Is anybody here from Chicago or the suburbs? If you are, what is your favorite place to eat there?

I personally love going to Mitsuwa in Arlington Heights. It's a Japanese market, but they also have a food court. I just have to be careful because many Japanese foods have fish snuck in (miso soup is a good example).

I'm about 2 hours south but eat in the city quite a bit.

Favorite: Alice & Friends
Least favorite: Chicago Diner (except for the shakes/location/patio!)

Also like: Cousin's (raw) and Blind Faith

I'm in Oak Park and love Chicago Diner, Ras Dashen, Alice & Friends, Blind Faith Cafe (Evanston), Karyn's Cooked, Veggie Bite (opening a new location soon on the north side...yay!), Dharma Garden, Chowpatti (Arlington Heights). Looking forward to checking out Balanced Kitchen sometime.

Chicago Diner is definitely the best one!!!
It's like a vegan American cuisine.

I go there several times.

I was always able to park... however, I'm lucky as the parking is so tiny.

The parking isn't either for novice drivers.


Michael... why u h8 Chicago Diner?

Michael... why u h8 Chicago Diner?

I don't think their food is any good. It sounds good, it looks good, I just don't think it tastes good. I sometimes joke that the next time I have to eat there I'll just go next door to the 7-11 and nuke a frozen burrito.

I cannot WAIT to go try some of these places!!!

Aw, the Diner's not so bad, it's just not as good as the other places. :)

I'd heartily agree with the recommendations for Blind Faith and Karyn's Cooked. Earwax Cafe in Wicker Park area is pretty yummy and the neighborhood is very cool!

In my old hood (Hyde Park), I frequented the Rajun' Cajun (Indian and Soul Food fusion, I swear). It's not vegetarian, but they have many vegan dishes and the staff is super knowledgeable and friendly. I also liked The Nile, a Lebanese/Palestinian on 55th Street. There's another little veggie place that opened a year or so ago in the old Quiznos spot (I love the irony) at 53rd and Dorchester. We ate there last summer, and my meal was :lick:, while the man's was good, but not great.

And...I can't believe no one has mentioned The Pick Me Up Cafe. Seriously, if you've not eaten breakfast here at least once, you've not lived. :)

And...I can't believe no one has mentioned The Pick Me Up Cafe. Seriously, if you've not eaten breakfast here at least once, you've not lived. :)

Oh, man! How did I forget Pick Me Up? That's what I get for multi-tasking in my head. :p

I forgot Soul Veg, too.

And...I can't believe no one has mentioned The Pick Me Up Cafe. Seriously, if you've not eaten breakfast here at least once, you've not lived. :)

Ack! How could I forget Pick Me Up?!? Good stuff and great service. :up:

I also like that place we went to for falafel. I don't remember the name. :-/ I've been meaning to ask you.

Pick Me Up Cafe is my favorite.

Ack! How could I forget Pick Me Up?!? Good stuff and great service. :up:

I also like that place we went to for falafel. I don't remember the name. :-/ I've been meaning to ask you.

Do you mean Sultan's Market (http://chicagofalafel.com/)?

If nothing else, you need to go to the Chicago Diner for cheesecake & milkshakes. No one does those better!

Who's been to Karyn's Cooked? The reviews are all over the place & I was thinking about trying it this weekend.

Who's been to Karyn's Cooked? The reviews are all over the place & I was thinking about trying it this weekend.

I love Karyn's Cooked, and I'll be dining there Saturday evening. Bread pudding, here I come! :hungry:

The Diner is great. Michael doesn't know what he's talking about. :p Alice and Friends is great too, and you haven't had chocolate cake until you have the vegan one at Blind Faith. :hungry: Just be prepared for a serious spike in blood sugar. :p

Woohoo! Veggie Bites is opening a new location on Milwaukee and Paulina. Walked by yesterday and it looks like it's almost ready to open.

The Diner is great. Michael doesn't know what he's talking about. :p Alice and Friends is great too, and you haven't had chocolate cake until you have the vegan one at Blind Faith. :hungry: Just be prepared for a serious spike in blood sugar. :p

I loved The Diner. I went there for my first time this weekend!! We wanted to go to Alice & Friends for dinner but it was closed so we went to Andies instead and that was really good too!! Peace & Love!!

Woohoo! Veggie Bites is opening a new location on Milwaukee and Paulina. Walked by yesterday and it looks like it's almost ready to open.

I am SO psyched about this! :up:

Will it be open by the end of April? ;)

Will it be open by the end of April? ;)

Not sure but I am in that area often. I'll keep you guys posted once it's opened.

Amitabul is another one to add to the list. I've only eaten there once, but I liked it a lot.

I've actually never eaten at a vegetarian restaurant...especially not in Chicago. I'm from Northbrook. I guess I'll have to try some of these out!

I had training at the Palmer House downtown earlier this week and had lunch at the Spa Cafe on Monroe. What a fabulous little place for lunch! They have lots of vegetarian and vegan options. Here's the website: http://www.spacafe.com/

The menu on the website is not fully updated. They now offer a bunch of vegan grilled items like seitan burgers and apple/sage sausage.

I went to a place called Sultan's Market in Wicker Park. It is a middle eastern food place and they have the vegan items labeled on the menu. I got the falafel and it was delicious.

I went to a place called Sultan's Market in Wicker Park. It is a middle eastern food place and they have the vegan items labeled on the menu. I got the falafel and it was delicious.

Sultan's is one of my favorites. Cheap and delicious.

Veggie Bites on Milwaukee and Paulina opened today. We stopped by for dinner and the place was packed. They were definitely understaffed and the line was very long. Unfortunately I noticed 2 or 3 people leave because of the wait.

Our food was quite tasty. I ordered the italian beef melt with a side order of chili cheese fries and my gf had the buffalo sandwich on rye.