Tarik Ryant Opens Cheezy Vegan in Philadelphia

The new restaurant in the Point Breeze neighborhood features a plant-based menu of vegan cheesesteaks and desserts.

Updated on Oct. 22, 2026 in Healthy Food

Tarik Ryant Opens Cheezy Vegan in Philadelphia

Live Poll

Would you prioritize visiting a restaurant specifically because it offers plant-based clean eating options?

Tarik Ryant has opened Cheezy Vegan, a plant-based eatery located at 1216 S. 17th St. in Philadelphia. The restaurant serves a variety of meat-free items, including a signature vegan Philly cheesesteak and the McReeky.

Why it matters

The establishment serves as a pillar for community impact, as Ryant focuses on healthy food options to do good for others. This mission follows his recovery after he was shot four times during an act of violence in 2024.

Located at 1216 S. 17th St., the eatery serves vegan desserts and fresh juices alongside its main menu. Ryant previously earned degrees from Temple University's Fox School of Business and the Restaurant School at Walnut Hill College.

The players

Tarik Ryant

He is the owner of Cheezy Vegan and the founder of the youth mentorship program Cloud Safe Kitchen.

The details

Cheezy Vegan focuses on providing high-quality, plant-based foods that cater to local health-conscious diners. The menu includes diverse options like the McReeky and traditional plant-based interpretations of local favorites.

2024: Tarik Ryant was shot four times.
October 22, 2026: Article publication date.

Culture Shift

This restaurant launch reflects the growing trend of plant-based dining establishments in urban food deserts. It signals a move toward using local food service as a mechanism for both health awareness and community reinvestment.

Residents in the Point Breeze neighborhood now have direct access to a new menu of vegan cheesesteaks and fresh juices. The restaurant provides a community-focused dining option that supports youth mentorship programs.

The takeaway

Supporting community-minded businesses often helps expand access to healthy food options in city neighborhoods. Investing in plant-based alternatives can provide residents with nutritious choices while fostering local economic growth.