The Ultimate Work From Home Vegan Patty Melt in Hyde Park

Are you working from home?

Last year, Upwork released an economist report that dived into the future workforce. The freelancing platform estimated that 1 in 4 Americans would be fully remote in 2021.

After talking to my friends about their work arrangements, I don't think this number is an exaggeration. In fact, over 90% of my friends are working from home. They are taking on remote work in various professional service industries as well as testing out the digital freelance economy.

Many are also managing families and trying to maintain the proverbial dream of work/life balance.

But no matter where we fall on the remote work scale, there's something that we all have in common: the desire for GOOD food while we put our brains to work.

Many of us have picked up cooking skills during the pandemic. I found myself making better use of my pots and pans as I whipped up my tasty avocado-filled garbanzo bean and kale burger.

But let's be real. I can't be in the kitchen every minute of the day for seven days a week when I'm trying to pump out the latest and greatest content.

That's why I turn to the best South Side eateries to keep me going. One of my favorites is "Can't Believe It's Not Meat."

I don't even know where to start. I really can't believe it's not meat.

This South Side gem offers a palette of plant-based food options that appeal to both meat lovers and vegans. Can't Believe It's Not Meat also gets an A++ for crafting the most creative names for their dishes.

The menu includes Big Mik (vegan Big Mac), Italian Not Beef, and Can't Believe It's a Pizza Poof.

I can't wait to try the Philly Cheese Steak Egg Rolls. It's a vegan egg roll wrap stuffed with vegan philly meat, green peppers, onions, jalapenos, and Maryland cheese. The website reviews are great!

Even Birgundi Baker, known as Kiesha on SHOWTIME Original Series The Chi, stopped by Can't Believe It's Not Meat and said that the Philly Cheese Steak Egg Rolls were "delish!"

So far, my go-to menu item is the Patty Melt.

One bite of this vegan deliciousness and you're in food heaven. It contains a vegan burger patty, grilled onions, and vegan mayo on grilled wheat bread. I always add mushrooms to make this Patty Melt even more filling. You also have the option of vegan cheese.

Since transitioning to a full vegan diet in 2019, I haven't had any restaurant burgers that have satisfied my appetite like this Patty Melt.

Image Credit: Can't Believe It's Not Meat

Who gets credit for all this goodness? Meet Laricia Chanlder Baker. You may know her as Chef Fab. She's a self-taught Chicago chef who delivers flavorful flexitarian options. In 2019, she opened Can't Believe It's Not Meat in the Hyde Park community. The restaurant has been applauded as one of the most visited Chicago eateries on the South Side.

If you're ready to dive into the world of plant-based foods, head on over to Can't Believe It's Not Meat at 1368 E. 53rd Street in Chicago, IL. Limited seating is available at the location, so I always count on Uber Eats to deliver my lunch or dinner. I use the Eats Pass to save on my order.

Check out the full menu on the website. For now, you can drool over these mouthwatering images.

What are your favorite foods on the South Side of Chicago? Let us know in the comments below. You might see your food pick featured in the Chicago Southsider!

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