I constantly thing to myself “there’s noootthhiiiinnnngggg to eat around here. There’s nowherrreeeee to go to eat around here either.” Dramatic much? I swear I’m not, just don’t ask the Husband that question. He might say otherwise. While I don’t actually live in Chicago, we’re really not too far from the city. Within forty minutes or so, we could be in the city enjoying a good meal if we’d really like to.
Let’s not talk about parking fees or crazy taxi drivers, mmmkay?
There are plenty of restaurants I’ve been wanting to try for a while now because I’ve heard so many good things about them. In fact, some of them I’ve only heard about recently, but when you hear that restaurants cater to vegan/gluten free menu items, you can’t help but want to visit them.
Naked Pizza
Okay, I just heard about this place on Thursday, but I wanted to drop what I was doing, head up to Lincoln Park, and get my pizza on. This place really sounds awesome — it has a number of vegetarian specialty pizzas, not to mention gluten free crusts and Daiya cheese. If I lived near this place, it would get really dangerous.
PS — if you image search “naked pizza”, you’re sure to get some interesting results. You’ve been warned.
Chicago Diner
I’ve actually walked past this place a handful of times, but I still haven’t tried it out! Their tag line is “meat free since ‘83”. Awesome!They have an extensive menu, but I’m not completely sure if I’d be able to eat there or not due to the gluten factor. There’s only one way to find out! (PS - I just looked at the menu, and they do have gluten free options)
Da Luciano
Da Luciano isn’t actually in the city, but it right outside of the city in a suburb. I heard about this restaurant a few years ago, but was just reminded of it the other night. All of their pasta, doughs, etc. are handmade in the restaurant, and their menu is quite extensive. Who wants to go with me to dinner?
iCream Cafe
Another place I have frequently walked past whenever I have been to my favorite Whole Foods in Lincoln Park (the best Whole Foods in the world — seriously). iCream Cafe creates your creation from scratch when you order it. Not only do they have ice cream and frozen yogurt, but they also have a soy ice cream option, which I would love to try.
{ 48 comments… read them below or add one }
That ice cream parlor sounds so cool! I wonder do they have vegan options? Not that I’m planning on visiting Chicago anytime soon but it’s always good to know!
I’m pretty sure the soy one is vegan.
They have an amazing variety!! We don’t have any vegan friendly ice cream parlours in Ireland…!
I do the same thing… there are so many places near me that I always say I want to try, but whenever it’s time for my husband and I to pick where we want to go to dinner, we always end up at the same few places. We are so boring!
The hubs keeps trying to drag me up to Chicago. Neither one of us have ever been, but we hear it’s fun to visit - partially due to food n’ nightlife. Goodness knows I’m down with both of those!
Girl, I’d be all over going out to any of those places! …..I have to drive 40 miles to the nearest town that has a recognizable restaurant; and even then it’s Pizza Hut, Applebees,Wendy’s, Subway, Sonic, and McDonalds……Yep, not even kidding. That’s it.
Also, thanks for making me crave ice cream at 6:44 in the morning!!!
iCream Cafe sounds so neat. That would definitely be on my top lists of places to try if I was in the area. I’ve never actually seen ice cream being made right infront of me.
Have a great day Chelsey
I have a whole list of Pittsburgh restaurants to try too - but when we’re hungry and it’s 6 o’clock, we seem to stick to the same old places.
WOAH! I have to go check out that icream website! They make it from scratch right when you order?! SO COOL!
Just like you, I live about 40ish minutes outside of the closest big city — Philadelphia! Even in my area of PA, there are tons of hidden gems that I want to try out! I should definitely make a list & get working on it!
Naked pizza is amazing! Best pizza (with minimal ingredients) I have had …well, ever!!
Wow- so many diet friendly options! My husband would be in heaven. As a vegan he has a tough time on some holidays. I may just have to pitch Chicago to him!
WOW! The Naked Pizza and iCream places sound awesome!! Must keep in mind if we ever come through Chicago!
I just really want to visit Chicago! It’s on my list.
Chicago is one of my favorite foodie cities! LOVE it! My sister told me about iCream Cafe - meant to try it out during my last visit, but it slipped my mind…boo!
There is a Naked Pizza right by my apartment and I’ve been really wanting to try it! Seriously! I will go! E-mail me [email protected]. I also really, really want to try the Chicago Diner!
We are going to Chicago in a couple of weeks and we are planning on making it all about the food. I can’t wait to try the Chicago Diner. Is it far from the magnificent mile/ river north area? I wonder if we can take public transportation there, thanks!
I will gladly help you check these places off your list when I come visit.
