Can’t Believe It’s Not Meat: What’s Vegetarian Editorial Review

Can’t Believe It’s Not Meat serves comfort food with no meat anywhere in the kitchen. The Hyde Park location on East 53rd Street sells burgers, cheesesteaks, tacos, wings, and pizza, and every protein comes from plants. Vegetarians can order anything on the board. Vegans need to ask for vegan cheese on a few items, because the restaurant offers dairy cheese as an option.

The burgers are the draw. The Big Mik Burger starts at $15.95, and the Who Betta Burger and Mrs. Patty Melt start at $14.95. The Philly Cheesesteak Egg Rolls start at $14.95, and the Philly Cheesesteak sandwich starts at $15.95. If you can’t pick, order the Trio Platter, which starts at $18.95. Most prices on the menu carry a plus sign, which means the final cost depends on the options you choose.

The menu runs well past burgers. Vegan Chik’n shows up in sandwiches, tenders, nuggets, and boneless buffalo wings. The Mexican section covers Chik’n Birria Tacos, a Big Burrito, and nachos. The restaurant also sells 12-inch pizzas, including Baker’s Cheese at $15.95, Fab’s Italian Vegan Sausage at $22.95, and a Pepperoni Lover’s at $23.95. The Lil Italy Lasagna starts at $17.95 and uses mozzarella with vegan cream cheese. The Pizza Lovers Combo, at $28.95, tops the price list.

Save room for a drink or dessert. Shakes run $7.75 to $7.95, with names like Cookie Monster and Ice-Ice-Baby. Smoothies cost $7.75, the banana pudding costs $9.50, and house-made lemonade costs $4.99.

Cheese needs a closer look. Many items offer a choice between NUMU vegan cheese and dairy cheese, and a vegan cheese add-on costs $0.75 on most plates. A dairy cheese add-on costs $1.50. The Strawberry Field Salad lists feta, and several sandwiches list plain “cheese” without saying which kind, so vegans should confirm before ordering. The menu doesn’t say whether the cookies, garlic bread, or banana pudding contain dairy or eggs. The shakes use non-dairy ice cream and whipped cream, and the menu notes that they contain nuts.

The menu has no meat, so vegetarians don’t have to worry about shared grills or fryers. Vegans should ask about the cheese on any item that doesn’t say vegan. If you have an allergy, call the restaurant or add a note to your online order.

Can’t Believe It’s Not Meat opened in Hyde Park in April 2019. The brand has since added an Orland Park location. The website lists ABC7 Chicago, Rolling Out, and The New York Times among its press. HappyCow shows a visitor review from September 2026, so the Hyde Park kitchen is still cooking.

Hours at Hyde Park run Sunday through Thursday from 11am to 9pm, Friday from 11am to 7pm, and Saturday from 4pm to 10pm. Saturday opens late, so don’t plan a morning visit. You can order online for takeout or delivery, and the restaurant says ordering through its own site saves on fees.

Most mains start between $14 and $24. The cheesesteak egg rolls and a shake make a solid first order. Bring friends for a pizza, because the Pizza Lovers Combo costs $28.95.