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Name: Native Foods Cafe
Address: 1023 W Belmont Ave, Chicago, IL, 60657
Telephone: (773) 549-4904
Price range: Under $11
Rating: 4.37

Native Foods Cafe

1023 W Belmont Ave, Chicago, IL, 60657

(773) 549-4904
Store is closed

Native Foods Cafe Menu

Daily Specials

Oklahoma Bacon Cheeseburger (Special)
Fries Salad or Soup

Native Fries (side)

Mellow Miso Mushroom Soup

Potato Salad

Steamed Kale

Mojito Slaw (RG)

Super Slaw (RG)

Ancient Grain-A-Roni (RG)

Sweet Potato Fries (side)

Papaya Salad (RG) 1

Mole Fries (RG)

Roasted Veggies (RG)

Lemongrass Broccoli (RG)
Desserts

Carrot Cream Cheese Cupcake

Double Delight Brownie

Peanut Butter Parfait

Chocolate Cupcake

Oatmeal Creme Pie

Zucchini Date Cake

Strawberry Parfait
Earth Bowls

Rockin' Moroccan

Bangkok Curry Bowl

Sesame Kale Macro Bowl

Firecracker Cauliflower

Thai Curry Meatball Bowl
Entree Salads

Ensalada Azteca

Yo Amigo Taco Salad

Caribbean Jerk Kale Salad

Amazonian Jungle Toss

Andalucian Gazpacho Salad
Handholds

Chicken Run Ranch Burger

Scorpion Burger

Super Italian Meatball Sub

Twister Wrap

Ancho BBQ Brisket

French Market Muffaletta

Gold Rush Ciabatta

Crispy Chicken Bacon & Avo Club
Drinks

Lavender Lemonade

Native Iced Tea

Watermelon Fresca

Chai Tea - Hot

Chai Tea - Iced

Coffee
Kids are Cool

Freddie's Mac & Cheese

Native Chicken Nuggets

Brontosaurus Burrito

Cheesy Quesadilla
Starters

Crispy Sweet Potato Fries

Native Chicken Wings

Native Chili

Native Nachos

Native Seasoned Fries

Saigon Rolls

Sesame Edamame Hummus Scoop

Deconstructed BLT

Daily Soup - Mellow Miso Mushroom
Party Platters

Combo Platter

Handhold Platter

Palm Springs Platter

Salad Platter

DaBears Platter

Finger Food Wings

Watermelon Fresca

Native Iced Tea

Lavender Lemonade

Finger Food Saigon Rolls

Healthy Meal suggestions for Native Foods Cafe

Daily Specials

Oklahoma Bacon Cheeseburger (Special) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Fries Salad or Soup

Native Fries (side) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mellow Miso Mushroom Soup [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Potato Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Steamed Kale [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mojito Slaw (RG) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Super Slaw (RG) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Ancient Grain-A-Roni (RG) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sweet Potato Fries (side) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Papaya Salad (RG) 1 [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mole Fries (RG) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Roasted Veggies (RG) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Lemongrass Broccoli (RG) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Desserts

Carrot Cream Cheese Cupcake [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Double Delight Brownie [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Peanut Butter Parfait [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chocolate Cupcake [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Oatmeal Creme Pie [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Zucchini Date Cake [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Strawberry Parfait [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Earth Bowls

Rockin' Moroccan [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bangkok Curry Bowl [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sesame Kale Macro Bowl [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Firecracker Cauliflower [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Thai Curry Meatball Bowl [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Entree Salads

Ensalada Azteca [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Yo Amigo Taco Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Caribbean Jerk Kale Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Amazonian Jungle Toss [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Andalucian Gazpacho Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Handholds

Chicken Run Ranch Burger [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Scorpion Burger [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Super Italian Meatball Sub [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Twister Wrap [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Ancho BBQ Brisket [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

French Market Muffaletta [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Gold Rush Ciabatta [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Crispy Chicken Bacon & Avo Club [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Drinks

Lavender Lemonade [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Native Iced Tea [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Watermelon Fresca [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chai Tea - Hot [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chai Tea - Iced [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Coffee [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Kids are Cool

Freddie's Mac & Cheese [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Native Chicken Nuggets [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Brontosaurus Burrito [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Cheesy Quesadilla [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Starters

Crispy Sweet Potato Fries [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Native Chicken Wings [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Native Chili [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Native Nachos [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Native Seasoned Fries [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Saigon Rolls [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sesame Edamame Hummus Scoop [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Deconstructed BLT [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Daily Soup - Mellow Miso Mushroom [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Party Platters

Combo Platter [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Handhold Platter [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Palm Springs Platter [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Salad Platter [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

DaBears Platter [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Finger Food Wings [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Watermelon Fresca [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Native Iced Tea [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Lavender Lemonade [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Finger Food Saigon Rolls [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

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Write An Anonymous Review

Annie M.

I'm totally addicted to Native Foods Cafe! Yeah, there's some things on the menu I wouldn't recommend to my carnivore friends (I'm looking at you Oklahoma Bacon Cheeseburger) but then there are some menu items that could sway just about anyone to eat vegetarian (at least for a day). My personal favorite is the meatball sub, and when it's in season, the bistro steak sandwich. Both have great texture, amazing flavor, and leave you feeling full and happy. The "chicken" has a little bit of a mushy texture, but still tastes great, but if you're new to the wonderful world of soy, you might want to steer clear of it. The "burger" is also pretty funky...tastes great if you're used to stuff like that, but if you're not...well, just trust me and get the meatball sub instead :) Also, don't skip the drink! That's arguably the best part...I like to mix the blueberry hibiscus tea with some of the lemonade. The oatmeal ice cream sandwiches are also a must-have. You would never guess it's 100% vegan!
(5)
Brianna L.

I haven't been to this particular location, but I can imagine they're all the same. I always get the "fish" tacos. They are sooooo freaking delicious. I'm not much of a tofu/tempeh person, but I can't get enough of these things. I'm craving some as I write this. They are flavorful & fresh. I also like the lavender lemonade. So refreshing!
(4)
Sonya L.

I have been to other native foods and always have liked the food. The visit to the lakeview one was very disappointing. The special was a Reuben sandwich. It was very mediocre, soggy and tasteless. The fries were cold. i left feeling like I was sad that I was full because I wanted to eat a meal that tasted good.
(2)
Sarah Y.

Yummy! I love Native Foods as a healthy, high veggie, delicious lunch! My personal favorites are their salads, in particular the carribean jerk chicken and mexican style salads. The chipotle dressing and jalapeno cilantro dressing are my favorite. Naked chicken wings for a splurge!
(5)
Leah C.

good food but bad screw-up... i'm enjoying my chicken blt but was really looking forward to the apple cake for dessert that i paid for and never received. i called to let them be aware and i was given a choice of a refund OR a free entree/dessert during my next visit. well this visit i was juggling a toddler and some groceries and trusted that they could get my order right so that i could enjoy my meal 5 hours later after wrangling my kid to bed. no such luck. so the incentive is a free entree for next time i hike over there. um, shouldn't you give me my money back for something you never gave me and then a little something for my trouble? lovely service at the counter but all null and void now.
(2)
Chris S.

Really like the food at this place. Chicken Run Ranch Burger is amazing! I add the SP fries. I've been plant based now for about 3 months and this food tastes better than anything I've had. I have also had the Oklahoma Bacon Cheeseburger but didn't enjoy it as much as the chicken. Oatmeal Creme Pie dessert is really really good also.
(5)
Jen K.

I am surprised I have not written a review on this place yet since I've been 3x (obviously that right there should tell you I like it). I really like the flow of this restaurant, it's an order at the counter and sit down but they seem to have it down pat. The food options are good and healthy, which is not an easy combo to come by. The twister wrap is very good and filling. The Aztecan salad is my favorite thing on the menu. The bowls are really good and unique. My favorite has been the Moroccan one.
(4)
Alia S.

Native Foods is amazing. The staff at all locations here in Chicago is friendly and helpful. The food is out of this world! Everything I have eaten there has been delicious, and every time I have gone to any of the locations, the place is packed with people. That says something. Another cool thing is that there are specials, so no matter when you go there, there will be something different on the menu.
(5)
Sarah E.

AMAZING! I can't go wrong with anything I order here. Somehow the salads always call me back. They are MASSIVE, but I eat every bite because of how delicious and satisfying they are. I crave the Azteca salad with it's fluffy quinoa, creamy avocado, tangy and sweet dressing, and crunchy jicama. The sweet potatoes fries are coated with this yummy parsley salt and are super crunchy! Yum! I think I will be stopping in sometime soon. Writing this review is making my mouth water
(5)
Jeffrey D.

Simply the best of its kind of restaurant that I've had the pleasure of experiencing! I've been to multiple locations around Chicagoland. They're great all around! The Lakeview location has a nice neighborhood feel and the people who work here, for the most part, seem to have great energy and really appear to enjoy being present! I think this makes a huge difference for the whole dining experience. And, if you believe, as I do, that our energy affects the food we eat, etc. this is a very important factor! Check it out! ENJOY!!!!
(5)
Neel P.

This place has a special place in my heart. Here's an installation of a chain that's popular in California, found smack in the middle of a trendy Chicago neighborhood. It melds perfectly with the friendly vibe of the area and health conscious atmosphere of the city. But don't just come to be wowed by the smiling faces. Come for the freshly prepared sauces, perfectly roasted veggies and inventive flavor profiles. Come for the refillable drinks, vegetarian protein choices, daily specials, gluten free options. And if that's not enough reason to come, at least come to try their variety of desserts with a nice cup of coffee In the end, I don't care why you come; just make sure you do. You won't want to miss how awesome this place is.
(5)
Nathan V.

I really like this place! In a sea of pizza places and hot dogs stands, it stands out as an oasis of healthy, sustainable and tasty food very close to Belmont station. Gluten-free, non-dairy and vegan options abound! Be prepared to wait (awhile) to place your order. I'm not sure if it's their process, or the clientele, but it can take some time to get through the line. Given the options, though, you may need to time to peruse the menu.
(4)
Delilah D.

After reducing their weekly specials, Native Foods has eliminated them completely (even though they are still listed online), which is disappointing, but not the point of this review. I've been eating at Native Foods for more than three years and in that time I've had a lot of Chicken Run Ranch burgers. After getting one to go from this location yesterday, I will not be back. First of all the sandwich was tiny, about half the size they usually are. The chicken patty was drier than the stale bun it was served on. There were no onions. It's called a Chicken Run RANCH burger and there was about a teaspoon of ranch on the sandwich. About 75% of my fries were limp and soggy. The service, which was great in the past, was meh at best. I found out after I ordered that it was a Native Pals Day, but the cashier didn't even bother to mention it.
(1)
Jeremy T.

This is my favorite place to eat in the entire city, and I have been meaning to put in a 5 star review. But they just took away the daily specials, which were the only way I could afford to eat here. It is now $20 to have a filling lunch here, with no beverage. It's impossible to overlook how overpriced it is now. Too bad, I won't be able to frequent anymore.
(3)
Marquita A.

This place is one of my fav quick vegan spots!! My favorite burger is the portobello and sausage burger. It's huge and hearty and flavorful and just amazing! The sweet potatoes fries are a nonstop I don't want this to end eating excursion. For my sweet-tooth I love the oatmeal pie and the zucchini cake. But great spot try something new every time it never disappoints!
(5)
Lindy J.

Love the area and the atmosphere of this location. Food is amazing! Travel 30mins just to eat here. So yummy!!
(5)
Markos G.

Native foods....*sigh* You are such a mixed bag....while I love the food (easily the best part of the experience) and waitstaff (always phenom) I have noticed odd things in regards to the owners/management. I feel that every time I dine here, there is a well dressed 'manager/owner' prowling around, saying loud inappropriate things....eying the staff very creepily (the ladies) -1 star. Another -1 star comes from the obvious lack of communication from the customer to the ownership. I see star dishes being taken off....only to be added back as a "special" for a higher price than before. Who do you think you are foolin'? I would def. recommend this place for the food alone.
(3)
Adrienne T.

If I had to go vegan I could probably do it if I had a Native Foods near me. People usually associate vegan with bland, boring food. However, Native Foods stops those vegan stereotypes right in their tracks. You wouldn't even know their food is vegan. I highly recommend their sweet potato fries and all of their salads. I recently had the African Peanut Stew - a daily soup special - and it was AMAZING. Native Foods is a bit on the pricy side for gourmet fast food, nevertheless, they offer a daily special that includes a side for just under 10 dollars. I highly recommend Native Foods to anyone - even meat eaters.
(4)
Shirese L.

Everything that I have ordered has been tasty. My favorite dish is the soul bowl. I also like their nachos (enough for three people). The chicken run sandwich is nice and spicy, just like I like it. My favorite dessert is a toss up between the strawberry parfait and peanut butter parfait. Everytime I go, I have to bing my bf back one or the other, or else he actually pouts. The staff is friendly. Which is good, but I would definitely say that a few times friendly became annoying while eating there. At the risk of sounding harsh, I will say that being attentive of your guess is great but when you ask them how they like the meal 5 times every 10 minutes, it becomes unpleasant. Lastly, please place fruit in a separate container from hot food when ordered to-go. My watermelon sat atop my french fries and steamed for two hours. One side of my sandwich bun was slightly soggy from the watermelon juice.
(4)
Jenna C.

So I guess this is where the cool kids go for vegan food. One sentence history lesson: the restaurant originally started in California, and has grown into more locations now including 3 in Chicago. It's an order at the register, you seat yourself, and they bring the food to you, kind of deal. So pretty casual, atmosphere ok but nothing noteworthy. The menu is interesting, and definitely makes you want to come back to try more. I got the Portobello & Sausage burger w sweet potato fries and the watermelon fresca drink. Burger was tasty, fries just good but not topping my list, and drink I surprisingly did not like. Heard many good things about the homemade drinks going into it but I wish I had gotten a beer instead. It's a plus they serve wine&beer, but selection is limited.
(3)
Matt R.

Native Foods! Lets start with the humorous thing: Water in a box. Yes, you guessed it. It varies between "odd gimmick" and "why the...? water in a box?" I find it just odd, even on my first visit - guess in the "odd gimmick" category. Okay, so with that aside, I'll go over what Native foods itself. Native foods is a healthy, vegan establishment with lots of good food options. I should perhaps say healthy*. If you are allergic to nuts, the menu might have a little less choices but uniquely they use ingredients I don't see *that* often even in vegetarian restaurants. * = it's healthy if you eat the healthier options. Otherwise it might be something fried. Jackfruit fritters? yes please. Tasty, fried, deliciousness. Portabella sausage sandwich? Always yes please. Of course this is standard fare everywhere, even non-vegetarian restaurants to a degree. Portabellas are vegetarian steak, after all. Adding seitan to that is always a giant plus. Otherwise it's just "bun+mushroom", which is a really lazy and often disgusting approach. Native foods is kinda like Chicago Diner - everything is veg friendly and delicious. Oh, and staff are nice. If you haven't ever been, it's a great place to go. I saw someone eating the macro bowl and that as well looked amazing. I did not try the desserts, but I will be back there someday.
(5)
Ikram B.

Just loved the food. We shared nachos and I ordered the Gandhi bowl and a cupcake. The food was totally delicious. The cupcake is to die for. I ordered the Fresca Watermelon drink, which I didn't care for and they were more than happy to exchange it for the lemonade. Everything is fresh and home made. Our server was excellent, who checked in every so often to make sure we were all set. I just became a vegan (2 weeks) and as a former meat eater, I just loved their food and plan to go there as often as possible.
(5)
Sally L.

Everything I've tried here is amazing! Seriously! Chicken Run Ranch Burger, Twister Wrap, Portabello Mushroom Po-boy, Tacos, Oklahoma Bacon Cheeseburger, Sausage and Mushroom Burger & Nachos - it's all great! I absolutely love their watermelon fresca too. Thank god I live so close to here so i can go ALL OF THE TIME.
(5)
Evelyn L.

it is always difficult for me to make up my mind on what to order whenever i'm here. everything is so good! i love their earth bowls, especially the rockin' moroccan bowl. their sandwiches and burgers are pretty amazing as well. everything tastes fresh and delicious. also, i had never heard of lavender lemonade prior to visiting native foods, and i absolutely loved it! really great stuff. whoever said being a vegetarian was boring and bland, has never tried native foods.
(5)
Allison K.

omg the menu was just too much for me to comprehend on my first visit here! I got the mango cilantro "chicken" kale salad. fiance got the southern bowl. we both snuck in bits of the others' meal and would have gladly switched at any point, but then probably would have wanted to switch again. We shared the nachos which were tasty, but even though I'm not the biggest fan of fake cheese, I wished there was more on there. Service was great. super helpful for us first timers!
(5)
Sam N.

UM so I have a friend who is a vegan and I keep on hearing from him,"hey man I am living the right way and if you keep on having a chicken salad you will get a heart attack...we were not meant to eat meat bla bla bla" "i am better then you because I can eat seaweed" "it has been sxteen years since I had a hard boiled egg" bla bla bla. He did not say it quite that way but that is the way I hear it. So I went there last week and ordered this wrap that had a grilled piece of faux grilled chicken in it...needless to say it was not wrapped very well and it fell onto my plate. I felt very underwhelmed and tried to think of all the people who would be deprived by their choice not to eat meat, fish or eggs and so I ate it but I did not think it tasted that good. Needless to say on my way back home I was motivated to buy some lamb chops and put it in my fridge... Would I go again? I will keep an open mind
(3)
Christina H.

I've been to 5 of their 6 Chicagoland locations and just YUM! I don't follow a vegan diet and still love this place! The chili, nachos, and chicken sandwich are my fav - especially with a glass of wine! The pumpkin pie is delish, as well. They do such a great job with their menu and prep that some of our friends didn't notice that what they were eating wasn't actually meat. This is a fantastic, earth friendly concept with some super friendly employees! You won't be disappointed!
(5)
Katie Y.

This review will do those
(5)
Beth R.

After three more visits, I can update this sucker with a confident four stars. Still not convenient to my abode, but it's become a destination. Witness, in no particular order: *Blackened baja tacos: tempeh with guac, cabbage slaw, and something a little hot. Me likey! *Sweet potato fries: shaped the way you'd expect something made from sweet potato to be shaped, with curvature. Somehow reassuring. Also very generously seasoned/sweetened. *Oatmeal cream pie: I'd say theirs ate Lil' Debbie herself, except I know it's vegan. *Community Days, where a percent of proceeds goes to a local non-profit such as, say, Safe Humane Chicago (Google it - get involved)! Yessssssss! So, the evidence is overwhelming. There is something for everyone there, from simply meatless to meat substitute-y to meat alternatives. Plus desserts. And good, good conscience. Big hugs. And I'm not a hugger.
(4)
Maher A.

One of the great places to eat in the neighborhood. Both food and service are top notch!
(5)
Zola O.

I just discovered this place last week, and I wish I knew about them earlier. Though Im not a vegan, I do appreciate eating Healthy and Green once in a while. I had their daily Special vegan Burger with sweet potato fries and it was the Bomb!!! They also offered me a points reward card plus free drink of my choice. I got the Raspberry iced tea and it was Delicious! The servers were Super-Duper Friendly and helpful, will be coming back here for many more Moons... :)
(5)
Valerie P.

I love my meat. Just being honest. I've always been a little skeptical of trying vegetarian/vegan places, but this place is AWESOME! You would never know you're eating plants! If you're a meat eater I recommend their chicken bacon avo sandwich. Their desserts a d homemade teas are delicious too. You will not be disappointed! Vegan never tasted so good!
(5)
Polly G.

The food was so fresh and delicious! Had the soul bowl, super tasty and huge portion! Bf had the Oklahoma Cheeseburger with sweet potato fries which he absolutely loved and devoured, and he's not even vegan! An awesome spot for anyone, will definitely be a regular here!
(5)
Haley R.

FANTASTIC vegetarian food. My boyfriend and I come get the native buffalo wings at least a few times a month. So so so delicious. Friendly staff, too.
(5)
Christina C.

good place to go for an all plant based meal. the teas are pretty good. they're not sweetened, so add a bit of sugar if you like. I tend to get the mango kale..you get a bit of avocado and mango chunks~
(4)
Pham D.

Love the vegan food here. They make everything so delicious, but that deliciousness comes at a high price. I cannot seem to spend less than $15 per person here. But it's a good treat every now and then, especially for that sweet potatoes fries with the side of chipotle dipping sauce, or that ensalada de azteco, or that lavender lemonade. The whoopie pies and pumpkin pies are also to die for. There are pig arts all over the wall, and I absolutely love it too!
(5)
Lena M.

Always fast & friendly service. Their frequent diner rewards card is pretty sweet. Have received many discounts & even a free meal for my birthday. I prefer the bowls to the burgers here. The Macro Bowl, Moroccan Bowl, & Bangkok Curry Bowl (my favorite) are all excellent. The Polenta Bites were disappointing, but every soup of the day I've tried here has been yummy. Don't skip dessert. The cupcakes are great, & they don't skimp on the frosting. I like mixing their Lavender Lemonade with one of the unsweetened teas. Gotta love free refills, especially when you've covered everything in Sriracha, like I do!
(4)
Alina S.

I totally love this place! Their food and drinks are great, as a vegetarian this is my absolutely favorite place! It's very clean, staff is very friendly, they always add new items to the menu and everything is absolutely delicious! Thank you, Native food chef Tanya and all the other guys for a hard work to create such a great concept!
(5)
Angela T.

I adore Native Foods. I'd give it five stars if it was a little cheaper, because then I could afford to go more often. Still, I think the place is appropriately priced, since vegan "meats" and "dairy" are never cheap. My boyfriend and I have liked everything we've tried, except for the one or two items I just shouldn't have ordered, since I've never liked that particular food (for example, steamed cauliflower and greens.) My favorites include the "chicken" appetizer, nachos (because of the size), meatball sub, and sweet potato fries. Now if only Native Foods had vegan milkshakes... *hint hint*
(4)
Aditi G.

This place is ridiculously delicious! I tried it for the first time this weekend and I am OBSESSED! I had 3 glasses of the yummy and fragrant lavender lemonade - best lemonade I've ever had. I also got the twisted wrap with the blackened "chicken" and it literally tasted BETTER than chicken! All the ingredients were seasoned and very fresh. Also the service here was great - there was someone walking around to make sure everyone was doing ok and asking how the food was. Really great atmosphere and tons of different dishes to choose from - will be back soon!
(5)
Samantha V.

I have to admit, there are times when I am incredibly unaware of my surroundings. When some friends first suggested we eat here, they were all enthused, yet didn't really go into detail "Native Foods!" was about all I got out of them. I didn't realize, at the time, that this is a full-on vegan restaurant. Not exactly sure how I missed it, considering all of the...how do I put it? Plant-friendly propaganda all over the place. I also didn't have the sense to look at a menu as there was a rather long line, so I just ordered what was on a sign right in front of my face...a "chicken" gyro (which I found out is only seasonal! For shame) and sweet potato fries. Of course, by the time I realized I was eating vegan food, I didn't care because it was DELICIOUS. Not that I would be so closed-minded as to refuse to try vegan food, but I am, to my core, an omnivore, with a heavy reliance on meat. I've been here several times since, though I've only had a small array of things. Let me tell you, unless you have some sort of aversion to sweet potato fries...TRY THEM. They are so delicious! And don't forget the chipotle dipping sauce. The strawberry shortcake is also a bit odd to an omnivore palette, yet delicious as well (though only seasonal, get it while you can!) The jack fruit fritters are...interesting...NOT sweet as the word "fruit" might suggest, but rather savory and quite oniony, yet oddly delicious. I might suggest sharing them with someone as they are probably a tad too oddly rich to enjoy a whole order solo. Budget-wise, I'd say the small salad gives you quite a bit to eat for the smallest price. All in all, I usually end up spending a minimum of $10 here, but I have never been disappointed. The drink selection can be considered a bit odd, yet all three choices I've tried are delicious. Lavender lemonade, watermelon water and their own blended iced tea. Yum yum. Better be good for $2.50! (I would say better to get it to dine-in for free refills!) Pros: - Super delicious food - Incredibly friendly staff - Reward program card (free drink for signing up) Cons: - African Peanut Soup - Some really like it but I found it rather bland and "ugh" worthy. Take It or Leave It: - Not really "cheap" but not outrageous pricing - No meat or dairy...this could be a pro for you vegans/vegetarians, but it can be a little offputting for carnivores (though I still suggest trying it, don't be so short sighted!)
(5)
Jennifer M.

