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Name: Victory’s Banner
Address: 2100 W Roscoe St, Chicago, IL, 60618
Telephone: (773) 665-0227
Price range: Under $11
Rating: 4.24

Victory’s Banner

2100 W Roscoe St, Chicago, IL, 60618

(773) 665-0227
Store is closed

Victory’s Banner Menu

Eggs & Scrambles

Satisfaction-promise

Healthy Scrambled

Egg & Sausage Bagel Sandwich

Breakfast Burrito

Tofu Scramble

Eggless Wonder

Eggless Wonder 2

2 Any Ole

Make Your Own Scrambles
Eggs & Scrambles - Make Your Own Scrambles - Add Ons

Onions Tomatoes Mushrooms Zucchini Broccoli Fresh Spinach Garlic

Basil Pesto Caramelized Onions Sun-dried Tomatoes Goat Cheese Feta Cheese Smoked Dutch Gouda Sharp Australian Cheddar Organic Salsa

Organic Tofu Soy Sausage Stripples-soy Bacon Veggie Chicken
Omelettes

The Greek

The Steverino

Broccoli And Cheddar

Veggie Delight

Pesto And Goat Cheese

The Curry Omelette

Bacon Cheddar And Tomato

Sausage And Smoked Gouda

Make Your Own
French Toast

French Toast

Raspberry French Toast
Pancake Panache

Oat Bran Pancakes

Pancake Delight

Apple-pecan Pancakes

Chocolate Chip Pancakes

Raspberry Cakes

Banana-walnut Cakes
The Breakfast Combo

2 Eggs Or A Single Piece Of French Toast

2 Eggs Or Short Order Of Pancakes (2)
Waffle World

Belgian Waffle

Apple-pecan Waffle

Ultimate Waffle

Chocolate Chip Waffle
Cereals Fruit Et.al.

Uppama

Granola

Hot Oatmeal

Fruit Salad

Yogurt
Homemade Soup / Combos

Soup

Soup And Salad Combo

Peasants Lunch
Tossed Salads

Greek

Garden

Spinach

Spring Chicken
Burger World

Bliss Burger

Bacon Cheeseburger

Southwest Burger

Nouvelle Burger
Wraps

Blackened Chicken Wrap

The Blt Wrap

Smoky Chicken Wrap

Coconut-peanut Veggie Wrap

Curry Wrap

Brahma Burrito
Neatloafs

Neatloaf Dinner

Neatloaf Sandwich
Sides & Extras

Bagels

Bagel With Plain Or Veggie Cream Cheese

Hearth Bread

Brown Rice

Grilled Potatoes

Mashed Potatoes & Gravy

Soy Sausage

Stripples - Soy Bacon

Marinated Tofu

Eggs

Sauteed Veggies

Sliced Tomatoes

Mini Side Salad

Bagel Substitute For Bread

Peasants Bread

Whipped Cream
Desserts

Freshly Baked Goods
Coffees & Teas

Victorys Banner Custom Coffee Or Decaf

Chai (hot Or Iced)
Coffees & Teas - Black Teas

Orange Dulce

Breakfast Americana

Organic Earl Grey
Coffees & Teas - Green & Green Teas

Organic Green

White Orchard
Coffees & Teas - Herbal Teas

African Nectar

Organic Mint Melange

Organic Ginger

Chamomile Tea
Coffees & Teas - To Go

Coffee

Chai
Hot Beverages Cold

Green Tea Cooler

Fresh Squeezed Orange Juice

Fresh Grapefruit Juice

Bottled Natural Juices

Very Veggie Juice

Mango Lassi

Coke Diet Coke Sprite

Milk

Chocolate Milk

Healthy Meal suggestions for Victory’s Banner

Eggs & Scrambles

Satisfaction-promise [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Healthy Scrambled [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Egg & Sausage Bagel Sandwich [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

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

Tofu Scramble [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Eggless Wonder [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Eggless Wonder 2 [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

2 Any Ole [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Make Your Own Scrambles [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Eggs & Scrambles - Make Your Own Scrambles - Add Ons

Onions Tomatoes Mushrooms Zucchini Broccoli Fresh Spinach Garlic [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Basil Pesto Caramelized Onions Sun-dried Tomatoes Goat Cheese Feta Cheese Smoked Dutch Gouda Sharp Australian Cheddar Organic Salsa [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Organic Tofu Soy Sausage Stripples-soy Bacon Veggie Chicken [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Omelettes

The Greek [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

The Steverino [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Broccoli And Cheddar [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

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

Pesto And Goat Cheese [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

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

Bacon Cheddar And Tomato [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sausage And Smoked Gouda [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Make Your Own [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
French Toast

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

Raspberry French Toast [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Pancake Panache

Oat Bran Pancakes [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

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

Apple-pecan Pancakes [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

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

Raspberry Cakes [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Banana-walnut Cakes [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
The Breakfast Combo

2 Eggs Or A Single Piece Of French Toast [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

2 Eggs Or Short Order Of Pancakes (2) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Waffle World

Belgian Waffle [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Apple-pecan Waffle [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Ultimate Waffle [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chocolate Chip Waffle [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Cereals Fruit Et.al.

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

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

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

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

Yogurt [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Homemade Soup / Combos

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

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

Peasants Lunch [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Tossed Salads

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

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

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

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

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

Bacon Cheeseburger [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

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

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

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

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

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

Coconut-peanut Veggie Wrap [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

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

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

Neatloaf Dinner [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Neatloaf Sandwich [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Sides & Extras

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

Bagel With Plain Or Veggie Cream Cheese [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Hearth Bread [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Brown Rice [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grilled Potatoes [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mashed Potatoes & Gravy [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Soy Sausage [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Stripples - Soy Bacon [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Marinated Tofu [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

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

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

Sliced Tomatoes [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

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

Bagel Substitute For Bread [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Peasants Bread [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Whipped Cream [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Desserts

Freshly Baked Goods [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Coffees & Teas

Victorys Banner Custom Coffee Or Decaf [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chai (hot Or Iced) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Coffees & Teas - Black Teas

Orange Dulce [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Breakfast Americana [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Organic Earl Grey [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Coffees & Teas - Green & Green Teas

Organic Green [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

White Orchard [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Coffees & Teas - Herbal Teas

African Nectar [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Organic Mint Melange [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Organic Ginger [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chamomile Tea [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Coffees & Teas - To Go

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

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

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

Fresh Squeezed Orange Juice [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fresh Grapefruit Juice [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bottled Natural Juices [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Very Veggie Juice [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mango Lassi [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Coke Diet Coke Sprite [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

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

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

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Write An Anonymous Review

Elizabeth H.

Order: Chai, French Toast, & any of their soups!
(5)
Tim H.

As a tea drinker in a coffee culture, the unlimited cups of hot chai is a reason enough to visit. And it's delicious -- some of the best I've ever had. The menu is vegetarian, and even though I'm not vegetarian myself, I didn't feel limited by the menu. I had the renowned French Toast, and even though I wasn't blown away, I thought it was tasty and I would order it again. My eating partner got the chiliquiles, which were also very tasty. Overall a delicious brunch place, recommended!
(4)
Steph S.

Came here on a recommendation from a local Chicago friend. Let's just say these fellow yelpers never had amazing french toast. 1. We got there on a Sunday at 10:30 & sat at 11:00. 2. Once we were seated & ordered (the French toast btw) took approx. 40 mins to be served & there people who were seated after us, served before us. 3. My toast wasn't fully cooked; saw the server even rush the cook. Conclusion: I needed to drench my toast in syrup, something I never do. Service was slow and unappreciated. I suggest they focus more on how to run a restaurant business than their meditation.
(1)
Chevy Chase Reviewer A.

I'm a big meat eater, so I had my reservations. I was wrong. I got the veg bacon cheeseburger and it was awesome.
(4)
Emily F.

This is one of my favorite spots in the neighborhood! Always get the orange juice. It's amazing! As is their french toast.
(5)
Freddie L.

Craving a little down-home comfort? Victory's Banner has an exciting breakfast and brunch menu that puts a new twist on some old favorites. Refreshing, friendly and all around goodness! It's my absolute favorite spot for brunch.
(4)
Jackie S.

I LOVE VICTORY'S BANNER. I have been coming here since 2005 when I first moved to Chicago and haven't stopped coming since. Some of the wait staff is the same even after 8 years! This place has extremely high vibrations - beautiful light colors, uplifting art work, and of course delicious vegetarian food :-) It can get very crowded on weekends, but that is to be expected with a place this good. I always get the home made chai and the veggie burger is delicious as well. Omelets are always a sure thing too! You can't go wrong here! Love you victory's banner!
(5)
Dhruv P.

I used to come here quite often for brunch, but now that I'm not doing brunch as much, I don't come here anymore. :-( Sometimes I feel that I'm not as cool anymore to partake in the joys of brunch. Now my mornings are all the same, I prefer a simple toast with jam, some homemade chai and maybe a fruit. I always love the food here. Plus its all vegetarian, which is perfect for me. I'm usually not so inundated with so many choices on the menu so it makes me happy (and at the same time, overstimulated with the myriad choices). Their french toast is delectable and I can see why its called "award winning." Their bottomless chai is a good deal, even though I think its a bit high milk ratio to tea. Their omlettes are creative and delicious, and I've enjoyed "Satisfaction-Promise" quite a few times. Be aware, that during the summer weekends, they have a long wait-list. Its a cute, albeit, small place and only so many seats outside. But I always enjoy sitting outside, especially in Roscoe Village, which has its family, down tempo charm.
(5)
S M.

This is my favorite breakfast places in Chicago. I love the atmosphere and the food. I have been eating here for 10 years. Recently, I brought in my new baby, and they gave me a gift certificate for my family to eat in honor of bringing a new life into the world. As long as you are open to the spiritual side of the restaurant, it is just a wonderful dining experience (and I'm not spiritual at all). They have the best Chai Tea in Chicago. My husband says it rivals tea he had in India. It's a wonderful place to bring vegetarians and Kosher friends because no meat is served. The bread, soup, potatoes, omelet, and "burgers" are my favorites.
(5)
Neil K.

Victory's Banner is a great go-to spot for brunch. They have good vegetarian options. The staff is usually really nice and it is a comfortable spot. The scrambles are great here. Only warning is it is a smaller place and you may have to wait for a table.
(4)
Christopher Q.

It doesn't get any better for breakfast than VB. We love this place and the vegan sausage tastes better than "real" sausage. French toast, omelets, just amazing.
(5)
Emily G.

Alright heres the skinny: Buddhist-like place, super zen, vegan-style food (free range eggs, bran/wheat ingredients, tofu-filled healthy stuff). If you're into that kind of thing, this is the place for you. If you're not, you might still enjoy the egg scrambles, omelletes and other breakfast items. Head's up: if you're here for lunch, note that all the burgers are veggie. All eggs are organic. The place is small, so its great for 2 people for brunch but it starts getting complicated for parties over 4 (which was our case). I got the Satisfaction Promise (egg scamble with spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, pesto and goat cheese) in the form of a Breakfast combo with a side of their famous french toast. The other people at my table got mostly egg omelettes, the southwest veggie burger and the special egg plate of the day. My Satisfaction Promise (the most popular egg dish on the menu) was very tasty: all fresh ingredients, tons of goat cheese, very flavorfull. My sister also loved the french toast, served with peach butter and tons of syrup. The rest of my table agreed that the omelettes were a tad dry and lacked flavors, but we all liked the grilled potatoes that came as a side with everything. The chai latte was also tasty (a little too sweet for me) and their tea selection was pretty extensive. Finally, I loved the decor and the staff's outfits, but I found our server a little.. ugh, un-charming. We were super nice to her and courtious (which should always be the norm) but her response made me feel like she didn't really want to be there. So much for being zen, huh? I'd say 4 stars food, 3 stars service. If you live nearby, you should absolutely come for breakfast though. I don't know that I would return for lunch, but a nice Saturday/Sunday brunch here is enjoyable. Its a shame they don't serve mimosas though (MY breakfast of champions). :)
(4)
Lauren H.

I had to get out of the house this morning to allow my condo to be shown, so I figured I would splurge on breakfast. After seeing the reviews of some trusted co-Yelpers, I chose VB. Glad I did! I started with a glass of the freshly squeezed OJ and it was delicious. I had the make your own scramble, to which I added soy bacon, goat cheese, and carmelized onions. Deeeeeeeeelicious. It came with breakfast potatoes and two big hunks of bread which were also quite tasty. Yes, it is not a cheap breakfast, but I felt like I got good quality ingredients and I like to support businesses that promote healthy and positive lifestyles so I didn't mind spending the extra. Victory! a new breakfast place for me to enjoy. Wave your Banner proudly!
(4)
Lauren C.

Cute place. Had the pesto egg scramble and a chai. Chai was awesome as were the eggs but meal could have been hotter (some of my potatoes were actually cold). Whole group liked their meal and it was reasonable prices/nice people so we'll be back :)
(3)
Shradha A.

They had really good chai and I loved the 'bottomless' chai concept! I enjoyed their french toast too - very fluffy and light! The curry omelet was interesting.. I absolutely loved the calm, serene, loving environment here and everyone was so super-friendly!
(4)
Casey A.

This was our second time here. First time was with fairly young children and I have almost no recollection of what we ate. Today we had 2 cups of coffee and 1 order of the "Award-Winning French Toast". Unfortunately, in our opinion, almost nothing stood out. It was dece French toast and nice and thick (if you're into that) but the restaurant was super slow and they almost forgot the peach butter.. We also made sure to ask if we could get fresh raspberries (only because we saw them offered with something else) and the waitress said yes.. my mom got a small ramekin of raspberry sauce.. weak, in my opinion.. It's a super relaxing corner and their decor is very in line with the Zen mantra they've got going but $2.75 for a cup of coffee? Maybe $2 so my wallet can harmonize with their good vibes too:)
(3)
Aliyah K.

Planes, trains and automobiles. We nearly took all of these to get to VB from our hotel in Chicago in the River North area. Located in a funky area surrounded by 'siren songed' pubs and cute homes is VB. There was no wait for brunch when we arrived, but a wait did start shortly after. Arrive early and be prepared to wait as the restaurant is small with a slight front patio for outdoor dining. Deciding between breakfast and lunch was difficult, but I settled on the Nouvelle Burger, their veggie burger served with caramelized onions and goat cheese, along with greens, tomato, and a tamari-mayo spread - this came with breakfast potatoes. Hubby had the Ultimate Waffle. It came with a TON of fruit on top including grapes, banana, various berries, melon and more and was topped with cream. Wow, the food was awesome. So incredibly good. The burger was an amazing, sloppy, savory and sweet indulgence. The potatoes were hot and seasoned perfectly, complimenting each burger bite. The waffle was warm, toasty on the outside, moist on the inside and sweetened with the fresh fruit. Our spiritual server was prompt and kind, she thought to bring extra napkins when she saw my smile upon setting my eyes on my meal. This place will be enjoyed by anyone who eats. Really. The menu is vast and there is not just something for everyone, but more than one choice for everyone for sure.
(5)
Sandra T.

my kind of place. I love vegetarian restaurants because I know that the cooking items are free of dead animal products. spiritual place. the owner said victory's banner was named one of the most peaceful places in Chicago. they have yummy chai as an alternative to coffee.
(5)
Mat M.

I found this place to be quite interesting. The food I had was good; not great but good. The server we had was nice and I generally liked her. The girl that sat us at our table was weird though I though. They wear unusual clothing too. My experience was botched because I was sat by quite possibly one of the rudest couples I have ever seen. They were obnoxious and just all around unpleasant. They were also rude to their server and it was really unpleasant. I had the pancakes with yogurt and raspberries. It was yummy! I got coffee; however I never got a refill! :( I would give it a shot, however i'd prefer to go to Kitschen down the street!!
(3)
Jonathan Z.

It was a pretty basic brunch place, nothing to special. As a vegetarian I appreciate having so many options (everything!), but I wouldn't go out of my way to go here
(3)
Malena A.

I don't understand how this place has 4 stars. The only really positive thing about this place is the friendly staff. Pros: - Staff are very nice - They are VERY eager to get you a drink and refills?? Strange but nice. We were asked by every single server there if we wanted a drink at some point. - Place is cute enough Cons: - There are pictures of the owner/yogi EVERYWHERE - Weird and not really my kind of ambience when I'm out for a Sunday brunch. Big turn off. - There is no organization with the wait staff. There seemed to be no designated host/hostess and our table did not have a designated waiter. Every single staff person there helped us at some point, which means we did not know who to call on and we were sometimes neglected. Management needs to step in and organize the staff. - The food was the most disappointing part of the experience. Veggie delight omelet had few veggies and no taste except for the cheese that we added to it. The grilled potatoes were undercooked and not flavorful....sadly, these may be the worst grilled potatoes I have ever had and they should be so easy to make. One of the specials, some cornbread type pancakes with salsa were fine, but nothing I would go back for. Overall, my husband and I left very disappointed that we waited for 40 minutes and wasted $30.
(2)
Greg M.

Victory's Banner is consistently good and inexpensive. My wife is vegan, and their options for her are excellent.
(5)
Marilyn D.

One of my favorite brunch places in the city! Really peaceful energy, cozy little cafe, delish peach butter and challah french toast, yum!
(4)
Regina W.

I got here right when they opened at 8 a.m. on Labor Day and I'm glad I did because the restaurant was already starting to get several customers. I ordered the Satisfaction-Promise, which just as promised, tasted amazing. The spiritual aspect of the place is neat too. Will definitely be coming back.
(5)
Jonathan H.

I was reluctant to go due to the vegetarian tag on their yelp listing but I'm really glad I went. Scrambled eggs + Pesto + sun dried tomatoes = amazing. I am stealing this idea/recipe and making it at home.
(5)
Shana H.

We were in Chicago for a week and went here twice. It was weird, but it was lovely. My friend is vegan and I'm not, which meant that VB was a perfect brunch spot for us. I had the crazy ridiculous cinnamon roll french toast. It comes with whipped cream, vanilla custard between slices and a cinnamon glaze. The portions were insanely big; I ate only a third of it. My vegan friend had the vegan french toast. Unlike most vegan french toasts (see Chicago Diner), it wasn't hard and crispy. Instead, it was thick and almost eggy in texture. It saved from being cloying because the sweet was cut with cardamom and cinnamon. Probably the best vegan french toast I've had. He also had the veganized Eggless Wonder. He said it was super fresh, but that the scramble was pretty bland. I'd say the food was about a 3 but the service was hilariously fantastic and wins back one more point. Our server was super friendly, and we really enjoyed watching the staff sing happy birthday to a fellow patron. They sang their own cultish variation featuring the lyric "We love you and your soul." Oh man.
(4)
Diane T.

Went there before work on Sunday morning trying to find something to eat. It was Mother's Day Sunday and we were seating fairly quickly on their outdoor patio (which by the way has it's permit, for all you Chicago inspectors!) I have to admit, I was thrown off by the bio with it's stance of No Meat. I like meat. A lot. But the food was so flavorful that I did not miss meat. I ordered the The Steverino which came with caramelized onions, grilled red peppers and goat cheese and a side of potatoes (that weren't heavily salted, bonus). There was a bit too much goat cheese but overall it was really delicious. My boyfriend ordered the breakfast burrito which came with a side of rice and salsa. The burrito was just oozing with a saucy goodness. He only had half of it because he didn't want to immediately pass out in a coma. It is a heavy breakfast entree. He was so happy with the food and definitely wants to come back. I'm curious about all the reviews of the chai tea. I'm going to try that and the some pancakes next time!
(4)
Oksana D.

This is one of my all time favorite brunch spots. I love the hippie, peaceful vibe and the vegetarian food is satisfying and fresh tasting. My favorites are the peach butter French toast and the satisfaction promise omelette. The French toast has to be the lightest fluffiest bread I've ever tasted with a light sweetness from the peach butter that just melts in your mouth. The omelette is really delicious and fresh and comes with perfectly cooked potatoes and delicious whole grain bread. Definitely satisfied every time!
(5)
Molly A.

tried this place for the first time today on a friend's recommendation. we were absolutely not sorry. she also urged us to try their homemade chai ... another resounding success! the menu is expansive and diverse. they have an amazing selection of wraps, veggie-focused burgers, as well as breakfast options and quesadillas! i went with the coconut curry tofu wrap - not overpowering, good balance of spices and flavors ... perfectly cooked tofu (an art that oddly not every veggie restaurant has perfected...)
(5)
Diane G.

LOVE this place! As a vegetarian, I was super excited that I'd be living close to a veg friendly brunch place. Food/Drinks: Started with the chai which is so smooth, and has just the right amount of sweetness. The bottomless chai is worth it for just an extra $1.45. My friend got the infamous french toast--it was definitely good, but not out of this world. The peach butter that accompanied it was unique and the bread itself was soft and melt-in-your-mouth good. My Satisfaction-Promise is def satisfaction guaranteed! Can't go wrong when pesto and feta are involved. :P Had a side of soy bacon which was salty, just how I like it! Ambiance: Probably my favorite part of the restaurant. It has a spiritual, calm atmosphere. The walls are painted in pastel colors, and there are lovely paintings and flowers around. Service: So sweet and welcoming. Their smiles are genuine, their spirits pure. I left feeling more at peace.
(5)
Matthew M.

came here randomly while walking through the neighborhood. I am not a vegetarian so was a bit skeptical, but menu actually had plenty of veg/non-veg options. Overall the place is clean and pretty quiet, even though most seats were taken. We had no wait on Sunday morning around 1045. staff was friendly and food came out in less than 10 minutes. I got the smoked Gouda and sausage omelette, which was decent but doesn't sub for real sausage if that is what you prefer.
(3)
Emily C.

Great vegetarian / vegan brunch option. I tried a tofu scramble, which was very good, but I have to recommend the french toast. I saw the other reviews, but didn't listen to them! Thankfully, my husband ordered it and I helped :) It was fantastic. Would go back for it! 144/365
(4)
Amanda K.

My go-to Roscoe Village brunch spot (unless they're packed, which is sometimes the case!). They're so accommodating, whether you're vegetarian, vegan, dairy-free, etc. and the food is DELICIOUS. My favorite is the Steverino omelette with caramelized onions, roasted red peppers and goat cheese. The potatoes and bread that come with are divine. I love this place. LOVE.
(5)
Lola K P.

Another brunch with the vegan buddy, and again, this was pretty good. Agreed with other reviews, the french toast is quite good, recommended here. Hubby and I split this dish and a veggie omelet, which was fine, a bit dry. Very casual, cozy space, good neighborhood eatery.
(4)
Haley F.

One of my go to breakfast spots in Chicago. Very relaxed atmosphere with a low noise level. While this is not a place to go in large groups, it's a perfect spot for a catch up with one or two friends. Being vegetarian, I love that I can eat the whole menu. There is nothing worse than being limited to one or two items. There are many vegan substitutes available as well! The scrambles here are very good, especially if you opt to make your own - you'll always get exactly what you want! I would HIGHLY recommend the french toast with the fresh raspberries. I would vote it as the best french toast I have ever had. The fruit is all extremely ripe and juicy. They also make their own bread so if you order the french toast or even just regular toast, it will taste much better than most places' store bought loaf. Parking here is a bit difficult because there are tons of popular restaurants located nearby. On a nice day, definitely talk a walk over to Roscoe or take the train because the neighborhood is a great one to wander around in. Be prepared to wait during normal busy breakfast times: late morning and weekends. Since they usually don't serve big groups, the table turnover is pretty good. Also, the tables are very close together so when it is crowded, do not expect to have an intimate date. You won't be right on top of the couple next to you but they will definitely be able to hear what you're saying if they choose to listen. This is a perfect spot for veggies and vegans alike or just people looking for a healthy yet delicious breakfast!
(5)
RR R.

Really great, fresh vegetarian food. Everything is delicious but I always order the upma (South Indian hot cereal). The service is really friendly and the patio is a bonus.
(5)
Rita W.

Great breakfast place! I have been here two times so far and have been happy with my choices! The first time I was here I ordered an omelette, it was delicious but I had a little twinge of food envy when I saw my friend's special pancakes. On my second trip here I ordered their famous french toast combo. Wow their french toast is really out of this world! Their french toast is made with thick texas toast slices so it is not only fluffy and soft, but it comes with peach butter on the side, and to be honest, it is soo good I could actually even eat it without syrup. But let's not get too crazy here. This is not a very big restaurant so be forewarned that there will most likely be a wait when you go! I want to come back and try their veg/vegan burger and sandwiches!
(4)
Sneha R.

Who'd have thought that 'buckwheat waffle' is something that I would (1) try at all (2) go back again and again for it. Fantastic stuff is it! Their other veggie/vegan options are pretty darn good. Do not try their uppama or whatever they call it. Chefs at Victory's Banner, take these from a South Indian who KNOWS how to make upma (it is a South Indian dish after all) 1. Dry roast the rava (cream of wheat) before cooking it 2. Do not bring the upma to a porridge consistency, it has to be of a consistency that allows it to be moulded (look up how it is served on google) 3. Please add salt, a little more salt will not kill the dish. Please stop making it like it's something you'd serve to someone who doesn't care about how it looks, tastes and feels. I say this to you so frankly because I do love your restaurant, you all do a great job! Big thumbs up on the sarees!
(4)
Beba G.

Hit or miss @ this place! Service sucks, except for the male server. The girls look tired..fed up all the time! Dunno! The food varies depending on who is cooking! It sucks because i wanted to like this place! I'll go back but just because Orange has nothing good and kitschen or whatever is terrible!
(3)
Cindy T.

It took over an hour and a half To seat four in our party. All the bhindi-wearing staff With saris tucked, made smiles so hearty. We talked of what to order: Four dishes, all to share, Like making four visits, as a daily supporter. Still, the wait was worth it, I swear. Two french toasts: the award-winning one And crÃ¨me brulÃ©e, both breakfast desserts. Fluffy to the core, and neither overdone. Um, buttons are popping off our shirts. My curry wrap needed all fingers ten. Apple chutney! Drool-worthy, this wrap! Just as monks have their zen-- Oh no! Chutney fell in my lap! That's okay, plenty of uppama To go around. Never knew a cereal Of yogurt cream could make me say, "Ooh, ah, the Coconut chutney makes Chi-town brunch super ethereal.
(4)
Penny B.

Very popular, small, inviting place. Tucked in Roscoe village, this palce has a lot of charm. Waitresses are dressed in saris and they serve you warm chai while you wait. This is a great place to go on a chilly fall or winter day! A group of us went and tried a few of the breakfast foods: Uppama, breakast combo and french toast. They have some vegetarian and vegan options as well. I am not a vegan or vegetarian, but was pleasantly surprised by the Uppama. It was seasoned well with spices. The breakfast combo and the French toast were tasty as well. They use peach butter and real maple syrup on the French toast. This place was really busy for brunch on a Sunday, but it was worth the wait! The chai that they give you while you wait is excellent.
(5)
Cate D.

