Couple Outraged After Realising They Ate Vegan Burgers Without Prior Knowledge
A couple has sparked controversy after visiting an independent restaurant, ordering burgers, and only discovering after their meal that the entire establishment was vegan. The incident occurred at Junk Soul Smothered, a popular eatery based in Beverley, Hull, which also operates a stall at York's creative hub, Spark.
The Unexpected Discovery That Caused Fury
The couple, who dined at the restaurant recently, reported feeling deceived and livid when they noticed vegan signage on a notice board near the exit after finishing their food. Writing under the name Sandra Henderson in a one-star online review, the woman explained that the menu did not clearly indicate its vegan nature, and staff did not inform them when they ordered.
"The menu was definitely not obviously vegan, and nobody told us that our burger was going to be vegan when we paid," Henderson wrote. "It wasn't until after we'd finished eating and were about to leave that my partner noticed a bunch of vegan propaganda plastered all over the notice board by the exit. Seriously?"
Upon re-examining the menu, the couple realised all items were plant-based. Henderson expressed confusion and disappointment, stating they would not return and had reported the business to local authorities.
Restaurant's Menu and Vegan Focus
Junk Soul Smothered describes itself as "proudly plant based" and offers an extensive menu featuring:
- Big vegan burgers
- Junk fried chicken made from a 50% tofu and 20% seitan mix
- Brunch favourites like pancakes, muffins, and waffles
- Toasties and Sunday roast dinners with a vegan twist
The restaurant aims to provide a "chicken-like experience" through its innovative recipes, but this detail apparently escaped the couple's notice during their visit.
Social Media Reaction and Debate
The review was shared on Instagram by both Junk Soul Smothered and the popular account Vegan Food UK, which has over 203,000 followers. Vegan Food UK commented that the incident showed veganism "causing uproar in the UK - again" and suggested the owner should wear the complaint as a badge of honour.
Online commenters were divided:
- One person remarked: "Imagine being upset and confused over eating a delicious cruelty free burger."
- Another noted the irony: "I love how they've 'hidden' the vegan status but also plastered 'propaganda' all over the walls."
- A third highlighted: "I love they ate burgers and didn't notice they were vegan. No complaint. Until they saw a sign on the way out."
Some defended the couple, with one individual raising concerns about food sensitivities: "My only issue is the possibility of the unsuspecting customer having a food sensitivity that's not being taken into account."
In response, Junk Soul Smothered emphasised its compliance with food safety protocols, including allergy signage, and encouraged customers to communicate any dietary restrictions.
Broader Implications for Food Transparency
This incident raises questions about menu clarity and customer expectations in the growing plant-based food sector. While many praised the restaurant for creating burgers so convincing that the couple didn't realise they were vegan, others argued that transparency is essential, especially for those with allergies or strong dietary preferences.
The debate continues online, with the couple's review serving as a flashpoint for discussions on how vegan businesses should communicate their offerings to avoid surprising customers.