I Love this place. Been to this location and other locations many times. I like the buffalo chicken Appetizer with Chiptole Sauce. And I also lovet the chocolate cupcake. Service is good here. I would come back here again. The Manager is really nice here.
(4)
Craig S.

I recently visited native for about the 3rd time. I feel like I have a hard time recommending this place because although I understand and respect their concept, I can't really say the food has that much flavor. It's consistently under seasoned and they don't pay consistent attention to texture. There are times the food is a bit soggy, and others it a bit crispy, on the same item. I wouldn't say that this is a bad joint, I just feel for this unique concept, the food leaves much to be desired. I'll be back at some point, but I can't say I'm in a rush.
(3)
Louis F.

This vegan paradise is a dream come true. This is definitely a place where you'll want to try everything on the menu. You order at the counter and they bring your food to you. They also have a rewards program where you give your email and get a plastic card. Native Foods drink selection was great and with free refills, I sampled a little of each. The lavender lemonade was my favorite. The citrus green tea and watermelon water were so unique and refreshing. I had the Bangkok Curry Bowl, which came with tofu, steamed veggies, kale, and brown rice with a lemongrass and ginger-infused coconut milk curry. wow. It was so delicious and filling. My friend ordered the Ensalada Azteca which had quinoa and pumpkin seeds to name a few ingredients. There is great variety in their menu. As a vegetarian, I cannot get over this place. I try to make more vegan choices in my diet, and this place makes it beyond easy to do that. That being said, meat-eaters will still love this place as there are many "meaty" options on the menu. To top it off, the service were informative and friendly. We were asked by multiple people if we were enjoying our meals. Definitely check this place out!
(5)
Ashley E.

Love the lavender lemonade. I have to have it every time I come here. Also, I may have an addiction to the sweet potato fries. I don't think I have had something from here that wasn't awesome.
(5)
kate s.

Native foods is my #1 lunch spot. I come here often by myself and don't feel weird like I do at some other places. Everyone on the staff is SO nice, particularly a couple of the gentleman who are here often. They all recognize me as soon as I come in which I think is super nice. Faves: Carribean jerk kale salad Sweet potato fries w/ chipotle sauce Fish tacos All of the bowls Brownie Peanut butter parfait And there's so much I haven't tried yet.... Thank you native foods for being such a happy, welcoming place
(5)
Alisa M.

Still loving this place! The chicken run ranch burger is still my ultimate favorite! The food comes out super fast and their watermelon fresca is out of this world. I tried the chicken wrap, but since it was ordered to go, the wrap was all soggy. I'm thinking it was from the moisture inside the box as well as the tomatoes. They also give you a to go cup if you want at the end of your meal to take your drink! AWESOME!!!! My boyfriend has tried their lentil soup and says its very good. Lots of flavor and a bit spicy. I will have to try it next time. Try to get their daily specials. It's an awesome deal. Will have to get it on a Sunday when their Chicken Run Ranch Burger is the special! Love their chicken imitation. It's the best around. :)
(4)
Alan L.

I had the Bombastic tofu wrap and loved it. The mango in it was very nice. The staff was very friendly explaining my options. 1st time visitor can join the rewards program and get an instant reward: free drink. They brew mix several drinks daily: free refills/ tasting or mixes. I will be back
(5)
Sophie B.

Vegan semi-fast food type of joint. I am addicted to the lavender lemonade, buffalo tofu wrap and fries. I guess since I've only ever ordered those things I'm a little one sided but I am definitely open to trying other things. I love that they give you a free drink the first time you go too! The staff has always been very friendly and accommodating.
(5)
Eliza E.

So happy there is a healthy option among all the burgers, tacos, etc. in the area. Vegan deliciousness and friendly staff. Yes!
(4)
Mariane M.

Being one of the very first vegan places i've visited, I raved about how great their food looked and tasted, their iced tea is bottomless and DELICOUS - their customer service is excellent and the fact that their very soap is filtered from their wholly veggie based-kitchen waste was pretty impressive. I even brought my brother and his slew of friends over when he came back to visit from the airforce. Don't get me wrong, everything tasted great, but my only complaint is that this place leaves you STILL HUNGRY. This is the reason why Chicago Diner tops my list for the best flavor, service and value. Love ya Native Foods! But I have a new favorite.
(4)
Lindsay M.

This place is just fantastic and you don't have to be vegan or vegetarian to love it! The food here is clearly made with care and is good for you too! Set on a busy street in Chicago, as soon as you walk into Native Foods, the friendly workers and environment take you right out of the hustle and bustle. I always ask the employees for any recommendations - they're always suggesting the best stuff. I CRAVE the African Peanut soup daily!! Another favorite is the tacos. I can't say enough good things about this place. The people are great, the food is outstanding, and that's really the best combination you can ask for!
(5)
Brittany M.

Don't know what I would do without this place. When low blood sugar hits a vegan on the go, Native is the answer. So thankful for it! Native chicken wings and the chicken sandwich are the best features of the menu, even though everything is delicious. The ranch and blue cheese are both superb. But lets highlight the greatest drink ever: lavender lemonade. Do yourself a favor and order it. Ah-may-zing. PS to Native: get that AVOCADO BURRITO featured April 11-13th on the menu permanently. I keep dreaming about it :)
(5)
Geo J.

Really great place for a preshow quick meal at The Vic. Super fresh ingredients all vegan. Their meat simulations are very convincing and I didn't miss animal products in the slightest. I had the faux buffalo chicken on a whole wheat tortilla and was totally satisfied.
(4)
Meredith B.

Though Native Foods has always been more of a lunch place for me, this location is open through the dinner hour and is actually a pretty good place to go for a casual and healthy dinner - which is really just what the doctor ordered when you're planning to go out drinking in Lakeview afterwards. I ordered the Rockin Moroccan with tofu, which I've gotten at the Loop location before and loved it. Along with a glass of sauvignon blanc, my dinner was pretty darn delicious. Tofu was well seasoned, quinoa was plentiful, grilled vegetables cooked perfectly, and I couldn't finish the massive bowl of healthy goodness! As always at Native Foods, service is exceptionally friendly. They really have that down. Native Foods is expensive for lunch, but I think it's totally reasonable for dinner (why is it that we expect to pay less for the midday meal and more in the evening?) You will leave full and happy and totally guilt-free! Very casual atmosphere, with mainly small tables and one larger communal table. Really clean and well-maintained space, and definitely use the bathroom here before you head out to the bars.
(4)
Emily Z.

Fat Kid: Someone who thinks about their next meal during their current meal. I'm half way through my salad and already thinking about what I can go back and get tomorrow! While I was waiting she suggested I sign up for the free frequent buyers card, so I did and got my first drink on the house. In an attempt to avoid sugar I NEVER get anything other than water at restaurants, but a quick sample of their homemade lavender lemonade and watermelon agua fresca has changed my life! Sooo delicious! I was carrying out and the woman suggested the Ensalada Azteca Salad, Fresh avocado, jicama and cucumber salsa atop quinoa, romaine and award winning mango lime vinaigrette. Topped with currants, toasted pumpkin seeds and cilantro for $9.95. It is a large portion and the dressing is delicious but sadly mine only had about 50% of the currants and pumpkin seeds shown in their picture which I think made it a little bland. I have no eating restrictions though I " try " to eat healthy... which includes Kuma's and Rickshaw's Republic Fried Wings :-) but Native Foods has won me over!
(4)
Darin C.

This place is as good as it gets! Definitely a place for the healthy eaters. For those that are low-carb/gluten free, this place has a lot of variety in that you can always opt for the salads or the healthier carbs. They usually have monthly specials as well, and you can also go to their free cooking demos! I haven't been to a cooking class, but always wanted to try. There are a lot of varieties to pick from! When I am craving desserts though, I always come here for it! Less of the refined sugars.
(4)
Dhruv P.

A very good and healthy place to get fast food. The prices are high for "fast food," but the taste and healthiness of it all makes up for it. They have enough options that you feel satisfied with anything you order and most of it is made extremely well (and in generous portions). I hope they open a few more locations, especially one in Lincoln Square or Andersonville, and I would go there by default for a quick meal on nights I am too lazy too cook (which has been happening alarmingly quite frequently.)
(4)
Charles H.

The food here legitimately doesn't even taste Vegan. When I go I look for the daily special because I am a deal hunter and I eat a lot of food. Last time I went it was during something they call Community Days so I ended up not only with a free side, but also a free dessert. I chose the oatmeal creme pie and wow was that filling. I am glad I saved it for later otherwise I would have popped in the restaurant. By far one of the best items on the menu is the Sweet Potato fries, not for the fries though but because of the Chipotle sauce that comes with it. This sauce must literally drop down from Zeus himself into this tiny little cup nestled next to the fries. I cannot wait for the cookbook to be available with the soul hope that the Chipotle Sauce is detailed.
(5)
Joyce H.

I'm sold on Native Foods Cafe. I love it when you strike gold on a vegan/vegetarian/gluten free place! There aren't too many of these where I come from (Cleveland.) My friend and I split the Twister Wrap and the Italian Meat Ball sub. You don't even realize that you're not eating meat because the texture is right on. I think one of the hardest aspects of vegan food is giving it a lot of flavor and making everything juicy enough, and they definitely had this down. I loved the creative, natural flavor combos and the chipotle dressing. It's so yummy. We each had 1/2 of the sandwiches, and after that, we pretty much done for the day since we were so full from the meal! I will definitely be back here the next time I visit Chicago.
(5)
Chris G.

The vegetarian friendly concept works and we're fortunate to have several Chicago locations that should make it easy for locals to eat healthier, affordable hot food.
(4)
Will H.

Even if the food wasn't amazing, I would come back just for the service. Everyone is so kind, helpful, and genuine. Love the twister wrap and the kale-seitan bowl...
(5)
Grace K.

I love everything about this place! The food is amazing, I love the atmosphere and the people there are really sweet.
(5)
Zackary W.

The food here (and at all the Native Foods in Chicago) is great. It is nice to have a fully vegan menu with lots of options, and everything I've had so far has been fantastic. All the fake meat is a little off-putting, and they could do with more straight-forward plant-based whole food options, but overall they score highly in the tastiness department. The only drawback (and the reason I didn't give them 4-5 stars) is that the staff works WAY too hard to sell you their loyalty program. Holy crap, talk about the hard sell. This wasn't just one incident at one location either. Downtown, Wicker Park, and Lake View all had the same thing, on multiple occasions. I felt like I had accidentally walked into the Church of Scientology or something. I just want some lunch, not to sign my life away. Holy crap. NO, I DON'T WANT THE FREE DRINK. Please, back-off the hard-sell and I promise to be a loyal customer.
(3)
Danny W.

I must just have a meat flavored glow surrounding me cause before my order was complete the cashier chimed in with "Sir, you do know everything on this menu is vegan don't you?" I was aware, but definitely skeptical. That is until I tried everything. After the chili, Indo Noodle salad and house made juices I'm pretty sure I could be a vegan if I lived right next door to a Native Foods. Amazingly fresh ingredients, great recipes that you wouldn't even know didn't contain meat, and surprisingly friendly vegan staffers. Native Foods is more than alright in my book even though they don't serve beef.
(5)
Chelsea S.

Just had my first Native Foods Cafe experience, and I am a fan! I split the Greek Gyro bowl and the Ensalada Azteca. They both were delicious. The Greek bowl typically comes with seitan, but since I'm wheat free, they were more than accommodating to use portobello mushrooms instead. My mom and I shared both plates and come home with leftovers! I thoroughly enjoyed my meal and can't wait to go back and try other items on the menu!
(4)
Shane S.

The first time I ever went to Native Foods was at this location in Chicago. I had the Oklahoma Vegan Cowboy Sandwich w/ sweet potato fries. This is hearty fare and portions are big. For a nice cheap date you could easily split an order of vegan nachos w/ a significant other or a friend. Native Foods is all vegan and is a great company especially for a chain which has good values I feel plus is the perfect place to bring people on the fence about trying familiar comfort foods veganized. Yay, for Native Foods!!
(5)
Laura H.

This gets 5 stars for being the kind of vegan food where non-vegans wouldn't know it unless you told them. Also, they have a large, detailed gluten-free menu. Whatever your dietary needs, you should be able to find something there, and they are happy to help you do so. If you've never been here and you give your email and sign up for their rewards card, you get a free fountain drink. GET LAVENDER LEMONADE. Baja blackened tacos are apparently new and very tasty. Sweet potato fries were good but I wish they were crispier.
(5)
Rachel P.

Service is soooooo slooowww while waiting to order the cashier took 10 minutes to take 1 order! Ridiculous! 1star for wasting my time. Also I had the gyro bowl and it was atrocious!! Tasted awful!
(1)
David R.

I'm the kind of carnivore that can easily eat vegetarian at any time. Many so-called ethnic cuisines lend themselves well to meatlessness and I happen to enjoy most of them. What I typically don't go for are meat-replacement dishes such as barbecue seitan sandwiches, soy-crumble tacos, and the like. So that made me a little skeptical of Native Foods, since their menu is focused on meat substitutes. But it turns out that the grub is so tasty that I don't care if it has fake meat, real meat, no meat, or whatever. Good food is good food, period. Native chili? Better than any meatless version that I've had anywhere. (Although, the cornbread is bland and curiously brown.) Meatball sub? DAMN. (Although, the sweet potato fries were just okay and dusted with sugar rather than salt--bleah.) Saigon roll? Tons of flavor with just a few vegetables, tofu, rice, and peanut sauce. Moroccan lentil soup? I've had more lentil-y versions, but this one was pretty satisfying. And the portobello and sausage burger? Holy double hot damn, that is one phenomenal sandwich. (Although the mountain of lettuce and tomato are superfluous.) Somehow they manage to make fake sausage taste and feel JUST like the real thing. I could come around to this replacement-meat idea. There are nice, friendly people staff the counter and the floor. Oh, and bottled microbrews for $3.95 because people in Lakeview be drinkin'. They offer a "loyalty" card too--1 point per dollar and a $10 gift card after 200 points. I wish that we lived in the neighborhood because the food is great and I am a sucker for those types of hooks.
(4)
Andrew S.

A good place to go if you are looking for ideas about how to cook without meat (or dairy). The bowls and burgers leave you full, but not in the "find me a wheelchair" way. My veggie stir fry & sweet potato fries were plenty, although it had both charred and underdone bits. Great spices and sauces.
(4)
Shaina K.

This place is phenomenal! I have not disliked anything I've tried on their menu. Everything always tastes fresh and is delish! I got the Jamaican jerk salad with the "fish." It tasted wonderful, the dressing was great, and the "fish" tasted like real fish. I also got the lavender lemonade, which was good but a bit too sweet for my tastes. I really preferred the watermelon guava drink. The whole concept of this place is awesome, and every dish that I saw come out of the kitchen looked like something I would eat. Sure, they're a bit more spendy than most of the surrounding restaurants, but all of their dishes consist of high quality, fresh ingredients.
(5)
Frances B.

WHY DID I NOT EAT HERE A GAZILLION YEARS AGO?! So good! So, so good. This place isn't just a vegan/vegetarian place, it also welcomes carnivores like myself and I'm so glad they do. I had the Chicken Run Ranch Burger w/ steamed kale, I liked it so much I refused to share. My boyfriend had the soul bowl which was tasty, and my friend had the gyro bowl which he was raving about. We all had the Lavender Lemonade and my god, what a treat! So nice, light and fresh! We were so full, but not uncomfortable- and it's all light, fresh, locally sourced food. And for $10!! (that doesn't include the drink & my side of kale, but its still all reasonable) We will probably be in here at least once a week. Veganism wouldn't be hard if I could live at Native Foods.
(5)
Alyson W.

Staff there is so helpful especially if you have a lot of questions like me. Delicious , are you sure it was vegan.... Kidding , and yeah you have to try their watermelon tea
(4)
Alyssa J P.

Ehhh... I have to say I'm a little let down by my first Native Foods Cafe experience. I got nachos, because they're the best food in the universe. However, they weren't hot. The toppings were delicious, although I found the cheeze sauce to be a bit too sweet for my taste, but everything would have been much tastier if they'd been hotter than room temp. My boyfriend got the Oklahoma bacon cheezeburger, and really enjoyed it. It looked like an epic burger, even though it was more like shaved seitan than an actual burger. My theory is that my nachos finished before the burger, and mine just got cold waiting for the awesomeness of the burger to finish up. I'll definitely give this place another shot in the future.
(3)
Mr. A.

The place is terrific. The food is vegan and tastes great. They have a wide selection with many sides options. I like the chicken dishes and the fries are tasty.
(5)
Justine M.

LOVE Native Foods! I've been wanting to come here for weeks because of the reviews. It's vegan food but tastes so good (not that vegan food doesn't but for those who aren't familiar). I got the mama mia pizza and bf got the meatball sub with sweet potato fries. IT WAS SO GOOD! and filling! The dough/bread they put the food on is so thick and soft that it fills you right up. Since it was my first time there the cashier gave me a punch card and free complimentary drink. I got the lavender lemonade (highly recommended) and watermelon drink. Also got the Peanut Butter parfait which was so rich, filling and GOOD - for $2.25. Highly recommended for peanut butter lovers. I am coming back and trying everythign on their menu!
(5)
M M.

Strolling along the lake on a beatuiful day, we decided to take a long walk to a favorite Japanese restaurant on Lincoln south of Belmont only to find that it was out of business. Disappointed we tracked back to the car, and stumbled upon Native Foods Cafe. Tired and hungry, the food pictured on the images posted in the window drew us in like a mirage. Not realizing it was a vegan restaurant 'til we were told, but at that point we didn't care how the food tasted. It turned out to be a plesant surprise. The food was as appetizing as it looked. That was the best plant-based non-dairy Reuben sandwich I ever had--well, it was the only plant based Reuben sandwich I ever had. Ha ha! But seriously if I was never told the food was vegan I wouldn't have noticed. The Reuben tasted like a low-fat Reuben. I didn't miss the greasey bloated feeling that usually accompanies pigging out on a Reuben. When my party and I left the place we felt so good and guilt-free about the food we had. That evening we were going to be celebrating a special event. Exposure to foods that were not going to be as healthy, was for certain so we felt good about our vegan lunch and were proud of ourselves having that long walk from the lake. I probably wouldn't order the Reuben again but only because I can't wait to try the other dishes in the future. If this was in my neighborhood I think I could actually turn vegan! The watermelon juice was out of this world too! There are very few healthy choices of restaurants. I'm glad we have this option. It totally beats just going out for a salad!
(5)
Shradha A.

I am a vegetarian but don't think you need to eat greens (ever) to sustain. Now to live healthily, of course you do need to. The menu is quite extensive and everything sounded so good that we had a hard time narrowing down two entrees. We went with the Yelpers' recommendation of chicken burger and did the thai bowl. The burger was indeed very good but the bowl was full of veggies - may be a little too healthy for me haha! The portions are certainly large and we also tried dessert/lavender lemonade - but didn't quite need them (had they not been free).
(4)
Lauren F.

All I can say is WOW! If all vegan food tasted this good there would be a LOT more vegans in this country! I had the Bistro Steak Sandwich which was the Tuesday special and it was ridiculously good! I don't even like Bleu Cheese so I was a little nervous, but the dressing didn't even really have that typical strong bleu cheese taste and I really, really liked it! If it wasn't for the fact that I want to try their other options I would order this every time! I had a side of steamed kale that was fresh and perfectly steamed and a glass of their Lavender Lemonade-LOVE! I also got a complimentary dessert because they had a special going on-the Peanut Butter Parfait is dangerously good. I'm pretty positive that even my meat-loving fiancÃ© would enjoy Native Foods, can't wait to return!
(5)
Debra L.

This was my second time at Native Foods. The first time was at the Loop location and I ordered the Indo Noodle Bowl. It was tasty and light, with a good balance of noodles and veggies. Early yesterday I received an email from Native Foods advertising their Bombay Sub sandwich. Since I'm so susceptible to the power of suggestion I craved that Sammy all day. When I finally got it last night it didn't disappoint. I do want to preface this by saying this sandwich is NOT healthy. First of all I was told the cauliflower was deep fried (we're talking fat here.) The deep friend cauliflower was on a toasted white baguette with cashew cream (more fat) and a curry aioli (still more fat!) Was it delicious? OMG,there was a vegan comfort food party on my tongue! Oh, did I mention that it came with homemade potato chips? So we're talking even more fat. The chips could have been fabulous, but they weren't. You know the all the salty crumbs at the bottom of a potato chip bag? That's what I got on my plate. Sigh. But, since I didn't reach my fat quota for the year I decided to try the carrot cake cupcake. My recommendation is to skip it. The cake was moist yet lacking in that warm gingery spice that's so characteristic of carrot cake. It was actually pretty bland. The vegan cream cheese on top was a little strange and dense and lacking in flavor. (First Slice Pie CafÃ© has the best vegan carrot cake!) So yes, the Bombay Cauliflower sandwich was tasty and good, but just because something is vegan it doesn't mean its healthy. On the other hand if you want to do something nice for your taste buds, then go for it!
(4)
Jess R.

EXCELLENT! I dragged my friends here (meat + potatoes types, I'm vegetarian) after reading the reviews on yelp. We all loved our food! We had the burrito (kids me item), Baha Blackened Tacos, and the Rockin Moroccan Bowl with tofu and I substituted brown rice for the quinoa. All tasted amazing. I wish I could bring this place back to NYC!
(5)
Kris G.

I am not a vegan--about as far as it gets. In fact, I will rarely walk into a place unless there is a cheeseburger (made with beef) on the menu. That being said, Native Foods has me near about converting to veganism! When I walked in, it was clear I was not a regular or familiar with this cuisine. My newbie self was thinking, "Tempeh? Seitan? Are these edible?" Lucky for me, the staff here are so nice and patient and clearly very excited about the food and mission of this restaurant. If becoming vegan would make me as pleasant as the people working here, I'm signing up tomorrow! I got the twisted chicken wrap (on suggestion) and a side of lemon dill potato salad. The wrap tasted fresh, completely filled me up, and yes, it's true, that soy tasted just like chicken. The side potato salad was equally amazing. I normally don't like potato salads because they are heavy and creamy, but this one was light and so flavorful. It was the perfect balance of lemon and dill and added to the freshness of the entire dish. And to top it all off? Free refills of their iced teas and juice drinks. Yep, you can try them all if you want to sit there all day and do so. I'm definitely going back--every week if I can help it.
(5)
Ryan M.

Native Foods Cafe is a vegan restaurant. I am not a vegan or even a vegetarian; I'm a pescatarian. But I like going to vegetarian/vegan places because I can try anything that sounds good without requesting the carefully crafted dish be altered or checking every ingredient. Thus, I arrived at Native Foods. The menu is quite expansive, and there are lost of good options: sandwiches, salads, entrees, and so on. I made my first choice (and likely not my last) the Portabello "Sausage" Burger. I also ordered a side salad with it. The salad was one of the most vibrant sides I think I have ever seen. The balsamic on the side went really well with it. The burger itself was pretty good, although a bit sloppy (as in the pieces kind of fell out with my first bite, not that it was prepared or presented messily). The mushrooms were certainly the best part; portabellos are hard to beat. The seitan burger was interesting, my first time trying the stuff. I wouldn't say it was great or bad; it as a touch better than tofu. But it also wasn't bland. And the multiple other great ingredients on it made me less worried about how the patty was. The servers (and service) were all very quick, too, although it really is more of a fast-food style place: you order, your food comes out, you eat it or you take it with you. Nothing real special about the inside, although there are some pretty funny sayings/cartoons on the wall. In any case, I enjoyed my food and will certainly go back to try more options. ..hmm, thought I had more to say. Maybe I was too busy eating to observe anything more inside or out to write about. Oh well.
(4)
Chelsea B.

