10 Spots for Vegan Tacos in Chicago
We love tacos any day, but especially on October 4th—National Taco Day! These 10 Chicago vegan and vegan-friendly establishments are here to help you celebrate.
RELATED: 9 Store-Bought Vegan Dips You Need to Try
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Vegan Street Food
Vegan Street Food is a local pop-up in Chicago run by Juan Lisandro Ramirez. The menu consists of Al Pasto, Soy Chorizo, and Tinga tacos, along with specialty items like Tacos Dorados and Golden Tacos (fried tacos stuffed with mashed potato and mixed vegetables). Toppings include cilantro, red onions, pineapple, and more. Visit their website to pre-order tacos for pickup at Vegan Paradise Farmers Market on Sundays.
Quesadilla La Reina Del Sur
Quesadilla La Reina Del Sur serves authentic Mexican cuisine using vegan-friendly soy proteins. The menu has over 12 tacos to choose from including Pollo de Soya, Vegetables, and Tinga de Soya—vegan cheese is extra. Don’t forget dessert! Try their vegan tres leches cake.
Herbivore Chicago
There’s a new vegan pop-up in town, and they serve tacos! Check out their page for a rotating menu consisting of Al Pastor Tacos (guajillo salsa, pineapple, onions, and cilantro), a veganized version of a cheezy gordita crunch, and more. Visit their website to pre-order for curbside pickup on select dates.
Kale My Name
Kale My Name is a globally inspired vegan joint in Albany Park, Chicago. Plant-based tacos on the menu include jackfruit, fried avocado, seitan, and Beyond Meat—all topped with chopped kale, chipotle aioli, pico de gallo, and black beans. We’ll take a side of guacamole, please!
Handlebar
Handlebar is a vegetarian restaurant with numerous vegan dishes on the menu, including the Fried Avocado Tacos (cabbage slaw, tomatoes, refried beans, and house-made ranch on flour tortillas) served with brown rice and salsa. Menu items can be customized to be gluten-free and dairy-free.
Lyfe Kitchen
Lyfe Kitchen offers vegan options such as Buffalo Cauliflower Tacos (roasted cauliflower, avocado, scallions, cilantro, and herb aioli). Finish off lunch with a sweet treat from You’re a Cookie!—a local vegan-friendly and gluten-free bakery.
Photo credit: @fairfieldfoodie on Instagram
Spirit Elephant
Spirit Elephant—a 100% plant-based and waste-free restaurant in Winnetka, Illinois—has a dedicated menu for Taco Tuesday! Choose from their specials that include a taco 3-pack (made with chorizo, pickled onions, lettuce, tomato, salsa verde, cilantro, and lime) and Ceviche—inspired by the popular Latin dish.
Upton’s Breakroom
Upton’s Breakroom is known for their indulgent soft serve, but they also offer savory options including the Korean Tacos filled with Chick Seitan, housemade kimchi, and avocado. The vegan meats used in their dishes are from Upton Natural’s.
Manna Kitchen
Manna Kitchen is located in Lisle, a suburb of Chicago. The family-owned restaurant serves tacos with seitan chorizo as an appetizer and stocks a gluten-free option as well (substitute the vegan meat for tempeh chorizo). We'll take an order of tacos with a Rainbow Quinoa Salad and a lemonade for a balanced dinner. Manna also offers a Taco Salad!
Healthy Substance
Healthy Substance serves plant-based Impossible Carne Asada and Al Pastor tacos. The vegan-friendly establishment provides an extensive menu of desserts and smoothies in addition to burritos, sandwiches, and more.
Mohini Patel
@mylifemoniMohini, a born and raised vegetarian from Chicago, initially went vegan when faced with a health issue, but stayed vegan for the animals. Whole food plant-based eating (inspired by traditional Indian culture) is her optimal diet. An advocate for mental health and lifestyle changes, she has a degree in Health Sciences from DePaul University.
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