After reading only great things about Victory's Banner I was excited to try it. They have a completely vegetarian menu with vegan options as well. I heard the french toast was a must try so I ordered that, unfortunately it wasn't as good as I was hoping. I ordered one slice and it was huge. It looked tasty, but fell flat. I just didn't care for the flavor and felt like it was bit undercooked. However the Satisfaction Promise (eggs, pesto, sun dried tomatoes, spinach, and feta) I ordered was very tasty!
(3)
Gabriela M.

French toast was amazing! No joke. Bacon (vegan) not really my thing but I cannot say enough good things about the french toast.... literally my mouth is watering thinking about it! I wish they were open late for breakfast for dinner. :) My only complaint. Service was nice and wait was reasonable.
(5)
Megan M.

After years of living in Chicago this really is my favorite. Don't expect super fast service; the wait staff is all friendly but the feel of the whole place is laid back. You can't help but be in a good mood while there. All that aside, the food is great! Raspberry french toast is one of my faves if you are looking for very fresh and fun. On the healthier side, I like the eggless wonder. Filled with veggies and pesto. Mmm. Every soup I've had has been a delight. Just wish they were open more days and hours!
(5)
Isabel H.

Fantastic place! No better way to rejuvenate and refresh after a night out than to have brunch here. The food is incredible, light yet filling, without leaving you stuffed. The environment is soothing, clean, and very enjoyable.
(4)
Michael E.

Crazy place with a cultish vibe. Sri is an inspiration to the entirety of this place. Great food!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(5)
Christopher F.

Fun flavors and options, a young crew and an overall good vibe. While I like this place, I could love it if they updated the decor as it is a bit strange and learned how to plate food a little more thoughtfully. For example, my eggs with tortilla came out in one gnarly looking lump which initially gave me a very low opinion of it and almost sent it back but it turned out to be tasty. There is value in the theater of food in any type of restaurant.
(4)
Kat P.

Always a fabulous brunch at Victory's Banner. Everything is done with joy, as promised. Love the chai, and the chilaquiles were fabulous (with extra salsa). Thank you, Team Victory!
(5)
Katie R.

the french toast. ohhhh yeah, the french toast. the breakfast burrito is amazing, too. the wait on the weekends, at most, is 30 minutes. +20 stars.
(5)
Ross H.

The overall experience was fine, but probably won't go back. The Good: The food was great: I had the satisfaction promise and GF had the French toast. Our server was a really nice guy, conversational and attentive. The Bad: I am a pretty open minded guy, but the atmosphere was just too much for me. It felt like I was in the recruitment office for a cult with all the corny inspiration quotes and pictures of who I assume is the owner/spiritual guru plastered everywhere. I came here for brunch, not a CD, self help book, and other little spiritual trinkets. If the chef wants to open a new restaurant that skips the enlightenment with my eggs, I'll be first in line.
(3)
Tazeen C.

This is our Sunday brunch obsession. It is THE BEST French toast I've had in the city (and all the other glorious egg dishes are equally fantastic). The service is great --our lovely server offered to re-warm our french toast (because we just let it sit there as we devoured our breakfast burrito) and instead just made us a fresh batch. #Mindblown Seriously. The happiness I derive from eating Victory's Banner French Toast could only be paralleled by a land where quadricorns freely roam the earth... PS: Did I mention they serve REAL MAPLE SYRUP (without the irritating extra $$ charge??)
(5)
Emily H.

I had Sunday breakfast there. It's perpetually tiny and crowded on the weekends. The coffee was ok. Everything was either soy-based (sausage) and bizarre in texture, tofu-substituted (eggs) and mushy, or just plain flavorless (everything else). The middle-aged white servers tripping around in Indian sari dress were kind of creepy and offensive too. It's good that this place is stuffed into ultra-trendy Roscoe Village where people have the money and desire to delude themselves into bizarre lifestyles where they eschew all that is tasty. Might not work out anywhere else. I didn't know eating healthier could taste so disappointing. Vegans must love this place.
(2)
Katie C.

Let me start off by saying I am not a vegetarian. This place was great! I loved the food and it is the first vegetarian place that I can honest say that about. I had the southwest burger and the flavors were great. I highly recommend giving this place a try.
(5)
Andre W.

This is one of those places that makes you say damn! Came over for the perfect brunch since Zed451 was booked up this past Sunday. I have often heard good things about the food here, especially the French Toast. Made it over around 12:15 and walked into a 45 minute wait. They gave us coffee while we waited. The place is small so we waited with quite a few other people; shoulder to shoulder. The staff was nice and able to keep a room full of hungry Chicagoans happy and patient. You could smell the yumminess in the air as it was making the wait worth while. Once we were seated, we all were offered a glass of their freshly squeezed orange juice. Really good! Looking at the menu, we were all overwhelmed by all the great selections. I decided to go with the Award Winning French toast that comes with peach butter. This was some of the best French toast I have ever tasted. I also ordered a side of scrambled egg whites with goat cheese along with a side of grilled potatoes.This was one of those moments where I wanted to scream due to the greatness of my meal. One of my peeps got the Curry Omelet. I gave it a taste and it was pretty damn good! Curry and eggs didn't sound like a good idea to me, but this definitely changed my mind. There was also a Carribean Egg meal which was on the specialty menu....Very delicious. The Raspberry & Lime French Toast is a force to be reckoned with as well. As I stated earlier, the place is small and is well worth the wait. The staff is nice and are really good people. If you don't wanna wait, you can all in for pickup. Definitely will get more business from me!
(5)
Greg W.

Impressive, friendly, great food and very zen were everything I could sum up about Victory Banner. The staff & decor is light, friendly and calming making it a nice start on to the road to a good experience. Finding so many quality options on vegetarian/vegan meals was impressive, savoring the meal once it arrived was even better, it was so good I could not stop eating but wanted to just to be able to take the ample serving home to enjoy it more. The bottomless Chi Iced tea is sinful! This is now one of my Favorite places to go for brunch, which I look forward to often!!!
(5)
Jacqueline G.

Their neatloaf sandwich is probably hands down my favorite sandwich from anywhere. I think it may also be one of my favorites because it is always consistently great. I have never ordered food that wasn't good. I have had a few other things over the years but 9/10 times I get the same thing, but like I said the same thing is always tasty. Not to mention everyone is always friendly and they always offer me a drink if I am waiting for my food.
(5)
Alexa F.

I was excited to check out Victory's Banner as I live in the neighborhood and heard it was delicious. My party of 3 walked in on a Saturday morning. They were busy but there were one or two small open tables and a party in front of us waiting to be seated. No one took our name or even said hello. The party in front of us asked one of the waitstaff a questions and she replied (not sure what the question was) and then walked past me complaining about the customer to me and rolling her eyes. After that party was seated no one came back to acknowledge me or inquire about how many were in my party etc. even though there was a 3 waitresses working right behind the front counter refilling water jugs! I kept making eye contact with one of them and she was just ignoring me. Finally someone came to say there was only a small table next to the wall but a bigger table was just about to leave and if we wanted to wait we could have that table. So we waited another 15 mins (we have now been there over 25 mins) and just as the table we were waiting for was being cleaned off another party of 3 walked in and the hostess seated them at our table! I told the hostess/waitress/water jug re-filler we were leaving and walked out. We wasted nearly 30 minutes in total! We walked over to John's Place instead and had a very lovely brunch.
(1)
Megan G.

Ehhh....I don't get the hype. I'd visited Victory's Banner once before (in 2008, I think?) and found it sufficiently unimpressive to not re-visit until today. I was meeting two of my girlfriends for brunch and one, who is a vegetarian, suggested Victory's Banner. My friend arrived first, put her name in and was quoted a 30-45 minute wait. That, to me, is ridiculous. But it was a fairly nice day (though rainy...fortunately VB has a tent outside under which you can wait) so we decided to wait it out and chat. We weren't seated until an hour later. I realize the restaurant is tiny and it can be hard to predict table turnover, but the 15 minute wait past the high end of the quoted time was annoying. I will say two very positive things about the restaurant: the inside is adorable and the staff is awesome. Everyone was very friendly and our coffee was refilled frequently. Unfortunately, none of the food was impressive. I had the breakfast bagel sandwich (with faux meat and cream cheese) and it was just...there. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't really good either. The eggs, in particular, seemed really rubbery and bland. The side of potatoes was underseasoned and again...just there. I ate about five of them and let the rest go back to the kitchen. I was also able to try my friend's "award-winning" french toast and was thoroughly underwhelmed. Overall everything just seemed really bland and middle of the road. I'm baffled by the high Yelp average. I spent about as much on this brunch as I did at the one I had at Cafe 28 last weekend (around $20) but I waited an hour longer for this one and it was about 25% as good. That math doesn't add up. I won't be back to Victory's Banner.
(2)
Jackie M.

There's something very cozy and good here that I can't quite point to one thing, perhaps because it's not just one, but the whole is greater than the sum of it's parts. It's one of those places where you would be okay dining on your own or SATC style - everyone likes a good breakfast, right? First time coming here after hearing about for a while now and a perfect place to get a nice pick me up. The ladies at victory's banner wear saris and smiles and if you are the yoga lovin', ashram-type, you'll fit in just fine. However, if you are not - yes the guru's picture is looking at you no matter where you move - do not be scared. The food and vibe here is totally welcoming, sunny, organic and hearty, The unlimited chai is awesome, but I think I can really only drink one cup even though I had one hot and one cold for the sake of comparison -which btw, the hot chai is what I prefer and is good size! Actually, in fact, the amount of food is really generous and it's mostly organic ingredients. I got the specialty Brie Omelette, they do a nice job with the eggs and it comes with a hunk of toast and potatoes! Real maple syrup on the table, easy to find parking, I am sold. I got there early as soon as the doors open on a Sunday morning, no waiting which makes for a more peaceful start of the day.
(5)
Sonia L.

For a veg place, this place is decent. Very interesting atmosphere with the yogis. The chocolate chip pancakes were delish, service may be a bit slow (i think one cook was working the line). The soy sausage was not good. But the place is worth a try.
(3)
Christine F.

So. Here's a super serious secret. This place has the best french toast. EVER. Walked in on a hot as balls Saturday morning. I think we beat the rush because I didn't have to wait for a table. Got some coffee, stat. The last time I was at this place, I was a full blown vegan, so I didn't get a chance to try their AWARD WINNING french toast. But today, my friends, my Victory's Banner French Toasty Virginity was snatched away. Oh, yes it was. I got the breakfast special - 2 over easy eggs and one piece of french toast with PEACH BUTTER. PEACH MOTHER FUCKING BUTTER. And real maple syrup. Me and my compadre got 2 huge cups of coffee and waited. But it wasn't a long wait. My gigantic pieces of toasties came out and I feasted. It was sweet, melt in your mouth goodness. The bread is thick and fluffy. The peach butter has huge chunks of peach on it. It was perfection. I couldn't imagine a more perfect brunch.
(5)
Vaidehi T.

Loved this place. This place has been on my book marks to try since quite a long time and I finally got a chance to eat breakfast there last weekend. We reached there nice and early like around 8:30 am and there was no wait whatsoever. The food is super delicious. I ordered the Upma, my hubby ordered the Eggless wonder and a friend ordered the Victory Banner's Award-Winning French Toast. I am an Indian, and I make very good Upma, so I was prepared to be very critical of the dish. But I was blown away, the Upma was perfect. It was perfectly seasoned and the texture was very good too. The peas, carrots adn tomotoes were the perfect addition. Totally loved the dish. My husband enjoyed his Eggless wonder too. The flavors are really clean and healthy. they are not masked by oil, butter or grease. My friends french toast was super good. Very very tasty, and still did not feel too heavy. It is perfectly soft and fluffy and they serve real maple syrup. What's not to love? It's a unique place.... breakfast lovers will definitely love it!!
(5)
Kelly F.

Yes, the waiters and waitresses seem like they've been cast under some sort of spell. . .definitely in a trance, yet a peaceful and polite one! The omelets are unbelievable - choice of egg whites, veggie bacon/sausage (etc.), and a variety of cheese. Heavenly, really. Perfect for vegetarians, vegans, and the health conscious. Definitely a brunch staple whenever I visit Chicago. Good to Know: Stop by Cinnamon Boutique next door, which is a lovely place to peruse adorable clothing and accessories if/when there is a long wait.
(4)
Larry L.

The first thing I noticed was the women working here were wearing saris. Hmm..that's a bit odd, but whatever. Then as I looked around, I kept seeing things that seemed more fitting for a hindu/budhist/eastern religion book store. It was only after I got home was I able to figure out that they workers are followers of Sri Chinmoy. Uh, ok....but how was the food. The pancakes are excellent and are served with real maple syrup. The potatoes are good too. If you like sweet chai, you'll love their homemade chai.
(3)
Sarah N.

There are a lot of things I like about Victory's Banner. I only come here for breakfast, although I've had the veggie burrito for breakfast and its very tasty. The satisfaction promise, french toast, and iced chai tea are the bomb. And now that they offer the french toast vegan, I'm a pretty happy customer. The service can be slow, and you will definitely wait for a table if you try to get breakfast/brunch on a weekend. For me the food is worth the average service and long waits.
(4)
Marissa B.

I didn't think I could do it. The BBQ chicken(less) sandwich was the size of my head. BUT. Somehow, Someway, I did it. It was too delicious not to and would not have survived a reheating and been close to the same due to the fresh veggies. Served with your choice of brown rice, fried potatoes, or mashed potatoes and gravy for $9.50ish. Yum. I've also had breakfast here, which was equally good (the bagel sandwich, stacked with cream cheese, egg, sausage, etc.) My only beef with this place (yeah, yeah, pun intended) is the size. Our party of 4 waited almost an hour at 1pm on a Sunday. There are only a few tables large enough to accommodate more than two people. BOTTOM LINE: Great food, so many delicious options and friendly service. Next time I'm going to whittle down the group to two (sorry guys) so we can eat before my stomach folds over and eats itself.
(4)
Laura W.

Drool. No, I'm seriously drooling over Victory's Banner. Just say the name and I'm salivating like one of Pavlov's dogs. Classical conditioning at its finest. We showed up around noon on a Sunday and there was quite a wait outside. Should've known. Today was one of the first ACTUAL October days we've had this October (55 degrees, not a cloud in the sky, yes please) so we agreed to sit outside, which made the wait time only five minutes. The seating was comfortable and the weather was fantastic; I was pleased with our decision already. We sat and read through the menu. Award-winning french toast? SOLD. Grilled potatoes? Okay! Soy bacon? Ehhhhhh, I wanted bacon really bad and I had a rough week, so I decided to fork over the $3.25 for a little treat. You know how when you see something for the first time and you fall in love and your mouth just drops open and you have no idea what to do? Yeah. Well, that happened to me today. The french toast was amazing. They serve it with this peach butter that I may or may not have wanted to eat spoonfuls of...and the maple syrup was real, grade-A maple syrup. The grilled potatoes were excellent. And the soy bacon was honestly the best meatless bacon I've ever tasted. With all of that, and coffee and tip, I dropped $20. It was totally worth it and I know my friends walked away paying a lot less. I never felt uncomfortable with the whole "cult" thing and pretty much consider it a non-issue. I think that once it gets extremely cold, I'll need to either visit when it opens or on a weekday, because it seems that popular. (Drool) I'll be back.
(5)
Cage H.

One of my go-to places for brunch when I'm back in Chicago. Victory's Banner is a vegetarian (and vegan-friendly) restaurant associated with the followers of Sri Chinmoy. This manifests itself mainly in the semi-monastic dress of the staff and the vibrant artwork on the walls and tables. The food is consistently good, with vegetarian and vegan versions of standard American breakfast dishes (scrambles, omelettes, pancakes, and their signature French toast), a number of South Asian dishes (uppma, chai), and an excellent selection of veggie burgers. Their various meat substitutes (veggie burger, soy sausage, soy bacon) are far better than the average vegetarian restaurant. Each week they also offer a special egg dish and a special French toast or pancake variation as well. We usually order a side of their tamari-mayo sauce as a condiment for the hash browned potatoes. The main drawback is that a line often forms later in the morning, so it's better to arrive earlier rather than later.
(3)
Karina A.

No need to repeat what has already been said so many times before... this place has a wonderfully positive vibe. Cheery decor and service to match. -Ordered the Satisfaction-Promise (eggs + spinach + feta + sun-roasted tomatoes) and the dish lived up to its name! -Chai was delish :) -Didn't see much of a kids menu, except for a "kids portion" of chocolate chip pancakes.... which totally overwhelmed my 4yo daughter. Even Sri Chinmoy (the guru which these people follow) seems like an ok-guy, too!
(5)
Sandra M.

Amazing veggie burgers, BOTTOMLESS Chai lattes (not to be missed), and delightfully warm company. I will definitely be visiting again!
(5)
Robert S.

What to say about Victory's Banner????? Well, I am not Vegan or Vegetarian and to me this place is phenomenal!!! Friends of mine who I play tennis with, one morning invited me out to breakfast and took me to this place. I was told by another friend to order any special stuffed french toast they have, no matter what, hey are all great. So when I got there and was handed menu I only looked at specials and ordered the french toast they had that day. It was a Key lime and Raspberry stuffed french toast and believe me, it was to die for! Did not need anything to enhance it, it was great on it's own. Tried the soy sausage as well and was impressed with it too. Let's just say since then, I go to Victory's Banner at least 3 times a month for breakfast.
(5)
Jamie B.

As everyone else has already said, the french toast here is out of this world. I don't care if you don't like french toast, you will like this. I respect the fact that they have real maple syrup. I'm Canadian so I can get pretty picky about my maple syrup, and they don't disappoint. Every time I've eaten here I've sat outside which has been quite pleasant because Victory's Banner sits on the corner of a tree lined street so you get some sun and some shade usually. I've never had to wait for a table which is surprising considering how many good reviews this place has gotten. I've had a couple of bites of some of their omelets, which all were pretty good. I specifically remember the goat cheese and pesto omelet being very good. I haven't been overwhelmed by the spiritual, peace, love aspect of this restaurant (the staff study meditation under the Indian spiritual master Sri Chinmoy), but there was one occasion that really stood out. A group of girls sitting behind me one morning were celebrating a birthday and the staff came out with a vegan chocolate cupcake (which was nice), and then they began singing a birthday song which involved words and phrases such as "rainbows" and "we love your soul." I am not judging, just merely telling an anecdote. It kept breakfast exciting to say the least.
(5)
Linda B.

I had been here once before and remembered liking it but I read these reviews before going this morning. I think my expectations were a little too high as a result. I had, of course, the chai tea and the french toast. Both were good but not amazing. Also, I am a meat eater and I remember being more satisfied by brunch at Green Zebra. Here, I left feeling a little lighter than I wanted.
(3)
Talia G.

I read on yelp I should order the bottomless chai latte - good call!!! A little disappointed there were no mimosas for brunch. My french toast was perfect. My brunch companions who ordered omelets didn't seem too impressed. But my food was awesome, so no complaints on my end. I do love the whole zen/Hindu vibe. It makes it feel less chain-y. As an FYI - I emailed ahead of time since we were a large (7-person) party. The owner himself answered back and was very helpful in accommodating us. They don't take reservations but still had a table ready for us, since we gave them a heads-up. 5 stars for service!
(3)
Channyn W.

I was standing outside admiring the foliage (that's fancy for "oooh pretty flowers") lamenting my lack of a camera while waiting for a friend to arrive. A man who I believe to be the manager walked up and started chatting with me, giving me an instantly great first impression prior to even walking in the door. It's so rare to get such a friendly vibe from a place and it was so welcome. My friend and I were seated right away on a Saturday morning during prime brunch hours so that helped continue the happy glow. The menu is delightful and varied. I'm not a vegetarian but I can't imagine anyone being less than satisfied with the myriad of options. And then, I fell in love. My order of french toast was without doubt the best I have had in the city. Being somewhat of a french toast slut, I can honestly say this french toast converted me to monogamy at hello. The past vanished from my mind and all I could think was "hello love, i'm finally here". Somehow I still managed to have a conversation with my friend. Actually, that's probably the only thing that kept things at a G rating. I'm not writing this review to encourage you to go to Victory's Banner. I'm writing to tell you to back the hell off. The french toast is mine.
(5)
Sandy N.

Vegetarian brunch, friendly atmosphere, delicious food. We ordered: Healthy Scrambled + - a little boring for me, but tasty (boyfriend ordered it) Raspberry French Toast - YUM. Perfectly done french toast (light, fluffy, tasty) Nouvelle Burger - also a hit. The combination of goat cheese with caramelized onions was pretty much failproof, added with the really yummy veggie burger. Will be back (salivating just thinking about it).
(4)
Emann B.

How wonderful to be someplace where all the employees seem to have a good time and genuinely care about their customers. Nice homey space. Food was excellent, generously portioned and flavorful. I had curried split pea soup and the coconut peanut curry wrap...Yummy yum yum! Rich and creamy, loaded with veggies that were cooked through but still crisp. Can't beat the prices, will definitely be back.
(4)
David R.

I've visited twice this year. (Tip: Sunday at noon = 40-minute wait; Saturday at 10 am = Your choice of seats.) On Saturday I ordered one of the daily specials--Italian omelette, with spinach, mushrooms, mozarella, and pesto. The flavor was great, but there was WAY too much cheese. Too much pesto as well, but I scraped some of it off and put it on my toast, which was fantastic. How is it possible to excel at toast? This might have been the best toast that I've ever had. My breakfast buddy ordered the straight up french toast (eschewing the dulce de leche variety) and it was excellent. There was a slighty citrusy undertone to it. I want to come back to try the soy sausage and smoked gouda omelette (mmm...smoked gouda) and the neatloaf (lunch items served only after 11).
(3)
Boon K.

If this place was open after 3 pm, I would totally give them 5 stars. I love their sandwiches and their veggie burger patties. My favorite is their BLT, the veggie bacon they use taste like real bacon, that I felt guilty. Their veggie bacon has a smoke favor to it and it is much healthier than the real thing.
(4)
Beth M.

The vegan French toast at Victory's Banner was the perfect blend of sweetness, gooeyness and chewiness. The two huge slices filled me up. Ok; it was supplemented with some of the herb-sprinkled fried potatoes from my boyfriend's plate, but it was mostly the French toast that did it. I don't even eat much sugary stuff, but now I'm craving more of that French toast with vegan butter and real maple syrup... I'm not sure if the vegan French toast is only for a limited time or if they plan on offering it regularly. The separate vegan menu wasn't as extensive as the regular menu, but it included several sandwiches as well as breakfast staples such as oatmeal. I'd like to try the homemade vegan burger next time. I was surprised they didn't offer soymilk. I would have liked a non-dairy chai. Instead I had Earl Gray steeped from a fancy sewn teabag. Still satisfying. The atmosphere was sunny and lighthearted. The "spiritual master" stuff was minimal and didn't interfere with my tasty brunch.
(4)
Amy G.

I love this place enough to make the trip from Evanston. I have enjoyed every dish I've tried here, I always leave stuffed. The coffee and chai are great. My favorite dishes are the "Satisfaction Promise" and "Egg and Sausage Bagel". The atmosphere is pleasant, and the servers are friendly and willing to make substitutions (I like "Bacon" with my bagel).
(5)
Ali H.

I've been here a couple times, and have been very pleased with my experiences. They have a spiritual theme, and even a little bookstore type area to buy stuff. I remember the breakfast that I had here the first time as being really outstanding. We had the pesto and goat cheese scramble and one of the sweet items (can't remember if it was pancakes or french toast) as well as the house chai, which was a little too milky and not chai-y enough for my tastes. But the food was really good. The second time I came here was around lunch time and we both got veggie burgers. They were good, but not totally up to par for a place that is all vegetarian and should be committed to the highest quality of veggie burger. The patties were mushy and fell apart when you tried to eat them. The flavors were good, but it was hard to eat, and just kinda weird. Mango lassi was yum yum! Anyway, I like this place. I like their vibe, and I can forgive them a mushy veggie burger and bland chai.
(4)
Naomi S.

Doesn't matter if you are vegetarian or not, the food here is creative and of the highest quality! I take any of my visiting friends here for brunch and we always have a great experience. I highly recommend any of the egg dishes with Gouda cheese.
(5)
doug k.

You love.... American Brunch food Indian food Courteous service Cool neighborhood that feels like SF Then this place is nirvana....Indian infused breakie. Try the curry omelet with chutney (who knew?)
(5)
Dan P.

What yells out more about great breakfast then white kids in saris?? Fabulous vegan food--French toast "award winning" Music you will never hear again!!What more could you want!! I like big time!!
(4)
Tiffany K.

I can't believe it has taken me so long to come here, but you can bet on me coming back here again. I came here with my good friend from college. We got here around 1pm for brunch, and we were seated within 5 minutes, tops. My friend ordered the special ($9.95), which was a goat cheese, tomato, spinach omelette (I think there was some other stuff in there, too, but I am not sure). I ordered a Steverino ($9.75), which was a goat cheese, red bell peppers, and caramelized onion omelette. Both of our dishes came with two slices of wheat bread and a side of potatoes. I really liked my dish, even though it didn't come out piping hot and the potatoes were kind of stale. The omelette itself was really delicious, and there were generous portions of everything. The bread was good, but the crust was super hard. I loved the taste of everything, despite the temperature being off. My friend really liked her dish as well, and we both had leftovers that we took home. The atmosphere here is really nice and cozy, and the waiters and waitresses are super friendly. This place was buzzing with activity and there were all kinds of people here enjoying their meal on a Sunday - friends, lovers, families. There is also outdoor seating, which is great. Next time, I am really intent on ordering something sweet (like pancakes or waffles) because they looked so divine on other people's tables. This place is also a bit pricey, but maybe it's the vegan/vegetarian thing? Bottom line: friendly restaurant, pretty good food, nice portions. Definitely coming back!
(4)
William R.

Yes people, there is a wait on the weekend, just like any other brunch place in a busy, buzzing city of CHICAGO IL. The servers are friendly, the coffee is good, food is Vegan/Vegetarian (AS LABELED) and was very good!
(5)
Grey T.

I like Victory's Banner. Admittedly, I am a bit "crunchy" and prefer to stick to vegetarian food. I love that they offer all vegetarian food and breakfast meat substitutes (fake sausage and bacon is becoming more widely available, but not always available, and often if available really foul). But my husband is not predominantly vegetarian and loves this place. One of the highlights of this place is that they make their own chai tea and it is delicious. They will let you take a go cup of it with you when you leave. I have never had the lunch foods - only breakfast, but they offer a great variety of sweet and savory breakfast options. The french toast is thick and delicious, and every egg dish I have had is great. My husband got a special fall pumpkin and other fall things french toast last time we were there and it was fantasic. The downside of Victory's Banner, which is not their fault, is that their dining room is small, so in the winter when there is no outdoor seating their weekend waits get pretty long and a little unpredictable. Best to get their early or have a little snack if you are already starving. But last time I had to wait for a loong time they clearly went out of their way to take my order and feed me quickly (I had been perusing the menu while I waited so already knew what I wanted), which I appreciated.
(4)
Justin V.

