ILLINOISArlington Heights Chowpatti, 1035 S. Arlington Heights Rd., (708) 640-9554. All-veg, vegan options. Chicago Amitabul, 3418 N. Southport Rd., (773) 472-4060. All-vegan, Korean, macro options. Blind Faith, 3300 N. Lincoln, (773) 871-3820. All-veg, macro/vegan options. Chicago Diner, 3411 N. Halsted, (312) 935-6696. All-veg, vegan options. Dasaprakash, 2511 W. Devon, (773) 465-3272. All-veg, Indian. Karyn's Fresh Corner, 3351 N. Lincoln Ave., (312) 296-6990. All-vegan. Mother Earth Café & Organic Juice Bar, 3111 N. Ashland Ave., (312) EAR-THLY. All-veg, macro/vegan options. Natraj, 2240 W. Devon Ave., (312) 274-1300. All-veg, Indian, vegan options. Soul Vegetarian, 205 E. 75th St., (312) 224-0164. All-vegan. Udupi Palace, 2543 W. Devon Ave., (312) 338-2152. All-veg, vegan options. Evanston Blind Faith Café, 525 Dempster St., (847) 328-6875. All-veg, macro/vegan options. Highland Park Chicago Diner, 581 Elm Pl. (847) 433-1228. All-veg, vegan options. White Buffalo Café, 508 Old Elm Rd., (847) 266-1825. All macro/vegan. Normal Coffee World, 114 E. Beaufort St., (309) 452-6774. All-veg, vegan options. Urbana Red Herring, 1209 W. Oregon, (217) 367-2340. All-vegan, international. Villa Park Better Living, 1555 S. Ardmore Ave., (708) 782-0441. All-vegan. Westmont Shree Vegetarian, 655 N. Cass Ave., (708) 655-1021. All-veg, Indian.
Vegetarian Express Gourmet
Blind Faith Cafe Vegetarian 525 Dempster Ave., , Evanston 847-328-6875 "Would you expect less of Evanston?" say fans of this Vegetarian hangout for yuppies, college types and other veg-heads, who praise "large portions" of "tasty" fare and "dream about" the breads, but phobes gripe about "too much fiber" and "uppity service"; still, you can "go with a clear conscience - no junk food here." - Zagat's Soul Vegetarian East Restaurant 205 E. 75th St. 773-224-0104 Hours: 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Mon.-Thur.;9 a.m.-11 p.m. Fri.-Sat,; 9a.m.-noon (brunch) and noon-8 p.m. (dinner) Sun. Credit cards: M, V Other:Wheelchair accessible Cheap Eats Soulful vegetarian at home on South Side By Bob Condor Soul Vegetarian East joins two seemingly divergent cuisines. You expect soul food to taste good but maybe not be so good for you. You think vegetarian food tends to be good for you but it doesn't exactly taste good. You think wrong. Try Soul Vegetarian East. Soul Vegetarian East has been a fixture on the South Side and at area health fairs for 15 years. It is one of several restaurants run by the African Hebrew Israelite community. The happy and healthful eating experience in a restaurant that serves the Chatham and Park Manor neighborhoods begins with a sizable basket of battered cauliflower ($3). The still-crunchy vegetables are lightly breaded without too much grease. This is followed swiftly by a thick, tomatoey vegetable soup ($2 small; $2.50 large). For now, we move on to a feast of salads, sandwiches and entrees. The green salad has romaine lettuce with sprouts, tomatoes, purple cabbage and cucumbers ($2.50 small, $3.50 large). It is enlivened by a nutty house "prince" dressing that uses fresh tahini made from sesame seeds. The carrot supreme salad ($2.50 for two scoops) is thankfully less sweet than most versions due to a hint of homemade soy mayonnaise. It goes nicely as a condiment for the green salad and other goodies on the table. Some of those goodies include two versions of grilled veggie burgers spiced with garlic, onions, paprika and seasoned salt: the sunburger ($3), made with ground sunflower seeds, and hand burger ($3) formed with lentils. Both sandwiches are dressed with lettuce, tomato, pickle and mustard on a whole-wheat bun. The BBQ twist sandwich ($3.50) is made with a soybean seitan in steaklike form that Soul Vegetarian East makes on the premises. The "meat," slathered in a tangy barbecue sauce, is satisfyingly crisp outside and tender inside. An interesting note: The BBQ twist is so named because the seitan has some peanut butter in it. There is a nightly dinner special ($8.50). Our evening's platter