Alice & Friends Vegan Kitchen, :Chicago
Alice & Friends’ Vegan Kitchen Chicago: A Plant-Based Paradise
Welcome, food adventurers, to an unparalleled culinary journey in the heart of Chicago! If you’re seeking a vibrant, flavorful, and entirely plant-based dining experience, look no further than Alice & Friends’ Vegan Kitchen. Nestled at the bustling intersection of flavor and community, this beloved establishment offers a sanctuary for both seasoned vegans and curious omnivores alike.
Situated at 5812 N Broadway, Chicago, IL 60660, Alice & Friends’ Vegan Kitchen has become a true gem in the Edgewater neighborhood. The location itself is wonderfully accessible, surrounded by the vibrant energy of North Broadway, making it a perfect spot for a casual lunch, a romantic dinner, or a lively gathering with friends. As you step inside, you’re immediately enveloped by an ambiance that is both warm and inviting. The decor strikes a beautiful balance between modern simplicity and cozy charm, featuring natural wood accents, lush indoor plants that breathe life into the space, and tasteful, minimalist art that reflects the restaurant’s commitment to freshness and natural ingredients. Sunlight often streams through large windows, creating a bright and airy atmosphere during the day, which transforms into a softly lit, intimate setting as evening approaches. The carefully curated playlist provides a gentle soundtrack to your meal, enhancing the relaxed and welcoming vibe without ever being intrusive. It’s the kind of place where you feel instantly at ease, ready to explore a menu that promises both comfort and exciting new tastes.
Whether you’re planning a mid-week treat or a weekend feast, Alice & Friends’ Vegan Kitchen is ready to welcome you with its generous opening hours. Please note they are closed on Mondays, allowing the team a well-deserved break to prepare for another week of delicious creations. From Tuesday to Thursday, they open their doors from 11:30 AM to 9:00 PM, offering ample time for both lunch and dinner. On Fridays and Saturdays, perfect for those weekend outings, they extend their hours slightly, welcoming guests from 11:30 AM to 9:30 PM. Sundays provide another fantastic opportunity to indulge, with service running from 11:30 AM to 9:00 PM. This consistent schedule makes it easy to plan your visit, ensuring that a delightful vegan meal is always within reach. Should you have any questions, wish to make a reservation (especially for larger groups, though walk-ins are often accommodated), or simply want to inquire about the day’s specials, their friendly staff can be reached directly at (773) 784-8787. For a deeper dive into their offerings or to explore their online presence, you can also visit their official website at aliceandfriends.com. They are committed to providing exceptional service and a memorable dining experience, making every interaction as pleasant as their food.
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Menu Highlights at Alice & Friends’ Vegan Kitchen
Prepare to be amazed by the sheer variety and ingenious creativity displayed on the menu at Alice & Friends’ Vegan Kitchen. Far from the stereotypical bland vegan fare, this kitchen crafts dishes that burst with flavor, texture, and vibrant colors, drawing inspiration primarily from diverse Asian culinary traditions with a uniquely plant-based twist. Each dish is thoughtfully prepared, showcasing the versatility of plant-based ingredients and proving that vegan food can be utterly indulgent and satisfying. From comforting classics to innovative new favorites, there’s something to tantalize every palate.
Start Your Journey: Appetizers & Small Bites
The appetizer selection is designed to awaken your taste buds and set the stage for the culinary delights to come. Perfect for sharing or enjoying as a light start, these dishes are packed with fresh ingredients and bold flavors.
- Crispy Spring Rolls: Delightfully crunchy, filled with fresh vegetables, served with sweet chili dip.
- Fresh Summer Rolls: Light, refreshing rice paper rolls with tofu, veggies, peanut sauce.
- Golden Fried Wontons: Perfectly crispy pockets filled with savory vegan cream cheese and herbs.
- Spicy Kimchi Pancakes: Flavorful, savory Korean pancake, crispy edges, wonderfully spicy kick.
- Tofu Satay Skewers: Grilled marinated tofu, rich peanut sauce, a classic savory starter.
- Garlic Edamame: Steamed soybeans tossed in savory garlic sauce, addictive and satisfying.
- Steamed Vegetable Dumplings: Tender dumplings filled with wholesome vegetables, ginger soy dipping sauce.
- Crispy “Calamari”: King oyster mushrooms expertly fried, remarkably like its seafood counterpart.
- Scallion Pancakes: Flaky, savory Korean pancake, green onions, served with soy dipping sauce.
