It has indoor and outdoor seating. A place where you get huge vegan and vegetarian options. There are non alcoholic drinks. I had a ginger drink, which was refreshing and spicy. The vegan fried avocado sandwitch with premium vegan fries queso was really good. Also, regular chimichura was good. Portions are really filling. read more

Handlebar - Vegan avocado fried sandwich with vegan fires queso - Vegetarian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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This place was so stinking cute. I loved it. The food was great - we had a Crunchwrap burrito (flavor city okay) and sambal tofu. The tofu had the perfect level of heat. As an appetizer, we did get fried pickles -- they know how to execute a perfectly fried pickle spear! Can't wait to go back read more

Handlebar does it again! This review is long overdue, as I've ordered from Handlebar multiple times! I have only ever ordered and eaten take out from this spot, but every meal I have had has been a home run. The online ordering is convenient and such a breeze. This time around, I ordered the oyster mushroom poboy with fries and a slice of the chocolate cake. The poboy was a hit! The oyster mushrooms were fried to perfection, and the sandwich had the perfect amount of toppers and spread. Hot, fresh, and a delectable sight. I only wish this item were on the menu year around (it was a special when I ordered it), so I could order it again! The chocolate cake was moist, chocolatey, and a perfect sweet treat to cater to anyone's sweet tooth. I'm not much of a chocolate person and found this to be a bit too chocolate-heavy for my taste buds. However, I did share with a chocolate-loving friend, and they ate the cake up! I highly recommend Handlebar to all, vegan, vegetarian, and non-plant-based friends alike. Solid food, great service, and good vibes! read more

Hell ya... love Handlebar with plenty of amazing options. Many vegetarian and vegan options with a sprinkling of some fish and other. The staff is friendly and on top of things We had some on the Black bean tostadas and guacamole and chips to start. Both were solid. Cocktail - Mary's sangria and handle-Rita both fantastic on one of the hottest days. I went with the seared tuna sandwich w fries. It was perfect. We also the blackened tofu sandwich - a full Mic drop - damn that's good dish. We definitely enjoyed our visit at Handlebar and sure to return. Highly recommend a visit to this great vibe establishment! read more

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Love this neighborhood spot! The fried avocado tacos and the chimichanga are my go-to items. Great atmosphere w/ a killer patio. Attentive service as well. Great brunch spot for friends or family. read more

Handlebar - Vegiterian chili - Vegetarian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Once you find something on their menu you like it's definitely worth going to. the food quality is the same every time; and the food is good. My biggest complaint with Handlebar is the service. There are a few employees there who act like they care about your experience but the rest of the staff seems like they don't care to even be there. I would love to continue supporting this place as i'm vegan and they have some really good vegan food. However, the service is such a turn off for me. read more

One of my favorite (super) vegetarian friendly spots. Huge portions, healthy and not so healthy (all relative) options. I really love this spot. Their breakfast burrito is one of the best ones I've had...the beans on the side are so delicious. I've had their biscuits before which are also fantastic. Coffee here is good as well. Service is nice. I recommend! read more

Handlebar - Biscuits and gravy with tofu added. Generous amount of tofu! - Vegetarian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Goes without saying, this place is a neighborhood gem and an oasis for vegans and vegetarians. Today we got the buffalo seitan wrap, side of the plantains, side of vegan Mac and cheese and the vegan Diablos dish with seitan and it was all very delicious as usually. I've thankfully never had a bad meal here and have been coming for years. I wish them a ton of success. read more

Handlebar - Buffalo "Chicken" Wrap - Vegetarian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Food was good. Our server was nice. It's a pretty cool looking spot. My hubby loves the fried avocado tacos from here. The pickles were good. read more

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This was my first time here. The food is really good. My tacos were very flavorful and filling. The cheesecake is decadent. read more

Handlebar - Primo's Tacos - Vegetarian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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nothing has changed about handlebar. everything i said before still stands. awesome staff, a great vibe, and the best vegan/vegetarian menu. the only thing that sucks is if you're gluten free and vegetarian--there's only a handful of options and they're ~fine~ but not worth going out of your way to try. if you are vegetarian and have to eat gluten free, your options are way limited. read more

Handlebar - Vegan Buffalo "Chicken" Wrap, Side of Vegan Dream Mac, Chili Mac Attack Entree, Michelada - Vegetarian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Such a nice spot! We went for an early lunch. Amazing food, cool environment, nothing not to love!