I come here mostly for the amazing sweet potato fries and the lavender lemonade!!! Sooo good!
(4)
Harcourt I.

The Twister Wrap and Sweet Potato Fries was completely delicious, I look forward to coming back again soon.
(4)
Cynthia H.

I've been converted to a vegan enthusiast, thanks to Native Foods. That's saying a lot coming from someone who typically eats a Paleo (meat-based) diet. Anyone who visits me in the city gets a dose of Native Foods before they're allowed to leave--and they become believers as well. My favorite dishes are the Indo noodle bowl and jack fruit fritters. The sweet potato fries (get chipotle aioli to dip in), oatmeal cookie creme pies and chicken run ranch burger are also divine. Whether or not you're vegan, give this place a try. You will NOT be sorry you did.
(5)
Lohanna H.

Food is usually pretty good.. highly processed but at has gluten free options and is a good choice for vegetarians. The people who work there can be a little overbearing, it is probably just customer service. The person you place in order with is a little invasive, he is trying to be friendly but its overkill. I went in there super tired and told him I wanted the tacos and asked him to point them out on the menu, he told me, "You are looking right at them..." I was looking at the menu filled with choices, he could have just showed me. Annoying.
(3)
Barb D.

I cannot rave about this place enough. I have had this on my "to do" list of veggie restaurants in the city, but their high prices have kept me away. I finally caved when a vegan + gluten free friend was in town and I got the polenta bites app and the sweet potato fries. BEST sweet potato fries I've ever had in my life and the vegan-friendly sauce they serve with it is so good! Since then, I have figured out the food far outweighs the cost and have been back several times. I've had the "gyro bowl", the azteca salad, and the scorpion burger (the burger has been my favorite so far) - every time I've gotten the sweet potato fries because yes, they are that tasty. I also love that they have mint out with their iced tea. It's the little things that count!
(5)
Sarah R.

Omg...sooo good! Get whatever is on special for the day with sweet potato fries and chipotle sauce...the iced tea or watermelon drinks are also amazing...oh and the cupcakes?!?! mmm...mmm...totally great :)) Psst. don't tell the carnies it's vegan ;)
(5)
Matt A.

If only words can describe how delicious the food at Native Foods Cafe is... Some of my favorites: Chicken Run Ranch Burger = Must have! BBQ Love Burger = Must have! Lavender Lemonade = OMG Watermelon Fresca = YES! Great for lunch or a quick bite. Very friendly staff. The girl at the counter answered every silly question tirelessly. Highly recommended!!!
(5)
Cameron H.

A friend called me at the last minute for lunch. So, I wanted to do something new, healthy, and different. After doing some searching, Native Foods was found. We ordered two bowls. They were huge!! Amazing delicious! Even though I ate the entire thing, I didn't feel guilty as it was a very healthy dish. As we finished up our order, a staff member came by with mini-cupcakes (free). Omg, they were sooo good. I cant believe they were vegan. As the staff member made another round, we asked if we could have another! So was so kind and gave us two more. LOL!! I was really surprised by this place!! I will definitely go back! Great service, great location, great food, great price!
(5)
Laura S.

A dream come true for vegans! I still have to pinch myself, coming into a chain restaurant where I can eat everything on the menu. I am a big fan of the Caribbean Jerk Salad, Reuben sandwich and Chicken Run sandwich here. The refillable fountain drinks here are so delicious they're worth a stop by themselves. And the carrot cake cupcake's frosting makes me want to weep with joy. Yeah, it's the little things.... Attentive and friendly waitstaff, pleasant atmosphere. On the downside, but not too much of a downside, I feel like the style of cooking/preparation is sometimes a bit too complicated for its own good. Almost as if the chef/ founder of Native Foods felt she had something to prove to non-vegan/vegetarian diners in presenting accessible, pleasing vegan food (a fair point for sure), but in doing so overcompensated with too many ingredients, too many sauces, almost too many flavors in each dish to enjoy each one. I love this place but I feel like some of the menu items could be simplified and made even better.
(5)
Christopher D.

I stopped at Native Foods on the way home from a karate class for a quick, healthy meal, and I was super impressed. I had glanced at their menu before but didn't realize that they were exclusively vegan. I have many vegan friends, but I am an unrepentant omnivore who has had more vegan meals than I care to remember; Native Foods just shattered that bland, boring paradigm into a million delicious pieces for me. I had the Soul Bowl, which consisted of red beans, brown rice, perfectly cooked broccoli, cauliflower, kale and carrots topped with chicken that I would have sworn had been a member of the animal kingdom if the server hadn't assured me otherwise. Add to that the watermelon agua fresca and the lavender lemonade and it was the best vegan meal I have ever had anywhere ever. If all vegan restaurants were like Native Foods, there would be a whole lot more vegans. Dive in!!!
(5)
Christa Lei S.

I really, really, really like this place. I'm not even going to lie to you. Coming from an island, I'm used to having pretty decent options for vegetarian or vegan-friendly places that aren't chains. The new movement in Hawaii is "locally grown" everything. But, moving into a city-- you don't exactly have that luxury. Though Native Foods might be a chain, they feel like a tiny, local restaurant. They say they make everything fresh and in-house-- and I trust them because whatever they're making? I'm going to be buying more and more frequently. It's GOOD. I had the Rockin' Moroccan bowl with the Native Chicken. Though I was aware it was "fake meat," it's one of the only meat substitutes that I've had that tastes like chicken. Texture wise, it felt like it-- but I was aware that it wasn't real chicken. It's not a bad thing though! I really did enjoy how fresh everything tasted and how well everything was cooked. My mother really loved her sweet potato fries, and even ordered a box of them to-go, but ended up eating more than half of it as I was finishing up my dinner. The drinks are great as well-- I ordered the lavender lemonade, but the set-up here is that you get a glass and can basically fill it with whatever drink you want. I got lavender lemonade and watermelon fresca, both of which are excellent. Also, if you order enough food, and open the suggested Native Foods loyalty card, you can get a drink for free :) Yippee! I'll be back.
(5)
Tiffany K.

One word sums up my experience here: Underwhelmed. The food also got me sick once. And everything is really expensive. The burgers are pretty OK, but everything else is just too average. Nothing blows me away. However, service is pretty decent and their juices are awesome.
(2)
Devi S.

The burger was amazing. We also ordered the 3 taco dish and my favorite by far was the mango tango. The food overall is very flavorful. It's unique and I LOVE the lavender lemonade and watermelon juice. This is a place where meat lovers won't miss the meat.
(5)
Krissie O.

Came in here for lunch after a run with my roommate. Had a small issue with my order (nothing gross or anything) and the management staff was more than apologetic and helpful. They comped my meal and gave us both a free dessert, which was totally unnecessary! Some of the best customer service I have seen, especially after working in the food and beverage industry for 10 years myself. On top of service, the food was delicious. My roommate had the taco salad and I had the twister wrap with a side salad. The lemon garlic dressing is AMAZING. Also, be sure to try the zucchini cake - it's delish! Will definitely be going back.
(5)
Kristin T.

I really want to like this place. The food is just okay. Maybe it's because I'm not vegetarian or vegan. Maybe because I order a meatball sub and expect it to taste to like other meatball subs. Or their chicken to taste like chicken. Or their kale salad to taste...good. The exception is their sweet potato fries which I inhaled! They also get points for their friendly staff and rewards program. You get $10 for your birthday--that's something! Definitely try it out to make your own assessment.
(3)
Kailey M.

I have been to Native Foods Cafe one time, and I can't wait to go back again!! My first time here, I ordered food online to pick up on my way home. When I ran in to pick up my blackened chikn wrap (which was FABULOUS), I saw a dulce de leche cupcake (total weakness) and had to have it!! The cashier was super helpful in telling me that if I get a drink as well, the cupcake was on the house. Hell yeah!! Of course I'll do that!! So I went with a Lavender Lemonade which in itself was the best lemonade I've ever had. I dream about it sometimes. The cashier THEN informed me that if I signed up for a Native Foods Rewards Card that I received a complimentary drink. Which meant I came in for a wrap, and left with a Lavender Lemonade and a Dulce De Leche Cupcake complimentary. Best. Day. EVER. I will absolutely be coming back, and can't wait to try everything on the menu!!!
(5)
Charisse T.

I do a vegan fast for 21 days every year and I always find it hard to eat out. Did a google search and found this gem. The food was excellent!!! Didn't taste like I was eating vegan food at all. The staff was really helpful and service was superb!!! Will return soon
(5)
Adam E.

If you had told me two or more years ago that I would not only go to Vegan restaurant, but frequent it and enjoy it I would have called BS. Bigtime.. But here we are and this place is a go to for me every other week or so. I'm addicted to the Greek Gyro Bowl and the Oklahoma Bacon Cheeseburger (which of course has neither bacon, cheese or burger in it). And the new Southwest Chipotle Chop is stellar! The watermelon fresca is very very refreshing, as are the other drinks. Desserts are quite tasty too. If you are looking for something fast and healthy you really can't go wrong here and their hours are quite good.
(4)
aleah m.

This place is my new favorite place to eat in the city! The food is fresh and innovative and the service is great. The sweet potato fries are amazing with the chipotle dipping sauce. And they make their own (non-alcoholic) drink mixes using fresh fruit.
(5)
Frank S.

Super friendly staff, delicious food! I had the Twister wrap and a side of sweet potato fries both were amazing. I'm not a vegetarian, I love eating animals, they are delicious and I am entirely confused on how the chicken in my wrap wasn't actually chicken, the texture and taste were both dead on. I will definitely be going back for more.
(5)
Roxy R.

native foods is definitely delicious and all vegan in a fast casual environment. super good ranch sauce, watermelon agua fresca, chili cheese fries, chicken fingers, nachos, oklahoma bacon cheese burger, desserts and more! the only reason i gave it a 4 star is the food is great and i am very happy we have another vegan option in chicago but i still think its really important to continue to support our local chicago diner.
(4)
Made N.

oh yeah! i don't know how i waited so long to discover this place! it was omg good! i had a "chicken" wrap, hub had a burger, both were VERY impressed. SUCHI a pleasure to have a whole menu FULL of things we both can eat (both vegetarians). I WILL DEFINITELY BE BACK. also want to buy their cookbook - need to be making this good food at home too!
(5)
Michael S.

Thank you other yelper suggestions for the Chicken Run Ranch. This is what my gf got and I still can't believe that this was not chicken. It was just soo good. I got the portabello and sausage burger for the Wednesay special as they couldn't make me the scorpion burger. No biggie as I liked my burger, though it was a bit sloppy and fell apart a bit. All the drinks were great and refreshing and everyone working there was really friendly. I have been trying to get my gf to eat less meat and I think I've found the place to coax her more into the change!
(4)
Jenna M.

If you're a believer of stereotypes about vegan food, going to Native Foods will open your eyes! Their menu is not bland or boring. Everything I've had here (nachos, chicken run ranch burger, wings, fries, Caribbean kale salad) has been amazing and fresh. As soon as the weather warms up, I'll be walking here all the time.
(5)
Ryan E.

I am Not vegan or vegetarian, but went with a friend who is. I was annoyed about going b/c I didn't think I was into vegan food. WOW, I was wrong! I ordered a Tempeh burger and was very impressed. I ate it all and can't wait to go back. The best part for me was the watermelon mint tea. It was so fresh and light and very tasty. It came free when I signed up for a frequent visitor card. So glad I signed up or I wouldn't have tried the tea. So yummy! The staff was also very nice and welcoming with smiles all around. I'll be back!
(5)
Mary S.

Interesting change for a meat eater. Would return
(3)
Noiemi L.

Love this place! Wish I could eat here everyday. Their Oklahoma Burger is amazing with sweet potato fries and a side of ranch sauce. Their desserts are very good as well. I've had a strawberry parfait and carrot cupcake and both we amazing. I didn't know vegan food could taste so good!
(5)
Justin N.

The Native Foods locations in Los Angeles are proud owners of billions of my dollars (or at least thousands) so when I was in Chicago I had to see if these new locations were doing the brand justice. I can now safely report that the food was on point, exactly as I remember it, if not better. Yea that's right, I may live in LA but I still think Chicago does everything better, I guess that's the Midwesterner in me. The staff was friendly, the place was spotless, I felt right at home. Hopefully everyone in Chicago knows just how lucky they are to have Native Foods. If you haven't tried it, GO THERE RIGHT NOW... unless it's like 3am when you read this and they're closed, don't go right now, that'd be counter-productive. But you know what I mean, if you haven't tried Native Foods you are MISSING OUT!!
(5)
Robert S.

Honestly, I don't know how people can afford this stuff because I bet there are folks who eat here every day. Sure, my "BBQ" "bacon" "cheeseburger" sandwich thing was tasty, but it was essentially salad fixings stacked on a bun, with fake salty stuff to replicate meat, all for a price approaching the high side of what lunch in a nice Loop restaurant would run. $17 for a sandwich, free side, drink, and a too sugary cupcake. The lavender lemonade is terrific, and allowing free refills eased the sticker shock a little. Ate dinner here a couple days later. Had the Portobello & "Sausage" burger with dill potato salad. The burger was a tad mushy and didn't feel like a burger, more like finely chopped veggies on a bun with a small Portobello mushroom stuck in it. The dill potato salad chunks were diced so much that it was hard to stab the chunks with a fork--tasty, but it was not what I would normally consider anything coming close to traditional potato salad. I had a side of the Nuevo Native chili. Mistake. Incredibly salty, and the cornbread-looking bread slices on the side were overbaked. The unburnt parts of the bread were extremely dry and bland. This is where butter would normally save bread this brittle, but...you probably won't find butter at this place. $22 for a Portobello mushroom burger (including a free side), chili and drink. Trust me: you can't fool meat & cheese eaters. I enjoyed the couple times I pretended to be a Vegan/gluten-free monster, but I need food that doesn't have metaphors for the real food I usually eat just to make me forget I'm eating what's essentially chopped up salad fixings. Salty meat substitutes & sauces, bland breads and extremely high prices don't make me feel positive about being a repeat customer to native Foods Cafe.
(3)
Jessica N.

The first time I visited Native Foods Cafe I ordered the Greek Gyro Earth Bowl which was loaded with fresh veggies, quinoa, kale, and seitan. It was delicious. It also fed me for three meals. The second time I visited, I tried the reuben sandwich and thought it was just ok. The peanut butter parfait dessert is very tasty and I really like the lavender lemonade. Native Foods shows that its possible to enjoy a really great meal that is also completely vegan (no meat or dairy). I look forward to my next visit!
(4)
Adrienne D.

Amazing food! I was blown away by the quality and selection. Definitely in my top 5 vegan places in Chicago! Try the apple pie!
(5)
Clayton B.

I am not or do I think I could ever be a vegan/vegetarian. However, native foods makes me think its possible. I've visited the Lakeview location three times now and have always been impressed. The customer service is so impressive. The staff is very friendly and willing to tour guide the menu for those that are unfamiliar. I was given great suggestions for entrees twice. The food takes a while but is always fresh and delicious. The sweet potato fries are some of the best I've ever had. They also have great teas, lemonades, and deserts to go with your meal.
(5)
Leah A.

Had a great lunch here with some friends! Two are vegetarian, one gluten free veggie, and we could all enjoy multiple items off the menu. I had veggie tacos which were absolutely delicious. One friend had the beet salad. Another had the veggie Reuben. All were very tasty. Also, the flavored lemonades and agua fresca were sooo good... I tried the lavender lemonade and the watermelon agua fresca... So tasty! Would love to come back here.
(5)
Yu-min L.

I drove by this restaurant for a year and imagined that it offered native Indian food with wild games. I was surprised to find that this is a vegan restaurant. I decided that I would reward myself and went in to find recovered wood tables and a good selection of food. I clumsily went up to the counter to order my food and had good tips on which food to order. I ordered Saigon roll for starter, soul bowl, and Oklahoma bacon cheeseburger with lemon-dill potato salad. Ofcouse I ordered a drink. Since there are three drink options to try I tried all three of them: lavender lemonade, watermelon frescos, and native iced tea. I liked them all. The watermelon one really quenched the heat after strolling in the sun for way too long. The three dishes are all divine, but the quantity is huge. @.@ You can really taste the sweetness of the veggies and that the food was prepared from scratch. They also use a large variety of fresh herbs which gives the food a burst of flavor. They offer a free drink if you sign up to have e-mail notification with them. Also I was told that the have been out of tempeh for a while now.
(4)
Ryan T.

Pretty tasty place. I tried the reuben my first time here, and as many have said, it's pretty outstanding. I'd say it's on par with the reuben at Chicago Diner. The sweet potato fries are also outstanding. Remember though; eating vegan doesn't mean eating healthy - there's a lot of pretty fattening stuff on the menu.
(4)
Sarah E.

I hate to admit this but I eat here A LOT! I love the Native chili with the side of corn bread, tacos, Saigon rolls, and especially the oatmeal "creme" pies. I like that the food is delivered to you at the table and then cleared off the table when you are finished. I really love the chewy ice pellets at the beverage area but most of all, I love the positive atmosphere. The only downside to Native Foods is the lack of WIFI :(
(5)
m d.

This might sound crazy, but I would rather eat their vegan reuben than a traditional reuben any day. I also recommend their tacos, fries, and watermelon juice. One of my meat-eating friends was in town for a day and this is the one place he wanted to go back to so that he could have another chicken run ranch.
(5)
Daniel H.

Stopped here during my time in Chicago due to all the positive reviews and I definitely enjoyed my meal here as well. I got the meatball sub, seasoned fries and a lavender lemonade and it was all delicious. The lemonade could've used a little more kick but that's just nitpicking. The meatballs were delicious especially with the carmelized onions and I liked the shoestring fries. My lady got the chicken run ranch sandwich and she loved it. Got a rewards card there (and got one of the lemonades comped for it!) and was overall very happy checking it out.
(5)
Anne M.

A special veggie-person was visiting over the weekend, so we made it a point to go to Native Foods Cafe for some delicious vegan fare. We were most impressed. First of all, the menu is large - a refreshing dining aspect for vegetarians / vegans, which sometimes have just a few options at most restaurants. This place is a jackpot for veggie eaters. (There's no meat / animal products on their menu...) My party of three dined on some scrumptious seitan and tempeh 'burgers', crisp and oh-so-good sweet potato fries, and one gandhi bowl chocked full of veg goodness. Mid-way through our meal, one of the employees reminded us that their chocolate cupcakes are bogo-free. Oh really..? We took him up on his offer, and those things were excellent! 1/2 - 1/2 ratio of frosting to cake; and the frosting was awesome. Free beverage if you provide your email address and sign up for their rewards program. Check. LOVED the lavender lemonade! Also tried the berry iced tea and watermelon fresca - and adorned my glass with garnishes from their beverage bar: fresh mint leaves + lemon slices. I really appreciated their whole beverage station - fresh, tasty, clean and replenished often. I'll definitely go back here. Prices were right and the food was delicious. Veggie Power!
(5)
Matt V.

I went there last night and was AMAZED. I really enjoy vegan or vegetarian options and this place has a great selection. When I first arrived, I was confused and did not know what to order. The girl at the counter provided me with great insight and pointed me in the right direction. When I eventually ordered, I got the Butternut Polenta Bites, Bangkok Curry Bowl and a side of Sweet Potato fries. The Butternut Polenta Bites and the Bangkok Curry Bowl both had tons of flavor and were very light and healthy. The portions are decent and the price is typical for Chicago and I expected to spend $$ for Vegan/Vegetarian food. The service is phenomenal and I was asked several times how everything tasted. I am definitely going back. Best. Vegan. Restaurant.
(5)
Philly P.

Always delicious & the staff are always friendly! This is one of the main reasons I miss living in Lakeview because I was right down the street from this fabulous place. They are constantly changing their items on the menu, too, adding more tasty treats for each visit! I couldn't be happier to finally have Native Foods in Chicago! And don't be discouraged if you're not vegan. This food is tasty for everyone! I've had positive reviews for vegans and non-vegans alike!
(5)
L- Shozzett S.

I bet they think I'm the "lady of the night" cause I show up with a different friend & or acquaintance, every time I come here. Staff...awesome, Food...delicious, if you like savory things in your mouth. ( you had to go there didn't you) for shame. Atmosphere... Welcoming with enough natural light. Quiet enough to converse. You order at the counter Get a number You get your own drink Sit and they bring you the order When finished, Leave everything at the table. They clean it for you. Hope you enjoy cruelty-free-food:) Shozzett. Sure we can go together :)
(5)
Rachel S.

Listen, I'm not a vegan. The concept does not appeal to me. I think sustainable, local lean animal protein is an important part of a balanced diet, but Native Foods definitely makes me question the need for meat when it comes to how delicious food can be. I've had just about everything on the menu, and I've been impressed every time. My favorites are the bacon cheeseburger and the twister wrap. Here's a secret though, if you go with a partner, and neither of you is ravenous, you only really need to order one thing. All the items being vegetable based makes them more filling than your typical wrap or sandwich. My partner and I will not even dither, always order whatever is the special and get a side of the sweet potato fries and call it a day. If we're feeling particularly fancy, we might get a drink of the Lavender Lemonade (with free refills of course). First time we went, we each ordered something and honestly, we were too full, way too full! Try it yourself first, maybe we just have small stomachs or something (This is highly doubt). The place just feels clean, cared for, and is always full of vegans, hippies, lesbians, and confused meat-eaters who stumbled in. Makes for great people watching.
(4)
Kaitlin M.

So I do absolutely love this place and it deserves 5 stars overall but this review is specifically on their Ruben impression sandwich. This is the second best vegan Ruben in the city. That being said, the best place is so close that I will definitely go there the next time I have this craving. They are similarly price but the best is leaps and bounds ahead of Native Foods. The NF version lacked the textures and flavor richness that is so yummy about a real Ruben. It was still good despite that being said. If you want to find the best vegan Ruben sandwich place checkouts reviews!
(4)
Diane M.

Oh my goodness, that was such an amazing meal! I had some sort of portabello mushroom and sausage sandwich, although, of course, there was no real sausage. The flavor and taste was amazing, including the sweet potato fries. Everyone in the restaurant was SO helpful, with recommendations and service. They all asked me what we thought and were great. The only complaint is that it is too expensive, or I would eat here every night when I get off of the train. The food was amazing.
(5)
Ana M.

The service was outstanding and the food amazing. I had the twister wrap? I'm pretty sure that's the name if not it's something along those lines. This is place is new in town but they have a great selection of vegan food. I am looking forward to trying everything on their menu. I love their drinks, they have lavander tea, some type of watermelon drink and another one I forgot what it was but they were all amazing!!!
(5)
Tammy L.

I came here with a friend and was so impressed. I loved the staff and their enthusiasm for the cafe. They seemed to genuinely love their jobs, which is so refreshing. The food was great--we had the sweet potato taquitos and split a twister wrap. The portions are really generous, so that was plenty of food for us. The taquitos were crunchy and mildly sweet. The twister wrap was very well made. I'm so often disappointed by wraps when the tortillas are cold and stiff, or the balance of ingredients is off. This was a very good wrap. I thought a little more of the crispy veggie chicken would have been nice--I love the interplay of textures and temperatures when you have a hot fried food, with a nice salty coating, next to cold creamy and crunchy veggies. This wasn't quite that transcendent, but it was very tasty. We also split a slice of pumpkin pie because I have a hard time refusing pumpkin pie. It was delicious! The middle had the creamy, custardy texture that I always look for. The crust was very crumbly but that's ok--it was very tasty. The spices were very prominent, and since it's nondairy the pumpkin flavor really stood out. I was so pleasantly surprised! All in all, I am so happy that Native Foods has come to Chicago. I will most certainly be back!
(5)
Kelly G.

This place is great. The food is delicious and fresh. There are very few places in the Loop to get a vegan meal, so kudos to Native Foods for being in the Loop. The only reason I don't give Native Foods five stars is A) there are not many particularly "healthy" options on the menu. I suspect some of the sandwich/fry options pack in as many calories as your local burger bar and there's a lot of that here. B) there are very, very few options that don't involve a substitute meat product. I'm willing to eat that stuff every once in awhile, but I'm not a huge fan of fake chicken, etc.
(4)
dorothy h.

