Monday, July 28, 2014

Munchies Monday: Chicago's Best Vegan Restaurants


Being or becoming a vegan can be a really tough thing to do. You have to know which grocers to shop at and make sure none of your food has meat, fish or dairy in it. On every corner is a fast food joint like McDonald's or Burger King but most places like that do not offer vegan options. So I have composed of list of all the best vegan restaurants in Chicago. You should only want the healthiest and natural foods to go in to your body.


1.  Raw 
Chicago Raw is a cool vegan eatery located in the oh so trendy west loop neighborhood. This restaurant is a great option for you vegheads that love smoothies and raw juices. Raw offers acai berry smoothies and green juice. They also offer a huge variety of vegan meals including: egg salad, fresh garden spinach lasagna, sweet potatoes pancakes & more. For all my veganistas outside of Chicago , Raw has an online store !

Location: 131 N Clinton St. Chicago ,IL; West Loop 
Website: http://www.chicagorawfood.com/
Price: $ Under 20 Dollars 
Rating: 4.3/5 Stars 

2. Urban Vegan 
Urban Vegan is a popular restaurants with two locations in hippest areas of chi-town. Urban Vegan specializes in vegan Thai cuisine and offers options like soy chicken, soy pepper steak, veggie fried rice and much more. This is definitely a go-to restaurant for veggies. 

Location: Lakeview- 1605 W Montrose Ave, Chicago, IL
Lincoln Park- 1550 West Fullerton Avenue, Chicago,IL
Price: $ under 20 
Rating: 4.1/5
Websitehttp://www.urbanveganchicago.com/

3. Green Zebra 
Green Zebra is known as one of the most top-notch vegan restaurants in Chicago. It is owned by a world renown chef, Shawn McClain, and he started this restaurant because of his love for pure fruits and veggies. The menu has foods such as black bean pot-stickers (yum !), Parmesan risotto, Tuscan kale salad and a variety of other options. I recommend making reservations online and dress to impress !

Location: 1460 West Chicago Ave, Chicago IL ; West Town neighborhood 
Price: 31-50$
Rating: 4.0/5
Website: http://www.greenzebrachicago.com/

4. Vegetarian Soul
One of the only vegan restaurants on the far south side of Chicago, Vegetarian Soul is must try. Located in the rising Chatham area for over 25 years. This restaurant specializes in vegan soul food and offers an amazing juice bar. Their menu is impeccable with so many options including: BBQ twist platter, black eye pea burger, veggie gyros, soy ice cream and endless other options.

Location: 203 East 75th Street, Chicago, IL
Price: Under 20$
Rating: 4.9/5
Website:  www.originalsoulvegetarian.com/

5. Native Foods
Native Foods is quickly becoming a national veghead favorite. They have locations all over the country in veggie loving states like Colorado, California , Oregon and newer locations in Washington, Dc and Chicago. I often refer to this restaurant as the 'Applebee's' of vegan food because they have so many options and they also have great alcoholic beverages. They have 4 locations in Chicago and with foods like gold rush ciabatta, zucchini date cake, and the yo amigo taco salad why wouldn't you want your veggies dreams answered here !

Location: Hyde Park- 1518 East Harper Court ; Lakeview- 1023 West Belmont Ave; Loop- 218 South Clark Street ; West Loop- 14 South Clinton St. ; Wicker Park - 1484 North Milwaukee Ave ; All Located in the city of Chicago !
Price: Under 30$
Rating: 4.8/5
websitehttps://www.nativefoods.com


Bonus Video On Why Being Vegan Makes You Look How ! 

Saturday, July 26, 2014

So New Saturday: Chi-town Rapper King Louie's New Mixtape Tony Is An Instant Classic [LISTEN HERE]



My hometown, Chicago has recently been receiving a lot of media attention not only because of its high crime rate but for it's blazin underground hip-hop scene. Chicago aka "Chiraq's" rap community basically started what is known as drill music. Rappers from the Chi have been receiving worldwide recognition with artists like Chief Keef, Lil Herb, Dreezy & more. King Louie is also one of the innovators of drill music but hasn't got much attention as his peers. King L has been featured on Kanye's album YEEZUS and has his picture on the cover of Common's new album Nobody's Smiling. 
King Louie's face featured on Common's Album Cover Nobody's Smiling

Despite all the attention and being signed to Epic Records, King Louie has yet to come out with an official album but his mixtapes never disappoint. The rapper's new mixtape Tony has been receiving  a lot of love from the hip-hop community. On the mixtape are unforgettable songs like "Difference" feat Slitta , "Live and Die In Chicago" and "B.O.N". King L takes fans into the life of a Chicago drilla and has more of a grittier flow on this mixtape. I listened to the entire mixtape and it wasn't one track that I could not connect with on some level. Louie is exactly what hip-hop needs because in world so full of facades and fakery everyone is looking for that one artist who is gonna keep it real. 

LISTEN TO THE TONY HERE !

Saturday, July 12, 2014

Hippy Weekend In Chicago: Top Events To Attend This Weekend


Hey there hippy girl, it's the weekend so you know it is time for fun in the sun. Here is the weekend guide to the best events in the city this weekend. Summertime Chicago is the best place for a hippy girl to wander and find some fun. 



West Fest 
When: July 12th-13th
Time: 10am-10pm
Why you should go: Great food, awesome music, drinks, games and lots of cool hipsters all around the Logan Square area.