Tokyo Lunch Box

Multiple Locations
179 W Van Buren St
Chicago, IL 60605
(312) 435-4005

This family run chain has several Chicago locations (Van Buren, Jackson, Merchandise Mart). It mainly caters to the busy lunch crowd and 9-5ers looking to grab something to bring home for dinner. They serve pre-made vegetable maki rolls (both the avocado rolls and avocado/shitake mushroom are vegetarian) and two different types of vegetarian inari (tofu skin filled with either brown or white rice). They also have edamame (soybeans) and vegetable gyoza (vegetarian). For loop-working vegetarians this is a must visit. The maki is pre-made but they are typically happy to make you something fresh (something I recommend, the freshness really makes a difference). You can get a quick tray of maki rolls and a bowl of rice for under $5. A steal!

They also have a vegetarian noodle dish, tasty, but also loaded with MSG-like flavoring (think instant ramen noodles).

The Chicago Diner

The Chicago Diner
The Chicago Diner
3411 N. Halsted Street
Chicago, IL 60657
ph (773) 935-6696 - fax 773-935-8349
HOURS: M-Th 11-10, Fr 11-11, Sa 10-11, Su 10-10

"Meat free since 1983" is their logo. The Chicago diner is a staple for out-of-town vegetarians. Located in the heart of Boys Town, the restaurant is typically very busy and does not take reservations. There is a small alley next to the restaurant that adventurous drivers may park in. Despite numerous awards and constant lines (be prepared to wait) the diner just isn't any good. The service is terrible (slow, inattentive) the food bland and uninspired (frozen fake-meat patties with tons of salt), and is often served only-half microwaved. Mashed potatoes are served scalding hot on the outside, frozen on the inside. Avoid if possible.

Kramer's Health Foods

230 S. Wabash Ave.
Chicago, IL 60604
312-922-0077

Kramer's Health Foods is a two floor store with overpriced health foods and supplies on the first floor and overpriced smoothies, shakes, veggie burgers and soup upstairs. The staff is eccentric (what else do you expect from a health food store?) and only moderately helpful. The food upstairs is available from a walk up counter, there is a small eating area with terrible lighting--you can't help but want to leave ASAP. They do have a great lunch special (veggie burger, vegetarian soup, fresh juice) but you'll want to take it to go.

Alonti Deli

333 W. Wacker Drive
Chicago, IL 60606
312-726-4335

225 N Michigan Ave
(between Lake St & Wacker Pl)
Chicago, IL 60601
(312) 240-0349

Several other locations...

Alonti mainly serves the Loop lunch crowd (there are more than one location). The atmosphere is drab (especially the Van Buren location) but you can get a veggie sandwich (fresh mozzarella with roasted red peppers) that is a tasty alternative to, say Subway (gasp!).

Lao Sze Chuan

Restaurant:
Lao Sze Chuan
172 S. Archer Ave.
312-326-5040

10:30 a.m.-midnight daily

Food: 8/10
Decor: 7/10
Service: 8/10
Value: 9/10

Total:

Review:

The most authentic Chinese food availabe in Chicago. This location is locaed on the "new" side of Chinatown in the Chinatown Square Mall (all the way at the end, near the Walgreens). The restaurant is downstairs, with a large banquet room available directly above - check out their informative and impressively designed website for the full scoop and history. What makes this place a real treat are the, perhaps accidental, vegetarian options. There are only a few of them, but they're worth the trip. Check out the Hot & Sour soup, its vegetarian, really spicy (maybe a bit too greasy) and delicious. On the appetizer menu you'll also find Shanghai Vegetarian Chicken (say, "soo-jee" if you're Chinese-language only waiter can't find it). It's a pre-packaged, sliced from a fake meat-log kinda thing, but it's super yummy. Some spicy vegetarian dishes, especially the Spicy Eggplant, are worth checking out. The owner is also very accommodating and will make a lot of the standard vegan friendly if you ask, for instance Mao Pao Tofu (typically with beef) or the string green beans (typically with shrimp sauce).