After a four-day binge of eating turkey and all the fixings plus the usual weekend gluttony, my body was screaming for some green vegetables -- and not green bean casserole. The fam and I trekked over to Native Foods for Sunday lunch and I was pleasantly surprised (I think my carnivore dad was too as he ate up his "chicken" ranch burger). The prices seemed a bit steep for a "fast-casual" type of joint at first but it's definitely worth it as the ingredients are high quality and the portions are huge. And I just felt better. You can't put a price on that. I eat everything so I'm definitely no vegan but the food here is delicious and satisfying. We all split the Native Nachos, which is better than any nachos I've had, meat or without meat. I also dislike fake cheese but either they don't put a lot of it or the other ingredients (chipotle crema, black beans, taco "meat" and guac) must mask it so the dish will please meat eaters and vegans alike. I also had the Caribbean Jerk Kale Salad, which was so large I had enough for lunch the next day. The only complaint I have about the salad is that it's not spicy enough; when I get any jerk dish I want my face to be melting off. But the dressing was well-balanced and flavorful, and the dish was chock-full of avocado, peppers, onions and other goodies. We were too stuffed for dessert but there were mouth-watering sweet treats such as cupcakes and an Oatmeal Creme Pie. There's also beer and wine. I will definitely be back to try more!
(4)
Lainie P.

Like it's sister restaurant in Wicker Park, Native Foods Cafe offers up really tasty food along with kind, non-judgmental service. (See my Wicker Park location review for my take on that particular branch.) In a nutshell, this restaurant offers fresh vegan food prepared so that even meat eaters can leave with a fully belly and satiated tastebuds. The staff is very friendly and always happy to talk about your meal and make their own suggestions. Strongly recommended.
(5)
Gina F.

YES. This place is awesome! I am so excited to have a new veggie place, and I can tell that Native Foods and I are going to have a long & wonderful relationship. The meatball sub is OUTSTANDING. Definitely one of the best vegan items I have ever had. I had the pumpkin seed pesto on the side to watch the calories a bit, but did taste that, too, & it's delicious & very fragrant. My lactard husband loves the ranch chicken (which I had a bite of). It's really tasty & very crispy. Finally, we had a chocolate cupcake, and it was a real treat. I'd say on par with Bleeding Heart. I'm probably going back tomorrow for the Italian beef. I'm not even joking. YUM. (EDIT: I totally did go back for lunch the next day & had an awesome Chicago dip--I love this place!) The only improvement that could be made is to provide nutritional info. I keep track in a food journal in an attempt to get enough protein & iron. It would never keep me away; I would just plan the rest of my day around it. Anything for a meatball sub.
(5)
Jennie C.

What a pleasant surprise! I would never have walked in here because I can't live without meat :) But one of my friends is vegetarian and I felt bad choosing restaurants where she can hardly find anything to eat (restaurants really need to step up on menu offerings for vegetarians. Upsized salads do NOT count!), so off to Native Foods we go. I ordered the Bangkok bowl and it was fresh, with flavorful Thai curry sauce, lots of steamed veggies cooked just right, and brown rice to soak up the sauce. The tofu on top adds another dimension in texture. Also tried the pesto polenta appetizer which was good too. Best thing is: all drinks are refillable at $2.50, including Chai!
(4)
Angela M.

I'm a vegan. I've eaten here twice. Both times I went with non-vegans. And they loved all the food they ate. I love being able to bring my non-vegan friends to restaurants and have them leave with a new respect for vegan food, and not feeling dissatisfied. This is one of those restaurants that I feel confident in non-vegans loving as much as me. I've eaten their french dip which was delicious, and their chicken sandwich. The chicken sandwich was great, but the french dip I get random cravings for.... so have to go back soon! Would recommend this to anyone wanting delicious food that just happens to be awesomely vegan.
(5)
Lynn D.

I wrote a review however it showed up as a tip only without my rating. New to Yelp and just learning how to post. This place was amazing and if I could afford to eat out everyday, you would find me here. I am new to healthy eating so really enjoy a place I can find that taste good to me.
(5)
M. L.

I went to Native Foods a while ago for the very first time. I ordered their Italian Meatball Sub and could not have been any more dissatisfied. Whatever seasoning they put on that sub was awful! I felt like my throat was on fire. Not only that... but after only eating half the sub (because that was all I could endure) I got the worst food poisoning I've ever experienced. I was vomiting the rest of the day. And if you read some of the other negative reviews, you will notice that several others have gotten food poisoning from this place. YIKES. I emailed this location to inform them of my experience. I was very polite and stated that it may be a bad batch and that they should look into it. I never received a response. Thanks to them I can never look at a meatball sandwich again. I will NEVER be back.
(1)
Mel A.

Giving 4 stars for my 1st experience here. Very friendly staff. You order at the cash register and a waiter delivers it to your table. I had the Sesame Kale Macro Bowl. GREAT warm dish. Kale, sauerkraut, brown rice, black sesame, cabbage and some other things I do not remember. I would definitely get it again though. To drink I had the Watermelon Fresca... watermelon, mint & agave juice/sweetener....? Now this was a bit too sweet for my taste so I will try the Lavender Lemonade next time. I got a Peanut Butter Parfait to go. Yummy & very peanut buttery as it should be. My friend got the Carrot Cake cupcake. She said there was TONS of frosting that tasted very yummy as well and that the cake tasted like carrot cake (some do not). Overall a great food experience and I have told 4 people about it already. Plus... they have a points card... ;)
(4)
Katie K.

LOVE Native Foods!!! Being a part time Vegan this place is a like a little piece of heaven. Amazing dishes, quick and friendly service. Every employee seems like they truly care and believe in the restaurant. I'm so glad we have this delightful cafe in Chicago.
(5)
Joe V.

Loved this place. Had the rockin Moroccan and Azteca salad. Both delish. The grilled veggies and quinoa were amazing. I'm still thinking about the oatmeal cream pie. So dang good.
(5)
Laura C.

We were so happy to find this place! It's like an upscale fast-food vegan heaven. They were also very gluten-free accommodating. We liked it so much that we ate their twice on the same day during our trip. The first time we turned down the offer of a free drink (for first-time visitors), the second time they didn't really offer, but rather just gave us the glasses. I hadn't noticed the juices - watermelon, lavender lemonade and others. I tried the watermelon first - amazing just like it is when we juice at home. Then I watched a girl mix the watermelon with the lavender lemonade so I tried that - completely addictive. The service is fantastic and they are super helpful with finding the perfect meal for your mood. Oh, and you've got to get the peanut butter desert - so incredible!
(5)
Jim S.

This place is a great veg. diner (no offense to the other one). All of the dishes that I have had are super tasty. Would have done 5 stars, but here is my beef and it goes for the WP location as well Dear hipster parents, Being cool DOES NOT mean allowing your child to wail and scream. Your child wearing a Ramones shirt is not cool and his/her shreiking is disruptive, insensitive and doubly not cool Kisses
(4)
Chris F.

Awesome experience here. I'm not a vegan. In fact I really enjoy my meats (no offense guys, just being honest). This however, did not stop me from enjoying every last crumb of my meal. I still don't know exactly what it was that I ate, but it looked and tasted like a meatball sub and breaded chicken breast sandwich ( GF and I split our meals). The meatball sub was delicious and spicy, just how I like it. And the chicken breast was just as convincing. I assume it is tofu/bean/soy or something, but I couldn't actually find the ingredients listed. The cashier was incredibly nice and service was quick. The bathroom was clean and had inspirational words of wisdom and pictures of elephants. I'll have to try one of the local locations, as I'm a Los Angeles resident. -1 star because WTF did I eat and the price was a bit high on some entrees.
(4)
Cheryl H.

Had never tried Native Foods before and had always wanted to! Stopped by on a whim and just LOVED it! So much gluten free, vegetarian, vegan, and good old meat selections! The lavender lemonade and watermelon agua fresca ALONE are worth going back for. They taste like summer and there's free refills! I had the Rockin' Moroccan Bowl (with tofu it is GF). I'm not a vegetarian and still loved this dish. My friend had the Azteca salad and also loved it. Incredibly friendly staff, very helpful, and the woman who took my order gave wonderful recommendations. I dragged my husband back the next day, we'll be going back constantly!
(5)
Sandhya N.

Not even vegetarian and really impressed by this establishment. The food is fantastic. You never feel like you're not eating meat for a moment. I'd say a huge reason why this place is so successful has to do with the chefs and their ability to implement a variety of spices in such a way that it brings out incredible flavor from what could be considered otherwise bland meat substitutes. Tempeh and Tofu cooked right can be heavenly. I find myself wanting to go back every time I'm in the area! BOLD CAPS, HIGHLIGHT (TO MEAT EATERS)---DO NOT SKIP OUT ON THIS SIMPLY BECAUSE IT IS A VEGAN ESTABLISHMENT.
(5)
Laura P.

Clean, open floor plan, tasty, pleasant helpful staff.
(4)
Lucia Z.

I consider myself a meatlover (sorry!) but somehow, I still love love love this place. The Rockin' Moroccan Bowl is the best. So flavorful and yummy (and healthy, I'm assuming). And it really does "taste just like chicken!" Great service, too. The wait staff is super friendly and really on top of their game.
(4)
Monica S.

First of all, I don't eat meat very often because I'm very picky. This place CATERS to meat lovers so I was pretty bummed out that the entire menu is all about chorizo, beef, pork etc! I was so disappointed because I love going to vegan restaurants that create new, interesting and delectable dishes that don't have to have a meat substitute in them. My boyfriend ordered for us because I was rather disappointed with the menu from the get-go but seeing that it was a place we hadn't yet tried I figured I'd give it a go. We had the portobello and sausage burger, a bowl of bean soup, steamed kale,and the chef 5 garden pizza. We wanted to try a little bit of everything! The portobello and sausage burger was pretty bland but I must say they did an excellant job recreating what sausage should taste like which is exactly why I only took a bite for sampling before handing the rest of it off to my boyfriend. The bean soup of the day was flavorful and tasty- a shining star compared to the rest of their menu. I also very much so enjoyed their steamed kale with lemon juice. The Chef 5 Garden Pizza was super disappointing. It looked like a piece of bread without any "pizza" sauce and a pound of steamed kale on top with a balsamic dressing to top it off. It wasn't much of a pizza if you ask me. Needless to say, this place is off my list for good reason not to mention the fact that the next day my boyfriend woke up with FOOD POISONING. Not cool! THIS PLACE IS A MAJOR WHALE FAIL! Although their lavender lemonade is to die for.
(1)
Leslie W.

I really love you, your food it tasty and comes with a feeling of karmic well being. Your staff is genuinely friendly and courteous. You're clean, perky, and have the perfect mix of casual and upscale. But I know you are as dangerous as the most satisfyingly decadent dessert. Too much will leave my wallet empty and my kama ego bloated. I promise to enjoy you in moderation! That being said... 1. Sesame Macro Bowl is oh so filling and tasty. It changed my negative feelings about Tempeh and has led to some serious sauerkraut cravings. 2. The Summer Berry cobbler thing that was the feature dessert during the June Native Days (part of sales are donated to a local charity and you get a free dessert with entree and bev purchase) was sooo good. 3. The Chimmi Chop Salad is filling and veggi-ful.
(4)
Jessica G.

I'm not a vegetarian, but my two best friends are so I need to know good places to go out to eat with them. I was very pleased to find this place. The ambiance is very hip, earthy, friendly. It's kinda like Noodles & Co, in that you order at the counter and then get a number for your table to be served when ready. However, the staff is super friendly, and it's more like real waiter/table service, as they keep stopping by to refill your drinks, ask if you need anything, and offer samples (!!) of the delicious blueberry cheesecake. I never would have guessed there was no cream cheese in there, it's GREAT. We both enjoyed our dishes, although next time I would order something more vegetable oriented, rather than something pretending to be meat. I was also glad to see that they serve seasonal craft beers - Two Brother's Ebel's Weiss for the win! And there will definitely be a next time. :)
(4)
Faye D.

Absolutely love this place. It's a great spot for veggies and vegans, but I've taken non vegetarians here and they've had a good time as well. Their food is mostly organic, and while it's heavy on the fake meat, there's plenty for people with gluten allergies. I also find them super friendly and the ambience is just pleasant - lots of room to eat, even in a rush, funny trivia on the tables, good music (imho - it trends indie, but I've been in when classic rock or 80s was playing) that isn't too loud. The portions here are IMMENSE. Over the several times we've been, we've basically come to the conclusion that for two people, three and maybe even two appetizers are perfectly acceptable. We regularly spend under $20 bucks for the both of us.The Native Wings are definitely the best fake chicken I've ever had. (Pro Tip: Try ordering them with the Saigon Rolls so that you can take advantage of the peanut sauce as a third alternative to Buffalo or Ranch.) I think on average this is probably a $$ place but only because you're probably assuming you want more than you do (unless you do want that much, in which case party on). This is how it goes: you order at the counter (there are menus at the door to check out first), take a number, sit down and wait for your friendly server to come by. They are extremely nice and generally ask if you need anything else and will refill your drinks or bring out hot drinks to the table (though this place is fairly chill and most people refill their own). The lavender lemonade and watermelon fresca are BOTH great, and I love that they have free refills and that they keep condiments available. We mix mint into our drinks :P Really not too much bad to say here except that I never have room for their delicious desserts. Cardamom rose? Mmm. I should deduct a star for them putting up something as cool sounding as tempeh crab cakes and then not getting the tempeh in all summer, but...that's not their fault.
(5)
Dima S.

My wife goes to this place for lunch time to time and she wanted me to try it out. I told her that I'm a Carnivore so what would I eat at the place that is Vegan. After I ate there I was in love with this place. The food is delicious even with out any meat it satisfied me beyond believe. After lunch there I was full and yet I still had energy to walk around instead of wanting to lay down somewhere :) Defiantly recommend this place to every one even if you are not Vegetarian or Vegan.
(5)
Stephanie B.

Update 1/2/2014 - bumped to 5 stars. Simply no better place to get fresh, good tasting, "fast food" that people of all dietary choices will enjoy. -- The Ensalada Azteca Salad is fantastic. Five Stars. Bar none one of my favorite dishes I've had at a restaurant. Perfect for a warm summer night after a week where I ate far too few vegetables. I'm a vegetarian but I don't like eating loads of fake meat. The E.A.S was a perfect fit. Every ingredient just works. It's delicious and filling without needing fake this or fake that. Lovely. I snagged a few of my sister's native chicken wings. They were surprisingly fantastic. Scrumptious, even. We'd order them again. Native sweet potato fries also get a huge thumbs up. And the people working at this location are just fantastically nice. Great locations If I could give half stars this place would get 4.5. I knocked it down 1 if only because of the price and not having tried more on their menu yet.
(5)
Steve S.

Great food, great service, a bit pricey.
(4)
Madeleine B.

My first time there last night and it was great. I had the Italian "Meatball" Sub (I can't remember what they call it), which was recommended for first timers. It was a great choice. I can't wait to go back and explore more of the menu. But you have to go a lot because they change out the menu frequently. One of my friends' favorites was rotated out. I also tried their pumpkin "cheese" cake dessert, which has a great crust. The filling is great, too, just very creamy, which is great for some people. I should mention that everything I had was vegan, so that was really nice, and why some things are in quotes. I think non-vegans would love this place, too.
(5)
Derek B.

AWESOME. Such great food options for my vegan/veggie friends. The food tastes amazing...it's the place I take my friends when we have an "I don't like vegan food" person in the bunch. They're always satisfied. Great service. Great prices. Great daily specials.
(5)
Joe M.

Good food each time I've come, wonderful service, overly casual atmosphere. Heavy American style vegan food. The special Bistro Steak sandwich was impressive but heavy, the appetizer Native chicken wings were good, the desserts were pleasing. I'll come back.
(4)
Dayna S.

Always the best customer service and food! I've tried a variety of things but I have to say the Butternut Polenta Bites, Caribbean Jerk Kale salad, Mad Cowboy, Native Nachos and of course the Oatmeal Creme Pie are all fantastic! I've dined at another popular Vegan restaurant in Chicago (fancier and more expensive) and it was not anywhere as good as Native Foods! I'm not vegan but I try to eat dairy and gluten free (except when I'm indulging in nachos and creme pies), so thanks Native foods for being an AWESOME vegan spot with delicious food and recipes!! Can you pleaseeee share the cilantro jalapeÃ±o dressing on the kale salad?! I would love to get my hands on that recipe!
(5)
Femme C.

Fantastic healthy food :) Love their salads, you will be too full after 3/4 of one. Will be back :)
(5)
Adam B.

Everything that we tried was excellent! Service was top notch and every worker was very nice. There are many places in Chicago that should take a page from these guys. And the carnivores will not miss the meat. They won't even know it's gone. Make sure you order something with their version of bacon. It was outstanding!
(5)
Nelson A R.

As a non-vegetarian (and obviously non-vegan), I love Native Foods Cafe. The Lakeview location has the friendliest staff and quick service. Most of the food is really really good: Super Italian Meatball Sub - A. Oklahoma Bacon Cheeseburger - A-. Yo Amigo Taco Salad - C+. Wild Mushroom Soup - B+. Red Curry Soup - A+. Tortilla Soup - A. Chicken Wings - A. Greek Gyro Bowl - A. Bangkok Curry Bowl - A-. Portobello and Sausage Burger - B. The soups I've had have all been great but the change everyday so you never know which one they will offer.
(5)
Oluwatope F.

This is one of my favorite restaurants in Chicago. The food is flavorful and high quality. There are generous portions and it is displayed with a flair that shows that the chef loves food and isn't just cooking to pay the rent. My husband got the Banghok Curry and I got the Twister Wrap with a side of steam kale. I know right, steamed kale! It was my first time eating it and it was nice. The also offer fresh made salsa and mint leaves for the agua fresca or lavendar lemonade. The salads looked huge and awesome. We will definitely be back. Oh but the ladies at the register were super weird and akward like they never talked to Black people before which almost put us off. But the food was really good and the other people that worked there were really nice so eh. We will have to see if it was just an off day. Parking is on the street.
(5)
Elizabeth M.

I have been hesitating to write this review. I hate to turn others off from my ONE experience I had with this restaurant, but I felt obliged, so here we go. I ate here this past week having zero idea it was a vegan restaurant, just stumbled upon it, was hungry, read the menu and went in. I ordered a Twister wrap with blackened chicken to go. Walked my snow-filled 4 blocks home and dug in. The food tasted okay, I am not experienced with Vegan food, so I don't know if the amount of onion was normal or not, for me it seemed like a lot. Fast-forward to two hours later when I begin to belch up onion and start to feel queasy. And within the next two hours my nausea got worse. I began expelling everything in my gastrointestinal tract from both ends. I called the restaurant, they told me no one else had called in saying they were sick. I chalked it up to the stomach flu. But then 6 hours after the onset of symptoms, I was suddenly better. The timing of my sickness lined up perfectly with food poisoning. Obviously, I will not be returning to this restaurant, and frankly, I am upset I paid $12 for food poisoning (aren't you at least supposed to get a cheap meal with food poisoning?).
(1)
Gary C.

I couldn't help but question the wonderful staff at Native Foods Cafe about what I was eating. It had to have been like...eight times. Literally, I walked up to the counter with my food and asked if I wasn't eating chicken. It was, as Criss Angel emphatically states, a MIND FREAK. Rewind. The space is welcoming, with artwork and such along the perimeter. A friendly staff welcomes you and takes your order, answering questions along the way (particularly for you vegan rookies...myself included). I ordered based off of suggestions, while the fiance ordered based on what she thought sounded good. She ordered a kale salad (she thought it was meh, but I thought it was pretty good), while I ordered a not-so-chicken sandwich. I cannot emphasize how baffled I was after consuming that sammie. Holy cow, it has been over a month since I've been there and I still remember it. The texture. The taste. It was all there. It was like a McChicken but, dare I say, better. NFC also has a few homemade drinks, all of which are great! You'll likely spend a little more coin than your typical quick grub spot, but it's because everything is made with love...and it's vegan. Love this place, and you should/will too.
(5)
Josh G.

I really like this place! I have been to all of the locations. I find the staff to be super friendly, competent, and helpful. The food tastes amazing, and I'm a carnivore. So, that says a lot. I eat at one of these locations AT LEAST once a week. The Native Nachos are my favorite dish there, but you really can't go wrong with anything. I'm a creature of habit, and I have not tasted everything there.
(5)
Thongsy S.

Being that I do eat meat, I did not expect to like this vegan joint. Boy, was I mistaken. I think out of all the places I've eaten in the past year, Native Foods definitely stands out from the rest. Everything is made fresh that day or to order and you can definitely taste the difference in freshness. The prices were quite affordable and the staff are super friendly. During our first visit, we tried the following: tandoori kabobs - Grilled tofu, marinated in Tandoori spices, topped with mango-apple chutney, served on a bed of baby greens with their homemade raita yogurt sauce --- YUMS! greek gyros - peppered seitan sautÃ©ed with shallots on quinoa, steamed vegetables, and kale with lemon garlic sauce and hummus; comed with flatbread white bean/corn soup - pureed beans and corn chicken run ranch sandwich - 'chicken', ranch dressing, romaine, carrots, and onions lavender lemonade - just absolutely refreshing They have daily specials where you can get a dish and side order for just 9.95. The chicken run ranch sandwich was my favorite of our meal. An absolutely must-try. You won't even be able to tell that it's not chicken! Throughout our entire meal, I kept thinking to myself and saying aloud, 'oh my, this is sooo good'.....people might have thought I was having a food orgasm! Will definitely come back many many more times.
(5)
Luke S.

What a nice surprise! I try not to discriminate against any genre of food, but when I think of vegan food my mouth doesn't typically salivate. I went here because my sister in law lives somewhat of a vegan lifestyle and she raves about it. I was surprised by the large menu and how many items looked great on paper. I ended up going with the "chicken" twister wrap, which was somewhat of a buffalo chicken concoction. I have to say that is was pretty awesome! My only knock on the place is that their sandwiches are around $10 and they don't come with a side. After ordering a side of sweet potato fries my meal was pushing $15 and it seemed a bit steep for what you get. Other than that the service was great and I want to come back and try one of their "burgers".
(4)
Shawn H.

This is the best Vegan restaurant I've ever been to. The food is Vegan and good for the planet and all, but I'm pretty sure it's not that good for my waist line. The Vegan Reuben is delicious, I've ordered it both times I've been to Native Foods. In fact I've had "real" Reubens that weren't as good as this one. Also, the lavender lemonade is super good, try it! Maybe next time I go back I'll try something else, perhaps something a little less decadent.
(5)
Caroline P.

I stopped in here on Saturday with my mom and sister, all of our first times here. When it was our turn to order at the counter, the girl taking our order politely asked us if we had been there, explained the menu, and recommended several things. Thank goodness, this made us not only feel incredibly welcome but also got rid of the anxiety of ordering at a counter when there are WAY too many delicious options on the menu! As a bonus we signed up for the rewards card and got our drinks for free :) I had the Rockin' Moroccan Bowl. It was delicious and filling and there was so much food that I had it as leftovers for lunch the next day! My sister had the meatball sub and loved it, mom had the Baja Blackened Tacos and she also finished her plate. Service was also great, there were several attentive staff members walking around to make sure everyone had what they needed and they were constantly sweeping/wiping tables for the next groups. Great place overall, not too crowded and we didn't feel pressured to leave! I can't believe I haven't been here before, will be back!
(5)
Britta D.

Their banana bread is delicious! I love, love, love that they serve quinoa with their food. The portions are a bit large and the "chicken" didn't taste anything like chicken to me. But the grilled veggies and quinoa were more than enough. I bet this place is a big hit for true vegans, but those of us who aren't (like me) may not have our hair blown back.
(3)
Boon K.

Thank you for coming to chicago. I use to eat at this place every day in Palm spring, CA when I worked out there and now I am a regular here. Love the unique rose & Cardamon cupcake. the Chicken wrap, the italian beef dip, and watermelon drink. This place just makes me happy and nothing I have eaten here that i would not eat again. love it.
(5)
Samantha L.

