- Top Rated Bakery in Chicago
-
Healthy Substance - Garfield Ridge
-
171Loading...
-
Vegan
Vegan
Juice bar
Delivery
Take-out
Mexican
Bakery
Catering
Latin
Latin restaurant offering traditional dishes that Includes vegan tamales, vegan sandwiches as well as vegan desserts. Confirmed open May 2020. Open Mon-Thu 11:30am-6:00pm, Fri-Sat 11:30am-8:00pm, Sun 11:30am-6:00pm.
© OpenStreetMap contributors
-
6852 W Archer Ave (at New England Ave), Chicago, Illinois, USA, 60638
-
Loading...
-
- Wheelchair accessible
- Accepts credit cards
-
-
Last update on 07 Jan 2025 by YezVegz
Update business info
-
-
60 Reviews
First Review by SailorVegan
BradleyWallace
Points +233
Vegan Mexican - Edit
Healthy Substance has great Mexican food. I ordered the chorizo and egg torta and it was amazing. The bun on this torta was perfect, it was light and fluffy but flaky on the outside and could hold up to the heft of the contents of the sandwich. The seasoning on the chorizo was full of flavor. I also had the rice pudding and a fresh pineapple water. Both of these were fantastic as well.
Read moreGuest
JenniferPooch
Points +245
Best Vegan Mexican - Edit
This place is seriously amazing. Everything I've ever had here has been incredible, but their al pastor is put of this world. I really love their Fresh Water drinks too, and usually will get one when I'm there (flavors change daily). Most recently, I had the al pastor tacos with everything on them (cheese and sour cream), a Pineapple Fresh Water drink, and their rice pudding for dessert.
Read morePros: Excellent quality , Good menu variety (100% vegan), Affordable
Guest
Laugust
Points +215
Incredible - Edit
Me and 2 others got a meal each and we all loved it. It sucks I'm a little of a far drive from here because I want to go back already!! The staff are so friendly too.
Read morePros: Amazing food, Rice and beans are great, Salsa verde
Cons: Don't have horchata every day, Extra salsa costs $2
Guest
KimberlyRileyAllen
Points +76
Amazing food! With every penny. - Edit
I love that there are a lot of options .
Read moreGuest
nicolefarris
Points +135
Holy mole-y! - Edit
One of the best meals I’ve had in a long time!! I got the Al pastor taco - so good and two tamales - poblano and green mole. I haven’t had tamales in too long and these were absolutely perfect.
Read moreI bought a pound of their in-house Al pastor and a mini chocolate cake for the road. The cake was tasty, but a bit dry.
Pros: Quality flavor, Lots of options
Guest
connorb
Points +127
Awesome food and great service - Edit
I really enjoyed visiting Healthy Substance last weekend. They were very busy and kept the kitchen running post closing to finish up all the orders.
Read morePros: A lot of different things to choose from, Tasty smoothies, Yummy deserts
Guest
Haley_Kat
Points +399
So good - Edit
The tacos were delicious and the staff was very friendly! Will definitely be back to try other things
Read morePros: All vegan!
Guest
chale91
Points +160
Best Latin food in Chicago - Edit
My husband and I stopped here on our way to the airport. It was too delicious and we will be going back once he returns from his trip! The tacos were his favorite and I could not tell you the last time I had a tamale THAT good. I wish this was closer to where we live. We will be coming back every time we are in Chicago.
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2021-11-07
Pros: All vegan, Great prices, Woman owned
Cons: Too delicious
Guest
kool_kitchen
Points +875
Finally a veggie restaurant in Garfield Ridge - Edit
I became a vegetarian in 1985 in Garfield Ridge and it was very difficult to get anything veggie let alone vegan in this hood back in the day. I believe this may be the first totally veggie as well as vegan place in this hood ever. I'm so happy to see this place here.
Read moreMy friends who live here got it as a take way for me when I came to visit. There was plenty of chips with dips and they seemed nice and homemade. The green and spicy salsas were decent. The bean quesadilla was ok but I think it could be better. Instead of just beans they could try spinach and mushroom ones with onions as well with fake cheese. I've never been a fan of tamales and they weren't for me. The steak tacos were nice.
I had a green smoothie that I didn't think I would like but I did.
It's a good place with yummy Mexican food and I'm so happy that there is a veganveggie place I can go to when I return home for a visit.
Updated from previous review on 2021-11-17
Pros: a much needed vegan/veggie place in Garfield Ridge, decent mexican with fake meats
Cons: quesadilla could be better
Guest
SteveVLeinen
Points +68
Wonderful All Vegan Gem - Edit
The food was amazing and all vegan. Great selection. Staff is super friendly. The place is super clean and cute.