Back at one of my favorite vegan friendly restaurants. Currently, they only have patio dining so be prepared to wait as it is pretty popular. Ft. ~Chilaquiles (blackened tofu, salsa verde, fried corn tortillas, queso fresco, avocado, diced onion, refried black beans) Loved the flavors and textures of this dish, especially the salsa verde. They added a WHOLE accolade to the dish which was amazing. ~Pepita Scramble (Scrambled tofu (non-GMO soybeans), sweet potatoes, red peppers, kale, poblanos, pumpkin seed pesto, crispy onions, breakfast potatoes and multigrain or sourdough toast) The tofu was a little too bland for me and needed some hot sauce or salsa. I've gotten the smothered burrito before and the chili Mac attack and both are incredible dishes- also they are HUGE! So plan on going with an empty stomach. * * * * * * * * #foodie #foodieblogger #chicagofoodie #do312 #infatuationchi #discoverunder2k #collegefinds #fabfoodchicago #chicagoeats #312food #chicagoeats #chitown #chicagofoodauthority #chicagorestaurants #foodlover #partyroomchicago #eaterchicago #312 #vegoutmag read more

Handlebar - Chilaquiles - Vegetarian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I found this place on a weekend trip to Chicago and the food is excellent! The Black Bean Maduros and Fried Pickles are both delicious. I went with an omnivore and she loved the food as well! The patio is really cute with string lights and charming decor. If you are looking for creative vegetarian and vegan dishes and an extensive drink menu with alfresco dining and friendly servers, this is the place! read more

As you're heading along North to the west of Milwaukee & Damen, blink and you'll miss this eclectic Wicker Park restaurant/bar squeezed into a narrow storefront space. It offers a mix of vegan and non-vegan dishes and a host of interesting drinks, if you imbibe. I stopped by here on a weekend morning and the place was mostly full but had a laid-back vibe. They do offer takeout, which is great. That said, their takeout page on chownow will only allow you to select "ASAP" as the order time, so you can't really plan ahead or even schedule it for later that day. I'd suggest giving people a little more flexibility. The food itself was very tasty. I got the vegan breakfast burrito (which is enough food for two meals) and the sesame broccoli (which is just steamed broccoli with sesame sauce poured over it - pretty healthy). I had been hoping to try a lavender latte, but I guess they don't offer those for takeout. So, to sum up: delicious food, great atmosphere, friendly service, vegan-friendly menu. Could benefit from more takeout flexibility, but that's a relatively minor thing. read more

Hidden gem in Chicago. Great soundtrack backed with drinks and vegetarian fare. Unique and attentive staff made the experience even better. Give this local spot a try even if you are not vegetarian. The food was great. Might be a little loud for some. read more

Oh my Lawd! That Nashville Hot was so delicious; I was day-dreaming about it today and I'm writing this review weeks later, ha ha! The vegan Mac is yum too. The hibiscus tea drink; better than I was I expecting. Can't wait until I'm back in town, so I can enjoy another meal here. Side note: they aren't open for indoor dining, but patio dining is open and when it's cold they have some great heaters out at each table. read more

Handlebar - Nashville Hot Fried " Chicken" Sandwich and vegan Mac - Vegetarian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Good, creative vegan food. Friendly staff. A little tight for a large gentleman such as myself

Good vegan food. Nice atmosphere. Wish it was easier to get to from downtown Chicago. read more

