The Chicago Diner

CROSS THIS OFF MY VEGAN BUCKET LIST!

After reading reviews for the last 15 years about this place, I was really looking forward to eating here on a business trip to Chicago a couple of weeks back. I was not disappointed. I had to take 2 buses to get to it, but it was worth the trek. I ate here twice in 2 days :)

If you go in there expecting high-end, Food Network fou-fou dining, you WILL be disappointed. The charm of this place IS the fact that it is supposed to remind you of diners from years ago, of local dining places that you could just drop into and get a great meal. The prices were not that outrageous considering 1) its VEGAN and 2) the portions are HUGE!

The first time I sat down and right away the waiter asked "vegetarian or vegan?" I can honestly say I have never been asked that before in a restaurant and I really appreciated it. The waiter told me what was vegan to start and what could be made vegan. It must have taken me 25 minutes to decide what to order, since I wasn't used to being able to order ANYTHING off the menu!

I decided on the wings appetizer, salisbury steak entree, cheesecake and chocolate chip milkshake. The wings were to die for. Just the right amount of sweet sticky BBQ sauce AND a vegan dilled ranch sauce. I cleaned my plate so well they probably didn't have to wash the dish!  The cheesecake was good but the milkshake was INCREDIBLE - thick, creamy, rich, chocolately... well worth the price.

The 2nd time I had the wings again, the reuben sandwich, another flavor of cheesecake and another milkshake. The reuben sandwich was INCREDIBLE! Tasted just like I remember reubens from delis. If I could place a weekly order of anything off the menu to ship out West, it would have to be the reuben and milkshake. As it was, I took a carryout order of FIVE reubens back to the hotel (oops, only had 4 with me when I got back to the hotel...wonder what happened? LOL)

The waitstaff both times were incredibly friendly and helpful.  It's too bad the owners (can't/won't) open up in other cities. The world needs more restaurants like the Chicago Diner.

They have good seiten wings, and the vegan cookies and cream cake is the bomb. other than that its not all that and there pretty pricey.
They also gave me an attitude when i told em i didnt like there salad and they send like 3 ppl asking why why...
ehh its a okay place

Delicious, delicious, delicious, delicious!! Love this place! I usually get the Reuben with mashed potatoes or Mac and cheese and it is delish! The country fried steak is also a fav. They also have great desserts with my favs being the chocolate cake and the peanut butter chocolate shake. I've also been here for Thanksgiving twice and wasn't disappointed. I think I'd eat every meal here if I could!