CANOGA PARK, CA
Meet the makers of Vegenaise, spectacular cheesy shreds, mind-bending dairy-free parmesan, and creamalicious dressings:
Follow Your Heart. Since 1970.
Now, did you know that FYH has a little vegan shop and diner in LA’s San Fernando Valley? In the Canoga Park neighborhood to be exact. The hippie hideaway wasn’t always vegan; so I’m happy to inform you today that Follow Your Heart Market & Cafe went all in on loving animals in 2023. Zero creature-derived products here.
Local love to internationally renowned
But they do still go heavy on the nostalgia.
The moment you step inside, you’re transported to the days when founders Michael Besançon, Bob Goldberg, Paul Lewin, and Spencer Windbiel were walking the few, short aisles among their bellbottomed patrons.
Not much has changed in the place since the early 70s. You can sit at the original counter and order a classic Love Plate combo: your choice of half sandwich + soup du jour, chili, or salad + coffee, tea, or juice.
As for the brand. Well, that blew up. Follow Your Heart products can be found in markets across the country and beyond, bringing in something like $50 million in revenue a year.
Love always wins.
Better late than never
Over the holidays, I made a special trip to Follow Your Heart Market & Cafe because I couldn’t get the pumpkin milkshake featured in their Instagram stories (@followyourheart) out of my mind.
I’m sorry I’m such a terrible procrastinator. While you can’t get a pumpkin shake now, you’ll always have plenty of flavors to choose from. Banana, strawberry, date, chocolate, peanut butter, chocolate mint, and mocha—or mix and match for 50¢.
Follow Your Heart Market & Cafe, 21825 Sherman Way, Canoga Park, CA 91303
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I’ve been going to Follow Your Heart for about 14 years. Whoa. 🤯 That’s nutty! Like my favorite FYH meal: the Nutburger—housemade nut and vegetable patty, provolone, tomato, sprouts, pickles, Vegenaise, and special sauce on a housemade bun—and sweet potato fries.
Not just a destination for great food, Follow Your Heart has been a sanctuary for me, a place that brings me peace and hope. I think it can be the same for you.
The San Fernando Valley claims more vegan restaurants by the year. Check out El Cocinero Restaurant in Van Nuys; O’Cado, VEstation, and Sugar Taco in Sherman Oaks; Sun Cafe in Studio City; and Lotus Vegan in North Hollywood.