So one Saturday my little rockstar DJ friend calls me up and says, "Hey, you know Chess? My partner in Moneypenny? I guess she's like, completely in love with you and thinks you're handsome and she wanted me to ask you if you wanted to marry her and run away to an island or something." I'm kidding. That's a dream I have at least three times a week. What actually happened is one Saturday my little rockstar DJ friend calls me up and says, "Hey. Want to get brunch?" and I go, "Yes. I think I'm literally starving." This Saturday happens to be the day after my birthday, so I've got my two best friends in tow, and all three of us look like the "after" shots from a photo special about meth (because of our hangovers, not because we do meth). So we amble down from my apartment into Roscoe Village in search of this restaurant Jessica said to meet her at called Thor's Hammer or something, squinting and blinking and making ocean deep conversation like, "Did you see that dog?" "Yeah, I like dogs." "That chick was hot too." "I know." "You should get a dog." "I have a pitbull. You should get a chick." "Snap." (We're all basically hunky scientists with huge brains.) So we find the place, and it's called Victory's Banner and everyone's like, "Well LA DI DA, FANCYPANTS," because really? Victory's Banner? A little highfaluting, don't you think? Still, we're starving, so we sit on the bench out front and wait for Jessica, who is perpetually 35 minutes late to basic social events like brunch but can make it to a soundcheck 20 minutes early. While on this bench, reading the many little flyers and signs posted in the window, it occurs to us that something is amiss. "Is this place fucking VEGETARIAN?" "Oh, damn it, come on! We've been walking for 15 minutes! The Dinner/Diner Grill was right across the street." "Oh, cool." (That was Colin. He's a vegetarian.) When Jessica rolls up in her Transitions lenses and funeral garb, pale as Death with bright red lipstick, we start in on the Wet Hot American Summer Paul Rudd foot scuff, whine and pout routine but she's not having it, insisting that it will be delicious and rambling on about peach butter, and Mike and I are just shaking our heads thinking about all the horrid fake sausage we're going to mechanically gnaw while trying not to strangle her. I myself was already trying not to strangle her because our initial hello went something like, "Are those Transitions lenses? Jesus. You look dead. What did you do last night?" "Oh, I went to this Peaches show, and it was awesome. You look like shit. What did YOU do?" "Oh, you know, it was my birthday so all of my friends came in form out of state and we had that party I invited you to." "..." Etc. So we went inside. Well, it turns out that aside from being the most bizarre, let's-all-wear-robes-and-probably-worship-Kali-or-Âwhatever cult center in Roscoe Village, Victory's Banner actually manages to pull off that most unlikely of feats and make everything on their rather impressive menu taste not only not vegetarian but basically delicious. We tore through French toast, Greek salad, several egg scrambles with various proportions of goat cheese and spinach and peppers, a pound of Jessica's coveted peach butter, faux breakfast meats and assorted beverages, and every bite was worth commenting upon. We didn't comment upon them, because between the four of us we had about six working brain cells and spent two hours making the worst jokes imaginable and kind of drooling a little. I'm kidding again. We're like, the funniest people alive and it was JOKESx15 up in the V.B. but I've actually entertained the thought of returning several times, lured, against all of my better judgement and bone-deep disdain for vegetarians, by their absolutely delicious foodstuffs. So if you're a vegetarian ... well, eat bacon. But also, here's your new home. If you're not ... for once you won't have to make that horrid face that accompanies tofu. Victory's Banner does it right.
(5)
Shonda D.

As you may know by now... I love breakfast/brunch! My friend and I went to Victory's Banner on MLK, jr. day and we had a nice dining experience. We ordered the french toast, since everyone is CRA-ZY in love with them (like Beyonce), a side of soy sausage and potatoes. The french toast was moist and tasty. More importantly, you can add the apple butter instead of the syrup. No need for both, as the french toast isn't dry or hard. The eggs and potatoes were cooked just right. The coffee was good as well. I'm not a fan of soy sausage, but I thought I would try it... meh it was ok. The prices are reasonable. The place is pretty small and they pack patrons in pretty tight. But that's nothing unusual in Chicago, right? They also have a coat rack to hang your down winter jackets. Victory's banner isn't necessarily the place where you want to take children (just due to lack of space, not service). It was pretty busy, but the staff was attentive. They seem to rotate, we had three different individuals serve us: food, replenish coffee, water, and the check. All went very smoothly. The area is metered parking only. Parking can be a little challenging, but you will be just fine once you have your french toast and a cup of coffee yumm. If I'm in the area again, I will go back.
(4)
Ashley U.

Incredibly tasty breakfast food and such a PEACEFUL environment. I had the peach french toast and some delicious coffee! Loved it here, will definitely be back soon!
(5)
Dolores P.

This is my favorite restaurant in the entire city. It doesn't hurt that I live down the street from here and I really like the owner, Pradhan. I've been coming here for about six years, and I am never disappointed. I've tried almost everything on the menu, and they don't serve anything but the most amazing, delicious food. They have a new outside eating area in the back!
(5)
Michael S.

Fantastic. Everything I have every eaten here has been really delicious. I am a vegetarian but I have gone MANY times with non-vegetarians and I have never heard one complaint. In fact, my non-vegetarian friends often suggest it as a brunch option. The religious stuff is definitely a little creepy - but, the food... buon appetito!
(4)
Gaurang B.

It was just amazing to see VEGGIE chicken and VEGGIE bacon... And it tasted so good!! I had never thought that on some day I will get to taste such items.. Smoky chicken wrap was great and tasty.. Upma was damn good too.. Orange juice I had was totally fresh and thick.. We had to wait for a while but that reflects their popularity.. But otherwise, ambience and service are really good.. The owner is very much concerned about quality of food being served and whether people are liking it or not.. All and all, a wonderful experience that greatly enhances image of vegetarian food..
(4)
Romonia W.

The best French toast I've ever eaten & the best chai tea I've ever drunk. What's not to love?! Oh & the peach butter was so good I didn't need syrup for the French toast. Definitely adding this place to my favs!
(4)
jenny m.

Wow, this place is pop-u-lar. My friend & I got there at about 12:45 on Sunday and there were at least 20 people waiting (and since the restaurant only holds about 40 people that was a big line). We'd figured we'd miss the brunch crowd by going at that time but I'm thinking this place is busy from the moment they open until the moment they close. Luckily it was a bright, sunny day and they have chairs outside so we gave our name and plopped down in the sun to wait the estimated 45 minutes they told us it would be. They are pretty organized with the list, although I did notice the lady workin that day messed up a couple of times. She said we were ahead of one group, but then called them in first. And then she came out to say we'd be next, but when we went in to wait, she called out a different name a couple of minutes later. I did ask if she had actually meant us and she had, so we were seated. Not a big deal, but when you are starving like we were, and had already waited 45 minutes, having to wait 10 or 20 more minutes to get seated was not an option!! So I would just note the name ahead of you when you get on the list so you can know when you are up next. My friend & I both ended up ordering the southwest burger (I did the vegan option since I'm dabbling in going vegan at the moment). And that burger was freakin delicious!! I usually find veggie burgers somewhat unispired but this was a unique mix of grains & veggies, topped with mushrooms, tomato & greens and some special seasoning. (The non-vegan option also had cheese & mayo - and my friend said the mayo was yummy.) The burger was just tasty and unlike any veggie burger I've gotten at restaurants before. I was very pleasantly surprised by the number of items that can be made vegan and based on my first experience, I'm excited to go back and try out some more. As others have said they do have a separate vegan menu, but the regular menu also notes what can be made vegan. But don't be turned off if you don't want to do vegan, the entire menu is vegetarian and has a great mix of breakfast times and lunch options. Pretty much everything sounded appealing to me!! And last but not least, they do have a note on the menu that says everything can be made to go. Which is a score since I live close and don't think I'll always want to have to wait to get a table there.
(4)
Jennifer B.

If there is a french toast HOLY GRAIL, Victory Banner is it! The french toast here is just phenomenal. I'm not sure if the powdered sugar atop is actually cocaine? I mean, that may kinda explain the addicting quality! In all seriousness, there is a reason that Victory Banner won a Chicago Tribune award for their french toast! i'm an egg-white-omelette snob, and Victory Banner can definitely join my cool clique! Being able to customize your omelette, add, subtract, etc is always appreciated. Victory Banner gets busy early, but while it's annoying at some brunch places, here it's actually kind of fun. It's a small restaurant, but they turn over tables very quickly, the service is great, and I think I just found my new favorite brunch spot in the city.
(5)
Colleen B.

I feel like I'm at the spa when I walk into VB. The walls are pastel blue and yellow, and the tables and chairs are white. The decor says, "breathe deeply." I got the tofu scramble with spinach. Wonderful. It was a bit salty, but I really enjoyed it. A bit pricey, and there's soy milk but no soy butter. For those reasons, VB gets 4 stars instead of 5.
(4)
Dana B.

I've been here before & loved the french toast but, I had to come back here and report what I saw. Last week, I went there with my mom and we noticed little bugs flying around. Like large fruit flies. I had to wave them away from my food several times. I began looking around, to see if other customers where having the same issue and noticed SO many of these flies all over the walls. Smaller than a house fly but bigger than a gnat. I was completely repulsed and even asked the waitress what was up with all the flies. It was 20 degrees outside, so I know their happy home must have been inside this restaurant. I took pics & posting them. I think a health inspection needs to happen. Those bugs were probably living in the flour and just rapidly multiplying. As I was leaving, I looked at the walls in the kitchen and saw a few perched there as well. GROSS!!!!!
(1)
Rebecca C.

I just ate here for the first time. The oat bran pancakes are good. I ordered them for my daughter and the server asked if I wanted the child size, to which I said yes. However, I was charged for an entire order so maybe she just meant plain, since that was the adult option that costs as much as I was charged. My healthy scramble was very good. I think the place probably deserves 4 stars and I always love random videos of gurus with pandas so I will return and see if I can upgrade the review.
(3)
Christina M.

I wanted to try Victory's Banner for a quite a while, but I never went because I've been told by several people that they had limited vegan options. Well recently I decided to find out what those limited options were and to my surprise, they actually have a whole separate vegan menu. You have to ask for the menu since they don't include it with the regular menu, and it's not noticeable - luckily my bf asked if they had options before we were seated and out came the extra menu. Apparently most things can be made vegan here too. First things first, this is a popular place on the weekends! Not only is it busy, but it's small (and cozy) too, so expect to wait to be seated. The line looked long to us, but the wait wasn't too bad. I ordered the vegan Southwest Burger and fried potatoes. The meal was very tasty! I loved the potatoes, the burger and the sauces that came with it were also very good (they have Vegenaise too). Since the burger is gluten free and vegan there's not much to hold it together. Needless to say, my burger did fall apart when I was trying to eat it, so it's a little messy - but it wasn't anything a fork couldn't fix. Overall I really like Victory's Banner, cozy place, friendly workers, and good food!
(4)
Renee E.

I am definitely a little mad at myself that I haven't been to Victory's Banner until yesterday. I even lived a block away for a year in 2004, but the lines I always saw outside seemed a little daunting. And, I admit, I was a little skeptical about it's cult leanings. Not that I'm not a little curious, but I thought they'd be a little more in-your-face about it. I didn't want a pamphlet and a lecture to come with my waffles. And I certainly didn't want someone to try to convert my avowedly non-religious self. I was pleasantly surprised on all accounts. Sure, there was a little literature up near the front and a video with Sri Chimnoy and girls in saris, but that's where the cult ended and the AWESOME vegetarian (vegan upon request!) food began. I can't think of the last time that I read a menu and wanted to try EVERYTHING on it. I settled on a curry wrap with tofu and veg and a side of mashed potatoes with mushroom gravy. Both, extremely delicious. My husband ordered a scramble with sun dried tomatoes and pesto and a side of potatoes and a slice of homemade bread. YUM! My brother, got the bacon cheeseburger and was astonished that this vegan dish was so satisfying! Like I said, I'm mad that I've waited YEARS to try Victory's Banner, but I am DEFINITELY coming back to try more of that deliciousness.
(5)
Sarah L.

Not just for vegetarians! Amazing chai tea, pesto sauce, cute outdoor seating and simple indoor decor. Love love love this place
(5)
Heather H.

The anticipated wait has kept me away from trying out Victory's Banner. And wait we did, for at least 45 minutes on a Sunday. Was it worth it? A resounding YES! VB is very charming, with nice pastel colors which brightened up my mood on the cold, rainy day. The restaurant seems to be dedicated to Sri Chinmoy, an Indian spiritual teacher. But, I wouldn't say it's culty like the Loving Hut chains are. They feed you coffee, juice or water while you wait, which is a very good thing. There certainly isn't much room when you walk in, and I felt bad for the table we were practically standing on top of. They hold about 45 people, so while not tiny, it's not a large room either. When we were finally seated, everything moved really quickly. Orders were taken, and food came out in about 10 minutes. We ordered the french toast, the omelet special of spinach and artichoke, and an egg-white omelet with spinach, soy bacon, and cheddar. They used gouda instead of cheddar, I didn't complain, but it's not my favorite cheese. The french toast was outstanding, the omelets were ok. The lunch menu looked really interesting and flavorful, I'll be back soon to try that. All in all, with the philosophy of this place, you can't help but be in a good mood here, just plan on waiting on the weekend.
(4)
Morr S.

This review is long over due. I have been eating here for years, I like everything on the menu however I'm on a BTL wrap phase at the moment. I am glad this place is not close to my house otherwise I would definitively over-due it and eat here daily, that's how good it is. The veggie bacon is SO good you won't miss the meat, and you can feel good about not supporting the killing of cute pigs and eating a bunch of hormones, getting sick and obese, dieing of cancer all while ruining the environment. Long story short, EAT HERE, feel good! The cooks are always smiling and laughing they seem happy and that's who I want cooking my meal!
(5)
Frank B.

Ate the two most boastful items on the menu! "Satisfaction Promise & Award Winning French Toast". The AWFT is yum! So tasty, fluffy and that apricot buttaaaaa MMMMM! The Satisfaction Promise was well, satisfying but heck, I am satisfied as long as I get to eat! I will venture to try other things but the French Toast is one of the best!!!! **Word to servers: When one orders the Award Winning French Toast don't reply " Oh, you want the REGULAR one". It takes away the magic :(
(4)
Ahmed R.

Finally got to try this place recently. It's a small place, but we got here late on a Saturday just before close so there was barely anyone there. I ordered the chocolate french toast with nuts. I think it may have been nutella, but whatever it was, it was DAMN good! I tried my wife's breakfast burrito and it was delicious. This place knows what they are doing with their food. It was definitely worth making the trip out here for this place!
(5)
Matt R.

wow. This place is amazing! This is the place to go, whether you are a vegetarian or not. It's honestly a small place - I don't think they could seat more than 50 at any given moment. Lots of cool bodhisattva stuff around, and good/fast waitstaff. Food quality here is very very good. they have a lot of creative combinations - the peasant bread was amazing! It was like pesto +goat cheese, and the bread was like a homemade fluffy wheat bread. The sandwiches, obviously lacking meat, are not lacking in size. If you order a sandwich here, be prepared for it to be bigger than a sandwich you'd make at home (and better). Omelettes are equally awesome, and the chai is wonderful. This compares with Chai at an indian restaurant, although a little creamier.
(5)
Erin B.

As soon as my friend mentioned we would be going to brunch the next morning at a vegetarian friendly restaurant, I was sold. We passed dozens of small, cozy restaurants with outdoor seating along our walk, but it was worth the constant grumble in my stomach with each passing smell to wait for this place. When you enter, you may be taken aback by the staff wearing free flowing sari's and loose clothing. Once you settle into your table, you can read the article on the menu on how the restaurant makes money for an annual retreat. Because the staff is invested in their cause, they take good care to treat you with respect and unlimited kindness. The coffee, my most important part of the morning, was strong and delicious. There are refills, which I was not certain about since the waitresses didn't come around till almost the end of our meal with more. I chose to make my own egg skillet mix with broccoli and onions and tofu. As a non-meat eater, I was trying to place the flavor palette they chose, and when a friend tried a piece of tofu she said it was teriyaki sauce. It took some adjustment (as I usually eat my eggs with hot sauce but the sweet hot mix was not good), but I definitely can say the meal was overpoweringly good. I, personally, cannot eat the bread that came with the meal, but it looked SO good. Light, fluffy and delicious with freshly whipped butter. No one complained and the table favorite was soy bacon, who'd have thought?
(3)
Susie A.

Love this place! My go to dishes are usually the neatloaf sandwich and the bacon cheeseburger. It's good veggie food because they don't try to imitate meat. The folks are very nice, too.
(5)
Jonathan U.

The food here was excellent. No complaints, in fact I will probably come back again very soon. Also, love the location. However it is missing 5 stars due to 2 things: 1. The service was horrible. We sat there for 20 minutes before we were acknowledged. 2. We had 3 menus all with different prices. CHECK YOUR MENUS! We felt like we were getting ripped off, especially when we found out the price was higher than all 3!
(4)
Lesley A.

I'm a big fan of Victory Banner because I know it is a safe and inviting place to bring my vegetarian/vegan/gluten-free friends. Their menu is unique, which is a high compliment for the multitude of restaurants in Chicago. I also like the ambiance of white against blue walls with yellow trip (that comes off as calming and not Swedish pride - which is far from their yoga-esque mission). Victory Banner is known for their award-winning French toast made with a soft bread that's like challah, and served with vegan peach butter. It's truly delicious. I also enjoy their mango lassi even if it's a little pricey (over $3). HOWEVER, I was disappointed to find that my clothes smelled like cooking oil from the restaurant. They need a better ventilation system, and it's embarrassing to have to go home and change clothes because I seriously reeked of oil. Maybe takeout next time?
(4)
Marie B.

I had the egg scramble platter with mushrooms and tomato. Very good! The french toast looked a lot better, but I was trying to keep it light. The home potatoes are very good too. The coffee was yummy, I forgot to ask what brand of coffee that they brewed. On the weekends I almost always see a line for brunch, not sure if the food is that good to wait in line for though
(4)
Jack P.

I've only been here once, for breakfast, and I was very impressed. There was a wait on a nice Sunday summer morning. Once in, the atmosphere was cozy, and the service friendly and gracious. The breakfast menu was varied, and I decided on eggs with fake sausage. The whole vegetarian ambiance was imbued with the servers' dress, hinting at something Hindu, but I'm not really sure what the religion-based them was. My breakfast was delicious. The faux-sassich was really good. My friend's faux bacon, however, was a very flat, thin, pink and white mass which reminded me of bubble gum on the road which has been run over by a car. It tasted pretty good, though, for fried road kill bubble gum. Definitely NOT a replacement for the real thing. But will there ever be? I would definitely go back and I have referred others there, since I get quite a few veggie visitors. And I am very veggie-friendly. As long as there is flavor, I'm good! This is really a top breakfast/brunch spot.
(4)
Benjamin H.

The vegan french toast here is to die for.
(5)
Alejandra V.

This place is...ok. The place is small, the servers are nice, the service is quick, the food is vegetarian. They're knows for their french toast. I'm not sure why, the only special thing about it was it was on super thick slices of bread. I also had the Steverino omelet, caramelized onions, bell pepper and goat cheese and potatoes on the side, the better option. Boyfriend liked it, I didn't hate it. If I lived in the area I would come back but I don't so, meh. There's a wait. I don't know why I'm mentioning that. It's brunch on a weekend, of course there's a wait.
(3)
Jennie P.

Everybody who lives in Chicago knows Brunch is a big deal in this city. To add to that, there are so many options out there on every street. Do we go for a straight breakfast/brunch place or a bar with brunch? Do we want to wait in the lines and more importantly - is it WORTH the wait? Well, there are several places in this city that offer a great brunch and most of them considered great for different reasons (Great Bloody Mary's, Amazing Pancakes, Love their Coffee, Eggs are perfect). On our list for a little while now was Victory's Banner. Why? Because it's unique in that it's vegan/vegetarian and their breakfast menu is FULL of options. We walked right in their open door and automatically - you feel good. The walls are blue and yellow-very inviting and peaceful. The owner came up to us immediately - was incredibly friendly- wiped down a table for us and led us to our seats. What to get from a Vegan/Vegetarian place? After much consideration - I landed on the "Healthy Scramble" which was scrambled eggs- your choice of 2 veggies mixed in w/ it along with tofu, brown rice, and bread. It was AMAZING! It had great flavors, everything was cooked to perfection, the brown rice was even good. The bread is baked right there as well - and it's nice and soft - full of oats/bran as well. My husband got the Satisfaction Promise I believe which was scrambled eggs, feta cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, potatoes, and bread. Naturally, I tried his as well and it was also amazing. I can't say enough good things about this place because the best part about this brunch is the fact that you leave - not so full you need to hit the couch afterwards - but you can continue on with your day satisfied and still able to eat the rest of the day. It's not greasy or anything - it really is great. I think everyone should try it- even if you're not vegan or vegetarian - it really is unbelievable.
(5)
Jerry P.

Victory's Banner is a wonderful way to start the day. Getting there before 9:00 almost always ensures no waiting. The staff is quite friendly and the owner always makes me feel welcome and happy to be there. Although I am vegetarian, my wife and friends that we go with are not. We all have an enjoyable time and greatly enjoy the food. I tend to drive the owner a bit crazy, because I almost always order the same thing. The eggless wonder is my favorite. I 'veganize' it by requesting no cheese, but with salsa mixed in. It is absolutely delicious! I enjoy it so much that I rarely want to order any other dish. Nonetheless, my wife generally orders either the signature french toast or an egg dish. Although the peach butter doesn't generally come with all dishes, my wife requests it with her toast because it is so good. Beyond the good food, many of the staff are on a spiritual path, which is reflected in their joy of preparing and serving such good food. Getting to know the owner is a pleasure. He is a man of many talents. He once diagnosed my gout correctly after talking to me for one minute, after four doctors in an emergency room failed to do so. (He is a non-practicing chiropractor.) He also has a grand sense of humor, but I will leave it at that. In summary, good food, warm surroundings, wonderful experience.
(5)
Nina D.

I always enjoy eating here. Proportions are the right size, the staff is always friendly. It's definitely worth the wait.
(5)
Colleen C.

Finally. I made it. Ok, let me first admit...sheepishly (I mean...veggie-ishly) that I totally spaced, and didn't realize this place was vegetarian focused, etc. So imagine my surprise that soy sausage is pretty damn tasty! Who woulda thunk it, eh? My soy sausage and smoked gouda omelette was quite fantastic. The accompanying 11 cups of coffee (gimme a break, I flew back in late last night!) did the trick to keep me alert. SUPER alert. Whoa. Props for the constant stream of caffeination. I can see why this place jams up on the weekends...as it seats approximately 18 people. My suggestion (if/when possibe): hit on a weekday. Seems to have a holistic, yoga-like, zen type of vibe. Cool. I like my eggs with a little bitta zen. Not sure of the story behind it, but I'd venture to guess its pretty interesting...as they close twice a year (for a few weeks) to honor their Master in some faraway land... dig it.
(4)
Jodi R.

We refer to this place as "the cult". One trip in and you'll see why. The absolute best omelettes, French toast & pancakes. French toast and pancake specials are not to be missed, especially French toast with marscapone and orange. Homemade soups are usually quite yummy. They'll let you have a taste if you want to try one. Veggie burgers (bliss burger) are the best I've ever had and come with real mashed potatoes and mushroom gravy or brown rice. They use Phil's Farm Fresh Eggs and that makes a difference. Be prepared to wait on Sat & Sun. In the summer you can dine outdoors too. Closed on Tues.
(5)
Eric L.

My girlfriend is a vegetarian, but I am not. However, if all vegetarian food were from here I would seriously consider switching. I have been here a couple times. The staff seems stretched a little thin each time, but they have always been nice and sometimes talkative (for the better). The veggieburgers are the best I have ever had, and I have tried a lot. Also, the "neatloaf" was incredible, and I'm not a huge meatloaf fan. Another thing, I'm not often a fan of is mushrooms (I'm picky). However, the mushroom gravy is really good on their mashed potatoes. The only bad thing about this restaurant is the hours and the wait (which I imagine is not helped by the poor hours). They are only open from 8am - 3pm and not at all on Tuesday. This really sucks because you pretty much have to go on the weekend, but so does everyone else, and it is popular. My girlfriend and I have always had to wait at least 10 - 20 minutes. We always end up saying it was worth the wait, though.
(4)
Kerry M.

took my vegetarian sister here for brunch this afternoon after reading all of the positive reviews on here, and all in all it was a good experience. the food was good, i had the pesto and goat cheese omelette, she had the blt. after getting past the fact that my omelette was bright green, i proceded to eat the entire thing. no legit complaints about this place, other than the super crowded space, and the less than clean restaurant itself....
(3)
Alicia F.

I had lunch here today with my friend Eric and the food was great! If you are not a vegetarian, I promise you won't miss the meat! I had a veggie burger with smoked Gouda. Eric swears by the french toast. The place definitely has a funky zen-like vibe, although when my toddler let out a joyful holler in appreciation of her pancakes, we did get a few stares for "disturbing the peace."
(4)
Teddy J.

i had high expectations after hearing and reading reviews on a vegetarian brunch. well, they failed to mention that vegetarian means low on taste. my brunch companion and i both ordered the omelette which turned out to be rather bland. the redeeming factor was the side of house potatoes. service was mediocre... our server dropped items left and right. and he seemed to be trying way to hard trying to get us to laugh at his jokes. all in all... it was an ok meal. i'd give it another chance... but not too soon. for the far off location and the long wait in line... i can find something better and tastier in my neighborhood.
(2)
Joel S.

I go to Victory's Banner about once a month. It's reliable, and quality vegetarian food. The last few times I have been there, I have ordered from the lunch side of their menu. Yesterday, I had a "Neatloaf" sandwich that was pretty tasty. One thing that you have to be prepared for when you go to Victory's Banner is the amount of Sri Chimnoy stuff going on. Apparently he's an Indian spiritual leader, and his followers operate the restaurant. There was a pretty awesome video playing in the waiting area/entrance of Sri Chimnoy lifting a small plane, which would be impressive if he wasn't using a huge lever. Yay simple machines!
(4)
Martha Z.

Just like Luca I heart beef, very much so. But I hardly missed it at Victory's Banner. The dishes were delish and the coffee was the best brew to be had. The staff wears robes and you may think the color scheme is ala senior citizen rec room hall, but it's all good. I will say I was not impressed with the fake bacon...sometimes you just got to go for the real thing!
(4)
Maureen D.

was here yesterday with my mom- it's a lovely, bright little place with great light and a friendly staff. we were seated as soon as a table was available, and i ordered the african nectar tea- phenomenal. my mom and i then ordered our food- she got the french toast, and i got eggless wonder #2. both fantastic choices. i can't wait to come back and try everything else on the extensive menu! yay.
(4)
Alexandra D.

This is one of my favorite places in the city. The all vegetarian food is consistently great, the service is too, and the atmosphere is so peacefull I can't help but feel better after breakfast. They close twice a year in April and August... so just make sure they are open before you show up, I have made that mistake more than once
(5)
Mandee M.