- Vegan Spicy Chicken Nuggets: Crispy, perfectly seasoned plant-based nuggets, irresistible, with spicy mayo.
- Avocado Tempura: Lightly battered, perfectly fried avocado slices, creamy interior, crispy exterior.
- Lettuce Wraps: Sautéed spiced soy protein, fresh lettuce cups, wonderfully interactive and delicious.
Comfort in a Bowl: Soups & Salads
Whether you crave something warm and soothing or a refreshing, crisp beginning, Alice & Friends’ has a selection of soups and salads that perfectly complement any meal. Each offers a unique flavor profile and a burst of freshness.
- Miso Soup: Traditional Japanese broth, soft tofu, seaweed, delicate and comforting flavors.
- Spicy Tom Yum Soup: Thai hot and sour broth, mushrooms, tofu, fragrant herbs, wonderfully zesty.
- Creamy Tom Kha Soup: Rich coconut milk broth, galangal, lime leaves, mushrooms, utterly soothing.
- Seaweed Salad: Refreshing mix of seasoned seaweed, sesame seeds, light and healthy.
- Ginger Garden Salad: Fresh mixed greens, crisp vegetables, tangy homemade ginger dressing.
- Kimchi Stew (Kimchi Jjigae): Hearty, spicy Korean stew, kimchi, tofu, vegetables, deeply satisfying.
Noodle Nirvana: Irresistible Noodle Dishes
From stir-fried to soupy, the noodle dishes at Alice & Friends’ Vegan Kitchen are legendary. Each plate is a symphony of textures and tastes, featuring perfectly cooked noodles drenched in savory sauces with fresh vegetables and protein.
- Pad Thai: Classic stir-fried rice noodles, tofu, peanuts, bean sprouts, sweet-tangy sauce.
- Pad See Ew: Wide rice noodles stir-fried, Chinese broccoli, sweet soy sauce, smoky flavor.
- Drunken Noodles (Pad Kee Mao): Spicy wide rice noodles, basil, bell peppers, robust and fiery.
- Singapore Noodles: Thin rice vermicelli, curry powder, mixed vegetables, light, flavorful, aromatic.
- Japchae: Korean glass noodles, colorful vegetables, savory soy garlic sauce, delightfully chewy.
- Vegan Ramen: Rich umami broth, springy noodles, mushrooms, tofu, nori, deeply comforting.
- Udon Noodle Soup: Thick wheat noodles, clear savory broth, vegetables, soothing and warm.
- Spicy Garlic Noodles: Chewy noodles tossed in a vibrant garlic-chili sauce, utterly addictive.
- Lo Mein: Classic Chinese stir-fried noodles with mixed vegetables and savory sauce.
- Curry Noodle Soup: Creamy, aromatic curry broth, rice noodles, tofu, vegetables, rich and spicy.
Rice Rhapsody: Hearty Rice Creations
Rice forms the comforting foundation for many incredible dishes here, from fragrant fried rice to satisfying bowls, each offering a complete and flavorful meal.
- Pineapple Fried Rice: Sweet and savory fried rice, pineapple, cashews, raisins, vibrant presentation.
- Basil Fried Rice: Fragrant jasmine rice stir-fried with fresh basil, chili, crisp vegetables.
- Kimchi Fried Rice: Spicy Korean fried rice, fermented kimchi, tofu, savory, tangy, delicious.
- Vegan Bibimbap: Colorful Korean mixed rice bowl, assorted sautéed vegetables, spicy gochujang.
- Curried Fried Rice: Aromatic rice infused with curry spices, peas, carrots, and sweet corn.
- Teriyaki Bowl: Sticky rice topped with grilled tofu, steamed vegetables, sweet teriyaki glaze.
Main Event: Signature Entrees & Stir-Fries
This is where Alice & Friends’ truly shines, offering an expansive range of main courses that creatively use plant-based proteins to replicate or reinterpret beloved Asian dishes. These entrees are hearty, complex, and incredibly satisfying.
- General Tso’s Tofu: Crispy tofu smothered in sweet, spicy, tangy sauce, perfectly balanced.
- Orange Tofu: Tangy, sweet, and slightly spicy orange glaze over perfectly crisp tofu.
- Red Curry (Tofu/Vegetable): Rich coconut milk curry, bamboo shoots, bell peppers, aromatic and spicy.
- Green Curry (Tofu/Vegetable): Creamy coconut milk, green chili paste, basil, wonderfully fragrant.
- Massaman Curry: Mild, rich, savory Thai curry, potatoes, peanuts, tender plant-based protein.
