You know I'm in. :)

I can vouch for the Chicago Diner having pretty rad Seitan Mac and "Cheese" and buffalo "wings" and desserts....oh my desserts. :D

Anything ethnic could be a possibility, of course, but there might be more novelty to a real 'veg' restaurant.

Here's a list of what I'd consider novelty veg(ish) restaurants in Chicago, so, if you guys have been, offer up some feedback! This list does not contain ethnic restaurants. Just throwing out some options. I actually found a few places I'll have to check out on my own, too. I've been past Cousin's about a thousand times and never knew it was veg!

Handlebar Grill http://www.handlebarchicago.com/ (some fish but a lot of tofu and seitan, some dishes uses cheese. Serves alcohol. Quirky. Serves 'bar and grill' style food.)

Green Zebra http://www.greenzebrachicago.com/ (some fish, eggs and cheese listed on menu. Maybe wildly expensive. More gourmet than casual)

Chicago Diner http://www.veggiediner.com (some non-vegan entrees involving dairy or eggs, but everything has a vegan alternative. Kind of small, so we'd have to go on off peak hours. They do not take reservations!)

Heartland Cafe http://www.heartlandcafe.com/ (NOT 100% veg but many veg options. Kind of a cool atmosphere)

Victory's Banner http://www.victorysbanner.com/lunch.php  (Veg with extensive vegan options for lunch menu only. Lunchy foods like sandwiches)

Karyn's Raw, Karyn's Cooked, etc. http://www.karynraw.com

Cousin's Incredible Vitality http://www.cousinsiv.com/live_eatery.htm (100% vegan, I think. Kind of wacky, creative food. Almond cheeses.)

Lake Side Cafe http://www.lake-side-cafe.com/menu.html (100% veg, and VERY VERY vegan friendly. Sandwiches, salads, soups, pizzas, wraps, desserts. Fresh squeezed juice and healthynutty smoothies)

Veggie Bite http://www.veggiebite.net/ (100% vegan fast food)

Earwax Cafe http://www.earwaxcafe.com/ (Site down. If I remember correctly from the one time I've been there...100% veg, very vegan friendly.)

I haven't tested any of these for public transit easiness or any of that yet. I think Lake Side Cafe is the only place that doesn't have fairly open hours.

i'm totally in!

*earwax isn't 100% vegetarian or vegan but they do have a decent amount of options.

Ooh thanks! It's been a while. :D

Hi!  I don't know if you would be interested in venturing into the suburbs at all, but there is an awesome little vegan general store in Evanston called Ethical Planet www.ethicalplanet.com  Everything in the store is vegan and most of it is organic.  They have food, cleaning products, clothes, shoes, etc.  They also have No Sweat clothes, which I love!  They have little events most weekends too.  I think they are having something the first weekend of November.  It's actually in a little area that they call the "green district."  Nearby there is a store that sells baby clothes that are all made of organic cotten, and there is a store that sells organic dog food and treats, and there is a little cafe that I am pretty sure is veg (maybe?).  Anyway, just a suggestion!    :)

Thanks for the heads up about that place! They look like they have a lot of really cool stuff. :) Just what I need, more silly things to spend money on...

I'll give them a call on Monday and see what the offer as far as dining goes, since I couldn't find a menu or anything like that on their website.

Yikes!  I didn't mean to imply that Ethical Planet was a restaurant. :-\  It's a general store in a neighborhood with other green stores nearby.  And the cafe that I mentioned isn't all veg.  They have veg options though, I checked.  I mostly suggested it because they always have some kind of event going on.  I thought maybe something else besides dining would be fun.  A few months ago I went there with a group and we all really enjoyed it and the other stores in the neighborhood.  We also attended the Ethical Planet healthy living festival which was a blast.  I'm not trying to push it on anyone though.  I just wanted to clear up the misunderstanding.  I feel like an Ethical Planet "pusher" now lol  ;D Oh, and there were 17 of us in the group and the store was roomy enough for all of us, in case you were wondering  :D

i've been to karyns cooked, the chicago diner, handlebar, victorys banner, & earwax. i liked all of them and would be willing to go back or try something new.  i'm super curious about veggie bite though i gotta admit - vegan chili cheese fries?!?  karyns raw seems pretty pricey i've heard.  anyway- how do you guys feel about sunday nov. 4th?  late lunch maybe?

what time does your play end?  we could do dinner.

I'm envious!  Wish there were more veggies in the St. Louis area.