The birthday weekend continues with delicious plant-based fare across the Windy City. Read on for Chicago vegan options.
Chicago Vegan Options
Chicago Diner
After our lunch at the Pig Minds Brewing, we ventured on to the Windy City and the Logan Square location of Chicago Diner.
I especially like that location. It typically has less of a wait time than the original location, pleasant ambience, and fast and friendly service.
Chicago Diner is a vegetarian restaurant. But they serve their meals as vegan by default. So unless you specifically request dairy-based cheese, for example, it will come with non-dairy cheese on top.
The place was packed when we got there around 9:30 pm on a Friday night.
As someone who used to frequent diners regularly in my pre-vegan life, I find it especially cozy to flip through a menu with vegan nachos, melt sandwiches, and buffalo (seitan) wings.
We were off to a great start with the special recipe wings – one of my favorite foods from the weekend. They were perfectly crisp on the outside with just the right amount of chew and plenty of spicy buffalo sauce.
(They also offer a choice of barbecue sauce if you prefer.)
I strayed from my usual reuben order and went with the smoked tofu club.
This sandwich really took me back with seitan bacon, deli slices that were reminiscent of hickory smoked Tofurky, crisp lettuce and tomato on three layers of bread per section.
The club was plenty for two meals. And I actually ate half of it for breakfast the next morning.
It came with a choice of sides. I went with the flashed greens, which are delightfully heavy on garlic and ginger.
David wasnβt feeling his taco salad, unfortunately. This salad was topped with tortilla chips, tomato, onion, corn, black beans, seitan chorizo, non-dairy cheese, avocado, and a generous amount of vegan sour cream.
Heβs not a huge sour cream fan. And there was quite a bit of it piled on top. After shoveling most of it off of the salad, he thought it was okay, but not something heβd order again.
The following evening, we ventured back to the same location when the movie we were seeing let out late. Chicago Diner is open until 11 pm on Fridays and Saturdays.
We were seated underneath a blinding light. So all of the pictures from that eveningβs meal look like our food was being interrogated. (It was innocent! I swear!) Still, it was too delicious not to share.
Iβve had this country fried steak once before. Itβs a monster of a meal. Itβs huge and filling with crisp breading and toothsome seitan underneath. It was topped with their creamy gravy on a bed of mashed potatoes and sautΓ©ed vegetables.
David returned to the buffalo chicken seitan, this time on a salad in the chickβn ranch salad.
He was much happier with this salad topped with tomato, onion, cucumber, bell pepper, and lots of spicy buffalo seitan.
El Nuevo Mexicano
Sarah, a Chicago local and blogging buddy, had noticed on Instagram that I was in Illinois and recommended a couple of her favorite restaurants.
She tagged me in her photos of El Nuevo Mexicano. And it instantly became a βmustβ on the list for the weekend.
The Mexican food in our town is underwhelming. It is one of the many things I miss about living in Southern California. Whenever weβre in a city with good options, I live it up.
El Nuevo Mexicano is a non-vegan restaurant, with a few vegan options on the menu. They use seitan from Uptonβs Naturals, which also has its headquarters in Chicago.
We met up with a couple of friends for lunch and started withΒ guacamole, chips, and salsa.
David and I both ordered the chimichangas vegano.
The flour tortillas were nicely crisp on the outside and stuffed with plenty of seitan chorizo, mangos, plantains, peppers, raisins and almonds. They were a zesty mixture of spicy and sweet. On the side was a salad with jicama and mango.
Native Foods
We also visited Native Foods a couple of times that weekend. The first time, we got several things to share.
First up, native nachos. This platter of chips was smothered in cashew cheese, black beans, chipotle sauce, roasted corn, salsa, and fresh peppers.
On a hot day, the raw, cool elements on top kept it from feeling overly heavy.
The grilled avocado plate is a seasonal special. The charred avocado wedges were served on top of greens along with radishes, tofu bacon, and crispy tortilla strips.
They were tossed in a lemon vinaigrette. The tart lemon and crunch of the strips worked nicely with the mild avocado.
David loves all things sweet potato. So he added on some sweet potato fries as well.