- Mongolian Soy Beef: Tender soy-based “beef” stir-fried in a savory, slightly sweet sauce.
- Spicy Garlic Eggplant: Sautéed eggplant, bell peppers, rich garlic-chili sauce, wonderfully aromatic.
- Kung Pao Tofu: Spicy stir-fry with peanuts, vegetables, chili peppers, bold Szechuan flavors.
- Black Bean Stir-fry: Hearty vegetables and tofu tossed in savory fermented black bean sauce.
- Sweet & Sour Delight: Crispy plant-based protein, pineapple, bell peppers, tangy vibrant sauce.
- Vegan “Fish” Fillet: Plant-based filet, wonderfully flaky texture, served with lemon and tartar.
- Crispy “Duck” (Shiitake): Ingenious shiitake mushroom preparation, remarkably savory, crispy skin.
- Korean BBQ Bulgogi (Soy Protein): Marinated soy protein, grilled, sweet and savory, wonderfully tender.
- Szechuan Mapo Tofu: Silken tofu in a fiery, numbing, and intensely flavorful Szechuan sauce.
- Volcano Chicken: Spicy, flavorful plant-based chicken stir-fry with mixed vegetables and chili.
- Ginger Broccoli: Fresh broccoli florets and tofu sautéed in a delicate ginger garlic sauce.
Sweet Endings: Desserts
No meal is complete without a sweet treat, and Alice & Friends’ offers delightful vegan desserts to perfectly cap off your dining experience.
- Mango Sticky Rice: Sweet glutinous rice, fresh mango slices, drizzled with coconut milk.
- Fried Banana with Vegan Ice Cream: Warm, crispy fried banana, cool creamy vanilla ice cream.
- Mochi Ice Cream: Chewy rice cake filled with delicious vegan ice cream, delightful texture.
- Vegan Cheesecake: Rich, creamy, decadent plant-based cheesecake, perfect sweet indulgence.
Refreshing Sips: Beverages
A thoughtful selection of beverages to cleanse your palate and complement your meal.
- Thai Iced Tea: Sweet, creamy, aromatic black tea, perfectly refreshing.
- Fresh Lemonade: Zesty, homemade lemonade, wonderfully tart and thirst-quenching.
- Green Tea: Hot or iced, a classic healthy beverage, soothing and cleansing.
- Jasmine Tea: Fragrant, floral tea, perfect for pairing with Asian cuisine.
- Kombucha: Fermented tea, slightly tart, bubbly, and incredibly refreshing.
- Sparkling Water: Crisp, effervescent, a clean palate cleanser.
Beyond the Plate: Ambiance & Experience
Beyond its exquisite menu, Alice & Friends’ Vegan Kitchen offers an entire experience. The interior balances modern design with a cozy, welcoming feel, enhanced by lush greenery and thoughtful decor. Service is consistently friendly, attentive, and knowledgeable, ensuring every guest feels valued. Pricing is fair, reflecting the quality ingredients and culinary expertise, making it an excellent value for a gourmet vegan meal. The overall vibe is relaxed and inclusive, perfect for diverse groups from families to solo diners, creating a memorable atmosphere where delicious food meets genuine hospitality.
Our Verdict: A Must-Visit Vegan Gem
In conclusion, Alice & Friends’ Vegan Kitchen Chicago is more than just a restaurant; it’s a destination for anyone passionate about delicious, high-quality plant-based food. While every dish shines, some of the most celebrated include their ingenious Crispy “Calamari”, the deeply flavorful Vegan Ramen, the perfectly balanced Pad Thai, and the wonderfully creative General Tso’s Tofu. These dishes consistently garner rave reviews for their authentic flavors and satisfying textures, often surprising even the most skeptical diners.
This restaurant is an absolute haven for vegans and vegetarians, of course, but it truly excels at captivating flexitarians and omnivores curious about plant-based eating. It’s perfect for foodies who appreciate innovative culinary approaches, health-conscious individuals seeking nourishing options, and anyone simply looking for a fantastic meal in a welcoming environment. Families will find ample choices, friends will enjoy the sharing plates, and even solo diners will feel comfortable savoring a gourmet experience.
Our mini-review? Simply outstanding. Alice & Friends’ Vegan Kitchen effortlessly blends comfort with culinary adventure. The consistent quality, diverse menu, and warm atmosphere make it a shining star in Chicago’s vibrant food scene. It’s a place that not only satisfies your hunger but also nourishes your soul, proving that delicious vegan food is not just possible, but absolutely incredible. Don’t just take our word for it—go experience the magic for yourself!
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