Victory's Banner is Vegetarian. It is located at 2100 W. Roscoe here in Chicago. My Husband loves Meat, but can find things to eat here that he likes too. But he is not that enthusiastic about some of the qwerkiness that comes from their theme that they try to have going, since he feels that some of the menu items don't stay true to this theme since there are only a few items that are truly vegan, so beware if that is important to you. However, we have yet to have a bad meal from there, but we feel that there are much better places in the city to get breakfast/brunch. Their # is (773) 665-0227. They are Open for breakfast and lunch every day of the week except Tuesday, and we normally spend about $10-15 per person. I'm pretty sure that major credit/debit cards are accepted too.
(3)
Amelie D.

Whether or not you can dig the moderately hare krishna vibe going on here, this place is excellent. Smiling, friendly, and attentive staff serves you healthy food while wearing saris. Try the fresh-squeezed orange juice - Sri Chinmoy himself must have blessed this delectable nectar. The meatless and vegan options are highly comparable to their authentic meat counterparts. This would be a great place to take a non-veg for breakfast or brunch, and ease them into vegetarian fare. Also highly recommend the "stripples" bacon-free bacon.
(5)
Nina W.

All vegetarian restaurant in Roscoe Village that not only promotes cult-like positive thinking, but also serves some of the best French toast this side of Chicago. It's soft and egg-y and served with a peach butter spread, which is absolutely delicious. Their breakfast food is incredible, but their lunch leaves much to be desired. If I had to choose, I'd go to Victory's Banner for a veggie breakfast and Chicago Diner for a veggie lunch. For two entrees including drinks, our total was less than $24.00 without tax.
(3)
M. C.

I was a little skeptical about this place. I'm not a vegetarian, and I didn't know what to make of a waitstaff that consisted of sari-clad followers of Sri Chinmoy (whoever he is). However, no one tried to convert me to a new path of spirituality, and the food, in and of itself, has made me a fan. Far and away, my favorite thing on the menu is the Peasant's Lunch. I had Hungarian mushroom soup served with homemade bread covered in goat cheese and pesto. (Can you say, "Yum"?) My second favorite thing on the menu is the bottomless Chai Tea. It's made from scratch, and it's wonderful. The French Toast at this place is also good. Surprisingly, though, I also enjoyed the Smoky Chicken Wrap...and when I say chicken, I mean faux chicken because again, this place is a vegetarian place. It looked like, tasted like, and had the texture of real chicken. Craziness. The only semi-complaint about the wrap is that there was a little too much sauce on it.
(4)
A M B.

This is a restaurant you almost don't want to write a review on because you in NO way want to increase the chance of the line becoming any longer for Sunday brunch. Alas, here I go~ I get excited when we have friends in town because this is always where we take them. I haven't had one bad thing on the menu and the coffee is, to me, one of the finest cups in the city- strong, creamy and delicious. My boyfriend and I split one savory item and one sweet so that we may experience the best of both worlds. It has been remarked that I 'split' with laser beam exactness, and after you've had their raspberry french toast- you will understand why. My other favorite is the curry wrap w/ brown rice. I spotted someone eating it at another table on my first visit and haven't turned back since...when it's my turn to choose the savory item, this is what I go for. Also, order a side of toast if it doesn't come with your meal- the bread is exceptional but not as good as their prices. Enjoy and be sure to take them up on a coffee or chai tea while you're waiting in that LONG line!
(4)
CM D.

The food was good, but it's so jammed on Saturday and Sunday mornings that people stand outside to wait, sometimes for up to an hour. And honestly, I don't think the food is THAT good. It may just be my non-vegetarian nature coming through, though.
(3)
David F.

This place serves wonderful breakfasts and lunches. The menu is vegetarian and offers egg dishes, soups, salads, and wraps among other things. The menu states that it exists for one reason, to give joy. The inside is small and can get a bit cramped when full. The food is well worth it and the prices are very reasonable. They are closed on Tuesdays.
(4)
K H.

My favorite brunch food, ever, hands down. The only complaint I have is that I don't dig the decor, but who cares when the food is so delish. The French toast with peach butter is to die for, as are the scrambles and eggless wonders. The owner is always friendly...he used to offer a free meditation class (not sure if he still does), which I took a couple times.
(4)
Candice T.

I'm not sure what people mean by the 'culty' feeling. No one here is asking you to drink the kool-aid. As their website explains "All of us who work here are students of meditation, and study with the Indian Spiritual Master Sri Chinmoy. The restaurant is a reflection of the impact Sri Chinmoy has had on our lives, and it is inspired by him. His philosophy encourages a sincere inner life with an active outer life. By meditating on the spiritual heart, he teaches, the seeker can discover his own inner treasures of peace, joy, light and love." I've never seen anyone negatively review a restaurant based on the owners spiritual beliefs. Shame on you Yelpers. Here is what you need to know. Victory's Banner has wonderful food. What makes it even better is that it's wonderful vegetarian food, (which isn't easy to come by in Chicago) the best in the city, in my opinion. You'll be greeted with a smile and always treated with respect by the servers. The restaurant it's self is warm, sunny and inviting in every aspect, from the flowers in the window to the politeness of the staff. Did I mention how FANTASTIC the food is?? If you haven't already, you have to try the french toast!! There is only one drawback. Victory's Banner is closed on Tuesdays. That's it. So, go. Run if you have to. This place is not to be missed!
(5)
D J.

This was probably my best brunch outing in Chicago to date - as you step into the tiny, bustling restaurant on Roscoe and Hoyne, the eastern inspired influence is unmistakable - from the stacks of yoga/meditation books and chai/incense stick collections, aroma of sandalwood to the women dressed in sarees - you could be stepping into a cafeteria at the Theosophical Society(India) - well, not that they would serve such fabulous french toast or such a wide selection of omelettes or scrambled eggs! The wait was long, which is expected at any popular brunch place in the city, but the food was totally worth the wait - I had a combination of scrambled eggs with basil pesto and sun dried tomato, and some fine french toast, along with a white tea infusion. The folks at the place were friendly, the tab was a trifle high, the crowd was diverse, the only commonality being that they were all vegetarian (or at least forced to be for that morning!) as Victory is touted as one of those unique vegetarian only dining spots. Absolutely loved it - we need more of these around here!
(4)
Sam W.

An ex-girlfriend introduced me to this place and used to drag me here all the time for brunch. To her credit, although I was never crazy about the clientele and the cramped feeling of the place, I must agree with the other posters that the french toast and omelettes are superb. Yes, they do have a weird cult thing going on and yes they have an interesting video on loop of their leader and people boarding some sort of craft, but I like it nonetheless.
(4)
Luther Z.

One of my favorite breakfast/brunch spots in the city. Service is consistently high quality and friendly to boot. I've never been disappointed in the quality of the food either. I'm a carnivore, but I don't mind passing up on the meats while I'm here. Everyone who I've brought to this spot has agreed that it was not only delicious, but that they did not miss the meat. The atmosphere, even when busy and hectic, is still relaxed and peaceful. I've never felt rushed by the service, no matter how busy they were. The omelettes are fluffy and hearty, the soups and bread are fresh, and the french toast with the peach butter is obnoxiously good. Yes it gets tight in there on the weekends, and the wait can be pretty long... but its definitely worth it. If you end up having to wait, walk around the neighborhood for a bit. There's plenty to see on Roscoe and Belmont. The secret to this place, however, is to skip the Sat/Sun brunch rush, and head over during the weekday. I've never had a wait Mon-Fri, and the food and service are just as good, if not better. I also notice that some people commented on the whole "cult" thing, and their followings of the teachings of Sri Chinmoy... I guess my response to that is this: They have never proselytized to me, they've never made me feel uncomfortable, and even though his literature is available and videos run in the background (on mute), I've never been asked to take a pamphlet with me, or watch the videos. They don't mock others for kneeling to Christ or bowing to Mohammad... so come on folks, don't mock them for not fitting inside your narrow scope of what religion is, or should be. If it makes you uncomfortable, then don't go... but don't be disrespectful either.
(5)
sara s.

I never get tired of their eggless wonder: tofu, goat cheese, veggies, potatoes and herbs. Staff are friendly and helpful. I'm a vegetarian and my only complaint is that they close at 3pm and the line is long on weekends.
(5)
Sarah F.

This is a favorite place of mine to take friends when they visit. On the weekends there is usually a wait but it's worth it. The mashed potatoes with mushroom gravy are a favorite, as is the Eggless Wonder: potatoes, fresh veggies, goat or feta cheese, basil pesto, and tofu all scrambled together. As a vegetarian, this is brunch heaven for me!
(5)
Herine C.

I'm a carnivore through and through, but this is my absolute favorite breakfast place in Chicago. My fiance used to live in Roscoe Village and introduced me to VB several years ago and I've never once been disappointed. The coffee is wonderful, and I almost always get the Satisfaction Promise and split the French Toast with peach butter with a new convert or faithful follower (to the restaurant, that is =]). Just stay on top of their religious observance/retreat schedule, because there's nothing more disappointing than showing up with a craving for one of their signature dishes and then realizing you won't be able to appease it for another week due to the restaurant being closed!
(5)
Rian K.

Victory's Banner is a great place to meet up with friends or just chill out. The staff are peaceful and attentive. You just get a good vibe going in there. You may even want to start on their tiny chair filled patio when it's warm out with a cup of their bottomless chai (my friend is absolutely in love with it, though I can't stand tea in any form). They have a very wide selection for vegetarians, which is half of the reason that I go there. I do have to admit that it's a little hit or miss. I've never had anything bad here, but not everything is incredibly delicious. Most of it I would rate as "good." One example would be the pancakes. You can get them with different fruits like raspberries or apples. I thought that they were sort of dry. But my friends all love them. The atmosphere and good selection keep me coming back. If you go on your birthday, they even sing a song about celebrating your soul!
(4)
Dilaun W.

Unique atmosphere. The decor is kind of a mix of a baby's room with blue walls and bird artsy scribbles and India with the servers wearing saris and lots of references to Buddhism & zen things on the walls too. It's a cute diner type restaurant almost could be a beach cafe. The wait can be long if you go during prime brunch hours. I had the award winning French toast and it was positively amazing. Comes with peach butter. Plenty of maple syrup on the table. They also have huge omelets and tasty soups. Lots of gluten free items on the menu too for those who need it.
(4)
Daura A.

The Neatloaf Dinner is to die for. It's my favorite here. Customer service is great. I don't like their omelettes or wraps; in both cases they just have bad taste to me, not sure why. I only tried ea. once and wasn't my taste at all. Their burgers are good as well as there vegan soups. I have never tried the pancakes or any sweet stuff. I always want to order a hot cocoa or chocolate buy they don't carry rice or almond milk, so can't have it. Soy milk i guess they have it. I always wonder how a place like this doesn't offer other choices of milk but isn't a big deal. It's worth trying the place.
(4)
Amanda P.

Love this place, they have great fake bacon for omelettes/scrambles and the employees are all so nice. I do wish they offered a tempah option thought.
(5)
Dee B.

Totally delicious! The pesto and goat cheese omelet did not disappoint. The bread served with breakfast tasted like it was fresh from the bakery this morning. I will definitely be back here:)
(5)
Tim H.

Good brunch option with indoor and outdoor seating options. They have a signature french toast which was pretty simple with peach butter, but it was well executed and good. They have real maple syrup on the table. I had their egg scramble with pesto, sundried tomatoes, potatoes on the side, and Red Hen bakery toast that had an awesome crust. Enjoyed the dish and will be back.
(4)
Chris M.

My good friend just moved here recently and I came down to visit him on a Saturday morning to check out his place and get some breakfast. Of course, when I asked him where we were going he had no clue as we are walking down Roscoe. Boom, Victory's Banner. Not knowing a thing about the place, we come to find its vegetarian, which for two 6 3", 220 lb dudes like us, this would normally be an issue. But it's good to cleanse the body of the meat sweats every once in a while, and Victory's Banner does not disappoint when it comes to quality products used. I also agree with old Yelper pal, Colleen C.'s review about this place having a holistic vibe to it. I had the breakfast burrito. The gouda used really made this veggie burrito taste great. That and the organic salsa. Everything from the fresh veggies used to the brown rice on the side speaks that the food is made with love and a health conscious effort. The coffee was uniquely tasting, very strong and I didn't see the bottom of my cup while drinking perhaps 4-5 cups. Service was excellent, although it wasn't all that busy while we were there either. I will definitely be back, great place.
(4)
Jaime G.

Not so victorious here. Service is a bit lacking (although made up later) and the food was very much hit or mis. The trip started with the host telling me that the wait was 15-20 min. He left and came back to ask if I was still staying - as if he had expected me to leave. How inviting...It's not like I haven't waited that long before dude. If I was in a bad mood, I would of left. I gave them a chance anyway and was punished by having to wait nearly 1/2 hour. Bummer. We then ordered and it was taken by 2 diff people. Each not knowing what the other has already asked...and my order came back wrong on top of it. Another bummer. Finally, we were seated in an area that was hit by cold air and when we asked to have to vents turned down...nothing came of. Ok...enough. Food was ok overall with kudos to the veggie burger (which my 8 yr old orders without being promoted to do so and then actually liked) and the French toast with peach butter. The other food was just plain and ok. I expected more flavor from a place that prides themselves on vegan, veggie cuisine. The rating would have been lower if the order mistake wasn't taken off my bill...which I appreciated. But not enough to make the overall trip enjoyable.
(3)
Heather H.

Vegan french toast? Yes please! I came here with my mom and a friend on an early Saturday morning, and was very happy with the vegan selections (be sure to ask for the separate vegan menu if that's something you are into). Vegan french toast is something that is not often done well, but here it was absolutely exceptional. I also appreciated the real maple syrup on the table, not as an expensive extra or something you have to ask for separately from the fake stuff. The coffee was also strong and delicious, which is a key component to a good breakfast. Service was friendly and prompt. My mom got some kind of tofu scramble that looked really good, but alas I was too busy shoving french toast into my gaping maw to event think about trying it.
(5)
Lizette Y.

I can't begin to even describe how much I love this place! Let me bring it back about 15 years ago, when being vegetarian wasn't cool, it was damn hard to find a restaurant that had a decent selection of food, other than the lame "vegetarian-friendly salad". Victory's Banner always had an extensive, EXTENSIVE menu of vegetarian and vegan-friendly options. They have scrambles made with either egg or tofu, fresh house-made chai, veggie sausage or bacon, the list goes on. Not only are their egg/tofu dishes delicious, their pancakes and french toasts are to die for. Let me list the freaking delicious things I've gorged upon at this place: carrot pancakes, almond french toast, satisfaction promise (tofu pesto scramble, OMG), curry omelet, Steverino omelet, broccoli cheddar omelet, Greek omelet, soy sausage and Gouda omelet, pesto goat cheese omelet. The service is always wonderful and friendly, and you can even buy some of their homemade chai mix to take home with you! Get there early, because this place gets busy. We've even taken a few meat-loving carnivores here, and they have also fallen in love with it. EAT HERE NOW!
(5)
Carolyn L.

Oh man, the brunch here is just out of this world. Whether you go savory or sweet you won't be disappointed. I usually go for the french toast, whatever the special is, because it's humongous. Usually it involves some concoction of granola and fruit and it's always amazing. The last time, my friend got their omelette special with had brie, apples, and some kind of chutney. I definitely snuck a few bites of that in. Their fresh squeezed juice is delicious. The staff is really nice and speaks quietly as a matter or principle, which I enjoy. It's within walking distance of my apartment so I can roll myself home after stuffing my face. I just generally say YES to Victory's Banner.
(5)
Wilmar G.

Breakfast at a little healthier level. Many healthy options to choose from. Loved their pesto eggs and french toast with peach butter. They have real syrup and their coffee is strong and good which was a really nice surprise for me to find here. The quantity of kids pancakes might be a bit little for a 6 year old pancakes lover. He was still hungry. But overall I found their "namaste" vibe different and so their cute decor.
(4)
FoodChick F.

Dined late June 2014, 3 visits Victory's Banner...Go. You will eat healthy foods, organic foods, and whole foods full of flavor. I was in the area for 5 days and ate here 3 times and got food to go. Yes, I am a fan. I wish Victory's Banner was here in DC area. The staff is kind and attentive. The restaurant is smallish but they accommodated my party of 10 no problem. Victory Banner always has plenty of patrons seated inside and outside, each of the 3 times I visited I was seated quickly. The foods I ordered and ate: Lemon lentil soup - divine, aromatic, delicious. So good I got it to go on another visit. Pancakes with yogurt, fresh raspberry, and homemade granola - perfect pancakes--light, tasty; a good, hearty breakfast. Loved the granola. Omelet: I made my own with spinach and mushrooms. Good omelet. Fabulous breakfast potatoes! Dense & hearty bread served as side; it was good. The same bread also came with the lentil soup. What I tasted and looooved: Breakfast Burrito: A tortilla stuffed with 2 scrambled eggs, mushroom, red onion, red peppers, gouda, black beans and sour cream. Organic salsa & brown rice on the side. I needed more days in Chicago because on my next visit I was going to order my very own Breakfast Burrito. I had tasted it on one occasion, then shared about 1/3 of one on another visit. They are big and delicious...not salty, you can taste the individual ingredients. Good eatin' Chow! food chick ~~:~~ Eat, drink, be merry and validate for parking (TM)
(4)
Tiffany R.

I'm bias because this place is like my cheers. I love the staff they make it worth coming. The food is fresh and tasty. They grow a great deal of their own food. They have fresh flowers on the table from their flower shop next door.
(5)
Kyle W.

One of the best, no-frills breakfast spots in the city. All vegetarian/vegan. To drink, make sure you try the homemade chai, it's incredible. I don't drink coffee and have had more than my share of chai and this is may be the best I've ever had. My favorite entree is the french toast, which is light and fluffy and amazing. I like the combo with a slice of french toast and two eggs. The egg scrambles are also popular and delicious. The place isn't too big but it's comfortable and they usually move people in and out quickly. The servers are friendly and laid back, they all are students of meditation and the philosophy permeates the environment of the restaurant, perfect for a relaxing morning brunch! Fair prices too...just go!
(5)
Buck T.

What's not to love about this spot? It is always bathed in sunlight, the food is original and delicious, the cult members that work here are wonderfully pleasant and they never mention their cult like activity, they are open early, there is always an open table, and there is an abundance of free street parking. And, did I mention that the food is damn tasty? Order the Satisfaction Promise!
(5)
Happiness L.

Very lovely place and people. The apple and pecan waffle is amazing! The tofu scramble is a favorite of people nearby yet not really my thing. Some of the best chai I ever had. Great bread. Great place for the neighborhood.
(4)
Cynthia R.

We had the award winning French toast with that amazing peach butter and one of the omelette specials, which I can't remember specifically...I do remember that it was crazy delicious!
(4)
Britt B.

The people who work here are so hospitable as if you've been invited to their house for lunch. I was hesitant to come here despite the enticing crowds waiting outside because I am not a vegetarian and love my morning bacon and whatnot. Well, let me tell you, I had the most delicious curry omelette here. I could have cared less about my bacon when I was plowing through that thing. Probably one of the best omelettes I've ever eaten in my entire life.
(5)
J G.

This review is for the horrid service we experienced a few weeks ago when we went to Victory's Banner for breakfast on a weekday. The food was honestly forgettable, I can't even remember what I had. My husband had some sort of scramble which he said was okay. Perhaps our server was having an "off" day (as a former server, I know that these days can happen and sometimes you take it out on your tables) but she was nothing but flat-out rude from the get-go. My husband had a few substitutions he wanted for his dish, and as he was explaining this to the server she held her finger up in his face and said brusquely "uh, can you GIVE me a minute?" and scribbled on her pad. These were not complicated subs. It was one ingredient substitution and one ingredient he didn't want. This was nothing out of the ordinary, and nowhere on the menu do they say "no substitutions." So, we place our order but I was just completely soured on this woman. For a place that's trying to send across a peaceful, Zen-like vibe, this woman was whatever the opposite of that vibe is. She then proceeded to disappear for about 20 minutes, during which our food was sitting up on the counter under the heat lamps. We were this close to getting up and just getting the damn food ourselves instead of waiting for this woman to reappear. Reappear she did, eventually, reeking of cigarettes, and dropped our food off. No apologies, no asking if we needed anything else, just dropped the food at the table and walked away. I try to make it a practice to give each server I encounter the benefit of the doubt, particularly if it's clearly slammed in the restaurant, if the place seems understaffed, or if we have a large party or complicated orders. All these factors tend to rub servers the wrong way or put them in a bad mood. I can even accept neglectful service as long as the server recognizes it eventually, or even gives an explanation. None of these factors were in play, and this woman just ruined what could have been a pleasant experience.
(2)
stephanie s.

One of my fav vegetarian restaurants in the city, but you certainly don't need to be veg to enjoy. Love the French toast with peach butter for breakfast and southwest burger for lunch. Neatloaf sandwich and dinner are also fab choices. Coffee is great, atmosphere is even better. A truly zen Expirience, I highly recommend!
(5)
Jessica Y.

Victory's Banner is INCREDIBLE! I salivate even writing this review. Their Raspberry French Toast is to die for. I never order French Toast but this is amazing. Everything is homemade here. The Satisfaction Promise is another favorite. Order whatever you want here. You won't be disappointed!
(5)
Noelle S.

I love Victory's Banner. Sure it's moderately culty but still delicious.
(4)
Victor N.

Not being open on Tuesdays is so not cool! We took an epic cab to get there and it was closed. Tuesday is a pretty normal breakfast day. Dude.
(3)
Meredith B.

First visit back in three years, and Victory's Banner is better than ever. How is this place SO. FREAKING. GOOD? What are they putting in this simple vegetarian brunch fare to make it so craveable? The chai is perfect. Get anything with pesto because it's literally the best pesto I've ever had. I mean it's just pesto! But it's amazing! And the Eggless Wonder #2 is officially my new go-to. Tofu stir-fried with loads of fresh veggies, served over brown rice with pesto and feta. Yes. A thousand times yes. So fresh and so flavorful, it exemplified what I love about breakfast. My parents were equally delighted with their food, which I did not taste because I was saving aaaaaall the belly room for my meal. Sunny space, friendly staff, real flowers on the table, peaceful and happy vibe. This place will seriously melt your cares away.
(5)
Ivy D.

Try the Pesto and Goat cheese Omelette. You will not be disappointed. Its sooo good.
(5)
Ankit G.

An absolute treats for vegetarians to have breakfast. Try the egg scramble with pesto... Truly awesome.
(5)
Christopher M.

If you haven't been you should know Victory's is vegetarian/vegan, so don't go looking for a side of bacon. VB is a very dependable brunch place and nothing more. Do they have anything that will knock your socks off? Nah. But is it crap? Nope. Just good, standard food. They say their french toast is famous; it was fine, nothing crazy. Their dishes were hearty and tasty, but again, nothing too outstanding. Nothing crazy great going on here, but very dependable and good.
(4)
Bran G.

Victory Banner has quite a reputation to live up to! Google best brunches in Chicago and VB will absolutely pop up on some of the lists. I think what I liked most about brunching here is the atmosphere. So calm, relaxing, zen like. I didn't feel rushed, there's no pressure to do a mimosa or bloody, just enjoy a mature Sunday meal with friends. The inside is pretty small but a table for two was only a 20 minute wait or so. It looks like they have outdoor seating if Mother Nature ever blesses us with sun again. The menu is pretty long, almost overwhelming, but also humorous how they will have things with bacon and sausage even though its all soy products. Side note: ordered the soy bacon and was pleasantly surprised! How do they make it taste like bacon? Is there some sort of bacon seasoning I don't know about. I had their staple "Satisfaction-Promise". It was relatively hearty, served with toast and hash browns. The eggs looked like baby food but tasted really great - the pesto and feta stood out as the champion ingredients. I didn't care for the hash browns at first but they grew on me and I am going to guess seasoned with Old Bay? Victory Banner serves up satisfying meals, fresh and organic ingredients that are going to leave you feeling victorious!
(4)
Raphael R.

I was looking for a place for our last breakfast in Chicago before heading home and was more than intrigued by the reviews on Victory's Banner. I am by no means a vegetarian, but the idea of having breakfast listening to a sitar served by a waitress in a sari sounded indeed like a great idea. As I'm following the GPS' directions, I kept wondering if I had the right address because it looked like we were in a residential area but as we got to the address, we saw the blue awning and the yellow cursive-written name on it. We found a free parking space which was flabbergasting considering the previous parking adventures. It was still quite early and this might have explained that. We were warmly greeted by a young woman wearing a sari. There were just a couple of tables were occupied so we were able to choose one of our liking. While waiting for someone to take our order, a young man came and dropped a book and a couple of toys next to my son. He introduced himself as Bobby and was really friendly and interested by our family's origins. (My wife is from Trinidad and from Indian descent). The menu was pretty varied but I went for a sausage and Gouda omelet. My son went for the pancakes and a side order of sausage, my daughter for the chocolate chip waffle but my wife went for the Uppama. According to the menu, it's "a savory hot cereal with peas, tomatoes and onions, served with coconut chutney and yogurt." The kids and I got our food pretty quickly but the Uppama was taking time and it so happened that with Bobby's interest in our family, he forgot to put in the order. When he realized what had happened, he came to apologize and said it would be on the house to make up for his mistake. It was finally served and it was most interesting but the chutney was absolutely delicious. My son did not like his sausage and we found out afterwards that it wasn't meat but a veggie-based sausage (of course!) . The place filled up pretty quickly a sign that the place was worthy of its reputation and there was a line already building up at the door. As we were getting ready to leave, Bobby came with a bag and apologized for being busy and for not having the time to come and wish me a proper happy birthday so he put a muffin and a candle in a bag. It was a nice and unexpected gesture. Although they said the Uppama would not be charged to our bill, it was. I guess the information was not properly relayed but we didn't ask for it in the first place so we were fine with the omission. The staff was really top notch, prices under $10/person and great food. What is there not to like from this place?
(4)
DJ F.

If you're a french toast fan this is the place to be. Absolutely outstanding! Make sure to order it well done - the bread is so wonderfully thick it sometimes comes out mushy in the middle. Larger menu. Pancakes are excellent as well, along with their many fabulous egg dishes. I'm partial to the Steverino with Caramelized onions, grilled red peppers and goat cheese. Yum! Solid organic coffee and fresh juices. Just make note this is a vegetarian establishment - so you'll have to BYOB (bring your own bacon!) Overall 5 stars for food - but 4 stars for inconsistent service. Sometimes fabulous, sometimes you kinda feel like you're bothering them...
(4)
Christa Lei S.