Handlebar was a delightful little spot for a tasty brunch date. We came for the bloodies, FYI, and they didn't disappoint. The bloody mary came with a fried pickle - yum! - and a beer back chaser. Their house-made bloody mix was robust; some great flavor there! We ordered food as well. They had a nice array of choices which was really tasty and hit the spot. We had a great time while spending the weekend in Chicago. Cheers! read more

Handlebar - Delicious Bloody Mary - Vegetarian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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the food and drinks were both amazing. everything vegan with the exception of fish (i think). the vibes were good, the outdoor area is really nice, great service, really delicious food!!! read more

Handlebar - vegan mac, Nashville Hot Fried " Chicken" Sandwich, Cup of Soup, Green Meanie Sandwich, - Vegetarian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Living in the suburbs, it's a bit of a drive to go to the city when you're super hungry. But we have been coming here whenever we can for 3 years. Handlebar is one of my favorite places and absolutely worth the drive. We sat at the bar, and our bartender Louis/Luis (I'm so sorry I didn't get the right spelling of your name!) was amazing as well. He was super cordial and made us feel better even while we were still feeling repercussions from the night out prior haha. We got two Nashville hot fried chicken Sandwiches with mashed potatoes and Mac and cheese. Their food is so amazing that I even got a Tuna Steak sandwich to go for later! The entire space in itself is so mesmerizing. There are tons of things that catch your attention on the walls. I wish I took photos- but next time I will. Thanks again Louis/Luis and Handlebar staff :) read more

Can you handle this bar, and restaurant? Handlebar is full of hipster stuff. It may be too much for suburban types. A lot of plant based items are on the menu, typically with a Mexican style such as burritos and chimichangas. The prices are typical for the area, but you get pretty big portions. After eating here a few times, I have sampled a good variety of choices. It pretty much has a Mexican American menu. There's a few items that aren't, but that's what it is for the most part. Even though it's not completely vegan or vegetarian, there's plenty to choose from. There's no doubt this is a totally hipster place. It's decorated like a college indie music fan's room, with just a hint of anarchism. The bar up front is good, but there's also a patio. Last time I was here we were having a little meeting. There was a special on Tecate and tequila. A good deal for $6, a can and a shot. The food was kickass as usual. I had the Vegan Chimichanga. Very hard to choose from all the vegan choices. It's about $13, but this was a really big thing. Almost was unable to finish it. This came with black beans, cashew queso, guacamole, pico de gallo, rice, seitan chorizo, and seasoned tofu. Holy crap it was filling. The others liked their stuff too. I know one had a Sloppy Joe. The Mean Green Sandwich looked good too. It had avocado and grilled tofu among the ingredients. That may be what I get next time. Basically everything is good. It's impossible to recommend one item. That means it's okay getting whatever. read more

Handlebar - Tecate And The Vegan Chimichanga - Vegetarian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Food: 5/5 Atmosphere: 4/5 Food: This might be my favorite Vegan restaurant in Chicago !! The have both vegan and vegetarian options for breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner! At this point I've tried so many items but my favorite might be the Vegan Chimichanga! The Vegan pancakes are also crazyyyy good! Oh and the vegan chili cheese fries ;) Atmosphere: After reading everything I just said about this place, you might not expect it to look the way it does. You walk into a bar and the restaurant is in the back. I was kind of thrown for a loop. Nonetheless, the patio is cozy and they have heated lamps outside to accommodate during the pandemic. The service is very very good! read more

