SUCH A GEM!!! They carry impossible-to-find products such as cashews that haven't been steamed and Tropical Traditions Gold Standard coconut oil (a handmade product, produced by pressing fresh coconuts, including coconut water rather than the dried pulp.) This particular oil has been tested to have higher antioxidant levels than other quality raw coconut oils on the market. They have Arcona products, which are impossible to find, as well. I was also happy to see they have Vitamineral Green - hands-down the best vitamin supplement I can think of. Rather than powdered wild greens and grasses, for example, Vitamineral Green is the powdered JUICE of those grasses and wild greens--and therefore absorbable by those of us who don't have 4 stomachs.
The food is fabulous, my favorite item is the Tiramisu!! Ok.. let me say I love raw desserts. And psst.. a raw dessert will often be healthier than most cooked food/takeout you might find downtown. I've eaten a slice of raw tiramisu for lunch more times than I care to admit since discovering this place. Recently I decided to get Thai food for lunch for a couple dollars cheaper than a Chicago Raw entree - basically I paid for a lot of rice probably cooked in gmo-canola oil with little vegetables and quickly regretted it not walking a couple blocks further to Chicago Raw.
I recommend the pizza and falafel sandwich - The pizza will easily last a couple meals, even if you're quite hungry. After all, how many cashews can one person eat? It's not light food, per-se, but you will still feel light eating it. And, I tend to go straight to the comfort food, but if you prefer light food, Chicago Raw has light options, too. I guess I don't buy salads at a place like this because I can make a good salad myself.
I also highly recommend buying the wheat berry bread - very tasty & savory. Raw bread is hard to make, but Chicago Raw does it perfectly. Don't get me wrong, it's not like fluffy bread, but dense, flavorful soft cracker with a complex taste, almost of fennel and Swiss cheese (So.. I don't know how the Swiss cheese part makes sense at a raw vegan restaurant, but the taste is there!) The texture of the bread may be an acquired taste, though, so if you're not certain about how it looks, you may like to ask for a sample or something. Personally, I love it!
Bottom-line: Chicago Raw offers amazing, very high-quality food that is fresh. No flour, no rice, no fillers, just good fuel for the body. I've noticed a few reviews saying it's too expensive.. let's just say I do not make maximum wage (yet) and eat here three times a week :) I think it's worth it to feel good. Bread and flour are cheap, if you want huge portions that will make you feel stuffed, forget it. But if you want exceptional quality ingredients and satisfying portions of hearty food, Chicago Raw is your best option downtown - and likely in all of Chicagoland.
I had a chance to meet one of the owners recently, she is truly caring, which makes me want to support this place even more. Thanks, Chicago Raw.. we need more places like you in Chicago. read more