Read morePros: All vegan. Amazing from scratch latin food
Cons: None. Prices were very reasonable
Guest
BrandySchm07
Points +240
Mostly delicious - Edit
I’ve been wanting to try this place since we moved to the area, but it’s taken a bit since they close so early. My vegetarian fiancé and I really enjoyed the nachos and horchata. Between the two of us, we tried a few gorditas and a taco. The taco was VERY tiny - so I suggest going for a Gordita or burrito if you’re hungry. The meat substitutes were yummy and spiced well, but a bit dry and could have benefited from a sauce. Overall we enjoyed it and would go back, just with a better idea of what to order that we would like.
Read morePros: All vegan , Reasonably priced, Good nachos
Cons: Tacos are small, Needs more sauce options, Closes early
Guest
aquarius
Points +20
From”Great!” to “Not so Great!” - Edit
The fist two times I had there nachos it looked like the picture. They were generous with the toppings and The chips were smothered in golden liquid deliciousness. Unfortunately, the 3rd time they weren’t as generous, but it was still good. The 4th time I ordered the nachos I added the beyond crumbles and I also ordered 3 tacos
Read more(Easy onion, easy cilantro). The nachos was VERY dry and the TINY tacos had more cilantro and onion then meat. I took a video of me going through the nachos with a fork searching for the cheese and the sour cream and the handful of cilantro/onion For proof. I called to let someone know about it and was told I’ll get a call back. A couple of weeks went by, I called again, was told the same thing. A couple of days went by, I called back explained the situation again, I was told they have to call someone to call me. Someone finally did and I was given a credit. I placed my order and let’s just say that I will no longer order from there again. I’ll continue going to the North Side.
Guest
MTAlltheCages
Points +16
If you’re vegan and flying through Midway DON’T MISS THIS Woman-Owned Gem - Edit
Healthy Substance was the last stop in a wildly successful weekend vegan food jaunt to Chicago. It’s IDEAL for people hungry for delicious, fresh handmade, and authentic vegan Latin fare. Solid covid protocols and thought uses of space greet diners in this unsuspecting spot just ten minutes from Midway.
Read moreWe had the fresh zucchini soup (they offered a warm corn and zucchini muffin—the first of many lovely surprises. The soup was creamy and complex and delicious.
We also tried the green and mixed veggie tamales. Having once worked for folks who paid me in tamales their families made, I was delighted at how good these were. Perfect texture and just enough spicy kick in the filling to accent the tamale.
We also had chilaquiles with a scrambled Just Egg and cashew cheeze made in-house. If you walk back to the restroom you’ll see the proprietors left ample windows where you can watch the food being made. It’s hypnotizing, though, so don’t get sidetracked. (Side note: a great bathroom!) The freshness of the tortillas and the deliciousness of the cheeze really slayed. They’re as good as what you could expect from a great place in Tijuana or Mexico City, which is likely a result of the matriarch’s strong roots in Mexican cuisine. Fantastic dish and, for me at least, a clear standout in a really strong field.
We finished up with rice pudding, which was a perfect way to end a nearly perfect meal.
While this shouldn’t be a consideration, it is all to often for vegan places with such high-quality food, so it bears mention: The humans who work there are kind, knowledgeable about their food, and excited to share it.
Add an hour to your arrival/departure out of MDW and support this rare gem.
Pros: Handmade with care & authenticity , Calm, minimalist ambience, Truly lovely hosts
Cons: -, -, -
Guest
Sela_H
Points +43
Great food! - Edit
I got the flautas with rice and beans most recently and they were amazing! I have also had the chilaquiles which we’re just as good. They also have 5-star rice and beans that my non-vegan fiancée loves as well. I will definitely be eating here again!
Read morePros: All vegan restaurant, Generous rice and beans side serving
Guest
rkunish
Points +200
Good, Not Great - Edit
The food quality is good, but not not any better than what I can do myself.
Read moreGuest
DiamondLtu
Points +311
Great and flavorful food - Edit
I really liked the tamales, I hoped they used less plastic so I can’t wait to go in when dine in reopens
Read morePros: Tasty, Nice atmosphere
Cons: So much plastic for to go
Guest
laquisha
Points +24
Thank you for vegan, Latin Cuisine - Edit
I absolutely love with a capital L and lots of O's, the food at healthy substance! I have never been so happy to be able to eat Latin cuisine as since I discovered this little gem! Thank you Happy Cow!
Read morePros: Everything is vegan!