I jokingly call myself a meat-atarian at times, and I typically think fake meat is gross. Seriously... if non-meat products are being processed so much to taste like meat, how much healthier can they be? They also usually taste terrible. Native Foods, however, has the best fake chicken I've ever had. It actually tastes like chicken, and it's nice and juicy. I've had the chicken run ranch sandwich and the twisted wrap, which were both very good. They also have delicious bottomless chai, which makes my soul happy. They have an ok selection of beer, though it would be nice if they expanded the beer menu a little bit. Not only is their fake meat pretty yummy, it seems far less greasy and unhealthy than some of the dishes at Chicago Diner. If for some terrible reason I had to stop eating meat, I would definitely be a regular here so I wouldn't have to cry myself to sleep every night.
(5)
Liz L.

The watermelon fresca and white bean soup are delicious! So glad I tried this all vegan establishment. I'm a believer.
(4)
Annie D.

I came to Native Foods with a friend of mine and we had quite a wonderful vegan feast. I'm not vegetarian or vegan, but this place made me believe that I could handle it... only if I could eat their food everyday. Everything at this franchise is vegan, so they make their own "cheese," fake meats and all that. The portions are quite large, so you will have enough to eat, even if you are really hungry. The menu runs from chili fries to pizzas to curry bowls, and most seem to be relatively healthy (probably not the fries, but whatevs). My friend and I ordered the gyro bowl and the chimi chop salad. Both were excellent, though I preferred the chimi salad. It was a romaine salad with grilled veggies, corn, croutons, seitan, chimichurri and ranch dressing. I cannot get over how good this salad was---I'm actually planning to try and recreate it at home this week. The gyro bowl was a bit more filling with quinoa, seitan gyro, veggies, lemon kale and hummus. I was a big fan of this too. My only constructive criticism stems from the guy who took my order at the counter. He started signing me up for a frequent customer card assuming that I would want a free drink that comes with it... even though I don't live in Chicago and wasn't really planning on ordering a drink anyway. I'm sure he had good intentions, but it was a little off-putting and I think a straight-forward approach would've been better. Turns out though, the free watermelon-mint juice was delicious. P.S. Open a place in the Uptown neighborhood of Minneapolis. People would love you here. -- Update 1/24: Adjusting to four stars rather than five. I actually went back and had the same salad and it just wasn't the same. The seitan wasn't quite as flavorful, but the garlic in the dressing was over-powering (I considered sending it back, but I was too hungry). Sad face.
(4)
Tom D.

I really like how Native Foods handles nachos without using cheese. The rueben is delicious, had me totally fooled! This is a great place to eat if you've ditched meat and cheese in your life.
(5)
Lori R.

I HEART YOU, Native Foods Cafe!!! It's SO sweet you moved into Lakeview and the entire city of Chicago! :) WOO HOO! We midwestern folk also enjoy a plant based diet and it's refreshing to see how busy all your stores have been this year! I've been there a ton and I love seeing all the peeps that would have normally gone to Chipotle check out Native Foods instead....nice work! Everything here is delish! My only concern is the fact that I educate on the gluten free diet, and it's a bit risky to have half your menu gluten-free considering the use of quinoa, etc, which I LOVE! The other side is tons of seitan. That scares me for my Celiac Disease patient population (who malabsorb foods and can get VERY sick if consuming guten) is that SEITAN is straight up, PURE gluten. It's a fab vegan meat substitute, since gluten is the protein portion of wheat, rye and barley... but I hope any patron uneducated on seitan, and ordering gluten-free is made aware of this point. That's my only qualm. Eating out for anyone who is Celiac is a challenge, but since it's such a "new" food for many, it's a challenge! THANK YOU for coming to my hood!
(4)
Jen B.

The vegan Wellington is my new holiday standby (sorry Tofurky). A flaky puff pastry stuffed with seitan, sweet potatoes, spinach, cranberries, stuffing and other such deliciousness. Get double gravy. Eat your face off. Dare your scoffing relatives not to love it. JAM.
(5)
Sam I.

So consistent and my 10 year old loves this place too. Love the service!
(5)
Bethanie L.

I absolutely love Native Foods and I am so glad that it finally came to Chicago! The scorpion burger and the chicken run ranch are my favorite meals and love the the chicken strips. I also love their soups of the day and how it changes up all the time with new fresh ingredients. I do love that they're salads and steamed kale come with something with citrus. Whenever I leave I always have to get an oatmeal pie. Another good thing about native foods is that they are so friendly and offer cooking classes! I wish they didn't book up so fast.
(5)
Wayne B.

We are not vegetarian, but we went with a friend that was and we all thought the food was great...I swear that tofu tasted like chicken! ;)
(4)
Lucy N.

Indo noodle salad peanut dressing is bomb!!
(4)
Rita W.

I consider myself a pretty hard core carnivore, never ever could I give up ribs, bratwurst, hamburgers, so forth. But I am always up for trying fake meat, I am always pretty amused by it. Plus I think it is hard to find fake meat that actually tastes good. So with that said, I was very impressed by Native foods. I ordered their special of the day - the sausage and portobella mushroom burger, my bestie ordered the meatball sandwich and sweet potato fries for the table, and our friend ordered the chili and taco salad. The meals came very quickly (oh Native foods is an order at the counter place and then they bring the food to you, so heads up on that one if you are expecting a waitress to take your order here). My burger was full of fixings! The burger had a thin "sausage" patty layered with a generous portion of diced tomatoes, portebella mushrooms, loads of lettuce and a very yummy secret sauce. The bun was light and fluffy. I was very impressed. While granted the "sausage" didn't taste totally like sausage but it was suprisingly close, and mixed with the combination of other stuff on my burger, the flavors were quite delicious! I inhaled my entire burger! The sweet potato fries was delic! My bestie's meatball sandwich tasted pretty good too, the meatballs actually tasted pretty close to what a real meatball would taste like! The service there was warm and friendly and the restaurant just has a good vibe feel to it. I would definitely recommend this restaurant next time I am going out to dinner with any of my vegetarian friends!
(4)
David L.

I've eaten there over 200x since they opened. I like it. However I think they disguise junk or less than healthy food as as a healthy alternative. I would like to see the ingredients, fat content, sugar and sodium. I think we would be surprised what we see. We're not eating healthy we're just eating just less unhealthy. They are hiding behind that "save the world" thing. This is not to say don't go there. I've been they're best customer. It's good. Vegetables are healthier than meat. Some things have additives to make it taste good.
(4)
Katie M.

Gosh, this place is good. A girl from my class brought in a catering plate once and from my first bite, I knew I had to try the restaurant. The staff was really friendly and helpful (two omnivores in a vegan shop, after all). The food was fantastic. We had the Oklahoma bacon cheddar burger and the Italian meatball sub. I was STUFFED. I also drank about a gallon of their lavender lemonade. REALLY enjoyed this place, looking forward to trying the rest of the menu.
(4)
Jamie O.

This vegan joint is vibrant and fun. It serves globally inspired cuisine for a decent price. I appreciate the creative menu but think it lacks finishing flavor. Let me explain, while the bangkok curry dish was good, the intensity of curry was very mild, almost bland. And the vegetables were the typical frozen stir-fry mix versus a more local, farm fresh approach. The portobello and sausage burger had some flavor but lost on texture and fell apart in my hands. I liked that I felt healthy afterwards, but I want more taste in my food.
(3)
Sus K.

Certain things are good. I love their drinks, Saigon rolls, and the Chili Fries. They're what I usually get. My vegan friend is obsessed with this place since it gives her a million options she doesn't usually have but I have to say, of the things I've tried, I'm not a fan of the Oklahoma Bacon Cheeseburger, any of their pizzas, the morrocan bowl, and a lot of other items. But for the most part, I constantly go back here to eat. Definitely worth a shot.
(4)
Beth M.

Went here on a Sunday night around 7pm and It was crowded....I couldn't believe it! I knew this place was good, just by the amount of people here. I went with a large group, there were 9 of us and there was one large table that we were able to grab, so that was nice. This is definitely more of a fast food vegan restaurant. You get a number when ordering and your food is brought out to you. The food was amazing! I ordered the Meatball Sub and it was soo good...The bread was perfect, I thought the portions were large, so I wasn't able to eat all my fries and only could eat half of my sub. I have only eaten mushroom meatballs, but being that this was made with Seitan I was anxious to try it and it was delicious...My husband, who is definitely a meat eater, I have been slowly incorporating more veggies and soy protein products in place of meat when I cook at home. I was shocked when he ordered the Chicken Sandwich...He ate the entire thing and said it was very good. We all loved this place and will hopefully be back soon! Super Clean Restaurant and overall great experience!
(4)
Glynn F.

Stopped in this place because I was meeting a vegetarian friend & was looking for somewhere with options for the both of us. Maybe it has something to do with what I ordered, but I just felt that the food was average at best. I ordered the Twister Wrap with blackened chicken and felt that it could have been more heavily seasoned. The tomatoes also had a tendency to leak everywhere, which I wasn't too fond of. I got a side of the potato salad & it was also mediocre, but I do have to say whoever made it had a light hand with the dill and put just the right amount in the mixture. My meal cost me somewhere around $14 for the wrap, side, and a glass of water (free). I wouldn't say it was worth that, but I am aware that I was paying for higher quality of products. Just wish more had been done to showcase the ingredients!
(2)
Jacky W.

I LOVE LOVE LOVE this place. I was shocked the first time that I ate at Native Foods because of the quality and flavor of the foods. The first comment that I made walking out of there with my friends was that everyone would be vegan if every restaurant was like Native Foods. Hands down my favorite go-to restaurant in the city.
(5)
Yaniv K.

it's all about azteca salad! simply amazing. I love this place because it reminds me that vegan cooking CAN be creative, tasty and well-decorated. Every time I think of their Azteca salad I can't wait to go back!
(5)
Justin S.

My 2012 Lenten promise (Catholic thing) was to go vegan for 40 days & 40 nights. It's been tough, but NFC definitely eases the temptations of breaking the promise. Too bad it only too about 3 weeks for me to find this place. The other place I've tried, which will remain nameless, did not live up to my expectations. The workers behind the counter were very informative and answered any & all questions we had. I'm new to this whole vegan thing so sometimes, I'm just straight up lost! It makes it a lot easier when employees are familiar with their menus and can recommend dishes and such. We started out with the nachos which were plenty big enough to share between probably 3-4 people. Ask them to ease off on the jalapenos if you aren't a huge spicy foods fan. Aside from that, they were awesome. I went with the Native chicken Rockin' Moroccan Bowl. The Native chicken tasted like chicken! The veggies & quinoa were cooked to perfection. I'd definitely recommend it. For free stuff, and who doesn't like free stuff, make sure you sign up for their FREE rewards card. Got us a free tea on that very first visit!
(4)
Jasmine C.

This is one of my favorite restaurants! The staff are very friendly and helpful. The venue feels like a vegan haven. There are posters on the bulletin board providing info about vegetarian/vegan events as well as interesting things to do around Chicago. In the summer they provide a list of free healthy activities around the city. The restaurant is more like a cafeteria. You order your food at the counter then find a table and wait for someone to bring it to your table. I love the wide variety of options. I have brought my carnivore sister-in-law twice so far with success. The bowls are a great concept and delicious. I highly recommend the Gyro Bowl and the "meatball" sub sandwich. The soups are always spicy and delicious and my husband loves the watermelon drink (free refills!). Although the meals are delicious my favorite part is always the cup cakes if I am not to full. They are light airy. The carrot cake cupcake is my favorite.
(5)
Andrew L.

I love meat. That said, Native Foods Cafe is the type of establishment where you have more to select from than an assortment of salads. The food is well done and substantial. I got the mushroom and seitan sausage burger. I also had the lentil soup as an appetizer. The quality of food was great, but the affable staff elevates this place to more than a vegetarian haven.
(4)
Lakesha C.

This place is delicious! I haven't gotten anything here that wasn't tasty. The wings and southwest salad are just divine.
(4)
Grennan K.

Choice spot for light lunch veggie style! I always have their Juices (self serve) & their kale salad. Great spot to hang out in the summer for their outdoor seating.
(4)
Alec H.

I can't write enough good things about Native Foods Cafe. After one of my favorite vegan/vegetarian places went out of business (it was unfortunately pricey anyway), Native opened up a couple locations in town- from California I see. For $10-$20 you will be full on an eclectic full-vegan menu and perhaps a local bottled brew. The atmosphere is quite nice making it conducive to meeting with friends or for just bringing in your laptop or book (although there is NO wi-fi). In the end, everyone will have their favorite entree here, as they are all so different. One way to try them all is by going with the daily special and getting a free side to boot
(5)
marco o.

A touch pricey (meal for one with no drink around $9-12) but super tasty vegetarian and vegan food and I'm always full when I leave.
(4)
Jessica K.

Native Foods Cafe is such an awesome spot for great vegan food. I'm definitely smitten by this place, though it is a bit pricey for my liking. Therefore, it is only an occasional stop, though I wish it could be more frequent. If you're new or iffy about veganism, you might be put off by how the menu sounds. I've got a good ordering tip, though, for the nervous folks: Get either the Portobello Sausage burger (PUMPKIN SEED PESTO?!? I LOVE YOU!), or an order of vegan wings with either the chili cheese fries (to share because the order is huge) or the sweet potato taquitos (this may sound gross now, but you'll want to literally drink the dipping sauce these come with..it's pretty damn good). You won't be disappointed. To be fair, I've never actually eaten in the restaurant. This place is so close to my house that when I decide to eat here, I just order online and pick up the food. The ordering process is super simple, and the staff are very very friendly and prompt whenever I go in. Yet another place where i'm super tempted to buy the cookbook! I noticed (around, here, in person) people saying that Native Foods is like the Chicago Diner, and honestly, though they both serve within the same genre, they're both completely different. Try both, and support both!
(4)
Ali H.

I'd give this place six stars if I could, so I'll just go ahead and jump on the praise train for native foods. Excellent food. Consistently excellent food. Consistently excellent, creative, exciting, completely and utterly delicious food! And fresh! And flavorful! And vegetarian! And this is coming from someone who would just as soon be seen eating a bacon cheeseburger. I've had many of their menu items (all vegetarian) and have not been anything less than 100% pleased with every one of them. I love that they have counter service. The prices are reasonable (about 10 bucks for an entree) and it's great that you don't have to factor in service fees. So happy that they opened up this location (closer to my house than the wicker park one, and only a block away from my second home, forever yogurt). Did I mention the drinks? Go directly to the watermelon fresca. Do not stop. Do not pass go. and do not collect 200 dollars. But do get free refills. Get many. Portions are large so do yourself a favor and order less than you think you need. This will be difficult, but if you want to leave on foot and not on a stretcher, it's essential.
(5)
Robert S.

Why can't we get one of these in Northwest Indiana? Come on! I'd go broke but I'd eat here every day. I've been to all 3 Native Foods locations in Chicago and this one is my favorite. Relatively easy parking on Belmont and enough space inside that you can always get a table. Get the Oklahoma Cheeseburger and the peanut butter dessert cup.
(5)
Angel L.

Love Native Foods! This particular location isn't as big, and does not have the outdoor seating of the Wicker Park location, but it's still wonderful! I love that as soon as you walk in, you are greeted not only by a friendly employee, but with a wall that mimics a spice cabinet! So cute! I've already mentioned my love of the Native Nachos (Wicker Park location review), but its also worth noting that the Saigon Rolls are very fresh and yummy, and that the Native Chicken Wings, (although more like chicken fingers) are very tasty and come with a nice tangy ranch sauce (or buffalo sauce) that go great with the Native Fries as well. Did I mention I love the Lavender Lemonade? Sure I did! But the Watermelon Fresca is lovely too! Even better is that you can add fresh lemon, fresh mint, and agave nectar at the self-serve drink bar. :) Got one drink and want to try the other? Or the Native Tea? Try it when you go and get your free refill. Although the Oklahoma Bacon Cheeseburger is my absolute favorite, I am eager to try the Twister Wrap when I visit next! I LOVE Chipotle sauce! I tried the Peanut Butter Parfait again, and yeah, I still don't like it :P But my cheesecake as usual, was fantastic! Everything here was FRESH! The quality of the food really comes out when you taste it and the service here is LOVELY. So attentive, and never a long wait to eat! I did however notice one thing---they did not bring their Reuben Sandwich to Chicago (it's only available in Cali), and I can only imagine that they did not want to compete with the Chicago Diner (only ten blocks away from this locale). However I wish they had. Not that there is any lack of awesome food---I'm just sure its amazing as well. If you haven't tried it yet, you have this angel's official stamp of approval! *stamp stamp stamp* GO EAT! :)
(4)
Bruce Alan B.

Best new meat free quick serve place in Lakeview. Great range of types of dishes. $26 for dinner for two. I had the "Soul Bowl" which is there take on a red beans and rice dish. Very tasty - and filling! We'll be back - often!
(5)
Kelly K.

I love living in the city, because there is so much variety! If I had to choose a place to send a vegetarian/Vegan, this would be it hands down. You enter through a screen door like you are coming into someones home, and take a menu to decide what you would like on the way to the counter. The staff is very welcoming and informative about their concept, and what they have to offer. They offer a vegan, and vegan soy free menu. I would highly recommend the Soy free Krunchy Kale Salad with apples, avocado, and currants. I had reservations on whether it would fill me up, but it did more than the trick and was delicious! My husband was less adventurous and had the greek gyro with sweet potato fries. The gyro was served non-traditionally in a bowl with a slice of bread in the side. (not what he was expecting, but he really enjoyed it!) Oh, and they cater! I love the wide open space, and the chalk art on the boards. I also liked that they had a recipe on the wall for their patrons to try. Swing by this place next time you are in Wicker Park. Heck, go to Wicker Park for this place!
(5)
Joel M.

I am the furthest thing from a vegan / vegetarian and I absolutely love this place! It has been open for about a week and I've already been twice. I ate it earlier today and I want more right now. I have no idea what kind of magical recipes they have to make their non-meat, but it has texture, flavor, and taste that puts the "real" meat from the surrounding restaurants to shame. Aside from the meat, everything is super fresh and healthy - from the veggies to the bread to the home-made sauces. The food is good enough to earn this place five stars even if it was served in an alley from a homeless man. But, then you have the exceptional service and the presentation. The staff are some of the most friendly and helpful restaurant employees I've interacted with. They answer your questions, take the time to explain all of the menu items, and will even bring you a little mini-bowl of the soup of the day to taste before you order. It's a "fast-casual" restaurant layout similar to Qdoba / Chipotle / Panera, but the staff come around and ask how you're doing and get you free refills frequently. Each dish is presented and served beautifully, which is very surprising given the short amount of time you wait for your order. Most of the main dishes are a steal at $7-$10. I think they could easily sell these at a full service restaurant at double the price and still have people lined up out the door. One interesting thing is that they don't serve any of your typical soft drinks (Coke, Sprite, etc.). Problem? Not when they serve seasonal craft beers (Bells, Two Brothers, etc.) and homemade ice tea, lemonade, and watermelon juice. I drank about five large glasses of the watermelon juice (with mint leaves and sweetened with agave) on one trip and almost exploded. It is seriously one of the best drinks I've ever tasted.
(5)
Jeremy F.

Not bad for a chain.
(4)
Christina M.

BEST NEW VEGAN RESTAURANT CHAIN IN CHICAGO, BAR NONE! Native Foods is so good that I guarantee it's sure to please omnivores, vegetarians, and vegans alike - I've tested this hypothesis, too, with many of my omnivore friends who, after trying the food at NF, plan on returning on their own. So what's so great about NF? Many things! The food is healthier and it's very flavorful/tasty, the atmosphere is laid back, and the restaurant doesn't have that "weird vegan restaurant" vibe. I'd say you can compare the atmosphere and feel of this place to Noodles & Company, except the food is much better at NF. Between the California locations and the Wicker Park location, I think it's safe to say that I've tried nearly everything on the menu, and it's all pretty fantastic. I do highly recommend the Oklahoma Bacon Cheeseburger and the Chicago Au Jus entrÃ©es...yum! Bottom line, if you like tasty food, I suggest you try NF immediately, it's pretty great! (This location is very easy to get to, as it's footsteps from the Belmont El stop.)
(5)
Kate B.

I'm not a vegetarian and I walk in here and order their special of the day without any idea of what it is, knowing only it will be delicious and I've never been disappointed. Fresh and delicious, everything is a clever take on a meat lovers dream but substituted for meat is plant based brilliance. Even their carrot cake- my long time nemesis, after all why would you EVER put veggies in your dessert- has won me over. If this place were more affordable (hence one star from perfection) I'd be a vegetarian and turn to Native Foods for all sustenance. Subliminal message: Get the sweet potato fries.
(4)
S P.

5 stars for my favorite vegan restaurant in the city! My first meal here was the portabello and sausage sandwich. It was the best sandwich I ever had. My next sandwich was the Chicago dip au jus, and I thought..THIS is the best sandwich I've ever had! Their soups are delicious (although a bit on the salty side), I have tried an entree off the normal menu but I wasn't crazy about it so I'll just stick with the daily soup/sandwich combo, wash it down with the watermelon drink and end the meal with a carrot cupcake or any of their desserts. MMM!
(5)
Meg L.

Joel M pretty much took the words right out of my still-salivating mouth so I will be brief in echoing his praise for this wonderful new addition to our fair city. I'm a proud omnivore so I entered Native Foods with a healthy dose of skepticism in tow. I was immediately charmed by the inviting atmosphere and the friendly staff who enthusiastically guided us through the extensive menu. The food was unbelievably flavorful - Chef Tanya makes full use of an array of exotic spices to season each dish. On my first visit, I enjoyed the Twister Wrap - a faux chicken wrap with a creamy chipotle sauce and avocado - with a side of scrumptious sweet potato fries. On the second visit - a mere two days later - I tried the Chimichurri burger which was truly incredible! It was tasty, healthy and filling and didn't leave me with the all-too-familiar remorse that comes with polishing off a giant hamburger. Oh, and wine and beer are just $4-$5 (!) and the house-made lavender lemonade is lovelier and more fragrant than a summer's day.
(5)
Minhchau D.

Came here with a friend when I was near the city for work last year. I've been to Native Foods in California, and the staff was as friendly last year as they are in southern California. I like all the different drinks that they have available and their desserts are fun and inventive around theme-enabled holidays. Actual meal food is only average, though. Parking anywhere near here is a nightmare, only come if you can do it through public transit. While that's technically true of most of Chicago, but it's especially bad here.
(3)
Patty M.

try.. you will like it!
(5)
Doro R.

I have now eaten at the Wicker Park location a handful of times even though it's only been open for a couple of weeks. This location has the same menu but the daily specials are different. This is good to know if you want to get in on a free side- you've got 2x the chances of it being your lucky day. The dining area is a little smaller- or maybe it just seems that way since there isn't a patio area. My favorites are the chicken wings, chicken run ranch burger and chocolate love pie. I'm still working my way through the menu but I haven't hit anything that I didn't like yet. So far I have had... everything except the salads and the 'bowls'. Although I am not a big cheesecake eater (because I don't like dairy) I tried the cheesecake here- and I'll be damned if it didn't taste JUST LIKE Dairy cheesecake. It really blew my mind. Since it was vegan, I didn't get grossed out and for the first time in my life I was able to enjoy a slice of cheesecake. Yay! One tip: The 'burgers' don't have a lot of sauce on them so you should always ask for an extra or two or three right off the bat. That goes for the BBQ too. They are piled high with 'meats' and other goodies and they don't charge for extra sauce- so you might as well slather it on!
(5)
Aileen O.

I love this place so much ... actually all the Chicagoland locations, so when are you going to open one in the suburbs please!!! They even do awesome cooking demos with giveaways .,. sigh, I wish I had more time :)
(5)
Hyon L.

NOM NOM NOM NOMnom. I love me some good vegan! I love the Sesame Kale Bowl, the Moroccan Bowl and pretty anything with the buffalo strips. Please do yourself a favor and sign up for their free membership program and get the Lavender Lemonade or the Watermelon Fresca. So incredibly refreshing. I am so excited that this opened here.
(5)
Meg P.

