnia lol Highly recommend!!!!

    Vegan tacos
    Moises T.

    Mouthwatering is one of the many words I will use to describe this stunning place. If you are looking for a Vegan meal thats also serves Mexican food, well let me tell you... The Healthy Substance Vegan Restaurant located in Garfield Ridge is the perfect place for that . And you will be coming back for more. This place is a total a new experience and delicious! Im a meat person and I don't always enjoy eating vegan, but this restaurant it brings to the community the vegan side of Mexico and I was so excited to try this place. One again this being my first time coming here i ordered their signature dish the number one, the Impossible meat Steak Tacos and Vegan Al Pastor Tacos. I ordered one of each and for a drink i ordered una Agua de Jamaica or for my English audience a Hibiscus Tea. The first thing to arrive was my drink and Wow.. I had consumed and made this drink so many times but this specific drink was so flavorful, so colorful and with one simple sip of the Bright Red drink took my thirst away. i was blowed away already, first impressions do matter. The Tacos finally arrived, This was my first time having the famous impossible meat in a taco I wasn't sure how it would taste. They looked, smelled and surprisingly tasted just like regular tacos.. i was confused and astonished. The two tacos were amazing and hit the spot. it was perfection. I'll admit I wasn't sure what to expect with vegan Mexican food. But This place gives and brings a new Twist to the Mexican cuisine.

    Impossible meat burrito bowl with the cucumber mint Fresca.
    Lyvonne M.

    Amazing and tasty vegetarian and vegan dishes near Midway! In a food desert like this neighborhood it's a relief to find such good food, made delicious, and healthy. Definite lunchtime go-to for anyone in the area looking to steer clear of heavy, unhealthy food. Love the salsas and aqua Fresca too!

    Counter says everything is vegan

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    Review Insights

    6 years ago

    Delicious healthy restaurant right in my backyard! Will supporting this small business again soon.

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    7 years ago

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    8 years ago

    I love the place. The food is really good. The atmosphere is super nice. I love the variety of food.

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    8 years ago

    I had two tamales and they were delicious! The drinks are great too! I highly recommend it!

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    8 years ago

    Management is absolutely garbage and the the food taste like cardboard. I would be surprised if they stay open for a whole year.

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    7 years ago

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    8 years ago

    Amazing vegan options. Unique dishes and desserts plus an entire smoothie list...great for a quick bite to eat or Togo

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    8 years ago

    Great vegan restaurant, everything is super healthy and tastes delicious. Some of the best tortilla chips I've ever had as well!

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    Page 7 of 7

    Healthy Substance Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Healthy Substance

    Do they sell beer?

    No alcohol but has delicious non alcohol drinks

    There are only four tables available. Are there any plans to expand and create more seating? I have had to walk away because there were no seats available and the wait was way too long.

    Thank you for stopping by first of all and I'm sorry we couldn't accommodate! We are doing just that and I strongly encourage you to visit us again on Friday, November 29th when we unveil a huge surprise for all of our lovely customers 😄

    Is everything here vegan?

    Yes, don't let that scare you.

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

    PORT UNION

    PORT UNION

    4.4
    (375 reviews)
    10.1 mi
    $$$

    My husband and I went for brunch during the first weekend that Port Union was open for brunch. We…read morehad been fans of Bloom, which formerly occupied the space and recently closed, and wanted to see Chef Rodolfo's next chapter. The atmosphere was welcoming, the service excellent, and the food and coffee were delicious. We enjoyed two appetizers: The crackling shrimp was a standout. It had an amazing sauce and texture with the right amount of kick and an unusual combination of flavors -- the edible fried lemon slices added a tart touch to the savory dish. Then we tried the pan de ajo (garlic brioche) with delicate souffled eggs, whipped ricotta, chili oil and chives. The bread was nestled in its own cast iron pan. Yummy! For our mains we had the milanesa chicken and waffles -- I love chicken and waffles so was anxious to try it. It didn't disappoint. The chicken was perfectly crispy and the maple syrup surprised with a subtle spiciness. The portion was generous enough for a second meal. We also tried the crispy branzino and eggs cooked to order and flat top vegetables. It was tasty but not the hit of the meal. We'll definitely be going back and look forward to trying more of Chef Rodolfo's innovative twists on the classics.

