Local Vegan Chicken Sandwich Wins Top PETA Honors

ST. PETERSBURG, FL — There's a new contender in the Chicken Sandwich Wars. PETA is releasing its list of the Top Vegan Chicken Sandwiches of 2019—and the Buffalo Bleu Chik-n Sandwich from The Cider Press Café has nabbed a spot on the list.

The award-winning sandwich's double-battered fried "chicken" patty is tossed in house buffalo sauce and topped with tomato, lettuce and vegan bleu cheese dressing.

"Today's public is hungry for delicious vegan fare like The Cider Press Café's spicy and succulent Buffalo Bleu Chick-n Sandwich," said PETA Executive Vice President Tracy Reiman. "All the winners on PETA's list soar high above old, meaty chicken sandwiches, which are basic, boring and cruel to birds."

PETA noted that vegan chicken sandwiches contain none of the saturated animal fat or cholesterol found in their meat-based counterparts—and they spare animals suffering. Every person who goes vegan saves the lives of nearly 200 animals every year.

Other winners include the Nashville Hot Chickin' Sandwich from national chain Veggie Grill, the Fried "Chicken" Sandwich from Nashville's Vege-licious Cafe, and the OG Sando from Los Angeles' Lettuce Feast.

Located at 601 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, The Cider Press Cafe was founded by Johan Everstijn and Roland Strobel in 2011. The pair wanted to offer a fine dining experience featuring Florida-inspired, plant-based cuisine. The cafe's menu is entirely vegan. In addition to the Buffalo Bleu Chik-n Sandwich, The Cider Press Cafe features such favorites as spinach and mushrom quesadillas with cashew and cashew crema and pickled jalapenos; Banana Maple Pancakes with Cheezcake, served with eggplant bac'n, fresh fruit and maple syrup; and the Guccijang Burger, a burger blended with mushrooms, ginger and lemongrass, spicy gochujang may, peanut-sesame slow, Korean-style pickels and carrots on a kaiser bun.

Hours are Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.