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Strong Hearts Cafe 
 based on 23 member reviews
719 E Genesee St, Syracuse New York
13210
315-478-0000
Type: Vegan, Organic, American, Take-out
Info: Syracuse vegan restaurant serving breakfast all day, sandwiches, pizza, salads, desserts, shakes and drinks. Order at counter and food is brought to your table. Free Wi-Fi. Friday evenings are pizza only. Mon 8-6, Tue-Thur 8-midnight, Fri 8-2am, Sat 10-2am, Sun 10-midnight. Wheelchair accessible. Accepts credit cards. Price: Inexpensive.
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| "Strong Hearts Happy Stomachs!"
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My Rating |
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8 |
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Posted on: Saturday, November 07, 2009 |
Review: We ate at this cafe and had the vegan macaroni salad, the fried potatoes, the tempeh sandwich and the vegan egg and sausage sandwich. (Very tasty!) The restaurant offers a full breakfast menu available anytime, (pancakes, french toast, scarambled tofu), as well as dinner food (grilled cheese,BLT, TLT, etc.) and milkshakes, cupcakes, cookies, and drinks. There are about twenty milkshake options of various flavors. Open well past midnight on some days. Call for hours. I believe this place is all vegan, but you can ask about ingredients.
I thought the prices were reasonable. Two of us ate for about $ 26.00, including appetizers, sandwiches and drinks.
Pros: * *
Cons: * * |
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| "Great Vegan option in Syracuse"
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My Rating |
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17 |
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Posted on: Monday, October 19, 2009 |
Review: I stopped in here on my way to Rochester for work purposes. The little cafe is quite a cute place and has a nice view out the main windows to the street and a little park. clean bathrooms in the building and a nice setting overall.
I had the Vegan BLT - and it was delish! slightly bummed it wasn't on whole grain bread - but otherwise, a really tasty sandwich at an affordable price. I grabbed a few of their baked goods for the road - all of which were also yummy and good. prices overall seemed to be mostly affordable for things i was interested in.
Based on my experience, don't go here expecting the staff to be friendly and accomodating. The took my order and brought it out. done. it was obvious i had never been to the place before or even to syracuse for that matter but no suggestions, assistance, or even friendly chat.
I would definitely go back - they have some great options and i love an all vegan cafe where i don't have to question the ingredients of anything! thats always SO nice!
Pros: all vegan menu!! * Tasty food * Mostly affordable options
Cons: parking * staff not friendly * |
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| "Wonderful"
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My Rating |
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1 |
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Posted on: Monday, October 12, 2009 |
Review: I have been to Strong Hearts many times, and absolutely love it. When I have a day off of work, I often will drive the hour to Syracuse to meet up with some friends there. I have introduced many of my friends to it (all non-vegan, non-vegetarian), and have never heard anything negative about it. My husband, another non-vegan, non-vegetarian, LOVES their pizza, and he is generally a harsh critic on soy cheese. My only request would be, if possible, you could add the nutritional information to the menu? I feel as though that could be very helpful to the customers. Other than that, PERFECT!
Pros: * *
Cons: * * |
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| "Best veggie restaurant in Upstate NY!"
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My Rating |
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3 |
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Posted on: Tuesday, September 29, 2009 |
Review: Wow, this place is phenomenal! The TLT is magnificent and everything on the breakfast menu rocks! But the piece de resistance is their vegan milkshake. They have a few dozen varieties and each one is better than the last. Must be the best vagan milkshakes on earth, no fooling.
Pros: * *
Cons: * * |
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| "My Default..."
