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Hey family! Here’s yet another hidden jewel treasure in the San Fernando Valley: Follow Your Heart. A vegetarian store with a restaurant that’s been a staple in the valley since 1970. Yes, they’ve been in business for almost 50 years and they’re the oldest vegetarian restaurant in Southern California.
I discovered this place through Youtuber Teala Dunn. The best way to find hidden gems in LA is by watching Youtubers! Most of them are based in LA and live in the valley so they know all the good places!
As soon as I walked through the door, I was impressed by the size. It’s huge! Like really big. Not only the restaurant, but this specific area of the valley is like being transported to the 1980’s through a time machine. I felt like I was in Stranger Things or Valley Girl.
A little backstory on Follow Your Heart: It was founded in 1970 by Michael Besançon, Bob Goldberg, Paul Lewin, and Spencer Windbiel. The original name of the store was Johnny Weissmuller’s American Natural Foods. The business started as a sandwich counter, which remains to this day as a cash register belt, hence the 80’s atmosphere this place evokes as soon as you step foot in it. In 1977, they began selling Vegenaise, an egg-free mayonnaise which became the best-selling vegan mayo replacement in the US.
The grocery store has almost every imaginable healthy product you can think of: beauty products, crystals, books and an entire aisle that boasts all kinds of vitamins, oils and herbs.
The inside of this place looks straight from an 80’s grocery store with touches of rustic décor. The employees are super laid-back and the restaurant menu from the restaurant offers all kinds of vegetarian food. Yep all kinds: from veggie tacos, to salads to vegan cakes. The selection was almost overwhelming in a good way, plenty of options. On top of that, the meal prices from the restaurant are a steal. I had to look twice because I was astounded at how almost everything was in the $10 price range. This is a breath of fresh air from the fancy, trendy vegetarian restaurants that flood the foodie landscape in Los Angeles, where you have to shell out at least $30 to have a proper filling meal.
I ordered the “Follow Your Heart Burger”, which was magnificent, and don’t even get me started on the organic French fries. I do not want to exaggerate but they were terrific —– homemade, perfectly seasoned, fluffy and crispy! 🍟 🍟
If it’s your first time, the waitress recommended trying either the baked potatoes or the nut burger. I feasted my eyes every time the server walked by with giant plates veggie comfort food. The portions here are BIG and hearty!
The seating area was a little confusing! At the entrance, you see the outdoor seating area. If it’s your first time, you will think: where the hell is the host stand? It’s inside! The indoor seating area is at the very very back of the store and also where the kitchen is. I told you in the beginning it was big. I waited outside for the host for about 7 minutes before I realized this. Employees here are veeeeery laid-back. So if you’re in a rush, I would suggest postponing your visit. The service was good and the servers are kind but they occasionally were nowhere to be seen, since the kitchen is on the other side of the establishment.
On my second time, I knew the drill and I chose to sit inside. It was super cozy and the service was much faster! I had the “Melted cheese”, which was basically raw rennetless cheddar cheese (vegetarian cheese), avocado, tomato, sprouts and Follow Your Heart’s original Vegenaise. Don’t let the simplicity of the ingredients fool you. It was exquisite. The avocados were super fresh, the cheese was very subtle and it didn’t overpower the rest of the ingredients. Follow Your Heart’s signature homemade mayonnaise “vegannasie” is what enhanced the sandwich and melded the flavors.
Note: Besides the menu, they have dinner specials almost every single day.
You pay the check inside at the register. It’s very likely you’ll walk out with at least one item since the store is so big and you’ll find yourself wandering the aisles perusing the products.
Hands-down, my other favorite vegetarian restaurant in Los Angeles that is moderately priced is M Café. I’m so lucky to have this within walking distance from my apartment. The burgers are delicious and the organic fries, just like in Follow Your Heart, are top-notch! Another great laid-back vegetarian restaurant I really like is Suncafe in Studio City, their vegan nachos are outstanding. Huuuge portion enough to feed 4 people!
All in all, Follow Your Heart feels like travelling through time: the relaxed atmosphere with its charming rustic décor, the customers (not your average West Hollywood/ Santa Monica vegans on juice cleanses) and the background alternative music from the 80’s/90’s will add to your overall experience there.
Is it worth getting on the 101 to go there? Yes! I had to do some shopping in Westfield Topanga before heading over to Follow Your Heart for dinner on a Friday night. Surprisingly, it’s only 4 minutes away. It was so bizarre to see the food court and The Cheesecake Factory overflowing with lines of people waiting to be seated versus the tranquility at Follow Your Heart, where I had a very nice low-key and relaxed dinner. Love this place!!
This restaurant is indeed a hidden jewel treasure in the valley. Whether or not you’re vegetarian, I can assure you you will love this health paradise oasis.
The address is 21825 Sherman Way, Canoga Park, CA 91303
What’s your favorite vegan restaurant?
Below you will see some photos I took on Sherman Way. I love how the development in this area is pretty much non-existent. Wide streets, flashy neon signs and gigantic outdated strip malls can be seen if you drive east on Sherman Way.