    Another great experience and Bloom. Love this plant based restaurant offering creative menu items…read morethat anyone can enjoy! The inside of the restaurant is designed very elegantly & the staff is superb! All the dishes we tried were great, from thr hand rolls to the gnocchi. Recommend a stop here even if your primary diet isn't vegan you will not be disappointed. Pro Tip: try the desserts as well while visiting. Also very creative and satisfying!

    Photos
    Interior
    Interior
    Tart Dessert
    Tart Dessert
    Interior

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    Interior
    Alice & Friends' Vegan Kitchen

    Alice & Friends' Vegan Kitchen

    4.5
    (539 reviews)
    15.1 mi
    $$

    Tl;dr the food here is really great, even if you're not a vegan. Portions are pretty generous, and…read morethe menu is wide-ranging. Highly recommend the crab rangoon + soulful platter. ===== Stopped by one weekend near opening and was able to get seated right away! They have a good number of tables outside and inside and seem overall fairly popular since there were already a few tables before us. The menu is huge and had seemed to be mostly Asian-ish, with some other items sprinkled in. We ordered: - crab rangoon - 5/5 - very tasty and light, sauce was a great complement - soulful platter with 'chicken' wing - 4.5/5- loved the variety of components. The 'chicken' wing was a highlight and had great texture and flavor; cornbread was also really tasty. Mac and cheese had a strong nutritional yeast flavor, which I enjoyed, but kind of wish it were more cheesy. Mashed potatoes were ok. Generous portion of collard greens. - mush love - 3/5 - huge portion, but the breading was very thick and crunchy. I wish the individual pieces were split up more and the breading a bit lighter; i also wish the sauce were the same as the one for the crab rangoon. This one was more of a bbq. Definitely would come back to try more items on the menu! I was intrigued by the drinks, though they were extremely expensive (e.g. 9$+). Staff were friendly, and I appreciate the disclaimer on the menu that they pay their staff a livable wage.

    While the ambiance is blasé and the service when I was there was standard, the food was so…read morefantastic that I easily give A&F's a 5-star rating. Great, GREAT food. And a friend with whom I was traveling (a carnivore) loved his meal too! I had the Banh Mi. Totally yummy. I want to take this place home with me!

    Photos
    Inside
    Inside
    The special
    The special
    Vegan Hot dog

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    Vegan Hot dog
    Kitchen 17

    Kitchen 17

    4.1
    (644 reviews)
    11.0 mi
    $$

    Where do I even start! I wish I lived here because I would come all the time…read more When we walked in we were the only people there which at first worried us but it ended up being the best dinner of our vacation. The food was amazing. We got the "frychos" which were like loaded fries and it was the probably one of the most flavorful and fun vegan dishes I've ever had. Ofc we also had to get the vegan deep dish and it was also really good. Since we were the only ones there we chatted quite a bit with the bartender and he was super friendly. We ended up putting a movie on the bar tv and watching that while we ate. They also had boardgames and free pinball and we played battleship while waiting for our pizza. If you have the chance to check this place out, you definitely should!! The bartender said they were usually busier because it's also a concert venue, but it was a nice day so we think people were going places they could eat outside. But quiet or hoppin this place would be an 11/10! :)

    7/4/2026,They are permanently closed for a reason. See owner's comments. Customers are always…read moreright. Update from 4/28/2025 review, The Geo ?? had the most piss poor attitude from the beginning of my 1st transaction to this one. He started to gaslighting me that i was arguing(trying to make a scene)when I attempted to educate him on the reward program. I really kinda like a few things I On my 1st visit before I left the drink, I forgot to alert him that I wanted light ice so My drink, he mumbled that all he could do was pour out some of the ice. So that was very cold of him. He was rushing for no reason. I also witnessed the same crappy service without another young lady, maybe some woman hurt him, and he's taking it out on us women :( The service is a concern it makes the entire experience extremely cold and not worth the overpriced items. The only dessert they have is the cookie Everything else tastes like big ass globs of peanut butter. Yuck. Not sure how you're still open. People must be really desperate. I am retiring from this place. I would prefer Visiting "My Pie" Visit date 4/26/25 Saturday

    Photos
    Vegan desserts!
    Vegan desserts!
    So many choices!
    So many choices!
    Best Philly cheesesteak ever.