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My Rating |
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9 |
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Posted on: Wednesday, September 09, 2009 |
Review: Upon relocating to the CNY area after living in the San Francisco Bay area, I knew I would be missing one thing- the fabulous vegan restaurants. Enter- Strong Hearts. While I am used to the variety on the menus of restaurants in the Bay Area, Strong Hearts does a good job at covering the basics. I've tasted just about everything on the menu, and find everything to be satisfactory except the Egg "Trick" muffin. Lacked in flavor, and was kind of pricy for size. I didn't even finish it due to disappointment. The Soba Noodle salad is delightful, although the first time I ordered it, they forgot to include the sesame seeds. My non-veg friend loves the "chicken" ceasar, and after tasting hers I can see why, the dressing is delicious as are the strips of "chicken." If seeking a comfort food, try the Deluxe PB & J, or pancakes- taste buds will be elated, stomach will be full- so bring a gurney! The milkshakes are scrumptious, especially the pumpkin. On Fridays they serve only pizza, and it is great. Although they don't make their own dough, the pizza is still tasty. Hit the spot after a long night of drinking in Armory Square!
Pros: wireless * chill atmosphere * kombucha
Cons: some things pricy * add new items / specials * |
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| "Not for Healthy Vegans"
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My Rating |
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1 |
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Posted on: Friday, August 21, 2009 |
Review: I have been a vegan for fifteen years. When I moved to the Syracuse area, I was excited that there was a fully vegan restaurant. Unfortunately, I have only been disappointed. If you like sugary milkshakes, this place is for you. You see, I believe that you can eat vegan and healthy whole foods at the same time. Who knows about the oils they are using. I asked once and got a scary response. I thought whole grain breads would be an obvious choice on their menu, but no. SH does not offer whole grain bread. SH uses no organic or local food that I can see. There are local organic farmers all around the area who would be happy to supply year-round organic greens. I appreciate the vegan ethic, but I'd rather eat at home where vegan food is healing and healthy. Basically, this restaurant lacks sophistication. It feels like college boys are making the food--vegan fast food that saves animals but little else. I look forward to SH growing up one day so that the food will be made with "kitchen consciousness".
Pros: * *
Cons: * * |
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• #1.) We do not add sugar to any of our milkshakes. They are all made with Temptation soy ice cream and Organic Valley soymilk. There is one shake, the Harriet Tubman, that we add a shot of maple syrup to. That's it.
#2.) We use canola oil and extra virgin olive oil both of which, upon thorough investigation, contain zero trans fats.
#3.) We do not offer a whole grain bread because there isn't a single bakery in Syracuse that makes a vegan one. Believe me, we've checked. We are continuing to explore some options outside our immediate area.
#4.) We use "no organic food that you can see"??? Hmmm. Check this list out:
http://www.strongheartscafe.com/menu/whats-organic-at-strong-hearts
We never claimed to be an organic cafe. We use organic as much as we can and go out of our way to use the best ingredients we can find eve.... response by XStrongHeartsX
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| "Can't Eat There Anymore: Clueless About Trans Fats"
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My Rating |
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1 |
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Posted on: Friday, August 21, 2009 |
Review: Called them one night to inquire about their use of trans fats. They had no idea what I was talking about. One employee became very abrupt, a little rude and totally evasive. I was then transferred to the owner who said he was not sure(!?) Went there in person on another occasion and asked one of the owners who said "I don't think so." Completely unacceptable for a vegan, heath conscious restaurant. Leads me to believe Strong Hearts is all style no substance. I wish they would educate themselves and get on board with the good oils. Philadelphia, New York City, and the whole state of California have banned trans fats because of the intense carcinogenic qualities of these oils. C'mon Stron Hearts - I expected more. Maybe I will have a tea there because they do provide free wireless and a nice cafe atmosphere but NO WAY I can eat there anymore. The trans fats are nasty stuff . Educate yourself.
Pros: nice atmosphere * wireless internet *
Cons: clueless about trans fats * no whole wheat breads * |
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• Hey Art,
Joel from Strong Hearts here. You'll be absolutely titillated to know that after a thorough and exhaustive research process, as we previously thought, we DO NOT USE ANY OILS OR ANYTHING ELSE IN THE CAFE THAT CONTAIN ANY TRANS FATS WHATSOEVER.
Thank you for your heartfelt concern for the health and safety of our customers. Godspeed good fellow.. response by XStrongHeartsX
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| "Awesome!"
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My Rating |
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6 |
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Posted on: Friday, August 07, 2009 |
Review: this place rocks...great food fare priced nice staff. the only suggestion i would make to them is to have a handfully of chips served with the sandwiches etc.
