A vegan TikToker has shared her surprise after a well-known restaurant refused to serve her, stating, “We don’t cater for vegans.”
Amie-Beth Steadman, from Essex, England, was shocked when she contacted Sheesh, a barbecue restaurant in Chigwell, to ask about plant-based options. She was hoping to put together a meal using sides but was met with a firm rejection.
Having visited Sheesh before, Amie-Beth knew the main menu didn’t include vegan dishes. However, she thought she could order a mix of rice, chips, and other sides. In a TikTok video, she explained how her attempt to do this in the past had already been turned down.
Determined to check again, she called the restaurant. But instead of a helpful response, she said the conversation quickly became dismissive.
“The lady on the phone said, ‘We don’t cater for vegans,’” Amie-Beth shared. Her friend then asked if it would be possible to create a meal by combining sides, but the response was unexpected.
According to Amie-Beth, the employee replied, “I don’t even know why a vegan would want to come here.”
Frustrated by the exchange, Amie-Beth expressed her disappointment, saying that being vegan is not unusual. “We were just asking a question. If that’s the policy, that’s fine, but I didn’t expect them to be so dismissive,” she said.
Her story gained support online, with many criticizing the restaurant for its stance.
“If a restaurant in 2023 doesn’t offer vegan, vegetarian, or gluten-free options, it’s behind the times,” one person commented. Another added, “Why not let people order sides? That makes no sense.”
However, not everyone agreed. Some pointed out that Sheesh specializes in barbecue and questioned why a vegan would want to eat there.
Amie-Beth responded by clarifying that Sheesh is actually a Turkish restaurant. She noted that many Turkish eateries offer vegan-friendly dishes like falafel. She also mentioned that even steakhouses have made accommodations for vegan customers.
