THE KIND CLEAVER has been a popular vegan sandwich pop-up in Orlando for a few years now. Last month, owner Justin Rodriguez was allowed to leave the tent and set-up behind and finally begin providing the community vegan meats and wich's from a brick-and-mortar location! You can now visit The Kind Cleaver at Winter Garden's Main House Market just off of Plant St.
FOOD AS MEDICINE
When he was 23, Chef Justin received a diverticulitis diagnosis which led to him removing meat and dairy from his diet. Soon after, he found himself desperately craving a solid vegan cold-cut sandwich but had no easy access to such products. He started to research ingredients and develop recipes for himself using vital wheat gluten to create seitan. After what became a reoccurring event of making his friends sandwiches after a night out, they convinced him that he should start selling these vegan meats and handhelds.
MEATLESS MEATS
Chef Justin sells eight vegan cold-cut meat types and two chicken salad offerings--sold by the half-pound.
His cold-cut selection includes:
- Sweet Ham
- Spicy Capicola
- Smoky Miso Ham (this might be my favorite)
- Rotisserie Chicken
- Jerk Turkey
- Black Pepper Beef
- Roast Beef
- Corned Beef (my husband's favorite)
His chicken salad selection includes:
- Classic Chicken Salad
- Chicken Curry Salad (this one rocked my world--it tasted so similar to a Dutch dish called kip currie salad that I grew up with)
THE WORLD'S BEST VEGAN SANDWICHES
Chef Justin has a menu of four vegan sandwiches utilizing his house-made meats and one rotating option. As of writing this article, this is his menu:
Chipotle Chicken Melt
Rotisserie chicken, cheese, chipotle aioli, tomato, onion on a french roll
Cuban
Country ham, mojo park, cheese, mustard, pickles on a cuban roll
Reuben (my fav!)
Corned beef, cheese, thousand island, dressing, sauerkraut on a rye roll
Tangy Buffalo (rotating item)
Rotisserie chicken, cheese, tomato, cucumber, onion, banana pepper, buffalo sauce, ranch on a french roll
All meals come with a side of Zapp's voodoo chips.
MAKING PEOPLE HAPPY
Chef Justin's goal in founding The Kind Cleaver is to put a smile on people's faces. Veganism is not an easy journey for many. He takes a lot of pride in the opportunity to provide nostalgic-rich meals for people at a good price.
Visit The Kind Cleaver at Main House Market, Tuesday through Sunday.
108 South Main Street
Winter Garden, FL 34787
Monday: Closed
Tuesday - Friday: 10am-7pm
Saturday: 9-7 pm
Sunday: 10-4pm