Chicago Vegan Pizza
I was in Chicago last week for a bunch of gigs. Unfortunately I had so many gigs that I didn’t have too much time to visit veg*n eateries (good job I packed a ton of crisps in my suitcase). But I did make time for The Chicago Diner and Karyn’s On Green. Both were great in their own way. As I didn’t get to visit many diners, I can’t really write a big article yet on Chicago’s vegan food, but I wanted to give shout outs to The Chicago Diner and Karyn’s On Green as both were great.
I had hardly any time when I went to The Chicago Diner (www.veggiediner.com). It was a busy day. After checking out of my hotel I wanted to go up the Willis (Sears) Tower to take photos. I also needed to go to Quimbys Bookstore to take the new issue of Black Velvet (www.quimbys.com). I also had to be at the Greyhound Bus Station by around 6.30pm to meet my Japanese friend and then head over to Milwaukee for the Milwaukee Warped Tour show. I couldn’t believe how slow the CTA was. My hotel was up by the airport so every time I came down to downtown Chicago it took nearly an hour or something like that. And I left my suitcase at the hotel so I could wander around - but then had to go all the way back to get it before going to the bus station. It was torturous watching the time tick by. In retrospect it would have been better if I’d booked a hotel in the city centre but when I booked it the cheap airport price and the fact it was so close to the airport urged me to go for it. I also wasted half an hour waiting for a train on the purple line before realising that the purple line was only active at certain times of the day. Gah! If only I’d realised this I would have been able to sit in and eat properly at The Chicago Diner! As it was, by the time I got to The Chicago Diner I figured I’d best just get a meal to take out and eat it on the way. I ordered a soya grilled cheese with sweet potato fries. It was on the Kids menu but I can’t resist grilled cheese and not enough places sell this! I love that The Chicago Diner was a true fast food diner. I think more cities need vegan/veggie fast food places. I mean, so many people buy the crap you find in McDonaldsMurder… people want fast, cheap junk food. The Chicago Diner fills that void selling quick food to go but at the same time is inventive with it. There’s everything from veggie meat ball subs to the Buddha Burger. The place looked neat with a real diner feel to it. I honestly wish I could have stayed longer, or gone back again. I guess I need another trip to Chicago. Next time I’ll also book an extra day there and hope that no surprise gigs get added at the last minute!
Karyn’s On Green was my second choice but turned out to be THE most awesome place. They win my award for making me the most amazing soya cheese pizza - and are 100% vegan. I was in heaven. It was soooooo good. In fact, I dare not think about it too much as it will just make me crave it and get bummed out that I can’t be there eating more of it. My Japanese friend had the Philly Cheese Steak and loved that (despite not being vegan/veggie). Karyn’s was a spacious, stylish restaurant with true quality. If I lived in Chicago they would definitely get to eat my bank balance - while I would eat their food! I urge everyone to go to Karyn’s - whether you’re a meat eater or vegan, you will honestly love this place. Most amazing place ever!
Om nom nom!
