LA vegan restaurant that started serving meat is closing after 14 years

A Los Angeles restaurant which started out as vegan but started serving meat last year is closing after 14 years in business.

The last day of business for Sage Regenerative Kitchen & Brewery in Echo Park was Sunday, according to an Instagram post.

“We all poured our passion into transforming the concept to regenerative agriculture, but despite our efforts, we find ourselves in the same situation today,” says @thekindsage’s post.

The post has over 1,200 comments, with many strong opinions.

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Mollie Engelhart, chef and owner of Sage Regenerative Kitchen & Brewery, which is now closed. (Mollie Engelhart/Fox News)

“Still the best buffalo cauliflower in the game!” a social media user posted.

– I want to cry! one person said. “Sage has always been my favorite restaurant.”

Inside Sage Regenerative Kitchen & Brewery, a former plant restaurant in Los Angeles, California. (Mollie Engelhart/Fox News)

Owner Molle Engelhart spoke with Fox News Digital last year when the former vegan staple did the controversial decision to add meat and dairy to the menu – a move that has sparked anger and confusion.

The menu change added animal products as beef, bison, cheese and eggs.

“I don’t use processed foods, and I still don’t use chemicals, so I stay pretty true to my beliefs and identity,” he said. “I’m just doing it from a different angle, which is upsetting for people.”

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The protests were so bad outside Sage that on Father’s Day 2024 the restaurant had to close. (Mollie Engelhart/Fox News)

A series of protests followed, according to him FOX 11 Los Angeles, including one on Father’s Day 2024 that forced Sage to close early after protesters stormed the restaurant.

Some Instagram users are still unhappy with the change of Sage they did not like about its closure, with one even calling it a “victory for the animals”.

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Engelhart and her husband, Elias Sosa, are both chefs and co-owners of Sage.

The two sold their home “in hopes of giving Sage a new lease of life,” the business’ Instagram post read.

Fox News’ Kendall Tietz and Nik Lanum contributed to this report.