Let me just say that the wait for this place is killer, and it takes a bit of time to get someone's attention. It's the only reason I'm subtracting one star, because otherwise, I really did love this place. ALSO: You MUST have your whole party here with you in order to sit down. They will not seat you unless your whole party is here. A+ for the bottomless chai. YAAAAS. I can't even finish all of it, but it's delicious and it's only a dollar more for bottomless! I had three or four cups, so that should tell you how much I liked it. (Especially on a cold winter day!) I'm pretty sure it's all vegan? I mean, I probably shouldn't have ordered the side of fake bacon-- as it looked like dog treats. But that was my own fault. I ate it all up anyway because I love fake meat products. Sue me. I got the curry omelette, which was pretty interesting. It was pretty good, though the curry was pretty sweet. I liked it enough though to eat the entire thing. The side potatoes are great, and pretty flavorful. My friend had the french toast and I really liked it. I liked the orange butter that comes with it, and the maple syrup. I wish I had gotten that, but I was in the mood for something a little more savory. Her boyfriend got the cinnamon bun french toast or something like that? It was sort of like a french toast cinnabun and it was very good. I would definitely eat here again, were it not for the wait. As for the stuff that addresses the "spiritual enlightenment" blahblahblah, it is definitely a huge theme here-- but I never felt like they pushed me to buy anything other than the food. I really like it here-- just wish it was easier to get to!
(4)
Leah P.

This is my favorite brunch place in all of Chicago. Everything gets an A+, from the excellent veggie omelettes (try the pesto & goat cheese, to die for!) to the award-winning French toast. They also serve bottomless cups of the best housemade chai I've ever tasted. The lunch menu is great too (I love their Bliss Burger) and during the summertime, the patio is perfect for soaking up sun and people-watching on Roscoe. As a vegetarian and a brunch lover, I cannot recommend this place highly enough.
(5)
Marc R.

Great place for breakfast or lunch. Great service. Yes, they give you one slice of toast cut in half, but they also don't scrimp on the main course so I won't complain about the toast issue (I have done that elsewhere). Best to go as a party of 2. You can get in pretty quick most weekends. If you are a party of 4 or more, you might have to wait a long time. When the patio opens up this place zips! All around awesome.
(4)
Leyna I.

best homemade chai latte, seriously, gives the 'bucks a run for its money. place is super cute, prices are reasonable, best brunch in roscoe village i think. i got the raspberry oatcakes and they were fresh and sweet and tart all at the same time.
(5)
Samantha J.

If you like curry and are willing to eat outside of the box, try their curry omelet. It's fabulous(!) and you probably won't find it anywhere else. They are in my top 5 places to go to for a chai tea in Chicago so don't miss out on having a warm beverage with your breakfast. Good service, great food, and you can usually find decent (free) parking in the neighborhood. I would love it if they had some meat options, but that won't deter me from coming back for more curry omelets.
(4)
Anne M.

I've been curious about this place for multiple reasons for quite a while. [[ How does this place stack up to other local brunch places? What's up with the Indian spiritual focus? *I still can't really answer that question... but it was a most pleasant b.fast experience, and the service was great, so I'm okay with it ]] I've attempted to dine here on several previous occasions, but the wait has always been too long... FINALLY. made it! It was worth the wait and the persistence. My sister and I miraculously made it in to Victory's Banner on a Sunday morning - prime brunch time / 10:30-11am - with no wait whatsoever. I was flabbergasted and thrilled and ready to get my eat on. This place is tiny, which is why there is ALWAYS a wait. *Not for my most recent visit though ;-) We were cheerfully seated along the wall in the back at a little table adorned with a shallow vase of fresh cut greens/flowers, a small dispenser of 'real maple syrup', a carafe of water with lemon, and the usual offering of sugars and salt/pepper. Nice. The (mouth-watering) FOOD: I ordered their 'award-winning' french toast. Well, it won my award too! That was probably the best french toast I've ever had. It had to have been 2" thick, light bread, just the perfect shade of golden brown, crispy, delicate yet chewy, served with a little scoop of fresh peach butter. ughhhh... SO good. I also got a side of 2 scrambled eggs with cheddar. This sounds simple enough, but not all eggs are equal. These were exceptionally good - perfectly cooked (not dried out, not overcooked), and the cheddar was a great addition. Sister ordered their hot chai (yummy) and a buckweat waffle with diced, spiced apples and walnuts. Also really good; but come on - the french toast kicked that waffle's ass. Good luck getting in; and if/when you do - enjoy!
(5)
Donna H.

I come to Chicago at least once a year to visit family and Victory's Banner! Bright, cheerful atmosphere, friendly service and vegetarian food that is amazing! I am not a vegetarian but could become one if the cook at Victory's Banner could live in my house! Everything I have tried there is so flavorful and prepared with care and tastes like very high quality ingredients are used. My family has told me they have tried the "other" breakfast joints on Roscoe St. when there was too long a wait at Victory's Banner and none compared to their quality. So go here if you want to give your senses and taste buds a real treat! It's the best there is and worth any wait time indeed!
(5)
Tina Y.

Love their breakfast. Must try the chai as well.
(5)
Emily B.

Spot On. Great service, bright peaceful space, flavorful thoughtful food. I'm sold. Sad to have only first come here a month before moving to Japan, but there are still 30 days left for eating in the US. Southwest Veggie burger, chilaquiles, Satisfaction Eggs, and homemade chai...all so well done. Took family from small towns here and it was incredibly approachable vegetarian, even for them from the land of cows and pigs.
(5)
Janna Z.

Food was great service was awesome and staff was very professional. The rest of this review is out of guilt for being a jerk. I thought I lost my phone there and was a little too mean to the staff, but they were professional, confident and nice... then I found my phone at home. They were nice to even me, the rude customer. I'm very sorry, thanks for being wonderful.
(5)
Zoe A.

I just moved into the neighborhood and as I was walking my dog the other weed I checked out all of the window posted menus. I saw that Victory's Banner topped many other popular breakfast places in the city, so I was excited to try it out. I had a belgian waffle and a ramekin of fruit (for $1.95 I was expecting at least a medium sized ramekin, twas not). the six dollar waffle was a little dry, but very yummy after I poured twice as much maple syrup as I usually use on top of it. The orange juice tasted like orange juice, and was three dollars for about 6 ounces. The decor is very sweet, however even in the middle of winter I saw a friendly fruit fly in the dining room- I think some other yelpers mentioned these unwanted visitors. I'll try it again, but the verdict on my first impression is a tad overpriced, nothing special.
(3)
Robert S.

Always excellent breakfast and lunch food. What pisses me off about this place though is that they don't have SOY CHAI. Come on, people. You're a vegetarian restaurant so you must have some concern for animal welfare. In order for cows to produce milk they must be kept constantly pregnant. (Think about it, only lactating animals produce milk.) Unfortunately, this means they are continually artificially inseminated against their will to keep them pregnant so that we can take their milk. If male babies are produced they are turned into veal. Female babies are used to continue the cycle of torture. Their milk is not coming from happy cows on some farm in India. It's coming from cows on factory farms. These animals live the most horrific of lives. You see why I don't get it that Victory Banner doesn't give us the option of ordering a cruelty-free chai?
(5)
David J.

This is one of my favorite brunch spots in Roscoe Village. I hesitate to share, but obviously the secret is out given the weekend brunch crowds. It has a bit of a hippie, spiritual vibe, but have no fears of overwhelming patchouli smells. The food is fresh, bountiful, and kind of healthy. Even more so if you are intentional about it. The chai tea is fantastic, and they serve an Indian cream of wheat type dish that you should try if you're up for something different. Given the big crowds in a limited space, the service is pretty good too.
(4)
Julee W.

presentation and service = boo Next time I will most definitely take to go.
(3)
Amy K.

There is something about this place that I just love. I am not a vegan or vegetarian, but I do appreciate a different take on breakfast and lunch items. I've been here a couple times before, and there is something that leaves me always wanting to go back. Maybe it's the bottomless chai tea, the warm fresh bread, or the abundance of delicious sounding selections. I get the sense that they put a lot of love into their food. Today I had the broccoli and cheddar omelette with potatoes and we had to get a special pumpkin pancake to share as our breakfast "dessert." The butter was so yummy, it just melted in your mouth. Perfect way to end a terrific meal. It was a little on the expensive side ($36 for 2 people), but that's what you get with quality products so I'm willing to pay.
(4)
Ray H.

I was in Roscoe Village getting my Jeep fixed and had to wait and hour. I thought why not check Yelp for a breakfast place in the neighborhood. I am sure glad I did. The reviews raved about the French toast and I was sold. Walked over to this little place and the service was great and the French Toast is the best I have ever had. I had the breakfast combo with eggs and a slice of French Toast. Wow! It is great with the peach butter and real maple syrup. I will be back. Have to get my brakes fixed soon.
(5)
Mary B.

Didn't get it at all. Had the special which was not bad, a Jarlsberg Omelet, but for over $10 I expected more. A pet peeve of mine are establishments that are utterly confused by my request for the 3 egg omelet to be made with one yolk only and places are always so perplexed by this and state they are going to charge me more. For what I don't get- I just want them to use all 3 eggs but take out 2 of the yolks- can't any line cook do this??? It is not complicated rocket science and NO I don't want the egg substitute-don't charge me extra for something l want less of. I didn't want the potatoes and when I asked if I could substitute it the waitress said I could but for extra charges. Oh of course, how could I expect anything less. Had to ask for coffee refills. Hello- anyone there? I won't be back to a place that doesn't cater to their guests and make their overpriced food worth it. What's the point I can make a better $10 omelet at home that would put the place to shame.
(2)
Christine C.

Delicious food ! My favorite is the neatloaf and they have the best chai outside of India. The place is sweet, intimate and the staff friendly. My favorite breakfast and lunch spot in Chicago.
(5)
Brian S.

Despite having lived in nearby Lakeview for the last 8 years, I typically avoid Roscoe Village. Its surface-level charm has misled me too many times, forcing me to spend too many hours trying to figure out what makes this sweet-looking stretch of shops and bars so special. Take Victory's Banner, for example. Where else in Chicago can you find a cozy, sun-saturated breakfast nook serviced by devotees to an Indian guru? It sounds like a more-than-ideal place to christen the weekend, and yet its brilliance is limited by the simplicity of its overpriced, mediocre menu. Take the Steverino, for example. It's a petite omelet of caramelized onions and red bell peppers nestling creamy waves of goat cheese. It's good -- not great. The breakfast potatoes are flavored only by the grease they were sautÃ©ed in. The hearth bread, while satisfying, lacked a noteworthy flavor or texture. All this, for the double-take-worthy price of $9.75. I think the problem with Victory's Banner, like so many of the other venues in Roscoe Village, is a credibility issue. Where is the "authenticity" here? Aside from the uppama, nothing about the food I am being served is representative of Sri Chinmoy or the life of a devotee. Granted, it's likely that the crowds that typically rush to brunch here would be no more if the menu was anything more than basic, non-meat, American-style breakfast. But still -- for the price, I would rather see the background narrative on the menu, too.
(3)
Michelle F.

Oh Victory's Banner.....since I had to move back to the burbs I have missed your brunch SO MUCH. Best french toast I have ever had the pleasure of eating. Their hearth bread is to die for. The service is great, the only thing keeping me from giving it 5 stars is that I am a carnivore, and they are a vegetarian restaurant. Sometimes I just want a delicious crispy piece of bacon to top off my french toast. Still, in my top 3 for brunch. It's super bright and sunny, and they have this kinda awesome, northern-Cali-circa-1963-kumba ya vibe. They do like, yoga retreats or something. I don't know. All I know is they whip PEACHES into their BUTTER. Go there now.
(4)
Emily D.

I visited Victory's Banner on one of the few days I DIDN'T want to be in Santa Monica, and was transported there regardless. VB has "pier" written all over it. It's got some serious solar energy radiating from it's slightly dirty surroundings. It would be a great place to stroll into from the beach, totally zenned out and not wanting the salty, sunny feeling to stop. (Holy alliteration, Batman. S is clearly the letter of the day!) But it was 65 degrees in March. Chicagoans were going ape shit. And french toast speaks to me regardless of climate. I met a beautiful new friend here for Friday brunch and dove right into the chai and conversation. I rarely get experimental for brunch. It means to much to me to chance a bad experience. I got the special Almond French Toast. The menu noted the FT was "award-winning". I need some qualification there. Blue ribbon 4-H club award winning? Zagat or James Beard award-winning? I think it waas somewhere in between. It tasted SO strongly of almonds, thanks to a hefty dousing of extract, I was a little turned off. Yes, brunch, I flipped my hair at you this day (hard to do with a bob). But, being forever coy, I still ate half of the plentiful portion. I just wouldn't order it again. And while I can appreciate completely the mission of VB, it felt dirty and a little unkind. Our server wasn't thrilled (I wouldn't be either if I was wearing white capri pants), and we left the restaurant without a goodbye. I hate that. Then again, the sunshine went ahead and welcomed us out to the sidewalk and to the whimsical shops of Roscoe Village so no one went home with a bad taste in their mouth. Just a warm credit card. And that's just fine with me.
(3)
Jessica G.

One of my favorite brunch spots. I love the atmosphere and airy cafe feel. They use Phil's free range eggs and have the best homemade veg burgers with tamari-mayo. SO GOOD. They also have punch cards so you can earn a free meal or maybe it is a buy one get one free kinda deal. Regardless, I like working towards a freebie. ! My food highlight here was an omelet special of brie, sweet potatoes and caramelized onion. It was amazing. Salty, sweet, savory. OMG. The house potatoes are just ok. But that can slide with omelets and burgers this delicious. I can't wait to try the neatloaf. Oh my!
(5)
Philip B.

After 200 reviews I probably don't have anything new to say, but this is my favorite brunch spot in city! I love the melt in your mouth french toast (+ peach butter), unlimited chai, and the potatoes. I've had the combo #1 as well if I want some eggs with my french toast as well. All spectacular. The wait's usually not bad either especially before 10:30am. I'll be back, the sooner the better :)
(5)
Crystal P.

After many good reviews about this place I finally got to partake in this yummy veggie world of amazement . my words "i can eat anything here!" I went the mildred V route and got the egg and faux sausage bagel and it was pretty good :) My counterpart got the neatloaf dinner it also looked good .. all and all relaxing vibe, good food, friendly service... solid A
(4)
Matt M.

This Roscoe Village gem is worth the trip on the Brown line. I used to live in this area and I would get up every Saturday at the crack of 1pm and go for Breakfest/Brunch/Lunch. I would bring a book and eat and get organic coffee and read and drink, it was really relaxing. Usually I would just get two eggs with tofu and veggies, brown rice and toast. The last time I went I got the breakfest burrito and it was so good I almost ate two, but they are big too.. so I didn't. The orange juice is good too! It's fresh.. I know this because I watched my waiter slice the orange in half and squeeze the juice out into a cup for me...HE SLICED THE ORANGE IN FRONT OF ME! The only way it could have been more fresh is if he picked it from a tree and then sliced it!! If having great food is not enough, the decor inside is really nice.. It's pastel and calming, they play soft sting music in the background. They also have a really nice seating area outside. It's enclosed in a mini garden so you dont really feel like you're in the city when you're out there. Lastly, all the street parking is unrestricted this far west. So BAM! Cherry on the top!
(5)
Lea S.

Really tasty healthy food options! Really friendly! Great for vegetarians.
(5)
Jeff A.

Just ate here last week... Thought I should give these wonderful souls another shout out! I just delved deep into a world of lunch, and realized, its not just about the breakfast... I am convinced they can do no wrong! Everything I said in my last review, totes fo realz playa, and it gets even better! Thanks for the everlasting smile!
(5)
April L.

I went to breakfast this past Saturday with a friend and it was soo good that I had to come back the next day so my husband could try it. The french toast with peach butter was amazing. I would go back in a hearbeat. Amazing. The staff are super nice and the wait wasn't long either day.
(5)
Burt R.

Look, I'm not vegetarian or vegan, but the food here is so fresh and deliciously prepared I never miss meats. A lot of attention is paid to the french toast, but I suggest getting one of the wraps. Your taste buds will be in nirvana.
(5)
Timothy D.

The food was good but this place makes me uncomfortable. I feel like I'm being brainwashed while I'm eating here. Too much propaganda going on.
(3)
Steve K.

If you go on the weekends, be prepared to wait. It's pretty popular. The place is small but it seems like it has a quick turn over. Recently I visited Victory Banner I had their special; Thai Omelet which I loved. Unfortunately, its not a permanent on the menu. A few days ago I went back here for Breakfast, but ended ordering a veggie burger. It was excellent. Seemed home made, and the black beans were nice and spicy. I dig the vibe and the food is well prepared.
(4)
Erica K.

My 100th review! I've been saving it for something special. Here goes: One rainy Sunday a couple weeks ago the boyfriend and I decided on a whim to go to breakfast. I'm a big fan of going to breakfast rather than dinner. First of all, I love breakfast foods and think they should be served all day. Second, breakfast is just so much cheaper (even at nicer places) than dinner. Anyway, we were trying to decide where to go and he asks "do you want to have breakfast at a place run by a cult?" I scrunched my nose and narrowed my eyes. "A cult..?" I am not religious and am generally opposed to any kind of group that centers around a 'life philosophy'. My skepticism was written all over my face. He assured me they weren't "those kind of people". So off we went in the slightly warm, heavy air that always proceeds a good rain. We arrived and it was pouring, and my umbrella had broken in the wind (yet again), but I was thankful to find shelter under a tent outside Victory's Banner. The wait was about 45 minutes and a chill had settled in the air, but at least we were staying mostly dry. When we were eventually seated at the back of the restaurant I was pleased with the light decor of the space and the general warmth. I got a coffee to warm my hands and surveyed the menu. Let me tell you, everything looked good. I didn't even realize we were in a vegetarian place until boyfriend pointed it out. And honestly, it wouldn't have come up if he hadn't. I was so in love with the idea of fresh eggs, smoked Gouda, and mushrooms that I never would have ordered meat. The potatoes on the side were delicious and the bread was warm and soft. If you're the kind of person who thinks breakfast isn't complete without bacon and sausage, this probably isn't the spot for you. But if you're just looking for great ingredients and delicious eats, you'll do well here. And I wouldn't spend too much time worrying about their group or organization or whatever you want to call it. They're happy to serve you without judgment, so you should probably reserve yours when you choose to enter their establishment. Besides, they seem like perfectly nice people who promote happiness through food; what's not to like about that?
(4)
Anjali B.

Absolutely horrific. I am an open-minded omnivore and I came here to have lunch with a couple of veggie friends. I had a chicken wrap that was huge, and maaaaybe decent at best, but not worth what I paid. It was lukewarm and different from the description of what I'd ordered (blackened chicken wrap). The mashed potatoes and gravy were good, however. The service was TERRIBLE. The waitstaff was incredibly rude. No smiles, and they made no effort to make us feel welcome. My friend cracked a joke to lighten the mood and they didn't even respond. We paid and were getting our things ready to go, and still chatting a bit, and they hovered over us, looked at us, and turned around like they were waiting for us to get out. The place wasn't even that busy. I WONDER WHY. It makes me not want to go there again. Don't even fucking get me started on the ridiculous Orientalist wannabe hippie bullshit written on the back of the menu. "We wear saris because it's so totally spiritual!" Oh really? Do you so totally like, meditate too? Wowwww so deep.
(1)
Timothy M.

In my belief, this place serves up one of the best vegetarian meals in the whole city - way better than the greasy fake meat at Chicago Diner. Sure, there's some weird cultish stuff going on with the guy in the robe above the door, but don't worry - the food will keep you occupied. It's bright and sunny, with close attention to detail. Even better, you can order almost everything on the menu vegan if you wish. On Thanksgiving, they have a reasonably priced vegetarian package - for eat-in or pick-up... if you are in Chicago for Turkey Day and you're vegetarian, you definitely want to hit this place up.
(5)
Brenna O.

This place is literally on the corner of my block, and it's nice to know that it's always there for me if I want a bottomless cup of chai. The atmosphere is a little weird with all of the new age-y bird drawings, but the waitresses are always friendly in this peaceful zen like way. I suspect they all do yoga afterwards. As strange as it is to say, my favorite thing that I've had there is their oatmeal. It's rich and creamy, and you can add honey and nuts or whatever else you want to it. The waiting space is very tiny, only about three chairs, so often there will be a line out the door on weekends. I am looking forward to when it gets warmer so there will be room for tables and chairs outside. MMMMMMMMMMMMM chai.
(4)
Chan K.

Victory's banner is a cozy coffee with bright, polished interior. The place has a new agey feel - the waitresses wear saris and apparently worship their dead leader. Nonetheless, the food was fantastic. I had the mushroom omelette - it was cheesy and quite flavorful. The red pepper soup was good. I love bacon and am intrigued by their vegetarian version; hopefully it tastes just as yummy...
(4)
Sarah B.

Yum. My sister brought me here for lunch once and upon walking in I was a little confused as to what the heck was going on but I'm glad I stayed. Strange uniforms and overall weirdness aside the food here was amazing. There is a separate menu for Vegans and they take respecting other people's dietary needs very seriously, which I really appreciate. The "blackened chicken" burrito was sooo good, I've been craving it nonstop for the last few days. I think it is time for another trip to Victory Gardens! Be prepared to wait a little if you go on a weekend morning!
(4)
Lyn B.

This is a great spot for breakfast! I went with a close girlfriend, and we loved it! Would have been difficult to go here with a large group since it's a small space. Very laid-back. Nice service. The french toast was awesome! I also got the Temple of Heaven tea, which was fantastic! The menu has a wide selection of great options and I look forward to returning here!
(4)
Richard O.

Hands down my favorite place to have breakfast in Chicago. Completely vegetarian. It's run by some kind of cult so the staff is delightful. They usually seem blissed out to be there and they're helpful and friendly. I agree with one of the other reviews about the Eggless Wonder #2; it's great. I always mean to get something else but never seem to unless I'm having lunch, in which case I'd get anything but the Neatloaf and I would by all means order the mashed potatoes with mushroom gravy. In fact, even if you get breakfast, I'd order the mashed potatoes to go! The coffee is good. The food is good. The atmosphere is good. The karma is good. The sugar packets are darling.
(5)
Anna T.

Dee--licious. I went with friends last Saturday around 11 for brunch. The dining room was full, but the very pleasant host took our name and assured us that we wouldn't have a long wait. After about 10 minutes we were seated in their patio. I ordered the Satisfaction Promise (after reading reviews on here and eyeing it on another diners' plate), and it did not disappoint. Probably the most delicious eggs I've ever eaten. Definitely memorable, and I've told friends and family about them. Also, their coffee is GREAT. The service was good - attentive and pleasant. I recommend this place to friends and family, now, and am looking forward to another brunch soon!
(4)
Joshua N.

I haven't been to this place since I moved to Evanston, but I have some really fond memories and would love to take a trip back down for breakfast some time. I miss all of the pastel colors and pictures of their guru on the wall. I'm not sure who that guy is, but they really like him! My mom and two grandmas combined do not have as many pictures of me as there are of that guy on the walls at Victory's Banner. Service is beyond friendly. The soup, whatever it is that day, is a must try. French toast, pancakes, scrambles, bottomless chai.... everything is amazing. Roscoe Village is a great place to go eat and VB is a gem. Possibly the best breakfast in Chicago. Edit; ... OK, I figured it out. It's spiritual leader and author, Sri Chinmoy. VB will be closed for about twenty days out of the year to celebrate Sri's birthday and arrival in the west according to their website. Don't be intimidated by the spirituality of this restaurant; the French toast will knock your heathen socks off! Edit #2 How did I forget to mention the veggie cream cheese spread that they have for bagels?? It is one of the most flavorful and amazing spreads that I've ever had and I highly recommend ordering it on the side in addition to your meal. Well worth the ferocious dragon breath that it's going to give you.
(5)
Lori M.

This is insane. Victory's Banner (thanx Pradhan!) is my MOST FAVORITE dining experience EVER. I have been a veg-head since age 8, and you can't understand what it means to find a spot like this in 1998 when having just returned to the United States from living in Italy...right in your own 'hood. I actually rented an apartment across the street from VB's and ate there once or twice a week... Weekends USED to be my favorite time to go, but now, alas, the word is fully out. This is truly a place of joy, delicious and healthy food, like a home. Satisfaction Promised!
(5)
Maggie B.

I would of liked to give this restaurant four stars because the food is good but the lack of organization and wait time takes it down a star. They have vegan french toast and soy bacon which for me is reason enough to go there.
(3)
Heather K.

Shhhh, shhhh, you're at breakfast. Relaaaaaax. You must experience this place for yourself, I'm not even going to attempt to describe the ambience. Unique, to say the least. I'm a big fan of veggie meats, especially when they're convincing! That's the ultimate test. If you didn't know ahead of time that the sausage in your egg scrambler was fake, would you be able to taste the difference? I had a scrambler with soy sausage, gouda and spinach and in all honesty, if someone had just put the plate in front of me without telling me what it was, there's no way I would have thought it was vegetarian. Delicious! I also enjoyed the homemade cream of mushroom soup. (Soup with breakfast...weird, I know, but I was hungry). Everything on the menu sounds delicious, so I'm definitely going to try to go back soon. As it goes with every brunch spot in Chicago, be prepared to wait for a table. **Just a few things to add: 4/6/09 - Try the raspberry french toast, it's delicious! - If you're a party of 2, you're golden. If 3 or more, go really early and put your name down as soon as you can.
(4)
NeeraJamie K.

Cults are amusing. At first I thought this place was run by hare krishnas. It's usually what I think when I see a white woman in a sari, but none of them were wearing orange. Yes, there was a wait Yes, the waitstaff all seem to be in a creepy cult (but it's oddly charming) Yes it's expensive for breakfast food But where else am I going to find a curry omelet with apple chutney? It was definitely nice to not have to drench my greasy ass omelet in hot sauce and dip some hash browns in ketchup. The condiment makes the meal, you see. The ingredient choices for the make your own omelet were awesome. My dude is on a gluten free diet so this was a good place to go and it was the first time he tried an omelet (obsurd). His had egg whites, pesto, & sun dried tomatoes. I was also really happy about the herbal tea they had. I ordered ginger tea. No additives, just straight up dried ginger. Yum.
(4)
Leon F.

I like my eggs covered in Zen with a side of enlightenment. Im a meat lover, a carnivore if you will, but that doesnt get in the way that this place is meatless. They make up for it with things like spinach, pesto and feta omlettes. With bottomless chai teas. waffles, pancakes and french toast covered in more fruit than you can handle. I dont like heavy breakfasts that make me feel like a kangaroo carrying a joey around all day (truth is, i have no idea what that means either) and this place understands that. Everything you get here fills you up just right, but still seems light and thats fantastic! **Side note..... They have things like tofu bacon to make up for the fact they dont serve meat... I havent tried it, because, well Bacon is like my Dalai Lama and Im a lil nervous I might convert. I hear its fantatstic, and I support those who follow the way of the Soy. But as for me, I'll pass for now. The lines can get long, and waiting for food is never good. NEVER. GOOD. But compared to other breakfast nooks that you have to wait at, this one is worth every second of it. I've always found the staff to be extremely nice and quite attentive, but thats not to say they dont have their days just like any other place. If you havent been, Go! If you have been, and had a bad experience, give it a second shot. You might find you actually do like it!
(5)
Johnny L.

Eggless wonder #2 with black beans mixed in !!! This is a Fantastic restaurant!.
(5)
Christina K.