Don’t tease me!!! You need to come!!
oo yum! that ice cream restaurant sounds awesome! you’ll have fun!
Um, I think we should just schedule visiting these places over the next couple months (or weeks…). Oooo I vote we go to Naked Pizza with Tina on Fri or Sat before the marathon so I can carbo-load! Haha
That Italian restaurant sounds good! As does the ice cream place. I’d probably go out of my way to drive to both places
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Chicago Diner is so good!! Even my meat and potatoes loving roommate (literally she ate hungry man’s in college) LOVED her burrito there!
I really want to come and visit Chicago. Its definitely some place I want to visit sometime in the new few years!!
Those all look awesome! I get into a rut in Kansas City too-even though there are SO many great restaurants to go eat at I just get stuck sometimes…gotta get out there and try something new! Let us know what you try and how you like it!
Ill go to ALL the restaurants…….when?..
Love Mom
All these places look so good, especially that ice cream place! I wonder if they could make me chocolate banana almond butter ice cream…
So yum! I need to go back and visit!
i have an idea. ill come to chicago and we will have a marathon session. these places all sound AWESOME! chicago diner is #1 on my list.
Omigod - amazing choices! I’ve been to 3/4 and love them all. At Naked Pizza (although not the chicago location) and I love how customizable everything is (I’m a nightmare when it comes to ordering pizza). Chicago Diner - you MUST go there! There is not a single thing on the menu I haven’t liked - you have to try a ‘milk’shake and their tempeh bacon. Been to icream as well - just the place itself is super high tech and really awesome.
Now I want to go back to Chicago like right now…
Made-to-order ice cream??? That sounds amazing!
Ohh all of these places sound awesome!! These look like great finds and I think you should tell the Husband that some date nights are in your future! And that ice cream place sounds SO cool!
Okay….I totally need to find an icreamcafe in my area, immediately!
I LOVE Naked Pizza! The two closest to me are near Boston. But I would gladly drive the 45 minutes to get it.
Every blog I have read states that Naked Pizza is the BOMB! You have to go check it out and take TONS of pictures
Love and Shine CourtStar
I went to the Naked Pizza in NYC and was very underwhelmed. It was kinda cardboardy. However, that’s just my ONE experience, so I’d love to know what you think. The concept is awesome. Plus I love all their greeeeeeen!
I really liked the Chicago Diner!! We need to meet up next time I’m up there!
We have Naked Pizza in Cincinnati! Unfortunately, every time I’ve gotten it, it’s been a HUGE disappointment. They are so stingy with the toppings, as in you’ll get 5 baby spinach leaves, and the crust tastes like cardboard. Have you ever had Marcello’s before? My aunt lives in Chicago and whenever I visit we order the Abbe’s gluten-free pizza… it’s incredible. Also, The Chicago Diner is amazing. I dream of their chocolate chip tofu cheesecake!
I’m dying to try Chicago diner too! Their milkshake looks so so so incredible
what a great post! that iCream place sounds pretty amazing! i’d love to try their soy ice cream!!
I heard about iCream on TV and I really wanted to try it when we were in Chicago last summer, but I didn’t get a chance. So you need to try it, so that I may live vicariously through you!
I tried a sample slice of Naked Pizza the other week when they were giving it out at a train stop and I have been dying to go back! It was so good. I also live a few blocks from that ice cream place (and the Whole Foods)-I’ve never even heard of it! The horror! I’ll have to go asap.
I have always wanted to try the Chicago Diner too! It looks so good-I also have Natives Cafe on my restaurants to try list, have you been there?
I LOVE the Chicago Diner. The sweet potato quesadilla is one of my favorite things in the world. I would also consider adding Mana Food Bar to your list. It’s in Wicker Park and features vegetarian small plates. And have you heard of/been to Native Foods? A new-ish chain that has multiple locations across the city.
I saw a Naked Pizza near my parents’ house in FL. I might have to try it out while I’m home!
iCream date? It’s by my house and I’ve been wanting to try it. I really have no reason not to have, but I haven’t. Maybe it’s because I feel in love with Forever Yogurt (also by my house and has GF options!!)
Add to your list of Chicago GF awesomeness- Wilde. I mean they make gluten free french fries and pancakes. JS!
I’m gonna bookmark this and try all these places (one day)! The Chicago Diner has been on my list for a looong time and I’ve been dying to try it.
I have wanted to try the Chicago Diner forever! Maybe we’ll have to do a blogger meet-up? Also, the Lincoln Park WF is THE BEST!
Did you make it to the Diner yet?? The vanilla chai milkshake is sooo good - tastes like cake batter! I’m certain nothing there will disappoint!