Love everything about Native Foods. The Yo Amigo Taco Salad is absolutely delicious, I could literally bathe in the dressing that it comes with. It is a huge serving that can easily be split or saved for lunch the next day. The nachos are also a good go to when you are looking to satisfy that guilty pleasure without the guilt. If you have enough room the desserts are worth the splurge, the oatmeal creme pie is great. The cookies are soft and chewy and the creme filling is just the right amount of sweet!
(5)
Debi L.

I feel bad giving this place a "meh" because, as a vegetarian who doesn't eat dairy, I wanted to be crazy about it. We went on a Saturday night and the place was full -- not so full that we couldn't get a table, but clearly hopping. The service at the register was fine -- friendly and yes, a bit pushy on the loyalty card -- but they did forget to give us our dessert, so we wondered for a while if they were bringing it out after the dinner, or if we were supposed to get it ourselves, or what. It's not totally clear whether it's really a counter service place or a table service place or some sort of hybrid. Anyway, I got the chicken ranch sandwich and my husband got some sort of shaved seitan sandwich with avocado (can't remember the name). The consistency of the fake chicken in my sandwich was a little mushy (though the breading was delicious even though it just fell off the "chicken" immediately). The flavors were all great. The fries I got on the side (seasoned fries) were the best part of the meal. That's great, but I don't have to go to a vegan restaurant to get great fries. My husband said his sandwich was pretty good, but very heavy on the veggies and avocado and light on the shaved seitan. He said with all the avocado, he couldn't barely taste the seitan. (I didn't try his.) The watermelon drink we tried was far too sweet for my taste, but I think probably someone who drinks sweet beverages regularly would like it. The biggest disappointment was the dessert, which sounded outrageously good -- a peanut butter parfait with "boogie bars" -- an oat-based chocolate chip baked treat. The peanut butter mousse in the parfait was really icky -- I've made stuff like this at home, so I can guess it was made with a block of tofu, some peanut butter, and maybe some maple syrup. It had a very tofu-y aftertaste and mouth-feel -- kind of gritty and left an awful coating on my tongue. The flavor was pretty good, and I bet the boogie bars would be good alone, but we each took a couple of bites of this concoction and left the rest. Blech. In conclusion, I'll be remaining loyal to Chicago Diner.
(2)
Matthew G.

Big fans out chicken ranch burger, most specials work out okay; the chai is great
(4)
Melanie J.

Best vegan food in Chicago. The native chicken has so much flavor. I do eat meat, but I'd choose the native chicken over real chicken any day. Also your first visit you get a free drink. I decided on the watermelon which tastes exactly like fresh squeezed watermelon! Yum
(5)
Annie W.

Very delicious! Gotta love a place where you can vegan food TO GO! Really nice atmosphere and the food is delicious! Can't wait to return!
(4)
Carolin C.

Not going to lie, heading over tomorrow for my first bite but....they have a GLUTEN-FREE menu. It's just not online. YAY! I've been since my review. Oh such tasty Vegan meals. Went with my Vegan friend and he LOVED it! We each ordered different meals and desserts, mine GLUTEN-FREE. OH SO TASTY!!! I have not tasted such great Vegan food since Chicago Diner. Go visit them soon.
(5)
Al H.

This place is amazing. Vegans and non-vegans alike are sure to find something delicious here. I got the Portobello and Sausage burger and it was incredible. My boyfriend had the Chicken Run Ranch burger and could not tell that it was not real chicken. The sweet potato fries are delightful, and even their homemade lemonade was delicious. The staff is friendly and polite. All around an awesome experience every time I go there. Decently priced, fast, fresh, and innovative. Love this place.
(5)
Hauwei L.

Creative, fast, tasty, and affordable vegan restaurant is the Chicago outpost of a small national chain. The food is good with attentive, friendly service that goes above and beyond. My favorite dish is the twister wrap crispy style, although there are many other great things to order on their diverse menu.
(5)
Andrea K.

Great restaurant overall Service: great Food: great Would recommend. Metered street parking 2 blocks from the redline off of Belmont I was supposed to meet My friend there but she was late. While waiting, I was offered to sign up as a first time customer for their native foods membership & would receive a free drink. I tried all 3 drinks. Iced tea: reminded me of cough syrup lavender lemonade: the BEST! melon a fresca: refreshing. While I was waiting for my friend, a server asked me if I wanted to try a sample soup. He brought out a black bean soup w/ died corn bread. It was awesome!! The server was also very nice to offer me a sample as I waited. We ordered the: chili cheese fries: huge serving. Very flavorful. Would have liked more chili on top of the seasoned fries though Moroccan bowl w/ chicken: sooo good. Huge portion. Took the rest home that lasted me an additional 2 meals! The bowls has quinoa, sweet potato, carrots, brocolliw, cauliflower, red onions & zucchini. It was my first time eating quionia an it was great My friend ordered the kale salad which she loved. The place was clean, well kept, spacious, and had great customer service.
(5)
Kristina K.

This place is insane good... Definitely one of my new favorites!
(5)
Allison H.

THE BEST VEGAN FOOD YOU WILL EVER HAVE. As a non-vegan, I was skeptical, but the imitation meet is comparable to the real deal. Especially the chicken run ranch burger. It tastes exactly like chicken and is even juicy like real chicken. The desserts are ale delicious. Definitely get the peanut butter parfait.
(5)
Rebecca H.

I'm not a vegan so I don't eat this type of food on a regular basis. The food was ok but I kept burping it up the rest of the evening.
(2)
Jennie P.

I loved this place - it's vegan with loads of options. I settled on the Ensalada Azteca which was pretty large and packed with veggies and had an amazing flavor to it. My husband had a salad - I believe a Morrocan one - which he also loved. Mine was so big, I took half of it home to eat later. The staff is super friendly and helpful when it comes to everything they offer. The restaurant is nice and clean inside as well. While I was full, I do always save room for dessert so we split a vanilla cupcake. I probably could have skipped that because it was only ok. It tasted like somebody spilled a bottle of vanilla extract in it, maybe that's the way natural vanilla tastes - I honestly don't know but I wasn't too excited about it. I would highly suggest people check this place out. You don't need to be a vegetarian or a vegan to love it.
(4)
Brian C.

Okay I'll be honest... when Stacey told me she wanted to go out to dinner at some place called Native Foods Cafe, I didn't think it would be something I would like. I like Vegan places, I've liked Karyn's on Green, Chicago Diner and Urban Vegan tremendously... but I think the name "Native Foods" threw me off. I've learned my lesson on judging a place by a name. I had the Watermelon Fresca juice which tasted amazing, and as an entree I had the Oklahoma Bacon Cheeseburger. "Wait this place is Vegan right?" I said to Stacey "How can they have anything taste like Cheddar cheese then?" Whatever voodoo is rockin back there in the kitchen made the Oklahoma Bacon Cheeseburger probably one of the best burgers I've ever eaten. The flavors are varied and outstanding! The staff was super friendly and very helpful... I would recommend this place without any hesitation.
(5)
Rory B.

Just because I'm not a vegetarian doesn't mean I need a restaurant to have meat. However I really struggle with vegetarian fare that seems compelled to tout their meat substitutes. I'm not a fan of tempeh or saitan. So when I see it all over the menu, it was disheartening, especially when listed as a sausage or a burger or a wing. I had the Azteca salad. Pretty tasty, and it was one of the few items that was meat-substitute free. The saving menu items were the sweet potato fries and beer selection. If I could I'd rank the price as high moderate I would, but I rounded up. If you need to substitute meat in your diet with something that seems kinda like meat but isn't I suppose this is your place.
(3)
Patti G.

Two of us attended their promo, and stuffed ourselves with some of the best meat-free food in the city. We started with the chicken wings in buffalo sauce. My dining partner grew up in Buffalo, and he called them a "close match." As he no longer eats meat, NF is now on his speed dial. My favorite starter is the Saigon Roll. If you love Thai spring rolls but hate that the rice paper goes soggy immediately, these are for you. They were just as good the day after, with their delicious peanut sauce still totally fresh. Entrees included Rockin' Moroccan Bowl. The veggies could have been a little less crunchy, but the sauce was really great. The Chicago Dip Au Jus looked great, but came too loaded with giardiniera. Both types of fries are unbelievable. The real drink is their Arnold Palmer - half lemonade and half iced tea - mixed by you at the drink machine. Try it! The vanilla cupcake was a big hit I am told. I unfortunately did not get to have a bite! So I retaliated by not sharing my cheesecake. I actually liked it better the second time, because the dessert was more room temperature the first time. It was a whole different dessert when chilled. Overall, I can't wait to order some Saigon Rolls and Chicken Wings again soon!
(5)
Lisa K.

We shared the Native Nachos - which were AWESOME! Wow! So yummy! And huge! So huge that I only ate a few bites of my entree because I was full. It's very flavorful, though more messy than non-vegan nachos, presumably because there's not all that cheese to glom it all together. I can't say enough about how awesome these were. I also had the Lavender Lemonade, which was very nice and soothing, though it gave me a headache, I suspect from the sweetener they use. Still, I recommend it. I ordered the Rockin' Moroccan Bowl. It is a very generous portion and looks fabulous, but it's lacking...something. Perhaps the quinoa makes it a little dry, I'm not sure what, but it is a little bland. The vegetables and tofu have nice flavor, but the quinoa seems to take all the moisture out of it. My friend had one of the wraps - the one with the chicken and avocado - and said it was really good. He also had some sweet potato fries and they were also quite tasty!
(4)
Kristin S.

I love this place. I have been here a number of times and have loved everything I've tried! My favorite is the Moroccan bowl. It is full of flavor and very healthy. I especially love that the staff is well educated on the nutrition of the menu items as well as the cooking/ prep specifics. They were able to answer my questions about specific ingredients such as soy, gluten and oils. Thank you!! I often find myself dreaming about the Aqua Fresca (watermelon juice).
(5)
Banjogirl A.

I LOVE Native Foods! Truly, going here puts me in a good mood. I have had many of the things on the menu and still have a really hard time choosing each time I go there. My husband is a very loyal Soul Bowl orderer. It is delicious, but I have decided I may try to eat my way through their entire menu. : ) Good location and nice ambiance too.
(5)
Dave S.

This is certainly the place to eat if you have a friend in town who doesn't know the pleasures of meat. I went with some friends who fit this description last weekend. I was familiar with the place because I had previously been to a party where the host had some catering by Native Foods, but the menu is far more expansive that I could have imagined. At this point I can't vouch for all of it, but what I did have was very good. I had the meatless meatball sandwich. Think of this as a very delicious falafel sandwich with grilled onions and tomato sauce. Fantastic and very, much to my surprise, filling. Also had the chili cheese fries. Not super fantastic, but enjoyable. While the meatless meatball sandwich was a very formidable substitution for the real thing, the chili cheese fries were very different from their inspiration. Their homemade lemonade was also great, but why wouldn't it be. My only complaint would have been that the service was a little bit below par. While I was waiting in line the cashier disappeared after taking the order of the person in front of me. I waited and waited some more. I eventually had to switch lines for my order to be taken. Not a huge deal, but slightly annoying.
(4)
Emma Z.

Gah! It is every vegan's dream. Quick, delicious, and "hardy" (especially when are feeling sick of salads for lunch/dinner.) I would eat here once a week if it was in walking distance of my apartment! Every time I go I try something different...there are so many awesome options! I highly recommend.
(5)
Susan B.

This place is phenomonal. Absolutely amazing. I try something new every time I come, and have never been less than in awe of Native Foods Cafe. And not only the food, but the service! Everyone is smiling and friendly and eager to help. I needed customized party trays for a party I was throwing and they were very helpful with walking me through platter options and made 2 delicious platters for me that were completley gobbled up at the party, by vegans and carnivores alike. (The carnivores were particularly taken with the meatball sub and the chicken fingers!) My favorites so far are the Chicken Run Ranch burger and the Soul Bowl....and, ok- Portobello Sausage Burger. I've also had a few of the homemade soups (a lemon lentil and a chipotle black bean...both incredible.) Oh my, and the Cardamom Rose cupcakes. Oh--- and the Peanut Butter Parfait. Yes, I'm a HUGE fan. Of everything at Native Foods.
(5)
Arra S.

Excillent vegan food. The seitan is not supper tough and the food is not over seasoned like so many other veggie places. One of my top picks for healthy veg food.
(5)
Carolina B.

Worst case of food poisoning ever. Took my husband here for lunch (I'm vegetarian). Now we're both sick as sin. He asks me: I though food poisoning only happened from eating bad meat. Apparently not.
(1)
Heather K.

Yes!! This place is really great. From the watermelon juice to the burgers, gyro bowl, steamed kale - this place has healthy comfort and tasty down to a science!! I've never enjoyed Seitan quite like I have at this place. I will absolutely be back again and again.
(5)
Rachel K.

I'm a farm girl. I grew up on meat and potatoes. I went through the obligatory vegetarian phase for a few months in college, coming to a crashing halt when I was stuck in a long line at the grocery store next to the rotisserie chickens. But I love food and trying new things, so when a friend invited me to a preview dinner at the Native Foods opening in Lakeview, I didn't even consider saying no. Best decision of my life. Included in the preview was a free appetizer, entree, side, dessert, and drink. It was a lot of food, especially because there were four in my party and we arranged to get all different appetizers so we could try as much as possible. As far as the appetizers go, the chili cheese fries were the real standout for me. The chili was just so tasty. And the "chicken wings" tasted so much like chicken it was downright eerie. Those were probably the least flavorful part of the meal. Not that they were bad, but everything else had such a delicious and unique flavor to it that in comparison, I wish I hadn't wasted the stomach space. By the time I was brought my entree, I was full. I ate the soup I ordered as a side (posole, really good) and picked at the "sausage" portabello sandwich a bit. I ended up eating the rest the next day, and it was quite scrumptious for reheated meat-imitation product. For dessert I selected the cardamom rose cupcake just because it looked so unique. It was the best cupcake I've had in years...dare I say, ever! The sugar content was unimaginable I'm sure, especially because the frosting was mountainous, but I regret nothing. As far as drinks go, I'd probably recommend to just stick with water or beer. The lavender lemonade everyone raves about is too sweet for my tastes, and the watermelon drink was underwhelming. Service was a bit slow but that's to be expected in the opening phase of any restaurant. I have plans to go back this weekend and I'm really excited. That's something I thought I'd never say about food devoid of meat, eggs and butter.
(4)
Whitney M.

We eat here 2-3 times a week. The food is reliably good. It's vegan without being overly "hippie." I love the Oklahoma bacon cheeseburger and the mad cowboy. The staff is very helpful and seem to enjoy what they do.
(5)
Greg T.

Really a great accidental find by my girlfriend and I. We got this pumpkin soup which I enjoyed quite a bit, but my girlfriend was a little less enthusiastic about. The portabella/sausage burger was brillant and so tasty. The Native Foods brings out complex flavors with their vegan foods. Also making available several different types of unique drinks - lemonade, iced tea, watermelon - that were not overly sugary, satisfied my satiation. Great place, will make more visits.
(4)
David S.

Ok I ordered the Scorpion burger because y'all were raving about it and it was a fail on wheels. What the hell?! The Bells Oberon was tasty though.
(3)
Ms D.

I love this place. The food is great and the service is usually ok. Just be sure to keep track of your own points, mine completely disappeared suddenly twice.
(5)
Lauren C.

I REALLY wanted to give this place 5 stars. They have tasty dishes, a cool atmosphere, nice staff, and also have menus for gluten and soy allergens. HOWEVER, the allergy free menus were hard to interpret (I had to bounce back and forth between the regular menu and the allergy free menus to figure out what was ok to eat), and many of the allergy free offerings required drastic substitutions in order to make it safe for consumption. I understand that vegan and gluten free don't go hand in hand (seitan, you devil!), so I really do appreciate the effort made by the chef to accommodate the gluten free folk, just don't expect to have lots of gluten free options to choose from. That being said.... the Ensalada Azteca was AMAZING! So good! So flavorful! Like a pleasant kick to the face! If you love you some quinoa and zest, order the Ensalada Azteca!! I also highly recommend the flavored (berry? pomegranate? i don't remember) iced tea and lavender lemonade. I never order anything other than water with my meals, but these drinks were so delicious!! I wish I was sipping on some lavender lemonade right now... mmm mmmm.... so good!
(4)
Joshua N.

I like Native Foods because every once in a while I want to go on a crazy health fix. Just eat so well my body smiles. You can do that here no problem. I was thinking about giving it 3 star but realized that was only because I don't like some of the flavors. They are strong flavors, I'm just not used to eating vegan/veggie. But, I do like what they are doing. The gluten free beer is a nice touch and all their items are well thought out and well executed. Not only that but every time I go the staff is super friendly.
(4)
Meg G.

Oh my goodness I am in love! not only is the food great tasting and vegan friendly.. but their chocolate cupcake was AMAZING!! I am definitely coming back to try more. Plus, their selection of lemonade is delish :) thank you for bringing this to Chicago Chef Tanya!
(4)
Erin B.

We chose this place due to a recent prescribed gluten-free diet on top of already having a vegetarian-based diet. The Morraccan spices were unfamiliar to our tastebuds, but were a pleasing combination. I was also excited to find they served quinoa, which most restaurants would replace with rice. My bowl was abundant with a variety of vegetables, where many restaurants tend to skimp out. The sweet potato fries were done with just the right amount of spice, salt and thickness. The employees were attentive and informative. I have already recommended my fellow vegetarian friends to try this place out.
(5)
Jennifer B.

Solid vegan restaurant. Love the lavender lemonade. Love the patient, knowledgeable, and helpful staff. Love that they have a few beers and wines to choose from. I have enjoyed most of what I've ordered, though I recommend skipping anything with "cheese" on or in it - their vegan cheese has a rather unpleasant texture. Some of the dishes seem to be trying a little too hard to be meat-y. And, it's a bit on the pricey side for lunch. I will certainly be back, and definitely recommend it.
(4)
Jessica D.

I prefer this Native Foods location to the one in Wicker Park. There's nothing really wrong with the WP location but the people here seem a little friendlier (I had a great conversation with the cashier about music and art while ordering, pretty cool). They're still super nice but not as in your face "can I help you" and I'm more of a just-let-me-eat-and-converse-with-my-companions type. It probably doesn't hurt that I liked my food here better than what I ordered at the other location. Like, I said, both are cool places, but the Chicago dip and scorpion burger were tastier, IMHO, than the chicken run ranch burger and baja fish tacos or whatever we had on our first trip. I still haven't tried their cardamom rose cupcake because they were out when we stopped in. I feel like this would seal the deal and make this the best vegan place in town but I haven't had one yet! Alas.
(5)
Jinna H.

I usually get the burgers here, as they're one of my favorites (and I am sort of a vegan burger addict). The Oklahoma BBQ one is the best, very flavorful from every ingredient. I also had the Carribean Jerk sandwich, which was a little messy but very tasty (and surprisingly sweet with the mango salsa). And the sweet potato fries seal the deal. Even though I hate lavender in every other sense (even the smell bugs me), the lavender lemonade is divine. I try to come here once a month just to get my fix.
(4)
Angelica G.

Parking is horrible, but the food is awesome. I do not recommend the scorpion burger, it was like card board with seasoning. The meatball sandwhich & nachos are amazing! Brownies are delish, & watermelon juice is to die for! Cashiers very friendly and helpful
(4)
S C.

Like this place really needs another 5 star review. However, with the amount of times I have eaten here over the past month I think it's only fair I jump on the " we love Native Foods" party train and yell to the world how great this place is. I've had the pleasure to have tried almost half of their menu and probably met half of their staff in passing. The food is amazing, and everyone is nice as can be. What more could you want?
(5)
Sophie F.

I LOVE NATIVE FOODS! I was just there last Friday, Saturday, and Sunday and have tried so many things off their menu so I have no idea where to start but this is THE place to bring your non vegan and vegan friends, every one of my friends have been loving it! Fave Appetizer: YOU MUST TRY NATIVE WINGS with both ranch + buffalo sauce. The other appetizers are good but this really tops everything...if you want two appetizers, then get two orders of this :P Fave Entrees: Gandhi Bowl, Sesame Kale Bowl, Native Soul Bowl, Scorpion Burger, Chicken Run Ranch Burger (the kids GF quinoa mac and cheese is really good too!!) Dessert: PB PARFAIT!!
(5)
Italo C.

Completely impressed. I cannot allow myself to lower my rating based on things that are dictated by taste. Let me explain. The food and portions were great. Free refills on amazing herbal iced teas and a guarantee that high fructose corn syrup was nowhere near my meal. I have a gigantic appetite, and the entrees all came in portions which filled me up without stuffing me (I would assume some people might take into account a scientific explanation about the food I ate and my stomach's receptors convincing me I was full but that's beside the point). Here are a couple of things that I had to brush off as they were no account on Native Foods as "bad". One: the collage hung on the wall. I sat in front of it my entire meal, and as someone who normally looks at things, can't help but want to throw up when even thinking about it. This, obviously is no fault of Native Foods since I'm sure most people are WAY into it. TWO: I was scoffed at by a group of built, bearded men with straight edge hoodies and neck tattoos. The next thing I heard was that "Native foods had sold out and was overrun by hipsters." This made my ears bleed. As stated, I will be returning.
(5)
Virginia T.

My super awesome vegetarian co-worker suggested we try Native Foods for lunch. We split a plate of the chili cheese fries. They were really, really good. I got a very veggie wrap. The wrap had garlic roasted vegetables, homemade 'giardiniera extraordinaire', hummus, sliced avocado, alfalfa sprouts and ranch dressing in a whole wheat tortilla. I wanted extra ranch on the side, I asked for some of the person who brought out the food, but it never came out. I went up to the counter and was able to get some right away. I was happy with all the food, and will return. I left stuffed!
(4)
Sally C.

Man, you have to love a place that you wouldn't know was vegan unless you were looking. Their whole menu is delicious--I love the bowls because they're big, warm and very very filling. They are also totally accommodating if you want any substitutions (I was being a total hipster and wanted quinoa instead of brown rice--no problem). If you only eat one thing, GET THE POLENTA CAKE APPETIZERS. Every time I go with my friends we talk about how we forget just how fantastic they are and try to remember for next time. I'd be happy with two orders for dinner!
(5)
Victor C.

great vegan place all the non vegan friends love this they also love the flying pig :) is soo cute lol the art is cool and is near the train station !
(5)
Jessica R.

Great restaurant for all foodies alike. Great customer service. Try the carrot cupcake and the organic pinot grigio
(4)
Lisa S.

I've never had anything here that wasn't amazing, and I make it a point to get something new almost every time. I've brought my parents, best friend, and even my boyfriend and his friends and everyone is always happy. YUM! Employees are always really nice and helpful too
(5)
Sam L.

Hands down, better tasting than Chicago Diner and outstandingly ethically driven. They're just the best, only down side is their location in relation to me. Boo.
(5)
Randal B.

My wife and I dined at Native Foods Cafe for lunch and we're happy to have this place in Lake View. We are not vegan (not even close), but I am so looking forward to eating here more often. For starters, we had the Native Chicken Wings w/ buffalo sauce, which were tasty, but not heavy. The Sweet Potato Taquitos were also good, although a little heavier on the oil. One of our entrees was the Rockin Moroccan Bowl, which should be a huge target for folks that like veggies and protein (quinoa). There was just enough flavor to prevent the bowl from being bland, but not too much sodium, which is what most places load into bowls. The star of the show was the Portobello and Sausage sandwich. That dish had some major flavor and rivaled a few hamburgers I've had recently. The prices are reasonable for the portions, the beer selection (local brews) is pretty darn good for a fast-casual concept, and the service is helpful and friendly. Without a doubt, we really like Native Foods and will be back for many meals.
(5)
Kim S.

I think this a great place for vegan food! Their menu is always changing so you can keep trying new items! :) My go-to's are the Twister wrap and Scorpion burger. I also really like to mix their iced tea and lemonade for a more refreshing version of an Arnold Palmer.
(4)
Meredith K.

