Vegan
American
Fast food
Delivery
Take-out
Bakery
Catering

Fast-casual chain of vegan cafes founded 2015 in New York City as By Chloe and re-branded in 2021 as Beatnic under new ownership. Serves quick meals and bakery treats. Menu offers burgers, hotdogs, subs, fries, salads, grain bowls, mac n' cheese, and brunch foods. Beverage selection include lemonade, tea, and fresh juices. This one est. 2017. Reported closed March 2023.


42 Reviews

First Review by Tulkoju

mark m braunstein

Points +508

Vegan
16 Aug 2019

vegan snacks for the college crowd

Walking into BC is like setting one foot into the Past and the other into the Future. The Past is your college snack bar from your years of squandered youth, in my case the hippie 60s and sedated 70s. The Future is this international chain of all-vegan casual-dining cafés. Back during the 1970s, when not even vegetarians knew the word Vegan or its tenets, early practitioners and proselytizers of veganism dreamed such a chain would someday arrive to herald a new age. With 14 cafés in the Northeast, and some in England, LA, and Canada, this just might be that harbinger. (There are older veg chains on the West Coast, but I don’t know those.)

So yesterday I was initiated into BC by way of its outpost on Thayer St, the strip that caters to Providence’s Brown and RISD college students. Fortunately for me, it was midafternoon in mid-August, so with few college kids in town the café was nearly empty. (Due to a low ceiling and tight seating, other reviewers attest that even if only half-filled the chatter becomes deafening.) Nearly empty, but not quiet and peaceful, because college-age-appropriate rock music filled the air. Remember, that one foot in the Past.

Food is prepared when ordered, so BC does not qualify as fast food, thank goodness. It is most accurately categorized as American Diner Food, but à la vegan. I call it vegan snacks for the college crowd. The frank is a variation of a Carrot Dog (check online for the home recipe), but its semblance to a carrot is lost to its strange soy sauce marinate. To its credit, BC’s potato fries are not fried, and the burgers are not made of devitalized wheat gluten or bean protein isolates, but are whole-bean and nut based. Yet, the Classic Burger tastes nothing like beans nor nuts, but only of its overwhelmingly sweet BBQ sauce. While sugary sweet desserts abound on the menu, everything is sugary sweet, even the mustard, the soba, and the buns in which both the frank and burger are served. Those buns, fluffy white like Wonder Bread (it’s a wonder they even call it bread), completely contradict the whole foods they envelop. I peeled away and threw away the buns, and instead ate the burger and frank with a fork.

Don’t come here to eat the food. Come here to experience the social phenomenon of popular culture’s reluctant acceptance, not heartfelt embrace, of veganism. But the work of the vegan activist is not done. Next step, whole-foods veganism without sugar and salt and the mock meats that make a mockery of veganism

Pros: whole-foods-based burgers and franks

Cons: sugar, sugar, everywhere

cate24

Points +191

Vegan
11 Dec 2022

Good

The food was good, but not great. We got the guac burger, golden greens salad, and sweet potato fries with beet ketchup (the ketchup was amazing). The burger was tasty, but not absolutely incredible; I liked the patty’s flavor and texture though! And guac on anything is always good. The golden greens salad was not great; the kale was hardly massaged so was very chewy and not tasty. Also, the overall ratio of kale to everything else was not ideal. If I’d gotten this salad from a non-vegan restaurant, I’d be happy but was hoping for a little more since Beatnic is all vegan.

Updated from previous review on 2022-12-11

Pros: Friendly employees , All vegan, Good service

Cons: Not outstanding food

ManuerCalavera

Points +20

Vegan
06 Jul 2022

Amazing burgers

The best burger fries I've tasted in a while. The service was simply brilliant.

Jemma_Mae

Points +26

Vegan
17 May 2022

Waited an hour for lunch

We came here as a birthday lunch. There were seven of us, which I understand can be a lot on a small kitchen, and there was another big group that had come in. I paid for four of the meals and ended up waiting over an hour for my entree (hot chicken sandwich) alone. Everyone else had their food (soggy fries, weirdly small 8$ wraps, four pieces of fried cauliflower for $6) and ate it and none of the staff even began to apologize for the wait until I’d been waiting at the counter for 40 minutes. They offered me a free dessert but since we’d already ordered dessert I declined.
The sandwich I was eventually given was just bread and their fried “chicken” which was just crunch with no taste. Hot sauce wasn’t hot and the slaw they put on it was probably a teaspoon at most. Definitely not worth the wait at all.
Desserts were very, very, VERY sweet. The cookies and dream bar tastes exactly like cereal marshmallows and nothing like cookies.
Would not suggest when they’re busy or if you have a party of more than a few people.
Literally the only upside was that it was clearly labeled 100% vegan.

