Vegan
American
Fast food
Delivery
Take-out
Catering
Fusion
Small chain of vegan restaurants originating from Southern California. Offers a menu of sandwiches, veggie burgers, bowls, salads, and others. Order at the counter and food is brought to your table. This one est. 2012. Open Mon-Sat 10:30am-8:00pm, Sun 11:00am-7:00pm.
275 Reviews
First Review by ·X·
sfio
Points +3254
Hope to visit again to try some more menu items - Edit
Wide selection, we really enjoyed the wrap, burger, peanut butter parfait we ordered. Nice to have some unusual but tasty lemonades to choose from too.
Read moreGuest
saku
Points +1800
offers something others don't - Edit
Really good, like every other Native Foods Cafe - BUT they had "Double Delight Chocolate Brownies" there!! WOW! They were soooo good :) I miss them already!
Read moreAmazing service (high praise for Cristina!)
Native Foods is the place to go.
Guest
monicamariejones
Points +26
A Little Slice of Heaven! - Edit
This restaurant gave me EXACTLY what I needed in a world where professional events are catered with foods that don't cater to vegans. The Thai Meatball Earthbowl and crispy sweet potato fries left me satiated and satisfied! The carrot cream cupcake made with almond milk was the perfect succulent finish! This place gave me life!
Read morePros: 100% Plant Based, SEVERAL vegan options
Guest
kim2121
Points +449
Tasty and Centrally Located - Edit
I think this is a five star restaurant for what it is - a vegan chain in a very central location. Everything I've tried here was delicious and the service really friendly. I do agree with one of the other reviewers who points out there are more unique vegan restaurants to be found in Chicago. For a quick lunch this location of Native foods is great, but I probably wouldn't go for dinner, as there is vegan food with more complex flavors to be had at other restaurants. That being said, you might try to get here a bit early for lunch, because it gets really crowded!
Read morePros: Location, Tasty Food, Quick Service
Guest
b-ash-w
Points +24
so delish! - Edit
The Kung Pao Bowl is so good, I could eat it everyday. My kids love to eat here too!
Read moreGuest
babcocklori945
Points +146
Best vegan food in the Loop! - Edit
And I also think the Loop location of Native Foods is the best in Chicago. Their sauces and dips are out of control - chipotle and Ensalada Azteca all the way!
Read moreGuest
lolchoff
Points +57
Wow! Delicious Vegan Offerings!! Great Price! - Edit
I had one of the best vegan meals ever at Native Foods... Wow!
Read moreNative Foods may look like a quick-foods' place since patrons order at the counter, however, the food is top-notch. Their menu is filled with delicious vegetable offerings, wonderful healthy sauces, kale and tempeh dishes, salads, wraps, and soups.
Obviously, others feel the same way. This place was packed during the rush hour. Luckily, I was able to find a table.
The food was fresh and sooo delicious! I can't wait to go back.
Pros: Yummy food - the best!, Great creativity & variety in their menu, Fairly priced
Cons: Noisy and croweded during the lunch hour
Guest
njhassinger945
Points +104
A great lunch or weekend spot! - Edit
The food is always really good and consistent, which is important when it comes to vegan food. The chipotle sauce is the best thing they have and I have and will slather it on just about anything!
Read morePros: consistency, good quality
Guest
Tom8315
Points +242
Great Standby - Edit
Reliable vegan place. I like the Thai bowl and tortilla soup. My non-vegan (but willing to come along for the ride) friend really liked the chicken wrap. And all of the desserts were good (brownie, oatmeal cookie pie, sticky toffee cake). Good location when I visit Chicago and stay on Michigan.
Read morePros: Reliable, Desserts
Cons: Not Super Delicious
Guest
tauberl
Points +472
Delicious, quick and friendly service! - Edit
I was so looking forward to coming here and was not disappointed at all- the food was great, and since we were in from out of town we had to try a bunch of different things! We had the tortilla soup, polenta bites, Moroccan bowl with tofu, and tempeh tacos, with a carrot cake cupcake with cream cheese frosting for dessert- all delicious! The tortilla soup had a really tasty "cream" drizzle, and the Moroccan bowl was super flavorful with the veggies and tofu cooked just right. The tempeh in the tacos was also delicious, flavorful and great consistency/texture. I will definitely seek out Native Foods in any city I'm visiting where they have a restaurant!!
Read morePros: friendly staff, reasonable prices, fast service!
Guest
robivore
Points +329
oldie but a goodie - Edit
"Chicken wings" are great. The sauce is divine.
Read moreGuest
XVeganSxeX
Points +618
great! - Edit
I don't get up to Chicago often but last time I was up there, I tried Native Foods. I had the nachos and the soul bowl. I have to say both were incredibly delicious.
