Chickagoan

Native Foods Café has swept into the Windy City – and they’re here to stay. The popular southern California vegan chain is not only launching three restaurants in Chicago, they’ve even made it the new home for their headquarters. If the warm welcome they’ve received is any indication, the bold move was also a bright one!

Chickagoan was lucky to spend time at the Wicker Park location, 1484 N. Milwaukee Ave., this past week as they prepared for the official opening on Tuesday, August 9. Chef Tanya Petrovna, founder and mastermind of Native Foods’ unique dishes, was on hand decked out in full kitchen attire to greet and recommend some of her favorites. A helpful guide, considering the large menu is full of fun, eclectic options – all organic and completely vegan.

On that particular hot and sticky day, Chef Tanya suggested one of her favorite creations – the Ensalada Azteca Salad. A fresh combo of avocado, cucumber and jicama salsa meets quinoa and romaine, topped off with currants, toasted pumpkin seeds, cilantro and her award winning mango lime vinaigrette. Another tasty summer option is the Saigon Rolls – technically an appetizer, but the perfect light meal of tofu, fresh veggies and rice in a whole wheat wrap with a killer peanut sauce for dipping. The menu offers plenty of hearty dishes too, from a seitan meatball sub, seitan gyro, pizzas, and a variety of tempeh-based burgers. And unique to the Windy City locations is the Chicago Dip Au Jus, featuring Native Peppered Seitan on a fresh baguette with au jus for dipping. The drinks and desserts round out the café’s menu – the Watermelon Fresca is a refreshing mix of melon and mint, while the Lavender Lemonade and Native Iced tea are fantastic separately – or mixed for an unbeatable thirst quencher. A dessert bar showcases the plethora of goodies, including cheesecakes, parfaits, pies, cupcakes and a Native Foods favorite: Boogie Bars! All vegan, all dairy free – you truly have to taste these creations to believe it.

The vibe is California casual mixed with down-to-earth Midwest charm – not at all daunting for a Chicago carnivore venturing into the world of veg for the first time. Visit Native Foods Café Wicker Park starting this Monday, and be sure to keep an eye out for their Lakeview opening slated for August 29, with the Loop location to follow in late September.

Learn more and view their full menu at http://www.nativefoods.com/.

-Kate Palm

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