We picked up Native Foods again before we headed out of town. I got the Mexican cobb salad, which was terrific.
This meal-sized salad was topped with barbecue seitan, black beans, roasted corn, avocado, pepitas, and cool chunks of jicama. It was tossed in refreshing jalapeΓ±o dressing.
David couldnβt hold out any longer on his favorite sandwich there, the chicken run ranch.
The battered and fried seitan cutlet was topped with romaine and carrots on a whole wheat bun.
We also picked up an oatmeal crème pie to go.
When I was in high school, packaged oatmeal cream pies were my daily breakfast, believe it or not. This fresh baked version was a world away. It had thick whipped vanilla filling inside chewy oatmeal cookies. It was more than enough for two to share.
There were so many more places that we wanted to visit or re-visit. But thereβs only so much time and room in oneβs stomach. Hopefully it wonβt be too long until weβre back again.
For more Chicago vegan options, check out my posts on Amitabul, Veggie Grill, and Lyfe Kitchen.
Jodi
I *just* got back two days ago from visiting a friend who recently moved to Chicago. The first place we went to eat was The Chicago Diner, because the last time I was in Chicago and went here (with the same friend and a few others), I was too sick to eat anything and the GORGEOUS food on my plate languished and I’m sure I was in tears because I hate wasted food and whatever I ordered looked incredible.
This time both of us got the Radical Reuben. I had mine with waffle fries. We split the nachos as an appetizer. I’m a small person, and as much as I ate, I still wanted more. I wanted the Chicken Fried Steak like crazy, and we planned to go back on my last night in town, but we had a change in plans thanks to the weather. I was slightly “bummed”, but now this just gives me an excuse to go back to Chicago and get it then. And, like, everything else on the menu.
I wish we had a Chicago Diner here in NYC. Even with all the great options here, there’s nothing quite like it.
P.S. This is a FANTASTIC post. I am trying in vain to claw my way through my monitor to get at all the delicious-looking food. Man oh man oh man.
Cadry
I’m so glad you had fun in Chicago, and you were able to remedy your sad Chicago Diner experience from the first time around. It sounds like you made some excellent ordering decisions. That reuben is crazy good. I have a hard time ordering anything else. Do you ever go to Champs Diner in Brooklyn? I’ve only been there once, but it seemed pretty similar to Chicago Diner to me. Thanks for the kind words & for popping by!
Shauna
One of my sisters-in-law lives in Chicago and just moved to Logan Square/Bucktown. I found out that not only does she live crazy close to Chicago Diner but also to a vegetarian Mexican place called Quesadilla La Reina Del Sur. Have you been there? The menu looks awesome and especially great since my husband has been totally craving authentic Mexican. I am certainly intrigued by El Nuevo Mexicano though…
Cadry
I still haven’t made it to Quesadilla La Reina Del Sur. It’s always on my list of places to go, but I haven’t made it happen yet. If you make it there, let me know your thoughts!
Caitlin
That Mexican sounds amazing, I have a new place to visit next time I’m back!
Cadry
Yes, they have some really interesting and unique options. Plus, I’m already an Upton’s fan, and so it’s cool to see their products on the menu.
mollyjade
Those nachos look perfect.
Cadry
We could call them “deconstructed tacos,” and then they’d fit your cleanse. π
Caitlin
i hope to one day make it to chicago diner and native foods. everything sounds so magical.
Cadry
With the big expansion Native Foods has in the works, Boston seems like an obvious choice. Maybe someday you’ll have one in your own town!
Bianca
That country fried steak at the Chicago Diner is the BEST THING EVER. I’ve only been there once, but I got the reuben (duh!) and Paul went with the country fried steak. And I was so jealous of his meal! I ended up eating his leftovers in the hotel the next day for breakfast.
All that Native Foods stuff looks fantastic, esp the chicken run sandwich and those nachos! I really need to get back to Chicago!
Cadry
The country fried steak with mashed potatoes and gravy is definitely some kind of comfort food heaven. I was only able to finish about half too, but the server seemed surprised/disappointed. He was concerned I didn’t like it, but that was the total opposite. It was massive! The portions are so big at Chicago Diner, they would be good to split or plan on a second meal, especially if your hotel has a microwave.