contains generous portions of barbecued tofu, greens, macaroni and cheese, mixed vegetables and pleasingly dense cornbread. You also get a choice of soup or salad. The tofu is firm and smoky, but the greens and macaroni are the stars. Garlicky greens are bursting with juices; the mac and cheese is al dente. We fill out the meal with a vegetable stir-fry ($3). Soul Vegetarian East's version is above average with numerous fresh vegetables and brown rice. A bit of broth heightens the flavors. We can't resist the carob cake with tahini-nut icing ($2.25), enjoying a large and moist slice. Herbal teas, juices and sodas are available. Soul Vegetarian East asks that customers not bring alcoholic beverages. Service is quite friendly and prompt. You will feel at home. The restaurant seating and decor is comfortable if a bit drab. But it doesn't seem to stop the steady clientele or the frequent takeout orders, and shouldn't stop you. ---------- Condor is a Chicago Tribune staff writer. Originally published: June 18, 1997 Amitabul 3418 N. Southport Ave. 773-472-4060 "Buddhists believe that to have clear thoughts you have to detach everything on the mental side. In order to do that you have to keep the body in tip-top shape," says David Choi, the owner of Amitabul. Keeping with this philosophy, Choi features the healthy vegetarian cuisine of Korean Buddhists in his restaurant. The menu is 100 percent vegan and dishes are packed with heaping portions of tofu and organically grown vegetables. Steaming is the preferred method of preparation (very little oil and no chemicals are used) with fruit, garlic and miso soup seasonings. The main dining room, which cozily seats 60 souls, was designed by Choi to replicate monks' eating quarters. It is pleasantly decorated with tall leafy plants, hand-painted ceramics and the brush paintings of Choi's Buddhist Master, a hale octogenarian woman who could beat him in an arm wrestle. There are tables so you don't have to sit on the floor in the lotus position as monks do. However, a low seating area with recessed hollows is available for those who desire a more authentic experience, without the leg cramps. The landscapes and portraits that decorate the walls are for sale. Those looking for spiritual nourishment will also find it in ample supply at Amitabul. Choi, a practicing Buddhist, is more than willing to discuss Far Eastern philosophies when he's out of the kitchen working the room. And for those who wish to delve a little deeper, there's a regularly scheduled afternoon of meditation and food at his master's Buddhist temple that he brings his patrons to on Sunday afternoon. Hours: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday through Friday; 9 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday; 10 a.m.- 8:30 p.m. Sunday Chicago Tribune review: 3 forks
Chicago Diner
Arlington Heights Blind Faith Cafe' 3300 N. Lincoln (773)871-3820 Chowpatti Vegetarian Restaurant 1035 S. Arlington Heights Rd. (847)640-9554 Mother Earth's Cafe' 3111 N. Lincoln Ave. (312)EAR-THLY
Chicago Amitabul 3418 S. Southport St. 773-472-4060 Arva Bhavan 2508 W. Devon Ave. 773-274-5800 Chicago Diner 3411 N. Halstead 773-935-6696 Dasaprakash 2511 W. Devon Ave. 773-465-3272 Karyn's Fresh Corner 3351 N. Lincoln Ave. 773-281-7708 Mysore Woodlands 2548 Devon Ave. 773-338-8160 Natraj 2240 Devon Ave. 312-274-1300 Soul Vegetarian East 205 E. 75th St. 773-224-0104 Udipi Palace 2543 W. Devon Ave. 773-338-2152 White Buffalo Cafe' 508 Old Elm Rd. 847-266-1825
Evanston Blind Faith Cafe' & Bakery 525 Dempster St. 847-328-6875
Highland Park Chicago Diner 581 Elm Place 847-433-1228 Normal Coffee World 114 E. Beaufort St. 309-452-6774 Urbana Red Herring Vegetarian Restaurant 1209 W. Oregon St. 217-367-2340 Westmont Shree Vegetarian Restaurant 655 N. Cass Ave. 630-655-1021
Heartland Cafe
Mama Destas Red Sea
Original Mitchells
Patties Heart Healthy
Pegasus
Star of Siam
Cafe Voltaire
Chip n Dales
|
|
|---|
| * * * COMPANIES & PRODUCTS * * * |
|---|
Updated Daily!
| * * * IN-HOUSE RESOURCES * * * |
|---|
