Penelope’s Vegan Taqueria

Vegan restaurant · Near North Side

Penelope’s Vegan Taqueria

Vegan restaurant · Near North Side

230 W Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60654

Highlights

Vegan Mexican restaurant providing comfort food including tacos and nachos, plus margaritas.

230 W Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60654 Get directions

penelopesvegantaqueria.com

@Penelopesvegantaqueria

@eater

"Penelope’s, with locations in River West and Andersonville, specializes in vegan tacos, but the kitchen also serves a knock-out vegan burger that uses an Impossible patty. It’s dusted with spices and comes with a creamy non-dairy sauce. The skin-on fries are also amazing. This is one of the best-dressed vegan burgers in town." - Eater Staff, Ashok Selvam, Naomi Waxman

Chicago’s Essential Burgers

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@infatuation

"As the name suggests Penelope's, a casual Mexican spot in River North, is vegan. And their variety of dishes, from burritos to chilaquiles, will make even the most meat-centric eater second guess the vegan-ness of it all. Our favorites are the Beyond Meat asada tacos, and the enchiladas. These crisp, rolled tortillas come loaded with spiced potatoes, and are topped with spicy red salsa and smooth vegan sour cream. Come in for a relaxed solo bite or to just grab some takeout." - adrian kane, john ringor

The 24 Best Places To Eat Vegan Food In Chicago

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@eater

"Chicago’s first vegan taqueria and bar, Penelope’s is a colorful and stylish restaurant with indoor and patio seating and a full menu of tacos, horchatas, and more without animal ingredients. Try a quesabirria, a generous plate of mushroom tacos in a sweet and smoky guajillo sauce with broth for dipping." - Marla Rose

Chicago’s Iconic Vegan Restaurants

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@infatuation

"Just off the Chicago Brown Line stop in River North is an immediately noticeable bright pink Mexican spot covered in a collage of painted flowers. What’s not immediately noticeable is that all of the food at Penelope’s is vegan. They offer a variety of Mexican staples from burritos to chilaquiles, but our favorites are the Beyond Meat asada tacos, and the enchiladas. These crisp, rolled tortillas come loaded with spiced potatoes, and are topped with spicy red salsa and smooth vegan sour cream. Come in for a relaxed solo bite or a group dinner that will make even your most meat-centric friend second guess the vegan-ness of it all." - John Ringor

Penelope's Vegan Taqueria - Review - River North - Chicago - The Infatuation

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@eater

"Penelope’s Vegan Taqueria, a new meat-free Mexican restaurant, opened in late March near the Moody Bible Institute, according to an Instagram post. Menu options include soy al pastor and mushroom chimichurri, as well as a cauliflower-based ceviche, enchiladas, and six flavors of agua fresca. Penelope’s Vegan Taqueria, 230 W. Chicago Avenue, Open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily." - Naomi Waxman

A Pair of French Landmarks Reopen in Winnetka and Eight More Openings - Eater Chicago

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Paul Harhen

Google

This is a nice informal vegan only restaurant with very pleasant friendly staff. It has a large menu. We chose the Nachos Locos and the Street Style Elote "Corn" for starters, and the Mushroom Chimichurri Taco and the Carnitas Taco for mains. They came pretty fast. All were delicious. And the portions were large also. In hindsight we should have had only one starter for the two of us.

Rags Srinivasan

Google

All vegan places that specialize in one cuisine are are usually far better than those free form vegan restaurants. And Penelope’s vegan taqueria, by focusing on Mexican cuisine and specifically taco does deliver in flavors. The tacos, enchilada and burritos are great. I wish they had black beans as option. They only have pinto beans. The cauliflower tacos were great. The vegan cheese in enchilada was so so. They charge for everything including salad. We ordered chips and needed to pay more for spicy salsa. I would go for lunch again. But it is not a great dinner place. Also I recommend ordering fewer items than you think.

Sudhindra Gopal

Google

Make your reservation before going in!!! Especially on a weekend. The food is top notch, and one to die for if you are a vegan and crave for good Birrias. We were not aware of the reservation, but the owners were too good to let us sit at the bar table, when we told them we were here just for 2 days. The flavors were top notch, the chef was not shy spice. Will definitely visit this place again, if I am in Chicago. The ambience was great, and the service was smooth and fast.

Shanah Bell

Google

I found this place on the Happy Cow app. And since it shares a name with one of my daughters, we just had to check it out. I loved that the whole place was vegan and they had a ton of gluten free options also. The menu is well labeled, which was extremely helpful. 2 of us got the taco dinner deal since it was Tuesday and they do a $5 off deal on that dinner. It comes with 3 tacos of your choice, rice and beans. All of us loved our meals, and the margarita I got delicious!! I was really excited to try their ice cream sundae for dessert, but it appears that they don't usually actually have the ice cream at this location. Apparently it's made at a different location, so they usually only have the cake, which isn't gluten free. I was really disappointed that there wasn't a dessert for me to try, especially since I'm the one who's vegan in the group. One of my daughter's who can eat gluten did try the cake special and really liked it though. In my opinion, in order to get 5 stars, they either need to have all of the dessert options regularly, which includes a gluten free option, or just make the cake with gluten free flour and call it a day. Other than that issue, it was a great find here in Chicago!

Antwuan M. Donley (Ant)

Google

Penelope's Vegan Taqueria is a cozy looking establishment with friendly services and well presented vegan cuisines. The portion sizes appear just right, and the ingredients appear fresh. This is a recommended spot for vegetarian and vegan communities or for those who want to try something different.

Don Walling

Google

My wife is strict vegan, so this was a wonderful find. We had the nachos, takis elote, chimichanga and chilaquiles. I highly recommend the nachos and chilaquiles, but would gladly have any of the dishes again. Need to go back to try the rest of the menu. Also had the chocolate cake, which was great as a vegan cake, but this months flavor is maple which I'm not very fond of. We'll definitely go back next time we're in town.

Shashwat

Google

Overall, a good dining experience for a vegetarian. The restaurant is cozy and the service is quick. I enjoyed the dishes that I tried there. Would recommend for any vegans or vegetarians interested in trying some different Mexican dishes that you normally cannot eat at standard restaurants!

Marcella Di Santo

Google

We found Penelope's passing by after eating at another restaurant and I had heard good things so decided to grab a drink and something to go for dinner. The interior is really cute with a great vibe (though it was a little hot), and we enjoyed our drinks outside ~ had the Pineapple Margarita, so goooood. I tried a trio of tacos so I could try some different offerings and they were all great. I went with suggestions and I think I had the Soy Al Pastor, Mushroom Chimichurri and Cauliflower Al Pastor (sauces were top notch). I am only disappointed we didn't discover this place until the last night of our trip through Chicago and didn't get a chance to dine there (as opposed to doing take out). Looking forward to going there again when I'm back in the city, vamos!