Pros: vegan! * fare price * great food
Cons: nothing served with sandwiches * * |
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| "Enjoyed the Meal"
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My Rating |
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7 |
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Posted on: Friday, August 07, 2009 |
Review: I saw Strong Hearts on Happy Cow and was happy to find a completely vegan restaurant. The restaurant is small and has light food, so it was good for a quick dinner. Service was quick and friendly.
I had a vanilla milkshake (a "Lennon") and it was pretty good, but I've had as good other places. The seitan sandwich with sun dried tomato seitan was pretty tasty, especially with added veggies on it. Nice bread, kind of a marble type.
It's great to find a totally vegan place, so please support them, but don't go expecting a gourmet meal. It's more in keeping with a cafe, as advertised.
Note: Parking near the restaurant is free after 6 PM. If you go earlier, take coins (75 cents/hr) for parking. If you park on the side streets, watch the signs. It's one side of the street only and changes at 6 PM. Only in a college town!
Pros: Atmosphere * Service * Food
Cons: Parking confusing * Limited menu * |
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| "Could be great with a little more effort"
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My Rating |
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2 |
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Posted on: Friday, July 31, 2009 |
Review: I was really excited when I heard that a vegan restaurant was opening up in Syracuse as there are so few here. I respect and appreciate their purpose and certainly wish them the best of luck.
However, I was disappointed each of the three times I've dined there. The first time was shortly after the grand opening and I was hesitant to write off my experience negatively. The following visits occurred in the following months, each time with an open mind.
I paid $8 for a basic tofurkey sandwich on unsubstantial bread with a slice of under-ripe tomato and weak lettuce, and if thats what you like than this is the place for you. As for myself, I can make a far superior sandwich at home for less than $3.
Their milkshakes are good, but it's difficult to mess up a milkshake.
It would be nice to see more variety and a little more effort in their menu. How about a dish of the day? Maybe more in-house made ingredients (tofurky??). It would be nice to see something other than sandwiches and one pizza day a week. Maybe a nightly dinner special, something that we dont make at home.
Their coffee is good, the biodegradable take-out containers are great.
Pros: friendly staff * good atmosphere * 100% vegan
Cons: overpriced * boring menu * lackluster food |
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• Hey Sunday. This is Joel, co-owner of Strong Hearts. Thanks for visiting our place 3 different times and thanks for the review.
$8 for a Tofurkey Sandwich huh? Hmmm. Yeah I'd be miffed too. But ours cost $6 so it's sounds like you may not be remembering the price correctly. As for the toppings on the sandwich, that's up to you. The basic sandwich comes with lettuce, tomato, veganaise, Teese vegan cheese and your choice of hickory smoked or oven roasted Tofurkey. At the bottom of the sandwich menu (which perhaps you did not see), you can add at no additional cost, things like sprouts, mushrooms, cucumbers, green peppers, red peppers, onions, olives, banana peppers, or jalapenos just to name a new of the options. So, if your sandwich seemed "unsubstantial", maybe you should consider adding a few things to it next time.
Re: "I.... response by XStrongHeartsX
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| "Disappointed, to say the least"
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My Rating |
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1 |
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Posted on: Wednesday, July 29, 2009 |
Review: This is a great place to go if you want store bought food perfectly assembled charged at ridiculous prices. They don't even make their own pizza dough! It's shells! I paid an arm and a leg for a damn shell! Anyway, yeah the milkshakes are the bomb and everyone can use the same foundations to make their own (temptation ice cream and soy milk). I don't think they created anything from scratch. I mean, hello, the deserts they make are straight from the cookbooks on display! I guess I'm just disappointed b/c it's such a darn cop-out. Even, in the end of it all, I still wasn't wowed.
I just don't know why everyone is raving about the place, you can by the same crap at the grocery store. They deserve one cow.
Pros: * *
Cons: * * |
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• This is Joel, co-owner of the cafe.