Read moreGuest
Tigony
Points +154
Great discovery - Edit
I live two hours away from Chicago and had heard of Native Foods Cafe a few months ago. Two days ago I went there for the first time. What a great discovery! The food was delicious, so satisfying, and healthy--I ordered a wrap with blackened grilled "chicken," lettuce, avocado, chipotle... I also purchased brownies to bring back home. Staff at this location were amazingly attentive and welcoming. I will defintely go there again to taste other dishes. I wish my area (Michiana: South Bend, Mishawaka, Niles...) featured such a vegan eatery, any vegan eatery!
Read morePros: delicious food, welcoming staff
Cons: on the cooler side when cold winds blow
Guest
Rosa and Joe
Points +570
Who's writing all these 5 star reviews? - Edit
I know tastes differ, but the number of 5 star reviews here is surprising. Native Foods is fine. It is a chain place, and convenient if you need some vegan food in a hurry. However, there are SO many amazing vegan places in Chicago run as small and ethical businesses that it seems a shame to waste a meal on this one. It's fine - just nothing special. Mostly does lumps of not-particularly-subtle seitan in sloppy sauces. The peanut butter dessert was nice and good value.
Read morePros: reasonable price, central
Cons: chain restaurant, bland, too much salt and sugar in sauces
Guest
KatePruiett
Points +28
loved it! - Edit
Can't wait to go again- I was expecting a chain restaurant feel to it, so I didn't go out of my way to try Native Foods for a while, but it didn't have a chain or fast-food feel at all. I had the portabella sausage sandwich which was incredible! My boyfriend had a jackfruit bbq type sandwich which in my opinion was much too spicy. We had peanut butter parfait and apple pie for dessert, which were both fabulous. The menu is original and creative which I love- can't wait to try out more.
Read morePros: great menu, friendly service, great food
Guest
PurpleSocialist
Points +32
I felt like a rock star - Edit
I'm new to the Chicago area, and I was excited about moving to a city with a Native Foods. I've read so many great things about it.
Read moreIf you're on the fence about coming to Native Foods, hop off that fence and make your way to Native Foods. You won't regret it.
I ordered the Bangkok curry Bowl along with fries. In retrospect, the Bangkok Curry would have been sufficient. In spite of feeling pretty satisfied with my bowl and fries, I decided to try a chocolate cupcake. The cupcake was awesome. It was a bit heavy with the frosting (as a kid, I never would have imagined I would ever say this), but it was an awesome cupcake nonetheless.
Pros: friendly staff, generous portions, Takeout
Guest
HealthyRoadWarrior
Points +27
Healthy eats in the Loop - Edit
Stuck in the Loop for an extra night, I wanted something healthy (to crowd out a deep dish pizza). Thanks to Happy Cow, I found Native Foods' location downtown. They apparently have locations in Cali and CO as well.
Read moreHours are later than indicated on Happy Cow, think they're open til 9pm. Helpful staff in navigating the menu which offers different proteins (ie, seitan, tofu, etc), on top of quinoa and hummus which can be found in certain dishes. I chose a creamy onion bisque...creamy due to cashews and very tasty. Also, I selected the Moroccan Bowl, quinoa, veggies, fake chicken...also good. Finally, I had to go for the carrot cake cupcake. Yummy, but holy cow, just too much food.
For under $17 in total, I ate like a vegan king and was able to avoid another deep dish pizza. So yes, it is possible to eat healthy in the Loop!
Pros: Fresh real food in the Loop, Helpful service, Great relaxed vibe
Cons: Water fountain too far away
Guest
Elodie
Points +23
Healthy and hearty! - Edit
Native Foods is definitely my favorite address in town. The plates and bowls are packed with goodness (generous portions): an explosion of flavors and colors, a nice balance of spices and exotism to tease and please your taste buds. Freshness and quality of the produces served give you a feel-good sensation. Prices are very reasonable and you can save some money thanks to the fidelity card. Friendly and layback atmosphere. Yes, I love the place!
Read moreMy favorite: the Sesame Kale Macro Bowl, side of sweet potatoes with chipotle sauce.
Many delicious desserts: make sure you try the Peanut Butter Parfait: to die for!!! (and gluten free)
Pros: variety, very tasty dishes, great desserts
Guest
sglcklch
Points +3081
Great place for casual eats - Edit
So nice to have an all vegan restaurant right in the Loop. My partner and I shared the fritters, the Azteca salad, and the Moroccan bowl with tofu. Everything was good. Portions were generous, service was fast, and prices were very reasonable. The staff was a team of really nice people that was just lovely. At the end of our meal, we couldn't help but get a slice of homemade apple pie for dessert, which was unfortunately not that good and a bit disappointing. However, it was still by and large a great spot that I would definitely recommend.