Handlebar - Vegan Grilled Cheese Sandwich - Vegetarian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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This was one of my favorite spots when I lived in Chicago back in 2011 and I recently dragged my husband and two sons there on a family vacation to the city for Memorial Day weekend. They are requiring vaccine cards for entry which I appreciate. There was a wait to get onto the patio but we got seated inside right away. I got my usual order, a large fresh squeezed organic juice and biscuits and gravy with two eggs over easy. The juice is delicious, so refreshing and just as amazing as I remembered. My husband got the California burrito and was impressed they closely resembled his favorites back in San Diego - with French fries inside and lightly grilled outside. My four year old son enjoyed his scrambled eggs with cheddar and multigrain toast with butter and grape jelly. Our waiter was helpful and friendly. I cannot wait to come back! read more

Handlebar - Biscuits and Gravy with two eggs over easy - Vegetarian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Thank you Chicago for having amazing vegetarian/vegan options...and more importantly, the kind that do comfort food RIGHT! Or, even better than the OG comfort food! Yeah, I said it. Fried avocado tacos - holy f$*king sh!t!! The texture is perfect with accompanied slaw and the verde salsa completes it. For a heartier meal, add the rice to the taco. When it comes to those foods and flavors combining, you'll want these every week. Vegan Mac attack - dude. The cheese, which I believe is cashew, is out off this world creamy! They top it with their chili, some pico de gallo, chili powder and jalapeños. Again - they have perfected textures and flavors. I prefer their version than any other I've ever had. Nashville hot chicken - now this has a mushroom front but omg do they do it WELL. It tastes like the best, and pretty damn spicy, Nashville hot chicken sandwich you've ever had. But again, definitely has a big mushroom taste. Fried pickles - CRUNCHY SALTY GOODNESS! And hot! Get this...the ranch is vegan and yup, you guessed it, tastes better than any other ranch! read more

Handlebar - Sorry for the dark photo. Vegan chili Mac, Nashville hot and fried avocado tacos - Vegetarian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I used to really like this place. In the past few years, service has gone downhill to the point where the crew usually are found huddled behind the bar when you walk in and seem to reluctantly peel themselves away to take care of you. Not great but manageable until....I am vegan and this place advertises as being "vegan-friendly". I mean, they boast about their vegan food ALL the time. Then why do you allow a server to run around wearing a "Eat Cheese or Die" shirt? A server who is NOT new as I have seen them before (participating in that huddle and reluctantly acknowledging your presence)?? Eff you folks, I'm out. Don't insult me with your lackadaisical bs attitude. read more

Went for the first time over the weekend. First off, the best was the food. Everything was absolutely delicious. I do eat meat, but surly did not miss it here. The Nashville "Chicken" sandwich was fantastic! There is something on the menu for everyone. The prices are also good for the quality of food. If weather permits, I do recommend eating outside. The inside was a bit cramped and extremely loud. The garden outback was delightful and had great atmosphere. I found it made for a much better experience. So the bad, the service needs some work. I broke my ankle and am using a walker because I have not yet recovered my abilities. My husband dropped me off at the door with my sister because there is no way I could walk far. We went up to the hostess and explained, but they would not seat us until my husband got back. I understand that policy, but considering I am currently dealing with a physical restriction, it felt extremely ableist. I was not offered a place to at least sit while we waited. It was as if my walker was suddenly invisible. I stood for 10 minutes when I am barely permitted to put weight on my feet at all. Please do better Handlebar. Train your staff to notice and accommodate disabilities. I know a walker does not jive with the hipster ascetic, but it is insulting to be treated this way. read more

AMAZING! Love finding vegetarian/vegan gems. And I love even more that there is so much on the menu to pick from. The Sloppy Joe caught my eye and although it was messy (I ate it with a fork and knife), it was so delicious, especially with the slaw. I was impressed. The pretzel bun was a great compliment as well. The Nashville hot "chicken" was also delicious. It definitely tasted like a mushroom patty, but it was a very pleasant sandwich. I will be back to try more! read more

Handlebar - Sloppy Joe and Nashville Hot Fried " Chicken" Sandwich - Vegetarian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