I'm not a vegan but a good friend of mine is so when we go out we usually switch off places.. vegan one time.. not vegan the next. She had been wanting me to check out Native Foods for a while, so we went yesterday. I was impressed! I was content with getting some chili and sweet potato fries, but my friend talked me into going for the special, which was the Oklahoma bacon cheeseburger. It was fantastic. Great flavor and their fake cheese is so great. I also had some of their lavender lemonade which is so delicious I got 2 refills! The employees were very friendly and the only complaint I have was that it was cold inside the restaurant! I'll go back!
(5)
Robert E.

Trying to get healthy so I thought I'd try this place one block away from my apartment. Wow was it good! Really tasty food and I can't wait to go back. Service was super friendly and the food came out quickly.
(5)
Nick C.

Got the portabello mushroom and sausage sandwich with sweet potato fries. Awesome and great service.
(5)
Sarah G.

I'm so impressed with this place. I've been hankering for a healthy vegan/vegetarian place where I can grab a quick bite and Native Foods Cafe is perfect. Not everything on the menu is a favorite, but the things that do stand out are just great! I recommend their Moroccan bowl as well as their "chicken" wrap; their cheesecake is actually pretty great too! Their cupcakes definitely leave something to be desired, but I'm incredibly particular about cupcakes. I also wasn't a fan of their soul food bowl; it just made me want real soul food. Otherwise, though, it's a new favorite spot for me. I definitely recommend it!
(4)
josie w.

I was skeptical about the mushroom burger-I usually go super-rare :0) but this burger was awesome! Sweet potato fries rocked too!
(5)
Rebecca H.

I really like the style and menu of Native Foods, very creative and healthy food. The potato salad was good at first but then a bit too overwhelming with dill, the portabella mushroom burger was very tasty. My sis liked her dish, a kale earth bowl, but would have liked more sauce and the tofu was a bit overcooked. Overall, intriguing enough for return visits, all the food pictures look yummy.
(4)
Katy B.

If I could give this place more stars I would. In a nutshell: amazing food, cool atmosphere and the best service in town. More specifically... FOOD: I'm not vegan, and I don't eat a lot of vegan things, but this place had DELICIOUS vegan food. I got the bowl of chili with corn bread. It was perfect. For $5.95 I got a HUGE bowl of chili and two huge pieces of orange zest cornbread that were dynamite. Also tried some bites of cheesecake, pumpkin pie, a reuban sandwich, and sweet potato taquitos. All of those were delightful as well. ATMOSPHERE: A really cool place! I was surprised. I thought it would be kind of stuffy and boring and overpriced and whatnot, but you walk in, and the lighting is low and the tables are beautiful and there's cool art work and chalk drawings up. You place your order at the counter and then they bring your food to you. P.S. After I ordered my chili, I grabbed some homemade lemonade (to die for) and literally...by the time I sat down...not even 5 minutes after I had placed my order, they had brought my chili out to me. SERVICE: Talk about service. These guys take the cake. I walked in and everyone was so friendly and helpful but the best was when I asked the guy who came to clear our plates if I could get a little to go container to take the rest of my chili home. He said sure and that he'd be right back. About 10 minutes later (which to me wasn't too long- especially because they were busy) he brought me my container. He apologized for taking so long and said to thank me for my patience, he was going to take my container to the back and fill it up with more chili to take home! It was such a nice gesture on his part, especially since I hadn't felt like I had waited too long. Then to add icing on the cake, when he brought back my container full of chili, he said he added in some more cornbread for me too. Now, is that awesome or what...It totally made my night. Three cheers for Native Foods!! I can't wait to go back and try more!
(5)
Amber L.

Ok, I would of given this a 2.5 star review because the lavender lemonade is delicious. However, the food is way over priced for what you get. We did order takeout so I'm not sure if the portions are better if you eat there. The Azteca salad was really bland and was pretty much all romaine lettuce. Not worth the close to 10 buck price tag. I'll stick with other vegetarian places like Victory Banner.
(2)
Laura L.

Do I even need to write anything here? This place is wonderful and awesome and such a treat for vegans/vegetarians. Nothing to complain about here ...
(5)
Debi S.

In October we went to Native Foods while on a recent trip to Chicago. The staff was friendly, helpful and encouraging. The food was colorful, tasty, and nicely presented. We have a teenage son who can't have cashews, and they were so helpful, making sure he could have something from their menu. He was impressed, for a teen that is saying something. We don't have many only vegan restaurants here in St. Paul, MN so it was a welcome treat for everyone. I'm sure we need one here! Atmosphere was funky and fun!
(5)
Fiore P.

Non-food related warning: had my wallet stolen here by a woman in a hot pink, velour jumpsuit who clearly followed me into the restaurant because I made a choice target. Charged thousands on my cards within hours. This restaurant is one of her Hot Spots, so definitely be hyper aware of your belongings when eating there.
(2)
Javier B.

Was not necessarily excited about going here, but had an open mind and our neighbors were highly recommending it. After one visit, I am a fan! The food was great. We tried the nachos and spring rolls as appetizers and both were very tasty. I am a huge nachos fan and these were absolutely outstanding. I had a bacon cheeseburger which was very substantive and delicious. I really did not feel like I was eating vegan food or that anything was really missing. On top of that, I felt much better about what I was eating and the prices are comparable to the real stuff. I must make special mention of the bread used on the burger, they were some of the best burger buns I've had. I wish this place was closer to the house. I would be eating there regularly. As it is, I will definitely be making the trip down to try some of their other dishes soon!
(5)
Katthe W.

YUM! I had the Italian meatball sub, steamed kale, chocolate love pie and a watermelon drink. For about $10 (specials) Unbelievably vegan! Really, really tasty beautiful tasting food. Prepared with care and finesse. Flavors meld subtly. Somewhat healthy but it doesn't seem like that's the major concern. Mimicking favorite carnivorous comfort foods -- nachos, burgers, reubens, etc. Is the theme. Usually this annoys me, but here it really works! ... Some drinks and desserts agave sweetened. I know it's a chain, but it's a great chain!
(5)
Emily O.

I love this place. Yes, I'm vegan, so perhaps my opinion is a little skewed. But even my friends who eat meat love to go to this place. They have daily specials which give you an entree and side for $9.95, so it's easy to try different things. The twister wrap and the scorpion burger are so delicious! Also, they have bomb sweet potato fries. The staff is very friendly and nice, and they always check in to see how your meal is going. My only issue is the dessert. The cardamon rose cupcake is pretty awesome, but the peanut butter parfait isn't really worth it.
(4)
Victoria V.

i love this place! i am obsessed with their watermelon fresca drink. all time favorite. in addition, i have not had a bad meal here yet. in addition, all the people who work at this location are so friendly and enthusiastic. one gal in particular, nicki, is the ultimate hostess. i love the yo amigo taco salad because it is light and filling. it's packed with tons of lettuce and cabbage. yum. i also love the hard wood tables. this is a great lunch spot to hang with friends and enjoy some sunshine. i often will go there and just buy a watermelon agua fresca (free refills!!) and sip on it all afternoon while doing work on my laptop. love, love, love this place.
(5)
Cheryl O.

I went to Native with a friend who recommended the restaurant as she had just gone recently with family members and loved it. I wasn't sure at first about the vegan experience but was up for a new experience. Native not only met my expectations but exceeded them. The staff were knowledgable, friendly, eager to explain the dishes, took time with us and were extremely helpful. The food was amazing! I had the Twister Wrap with sweet potato fries which was the days special. It was delicious. The fries were unbelievable. The wrap was so generous I was sure I would take some home. I didn't. I ate it all. The black peach iced tea was so good, I want to try to make it myself! I think it is great they have a rewards program that they offer customers. I can't wait to return with friends. Healthy eating, delicious food and great service. What a trio! Amazing!
(5)
Sharon W.

I'm in love with this place. I have been here about 5 times in the past 10 days and I'm really excited to try everything on the menu. Beware, I see this happening to a lot of people. It's very addictive. Their cheesecake is terrific and I love the sesame kale macro bowl-it's incredible. Honestly, everything is quite amazing, it's a bit ridiculous. Way to go Chef Tanya~ you created a masterpiece:)
(5)
Christie R.

I really like this place! I eat meat, but my friend, who's a vegetarian, also loved this place. The food is surprisingly very filling. The Chicken Run Ranch burger is my favorite so far. I'm also a fan of the Taco Salad...yum! The BBQ burger did not do it for me--too sweet and lacking in other flavors. Fries are great and the drinks are amazing. If you sign up for their card (free) you get a free drink! The staff is really friendly and knowledgable. I'll be back!
(4)
Larry V.

I'm a die-heart meat eater. At brunch, I either find a dish with meat in it or add on a side of chicken sausage. But I'm also open minded and was willing to give this place a shot. Wow, I'm glad I did! I can't possibly imagine being a vegetarian much less a vegan, but if this place were there to supply all of my meals I could easily do it. The food wasn't just delicious "for vegan food" - it was delicious period. Great flavors, great texture, and friendly staff. Did I mention the excellent beer selection? I hope they're prepared to expand because I could see this being Chipotle-popular in this city. Just really good.
(5)
QB Chicago B.

Nice! Service great & extremey friendly staff! Food was excellent especially the chocolate pie! Delicious! it was very clean & a pleasant surprise to be served by the non hippy/grunge vegan set!
(4)
Rebecca P.

This place is impossibly good. It is impossibly delicious and the staff is impossibly friendly. I've been going there a lot in the past couple of months, and a few have even remembered my name. The serving style is similar to the Corner Bakery. You order the food, they give you a number, then they serve it to you. There are people always coming around to check on customers. You can ask them for drink refills, sauce, etc.. For this reason, I usually tip a dollar. I've talked to a few of the servers, and they seem to be cool with this. They don't earn a tipped wage. The tips they do get are shared. Because it's technically counter service, I suppose you don't have to, but they're always going above and beyond. I've never had a bad meal here. There are stellar options and ones that are good. Nothing average. I'm not a big fan of the Twister Wrap. It's delicious, I just find it a little ordinary. Of the burgers, I really enjoy the Oklahoma Cheese Burger. That's a lot of burger. There is a pseudo-ranch sauce which goes with it which really makes it taste soooooo goood. I also enjoy the Reuben a great deal, along with everything else. At first, this was the appeal of the place to me; the burgers. There is a burger special each day which comes with a free side. Since then, I've moved on the the Bowls being my favorite things--they recommend the Soul Bowl a lot, but I don't find it as interesting as the others. All of them are LOADED with vegetables and topped with some form of "meaty" item. I certainly feel a lot better about myself after eating them, and they are delicious. Portions are huge. I ordered off the kids menu once, by the way, the Mac 'n' Cheese is amazing. I'm sorry, I'm a terrible reviewer. In the end, this is just a can't miss place, not just for vegans. It really brings something new to the table. All the dishes hit the taste buds in all the right places. The deserts are amazing. They'll always recommend the parfaits--Peanut Butter or Strawberry Shortcake. Surely, they're right in their recommendations. These parfaits are of heaven. I just want to say, don't discount the Cheesecake. It's is an amazing cheesecake and I like it equally with the parfaits.
(5)
David R.

What a great addition to Lakeview! Native has a great thing going with their rotating meal deals - makes for an affordable, delicious lunch/dinner option.
(4)
Lauren R.

Definitely as good as it gets for healthy, responsible and tasty vegan food in the Midwest. I wish there were many, many more places like Native Foods. Gyro Bowl + a cup of any NF soup (although hopefully the coconut lemon grass) + watermelon juice = happiness.
(5)
Arista O.

This place gets it so right. From the people they hire, to the way they prepare their meals, to the community news board. It's like a rejuvenating food oasis. This has become my favorite restaurant in Chicago. Somehow, the food here makes me feel better. Feeling sick? Hungover? Heartbroken? This food will somehow cure your hurts and heal your soul. The employees are super nice, and seem genuine and happy. Can't say enough good things about this place!
(5)
dean f.

Let me say this first: I really love the food and service at Native Foods! But I just had a meal that I felt like I had to give a 2-star review; it was really disappointing. I ordered the Saigon roll and the kale salad to go. The guy at the counter was SUPER nice, personable, and gave great service, so this is nothing against him. But eating the meal was a different story. It was my first time with the Saigon roll and it looked and smelled great. They were even nice enough to make it for me without cilantro, which I really appreciated! The peanut sauce was delicious, but while eating the sliced roll, I kept picking these...splinters out of my mouth. I thought it had to be a fluke, but with each piece of the roll I tried, there were shards of what felt like fiber-y sticks. I'm assuming that it was a stalk of lemongrass that had been sliced into the roll, since the tofu is "lemongrass braised" (though it really didn't have a while lot of flavor on it's own-- I relied heavily on the peanut sauce for flavor). The inedible splinters popped up in nearly every bite, the last one so large that I gagged and just gave up. It really grossed me out. Sorry. The kale salad has been my go-to and it's always delicious. I was just kinda bummed because on this occasion, the salad was probably 75% shredded cabbage and hardly had any kale in it. I'll come back to Native Foods, but with hesitation. And I won't get the Saigon roll again.
(2)
Daniel Z.

The service here was beyond spectacular. The food was extremely delicious and I've never been assisted in the delightful manner that this place has bestowed upon me. Had the bistro steak and seasoned fries with apple pie to top it all off. Lavender lemonade was phenomenal and I didn't feel like garbage afterwards. New favorite. Thanks Greer!
(5)
Manu W.

Native Foods is a vegan Cafe, specializing in plant-based foods, excellent service and delicious meals. If you're looking for an alternative to fast food with reasonable prices, you should check out Native Foods. My favorite dish is the Native Food Chicken and Pizza Burger. They have a variety of selections to choose from, and you can guarantee there will be something tasty you haven't tried before. Perfect dining location for dates and family outings. If you are vegetarian, or would like a healthier dining experience, treat yourself to Native Foods Cafe.
(4)
Emma N.

I ate here with my not-even-vegetarian parents and we all really liked it...we got way too much food, even without desserts. The desserts looked fantastic so that's something to go back for for sure. We shared an amazing nacho appetizer covered in Serrano peppers (spicy,) beans, corn, very fresh guacamole, and I think cashew cheese? After that I had a mock chicken sandwich that was very nice. Sweet potato fries on the side were sprinkled with a green spice mix that complimented the fries so well I didn't bother with ketchup. They just opened one of these on Portland, OR recently and after my visit to the Chicago location I think it might be worth travelling out of my way to get there, at least until the one in downtown Portland opens.
(4)
Sara G.

LOVED it! Friendly, easy, delicious, creative. Try it!
(5)
Amy L.

Excellent service! From the person who took my food to the person who brought my food out their service was amazing. I wanted the lavender lemonade and she told me they were out but more was being made. Then when it came out, she came around to tell me it was available and if I wanted she can give me another cup to try it as I got the Hibiscus tea instead at this time. The aztec (spelling error?) salad my friend got was amazing along with their sweet potato fries. I can't wait to go back to try their other things. I got the twister wrap, although I was a fan of the chicken within blackened. It was a very messy eat. I ended up taking it apart and eating the pieces instead of as a wrap. Sign up for their rewards program and get a drink free with the sign up too!
(4)
Liz G.

LOVE love love this place. The staff is so friendly and helpful. The vibe is so warm and welcoming. And the food is delish :) Plenty of options for vegans, and a lot of options for friends who might be a little scared to try. Definitely recommend getting a cupcake for dessert too !
(5)
Ang R.

If I write this review as a vegan, I bet I give it five stars. But I'm not a vegan, and while I liked my food a good deal, I don't like everything about Native Foods. The cashiers are OBNOXIOUS in trying to push their loyalty cards, almost to the point of being rude. I get that in retail, cashiers have quotas for things like this, but you think that being rude is the way to make your quota? No. Just no. That said, the food is solid. It's not the most delicious food, but the chefs do well at making vegan food appetizing. I do think the food is a little unbalanced. By that I mean...both dishes I had there (a salad and the nachos) had too much of some ingredient, and not enough of another one or two. The salad, in particular, was WAY too loaded up with seitan--which I really do like, by the way--such that I left a pile of seitan in the bottom of the bowl. The nachos had too much cashew creme (which was also way delicious) and not NEARLY enough fake nacho cheese, which is what nachos should be about. (If I'm ordering non-vegan nachos, for instance, there better be more cheese than sour cream. Right?) I don't know why these imbalances exist, because it seems fairly easy straightforward that salads should be more lettuce/veg than "meat" and nachos more "cheese" than "sour cream". But oh well. Can't say I'll go back often (the husband is resistant to eating vegan food), but I liked it enough that I'd go back.
(3)
Gagan G.

Delicious!! My opinion of vegan food changed after my first visit to Native Foods. I have been there several times now and the food has been great each time. My personal favorite is the Chicken Run Ranch burger. Oh and do yourself a favor and get the seasoned fries. The watermelon juice is a great summer drink. I have taken friends to this place and they have loved it too.
(5)
Salil G.

great food. if you're not vegan/vegetarian and are willing to give a place a shot, you won't be disappointed. service is great, food is great and reasonably priced. like it a lot!
(5)
Allison S.

I'm not vegan or vegetarian but I love that type of food, but there is something for everyone on this menu! I always want to try something new, but the past items I have had are all so great its hard to pass on them! My favorite menu item is probably the rockin moroccan bowl. It has quinoa, lots of veggies, almonds, cranberries, moroccan sauce, and your choice of tofu or veggie chicken (i like the tofu). Its the perfect balance! The sides here are all great- especially the steamed kale and sweet potato fries. The kale macro bowl is another favorite of mine! Its brown rice, kale, homemade sourkrout and tempeh with a cucumber salad on the side. Perfect healthy combination!! The saigon rolls are a really good appetizer! whole wheat wraps filled with brown rice and tofu and veggies! I also like the gyro bowl and gandhi bowl! The azteca and kale salads are great also. I really want to try the oklahoma bacon cheeseburger soon because my friends all rave about that! I really want to try some of the desserts because they always look so good, but I am usually just way too full. The drinks are really good and you get a free one when you get your rewards card. I dont usually drink sugary drinks but the watermelon drink is sweetened with agave and not overly sweet (perfectly refreshing), and the lavender lemonade has a really good, unique flavor and not overly sweet or lemony. The service is always good also! They give you a number and bring out your food, but always come around to check on you to make sure everything is great. The people who take your order have also been very friendly, especially when I was unfamiliar with the menu. I live in Evanston and I will drive all the way here just to eat here sometimes. Even if you are unsure about vegan food try this place! I'm sure you will find something you will like!
(5)
Sharon B.

This is one of my favorite spots! Healthy food. Fun/generous atmosphere. Welcoming staff. Woman owned/environmentally conscious/arts supporters! AWESOME place!
(5)
L. R.

I love this place and we found it quite by accident. We've been there twice in two weeks (which is how we can afford this place, by not going every day). We are vegans who usually eat at home because we like to control the salt, sugar and other stuff put into our food. The place is very friendly and welcoming. They have cool music and neat artwork on their walls. It's not super big, about 15 table and they are usually full when we go, a testament to the quality of food they serve. The staff is so nice and the man who waited on us remembered us from the week before. Try that at your local McDonalds. We've tried the gyro bowl which I thought was fantastic with quinoa, kale and an assortment of steamed vegetables and a yummy sauce on top. It has been eons since I had a gyro but it tasted like I remembered. Some days you get a craving for something that isn't meat and it's nice to know you can get things like this. My husband liked the curry bowl. He's not one for spicy stuff but the milder curry appealed to him and, I suspect, a wider audience. If it's too spicy, people may be afraid to try it. I loved the tortilla soup and that packed a real punch. Also, I tried the reuben on marbled rye and it was wonderful, not so big that I couldn't eat it, but just right. The chicken ranch sandwich was also delicious. Here's what I say to those who criticize because: A) It doesn't taste like meat or cheese. Well, it's a vegan restaurant, people aren't looking for or expecting an exact replica of meat or cheese. A nice rendition will do for some. If you don't like it, ask for your bowl, hand-held, salad or fries without meat substitute or chili. B) It's expensive to make this stuff daily and fresh. It's worth the price if you consider what the cost of one bypass surgery is. Seriously, you can't eat here everyday unless it consumes your entire budget for the week. Some can afford it. Some like us, go once a week in place of going anywhere else. C) The portions are what we should be eating, in fact, I couldn't finish my Ruben today it was so much considering I also had soup. I feel the portions are extremely generous. The stafff is amazing - they are friendly and really seem to care if you are enjoying your meal. The manager comes out and asks us every time. The waitress asks us and when we go to the front counter to pick up the cheesecake we ordered but didn't want to eat there, the counter staff asks us if it was good. How can you loose with a store full of people like this? ***CHEESECAKE - SIMPLY AMAZING, DECADENT AND THE BEST WE'VE EVER HAD ANYWHERE. We are middle-aged grandparents and were happy to see several of the same having lunch while we were. It does a heart good that after 40+ years of not eating meat - to realize there are other likeminded old hippies doing the same.
(5)
alex m.

So happy there is a new vegan place to go eat in our neighborhood. I love places where you order at the counter, pay and they bring your food to your table. So many choices on the menu and it all looks soo good. I highly recommend the chicken wings to start and the nachos. The staff there as super friendly and helpful, even the chef came around and asked if we had questions and chatted with us a bit. We did not feel rushed at all and just hung out as if we had been regulars there for years. We are so going back very soon.
(5)
Robert G.

Native Foods is all its cracked up to be and more. Chef Tanya's creative cuisine shines through every incredible creation, from entrees, bowls, sandwiches and deserts. Each time I eat here I feel completely satisfied and good inside:)
(5)
Lizzy M.

Great neighborhood stop for our earth friendly naturalists, with great vegan and veggie head options. I love the fresh-made natural watermelon agua fresca and lavender lemonade....so delicious and refreshing! It's nice to taste the non-processed difference this restaurant offers. My only problem is that I am very allergic to broccoli and asked specifically for my to-go wrap not to contain any. The girl at the register assured me there was no broccoli in the ingredients of the wrap I ordered, but when I returned home it ironically seemed to be the main ingredient. Thank goodness I checked! I'd recommend they give their employees a thorough training on all the ingredients in menu items and how to take serious note of allergies. Angela, the manager, was sincerely apologetic and took care of things when I called, so I will plan on my return next time, just with added caution.
(4)
Sara T.

Just as amazing as the rest of the chain, with amazing food, staff, and service! My favorites.. Appetizer: Chicken Wings & Nachos. Beware the nachos are godo enough for 2 meals. I get it without the chorizo! Sandwiches: Reuben!!! Meatball sub (first thing I ever had pre-vegan)! Steak sub. BBQ Bacon Cheeseburger!! Bowls: Curry bowl, soul bowl! Dessert: Toffee cake, peanut butter parfait, oatmeal cookie!!
(5)
Gordon B.

Let me start by saying I'm a carnivore. This place however is awesome! I'm a meatball sandwich junkie so naturally I had to try this "fake" meatball sub. Not only was it delicious but it was one of the best meatball subs I've ever had. Yes you read that correctly. A vegan meatball sub from here is one if the best meatball subs ever! The lavender lemonade washes it down nicely too.
(4)
Julie K.

Best Best Best White bean soup!!! But anything you get it amazing. And they are beyond helpful in suggesting what to order.
(5)
D S.

My sister in law recommended this place, and we fell in love as soon as we got there. We walked in 10 minutes before they opened and they couldn't have been nicer. It gave us a few minutes to read the menu & enjoy the decor. The food was fantastic--even my meat eating husband loved his meal. Please come to the suburbs!!!!
(5)
Marissa D.

I usually frequent the Wicker park location. I do however pop into this one every time I'm in Lakeview. Great friendly customer service and even better selection of craft beer.
(4)
Hua X.

Love this place. I'm not a vegetarian, but I love to come here to support sustainability and environmental friendliness. Additionally, the food here is awesome, and the service here always makes me smile -- the employees here are very personably and cheerful.
(5)
William R.

Went to the grand opening and I AM SO EXCITED to have a vegetarian restraunt right down the road from my work! It's so so so good, food presentation was above and beyond! I got to meet Tanya and she was very welcoming and friendly! My goal is to try everything on the menu!
(5)
Alex W.