Yes, we do use pre-made pizza shells that are made and delivered by Harrison Bakery, a locally owned independent bakery here in Syracuse. When you're making 60 pizzas a night (yes, we actually do sell that many on our Friday night Pizza Nights), you don't exactly have time to roll out and hand toss each individual pizza shell... especially when you have an oven the size of one you'd have in your home kitchen and the line to order is out the door. A question for you... how did the pizza taste? You forget to mention that in your review.
Some of the cupcakes we serve come from recipes in the book "Vegan Cupcakes Take Over the World" by Isa Chandra Moskowitz. Why? Because it's the bible on vegan cupcakes and there simply is nothing that beats the quality of the items in that book. We are not a.... response by XStrongHeartsX
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| "the vegan oasis of upstate new york"
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My Rating |
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1 |
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Posted on: Wednesday, July 29, 2009 |
Review: I found Strong Hearts Cafe while researching stops for a road trip. Strong Hearts was the only place I found in upstate. I was surprised and amazed at the quality of food, service and ambiance. Strong Hearts is located in a refurbished building that's clean and has big wood beams and 15 foot ceilings. The menu mainly consists of high quality comfort food. I stopped there twice and tried two sandwiches, two soups, two milkshakes and a salad. I was very happy with all the dishes. I have to agree with most comments about the milkshakes: it was hands down the best vegan milkshake I've ever had (and I've had quite a few). The cafe stocks vegan snacks and many bottled drinks that are great for the road. I highly recommend this restaurant to any traveling or local vegan or vegetarian.
Pros: * *
Cons: * * |
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| "AMAZING!!!!"
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My Rating |
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1 |
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Posted on: Sunday, March 08, 2009 |
Review: I can not understand the negative reviews I have seen. Hands down, this is THE BEST vegan eatery in CNY!!! I am totally in love with the place! Every item on the breakfast menu is by far the tastiest I have ever had outside of home, and the lattes make Starbuck's soy drinks look plain pathetic. I even have my omnivorous sister and husband on board! And the prices? Tofurkey and vegan bacon on sandwiches, for under $8! After you have been vegan for, oh I don't know, a week, you just expect to sell a kidney to get good vegan food when eating out. I am filled with such joy that a 100% vegan place has finally made it's way back to Syracuse, where veganism used to be so strong. Keep it up, Joel and Nick!
Pros: Delicious * Huge portions * affordable
Cons: NONE * * |
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| "nice addition"
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My Rating |
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2 |
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Posted on: Wednesday, December 17, 2008 |
Review: The food is very tasty. The sandwiches are more like an hors d'oeuvres, rather skinny.
It was surprising that a vegan rest. would participate in the Best of Syracuse contest, as the prize was tickets to the Circus.
Pros: tasty * great, nice people with purpose * great hours
Cons: small sandwiches * * |
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• Hey. This is Joel, one of the co-owners of Strong Hearts. We appreciate your comments and overall positive review. As far as the "skinny" sandwiches go... it is up to the customer to tell us how they would like their sandwich. On our printed menu (which is available for download online or directly in front of the cash register in the cafe), there are over a dozen different things you can add to each sandwich. If you choose not to customize your sandwich, then you may end up with something that is far less than what it could have been. But, that's up to you as everyone likes something different.
Secondly, about participating in the Best of Syracuse contest where one of the prizes were tickets to the circus... we did not nominate ourselves. Several of our customers requested that we be put on the ballot. We have no control over who.... response by XStrongHeartsX
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| "EXCELLENT!!!"
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My Rating |
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1 |
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Posted on: Tuesday, October 21, 2008 |
Review: Excellent food, everything vegan, how can you go wrong? We were thrilled to find a place where we can walk in and order anything on the menu (too bad these places are so few and far between). The "milk" shakes (made with Temptation) are to die for! Prices are very reasonable and portions are very filling. My family loves it and we stop everytime we are able to make it to Syracuse (wish it could be more often)
Pros: Everything Vegan * Excellent Quality * Reasonable prices
Cons: Can't think of any * * |
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| "Open till late - vegan - for the tongue -"
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My Rating |
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120 |
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Posted on: Thursday, August 14, 2008 |
Review: I used to run a veggy store / take away close to a University in the 80's & we opened 365 days a year - 8 till very late - the result was "very happy customers".
