Chicago Raw Food Scene.

Hello,
I will be in Chicago later this month for a mental health conference and was hoping some locals might be able to point me in the right direction for any markets and/or restaurants geared towards foodies near the Sheraton Hotel and Towers at 301 East North Water Street?. I don't get to Chicago very often and would love to try any great restaurants and be able to stock up on fruits and veggies for my room. I will be there for three days and would like to figure out where I will need to go ahead of time. Thank you in advance for any info you are able to give.

Andy

I'm not from Chicago, but the place I do kmow about in Chicago is Karyn's Raw Cafe.

It is located in the Lincoln Park neighborhood - I know nothing of Chicago geography but google it in case it works. :) My boss goes there when he's in Chicago and also orders these amazing "onion crisps"/snacks that he has shipped from there periodicaly.

Check out yelp and type in raw food for the Chicago area. I know there's a few options, but am not sure how good they are. I tend to make or buy all my raw foods online. I don't really go to raw food restaurants but I think it's something I might try to get into more.

In Chicago there's Karyn's and Cousins and in the suburbs..Downers Grove..Borrowed Earth and Lockport, The Vegan Cafe... All good...
Karyn's has a cafe and a more formal restaurant...Cousins is more down to earth atmosphere...lots of plants everywhere...food is good at both places.
Borrowed Earth and Vegan Cafe are good.

As an update, Cousins has closed.

There is also a new French Market downtown on Clinton with a place called Raw. I think it's in the Northwestern train station. I hear it's great.
There's a new place on Montrose called Earth's Healing Cafe that is not completely raw but has raw items on the menu.
Then on the north side (nearly Evanston) there is Green Spirit Healthy Living where you can take classes and have food prepped to take home.
Borrowed Earth in Downers Grove is fabulous.
The place in Lockport, Thanks Jordan Raw Vegan Café, is also terrific and has an interesting twist. It's not-for-profit and everybody working there is a volunteer. Proceeds go towards charity.

Anyone in the southern suburbs and looking for a awesome Raw Restaurant must try the Vegan Cafe. I have been there a few times to eat,took a raw preparation class and now am a volunteer. They not only have wonderful, fresh, organic food, but more importantly, the energy in the whole space is overwhelmingly positive. I have been to many places mentioned above, including The Chicago Diner and by all means, The Vegan Cafe has a different feel!!!!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Evie M

As an update, Cousins has closed.

There is also a new French Market downtown on Clinton with a place called Raw. I think it's in the Northwestern train station. I hear it's great.
There's a new place on Montrose called Earth's Healing Cafe that is not completely raw but has raw items on the menu.
Then on the north side (nearly Evanston) there is Green Spirit Healthy Living where you can take classes and have food prepped to take home.
Borrowed Earth in Downers Grove is fabulous.
The place in Lockport, Thanks Jordan Raw Vegan Café, is also terrific and has an interesting twist. It's not-for-profit and everybody working there is a volunteer. Proceeds go towards charity.

---

MMmm chicago diner.

And if you're there on a SUNDAY???? Karyns has a very nice sit-down type buffet brunch. OMG. A bit pricey, but I've done it twice when there and is a so necessary splurge!!!!! If not up for the sit-down dinner - the other side of the cafe is way less formal.

Yes, I've been to the brunch as well, and it is delicious. So many choices... I usually like going to the sit-down restaurant in the evenings in the summer with a friend, sit talk and enjoy great entrees. The staff there is also very friendly and knowledgable about the foods they are serving.

Also their store stuff is great too! Salad dressings (caesar is my have) and their lemon squares are to die for!