Cons: The prices are beautiful! If it weren't so far , Away I would likely eat there at least 2 times , Every week!
Guest
maeveeee
Points +16
AMAZINGGGGG TACOSSS - Edit
I'm not from the south side of Chicago so have never heard of this restaurant. I had a competition nearby and looked up local vegan restaurants and almost HAD A HEART ATTACK WHEN I FOUND THIS RESTAURANT. TACOS, CHILAQUILES, REFRIED BEANS AND RICE, AND HORCHATA LIKE STOPPPPPP. I MISS HORCHATA SO MUCH NOW THAT IM VEGAN AND ITS JUST SO GOOD I CANT. I picked up tacos for myself and my friends and all of my friends who aren't vegan thought they were real tacos and were like WHERE'D U GET THIS. I Love Love Love Love it here the carne asada tacos are so fire. So sad I don't live nearby :(.
Read morePros: the most amazing tacos on this earth , free parking nearby , very very friendly staff
Guest
KerryHagy
Points +72
I will be back - Edit
We live in Michigan and got stop here on our way back from vacation. I thought the choices were great, and enjoyed all the food. I love the portraits of vegetarians/vegans/activists on the walls.
Read morePros: Tamales , Desserts , Great service
Cons: That I did not get tamales to eat the next day., Confused that it says organic meat on the menu
Guest
DanaGildersleeve
Points +52
Yum! - Edit
What a great restaurant with delicious options and a cute interior. I was so happy to see a vegan restaurant so busy with a steady stream of customers.
Read moreGuest
Owlsdocry
Points +50
Best Mexican/Latin restaurant in Chicago! - Edit
Everything is amazing here, but the chilaquiles--oh, the chilaquiles!--are the dish that haunts my dreams and makes me miss Chicago. If you are in Chicago and you have a deep love for chilaquiles, definitely go to Healthy Substance!
Read moreSide note: the name "Healthy Substance" is a little misleading, IMHO. While all of their ingredients are fresh and delicious and many of the dishes are prepared with "health" in mind, the restaurant is not "healthy" in the connotation I've (unfortunately) come to associate with the word (i.e., "low calorie", "low fat", "not very tasty"). I mean, their star dish is chilaquiles, and they offer delicious desserts (like pineapple danishes, AMAZING molten lava chocolate cake, and the best conchas I've ever had). What does "healthy" even mean, really (or "substance," for that matter)? The main point is: don't let the name deter you from the incredible food they serve!
Updated from previous review on 2020-01-10
Pros: best vegan chilaquiles in Chicago, amazing fresh fruit waters, delicious desserts
Cons: kind of a dumb name
Guest
swankberto
Points +62
Tamales - Edit
I still remember when I tried there tamales for the first time. I felt a part of my indenity coming back to me. I felt Mexican again. This place effectively stopped me from ever going to the other place near me that has vegan tamales.
Read morePros: Parking is easy
Cons: Easy to miss sign
Guest
mikemgerdes@aol.com
Points +65
A Real Find - Edit
I was delighted to fine this jem. If you are on the west side or in western suburbs, and enjoy really well prepared Mexican dishes, this place is for you. They can even accommodate those of us stay away from gluten.
Read morePros: Wonderful Mexican Food, Very clean with good energy , You can taste that the food is made with love.
Guest
iamjuliary
Points +20
Sweet and cozy - Edit
What a nice place. Pleasant stuff, clean tables, tasty food. Specializes in bakery, but has smoothies, sandwiches as well.
Read moreGuest
Diet Coach
Points +344
Not To Be Missed - Edit
Clean and bright. Food was creative, fresh and yummy! You can tell that Patricia Gonzalez has pride of ownership and her culinary creations are made with love.
Read morePros: Very interesting variety , Reasonable, Staff were great
Guest
RhondaBansley
Points +18
Amazing - Edit
Visiting family and my sister recommended this place knowing my husband is vegan. All I can say is a place like this can make me vegan. Excellent food.
Read moreGuest
herbshuttles
Points +138
Awesome place all around - Edit
Went to this little cafe two days in a row because it was the best vegan option in the area. The staff is kind and the chef takes pride in what he does. He even came out and gave us samples of a new cucumber ice cream recipe he was developing. The food was so good too! Everything was fresh and made there (even the chips).
Read morePros: Lots of vegan options, Everything is fresh/homemade
Cons: Only brunch served on Sundays
Guest
For Members
Why was my review removed? Guidelines for writing a review View our privacy policyFor Business Owners
Claim this business
See inaccurate information? Submit an update here Link to this page from your site See an unfair review? View full terms & conditionsThis page has been viewed 0 times.