I'm giving this place two stars simply because the service was terrible and we left before we got our food. I was really excited to try the famous French toast but our waitress managed to lose our ticket so I didn't get to try it. The waitress didn't take our order for 15 minutes and then we waited about 40 minutes longer only to find out that the order never went through. I'm disappointed that I didn't get to try the food, and I don't know if I'll go back again...
(2)
Kimberly H.

I have had brunch here too many times too count but just recently tried the lunch menu. I always have a hard time deciding between the Raspberry French Toast and Satisfaction Promise for brunch. My new favorite for lunch is the BLT wrap. Victory's Banner is a small restaurant and at times there can be a long wait. They have additional tables outside when its nice. I would recommend planning your brunch or lunch at Victory's Banner on a good weather day. The homemade chai is awesome, although it is only made with milk, no option for soy.
(5)
Alea E.

YUM! Love, love, love the vegan french toast(didn't even need to put anything on it, great flavor on it's own) and the tofu scrambler(customized my way: smoked gouda, soy sausage, spinach, and mushrooms)! I didn't really like the chai or the other drink I got instead when I decided against the chai. And it is kind of strange that a place with so many vegan options doesn't make a vegan chai. They told me it's because they do a 90 min process and they don't want to do it twice. They also told me it's the number one thing requested...so...mmmkay. They were really nice though and as I said before AMAZING food! I will definitely go back.
(4)
Nicole L.

Who wouldn't want brunch with a side of tranquility? A popular spot for brunch but the wait was manageable on a Sunday around 11. The group I was with left sooner than it otherwise might have because we could sense the hungry stares of waiting patrons. Three important words to keep in mind when visiting: Banana. Walnut. Pancakes.
(4)
Jeff K.

Great Breakfast joint...Pancakes were amazing...eggs delicious. French toast was good but from the other reviews, I think I expected it to explode in my mouth. Waiter was polite and attentive. I look forward to going back to try the veggie burger for lunch.
(4)
Samantha L.

I had the Satisfaction Promise eggs, which includes spinach, pesto, sun-dried tomatoes, and feta cheese mixed in and they really were satisfactory. They have chai tea made from scratch here, and chai tea is my favorite. Did I mention you have the option of getting a BOTTOMLESS GLASS?!?! Endless chai is my dream. The only slight issue was my food wasn't as hot as I liked once I started eating it, but might have just been cause it was somewhat cool inside the restaurant.
(5)
Ayako M.

I have a friend. We'll call him R (short for Ramon C.) and he seems to have a perpetual taste-erection for this restaurant. I tried it once and was not particularly impressed; I had the French toast and it was nothing to write home about...However, I was also nauseous from the previous nights tequila and beers and well...you can't blame the brunch spot for your poor appetite and dead taste buds, right!? So I gave them another shot...and I'm sorry, I just don't see the fascination! They're not terrible by any means but they aren't the best brunch spot ever. The breakfast burrito was pretty bland. Also, I heard they were very vegan friendly but the menu is full of eggs and dairy...this is a vegetarian spot, not a vegan spot...fur sure! I don't want to be tempted by cheese, I'm tired at brunch and I'm more susceptible to its deliciousness!!! On the bright side, their coffee is phenom and our server was quick on the refills.
(3)
R J.

Thanks Yelp. I got what I was craving this morning. French toast crispy, light, slightly eggy and hot on the inside. Peach butter and real maple syrup. Then pesto goat cheese scramble, 100% perfect. An excellent sweet and savory combination. Excellent service, too. Will be back again and again soon.
(5)
Sherie P.

Now, I am a breakfast person... I love it. I'd rather have breakfast food than any kind of food. So I don't take my breakfast places lightly. For me to give a breakfast place 5 stars means it's AWESOME! Plus, we've been there a ton of times and it's consistently good. I've never had a bad meal at Victory's Banner. Today I had my normal hot Chai. If you'd never had it or just want to try something different, get it instead of the usual coffee. Don't get me wrong, their coffee is good too... but that Chai! I would probably go there just for that. Every week they have a special omelet and a special french toast. Normally I get the Veggie Delight omelet and add smoked Gouda but today I decided to get the special. It was a Jalapeno-Havarti Omelet. It was fresh spinach, tomato and jalapenos with a jalapeno-havarti cheese. How could I resist it! Melty cheese with just the right amount of heat. The occasional burst of a fresh tomato and the zing of a fresh jalapeno chunk. If they had this on the menu every day, I would probably have to alternate from my normal omelet every other visit. All the omelets are served with this really great crunchy on the outside soft on the inside warm hearth bread and some grilled potatoes. I think that part of the reason I don't order something different is that I want that bread too! The best is when my boyfriend gets the french toast that comes with peach butter. I steal the butter and put it on the bread. YUM! No butter today though. He ordered the special french toast. It was Orange Pecan French Toast. Hmmm... It had a mascapone cream between the slices of thick bread that had an orangy flavor (you could see little bits of zest) and was topped with come candied pecans. Delicious! He added syrup but I could have eaten it just as it came. Now, if you go on a weekend, expect to wait! I'm warning you. If you come after 10am on Sunday you could wait 2 hours! But it's so worth it. We try to go earlier or on Saturday because I just can't wait that long for breakfast. With the addition of the patio seating, the wait seems to be a bit better but it's still a tiny place so please don't say I didn't warn you.
(5)
Rebecca H.

Took my sister and husband here a while ago, very amazing selection of vegetarian dishes. The coffee was delicious, which is enough to get me to go back. I had a veggie sausage omelet with potatoes and it was very good. The atmosphere is light and comfy and the area is very cute. We will go back for sure.
(4)
Kristen M.

The food was really great and healthy (and vegetarian, yaay!), though maybe a tad overpriced; and the service was pretty good. We'll definitely go back again!
(4)
Jerry W.

Our oldest just turned 21, where does the time go?!?! Well in our family she gets to pick a restaurant for our family and her friends. She picks Victory's Banner, I'm glad because we have been here before and it is truly very good. Also I remember it being affordable and she is bringing some friends with and good old Dad is paying. Well yes, this place was good again. I am and everyone in the group is truly a fan!! My birthday girl (one of my baby girls, a daughter is always her Dad's little baby girl) was truly happy. We enjoyed our meal and recommend Victory's Banner to anyone looking for a good breakfast, brunch, lunch stop.
(4)
Nessie V.

Usually i find that religious groups that run restaurants tend to make good food. I didn't really find that the case here. Part of it was that the devotion to dairy products limited the menu for me severely. Even so, I wasn't too impressed with my burger. Service was spotty, I didn't know who was our server, and I'm not sure they did either. I don't think I need to go back here again.
(2)
Krystina B.

YUM!!! The last time I went I got the neatloaf, mashed potatoes and their hearth bread and it was all simply delicious. I want the recipe for that hearth bread!! And the people sitting next to us (outside!! Lovely in lovely weather!) ordered this huge, amazingly delicious looking waffle that almost made me wet myself just looking at it! I know what I'm getting next time!! :D
(5)
Brandon T.

I'll keep this short and sweet. For any of my fellow carnivores: Victory's Banner understands how to cook food that is not only great for vegans and vegetarians, but will also satisfy the taste buds of even the most ravenous meat eater. The homemade Chai Tea was incredible and my breakfast burrito was filled with fresh and delicious ingredients. the only problem is the cramped space and the long wait, but I guess that's what happens when a tiny restaurant develops a not so tiny following!
(4)
Johnny A.

Best brunch spot in my book in Roscoe Village if not the entire east side of western avenue. The menu is vegetarian and vegan friendly-- and everything I have ever ordered is amazing. The curry omelet sticks out in my mind as do any of the vegetarian burgers. The waitstaff is very kind-- although on a busy day, you might be waiting a while. Be prepared to wait. This place gets hot for brunch on the weekends. There is outdoor seating which fills up quick. The host is usually very flustered-- but as the whole restaurant style will teach you-- have patience! GO HERE. Bring a friend. Bring a date. Don't bring kids.
(5)
Maggie R.

it's small, crowded, and if you go for hangover brunch, you'll have to wait a while before getting a seat. but, it's totally worth it. service is friendly. coffee is delicious. don't bring your children here unless they're well-behaved/well-medicated.
(4)
Mikey B.

2.5 stars, because the $9.35 salad I got didn't even come close to satisfying my hunger. A few spinach leaves, and (admittedly delicious) goat cheese and walnuts and raisins (I think they were raisins) but quite small for that price. Don't plan to go back.
(2)
Jo W.

I came here this morning for a late brunch with my friend and her one year old daughter. We chose this restaurant because it's vegetarian (and so is she), plus there was plenty of street parking nearby which she also needed. We planned to go a little later in the morning hoping we'd miss the crowds that were headed to the pride parade, and it worked out perfectly. We got there a little before 11 and the wait was only 20 minutes. I liked that they had benches outside you could sit on while you waited for your table, and since it was a nice day we soaked up the sun and watched her daughter practice walking up and down the sidewalk. When they called our name we were brought inside, and they had little stuffed animals on the table in front of the high chair for my friend's daughter. I thought it was a nice touch, even though we didn't let her have them for sanitary issues. Our waiter was absolutely fantastic. He was so nice to us, and he hammed it up for the baby and walked around the restaurant playing peekaboo with her, which kept her occupied. Since she is at the age where she needs to be entertained 24/7 it was nice because it gave my friend and I a chance to chat and catch up. Our food came out fast - I ordered the french toast that I had heard so much about and some eggs. My friend had an omlette which she said was delicious, but my french toast wasn't great. It was very soggy and mushy and just didn't taste very good, so I barely ate any of it. My eggs were decent - I've had better, but they were nothing to write home about. Everything was pretty cheap - for the two of us the bill was only $19 which I thought was great. So, overall I think that this is a great place and it's very kid friendly which is a bonus. Since everyone raves about the french toast it leads me to believe I just got a bad plate of it, which can happen at any restaurant, so I may give them another chance if I'm in the neighborhood.
(3)
Jackie S.

i've been coming to victory's banner since i moved to the city and i have never had a bad experience. ever. do you know how awesome that is? i moved to roscoe village in 2006. i can't remember if i went to victory's banner prior to moving there, but its not really relevant to the story. i wasn't a vegetarian then but i didn't ever really eat breakfast meats, so this place is standalone great. the servers and staff are always super friendly and even when there is a wait, they are always efficient in turning over tables without making people feel rushed or unwelcome. food always comes out quickly and they never seem frustrated or annoyed by the crowds, which is lovely. as a former food service employee, i respect and am jealous of their composure. unlike alice & friends/the loving hut, there is no drone of supreme master television or overarching "hey y'all, we're just some sort of a religious sect" feeling to the place other than what the servers are wearing and a few books up front. its a nice, warm place that would inspire me to hang out and do a crossword puzzle while drinking coffee if doing so wouldn't elicit death stares from the patrons consistently waiting for a table. i don't really stray from my make-your-own-scramble leanings, but i've tried many other things on the menu via friends and family, and its always been great. many places can make me a veggie egg scramble and potatoes (including myself), but like the microwaved cheese sandwich my mom used to toss at me in the morning on the way to elementary school and my grandma's thanksgiving stuffing, i just like the way they do it better.
(5)
Ulreh V.

Stopped in on a whim and had a COMPLETELY AMAZING apple cake muffin. Making plans to come back into the city as soon as I can for more!
(5)
Ross H.

I love meat. Pig, cow, lamb, duck -- even alligator. I consider myself more of a carnivore than an omnivore. So when my vegetarian friend (yes, I have a couple) took me here for breakfast, I was skeptical to say the least. No bacon? No sausage? WHAT? But actually, Victory's Banner wasn't too bad. I got pancakes and eggs, and while the pancakes were a little overcooked for my liking (and whole wheat -- I prefer buttermilk), as were the eggs, it was still OK and definitely edible. My friend got a smoked gouda and "sausage" omelette -- the eggs and gouda part were fine, but the soy sausage had absolutely no taste whatsoever -- kinda gross. The whole atmosphere is kind of interesting. Bright blue walls, waitresses wearing their spiritual gowns. It creates a serene feel (when it's not packed, which happens I guess happens often), but a little out there as well. Prices weren't the cheapest for a breakfast, but not overly expensive either. In short, I'd go back, but only if someone REALLY wanted to go.
(3)
Katie C.

For a wannabe vegetarian, this place is my haven. For a brunchaholic, this place is doubly my haven. The banana walnut oat bran pancakes are INCREDIBLE: the perfect combination of grainy, fruity, and crunchy. The Brahma burrito is great too, and plenty for lunch--I could have taken the other half home for later, but it was just too tasty to even dream of waiting to eat it. I'm not sure that it still does, but Victory's Banner once doubled as a meditation center--I like its aura, its calmness, and you might check out the spiritual messages on the sugar packets. Freely loving others is a nice touch as you sip your morning coffee. The only reason I can't give the place 5 stars is that it's simply not big enough for the volume of business they do on the weekends.
(4)
Julie S.

When I want French toast, I want Victory's Banner. The "award-winning" version deserves any awards it has received. It is straight-up old-fashioned French toast with crazy-good peach butter. The specials are great too though. Last time I was there, I had a stuffed French toast with lemon and raspberries. AMAZING! The staff here could not be any friendlier. They always make you feel so welcome. It is tiny and there is usually a wait if you aren't there early. We go for breakfast, not brunch, so we are usually in pretty quickly.
(4)
Jas D.

This place has the BEST FRENCH TOAST in all of Chicago. I dare you to find better. It is so soft and fluffy like cotton candy and tastes like heaven. I love the homemade orange zest butter it came with, amazing. The decor...a little hare krishna-ish, the owner is a man of devout religion. If you can get past that you will find the food is wonderful. If it weren't so busy I would have stayed to sip on the bottomless chai (unlimited refills).
(5)
Adam B.

Great Chai. Great squeezed OJ and Grapefruit juice. Food is awesome as well...you won't miss the meat.
(4)
Madelyn H.

as with many brunch places, a painfully long wait for just good food. as the wife of a vegetarian, i appreciate that there is no meat in any dishes. i just wasn't blown away by anything - in fact the potatoes were poorly cooked (not sure how you can mess up potatoes?). the french toast - they're signature dish - was really light and fluffy though. i just don't think it was worth the wait. good to eat: french toast
(3)
Kris R.

by far, my mostest favoritest brunch place in chicago. let's get the obvious out of the way. yes, it's a bit hippie. yeah, the ambiance is not the norm. look past all of that. the owner [used to?] offers free meditation workshops. i actually took the workshop before trying the restaurant. he has GOOD intentions. when i'm eating, i'm always admiring how calm and collected the staff is. no one is freaking out or swearing or running. must be the meditation? i think so. they run everything so smoothly. it's very refreshing. i always order the MYO (make-your-own) scramble, w/ egg whites, smoked gouda, onions, tomatoes, garlic and fake sausage. a side of fakin' bacon. coffee. never fails. no one's egg whites tastes that good. the specials are always excellent. most times there's a wait, so get there a little early. it may be pricier than most places, but it's well worth it. good for your body, mind and soul.
(5)
Gwendolyn H.

We used to live right by here and didn't know it was vegetarian until the 2nd time we went!! Everything is great, and I promise you won't miss the meat!! It has the best tofu I've eaten (in the eggless wonder 2) and by far the breakfast dish. But they have lots of egg options, pancakes, french toast (amazing!!!), and lunch items, too!! Its so great that we've been back multiple times since moving away from the area. There's usually a 30 minute wait, but everyone is excited and happy to be there... It'll put you in a great mood for the resst of the day!
(5)
Jen N.

I like to go on weekdays and avoid the wait/crowd. I wonder if they'll ever move to a bigger place. Veg-friendly- You will not miss the meat, and the eggs are ok because they are Phil's eggs (I believe). They are cage-free, natural eggs, no hormones. They also have good coffee. The owner, and people who work there study meditation under world harmony leader, the late Sri Chinmoy. They mediate, seek inner happiness and peace, etc. It is all very interesting. The first time I went here my dad thought it was ran by a weird cult or something. It's some sort of spiritual discovery thing, but I don't fully understand it. Regardless, they make one heck of a breakfast and I will be back again to this great place.
(5)
Miss zoe P.

I can not say enough nice thing about this place.. always great, always busy! however, their sister resturant in Seattle Silence Heart Nest is a disappointment! I wish they would learn from VB.
(5)
Katie B.

This is my "go to" brunch spot. I like exploring new restaurants, but whenever I want to go somewhere I know is good, this is where I'm headed. Although it is a vegetarian spot, Victory's has something for everyone. In addition, the wait staff are always friendly and polite and the service is quick. I've never felt that the wait staff were trying to rush me through my meal; instead, they offer constant refills on coffee and chai, and other than that they don't interfere (a quality I appreciate). I recommend: -The French toast with peach butter... so delicious!!! The bread is super thick, but also very light, and the peach butter adds an amazing and unique flavor. It doesn't have the fried taste of diner french toast. -Omelettes: The only one I've had that I didn't like was the bacon/tomato/cheese--the soy bacon just didn't do it for me, and the tomatoes were a little watery. The gouda and soy sausage is my favorite (creamy and full of flavor, perfect balance of cheese/egg/"meat"), although i also really enjoy the pesto and goat cheese. I usually request a side of fruit in place of the potatoes--in my opinion they're not worth the extra calories, and they don't charge extra. The hearth bread, on the other hand, is amazing, especially when served warm. -AMAZING chai, hot or cold. Please get one! If you feel like sitting outside, shoot for the seating in the front or along the side of the building...skip the back patio, my friends and I acquired a number of mosquito bites in the time it took us to eat our meal. The indoor seating is sunny and comfortable. Victory's Banner always puts me in a good mood--it's a great place to meet friends for breakfast/brunch/lunch!
(4)
Michael P.

I don't usually review stuff on yelp unless i've got a ton of bad stuff to say about it but I can't stop myself from cashing in my two cents about VICTORY'S BANNER! One of the only cool things about Roscoe Village, if you're not vegetarian, don't be a damn wimp, go here anyway. If you're vegan, it might be lacking but I'm not so WHO CARES? Delicious food, underrated lunch options, friendliest staff. VICTORY'S BANNER A+
(5)
Vanessa D.

My wonderful friends brought me here for my birthday brunch yesterday. We arrived near 11 am, which is pretty much peak time and there was a a wait. However, the entire staff was beyond friendly. My friends are regulars here, so I felt very welcomed from the start. We finally got seated after a while, and got lucky with the best table in the house (corner by the window). It was lovely to both people-watch and watch the rain outside. The food was delicious. I had the apple walnut waffle with real maple syrup and my friend ordered the raspberry French Toast. Both were to-die-for. At the end of the meal, the staff very kindly brought a delicious chocolate muffin with a birthday candle. They sang a lovely, peaceful birthday song, and wrapped up with the classic happy bday song. It was so nice it gave me chills of the good kind. The atmosphere is happy and cheerful, yet very calm. There is a lovely Sri Chinmoy poem in the bathrooms called "I am Happy" which I found to be a nice reminder of the whole vibe of the place, and how to be in general. I highly recommend going - but go early unless you want to wait. I hear their seating more than doubles once it's warm enough for their outside seating to be set up.
(5)
Andy S.

Breakfast is for meat. Bacon, eggs, sausage, breakfast steak, biscuits & gravy. So why with my staunch carnivorous view of breakfast do I absolutely LOVE Victory's Banner (besides the fact that they do have eggs)? It's a simple equation: French Toast + Peach Butter = Delicious. Don't even think of touching that maple syrup! Ok, so there's a lot more to it than that. Everyone who works there is incredibly nice. Being on staff at a tiny brunch place in a city that revolves around brunch must be incredibly stressful, but the staff there is just so unbelievably friendly, patient, and helpful. The crowd there, and yes, there will always be a wait & crowd, mirrors the staff. Everyone sitting around chatting up front with each other, the vibe here is just wonderful. This is the spot I take anyone visiting Chicago, or even just Roscoe Village. It's the epitome of a unique neighborhood spot. It's just a shame they have to close for ~1 month every year, but that just makes it all the sweeter for when they re-open!.
(5)
Borracho G.

I'm not much of a vegetarian but this place does a good breakfast. I do miss the smell of bacon and sausage when entering breakfast joints but I soon forget it as I enjoy the good coffee and see fresh cut flowers upon each table. The highlights for me at this place is the awesome french toast, delicious oatmeal made with milk instead of water, and the many extra ingredient choices offered to build your omelet. Just recently I tried a dish called Upama, its a cream of wheat type hot cereal with peas, tomatoes and onions, served with a sweet coconut chutney and yogurt. Sounds gross or odd but I was amazed how savory and delicious it was. Im thinking of asking them to put an egg on top of it next time. So if your looking for something a bit different then your average breakfast place, give it a try and I'm sure you'll be satisfied or feel happy you tried something out of the norm.
(4)
Jessica C.

Yum! But you should not go, because the lines are already too long.
(5)
Alex B.

This place is pretty dope, and despite what you read, I think that the prices are quite reasonable for an upscale type brunch place- if you want greasy-ass chicago diner food, eat at at a diner. In any case, I think the cult thing they have going on is charming, and ads for a peaceful vibe (although the small space and the way they pack 'em in here does not). Arrive early, or you find yourself waiting a long time for a small table at this popular roscoe village joint. And trust me- the looped video of their saint/ martyr/ apostle/ messiah grows a bit old during the course of a 45 minute wait. Highly recommended: I had a spanish omelet with mole that knocked my socks off. Not so much the hash browns, which I often find to salty. Omelets and veggie fair is standard and solid. Come early, get a booth, some coffee and relax and enjoy the vibe. Just try not to think about how weird the attire of your servers (not to mention the pictures of their patron saint lifting a truck onto his back) is making you feel.
(4)
Lauren K.

I'm really satisfied with this place. All vegetarian, vegan friendly breakfast and lunch. It's a quaint little restaurant that always has a wait, so you know its good stuff. My reason though for only giving three stars is that I've always gotten cold food, the place could use a good deep cleaning (makes me wonder what the kitchen looks like) and the service is pretty terrible/slow. Really good food though, so it's a trade-off!
(3)
Jenna D.

I went here for the first time this week for a breakfast meeting despite the fact that I have lived down the street for over 2 years. Stories of cults and strange goings on kept me away, but after tasting their "award-winning french toast", I will stay away no longer. The good coffee and nice, bright atmosphere didn't hurt either :)
(4)
Paige W.

This French toast cult is my go-to brunch spot for consistently good service, amazing food and reasonable prices. Goodness, gracious. My one complaint, naturally, is that this restaurant doesn't take reservations. I have never waited for less than 30 minutes for a table, and that's a bit of a nuisance. Especially considering I've been there at all times during their operating hours; it doesn't seem to matter when you go. Aside from that? The coffee is always hot and rich, and you never have to search for a tiny pitcher of cream or a stocked sugar caddy. I hear wonderful things about their chai lattes, too. The orange juice is fresh squeezed and perfectly sweet. I had the French toast with peach butter the first time I went, and that taste alone actually evaporated all doubts I had about whether Chicago was for me. Pair it with the breakfast potatoes, and you can consider me a Windy City lifer. Since I moved here, I've turned to the Satisfaction Promise, an egg dish with pesto, feta cheese, sun-dried tomatos and fresh spinach. I never order eggs in restaurants because they sketch me out, but somehow I trust it when it comes from these quiet, gentle people in breezy saris or matching polos and white pants. Everything just tastes better coming from them. By the time I leave this place, I've almost always forgotten how long I waited for a table and am instead full of food and peace, which was the idea in the first place.
(4)
mari a.

A fantastic place for brunch! Victory's Banner is famous for their french toast with peach butter, and I completely understand why, it's delish! Try: French toast, Satisfaction-Promise (omelette), and Pancake delight. If you're looking for lunch, go with the Bliss burger, a homemade veggie burger that melts in your mouth. Don't forget to try the green tea cooler. A blend of iced green tea and grapfruit juice, a bit tart, and all refreshing. If you're thinking about bringing a carnivorous friend, I know from experience that it will shatter the beliefs of meat eating skeptics. Overall, the people that make up Vicky B's are delightful and the place has a good vibe.
(5)
mildred v.

They have the best veggie cream cheese ever - I swear!!!! And the who can say no to their yummy bottomless chai tea (iced please)! I get the egg and sausage bagel sandwich but the deconstructed version. Um, well I ask for the bagel and cream cheese on the side and i have my egg whites and veggie sausage the normal way (so in the end, it is NOT a sandwich). What's nice is that they don't hate me when I ask for this :) : ) they are actually very nice. There are a lot of yummy looking things on the menu that i haven't tried, but I'm a fan of the veggie cream cheese, it's not like any other I've had before. Although I am a short person, watch when you walk in some of you fortunate tall people may hit the top of their doorway!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(4)
U.M. S.

Maybe its because I'm not a vegan/vegetarian or maybe its because this place is cult-ish. I got my hopes up that the food was gonna be super fresh like most vegan places but it didn't taste fresh or delicious. No matter what I got there something was always wrong. The pancakes were burnt, the omelets were dry, etc. Also whenever I went the wait was always obnoxiously long group or no group.
(1)
Karl W.

The blackened faux meat wrap was quite lame, not because I was expecting the fake meat to resemble meat, it just was not blackened. The plate it came on had more flavor. My companion's pesto omelet was also not worth the 40 min wait. Add in the spacey staff and Victory's Banner will not be getting a second chance. On the brighter side the Chi tea is wonderful, but tea does not make a brunch.
(2)
Kim J.

What? I haven't reviewed Victory's Banner? Given that I dine here at least twice a month, that's a horrible oversight on my part. I think they put crack in the Chai. Which is evil because they then offer you bottomless amounts of it. The eggs here taste better than at other places. Maybe it's because they're blessed? That's really the only explanation I can think of. Even heathens like me can appreciate blessed eggs. My meal of choice here is the Steverino. An omelette with goat cheese and roasted red peppers? Deliciousness personified. Don't overlook the specials. I once had carrot cake pancakes with fresh whipped cream. Talk about instantaneous food orgasm. (Band name?) They were the single greatest breakfast food I've ever eaten, and I still talk about them today. Service is friendly. The wait is long, but well worth it. Parking is meh. Watch out for the stroller brigades that will try and run you over.
(5)
Ellen M.

I can't remember much about the food except that the pancakes were really excellent - made wth buckwheat I think. The atmosphere is cool - the servers wear saris and Indian jewelry. I was a little taken aback when I went there with my parents one time. We walked in and the host asked my father whether he'd heard the good news. Apparently they have their very own guru who meditates on photos of people and decides whether to be their personal guru. Well, my handsome or cool-looking or peace-loving-looking dad made the cut! I never did hear how that worked out...
(4)
Sara B.

We've been here a few times and are never disappointed. My boyfriend loves the French Toast and I've been enjoying the waffles. I love that there is never a ridiculous wait (the Bongo Room, anyone?) and that the service and food is solid. This is what brunch should be! Laid back, pleasant, and tasty!
(5)
H. C.

