Address: | 1023 W Belmont Ave, Chicago, IL 60657, USA |
Phone: | +1 773-549-4904 |
Site: | nativefoods.com |
Rating: | 4.5 |
Working: | 11AM–10PM 11AM–10PM 11AM–10PM 11AM–10PM 11AM–10PM 11AM–10PM 11AM–10PM |
AD
Adam Levy
I dont know what is going on here but service and food both have taken a huge nosedive. I have been a vegetarian for 16 years now, and when this place moved into the city, it was like a godsend. The food was unbelievably delicious and creative, totally plant based, and most of all, the people who worked there were super excited that you were there too - they were excited you were eating vegan - they were excited to be sharing this awesomeness with others. No longer. Yesterday, we were very clearly, from the get go, bothering the staff that we were even there in the first place. From the moment we walked in, the credit card machine was down. "NO CREDIT CARDS. NO CREDIT CARDS. WE CANT TAKE CREDIT CARDS." is being shouted as us, in a bizarre and chaotic frenzy. Jeez - we heard you the first seventeen times. And yeah, I get it - I wont get rewards, and I cant use a gift card - We understand you! So we walk up to the counter. This guy is chatting it up with an employee wearing an off-white chunky knit sweater for maybe around 5 minutes before anyone gets around to helping us. Its nearing the end of the day - maybe around 9:40pm (they have already put the chairs upside-down on the tables) and before she takes our order, loudly exclaims to the other employee "The kitchens gonna hate me", then to the kitchen, "Youre gonna hate me - we have two more customers." So, thats awesome - we instantly feel welcome, clearly. We order a few items. Im taking my boyfriend here for the first time, having talked up the food, and because Chicago Diner was already almost closed and we wouldnt have had the time to have a full sit down meal there. As I mentioned, were both just bewildered at what is happening there already. After we order, were sternly told that its going to be take-out "because I told you so", says the order-taker. Now, I know this from experience - the old Native Foods would have given us a desert or free drink or something if anything was out of place, or even if we had waited too long - it used to be a very welcoming place - now, despite no credit card, or gift card, or rewards, or having to wait, were told to essentially get the F out. So, we get into my car to eat our food we just purchased. Thankfully, I double checked whether there were utensils or napkins in the bag (there werent). So, we set ourselves up. He ordered the Chickn run burger (supposedly their most popular... maybe in the glory days, I guess). I posted the photo - it looked worse than fast food; and didnt taste much better - certainly not how it used to taste. I ordered my old favorite standby, the Oklahoma Bacon Cheeseburger (they call it something different now), which was still pretty good, though again, not like how it used to be - I dont even remember there being any tempeh bacon, like there used to be - they must have eliminated that part. They gave us barely a handful of fries with one, and I wanted to try their new mac and cheese (photo also attached), so ordered that with the Oklahoma burger. The mac and cheese was freezing cold (not an exaggeration - they must have taken it straight out of the refrigerator), and it tasked like pasta mixed into coconut milk (not at all recommended - almost inedible - really terrible - I only had a few bites before tossing the rest). I will go back to use the amount remaining on my gift cards, but with Kitchen 17 offering amazing vegan food right in the neighborhood and Chicago Diner just a touch more expensive, unless they go back to their old ways, I was so put off by this experience that I have no inclination to go back anytime soon. Vegan food should be wonderful and exciting, and this strange storm cloud of too-cool-for-school employees is really off-putting. If youre interested in an in-group somewhat hipster eating establishment too cool for the rest of us, youre giving vegetarians and vegans a bad name. This place has a bad case of dementia, and I hope they find a way to cure it soon.
TH
Thongsy Singvongsa
Being that I do eat meat, I did not expect to like this vegan joint. Boy, was I mistaken. I think out of all the places Ive eaten in the past year, Native Foods definitely stands out from the rest. Everything is made fresh that day or to order and you can definitely taste the difference in freshness. The prices were quite affordable and the staff are super friendly. During our first visit, we tried the following: tandoori kabobs - Grilled tofu, marinated in Tandoori spices, topped with mango-apple chutney, served on a bed of baby greens with their homemade raita yogurt sauce --- YUMS! greek gyros - peppered seitan sautéed with shallots on quinoa, steamed vegetables, and kale with lemon garlic sauce and hummus; comed with flatbread white bean/corn soup - pureed beans and corn chicken run ranch sandwich - chicken, ranch dressing, romaine, carrots, and onions lavender lemonade - just absolutely refreshing They have daily specials where you can get a dish and side order for just 9.95. The chicken run ranch sandwich was my favorite of our meal. An absolutely must-try. You wont even be able to tell that its not chicken! Throughout our entire meal, I kept thinking to myself and saying aloud, oh my, this is sooo good.....people might have thought I was having a food orgasm! Will definitely come back many many more times.
EM
Emily Z
Fat Kid: Someone who thinks about their next meal during their current meal. Im half way through my salad and already thinking about what I can go back and get tomorrow! While I was waiting she suggested I sign up for the free frequent buyers card, so I did and got my first drink on the house. In an attempt to avoid sugar I NEVER get anything other than water at restaurants, but a quick sample of their homemade lavender lemonade and watermelon agua fresca has changed my life! Sooo delicious! I was carrying out and the woman suggested the Ensalada Azteca Salad, Fresh avocado, jicama and cucumber salsa atop quinoa, romaine and award winning mango lime vinaigrette. Topped with currants, toasted pumpkin seeds and cilantro for $9.95. It is a large portion and the dressing is delicious but sadly mine only had about 50% of the currants and pumpkin seeds shown in their picture which I think made it a little bland. I have no eating restrictions though I " try " to eat healthy... which includes Kumas and Rickshaws Republic Fried Wings :-) but Native Foods has won me over!
LA
Ladies Who Booze
This place makes veganism super easy and delicious! The staff is incredibly helpful and so nice to you that you start to wonder if eating plant based just makes you happy all the time. I love the casual atmosphere of the space and I really enjoy the big community table by the window. Talk about the perfect spot to get natural light to instagram some yummy dishes. You will be surprised at some of the things you can order that are made vegan. The hubs and I HIGHLY recommend the Native Nachos and the Native Chili. Then follow these steps... stir up the chili mixture, then pour over the nachos and thank me later. Its a little hard to eat with your fingers so I recommend using a fork. Other favorite is the Watermelon Fresca drink. The most authentic tasting watermelon drink I have ever had! For salads, I love the Ensalada Azteca Salad. The giant chunks of avocado... yummmmm!