All respect to Joel & Nick for their amazing customer service & long, long hours at "Strong Hearts Cafe"!
Excerpts + + taken from here - http://www.syracusenewtimes.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2126&Itemid=148
The all-vegan selection -
+It's not just the muted colors and aesthetically pleasing high-counter layout at work, but the menu: "milk"shakes, sandwiches, salads, sodas, waffles (even for dinner). The stuff of comfort, like Grandma's house.+
Everyone is welcome -
+"Our target audience is the average guy on the street, not hardcore vegans," says Joel Capolongo, who owns the café with Nick Ryan. "We wholeheartedly appreciate the support from that community but strive to appeal to people who may not even know what the word vegan means."+
Late opening -
+"One of things that Nick and I discussed when planning the business was to make sure we were open later so there would be a vegan option past 9 p.m. in Syracuse," says Capolongo. "We didn't want to make vegans go to Denny's and get french fries any more simply because there were no other options in the later hours. We've done very good business past 9 p.m.; some Friday or Saturdays, we still have customers in the café near closing time."+
Good for Syracuse -
+"We wanted a fully vegan option in Syracuse and realized the only way we'd ever get it, and have it be done right, was to do it ourselves," says Capolongo. "There have been very few vegan restaurants in Syracuse in the past and the ones that have been attempted have never stuck around too long. We knew we could make it happen and have it be successful if it was done right."+
Longer hours -
+"If there are any changes to be made in the way of hours, it would be closing even later, not earlier."+
+Current hours are Mondays, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Tuesdays to Thursdays, 8 a.m. to midnight; Fridays, 8 a.m. to 2 a.m.; Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 2 a.m.; and Sundays, 10 a.m. to midnight.+
Pros: * *
Cons: * * |
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| "I am shocked there are negative reviews..."
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My Rating |
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13 |
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Posted on: Wednesday, August 13, 2008 |
Review: I just spent six months living in Syracuse. So far as I'm concerned, Strong Heart's is the best thing that city has going for it. I ate there several times a week since it opened and tried about half the menu. I'm shocked to see somebody complaining about the price of the sandwiches. 5 bucks?!?!?! Really?!?!? 5 bucks for a sandwich with vegan bacon?!?! Where the hell does this guy usually eat that serves vegan food for cheaper? I'd like to go. Anyhow, the sandwiches aren't mind blowing but they are all very good and very reasonably priced. The milkshakes and deserts are AMAZING. Pizza on Friday nights is amazing. Much of the breakfast menu is amazing. And they do basically everything right. All of their to go containers are compostable. Much of their stuff is fair trade. Much of it is local. In short, these guys are going out of their way to do the right thing in every aspect of their restaurant. When considering the price, the great service, the fact it's 100% vegan, the fantastic environment - you just can't go wrong at Strong Heart's. I wish I could have taken the place back to Texas with me.
I only have one complaint about the place. I had the breakfast burrito once. It comes with white rice on it. You could get shot for that in Texas. Mexican rice or potatoes, guys! If they switched it from white rice to potatoes, that burrito would have been fantastic too.
Overall I love the place and can't say enough good about it. If you're a vegan in CNY and you're not supporting this place I just don't know what you're waiting for.
Long live Strong Heart's.
Pros: great food * great value * friendly staff
Cons: I can't keep it in my pocket * * |
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| "Absolutely Fantastic!"
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My Rating |
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19 |
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Posted on: Monday, August 04, 2008 |
Review: We went out of our way and stayed two nights in Syracuse just to try this restaurant and it was well worth it. The food was terrific, the service friendly and helpful, the ambience clean and pleasant. The breakfast pancakes were so good that we had them two days in a row, the seitan sandwich tasty and filling and the pastries to die for. We were only sorry that we couldn't spend more time there. As a former Central New Yorker, I have always dreaded my visits home because there was never any good vegan places to eat. Not so, anymore.