If I could leave zero stars I would. This place has the worst service I have ever experienced. We sat down and waited over 10 minutes for our server to even acknowledge that we were sitting there. He said he'd "be right back" and then didn't come back for 5 minutes. Then, when he did come back, he took another tables order instead of ours. We just got up and walked away. When I asked to speak to the manager, low and behold our server was also the manager! Clearly he has no ability to organize his staff or run his restaurant. If there is a wait, then don't seat people. Or, stay more organized to go to the tables in the order they are seated. But you can't have it both ways. This place always has terrible service and this was just too much this time. And that manager is absolutely terrible at running his team. read more

What stood out about this place was the humongous portion of food they serve which was kinda ironic for a health conscious restaurants... I know this is probably most people's dream but quite a burden for me - it distracts me from quality to quantity. The food turned out to be okay. The vegan chimichanga was massive and saucy but got cold and soggy way before we were half way through...Also, all the ingredients fell apart as soon as we began eating. The tuna steak sandwich was huge as well with different ingredients on each slice of bread which made me pounder how to eat it... Tuna steak could use a bit of flavor as well. Fries were thinly cut and a bit soggy - not a fan. With everything said, the service was fast and attentive. Everything seemed reasonably priced unlike many restaurants in the neighborhood. I hope to try their other vegan dishes and beer next time cause I did like the vibe here. read more

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Dear Handlebar, We got delivery and it was friendly and timely. What was delivered? Fried avocado grilled cheese Tuna sandwich...meh Gouda Mac n cheese Collard greens The tuna steak was fresh but not seasoned. The garlic aoli wasn't enough to make up for that. But the bread and greens were fresh. Maybe a red onion slice would give it some kick. Being a person with southern roots, I was skeptical about ordering the collard greens. But this being a veg-forward restaurant, I got them anyway. You sautéed them, like kale. CG and kale are not interchangeable. Of course you wouldn't boil them with ham hocks but braising in a vegetable stock would help. I forgot to order chocolate for my kiddo. I picked it up later and it was fine. Not vegan, conventional. Nothing to write home about but I hear the pie is really good. read more

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I feel pretty bad giving this place such a poor review, but I had had higher hopes. Handlebar had been on my "must eat" list for vegetarian food in Chicago for quite some time, but there were a few things that just fell flat. Handlebar is located in Wicker Park/Bucktown which is a pretty hopping place to be (wasn't always the case). It's a vegetarian and vegan restaurant so this is a huge plus! Their menu is Tex-Mex inspired/focused and they have both indoor and outdoor seating. We decided to sit outside since it was such a nice day and not too hot. This place screams "dive bar" but not seedy in any way. We were seated, given water and then our server came by to take our orders. What we ordered: * Nachos with regular queso -- what makes their nachos so great is the queso and soy chorizo * 1/2 order biscuits and gravy with fried tofu on top -- this was pretty terrible. I had never really had biscuits and gravy before (since it's not usually a vegetarian dish and I didn't have it even when I did eat meat), so I figured it'd have to be good. I was very wrong. The dish was super soupy, was brought out in a tiny bowl so it was hard to eat, the biscuits were dry despite being smothered in the gravy and the fried tofu lacked any kind of spice or flavor * Buffalo "chicken" wrap -- my husband got this and wasn't very impressed. He said the "chicken" didn't really have any buffalo flavor, the lettuce was wilted and the wrap was hard to eat because it was overly dressed Aside from some lackluster food, our service could have been better in my opinion. None of the servers or people working there would smile or greeted anyone. They looked miserable like they didn't want to be working. Maybe we just came at a bad day or something, but I doubt we'll be back unfortunately. read more

Handlebar - Nachos with queso (not vegan queso) - Vegetarian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I'll be honest, the service is hit or miss. But, the food is delicious! One of the best vegan spots in Chicago! If you're in the Wicker Park area this is a restaurant, you should definitely visit. read more