The food here is good, but for me it's the atmosphere that really sells the place. A yogi and/or meditator's delight! The peaceful, spiritual vibe and super-friendly, conscious service is a breath of fresh air and somehow just makes everything taste better :) Always check before you go, though, to make sure they're open, since they do close for spiritual retreats now and then. My personal favorite dish is the Tofu Scramble.
(4)
Jenna C.

So I've hated pancakes all my life. Then I came here and they looked so good I threw caution to the wind and got the apple pecan pancakes, and you know what? I love them. This made me think maybe I've just been remembering them wrong. Nope I pretty much only like pancakes here. This place is magic. The people are also very sweet, and the atmosphere is lovely.
(5)
Brett G.

It's been so long since I've been up to go out to breakfast, let alone go here, but I wish I could get myself to do both. As far as breakfast/brunch goes, this place is fresh, fantastic, creative, and delicious. From the peach stuffed french toast to the healthy scrambles to the omelets to the pancakes, everything is to die for. The downsides: long waits. The secret's out on this place (and has been for quite some time). Everything is great. I would say go here, but then the wait's only going to get longer. Oh well - it's worth it!
(5)
Omnia I.

I long avoided this place because I kept hearing from fellow vegans that while this place is completely vegetarian, they are lacking on the vegan option. But, they have an entire vegan menu! it may not be huge, and I think you possibly have to ask for it (if you're looking at the regular menu, its hard to figure out whats vegan and I can see how it would be frustrating), but its still a full page of yummy vegan options. I've had the curry wrap w/ grilled potato side here and its delicious. So is the tofu scramble w/ your choice of veggies and/or vegan sausage mixed in. What I dislike about this place is that they're only open early and I rarely would make it there on time. Last time I stopped there, in fact, I had been up all night and Pick Me Up was having electrical problems and closed. That, and I guess I haven't tried enough stuff to really judge properly.
(4)
Denise H.

This place totally rocks!! The breakfast items are sooo yummy! Well worth the wait on Sunday mornings when the line gets long.
(5)
Hillary S.

Victory's Banner is so tasty and wonderfully meat free! I went here on a whim with my omnivore boyfriend and both of us walked out smiling and satisfied. I got their smoky chicken wrap and he got their special mango french toast. They use the good kind of fake bacon here, not the nasty kind, and fresh mango. Both dishes were really spectacular, and the service was friendly and prompt. Whether you eat meat or not, I definitely recommend this restaurant for any meal of the day.
(4)
Vanessa P.

Delicious breakfast. Their "Satisfaction Promise" sans feta, but add goat cheese was so good, but pricey. I was able to come in on a Thursday, so I didn't have the epic wait that seems to happen on the weekends. The staff was great and I was able to eat (and read a book) without hurry.
(4)
Bradley M.

Supreme Vegetarian cuisine. They have the best veggie burger I've ever had. It's phenomenal. All the food I've had here has been exceptional. I've eaten in there twice, and the service leaves a lot to be desired. They are very slow and anything but observant. The quality of the food more than makes up for it though. My workmates & I used to order pickup for lunch on a regular basis, and every single time there was an error of some sort. Again the quality makes up for it. I must say this is one of my favorite vegetarian dining excusrions; I simply wish they would take as much pride in the service as the food.
(4)
Ali C.

Hands down the best vegetarian breakfast spot in the city. I usually get the broccoli tofu scrambler with a side of extra crunchy soy bacon. It is amazing! The bread they serve is also divine. I have been there over 20 times and never been disappointed by the food. They use fresh ingredients and are organized, so your food comes out pretty quickly. If you are looking for a great vegetarian breakfast spot, Victory's Banner is worth the haul up north.
(5)
Pontip M.

Sunday brunch with good friend on the coldest morning ever! We had a bit of a wait and it's tiny inside and the waiting area is even smaller. So we walked around and were seated towards the back. Once seated I didn't feel crowded in. It was getting late for breakfast so I opted for the a veggie burger. It was soooo good! I will say that it was on the mushy side and not a more solid patty. When you bit into it it smooshed out the side but that hardly mattered since the flavor was yummy! I kept looking at my friend saying "this is so good, really good!" Cripsy potatoes and iced tea rounded out the meal and for the two of us we spent less than $30 including tip which was a rare treat! I am starting to really enjoy places that are strictly vegetarian as an option and glad to see that they are also leaning on the healthier side too and using less oils and fats to make food tasty! Can't wait to go back and try some pancakes!
(4)
andrew z.

I agree with Emily Y. I just had their French Toast, and it was so good. The place was packed, and it is easy to understand why. The food was delicious. It is out of the way for me, but I would totally make the effort to go back here.
(5)
Jonathan S.

Funny, if this place had crosses and pictures of the Virgin Mary and Jesus and a TV showing televangelists, I would avoid it like the plague - one of those nasty plagues from the Bible. But because this has an Eastern religious theme, with pictures and a guru on the television non stop, it is fun and exotic. I am just another hypocritical liberal. The food is excellent and the service is very friendly, just what you would expect from a bunch of smiling cult members.
(5)
Jason D.

I love the menu at Victory's Banner. I think I've eaten everything on the menu. I'm not kidding either. It's all yummy and tasty. I've taken my hardcore meat eater friends there and they have all left happy. Don't let the "It's a cult front" rumor keep you away. Cult or not the make great food, plus the carpets need cleaning George. I kid, I kid.
(4)
Rachel S.

I adore this restaurant. From my first visit there, I was hooked. Everything I have tried at VB has been fresh and delicious and delivered with a smile. Their omelettes must be some of the best in the city: fluffy, fresh and flavorful. The spiritual vibe behind the joint adds a novel interest. It is bright and sunny and attention is paid to details such as real flowers, purified ice-free water and good coffee. This place is in my top five.
(5)
John B.

A great little place that is good for breakfast and lunch. The vegetarian menu offers both healthy and comfort food. The service is solid and everyone is friendly. The cultish vibe is worth the food. However, if you are put off by the spiritual quest everyone seems to be on, their food is good as carryout too!
(4)
Megan N.

My absolute favorite place for breakfast in Chicago. I'm a vegetarian (don't eat eggs or fish either) so I might be a little bit bias, but my boyfriend loves this place too and he craves meat all the time! I always either get the Southwest Burger (if I'm in the mood for spicy/salty lunch-type food) or one of the Eggless Wonders or the waffle if I'm more in the mood for breakfast. They are all perfect!!!! My boyfriend orders the egg and sausage bagel sandwich every single time we go and it's basically his idea of a perfect meal. We took his family there and he gave the same recommendation to some VERY picky eaters and they loved it too. Everyone I take there leaves feeling full but not like they've had a gross heavy guilty meal. I like the size of the dishes, not too much and definitely not too little. The prices are good and the service is WONDERFUL. There is usually a wait on weekend mornings but they will pour you whatever drink you want while you wait, and you can shop around at all the Roscoe Village boutiques!!!!! Be aware that it's closed on Tuesdays (auspicious day in Indian cultures) but who has time for a nice meal on weekday mornings anyway? This place surpasses Bongo Room, Yolk, M Henry, Orange, Kitsch'n and whatever other breakfast place I'm missing.
(5)
Staci L.

I'm a breakfast girl and this is my favorite place in Chicago. You have to be okay with the no meat thing, but I've got to say...their fake breakfast sausage is very good. Can't leave without trying the french toast. Other great menu items to mention: upama (savory cream of wheat with fresh veggies), pancakes, their peasant's lunch is a soup of the day plus a thick piece of hearth bread spread with goat cheese and pesto (soooo good), tofu scrambles. Basically can't go wrong with food at this place and the service and ambiance is just as good.
(5)
Kristin S.

Delicious food and great service! The restaurant is very sunny and warm. I felt relaxed as soon as I got there. The curry omlette and breakfast burrito I split with my boyfriend were both incredible. We also had the bottomless cup of homemade chai tea. LOVED IT! Very affordable for great, really fresh food. We will definitely be back soon.
(5)
Sharla C.

Award winning french toast! Need I say more? Okay, yes, I do need to say more. I have been coming to this Roscoe Village spot for 5 years and I have never been disappointed with the food, the atmosphere and the people that work there. First of all, when you walk into this place, you feel instantly serene, even if you had to wait in a long line of people in front of you waiting to be seated . It may be the color scheme, the bottomless chai or the happy titled food, such as the Bliss burger, Satisfaction promise or the Brahma burrito that gets me in such a good mood. Maybe, it is all of the above, or perhaps Sri Chimnoy is blessing your food as you eat. No matter the reason, this place is a destination for good food and good vibes. I am a big believer that food that is made with good energy, gives you good energy. That being said, the ingredients are also high quality and are combined in delicious ways. Try their daily soup specials and the featured breakfast items that change weekly. Their award winning French toast gets amped up with a bit of mascarpone and blueberries on their specials page. The Eggless Wonder #2 with pesto and brown rice is hearty and delicious! This place attracts so many types of people, the studious type, the hipster, the vegan punk, the spiritual eater, neighborhood moms, the foodie, the weekend vegetarian, guys in their softball gear and of course the weekly regulars. Whatever your interests may be, there is good reason that people flock to this popular brunch spot.
(5)
Aimee S.

Loved my tofu scramble! Served w/ really amazing thick toast & scrumptious potatoes. I was very happy! Make sure to notify the server if you need your food vegan (they have a nice vegan menu) otherwise, a lot of their food is cooked in ghee. Excellent coffee too :-)
(5)
Tabitha P.

Amazing vegan and vegetarian options in a small, intimate setting. I don't visit Chicago without an attempt to make it there!
(5)
daniel s.

both times i have eaten here, i was completely blown away by the food and the chai tea. $9 for banana cream french toast might seem a little high, but it's not your crappy greasy spoon french toast -- this is some high quality shit here. the normal french toast is also amazing plain, with syrup, or with their peach butter. and everything i've tried off of friends' plates has been delicious too! i'm convinced you have to really try if you want to get something you won't enjoy. my favorite thing about victory's banner is the bottomless chai. i don't know where else you can get free refills on chai for just a dollar more than a single cup. i would go here just to drink this stuff, and i find myself thinking about it when i'm not there, wondering when i can go back. it's also probably the best chai i've ever had, so bonus points there. now, i think something has to be said about this 'cult' thing. people read too far into it and blow it out of proportion (e.g. "oh noes! they have a tiny-ass tv with a peaceful art slideshow that i can't look away from! they're trying to suck me in!). what's wrong with a little spiritual inner peace? they aren't trying to force anything on you except amazing food. it's just a group of nice people who know how to cook. if you like those two things, there's no reason you wouldn't like victory's banner.
(5)
Marion P.

Oooh, this place is nice!! There was a bit of a wait as we came here for a sunday brunch, but it wasn't terrible. As we stood outside somewhat awkwardly when our names were called and we still held coffees from the coffeeshop up the street, the owner was very friendly about us bringing our cups inside. Great! The menu was extensive, full of amazing sounding vegetarian offerings. I felt like Indian food and thus had a Mango Lassi and a 'Curry Omelette', which was very good and came with both bread and potatoes. Yum. I definitely need to come back and try one of the veggie burgers!!
(5)
Kate S.

It was cute and quirky, and prices were normal. I had the veggie burger, which was a lot greasier than I thought was necessary--and I LOVE veggie burgers, being the meatless eater that I am. I did like that it was very un-mushroomy. My friend had a *giant* omelette with some faux bacon that she adored. But yeah, I guess I'm not totally sold on this place over handlebar for veggie brunch. If you're in the neighborhood though, and not far away like I am, it's probably a much more appealing neighborhood option.
(3)
David D.

On all counts, my breakfast dining experience at Victory's Banner was fantastic. They truly live up to their reputation, and next time I'm biking out in that direction in the morning, I'll be sure to stop in again for their warm hospitality and great food. Read my full review here: sproutchicago.wordpress.â€¦
(5)
Ben D.

------------Not Too Sure About Much Except The French Toast----------------- So, the food is great and the service is too. Not really too sure what is going on with the religion though. This place is based around the teachings of Sri Chinmoy. I admit I'm
(4)
Summer F.

I LOVE this place. I was first introduced to it from someone at work, and i used to order breakfast there. their buckwheat waffles are TO DIE for! thier chocalate chip waffles are even better. today was the first time i ordered lunch from there and as a vegetarian, i must say that the Bliss Burger is THE best burger i have had! as soon as you walk into the place you feel a sense of enlightenment, no joke, its calming, soothing, and i just love the place. i feel inspired when i go there, the staff is friendly, and i am even thinking about going to learn how to meditate at the bookstore where they offer free "classes". the place is kind of small, but it has a cozy feel its a little expensive, but it is well worth it. check it out, and bring some carnivorous friends too.
(5)
christine c.

-1 star: their menu says that everything under eggs/omelettecomes w/ potatoes and bread. i got the breakfast burrito - it did not come either potatoes and it didn't come with bread either -1 star: their breakfast burrito is supposed to come w/ gouda chees
(3)
Petronella D.

Add me to the list of people who love Victory's Banner despite myself. The first time we ate there, we walked in and stood there, looking at the many empty tables and occupied but not overwhelmed wait staff. And stood there. And stood there. And finally I asked a woman who was filling up water pitchers if there was a list or something we could put our name on and she just... didn't respond or even really acknowledge us. So we stood there and stood there and finally a nice young fellow led us to a table and plied us with AMAZING coffee and delicious food and so I was appeased. Basically, the food is great (I am not a vegetarian) and once the wait staff gets rolling, the service is just fine. I think they just space out a little bit now and then. Most of the negative feelings I have for VB stem from the lack of space to wait. If it's too cold to stand outside, and you don't get a seat on the little bench underneath the brainwash tea and incense display, you are basically forced to stand hovering over somebody's table, blocking a path often traveled by servers and bussers. Awkward. The table cards with Sri Chinmoy's pastel art on them are pretty funny and, like Jennifer C. below me, don't engender inner peace so much as make me want to turn tables upside down on the way out. The last time we went there, their little TVs were playing a video (available for sale of course!) of good old Sri Chinmoy... dead-lifting airplanes! Oh cult leaders, thou art so egotistical. Still, the man makes an amazing cup of coffee. Must be all the good vibes.
(4)
Kerry D.

The food is great...I took a carnivore, and he really liked it! It does sort of feel like a tambourine parade could bust out at any moment, but really...wouldn't that be a fun breakfast? Another friend that wanted bacon tried the soy stuff- she didn't like it at all, but said she'd go back and get the eggs w/o. So, I guess don't drink the kool-aid and don't get the fake bacon, and have a DELICIOUS meal! You can sit outside, which is nice- just get there early on the weekends!
(4)
Jason C.

Went here for the second time and had the same thing - french toast! It is tasty and large! Tried my fiance's dish as well - eggs with pesto. Thought it was going to be a weird combo but it was actually pretty good. It was a little weird that they did not toast the bread for breakfast - took it home so we could toast it! Service was very good - we sat out in the back patio which was nicely shaded and cooler. My only complaint was the toast and forgetting to bring the special butter for the french toast - I asked and they still did not bring it. Oh well, it was still delicious anyway and I really don't need the extra calories!
(4)
kim s.

Delicious. Absolutely delicious. Ridiculously yummy curry omelet. I'm much more of a savory b-fast person than sweet. So I never ever order french toast or pancakes. But here...the thick thick but light light french toast with peach butter just kills me. That's a testament, folks. I seriously won't touch the stuff elsewhere. The room is warm and cozy, the coffee delicious. For a healthy dose of meditative thoughts and enriching food, Victory's Banner cannot be beat.
(5)
bettina c.

Victory's Banner is one of my favorite brunch spots. Another bonus is that its vegetarian! However, if you're not vegetarian, I promise, you won't miss the meat. The food here is consistently delicious. The omlettes are tasty & not oily. The french toast, which they boast is famous, is delicious as well. Unfortunately, because I'm such a brunch fanatic, I haven't tried their lunch yet. So I can't comment on that. The atmosphere here is fun. Its relaxing & you can enjoy the art by their spiritual leader. They play videos of him lifting up helicopters & cars too! One of my favorite things about Victory's Banner is that no matter how crazy busy they are, the staff is ALWAYS calm & pleasant. You can be sure that you will get served promptly, efficiently & with a smile!
(5)
Ryan R.

The tofu scrambles are excellent. I recommend skipping the comfortable orders (with the exception of the terrific french toast.) If you are dining here for the first time, definitely go for the more extreme dishes like the Curry Omelette, Pancake Delight, or one of their Mango Explosion specials. The service is unbelievable. The employees are genuine. The religious beliefs of a server have no bearing on the dining experience. The reviews stating negative things about the staff are written by the kind of insensitive metro-bumpkins still clueless that fish are, indeed, not vegetables.
(5)
Vanessa A.

I took my family to Victory's Banner - grandparents, parents, younger sister, aunts and uncles - when everyone was in town visiting. Everyone at the table raved about their food. It was the only time we've all agreed about the quality of a restaurant! Since then, I have been back at least ten times, usually with friends. Again, no one has ever left without complementing the food and service! I almost always get an omelet: the vegetables are crisp and fresh, the cheddar cheese is sharp, the fake sausage is super flavorful. My husband dreams about their veggie cream cheese, so whenever we go, he always orders an extra bagel with veggie spread. I've also tried the tofu scrambles #1 and #2, which are bursting with pesto and veggie flavor. The whole wheat bread is fresh, sometimes still warm. I also always get the bottomless chai tea, which is deliciously aromatic. This is my go-to brunch spot in the city. It can get crowded on the weekends, but during the week, it is an absolute delight to sit in the sun-drenched restaurant and enjoy the atmosphere. I enjoy the spiritual undertones: the guru video above the door always amuses me, as do the spiritual messages on the back of the sugar pack. In sum, this is a neighborhood gem that is worth the weekend wait.
(5)
Melissa B.

This place is perfect for brunch. The only problem is there are a lot of people who agree with me. If it's a warm, sunny day, the line will be insane. But if you have the time, it's worth the wait. Yes, it's vegetarian. And yes, I like my red meat. But this place is wonderfully filling. I recommend the pesto omelette and the raspberry french toast. Mmmmm.
(4)
Larry F.

Nice neighborhood spot for lunch and breakfast. Curry burrito has good flavor. Satisfaction promise was also good but egg portion was a little small. Roasted potatoes are a little bland. Chocolate chip pancakes were a hit. Good friendly service.
(3)
Cyn F.

Where I pick up Breakfast. VeryVery Good. Kind service.
(4)
Harsh X.

I'm embarrassed to say that the first time I heard someone describe Victory's Banner, I dismissed it like I would a chick-flick. And I was so wrong! (But I'll never admit I'm wrong about chick-flicks. Example - The Notebook, etc.) How can breakfast without real bacon or sausage or something that was alive and moving at some point in time taste good? The novelty of this place is that you never ever realize that there's no meat. If someone had not bothered to tell me I was consuming faux-meat, I probably wouldn't known. The flavors are outstanding and the "Satisfaction Promise" eggs on the menu really deliver. I've also enjoyed the various omelets and the burrito. All of them are top-notch and the coffee is just right (seriously, there are too many places that do a really good job screwing up coffee). The pancakes are solid, although I'm not quite a pancakey person. The elephant in the room continues to be the staff dressed in indian garb but not one of them actually being indian. Since we're a secular and mostly libertarian nation, it's more amusing than anything else and something you get used to over time. On a beautiful sunny day in Spring/Fall, when its cold in the shade but just warm enough in the sun, sitting outside at Victory's Banner brings back the memories that money can't buy. ... actually, wait - money can buy this kinda happiness at very reasonable prices.
(5)
Lindley E.

If you like pastel colors and believe that anything vegetarian is good for you, regardless of the sugar or fat content, Victory's Banner should be a stop on your 'restaurants run by members of a single religious groups' gastromic tour of the city. I'm not sure what the other stops would be -- maybe a hari krishna home or something. Food here is fine. If you have dietary restrictions around meat, you'll find something to eat here, as long as eggs and milk are still a part of your diet. eat...you look so thin.
(3)
Kiyana B.

This is the breakfast veggie lovin' friendly joint. "I like it a lot." They are only open until 3pm though, so make sure you start your AM off early enough. I highly recommened the French Toast with Peach Butter & real Maple Syrup (all for $8) need I say more? Oh, their homemade bread is excellent as well to munch on.
(5)
kevin a.

If you are afraid of going to a vegetarian restaurant (read: you're a carnivore) then you are in for a treat. I generally feel that any meal lacking meat is no meal at all. Suffice it to say that Victory's Banner changed this perception. Order any number of dishes with soyrizo (soy chorizo) and you will be amazed. The coffee is great. I love having a side of black beans and rice as well as salsa to top off my soyrizo burrito. You cannot go wrong by enjoying a meal here.
(4)
Julie G.

This place makes the best chai I've ever tasted and although the menu is vegetarian, it's also very friendly to non-vegetarians. Victory's Banner offers good service and wholesome, delicious food. The atmosphere is bright and homey but may come off as a little weird for some since it's owned and operated by some type of monk-like religious organization. It's off the beaten path and you're sure to wait awhile on the weekends, but this placed remains a favorite go-to place in my brunch set.
(4)
lola d.

I decided to visit this place on a busy, busy, sunday afternoon. report: long wait (worth it), fluffy eggs, great coffee, friendly staff, and calming ambiance. a great place to meet up with a fine buddy and pass the time over good eats and great conversation.
(4)
Shannon J.

After moving from San Diego and leaving behind my beloved Jyoti Bihanga (which you must visit if ever in San Diego!) I pondered whether I would ever again stumble across another of the mysterious enclaves of Sri Chinmoy's followers that makes the freshest salads in town and insanely delicious Neatloaf. I sighed heavily whilst wandering the meat happy restaurant strewn streets of Chicago for months...But lo one day came when, after reading many a yelp veg review, I discovered Victory's Banner and everything was set right with the world. Fresh wraps, burritos, breakfast foods galore. And Neatloaf. Now I can live happily ever after in Chicago...well, total happiness would also include Vegan Voodoo donuts, but that would be pushing my luck. Thanks Victory's banner for making my belly happy and full of joy (and delicious food!)
(5)
Flo J.

Really great breakfast burrito and french toast. The servers wear the traditional Indian garb (not sure what it is called) and they have a lot of veggie and organic options. It had a peacefull atmosphere and I will def be back!!
(4)
MaryAnne M.

I've only eaten here once and was not as blown away as some of the other reviewers. In their defense it was a Thursday afternoon and I was hung over. But that's when breakfast is best, right? I had a feta omelet with tofu sausage.Good coffee. The service is good, but the servers do seem to be in a cult. Not that there's anything wrong with that....
(3)
Josh B.

i got the french toast to share, the bagel sammy, and bacon burger to go. i was so stuffed that i just wanted to take a nap. between three of us on the bill, we got 6 entrees and a coffee and it was only 60 bucks. i just ate the burger after an 8-hour drive and it was so good that i can only imagine what it was like warm. compared to other places we went on this trip, this place was great. the workers were really cute and it was just really relaxing overall. i'll definitely be back for the french toast and bacon burger. at the same time. i only gave four stars because i want to save that fifth star for the theoretically-impossible "perfect restaurant".
(4)
Grant S.

yum yum yum yum yum yum yum yum yum yum yum yum yum yum yum yum yum yum yum yum yum yum yum yum yum yum yum yum yum yum yum yum yum yum yum yum yum yum yum yum yum yum yum yum yum yum yum yum yum yum yum yum sri chimoy is the man. "your heart is the sunlight morning rays" hell yeah.. everything here is perfect. the best breakfast ever. it echoes. it radiates. it will carry on. what they serve in heaven. seriously. no joke. it will take you to a whole new place.
(5)
una g.

Pros -food is yummy -friendly staff -wait is not that bad if u go during da week Cons -nope, nada, zip, zero..
(5)
Lezah G.

I didn't give this five stars because I am by nature a carnivore. We went to celebrate a friend's birthday who keeps kosher and is a vegetarian and she has sat through many a meal with the rest of us just drinking a coke so we were happy to go to a restaurant where we all could eat. The food was delicious. I got the times screwed up and was late joining the party and they were super nice about squeezing another chair at the table and getting my meal to me pretty quickly so I wasn't finishing long after everyone else was done. They are very crowded on Sundays. The waitstaff were all very nice and friendly. I read comments about their being members of a "cult" and I have no idea if they are or not but they were not robotic or strange or anything else that I rightly or wrongly associate with cults. They were just nice people. It was a pleasure to eat there. I love eggs but my stomach doesn't tolerate grease very well and even at the most careful, great restaurants, I still have problems. I continue to order eggs tho and suffer the consequences. Without offering too much information, I just want to say that there were NO consequences and that is a rarity for me!
(4)
Wendy S.

I felt I had tried most breakfast/brunch places in Roscoe Village/Lincoln Park/Lakeview... and then I heard about Victory's Banner. To begin, I've now been there 4 times in 6 weeks and every time I'm there, the same calming feeling and the positive energy just vibes from the place when you walk in. Chai - unbelievable... get the bottomless cup. I also get the Eggless Wonder - with a fried egg or two on top (oxymoron, huh?) - ahh-maaa-zing. I take non-vegetarians here - and they're all a bit skittish to begin, and then can't rave enough once we leave. GO TO VICTORY'S BANNER
(5)
dan l.

I have never once left Victory's Banner feeling empty or unsatisfied. This is a true treasure of the Roscoe Village neighborhood. While small, it's open and bright, and the wait staff is generally very friendly. The food is absolutely to die for. I'm yet to meet anyone who isn't thrilled with their meal. I've tried a variety of omelettes, soups, wraps, and small sides here and there. Always unbelievable. Best spot for breakfast, I believe. The drawbacks are with the size, as it fills up FAST (especially on weekends and when it's nice out!) and there can be a wait but I promise it's worth every moment. Go for a stroll around Roscoe Village and come back.
(5)
Jonathan H.

Big let down. After a forty-minute wait out front I was in dire need of some manna. Thirty minutes after ordering, I received a room-temperature omelet with toast to match. At least the weather was nice ...
(2)
Summer P.

Always a pleasant dining experience; even when the wait is long, my patience doesn't wane...they're just too serene here. The food is always good; I feel like they make the food with love. I would highly recommend the french toast with peach butter and if fake bacon is your thing...get the stripples!
(5)
Viviana R.

I love this restaurant. It's one of my favorite breakfast places. It's bright and cheery inside. The service has always been friendly and the food is great. Word of caution, this place is usually packed. If you don't time it right, you can end up waiting quite a while for seating. Very early or brunch are the best times to go.
(5)
Hal V.

One of my favorite spots for breakfast. All dishes are incredible!
(5)
Moe f.

Great brunch(served all day). Gets busy. Love the chai, rasberry french toast, and omlettes. I love meat but still manage to eat well here.
(4)
Kitty L.