Read morePros: great food, nice staff, good value
Guest
jbglidd
Points +71
Quick and all vegetarian! - Edit
This is vegetarian/vegan fast food and delicious. A bit pricey but the right dish can offset the hole in your pocket. I love that everything on the menu I can eat (vegetarian)!
Read morePros: Fast, Many delicious options
Cons: Pricey
Guest
BanjoGirl
Points +227
Wonderful comfort food! - Edit
I LOVE this place. I actually crave it sometimes. Excellent comfort food. It is great to get a quick but relaxed bite with a glass of wine after work. I have loved everything that I have tried, from the Soul Bowl (my husband's go-to dish), the twister wrap, the Oklahoma burger (start hungry!), and a few of the salads. This is a great addition to the loop!
Read morePros: casual atmosphere, great comfort food, good value
Guest
fondducoeur
Points +1167
Tasty Food - Edit
I tried Native Foods- Loop Location today and was pleased. I have eaten at veg restaurant's with more flavorful food, but it was still quite tasty. I also think their menu is quite creative, the staff was really friendly, and the watermelon fresca was delicious.
Read moreI tried the Soul Bowl made with Native Chicken, and it was filling and tasted pretty good. I also had a cardamom rose cupcake loaded with icing that was good as well. It's really nice that there are 3 locations in Chicago as well. I hope this chain continues to expand to other cities!
Make sure you mention it's your first time in the store, because you get a free house made drink if you open up a rewards card (watermelon fresca, lavender lemonade, iced tea), with free refills.
Pros: Creative Menu, All Vegan (with lots of desserts), Friendly Staff
Cons: Slighly bland, but still good
Guest
ashleyrust
Points +44
All the vegan travellers out there - Edit
SO happy a vegan place existed so close to the Amtrak station. Food was quick, filling, and really yummy, too. Try the Lavender Lemonade!
Read morePros: so yummy, friendly, available to go
Guest
VeganLin
Points +96
Great Place for Lunch - Edit
I ate lunch at Native Foods while I was on vacation. It's walking distance from the Art Institute of Chicago which I was visiting that day. We went at 11:30 a.m. and there was no line and the food came quickly. There was a long line of customers waiting to order when we left an hour later so if you are short on time I would recommend arriving early if possible. I ordered the seitan reuben sandwich and they accomodated my request to leave off the vegan cheese with no problem. The sandwich was very good, but could have had more Russian dressing which was supposed to be included. It didn't seem like there was much dressing, if any on my sandwich. The sandwich was good anyway. I signed up for their rewards card and got a free beverage. They gave me a glass that I could use to taste all 3 of their offerings. I liked the lavendar lemonade the best. I would definitely return to Native Foods when I return to Chicago or if I am in the area of any of their other locations
Read morePros: Vegan, Good Food, Friendly service
Cons: Pricey
Guest
gr8vegan
Points +2369
Way better than in California!!! Great lunch spot - Edit
I was a little skeptical of Native Foods expansion to the mid west. It started as a Southern California restaurant focusing on the So Cal Mex healthy food and blossomed into the #1 Vegan Chain in the USA. They were so lovely there, even with it being packed we felt like we were being waited on like a 5 star restaurant! Our drinks were refilled constantly, our order came out quickly and were asked if we needed any condiments, etc. I wish I had a watermelon lemonade right now and someone to refill it for me!!! The one thing that set this Native Foods out above and beyond SoCal was the way they handled our healthy vegan requests. We get the tacos minus everything with fat, which includes the fried shells. They cut their tortillas into tortilla shells for us, when they came out we were just BLOWN away! It was so inventive and wonderful and we constantly get friction from the SoCal locations for the tortilla substitution and they went and knocked it out of the ball park! Presentation @ Native Foods is never shabby and this was just beyond cool and tasty. I couldn't compliment their staff enough, Chicagoians know how to do it right!
Read morePros: healthy taco sub, refills, best staff ever!
Guest
mariec1
Points +125
Good Vegan Options - Edit
Nice to have vegan options in the downtown area. Love the variety and always fast and friendly service.
Read moreGuest
PeteBull5
Points +47
nice variety of great food - Edit
good array of choices offered, but I usually tend to order the healthier choices (ones I can't easily make at home). a lot of their stuff isn't that healthy, so this is more of a rare reward (about once, to every other month). I enjoyed the non-healthy food too; sampling from friends' orders. this place will satisfy even non-vegans. I've been to all 3 in the chicago area. this review is consistent with each of them. their beverages taste great, and they have beer and wine, but no cider
Read morePros: decent, friendly service, good menu options, monthly promotions
Cons: a lot of high-caloric food, prices are slightly higher than average
Guest
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