Handlebar - Vegetarian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Back in June, my daughter was visiting from Denver. She's a vegan and always finds the hidden gems. It was too hot to sit outside but yolo. We ordered mimosas and palomas and both were tasty! We ordered the chimichanga, vegan French toast and pepita scramble. The portions were huge and delicious! We devoured the French toast! Would definitely love to go back when it isn't as hot out! Highly recommend! read more

Handlebar - Vegetarian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Our first time here was about 9 years ago and I can't believe it's taken me this long to write a review. It is well overdue. The space is a bit small, tables are tight and it's usually loud and busy but feels sort-of intimate. The staff is friendly but sometimes short due to how busy it can be and you can tell they're just trying to get everyone taken care of. They'll always answer questions though, make sure your order is right, and check to see you have any extras things you need for the table (condiments, water, napkins, etc). Food is flavorful and comes out quickly. We've ordered carryout several times through the pandemic and most of the food packages up and travels well. The only thing we've ever ordered carryout which I would not again is the Nashville Hot Friend "Chicken" although we live about 50 minutes away which might have more to do with it but the mushrooms used for the sandwich did not reheat as well as I would have preferred. I can't say this is their fault though. Still plenty of other good menu items. My husbands favorite is the Vegan Chili Mac which is a large portion and very good both dining in and carryout. I like the Black Bean Murado and the vegan chimichanga both dine in and carry out and the green meanie is good too which I've only had as dine in. For all the times we've been there we tend to stick to our favorite items. Desserts are also good. They carry Pie Pie My Darling cakes, a local vegan bakery but these sell out quickly. Other desserts like the fried pies and oatmeal cream pie are also delicious. Most desserts are large enough to share unless you really want to indulge your sweet tooth and get a good sugar rush which I've done a few times. So many yummy items to pick from. The drink menu is also full of some good brunch classics and other fun drinks too. The back patio is a good spot on a nice day. We often end up in this part of the city when we're out together and even if we just ate here a few days before and decide to go to a nearby place for dinner instead of eating the same place twice in a week we usually will make the extra stop to pick up dessert or have a drink because we both like their menu items so much. read more

Handlebar - Pie, Pie My Darling's Vegan Biscoff Cake - Vegetarian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Just amazing. Has vegan, vegetarian, and pescatarian options and they're all good. The service is great and they have a cute outdoor area. Also, very strong drinks read more

I have been to Handlebar a few times. I have always enjoyed the food. The breakfast chimichanga is amazing. So are the fried pickles. Service is solid. My issue is the music. Went on a Sunday for breakfast and we were subjected to the extreme noise music. Loud and not great for a Sunday morning. I get it you are cool and alternative, but tone that music down. read more

First time coming here! I got the chicken wrap and it was too spicy for me. My friend really enjoyed her avocado grilled cheese though. The fries were salty as well. What bothered me was that the tables next to us were seated after us and got their food much sooner. Waitress apologized and that's about it. Not the best place for me, but I think I would still recommend to vegan/vegetarian friends. read more

Handlebar - Fried Avocado Grilled Cheese - Vegetarian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

A really nice eclectic/quirky restaurant. I went with my husband and I decided to have a late dinner and we are newly plant based and this establishment has great reviews on Yelp (y'all know I rocks with Yelp when it comes to selecting anything). We went around 8. No reservation was required (great) and we were greeted and sat right away. They have inside and outside seating. We chose inside. Our server came over with water right away and asked if we would like anything other than water to drink, which we did not. He asked if we had any questions about the menu and if we were ready to order. They had a Buffalo un-chicken wrap, which I asked the waiter about and he said, it's okay but he preferred the Nashville Hot un-chicken, which comes in a sandwich form but I asked for it as a wrap. The husbae ordered the fried avocado tacos with the fresh cut fries. The food was out to us within 10 mins. Everything was delicious. The husbae did say the tacos could use a little more flavor but the chalula helped that. I would definitely go back here and would certainly recommend, whether you are plant based or not. read more

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