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    Best Philly cheesesteak ever.
    Elephant + Vine

    Elephant + Vine

    4.4
    (89 reviews)
    11.9 mi

    We wanted something light after a few days of heavy meals. I found this place but didn't realize it…read morewas vegan. The vegan chicken strips were tasty and my son enjoyed them. I had the buffalo cauliflower bowl and it was spiced perfectly. Service was great and it was a low key casual fast food establishment. If you want to try a vegan place that will have something for everyone- check this place out.

    After a week of juicing and water only, I was more than ready for my first solid meal. I came…read moreacross Elephant + Vine, a vegan comfort/fast food spot at 2315 N. Lincoln Ave., and between the menu and the name (yes, the elephant caught my attention), I knew I had to check it out. There's plenty of street parking in the area, I went on a Sunday, so meters were free. The interior is bright, green, and inviting, with lots of seating and great natural light coming in from the front windows. There's also outdoor seating, but it was a bit too cold the day we went, so we stayed inside. Service is counter-style, and the staff was very knowledgeable about the menu. It's fairly simple, but still fun and satisfying. I ordered an Impossible burger, tater tots, and a strawberry almond milk smoothie. My friend got fries, so I was able to try both. After over 40 days without fried food, I was especially excited for the tots and they did not disappoint. Overall, the food was good and solid across the board. Nothing that completely blew me away, but definitely satisfying. If you're vegan or vegetarian and craving a classic burger experience, this is a great option. The smoothie was good as well, though I personally prefer fruit-forward smoothies with lighter juices, so the almond milk base wasn't quite my favorite, but it still complemented the meal nicely. Overall, if you're looking for a casual sit-down spot with a cute atmosphere and a solid Impossible burger at a reasonable price, Elephant + Vine is a great choice. 3.5 out of 5 stars.

    Photos
    Elephant + Vine
    Buffalo Rice Bowl
    Buffalo Rice Bowl
    Burrito

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    Burrito
    Can't believe it's not meat

    Can't believe it's not meat

    4.1
    (115 reviews)
    10.9 mi
    $$

    Great food, drinks and service! I love v that this restaurant caters to vegans and carnivores.read more

    I was sooo excited to try this place. I'm a vegetarian from New Mexico and this was within walking…read moredistance from my hotel in Chicago River North. First time I tried to go here I couldn't even get a table cause they had a long wait. The next day I placed an online order and I even downloaded their app. Place opens at 11 so I picked up at 11:30. When I got there my order wasn't done though and I had to wait another 15 minutes. They then forgot my lemonade and told me to grab one from the fridge which is fine. But upon eating my food on my hotel I realized they forgot allllll the sauces that come with my food too. So no sauce for my nuggets that I ordered and none for the Philly eggrolls. It was def frustrating since the app makes it super easy to order and I waited 30 min from opening to get my food even. The food though was bomb. Highly recommend the Philly eggrolls especially. So crispy and flavorful. But again, they forgot my sauce The nuggets were great, again no sauce though Fries were delicious but it's hard to mess those up. I also got a chicken sandwich which I didn't eat the bread with though since I ordered so much food to try lol. Again, delicious as hell though. Their smoothies and lemonade were fabulous and refreshing too. Seems like they're maybe understaffed or something but it's a great vibe and great food for vegetarians and vegans. I would go back if I'm in Chicago but I'm double checking they didn't forget my drinks and sauces next time.

    Photos
    Fun sign on the back wall.
    Fun sign on the back wall.
    Can't believe it's not meat
    Can't believe it's not meat

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    Healthy Substance - vegan - Updated July 2026

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