Pros: 100% Vegan

Cons: Expensive, small portions, Long wait, inconsistent service, Mediocre food

Sarah P

Points +9100

Vegan
17 Apr 2022

5* everything

The food, the service, the ordering were all perfect! We ordered on the app, and had the guac burger with fries, Brussels sprouts, buffalo cauliflower, a kale Caesar, and a brownie-cookie. It was two meals for two, and all delicious and satisfying. We will be back whenever we can!

Pros: Easy ordering , Everything is amazing, Everyone is amazing

Cons: No dedicated parking

emilyr24

Points +279

Vegan
19 Mar 2022

Good!!

The chicken parm sandwich was REALLY good. Fries were ok but stuck together lol. I will come again!

Pros: All vegan

Cons: Pricey (sandwich, fries, & drink for almost $18)

ollie33

Points +960

Vegan
27 Nov 2021

Solid creative vegan spot

Solid and creative 100% vegan chain spot. Good salad choices I had the mushroom special. Burger and mac and cheez more on the fast food side. Overall solid. Nice staff gave my son a cookie when they learned it was our first visit

Updated from previous review on 2021-11-27

Pros: 100% vegan, Fresh creative options, Nice staff

Shaygrover

Points +43

Vegan
14 Nov 2021

Tasty

Not a bad spot for some quick comfort food but have definitely had better. Awesome service though!

Pros: all vegan, service

Cons: small menu

lordemelodrama56552

Points +87

Vegan
10 Oct 2021

Amazing food, evil bathroom

Hands down the BEST burger I have ever had (vegan or not). It was gone in record time and I loved the burgers my friends got as well. I even went back the next day it was just a fantastic and wonderful meal both times... You have got to try the shiitake bacon!!!! To that end, as other people have said the portion sizes could definitely be a bit bigger. I had the large mac and cheese and I could've easily finished 2 or 3.

It was so good though! The pasta was not overcooked unlike a lot of restaurants and they were generous with the sauce. I love the choice of doing lentil based patties for the burgers because black bean is often mushy. The buns as well were not traditional fast food buns, but pretzel, potato or flax. There tons of different textures and flavors, and the patty was incredibly flavorful without being spicy.

It must be said though, that their bathroom is super dystopian and evil (the reason I am knocking it down 2 stars) there's a touchscreen lock and you have to get the code (3687 btw) from the cashier. And it has sound effects and a voice. Super super weird and off putting when they could just have a regular bathroom door with no code- Which at the time of posting is 3687. I've also found it to be kind of cheap when a restaurant doesn't have a restroom open to the public. What does this take from you? Do you hate homeless people or something? If they are reading this just know how unpopular this is and how it may deter me from coming again.

Pros: Great food, Location

Cons: Off putting bathroom

LisaC.

Points +16

Vegan
19 Sep 2021

Worst vegan meal I’ve had

I’ve been a vegan for 5 years and have eaten at hundreds of vegan restaurants around the country and this is by far the worst vegan meal I’ve ever had. The burger tasted like sawdust and the fries were all stuck together in a grease ball.

Cons: Expensive, Good tastes terrible

mes98

Points +552

Vegan
04 Sep 2021

A PVD fav!

Beatnic is the best! Fully vegan, fresh food & definitely a healthier option! Their chiky salad is my favorite- but that cashew sweet potato Mac and cheese is #2! Don’t get me started on that shiitake bacon though😮‍💨

Pros: All vegan, Fresh & flavorful , Huge salads

Cons: Can be $$ but always worth it

eravens1

Points +497

Vegan
18 Jul 2021

Delicious but small portions

I'm sure I'll be saying nothing new here, but I'll say it anyway. The food is amazing, but the portions relative to the price are not so amazing.

I don't go to by Chloe. frequently, but on special occasions and when it happens to be close by, I will order anything and everything here (except maybe the desserts).

Pros: Delicious food

Cons: Pricey

NadineM

Points +243

Vegan
24 Feb 2021

Hardy Fast food

Food is great and filling, the amount is perfect. Love the variety.

Pros: Entire menu is vegan, Great portions.

angiericcio

Points +82

Vegan
23 Jul 2020

Chicky products are amazing !!