David loves that chicken run ranch sandwich. I’m partial to the Oklahoma Bacon Cheeseburger, but somehow I missed all of my usual orders this trip.
Sarah | Well and Full
Those nachos from Native Foods are DROOLWORTHY. I’ve only been to the NF in Denver, but that will definitely be on the list next time I’m around one π
Cadry
The nachos are terrific. I love nachos and make them at home, but vegan ones are hard to come by in restaurants. It’s so fun to get a big platter of them at Native Foods. I’m sure you won’t be disappointed!
Ree
Have you ever been to Arya Bhavan on Devon? It’s a vegan Indian restaurant. Next time you’re in town, do try it. They have a Buffet on Saturday and Sundays.
Cadry
I have heard of it, and I’d really like to go sometime. Would you recommend the buffet over ordering off of the menu? Do you have a favorite entree that I shouldn’t miss?
Ree
I love the baked Samosas and burrito wraps (Collard green wrap). I prefer the buffet since I can’t remember the names of the dishes. Their lentils are good too. Do the buffet!
Cadry
That all sounds great! Thanks for the tip!
Ree
Go for the Buffet. Their baked samosas are terrific and the collard green burrito wraps.
Susan
Oh yum…. I am just blogging about my Chicago trip at the moment, so doing that and then reading this… I am seriously hungry!
Cadry
Your post did the same to me! Your meal at Chicago Diner looked amazing. I kept meaning to go back there for a shake, but I didn’t make it.
Kris
My non-vegan nieces thought Native Foods cupcake was the best they ever had! And they devoured the “fish” tacos, followed by the oatmeal cookie lol.
Cadry
That’s great, Kris! That’s one of the many reasons I wish we had a Native Foods in our town. It’s the kind of place I could easily take non-vegans and know they would be happy there. The food feels “normal” and inviting, as opposed to some places that are so tempeh and quinoa heavy, I know my non-vegan family and friends would back away slowly. π
Jenn
I LOVE this post! I have been wanting to try all of these places and I’m not sure what I’m waiting for (a plant loving friend, perhaps!). That club sandwich from Chicago Diner looks amazing!!! Definitely have to get down these and give this a try!
Cadry
I’m so glad to hear you enjoyed the post, Jenn!
It had been over a decade since I’d had a club sandwich. It was really fun to eat one again. Chicago is overflowing in tempting vegan options. My trips there are never long enough to revisit old favorites and to try everything new that I want to explore. Luckily, it’s close enough that I can keep going back for more.
An Unrefined Vegan
This is great! I’m planning a 50th birthday trip w/ some girlfriends to Chicago for 2016 – Pinning this post so I have it handy. Thanks, Cadry!
Cadry
Oh, how fun! I can vouch that Chicago is a terrific place to welcome in a new decade. π
Veganopoulous
Every single thing looks delicious. I’ve never heard of oatmeal creme pie– sounds fascinating!
Cadry
Like a whoopie pie, it’s kind of weird that it’s called a pie at all since it’s actually just two cookies and a creamy filling. Still, why question something so delicious? π I don’t know if you’ve seen my double doozie recipe, but it’s the same idea.
Jess
Mmmm, my mouth is watering just thinking back to those Buffalo Seitan Wings from The Chicago Diner!! They were SO good. And El Nuevo Mexicano sounds amazing – we didn’t stumble across it when we visited in June but I’d love to try it next time around. Maybe we can actually plan accordingly and meet up with you two – wouldn’t that be fun?!
Cadry
Yes! That would be so much fun. Let’s make it happen!
mark guncheon
Visited the original Chicago Diner during a quick trip to visit and celebrate our son’s 25th birthday. I used to walk to the place from my apartment many years ago back when lights were added to the nearby Wrigley Field. I was pleased to find the place crowded as usual and enjoyed an early lunch with family members who commented many times how good the vegan food was. On my next trip, I’ll have to venture out to your recommendations. They sound delicious.
Cadry
How lovely that you used to be able to walk to Chicago Diner. That would be a great neighborhood restaurant. I’m delighted that they continue to do such booming business. They are a good face for the normalization of “vegan food.”