If you haven’t heard of Cactus Kitchen Gals, then head on over to their instagram and have a good old goggle. Based in Worthing, a few steps from the sea sits small a quaint cafe. It’s rustic and cosy. It is rammed with eager faced vegans, with people even being turned away or invited to settle for takeaway.

Much to my disappointed they had sold out of the Mac ‘n’ Cheeze burger. Mac ‘n’ cheeze is the way to my heart…so i’d already decided that I have to come back again just for that. When I usually go to a poplar vegan eatery I always find myself asking what they have run out of, this is a common side effect from the rise of Veganism. But saying that you take what you’re given.

Menu in hand I settled with the Classic burger, topped with a side of Mac ‘n’ Cheeze and a side of fried pickles with ranch and Notzerella Sticks. Then I waited, maybe no more than 15 minutes, which for a hungry vegan felt like a lifetime, a slow waiting game.

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On the arrival of food my mind was instantly screaming *DO IT FOR THE GRAM*. It could not be any more instagram worthy, arriving on a metal tray, with buckets for the sides. The natural blogger within whipped out my phone and began snapping away. I’m genuinely surprised to say this, but people actually still stare at you when you get up and start having a photoshoot with your dinner. No judgement guys. It’s the life of a blogger, oh and a millennial.

My next initial thought was “is this even vegan”, which to be honest is my reaction with most all vegan restaurants and cafes. These days you really can’t tell that everything on you’re plate was once a plant. Needless to say, I dug in. Fried pickles, where do I start. In love. Who even thought to fry pickles and why aren’t they everywhere?? Then there’s the Notzerella Sticks, they pulled apart revealing a gooey steamy inside. A perfect crunch on the outside and paired amazingly with sweet chilli sauce.

Normally I’m not a massive burger fan, I wasn’t when I was a meater (meat eater) and that’s stayed with me since being vegan. However, I was pleasantly surprised. The ‘burger’ was made from soya protein, had some delicious seasoning and was somehow moist and juice. A huge dollop of Mac ‘n’ Cheeze and I was set, left feeling extremely belly happy.

This is what I would describe as a dirty vegan experience, it doesn’t follow the normal healthy vegan expectation. Cactus Kitchen Gals breaks all the norms around Veganism which I am very grateful for. By far the perfect hangover, good day, bad day, anyday of the week kinda meal. Can confidently say I will be back soon for the dirty fries and Oreo ‘Mylkshake’.