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When you have to cross meat, chicken and fish off the menu and you 'don't go there' with dairy and eggs, the options for a tasty meal in Chicago may suddenly seem minuscule, right? Wrong! Meet Veggie Thing, our latest foodie lookbook showcasing the finest in cruelty-free feasting. Check out a few of our most favorite buzzed about and hidden delights you'll want to eat--without all the animal by-products that you won't--then head over to the site and submit your own veggie things to be featured next.
(Photo: Emilie Zanger)
Top Vegan Picks
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Earwax Cafe
Read Reviews1561 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60622 (map)
BANANA WALNUT PANCAKES: "Rise and shine, pancake lovers! This breakfast really stacks up: three nicely browned cakes, stuffed with bananas and chopped toasted walnuts and topped with an entire sliced banana and a shower of powdered sugar. They practically beg to be doused with maple syrup--real stuff only, kids. Although the texture bespeaks the lack of eggs (they're a bit denser and gooier inside than traditional hotcakes) the taste is spot-on addictive, with a decent hit of cinnamon. This omnivore had no problem polishing off the entire stack with a mug of piping hot, locally roasted coffee." - Emilie Zanger, City Editor
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Flying Saucer
Read Reviews1123 N California Ave, Chicago, IL 60622 (map)
SWEET POTATO-TOFU HASH WITH KALE: "This artsy Humboldt Park diner serves up a hearty, filling plate of satisfying, sweet-and-salty goodness: hunks of soy-marinated tofu, stir-fried with cubed sweet potatoes and vitamin-packed kale with a choice of toast and a side. I went for the gooey cinnamon apples that tasted like pie sans crust." - Emilie Zanger, City Editor
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The Lobby
Read Reviews108 E Superior St, Chicago, IL 60611 (map)
VEGAN AFTERNOON TEA: "Practice your pinky-out sipping technique, then head to the super sophisticated Lobby at the Peninsula for this especially-for-vegans high tea. There's no skimping going on here--a violinist and a cellist set the scene as you dig into a huge spread of afternoon delights. Think artichoke pate on olive oil flatbread with heirloom tomatoes and basil and traditional sweets like dark chocolate brownies and poppy seed scones with jam. Take your pick of 30+ teas, or tack on an extra $9 for a glass of Champagne." - Emilie Zanger, City Editor
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Opera
Read Reviews1301 S Wabash Ave, Chicago, IL 60605 (map)
SEASONAL VEGETABLE MUUSHU: "I'm such a fan of these "pancakes" that I could have easily wolfed down three. The bubbly, flaky tortilla-like shell hugs a garden-full of colorful veggies: Chinese cabbage, red and yellow peppers. Drizzle it with the accompanying sauce and be prepared to fight with your dining companion over the last pancake on the table." - Valerie Moloney, Citysearch Editor
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Vella Cafe
Read Reviews1912 N Western Ave, Chicago, IL 60647 (map)
VEGAN BAHN MI: "This ain't your traditional Vietnamese banh mi, my friends. This one, served at the sunny Vella Cafe underneath the Western Ave. Blue Line stop, comes on a soft, chewy ciabatta roll, overflowing with a mouth-awakening melange of flavors and textures. Toothsome fried tofu lays the foundation for shredded carrot, sweet-and-sour pickled daikon, crisp cucumber and jalapeno slices, cilantro, mint and sweet chili sauce. The mint tips the whole surprising combo over the top on the flavor scale, but the side of crispy smashed red-skin potatoes, well caramelized and dusted with paprika and chives, nearly steals the show." - Emilie Zanger, City Editor
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