Vegan Restaurant Chain Shuts Down After Angry Customers Attack It for Adding Meat to the Menu
A well-known vegan restaurant chain in California, Sage Regenerative Kitchen & Brewery, has made the heartbreaking decision to close its doors after over a decade of operation. The closure comes after facing financial difficulties, but what truly dealt the final blow was the backlash from furious customers when the restaurant decided to incorporate meat dishes into its menu.
After 14 years of serving plant-based cuisine, Sage Regenerative Kitchen & Brewery, with locations in Echo Park and Pasadena, will be shutting down. Mollie Engelhart, the owner, expressed her disappointment, referring to the closure as a "sad victory" for the vegan community. The restaurant had been struggling with financial challenges, including rent and taxes, for some time. Last year, in a bid to attract a broader customer base, the owners introduced bison burgers, cheese, and other non-vegan options to the menu.
Despite the addition of meat and dairy products to the previously vegan-only menu, Engelhart emphasized that the ingredients were sourced using regenerative farming methods, aiming for a lower environmental impact compared to conventional farming practices. She hoped that this fusion of culinary offerings and sustainable agriculture would pave the way for a new direction for the restaurant.
However, the decision to diversify the menu did not yield the expected results. Instead, it sparked outrage among loyal vegan patrons. Upset by the shift in culinary focus, vegan customers took to online platforms to express their discontent. The restaurant was bombarded with one-star reviews, with one Yelp reviewer stating, "Will never eat here now that they serve meat. I'm sure y'all lost a lot of your vegan base when you added meat. Disgraceful."
Another reviewer lamented, "I brought all my friends there to have meals, and it was a safe and delicious place for Vegans. You've turned on your core roots and the animals in a way that is so disappointing." The sentiment of betrayal echoed through the comments, reflecting the deep disappointment felt by the vegan community.
When Sage Regenerative Kitchen & Brewery announced its impending closure on social media, the response from vegans was mixed. While some expressed sadness at the loss of a beloved establishment, many viewed it as a form of retribution. PETA, a prominent animal rights organization, criticized the restaurant for its menu changes, accusing it of promoting "humane-washed" meat, dairy, and eggs under the guise of regenerative farming.
Amidst the closure announcement, one commenter remarked, "This is a great day for animals. One less butcher shop posing as a restaurant in town." The prevailing sentiment among critics was that the closure was a consequence of straying from the restaurant's ethical foundation and alienating its loyal customer base.
