- Top Rated Bakery in Chicago
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The Chicago Diner - Lakeview
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Vegetarian
Vegan-friendly
Lacto
Ovo
American
Beer/Wine
Delivery
Take-out
Bakery
Catering
Providing all vegetarian and mostly vegan American comfort food for brunch and dinner with organic beers and wine, margaritas, vegan bakery, and desserts. Meat free since 1983. Patio seating available. Confirmed open May 2020. Open Mon-Fri 11:00am-10:00pm, Sat 10:00am-10:00pm, Sun 10:00am-9:00pm.
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- Accepts credit cards
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Last update on 06 Jul 2023 by geometric-noise
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298 Reviews
First Review by amargrav
bEzz
Points +2124
The Original - Edit
Chicago Diner is an institution and for a good reason! Diner classics reimagined as vegan taste sensations and then some. Get their spin on the Cuban. You won’t be sorry!
Read moreGuest
veg469
Points +672
All vegan options - Edit
The soul bowl was delicious and a healthy vegan option.
Read moreGuest
DavidDainko
Points +416
>>>> 5 stars - Edit
I’m only giving the Diner 5 stars because that’s all I’m allowed. In fact there isn’t a number high enough for me to properly rate this place. The app should fix that
Read moreGuest
noetsx
Points +222
Best comfort food ever! - Edit
Best milkshakes and comfort food in the area. Boystown is a very nice area as well. #Veganuary
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2023-01-29
Pros: Lots of comfort food, Great area, Beat milkshakes
Guest
cassiekay
Points +602
Great food and good vibes! - Edit
This is a legit diner! It's so tiny and old school which is one of the many things I loved about it. The food was delicious! We tried their buffalo seitan wings, I had their po boy special with plantains, Mac and Cheese, and my friend had the pot pie which was huge!! Staff were super friendly and gave great food recommendations. My bf and I got the salted caramel milkshake which was heavenly. I am 100% going back when I am in Chicago again this fall!
Read morePros: All vegan, Milkshakes, Great food
Guest
trenityw
Points +1028
Classic Diner Food - Edit
I like the variety of menu options. My food was just okay- I had the Reuben with mashed potatoes and gravy and wasn’t blown away. Also the iced chai latte I had was lacking in the chai tea and just tasted like oat milk with cinnamon. However I did enjoy the spinach dip. I’d be Interested to come back and try something different and one of the famous milkshakes
Read morePros: Large portions
Guest
andyjng
Points +5935
Good Diner, Bad Dining Experience - Edit
My friends and I decided to go family style and split a couple of their veganized diner classics. We went with their Rueben Rolls, Country Fried Steak (made from seitan), Cinnamon Rolls, and of course a side salad because by this time, I needed to make sure I was eating my greens.
Read moreFirstly, the rolls were our absolute favorite. The slight saltiness of the mock meat was fantastic in the vegan fried roll. The sauce that it came with was also fantastic and we kept it for the rest of our meal. As for the other main entrees, we thought the side potatoes and veggies were better in the country fried steak. I wasn't a huge fan of the seitan's consistency but the gravy did make up for it in the end. We took our cinnamon rolls to go and thought these were okay - the sugar is on top and not rolled inside, so it was different and not quite what I desired.
While the food here was okay, the service here was... interesting. We had made a reservation at 19:00 but were a few minutes late. Our one friend got there on time and was seated, but apparently the hostess or bartender gave some slight attitude about us needing to be out before 20:00 closing. My friend helped us place our food order beforehand so by the time we arrived, it was ready to come out a few minutes later.
It was an interesting experience dining for sure. I felt that we were bothering the staff by eating inside even before 19:00. This doesn't mean that they weren't friendly when serving and checking up on us- they absolutely were. But I had this slight feeling that they were irritated either by us or members of their team. At a point, we thought we overheard someone crying in the back which took us by surprise.
I equated that to them getting a massive amount of take out orders right before closing which caused a lot of stress on the kitchen and team. I don't blame them for the experience but I wish it was slightly friendlier for us when we were dining in. We took responsibility for being late and apologized, and were also out promptly before 20:00, but not before feeling a bit unwelcome in the space.
Pros: Savory comfort food options
Cons: Unpleasant service when they get too busy
Guest
jadaruss
Points +2089
Yummy vegan food - Edit
Pretty good breakfast options!
Read moreGuest
diannec
Points +786
Yummy but dare I say…. A tad overrated? - Edit
Food is good but not always great. A little expensive and have been rushed out before eating much of my meal when it’s busy. Will be back regardless though!
Read moreGuest
CatherineMarch
Points +27
Good food and meat free since 83. - Edit
Whenever I go to a vegan restaurant I am a bit overwhelmed with the choices. The milkshakes are divine.
Read morePros: Entire vegan/vegetarian menu, Great waitstaff, Food was good.
Guest
tastinmusic
Points +57
My Favorite Restaurant in All of CHICAGO - Edit
10000/10! Love the Radical Reuben with vegan cheese and sweet potato fries. AND THE VEGAN SHAKES!
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2022-10-10
Pros: Lots of Vegan Options
Guest
ClaireMaye
Points +82
AMAZING - Edit
A fab meal - great taste, textures and a fantastic menu
Read morePros: Amazing vegan menu and fab cocktails!
