A trip to the Chicago Diner!

I am new to the Chicago Vegan food world. Now, Chicago may not exactly be known for its vegan fare (have you SEEN our deep dish or hot dogs??), so I figured that dining out in this amazing city might be a bit of a test.

I love going out to dinner. More than anything probably.

And I looooove Chicago.

But were these two loves of mine destined for failure now that my food options were limited?

Enter http://www.happycow.net/

One click on this website and I saw countless options for vegan fare within this fair city (see that play on words? Did you like that? I did...)

The first stop on my list: Chicago Diner.

*Image Credit Google Search


I had heard about this place from various friends and fellow bloggers, but was hesitant. This place sounded like it served up greasy lookalike dishes and as I've said before, I am not a fan of imitation foods!!! But, I wanted to check this out nonetheless.

Matt and I made the mistake of going to this place on a Friday night around 8:00. This place does not take reservations. This sucked.

We walked into the cramped restaurant and were told that it would be an hour and a half wait at the least, but that we could "go out to the tent in the back for some tea."

...

Oh, because tea in tents makes EVERYTHING better...

We did go out there. and get this.

NO TEA!

Matt went next door to the 7-11 and grabbed some Jack Daniels soda. So we made do. I played Words with Friends, Matt was busy counting forearm tattoos on all the hipsters in that tent.

We got into the restaurant after about an hour wait, and the rest of the experience was pretty good! It was a little cramped in there, but the food made up for it.

I ordered a Dark Horse Raspberry Ale which, although it doesn't necessarily sound all that good, was the best beer I think I've ever had. Seriously, I am going to seek this beer out on a regular basis. I tried a fruity flavored beer a few nights later and it was nasty, so I understand that many fruity beers are gross, this however, was heavenly.

We had the Grilled Potstickers as an appetizer and these were fab. The sauce especially was delicious. We inhaled these in approximately 45 seconds, mostly because it was 9:00 (we eat at 5:00 usually) and we had been told there would be tea, and there was none.

Then, for my main course I ordered the Reuben and Matt got the Dagwood Sandwich. My Reuben was really good and since Reubens are probably my most favorite sandwich, ever, this was a welcome substitute for the absence of this in my diet. Matt liked the Dagwood and didn't seem too flustered by the seitan.

I wish I had taken pictures.

And I wish I had left room for dessert.

The real excitement came after the meal was over.

I'm not exactly sure what the deal was, but both Matt and I were extremely ill after this meal. Our stomachs were rebelling from the seitan I'm pretty sure. It was truly an unpleasant evening and morning.

I am 99.9% sure we just weren't used to this kind of food, and I fully intend on going back to this place.

Matt on the other hand...he has sworn off seitan.