In the city of brunch places, nothing to write home about here. I like the concept of their meat alternatives on the menu; for example I had their omelette with gouda and soyauge....I just found it tasted so artificial and, because I'm not vegetarian, I'd eat real meat any day over this. The decor is really bright, service is odd - the woman who I guess owns the place (she wears the Indian sari) is nice and polite but I found other young gentlemen servers to be unfriendly and unhelpful. Prices are on par with most brunch places although some of their drinks/teas are kind of expensive ($2.95 for some of their passion fruit tea or something like that?! Its water and leaves for pete's sake!) . It's got some strong thematic influences from India / new age-y type feel - I guess that could be a good or bad thing depending on your style.
(3)
H S.

Really? People honestly think this place is THAT good?!?!? Top 10 brunch spot? I honestly have no clue what the hoopla is over this place. We arrived early and sat outside over the weekend (that is about the best part of our experience). We tried the so-called "best french toast" and it wasn't even cooked through. The egg batter was seeping through the toast so badly that we had to send it back. The Greek omelet was alright but hardly anything to write home about and the potatoes were cold. Overall, there are much better options in Chicago. In fact, Id rather go down the street to Johns Place instead.
(2)
Lucy B.

Despite being crowded and slightly chaotic on weekends, I really love this place. The space itself is comfortable, cheerful, and bright, and the waitstaff is always pleasant and kind. I recommend the "Satisfaction Promise" and a cup of bottomless chai tea.
(5)
Trinidad F.

OMGoodness!!! This morning I had an amazing breakfast here. I had 2 scrambled eggs and with super fresh mushrooms, spinach and onions. The eggs came with a side of baked, seasoned potatoes and toasted Hearth bread. I couldnt resist the waffles so I ordered the apple pecan waffle that blew my mind!!! The cinnamon baked apple topping was fresh and sweet and the buckwheat waffle was great!!! YUMMERS!!!! My friend had apple cinnamon pancakes but when they were brought to the table they looked very plain. We she cut into them the pancake was stuffed with apples and pecans! Amazing!! Everyone working there was very friendly and the atmosphere was bright and alive. This is my new favortie breakfast place and Im not even a breakfast food fan.
(5)
Mark M.

Been going for years, best veggie burger in the world hands down. French toast that would make Mr. French proud. I believe Purdam is becoming the Donal Trump of Roscoe Village, and I would like to think that I helped him to that end. But seriously go before the rest of the trixie's roll out of bed, say like 8 or 9 or order carry-out after 11 am.
(4)
Sooyon H.

It's located in the quaint neighborhood of Roscos Village. The restaurant itself is quite tiny, although the time I went I was fortunate enough not to wait at all on a weekend morning. I ordered a half and half special of their specialty french toast, as well as their goat cheese omlette. All in all, a breakfast meal that simple and that good. . . it doesn't get better than that!
(4)
Heidi G.

Maybe my favorite vegetarian restaurant, except that they don't serve dinner, only breakfast and lunch. If they did dinner too, it would probably be my fav. The specials are usually great, and I love the bacon cheeseburger. But probably what I crave the most is their chai tea. Now that is the best in the city. You can get a bottomless cup, but if I have more than 2 cups I'm too wired. So be warned, it is strong. It is busy on the weekends, so I usually just go during the week if I am in the Roscoe Village area. I also like the bright, cheerful feel of the place. Even if a place has good tasting food, but it makes me feel bad after, or the staff don't seem happy, I won't frequent it. So my friends and I agree that this is one of the few restaurants that doesn't give you the attitude hangover that so many do. Some people are annoyed by the guru and his art everywhere, but I just ignore it. Its pretty funny actually. Sometimes they are closed for vacations or holidays, so I often call ahead if I am bring others.
(5)
Sasha S.

What a delightful little restaurant. The service is lovely in addition to the wait staff. The food is just amazing. The choices are very healthy and the most delicious. If you are a vegetarian this place is for you. I have not had a meal that I did not enjoy. I have a little group of friends that I get together with just for their oatmeal. This place makes me feel happy.
(5)
Kirstie S.

Slightly new agey but very very good food. I went to their counterpart (I believe it is called Peace Cafe) in Ottawa, Canada over the Christmas season and was excited to learn of their place here. It's a veggie place with great food and good service. Their soups are especially delicious. Unusual entrees dominate. Only slightly too expensive for the portion size.
(4)
Amber A.

I take every guest that visits to this place! Who doesn't love a Gouda cheese and sausage omelet?! Of course the sausage was not real meat but there is no way you can tell without being told. Not to mention they have the best french toast that I have EVER had!! Yes they are spiritualist and dress funny but who cares!? I love that all of their food is free range too! What an amazing place!! A must try! If you love french toast...you will be addicted!
(5)
Anna B.

The food is great. Nice, sunny and clean. But what's with the cult-like video feed? I mean food is good, but the floating face of the "leader" on the screen keeps me away. Growing up in a totalitarian regime, this leader worship puts a bad taste in my mouth...
(3)
Jen T.

The cult stuff is a little iffy, but whatever, if we're gonna get down to it morally i'd rather support a veg-friendly neighborhood operation than a corporate chain. The wait was long on a beautiful, warm(er) Sunday morning, but the food turned out to be well worth it. Everything was delicious, simple but flavorful, and left me feeling good. Plus, the guy who seated us wanted to talk about Henry Rollins. Backed.
(4)
Catherine H.

Staff is great, food is very tasty. I prefer this brunch to any other brunch place in this little village we call Roscoe. I particularly enjoy the french toast with peach butter but have also had the green eggs as well. I've never had to wait to eat there but it's possible that I get there earlier then most. Don't let the vegetarian aspect scare you away!
(4)
Lailah R.

Not only did my TVP sammy satisfy, but I was offered sitar lessons by a muy friendly man before finishing my fare. I have to say that the food is great at Victory, but the atmosphere of insanely non-sarcastic genuine folks in a city of complete tongue in cheek is refreshing.
(4)
Bhanurekha G.

It has all been said already. This place is definitely worth the ride to RV area. I like the people who work there and the food is just great. Great vibe and you really leave feeling more peaceful!
(4)
jimmy l.

ahh, i love that little strip of roscoe village. all the resturants and little shops are great but one place stands out though and it's victory's banner. the one time i've been there i had healthy scrambled with tofu and veggies and that was amazing. the eggs are the best part of it. i defiantly figured there was something that made them different but i couldn't figure it out but whatever the chef throws in that mix does the job. i like how the envirnment is very peaceful. the service was pretty good too. all i have to say is i can't wait to go back again.
(5)
Jose G.

The prices are a bit high, the food is small in portions, it was closed too many times when I attempted to go for cultish retreats, and I tend to believe the disturbing rumors about Pradhan's cult that owns and profits off the place.
(1)
Robert S.

Chicago is the best for cult-run vegetarian restaurants, and Victory's Banner may very well be the best of them. This place is definitely worth getting up before noon. The neatloaf and pesto omelette are highlights, as well as the world's tiniest lady serving them to you. Don't sit next to the window because it's bright/hot as balls.
(5)
Erin J.

I love love love their Bliss Burger! It is literally the best veggie burger ever! I used to work around here and I don't get over to Roscoe Village that much anymore but I crave that Bliss Burger with a side of mashed potatoes and mushroom gravy! This is no dry bean & vegetable burger and it doesn't try to replicate the taste of meat either (which I hate!). The Bliss Burger is so moist you could almost call it a sloppy joe. The vegetable toppings are always fresh and the special sauce (I think it's wasabi mayo) is perfect! I've tried other food there but I don't remember it because I'm in love with the Bliss Burger. The place is popular and trendy so the wait can be a little long and the tables are a little cramped at times but it's worth it.
(4)
Grant G.

Now this is a "hidden gem", even though it's an uber cliche. 30 minute wait on Sunday at 12:30 for brunch, but well worth the wait!!! Went with three other people, and EVERYONE LEFT COMPLETELY SATISFIED. I had the Apple Pecan waffle which was rediculously good. My girl had a create your own omlette ( I highly recommend putting the basil pesto in it.) Then of course there is their specialty, French Toast. Oh yeah... it's a can't miss.
(4)
Mike P.

I'm not a vegetarian by any stretch, but I got to tell you, this place will satisfy even the most jaded Chicago carnivore. The staff that runs this place is great. The omelet I had was excellent. If you have any dissuasion to soy or tofu, the menu hear will alleviate your fear.
(5)
Alison M.

Just wonderful! I've been here several times for brunch, and while there's always a wait, the wait is always worth it. This morning I ordered the special, stuffed french toast, stuffed with lemon custard and covered in raspberry sauce. It was the perfect blend of sweet and tart. My friend ordered the Eggless Wonder #2. A fantastic blend of brown rice, marinated tofu, broccoli, mushrooms, pesto, and feta cheese. It sounds a bit weird to have all those ingredients together, but, they melded together perfectly. I couldn't stop eating off her plate!
(5)
janice m.

Five stars for this great neighborhood restaurant. The food is outstanding, fresh, flavorful, and plentiful. The choices are exceptional, even being a vegetarian restaurant. And the chai! Don't even get me started on that. It was unbelievable. The prices are reasonable, the service was great, and a good time was had by both my daughter and myself. And they are very baby friendly, a good thing when you have a toddler with you and don't want hum drum food!
(5)
Lizzy G.

VEGETARIANS EAT YOUR HEART OUT!! Victory's Banner is truly a neighborhood gem. I have been going here for the last few years and it is such a wonderful restaurant to have in Roscoe Village. On weekends it can get pretty busy but during the week or later in the early afternoon there is hardly ever a wait which is wonderful considering the restaurant is pretty small. Some of my favorites here are the stuffed french toast specials they have once in a while or for that matter, any of their french toast on the menu! I also like the pancakes, especially the apple pecan pancakes! And if your a vegetarian that eats eggs, the omelets never disappoint with as many varieties of fresh vegetables you can think of and yummy grilled potatoes. Victory's Banner is great for lunch too. They have a very affordable peasants lunch of soup and hearty bread that never disappoints but if your in the mood for a more filling lunch, the veggie burgers are the best in town! The southwest bliss burger is my personal favorite but if you're a veggie who misses bacon, get the soy bacon burger! The burger come with mashed potatoes and homemade mushroom gravy that could be a meal in itself! They also have a great curry wrap and even neatloaf, which I have never had, but am always tempted by! The staff here is wonderful and attentive. Your coffee cup will never go dry! The owner and every employee practice meditation under the late Yogi Sri Chinmoy and every employee wears beautiful sari's. It's an eclectic and wonderful experience. A vegetarian must in Chicago!
(5)
Nana H.

I've heard alot of about this place, and when i finally went there a couple years ago, i thought it was good- but i wouldnt say AWESOME. Tthe few times i've tried to go there- its been a tuesday, and they are CLOSED on Tuesdays! The food is satifsfying, but i also felt it was really carbby. The best thing is that its run by a cult! You can see them all run around in their robes and you can see pictures of their idol all around the restaurant. I once looked at an apartment complex that was run by a cult (adi dam)... and it was a pretty decent place (expect you cant smoke, and all my friends smoke) and i"ve come to the conclusion that cult businesses arent that bad!
(4)
Lauren Y.

Pradhan (the owner) deserves his own Victory Banner. My god this place is phenomenal. You'll leave with a satisfied tummy and a zen outlook. The restaurant has a comfortable spiritualness to it that even an agnostic would feel blessed by. I tried (and loved) the staple omlete--a goat cheese and spinach number. The staff were hospitable and accomodating to my request for 1/2 egg 1/2 egg white. I'd happily wait the forty-minutes again for another taste of Victory's Banner.
(5)
Jess L.

this place is absolutely amazing. i have never had anything bad here. i've had two "courses" for brunch because i couldn't decide. try the eggless wonder, eggless wonder #2, curry omelet, vegetable juice... wait staff is friendly. eating outside tops it off!
(5)
Sarah F.

They serve lots of healthy foods are are vegetarian friendly. It is certainly a unique spot beyond what words can describe. If you are in for a calm experience, give this spot a try.
(4)
David W.

4.5. That's what I wanted to give Victory's Banner. It's a love or hate place, all depending on what type of brunch atmosphere/food you are looking for. If you are looking a polished, made with heart brunch, with friendly service, give Victory Banner a try. They have a bottomless Chai option, french toast, goat cheese/pesto omelet that I never seem to get tired of. The place is cozy, bright with an eclectic waitstaff.
(4)
Jeff W.

Pesto + goat cheese omelet -- amazing -- who would have known! The wait wasn't too long, lots of fun folks in the restaurant, great overall breakfast experience! Probably a 4.25 in my book.
(4)
Holly S.

love this place! If its your birthday they sing you a song about how much they love you! what is better than feeling loved on your birthday!!!!
(5)
Taku S.

great breakfast food. only problem i have is the wait but i guess thats goes with the territory for a popular restaurant.
(4)
Emily Y.

I just had the Raspberry French Toast at Victory's Banner this morning, and I will now GLADLY join the cult. (I don't even like french toast.)
(5)
Tim Y.

Long wait, but the place has a capacity limit of 43 and seating for far less. I'm not a vegetarian, but I can eat a meal without meat so I wasn't upset. The food was hot, served quickly, and tasted great. Many reviewers harp on the religious overtones, and while it isn't discreet, it's not offensive. I went there for a decent breakfast, had that, paid what I'd consider a reasonable amount, and that was it -- no cult sales pitches, no donation plate, no sermon. If you're uncomfortable around alternative religion and/or displays of how one finds spiritual contentment, you may want to pass -- but you'll be missing a good meal.
(4)
Carrie H.

I am not vegan and love this place. I always get breakfast. Great portions, good for brunch without leaving in a food coma and feeling guilty about what you ate. I've taken my family here from out of town and they loved it.
(5)
M. R.

I LOVE this place. I have been here several times and the food is great and so are the staff. This is my idea of a relaxing place to enjoy breakfast or any meal for that fact. Come here if you want healthy good food and friendly service.
(5)
Jacob R.

So, what's not to like? 1. No reservations with under 6 people. 2. It's always crowded, and you pretty much get to sit down with strangers 3. You have something against cults.
(5)
Shannon F.

Mmmm! This place is delicious. The focus on fresh food makes it stand out in Chicago and the ambiance is absolutely great! I really liked this place and would recommend it for a Sunday brunch but it does get packed so be willing to wait or perhaps come at an odd hour. The service is friendly but a little bit slow / spacey so just keep that in mind.
(5)
A.S. V.

This is a really unique place, with it's Easter-bright pastel colors, and the staff wearing robes. Don't worry, they're not Hare Krishnas, but rather students under Indian guru Sri Chinmoy, who's aim is not to indoctrinate people, but simply give joy. It's all vegetarian, but very tasty, with interesting soy alternatives to meat. Their specialty is the french toast, with options like peach butter and marmalade, and the Satisfaction Promise eggs with spinach, feta cheese and sundried tomatoes. Beats the hell out of the greasy Lou Mitchell's any day. Not that these gentle folk would beat a fly, mind you.
(4)
Cristina G.

This is a vegetarians dream come true. THe food is delicious and their tea is as well. Ive ordered pancakes and omelets and my husband always gets the french toast which he loves. Their fresh squeezed orange juice is also delicious. Parking sucks sometimes and we have to drive around, and sometimes the wait is a little longer than we'd like but we'll still go there for breakfast.
(5)
Colleen J.

Mmm, Mmm, good! This was my second time out to Victory's Banner. I went with the bf before we set out on our thrift shopping mission at Village Discount on Roscoe. He wanted to go into every pizza place on the way, but I didn't relent. I got the chocolate chip waffles with whipped cream and he got the "Neat" loaf dinner. Both were SOOOO good! The coffee is delicious and even the water is good with the lemon slice (not a wedge!) they put in the carafe. The prices are reasonable. I do agree with Jennifer C. that this place is a bit strange with everyone dressed in ethnic indian garb. You should definitely go here for some wholesome food.
(4)
Kirsten F.

as a northern california girl in chicago, i found the meditation references, guru-speak, saris-as-uniforms, and new age-y attitude of victory's banner charmingly bizarre. or quaintly interesting. or something.... there always seems to be a line for weekend brunch, but i realized that it's impossible to ruffle the staff. they're sweetly earnest in their efforts to get you seated, but not about to rush around or disrupt the "flow" of their routine. ie, get ready to wait for your table until the moment is deemed appropriate. even if there seem to be empty tables just waiting for you. chat with the staff or read the motivational quotes on the sugar packets. take a deep breath and say "serenity now." the food is excellent and worth the strange some-may-call-it-cultish ambiance. it's in my hood and i'll definitely be back.
(4)
Becky R.

I've been to Victory's Banner once before and my return visit this weekend did not disappoint. It is well worth the wait to get a table during the busy brunch time and they're great about letting you leave to wander the shops on Roscoe. I'm a savory brunch kind of gal, so I ordered the Eggless Wonder #2. It is a wonder! It's filling and satisfying without being greasy. I also love that there are no gimmicks at Victory's Banner . . . . just great food!
(5)
Jenny M.

Amazing pancakes and eggs and good coffee to boot. Banner's atmosphere is serene, warm, and welcoming. The wait was a bit long but it was Sunday at 12:45:)
(4)
Sandy D.

I love this spot. I would say best omelet in Chicago. Top 5 omelet in the world. Every time I have a visitor in town I take them by and I stop in regularly. And the atmosphere is so cheerful and positive. Cheers!
(5)
Steve R.

Normally I am a big fan of meat eating, but this place was pretty darn good. I came here with my predominantly vegetarian wife and they really delivered the goods where breakfast is concerned. There was sort of a wierd cultish thing happening there, but hell I don't care if my server is a satanist if the food's good.
(4)
Yasmien H.

I love their french toast. I've seen other reviews loving it too. So why isn't it available every day?? That's why this review gets four not five stars. This place is so tasty. I can't take my mom here though because she's old fashioned and doesn't believe in going anywhere near cults... oh well. Food is great, lines are long go early!
(4)
Jenny P.

I absolutely L-O-V-E this place! I have been coming here for the past four years and have had nothing that I didn't like. Sometimes the combinations can be a little frightening for the conservative palette but I can't get enough of it. The only thing that scared me was the pink bacon. If your going to have meatless alternatives, I don't think pink is a good color choice. The sugar packets make me laugh. The flying birds, yellow and sky blue walls are hallucinogenic at best. The service is straight-shooting, "what would you like", which is fine because I'm only coming for the food. I am sad when they go on holiday, but I deal. :)
(4)
Jenny I.

Once i walked in and the special was "Vegan French Toast with Mango Sauce & Coconut". I almost started crying. Though this was an anomaly and they ususally have low vegan selections, their vegetarian fare is vast. Great coffee, the servers wear saris and imbued with peace and zen. I love going here, but it's tiny so be ready to awkwardly crowd the doorway. But don't worry, it's worth the wait.
(4)
James A.

The vegetarians love it. I also loved it. So much better than the Chicago Diner (see my review). Service is down to earth. The place is so relaxed you almost feel like you're in the middle of Iowa or something. I can't complain. I would definitely return. 4 stars because the space is small and a wee cramped.
(4)
Nilesh K.

The best place to grab breakfast, brunch and let me venture to say lunch. We had French Toast and Peasant's bread.. simply awesome. I didn't care much for the Chai, but the Orange Dulce?? was really good. Overall, a good experience.
(5)
Natalie S.

Two words: dirty and mushy. I was warned by several friends that this place was both filthy and not so tasty but I'm not one to shun a veggie spot before trying it. (Sorry Heather who actually found a pair of dirty panties on the bathroom floor, ew ew ew ew ew.) Anyway, it was kinda dirty, like, dirtier than a place that serves food should be. Ad everything I ordered tasted and felt like wet bread. And no, I did not order wet bread. I didn't like it. There are several vegetarian and vegan places in the city that aren't scummy and bland.
(2)
Betsy S.

I love Victory's Banner. It is the perfect brunch place if you are in no hurry and want to be a little bit creeped out by the waitstaff. I know they are a little hippie cult, which is mostly precious, but sometimes I like to be able to eat without photos of a monk watching over me. Also, the staff just kind of floats around, which can be a little annoying (who do I talk to if I need more coffee???). However, the food is spectacular. Nearly everything on the menu can be made vegan, and their outdoor patio is great for people watching. I think they're closed on Tuesdays.
(4)
Taylor O.

Dining among left of democrat mommies and Che Guevara-esque mid 20s hipsters isn't always my cup of tea but I'll tolerate it to a certain extent for the food. The homemade veggie burger was definitely from scratch and excellent. My friend had whole wheat pancakes and they were also said to be great. The nearly all white setting and painted flying peace birds on the wall, gave it a hippie esque feel which is actually kind of nice but the pictures of their 'spiritual leader' Sri Chinmoy definitely give it that cult kitsch of fluctuating disquieting feeling and amusement. I drank the coffee but I did not drink the kool aid.
(4)
Panda Z.

Says my meat-loving friend, "Victory's Banner is the best breakfast in Chicago". Note, he did not qualify that statement with "vegetarian". I wholeheartedly agree.
(5)
pam w.

Here's my short version - "Best breakfast in Chicago!" There lunch is pretty fantastic too. Order anything and be prepared to love it. "nuff said.
(5)
Ray d.

Try the pancakces!!! Try the Gouda / Soy Sausage Omlette! Service is good, coffee is good, food is amazing!
(5)
Adrienne M.

I was very pleased with my experience at Victory's Banner. The food was delicious and satisfied my craving for a solid vegetarian meal. The mushroom gravy with the mashed potatoes was fantastic and reminded me why I became vegetarian in the first place: veggies taste good! I also had the blackened "chicken" wrap...I highly recommend it. I enjoyed the light and airy atmosphere too.
(5)
Kimberly S.

Ah, Victory's Banner. This small yet cheery little restaurant is inspired by the philosophy of Indian spiritual Master Sri Chinmoy and is my favorite breakfast spot in Chicago. The collective that owns and runs this peaceful, wonderful establishment claim "We exist for one reason and one reason only... to serve you joyfully." And it shows, in how you are treated and what they serve. They only use free range eggs, soy meats and very fresh fruit. I have never had a disappointing meal there, everything is incredible, especially the French toast and soysage. Expect a line on the weekends, all this goodness attracts a crowd. Take advantage of this place on weekday mornings, when you will get the full serine experience.
(5)
Carl G.

This place has fantastic vegetarian and vegan food. I recommend the eggless wonder #2--it is magnifico. The service is very good and the atmosphere is not preachy or culty at all. Most of these people remind me of spry kindly Sunday School teachers who serve food.
(5)
Susan H.

I have been trying to eat at Victory Banner for years but they have always been closed every time I've gone there. Check their website before visiting. They close twice during the year for "spiritual retreats" and are closed on Tuesdays too. I was able to go during the middle of the week so there was no wait and plenty of tables available. The restaurant is strictly vegetarian. I went on a cold and gray morning so I ordered the Uppama. The menu says " India's answer to cream of wheat - a savory hot cereal with peas, tomatoes and onions, served with a sweet coconut chutney and yogurt". I thought it was delicious, very hardy and very filling. The serving was huge but I managed to eat all of it. I just didn't eat again till late that night. The only part of the meal I didn't like was the sweet coconut chutney. Not a huge coconut fan to begin with, especially in chutney form. Looking forward to going back again to sample some of their other unique creations.
(3)
Sam S.

Just an 'okay' brunch experience. My friends and I had to wait forever and the organization of the restaurant is such that you can't be in there waiting without pracitcally being on top of one of the diners. The food was good but too expensive for the portion size--the recipes were lackluster.
(3)
bj f.

my husband generally equates healthy fare with horse feed & is a dedicated meat eater, but he loves this place for sat. breakfast. he usually orders one of the varieties of french toast offered and is absolutely satisfied and happy. i love the healthy scramble with egg whites, marinated tofu, spinach and another veggie of choice, and it's served with brown rice! reg. scrambles served with potatoes are also yummy. the food is fresh, the atmosphere is bright and calming, the waitstaff is pleasant, and even though sri chinmoy's visage shines like a beneficent leader, they don't proselytize. an aside to the yelpers who are weirded out by what they consider to be "cultish" aspects of the place: go to their website, check out the blog of the owner pradhan, click onto rep. gary ackerman's tribute to sri chinmoy, and i think you'll come away with a much different opinion of what the heck is going on. back to the review, the only downside: if you want to be seated quickly, go early. this place can get packed, and there is no waiting area to speak of. in the warm weather there is outdoor seating, which takes a lot of stress off the packed interior. so i say four and a half stars.
(4)
Jess H.

ok. no matter how you slice this one, its a little strange in there....but i like it. the staff of women are so at peace with themselves that i feel like some of them might actually snap at some point....but the FOOD IS GREAT. the curry burrito is serious and the bottomless chai is my perfect alternative to coffee....who cares that its vegetarian, its awesome.
(4)
Caroline M.

Remember that 70-degree Sunday we had in November this year? I had a perfect late brunch (3pm) outdoors at Victory's Banner. I would go back for their chai alone (as many refills as your belly can hold) but was equally delighted by my pancakes with granola, yogurt and raspberries!! Fresh, simple, deeeelicious.
(4)
Theresa K.

you have got to go here if you are into vegetarian/healthy living and you must order the french toast! soo good! this place is crowded, clean, cute, and run by a hindu spirtual master and his students so, everyone and everything is in sync and it is quite a meditating experience. zagat recommended!!! victorysbanner.com
(5)
Erin C.

I love VB's brunch...especially since i live down the street. the omelettes are egg-cellent (yes, i just said that). I really enjoy the fake meat as well, which is really saying something since i'm a farmer's daughter from iowa. The fake-sausage and gouda omelette as well as the pesto omelette are especially good. Also, when available, the stuffed french toast is amazing! Try the bottomless iced chai as well. You won't be disappointed.
(4)

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Address : 2100 W Roscoe St
Chicago, IL, 60618
Phone (773) 665-0227
Website https://www.victorysbanner.com/
Click To Get Directions

Opening Hours

Mon :8:00 am - 3:00pm

Specialities

Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Breakfast, Brunch
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : No
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : No
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : No
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No

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Victory’s Banner

2100 W Roscoe St, Chicago, IL, 60618

Victory’s Banner Menu

Eggs & Scrambles

Eggs & Scrambles - Make Your Own Scrambles - Add Ons

Omelettes

French Toast

Pancake Panache

The Breakfast Combo

Waffle World

Cereals Fruit Et.al.

Homemade Soup / Combos

Tossed Salads

Burger World

Wraps

Neatloafs

Sides & Extras

Desserts

Coffees & Teas

Coffees & Teas - Black Teas

Coffees & Teas - Green & Green Teas

Coffees & Teas - Herbal Teas

Coffees & Teas - To Go

Hot Beverages Cold

Healthy Meal suggestions for Victory’s Banner

Eggs & Scrambles

Eggs & Scrambles - Make Your Own Scrambles - Add Ons

Omelettes

French Toast

Pancake Panache

The Breakfast Combo

Waffle World

Cereals Fruit Et.al.

Homemade Soup / Combos

Tossed Salads

Burger World

Wraps

Neatloafs

Sides & Extras

Desserts

Coffees & Teas

Coffees & Teas - Black Teas

Coffees & Teas - Green & Green Teas

Coffees & Teas - Herbal Teas

Coffees & Teas - To Go

Hot Beverages Cold

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