Cons: Absolutely none
Guest
Kallday
Points +321
The Thai Chili Wings!! That’s all ima say!!! - Edit
Let me start off by saying I have always wanted to try The Chicago Diner for about 7 years now. I didn’t even need a menu that’s how much Ive been anticipating on eating here.
Read moreI promise you the Thai Chili Wings will be the best thing you ever tried in your life!! From the first bite to the last bite, I was completely speechless at how good & fresh they were. Those wings were soooooo good my mouth is watering right now hust thinking about them haha! THATS A MUST every single time!
For my entree, I got the Pancakes & the Breakfast Bowl. They both were superb (the breakfast bowl being the better choice) & quite fulfilling.
Guest
CinemaSpinach
Points +819
Loved it - Edit
I made a list of places to try out while in Chicago and I did not expect to return over three times on my trip. The food was scrumptious, the price was good, and the portions left us feeling absolutely satisfied - I miss this place.
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2021-04-18
Pros: delicious good portions, friendly staff, great value
Cons: Might feel a little crowded at first, Not any in California
Guest
Midwestveganfoodie365
Points +2004
Many many options - Edit
I wasnt too obsessed with the food but they do have such a grand variety including desserts and savory meals that i have to give it 5 stars. So many things to try and many different special. I loved the milkshakes but wasn't too invested in the savory food but it was still good.
Read moreGuest
AddieAnneSmith
Points +384
There is a reason this place has been around since 1983! - Edit
The food was on point! I had a VLT and my husband had the gyro. Both were amazing and we didn't leave a bite on our plates! The Moscow mule was also delicious! We have been here before and will certainly come here again!
Read moreGuest
Veggie46
Points +124
A Chicago classic - Edit
Great food and a regular spot for us to eat at. I love that they have new special dishes each month. Waffle fries for the win. Shakes are out of this worlds.
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2012-08-27
Pros: shakes, Service , Brunch
Guest
aubreyj27
Points +2439
i love it here - Edit
the atmosphere is very friendly and welcoming as well as the food! i’ve come here a few times now and the food is always delicious. the portions are generous, and i am always happy after i’ve eaten here:)
Read morei would recommend the smoked tofu club if they have it (seasonal), the radical reuben (flagship sandwich, it’s really good), and the thai chili wings if you want to try something a little different! they have a new spicy chicken that i got on a caesar salad and it totally blew me away.
for dessert, i love the s’mores brownie sundae - it’s huge and slightly different every time, so it’s a little bit of a surprise and i honestly never get tired of it.
they replicate a lot of typically meat-including comfort food dishes, and i’ve found it to please both vegetarians/vegans & meat eaters alike.
definitely recommend, especially for the atmosphere and the whole experience. it’s very enjoyable, and the dishes are comfort food heaven.
Pros: generous servings, lots of menu options, friendly staff
Cons: service sometimes on the slower side
Guest
Michael X. James
Points +989
The best place in Chicago! - Edit
The Radical Reuben is legit one of the best meals you'll get in the country! The Monte Cristo is also great. The milkshakes are amazing!! The steak and eggs (tofu) was just ok. Most of the meals are top of the line. You MUST get the Radical Reuben and a milkshake.
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2022-07-21
Pros: The Radical Reuben , The milkshakes, Monte Cristo
Cons: Not all vegan, Some menu options could use an update, Side of hash is below average
Veggie46
How were the poppers? I saw them last night, but regrettably didn't order them
Read moreMichael X. James
They were good! Spicy. Legit just jalapenos with some Teese cheese jammed in there, needed and fried.
Read moreGuest
MichellePecoraro
Points +160
I Love This Place - Edit
What can you say about The Chicago Diner? It’s the GOAT. Love the Thai chili lime wings, the Monte Cristo , the jalapeño poppers, the pumpkin cheesecake, the Reuben, the crispy chicken sandwich , it’s all delicious!
Read moreGuest
madoublethew
Points +380
Mediocre - Edit
They deserve credit for being a pioneer, but the menu and the food prep feels stuck in the era that it opened. The food is under seasoned, and there’s no finesse to the cooking. You could argue that’s true to the diner ethos, but why spend the same as you would going to a decent restaurant? The cinnamon roll was nice, if over-frosted, but not enough to make up for mains that we’re just so-so.
Read moreGuest
BethRo
Points +27
Best veg Reuben - Edit
Milkshakes are also amazing and totally vegan
Read moreGuest
cchappee
Points +248
Great brunch options! - Edit
Everything we ate was amazing. Reuben rolls, Italian beef, and the Cuban. So delicious!! Great staff and service in a perfect location. The lavender soda was incredible!!
Read moreGuest
DonaldMcAninch
Points +911
Fantastic food and milkshakes! - Edit
We make eating here a top priority on every visit to Chicago. The food is delicious and the milkshakes are divine.
Read moreGuest
em_dela_creme
Points +36
Very good - Edit
Food and staff were both great
Read morePros: All vegan
Guest
NicolePlunkett
Points +623
Vegan Nachos 😋 - Edit
Everything was so tasty the waitstaff were very friendly. 5 stars!
Read moreGuest
VeganDrainer
Points +1371
Great vegan diner fare. - Edit
Everything is vegan customizeable and what I got was great!
Read moreGuest
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