Get Your Greens with These Chicago Veggie-Heavy Dishes
Found Kitchen & Social House
Trying to find restaurants with veggie-packed menus or vegetarian/vegan items can be a challenge, even in a city that’s as food heavy as Chicago. But, there’s no doubt there has been a shift when it comes to vegan and vegetarian restaurants in the last several years. What once could have been seen as a nuisance for chefs and business owners, is now (more often than not) seen as an opportunity for artistry. From swanky Indian restaurants to laid-back Mexican joints, there’s something for everyone on our list of vegetarian dishes to try this month.
Found Kitchen and Social House {1631 Chicago Avenue, Evanston; 847.868.8945}
Seasonal farm-to-table dishes are offered up and down the menu at Found Kitchen, one of Evanston’s hot spots. Surrounded by quirky objects like vintage maps and books, you’ll instantly feel the laid back vibe here. Start your night with the Spiced and Smoked Cauliflower with shaved red cabbage, squash and red beet whole grain mustard, then end it with a slice of French Silk Pie!
ROOH Progressive Indian {736 West Randolph Street, Chicago; 312.809.6964}
With locations in New York and San Francisco, this West Loop venue has brought upscale Indian dining to Chicago. They have several fine-dining vegetarian options, as well as a separate vegan menu. A few of the menu options include Avocado and Chickpea Bhel with granny smith apples, potatoes and black puffed rice, as well as Green Bean Foogath with green beans, curry leaf and fresh coconut. You can also use your 2022 Culinary Guide to pick up dishes like these two-for-one!
Boleo {Kimpton Gray Hotel, 122 West Monroe Street, Chicago; 312.750.9007}
Latin America has made its way to our favorite city with Boleo! The sophisticated cocktail bar and rooftop restaurant located in the heart of the Loop offers vegetarian dishes like Hongos Anitcuchos (mushroom skewers) with cremini mushrooms, yuzu kosho aioli, aji marisol furikake, as well as Yaquitas, crispy yucca fries served with rocoto aioli. If you can’t wait for warmer weather, hide away here until the snow melts.
Barrio {65 West Kinzie Street, Chicago; 312.940.9900}
There’s never a bad time to have good Mexican food, and Barrio is a tribute to that. They offer a wide array of food options including various types of chips and salsa to start and an even larger tequila menu. The rustic and casual eatery also has vegetarian options like their famous Truffle Mushroom Tacos with cotija cheese, gruyere, and garlic crema, as well Barrio Nachos with aged jack cheese, pickled red onion, black bean, jalapeños, charred tomato salsa, pico de gallo and garlic crema.
Tanta {118 West Grand Avenue, Chicago; 312.222.9700}
Located in the heart of River North, Tanta offers dishes like empanadas and a variety of cebiche, both a nod to classic Peruvian dishes. If you’re looking for vegetarian eats, order the Papitas Fritas—fried rustic potatoes and mesa sauce— followed by the Verduras Nikkei with wok stir-fried chef’s selection of vegetables, garlic-sweet chili nikkei sauce and toasted sesame. Finish off your night Mousse De Chocolat, made with housemade Pervusian chocolate mousse, crispy quinoa, coco meringues and seasonal berries.
Virtue {1462 East 53rd Street, Chicago; 773.947.8831}
From small plates like Biscuits with pimento cheese or Cornbread & Honey Butter to main courses like their new King Trumpet Mushrooms, Virtue in Hyde Park has quite a few vegetarian options on their menu. The King Trumpet Mushrooms are a winter stand-out, served with Carolina gold rice, sunflower seeds, and lots of parmesan cheese. It’s cozy comfort food at its best!
Bar Goa {116 West Hubbard Street, Suite 1, Chicago; 312.900.0197}
Bar Goa, located in River North, aims to transport Chicagoans to India’s southwest coast with their food and atmosphere alike. Stop in for vegan dishes like their Baby Eggplant Xacuti with pearl onion and curry leaf and Green Pea Hummus with semolina farofa and poi bread, and stay for the fantastic drink menu and live music. Great food and great atmosphere make for one great night!
Funkenhausen {1709 West Chicago Avenue, Chicago; 312.929.4727}
German classics meet Southern flair in this beer-hall setting. Chef Mark Steuer draws on his German heritage and South Carolina upbringing to recreate some of his fondest meals from his childhood. Funkenhausen is now offering a vegetarian twist on the popular German dish, Schnitzels. The Zucchini Schnitzel made with potato crust, smokey squash puree, pickled squash, herbed ricotta with a basil aioli gives a delicious fresh take on this traditional dish.
By Madison Freeman | Special Correspondent