I recently transitioned to the vegetarian life style, so this place was a great option. The first time I came, I tried the portobello and sausage burger with a side of sweet potato fries and a cup of lavender lemonade. The burger itself was a little bland, at first, but that's because I hadn't tried vegan food before. After a few more bites it became a lot better. the sweet potato fries were delicious, and the lavender lemonade had a distinct taste that I really enjoyed. The service was just as great as the food, because they were patient as I slowly sifted through the menu. They were also willing to give recommendations. I didn't wait long, since the place was relatively new and hadn't picked up much of a crowd. Regardless, after about 7 months, I make sure to go as much as possible. I try to order something new every time, especially their seasonal items. I have yet to be disappointed by the service, even as I have opted for ordering through the app, and pick up the food later. On their busy days, the line may get a little long, but within five minutes, you'll be up and running. I'd recommend people try it, if they're transitioning, or if they just want to try something new.
(5)
Chaim L.

Downhill...way downhill. Everything was less in amount and quality and the seitan was gross. Will never go back. Used to be a staple - hit Urban Vegan and Urban Plate instead. Even the sauce lacked flavor. Wow - just sad and wow (and still a little gross).
(1)
Maria F.

I would have given Native Foods 5 stars just a year ago, but since acquiring new company ownership/management, things have really slid downhill. The food quality is no longer consistently good, they cut the menu down to almost no options, and got rid of daily specials. Last night I ordered the twister wrap, which I used to LOVE, and it tasted nothing like it used to. It was so salty and the buffalo sauce was so vinegar-y, it made my mouth pucker. There was some weird mealy tomato "salsa" that I never remember being there before. The ranch was basically water. Just overall really disappointing and sad. I really hate giving it so little stars because it's not like vegan convenience restaurants are a dime a dozen. But I'm just really upset by how this company is evolving. Before I lived here, I used to plan my whole day around eating at Native Foods when I was visiting out of town. Now, I actively choose somewhere else to eat.
(2)
John H.

First off I want to say I enjoy the food here And I wish Native Foods great success. I have been coming here for at least once a week since last December with my gf. Native always had a daily special Monday thru Friday for 9.99! Until today (earth day) I was informed they don't offer daily specials anymore. Oh calamity I think this place is going to the yuppies! Think We may be visiting less often
(2)
Roseann M.

Contrary to all the hype, Miss Jean and I found our Native Foods experience to be disappointing. The highlight of the meal was the Winter Ale we drank with the food. I ordered the Oklahoma Bacon Cheeseburger. It was a big pile of food, beautifully presented, and lacking in flavor. All I got was some kind of aftertaste from the fake meat, which was a huge surprise. I eat fake meat all the time, at home and out, and this just didn't taste like much of anything. I finally took the dipping sauce that came with the fries and doused my burger with it. Finally I got some pleasant flavor. Now, I did eat the whole thing because I was pretty hungry, and also because the sauce helped so much. I'd certainly never order this item again. Miss Jean had the chicken ranch burger. Again, she did eat the whole thing. I said to her, gee, you must really like that. She said, no, it was kind of blah, but that she skipped lunch, and she was really hungry. Fellow Yelpers had also sung the praises of the sweet potato fries. Those were good. That's something I'd get again. Miss Jean and I always go for vegan food when her husband is out of town on business every month. When we in the car after dinner, she turned to me and said, "Well, you win some, you lose some." For us, Native Foods is in the "lose" column. Huge, huge disappointment, given all the rave reviews. We won't be back.
(3)
Tiffany Y.

I am not a vegetarian, but i do generally try and eat mostly vegetarian food. This is one of the best chains around, they do their best to protect the environment ranging from their hand soaps ( distilled from the oil used in the kitchen ) to their food. They offer macrobiotic bowls, vegan sweets, great drinks, sandwiches, etc. I came with my friend to grab something to go, and just got a drink and a sweet for myself. The watermelon mint drink is freaking delicious, so cool and fresh, and is made daily from real watermelon, with a small amount of agave syrup added. The vegan oatmeal cookies here are insane, the cookie is so delicious and sweet, and the filling in the middle was so creamy and fluffy I couldn't even tell it was "vegan". I definitely need to come here again to try the rest of their foods. The guy working here at the cashier was genuinely friendly and easy to talk to!
(4)
Amanda P.

I order from your Loop Chicago location all the time and it's wonderful! I ordered takeout this evening from the LakeView Location, and it was a slimy mess. Chicken wings were soggy and tasted soggy the included sauce was not thick at all, it was more like a liquid drink. The handheld we ordered (which was for a non vegetarian so was trying to show him "good" the food is) was slimy and not prepared well. I will never return to this location, if I had tried that store first I would have never gone back. Side note we arrived at our exact pick up scheduled time and had to wait 15 minutes, echoing what others have said.
(1)
Allison F.

I've easily eaten over 50 meals from native foods over the years. I loved them for their generous portions, awesome customer service, and delicious, consistent food options. I really can't say that this is the case anymore. Thanks for 50+ awesome meals, but the last 5 times I've eaten here have been disappointing... sad portion sizes, hard rice, cold curry, forgotten items I had to return for. I just tossed a half-eaten wrap oozing with mayo that I just couldn't stomach any more of. So.much.mayo. Isn't this place supposed to be healthy? Not sure what happened, but I think I'm taking a hiatus from this place for awhile. Hopefully they get their act together in the mean time.
(3)
Dorim L.

I had a scorpion burger and though it was a bit bland, the burger had a nice delicate taste. When it said it would have chipotle sauce, I was worried they'd drench the sauce all over it but they were conservative. I had the burger with a supreme slaw, think I got the name right. It's more of a 3 star for now but I added the extra star for service. And I'm pretty sure I'll go back to check on the other foods. Even though I thought the burger was a bit bland, I left feeling light. And the food texture and the way the bun was made tasted like it was wholesome. I'll definitely explore more of their menu and I'm pretty positive it'll be a 4 star. Otherwise, I'll adjust my rating.
(4)
Jon L.

I had a soul bowl from here which was very... interesting. They don't use meat products so the "chicken" in the plate was actually a vegetarian substitute (soy I think?) that tastes like perfectly normal chicken. The food was surprisingly filling for the price and tasted good.
(4)
Bonnie L.

I love Native Foods. I have been to four locations and have always had great service and awesome vegan fare. What more can you ask for? I love that they are ethically based vegans running the show. I am always having great conversations with their staff members and with other customers. I have seen Native Foods for the past few years at Veganmania. I will always support a place who gets the "cause". But aside from that, the food is fantastic. The Nachos...holy cow....delicious. The Twister Wrap, yum yum yum. The Buffalo Twister Wrap, spicey yum yum yum. The various salads, too many to remember their names, all fresh, crisp, variety of tastes and textures, love them all. I have had the Saigon Rolls which are so good. I have not had anything here that I have not really enjoyed. I even love the variety of teas in their bubblers. They are just so tasty and refreshing. Finally, the restaurant industry is hearing our requests for good casual and fine dining with an ethical spirit. Yay, Native Foods people for getting it right!
(5)
Paul S.

So many things wrong with my last 3 visits. All 3 times I've had to send the food back because it was either cold or soggy. I don't know, do they have me targeted or something? The one over in Wicker Park is fantastic, this one needs to hire new cooks. Listen, dear reader, you can't get a sandwich for less than $10 here, and when you pay that much for a sandwich, you don't want to get a sloppy, soggy, cold sandwich, and neither do I. Other complaints: - All the seitan tastes too 'grainy' and bland. Compared with the seitan you get at Banh Mi Co (which isn't even a 'vegan' specialty shop and serves ridiculously good seitan sandwiches and spring rolls), this is 100% unacceptable. - After sending some cold, soggy fries back, we waited until about 5 minutes after we were done with our other food to inquire where our fries were, another five minutes later we got them. - The keylime pie has coconut in it, and not in an amount that compliments the pie. Again, the cooks here, what are you doing? Total miss. Please watch MasterChef season 5 key lime pie episode #18 and pretend Gordon Ramsey is yelling at you when he slams their pies. There's too many amazing options around Belmont to keep giving these guys a chance, especially at this prices. Sadly, I think so many vegetarians are so desperate for options that they hand out 5 stars to any veg place that comes along. Too bad. This place needs a kick in the ass to get it together.
(1)
Jamie B.

The Thai meat ball bowl is really good! I just love their key lime pie here also, yummy!
(5)
Angela L.

The food is wonderful, but they're losing loyal customers by constantly skimping more and more. First, getting rid of specials on the weekends. Then, changing the meaning of "specials" from free side to slightly cheaper side. Now, the portions are just getting laughably smaller. My sandwiches come with fewer strips of bacon and less avocado almost every time I come back, and sadly this is kind of the final straw for me. With the prices as high as they are, I was ALREADY compromising by eating here, telling myself it was a special treat. Unfortunately it's been getting less and less special due to so many corners being cut. It's a shame, since I've been a loyal customer since NF came to Chicago, but I think I'm done. Oh also, EVERY SINGLE TABLE WOBBLES. Hold onto your plates and drinks if you dare.
(2)
Grasan K.

I absolutely love this place. I had some co-workers who swore by it yet I had never tried it. Well after my boyfriend and I finished our 1-week juice cleanse and began to eat solid food again this was the first place we went to for dinner. The costumer service was wonderful and welcoming. After telling the cashier that we'd just completed juice cleanse she recommended several options. I had the Caribbean Kale Salad (which was plentiful and flavorful) and a side of sweet potato fries which were perfection!! The Native Nachos were delicious too, which my boyfriend had. Their teas and lemonade sate fun to mix and try different combinations. Then their desserts!!!! Wow!!! Oatmeal Cream Pies are divine!! Definitely became a native Native diner vegan/vegetarian or not!!
(5)
Courtney C.

Service so poor I had time to make the review while I waited for 20 minutes under the "online order" sign. The long lines at Native are a disgrace. I paid for my food online. WHY AM I WAITING?? I'm the first to admit I'm a very impatient person. If you're impatient like me you might want to skip Native or prepare yourself for the wait.
(1)
Kyle D.

Lunch review: The good: Great menu with a lot of fun and interesting vegetables. Bowls, salads, soups, burgers, sandwiches, all with a fun (mostly) vegetarian twist. Great desserts. Good sized portions. Even beer and wine! Friendly service with both the cashier and waiting. Everything made in house it seems. Great earthy atmosphere. The bad: Loads of veggie-head options, but few for us carnivores. Still, it was delicious. A tad pricey. Overall: A fantastic veggie-friendly option for lunch or carryout/delivery. Will surely be buying from them again! Atmosphere: 9/10 Service: 9/10 Food: 10/10
(5)
Allie D.

I was looking forward to trying this place and I did enjoy the Native Nachos, but unfortunately I didn't feel so hot after eating them. I usually feel great after eating a vegan meal, but that was not the case here. I'm curious to know what they use for the nacho "cheese" sauce they put on top. It was slightly tangy, kind of like Thousand Island dressing. I suspect that it might have been the culprit for my upset tummy.
(3)
Daphne Z.

native foods is incredible. simple as that. i have never actually dined in at either location i always call in advance and pick up my order but the staff is always extremely friendly and helpful and my food is always delicious. if you want yummy prepared vegan food for a decent price, native foods is most definitely the place. mad props
(5)
Daniel I.

Very good food, service and atmosphere. I highly suggest their "chicken" wings and their burgers and fries. I also love their watermelon juice. I have been to all three of their Chicago locations and go almost every time I'm in town.
(5)
Darcy R.

LOVE! I am obsessed with the Greek bowl. That's all! GO. NOW.
(5)
Adam E.

Yes- this place is fantastic. Fun friendly staff, amazing menu (lots of options), and most importantly: tasty tasty food. So lets get to my visit. I am not vegan but grew up eating that way and enjoy having a meat/dairy substitute. Further, we were meeting some friends who are vegan and didn't want to think about what not to order. Native food not only has so many different dishes but everything looks incredible, has lots of flavor, and plated very well. I am subtracting a star because our food took longer than expected (especially for for counter service ordering) and the staff seemed a little young. Don't get me wrong, young is good - yet inexperienced and naive is not. I'm not sure if the people working there are vegan - but didn't seem like they knew too much about ingredients/vegan life (if you will). I will definitely go back and really enjoyed the place and my experience overall. Several options and a fun/contemporary atmosphere. Oh yeah - and the desert...is AMAZING!!!! Cheers!
(4)
David N.

Excellent! A friend of mine had given me a 5 dollar gift card to use at this place, so I stopped there after work tonight to get a take out order. I tried the vegetarian Chili....it was fantastic. A great blend of spices and flavors and came with the best tasting cornbread I have ever had. Also decided to try one of their cupcakes as well. Also very good, although the frosting on the cupcakes is very thick and very sweet, but had a great flavor. I'm looking forward to trying out some other things on their menu. Nice to see a good vegan restaurant in lakeview.
(5)
Heidi P.

When I first went to Native Foods I tried to find something on the menu that didn't have fake meat which really limited my choices. I am a meat eater and thought I wouldn't like the imposter. Finally I threw caution to the wind and ordered the taco salad. It was FABULOUS! It was a taco salad that didn't come back to haunt you an hour later or make you feel queasy from the grease. Make sure you order it with the avocado. I love mixing the lemonade with the watermelon drink and garnishing it with fresh mint and lemon. So refreshingly delicious. I am now addicted and keep going back for more. I took my vegetarian friends and they loved it as well. Thank you Native Foods for giving the meat-eating city of Chicago a shot. Our hearts and waistlines thank you.
(5)
David A.

YUM! A super delicious vegan restaurant/cafe that really knows how to cook! This place is delicious for everyone- not just the vegan's and vegetarian's. No, really. No one will miss the meat/dairy here. A really comfortable, stylish and open seating area too. Also a frequent diner card. make this a place you might like to frequent. Go!
(5)
Paul C.

Food is always excellent and unlike anything you can find elsewhere. Portions are too big, but an entree and side are perfect for two to share.
(5)
Peter P.

First of all, I love meat and idea of eating vegan food never really struck my mind. But after I saw what my coworkers ordered, I decided to give it a honest try. The place looks really clean (because it's new) and the executive chef Tanya was greeting folks, overseeing the opening of her restaurant. She was super friendly in guiding me towards my first order and explaining the food. I got the portobello sausage burger with strawberry shortcake parfait and watermelon fresca. They were all delicious!!! And I felt good after being full. I can see why meat eaters would eat this food, because it makes you feel good afterwards without the groggy feeling of ingesting cow/chicken/piggy/goat. I can't wait to go back and try other food they got; the rice bowls look humongous and delicious. Staff was uber friendly, which is always a plus. Keep up the great work chef Tanya!!! =D
(4)
reynaldo r.

Best flavor ever! Try the chilling fries
(5)
Dick K.

Fantastic vegetarian food!!!! but chicken bowl gives real chicken smelling. I really felt healthy 2 hours after eating a chicken bowl here.
(5)
Brian W.

I'm not someone who usually goes to places like this, but overall I was impressed with the food and service -- definitely the best experience I've ever had involving a meal explicitly marketed as vegan. I enjoyed a Moroccan "Earth Bowl" (I had to get past the stupid name), which was flavorful and delicious except for the quinoa. I have no idea why people like those pellets of blah. I also sampled the surprisingly creamy butternut squash soup and some of my friend's sweet potato fries. Prices are fair given the portions and quality. I'll return.
(4)
Elizabeth M.

I went in with a 5 dollar coupon and I am totally hooked. I've been fruit to eat healthy lately and this place makes it so easy! The Greek gyro bowl was so delicious I was sad when the guy cleaning tables took my bowl because i kinda wanted to lick it clean. The unlimited refills on drinks was great and the watermelon water was perfect...not too sweet. The casual atmosphere is attractive to me because I can just come in by myself and grab and go or bring friends and sit and relax. The people who work there are also very nice. I'm going back right now I can't wait!!
(5)
Linda E.

I was so excited to see a vegan restaurant near my job(on Clark Street)! I'm not vegan but I occasionally like to avoid meat and am always looking for interesting restaurants. The restaurant is welcoming enough in decor. The menu is interesting and seems to have a little bit of everything (Salads, faux burgers, tacos, pizzs, subs, etc.) Since it's such a hot blazin day I decided to go for a salad. I ordered the Chimi Chopped Salad and hibiscus tea. It was delicious! the chopped salad had roasted veggies and a seasoned seitan. The salad was large enough and was piled with pleanty of "meat". I was stuffed. I even had leftover meat. I'll definitely be back to try the much raved about Chicken Run Ranch Burger! I will say this though, it concerns me that no nutritional info is listed in the store, on the menu or on their website. I like to track my calories and am uncomfortable when I can't. Hence the 3 stars instead of 4. All in all, I would definitely recommend this place to meat lovers as well as vegans.
(3)
Dannie L.

Wow! Wow! First of all, I came here 2 days in a row, for their opening free food offers! And man, they didn't kid around when they give you free food! I had an appetizer, entree plus a side, a dessert and a drink, all free! I have written a review not long ago for their Wicker Park location, that was the first time I ate at Native Foods, not that I have tried many other items on their menu, I definitely can say that their food is a solid 4 star! The space in the Lakeview location is nicely decorated but it is definitely smaller, but not crowded by any means, no outdoor area tho. For the food, in these 2 days (dinner on Friday and lunch on Saturday) that I was there, I had tried the Chicken wings (my absolute favorite, ordered it both times!), Rockin' Moroccan Bowl, Chicago Dip Au Jus, soup of the day (lemon coconut), sweet potato fries, for dessert, Goodluck cupcakes (chocolate and cardamom). I have also tried my friends' food (we all ordered different food so we could all try), including the Saigon rolls, nachos, taquitos, chilly cheese fries, bacon cheeseburger, earth bowl, twister wrap, taco salad, ALL of the desserts! I know that is a lot of food in 2 days! but let me tell you, so delish!! All of the above mentioned were really good, BUT there were a few exceptions: the Rockin Moroccan bowl, while I loved the tofu and quinoa, I didn't care for the grilled sweet potatoes, they were cooked way too hard, therefore, I minus 1/2 of a star; second, the cardamom cupcake, the cake part was good, but the icing was way way too sweet, please try the vanilla instead, which was super good. Third, this is the most disappointing part, the cheese cake, my friend ordered it, after the cashier persuaded her not to get the boogie bar, and we all tried it, and oh man, it was nasty, I hate to use that word to describe their food, cuz the rest of the food were so good, but the cheese cake was just bad, they should just pull it from their menu. So for that, I had to minus another 1/2 of a star. All and all, I really enjoyed their food, people were friendly. I can't wait till they open the Loop location!
(4)
M P.

Freakin' delicious! I have loved every single thing that I have tried so far (Native Nachos, Gandhi Bowl, Very Voluptous Veggie Pizza, Meatball Sub, Twister Wrap). I do have to say that I prefer the Wicker Park location. They seem to have a more experienced and friendly staff. We went to this location last night and they had run out of the "green sauce," they also did not have crushed red pepper for my pizza, and the servers were not as fast as the ones at Wicker Park. I will be returning for sure, i want to work my way through their entire menu! Thanks chef Tanya for bringing Native Foods to Chicago!
(4)
Sean M.

Great food period! Friendly service. I am vegan and have eaten here twice and I have enjoyed everything that I have had. Love the lemonade, cup cakes, burgers, and the seasoned fries are excellent. The staff is very friendly and welcoming. This is my favourite vegan restaurant. I will be eating here often.
(5)
Kenny V.

Great place and service, very interesting food!
(4)
chad r.

Just wow! Let's start with the nachos. Now they don't taste like real nachos but that's ok because there are completely amazing I their own way. The topping are very fresh and is jus damn good, a must get. Oklahoma burger...yes please!!! The flavors are just awesome and it's really filling. My 3 year old discover that he loves them too as of tonight. I also just tried the chicken run ranch burger and that too was just awesome and I'll def get that again. The chicken wings were also fantastic dipped in ranch and buffalo wing sauce...YUM! I tried a cupcake once and it was very vegan tasting I.e. dry and not so great. I'll try them again just I case it was an off batch. Everything else is so amazing its ok if one or two things arent perfect, it sure won't keep me away. Hell, I've already been there 3 times the past week and a half.
(5)
Ananya C.

I love this place. It is a regular part of my life since it is down the street from my office. The staff is wonderful and the food is beyond this world delicious. My favorite entree is the Twister Wrap. It is an oasis for vegan diners. Thanks Native foods for being in my (work) neighborhood.
(5)
David H.

Yummy but pricey.
(4)
ami l.

excellent. truly worth trying.
(5)
Alexis M.

I've gone a couple of times now. Yum! Vegan food and oh so tasty!
(5)
Olga K.

The staff is exceedingly nice (I ordered take-out, and one of the waitresses decided that it took too long for my order and gave me a free desert). The kale bowl is wonderful on a cold Chicago day, and the daily deal is, well, a good deal, since you get a soup with your meal. I find myself craving their dishes all the time, and wish they opened more locations around the city and burbs.
(5)
Kevin S.

I went here on a whim, never eating Vegan food before, and I've already been back two other times.
(5)
Angie M.

Finally a vegan restaurant that is delicious and affordable where you can easily take non-vegans to enjoy. The Morrocan Bowl was very tasty, the Ghandi Bowl has awesome tempeh, the rice and veggies needed a bit more seasoning. Everything is well presented and portions are huge. The sweet potatoes fries were good. The real surprise was the Chai hot tea...I don't like Chai but this stuff sold me. When you give them your email you get a swipe card. Each time you go in it is swiped and you get points and freebees from time to time. I'm told I'll be emailed twice a month. Thumbs up...I'll be back and will bring others!
(5)
Vegetarian V.

I love Native Foods. great service, awesome food, and their homemade drinks are a nice touch. i've had both their burgers (oklahoma and chicken run ranch burger) and i enjoyed them both. prices are alright for the amount of food you get. i'm definitely coming back to try everything. oh and the rewards card/point system is just another plus!
(5)
James M.

My wife and I visited this new restaurant for the first time yesterday. We live in the neighborhood and have been eagerly waiting for it to open. In the past we have been "in and out" of a vegan diet, but presently we are actually doing raw or lightly cooked vegetables, fresh vegetable juices, and fruits. This place has a nice mix of true whole foods and what some purists may regard as "fake" food -- seitan and tempeh that has been seasoned to taste like traditional meats. But we both wanted salads, so my wife ordered their kale salad and I had the taco salad, which includes seitan, I believe. When all you've been eating are vegetables and salad, your taste buds are very sensitive, especially to "fresh," and we were both delighted at the taste and freshness of the greens and other veggies in our salads. Also, my taco salad was perfectly seasoned, and the consistency of the "meat" was also excellent. And the portions were large, too -- I could not finish my salad, but it was not for lack of desire! I also tried their Lavender Lemonade, but it was a bit sweet for my taste -- but fresh-tasting and nicely tart (no ersatz lemons for these guys!). While there the waitress brought round a little "taste" of their cheesecake, which I found to be very tasty. When you order two things that the restaurant hits out of the park, you get the impression that everything they turn out is wonderfully fresh and well-seasoned. I hope that level of flavor and freshness continues here -- we cannot believe our good fortune in having a great place so close by. If the present is prologue, I'll return and give them another star.
(4)

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Address : 1023 W Belmont Ave
Chicago, IL, 60657
Phone (773) 549-4904
Website https://www.nativefoods.com
Click To Get Directions

Opening Hours

Mon :11:00 am - 10

Specialities

Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : No
Caters : Yes

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Native Foods Cafe

1023 W Belmont Ave, Chicago, IL, 60657

Native Foods Cafe Menu

Daily Specials

Fries Salad or Soup

Desserts

Earth Bowls

Entree Salads

Handholds

Drinks

Kids are Cool

Starters

Party Platters

Healthy Meal suggestions for Native Foods Cafe

Daily Specials

Fries Salad or Soup

Desserts

Earth Bowls

Entree Salads

Handholds

Drinks

Kids are Cool

Starters

Party Platters

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