Pros: Delicious food * Friendly service * Pleasant atmosphere
Cons: They aren't nationwide * * |
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| "We Heart Strong Hearts"
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My Rating |
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1 |
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Posted on: Thursday, July 31, 2008 |
Review: Strong Hearts is the cafe I've been waiting for since I moved to central New York. The options for all-vegan restaurants are pretty depressing out here, and Strong Hearts delivers great food, and uncompromising ethics.
My boyfriend and I have routinely made the hour long trek from Ithaca to gorge ourselves on sandwiches, milk shakes, and pizza. The was a particular occasion where we went twice in one day. Seriously. There are a few places in Ithaca where you can get decent vegan food, but it's all made on shared equipment, in a non-vegan kitchen. Strong Hearts doesn't even mess around with the middle road. This is a restaurant for vegans who get it.
At this point I don't think there's anything on the menu that we haven't tried, and it's all amazing. In addition to the food, these guys are super friendly, always welcoming and not the least bit pretentious. They seem genuinly excited that you are in their restaurant.
And where are you going to find another restaurant in central NY that is not only all-vegan, but uses all compostable materials. The haters need to get some perspective. I'm going to keep going to Strong Hearts as long as they're in business. Everyone else should do the same or risk losing yet another vegan restaurant which I'm sure will be replaced by someplace far less sympathetic to the cause.
Pros: Friendly * Delicious * AR-Approved
Cons: Not in Ithaca * * |
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| "Highly Highly Recommend!"
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My Rating |
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1 |
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Posted on: Monday, July 28, 2008 |
Review: When you first walk into Strong Hearts you notice how upscale the cafe space is! It has a very inviting atmosphere. The food is excellent! I have been there several times and have tried many menu items but would most highly recommend the french toast, egg trick muffin, any of the desserts, soups, salads and the BLT sandwich. The prices are super reasonable, especially being vegan for a decade I have gotten really used to paying top dollar at other vegan places. Strong Hearts really went above what I was expecting, please go and check it out.
Pros: * *
Cons: * * |
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| "try harder"
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My Rating |
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2 |
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Posted on: Thursday, July 03, 2008 |
Review: i simply wasn't impressed. my sandwich was soggy and skimpy
with a dead piece of tomato and wet lettuce. the milkshake was tasty. i'm a decent cook myself and it was a disappointing experience.
Pros: * *
Cons: * * |
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| "Great Food!"
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My Rating |
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1 |
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Posted on: Monday, June 23, 2008 |
Review: I was visiting Syracuse and stumbled upon Strong Hearts. They have an excellent menu. I had the T.L.T. (a marinated tofu sandwich) my wife had the chick pea salad sandwich and a potato salad. All of the dishes were absolutely delicious. I also had the "John Brown" milkshake--which honestly was the best milkshake that I have ever had. If you are eating vegetarian in Syracuse. You have got to try Strong Hearts.
Pros: great food * great value * great menu
Cons: spartan surroundings * * |
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| "Nice Addition to Vegan Syracuse"
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My Rating |
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1 |
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Posted on: Saturday, June 21, 2008 |
Review: Like SugarPearl, this is in the "cafe" category, so if you are looking for a real veg/vegan restaurant in Syracuse . . . go to Ithaca, I guess.
if you don't want to drive that far, though, and if you want a break from SugarPearl just for variety, StrongHearts offers a pretty good selection, with coffee, milkshakes, a variety of soups, sandwiches, salads, and baked goods--all vegan and mostly organic. They also have pizza night on Fridays, and breakfast all the time.
The casual atmosphere is neither hip nor (sadly) really comfortable the way a cafe can be. The food is ok, but portions are pretty stingy (particularly the micro-thin marinated tofu slice in the sandwiches). The milkshakes and baked goods, however, are worth going in for. And, the owners seem to be both friendly and really dedicated to their mission.
If you are vegan in Syracuse, any new restaurant serving food you can eat is welcome, and in that sense StrongHearts is just that--not fantastic, not spectacular, but a nice option, and very very welcome.
Pros: for vegans by vegans * milkshakes * cupcakes
Cons: * * |
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