Good staff, good food, great music

Pros: All vegan!

TheRuralVegan

Points +307

Vegan
30 Jun 2020

From cookbook to cafe

Was excited to finally visit the cafe inspired by Chef Cloe. Her cookbooks are a main go to in our house. Had the Mac and cheese. Loved the mushroom bacon on top.

Pros: Completely Vegan

Olivia.D

Points +46

Vegan
28 Jun 2020

Amazing Food, Great Location

This is probably one of my favorite restaurants! The food is really great, and it’s reasonably priced, considering the convenient, quick service. It’s super easy to order from their app too, plus you build up rewards! I would highly recommend By Chloe to anyone looking for really good food, regardless of whether or not you’re vegan!

wokeveganqueen

Points +418

Vegan
22 Jan 2020

Good for fast food

This restaurant was pretty good. It seems that everything is pre-made and they just heat it up when you order. It’s great for fast food but it’s not what you want if you’re looking for a nice meal out.

Pros: Lots of vegan options , Quick and convenient

Cons: Food is all pre-made

ladyyacee

Points +214

Vegan
02 Oct 2019

Vegan fast food

I think this place is like a fast food eatery for vegans. It’s good but it’s not the best. The salads are probably the best thing here I must say. The sweet chili aioli is a must try. Mac and cheese is a hit or miss depends who makes it I wouldn’t recommend the Mac and cheese for someone who isn’t vegan and is just trying vegan food out. I would recommend the Fuad burger

Pros: Fast food

Cons: Expensive, Only takes card NO CASH

dancingvegan~

Points +51

Vegan
17 Sep 2019

Love this place

I’m vegan and my vegetarian husband and I love this place, we drive 30 minutes to get to it whenever we have the rare opportunity to go on a date together. My favorites are the Guac Burger and the Kale Artichoke Dip. My husband really likes the Whiskey BBQ burger and original air baked fries. I’ve also tried the peanut butter hot cocoa which was very good, tastes like a liquid hot peanut butter cup. I’ve also tried the Daily Pancake with whipped maple butter which was also very good and a generous serving size! I only wish it wasn’t such a long drive away! 💗💗💗
Update: My new favorite is the “meat”ball sub (with extra “cheese” and no peppers)! Also, tried their chlostess cupcake (which is a million times better than a hostess cupcake) and plan to get one every time we go there now!

Pros: 100% Vegan , Delicious, Offers comfort food too!

UnaMJ

Points +182

Vegan
13 Aug 2019

yum:-)

had a massive salad & sweet potato fries & thought it was great! apparently the mac n cheese isnt so good, but i liked what i got:-)

Brendan.Wilson

Points +87

Vegan
11 Aug 2019

Quick place to grab whatever

Has SO many vegan options because everything there is vegan. Breakfast, lunch, dinner there are all amazing and they have a wide selection of other miscellaneous items

Pros: All vegan, Great variety, Fairly quick

HaleyMoriarty

Points +242

Vegan
25 Jul 2019

good cupcakes!

I got the red velvet cupcake and it was delicious!

Pros: all vegan , desserts

Cons: pricey

Amber_H

Points +120

Vegan
19 Jun 2019

Great food, but pricey and small portions.

Whenever I’m in the area I’ll come here for a quick bite to eat. They have the best Mac and cheese, and sweet potato fries with the beet ketchup is my fave. They don’t seem to have a large menu though, just in my opinion. And the portions are way too small for the price. If you have money to spend it’s a good place to stop in but definitely not if you’re on a budget.

Pros: Great food, Quick service, Chill vibe

Cons: Pricey, Small portions, Not as big of a menu as I would like

JuliaMorrissey

Points +362

Vegan
01 Jun 2019

Good, quick, but overpriced

Really like the burger and mac & cheese

natalia11691

Points +560

Vegan
29 May 2019

good burger

I really like the guac burger and the meatball sub, their fries aren’t my favorite but everything else is really good! one of my go-to’s when i’m in Prov.

kellyblackburn

Points +46

Vegan
21 May 2019

Fresh meal on the go

Great trendy little spot for fun and clean fast food options

Pros: Vegan friendly , Fast service , Nice decor

kelmug

Points +111

Vegetarian
07 May 2019

Favorite place ever

I live 30 minutes away and still come here at least once every two weeks. So yummy and clean inside. Friendly staff get the kale Caesar salad !!!!

Pros: All vegan, Friendly staff, Great atmosphere




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