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Spirit Elephant

4.5 (359 reviews)
Closed • 11:00 am - 3:00 pm, 4:30 PM - 9:00 PM
Updated over 3 months ago

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Recommended Reviews - Spirit Elephant

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Ice tea
Pat C.

My brother has been a strict vegan for a decade. He owns a vegan pizza company and he brought me to his favorite vegan restaurant - - Spirit Elephant for a weekday lunch. The experience was excellent. The food is gourmet and totally delicious. Jose was our server. He was a very upbeat and positive waiter. I had the Massaman Curry. It was loaded with fresh, crunchy vegetables and the curry sauce was smooth and slightly sweet. A large portion, I brought half of it home. My brother ordered the Forbidden Summer entree. He ate every bite! The dining room is clean and orderly with lots of plants. They also have a nice outdoor dining area where they have live music on Thursday evenings. I wondered about the name of the restaurant. It says this on their website: "Why is elephant in our name? Elephants are compassionate, intelligent, and powerful, and they use that power for the benefit of others in their herd communities. That ethos and spirit represent our passion and purpose beautifully." This is a great place. Come visit!

Marcus D.

Great looking restaurant both in thr nain dining area as well as by the bar. Much better experience this time. We ordered the mushroom vegetable appetizer was very good but not as good as the mock Korean meatloaf with mashed potatoes and the pour of Weller Antique 107. Service was very good.

Happy hour bao buns, mocktail, poke nachos, cauliflower wings
Kate S.

I finally came here, and idk why it took me so long to given that I am 99% vegan (and 100% vegetarian). Omg. I got one of my friends to come here for happy hour with me and it was amazing. The cauliflower wings (mango chili) and poke nachos were insane. She really liked the bao buns and her mocktail as well. I will 100% be back.

Diablo
Mai S.

This is a vegan restaurant and we're not vegan. I point that out because where we're from, vegan is a bad word. We went during happy hour and sat at the bar. We had several cocktails and several small plates. Everyone liked everything (except me not caring for the sliders because I'm sometimes weirded out by meat substitute that is supposed to be very meat like - I don't hold that against them. Everyone else said it was good) Our favorite item was the crispy tofu bao. Sooooo good The staff was nice and their place was so cute. I highly recommend going there!

Shradha A.

I can't believe I waited so long to try out Spirit Elephant but now I'm addicted and can't stop dreaming of the gnocchi flavors on their new menu! The patio in the back is gorgeous and the setting transports you to Santa Monica. Given my food allergies, we received special attention from their AGM Jordan, who was patient and helpful even on a busy Saturday night. Our server was clearly newer because I could see how friendly and attentive the server assigned to the other half of the room was, always available and bustling around, whereas ours kept getting caught chatting away with another server inside - we just couldn't find her when we needed to add to our order or ask for a spoon - even though things were so busy that night that their leadership was all-hands-on-deck, bringing out dishes to the tables/ taking out trash, etc. I hope they're able to build a server staff as impressive and dedicated as their leadership. We ordered a couple of appetizers - the soy-free baba ghanouj on gluten-free flatbread and the chicken rolls (not GF, nor SF) as well as the ginger non-alcoholic drink - everything was fresh, flavorful, and delicious. We then had the gnocchi, which I've already mentioned was unique but in the best ways! It was GF and SF too! Can't wait to return and try more dishes on their menu. I wanted to order one of each!

Love how they point out "we use familiar names for reference only"
Tabitha W.

Spirit Elephant has been on my list for a while, but it is a journey coming from Northwest Indiana. We finally decided to commit to a reservation during our anniversary month, and booked a dinner slot during the week. I would have preferred lunch, but they don't have the full menu available for the days they serve lunch, and I NEEDED to try that Cast-Iron Ribeye ($39). It was pretty incredible! My husband had the Lemon Chicken Piccata ($26), which he enjoyed but not as much as mine. We shared the Creme Brulee Cheesecake ($14), which was good but not a huge amount of food. The space is beautiful, and the service was good! It leans a little upscale but not in a pretentious way. I hope to make the journey back up north again someday.

Karan V.

I'm not a fan of vegan food where everything is so away and what not but the good thing about this place is they have a lot many options not just soy based products. Our service Erica suggested many good things and they were really good. My personal fave was cauliflower wings And fried chicken sandwich. Overall, this place is an upscale dining area where you feel welcomed with all the natural light, you can see. The location was very convenient as well close to a park so ample parking space around it

Cauli Wings
Amanda K.

We've been to Spirit Elephant several times over the last years, however, this past experience was so bad and frankly weird it has made us not want to return. Both my husband and dad wanted to order the brunch Chicken and Waffles, but wanted to confirm portion size so asked our waitress if she could confirm with the kitchen how many pieces of chicken they would receive. She forgot the first time, so went back to the kitchen and asked and confirmed two pieces. When the food came out, there was only one piece. Keep in mind the dish is $$$ and the portions are small, so they wouldn't have ordered this dish if they knew they were getting one piece. The waitress didn't even notice, and when we mentioned that there was only one the waitress said she would talk to the manager. Almost 20 minutes later she still hadn't returned, and when she did she was all flustered and said the manager was supposed to talk to us. Another 10 minutes later (we all had finished eating) the manager comes over with two plates in his hands, sets the chicken down on another tables and says: "I brought the chicken but I guess it doesn't matter anymore, I'll comp one of the dishes", and he didn't give us the chicken, and then stomped back to the back and threw out the additional pieces. It was so weird. From how odd the waitress was (her manager seemed terrible so we'll just blame him), to not quickly resolving the issue until our meal had already been finished, to throwing out the extra chicken, it was just such a strange experience. We would not go back. If your kitchen tells you how much food you're going to get and then you deliver something different, that's a really bad experience... especially when the dishes are more expensive. Thankfully, they comp'd the dishes, otherwise this would've been one star. But really confused how this person is a manager with such poor communication and behavior.

J R.

My girlfriend and I have been wanting to try this place for quite some time, but live south of Chicago. Today we had our chance. We ordered through DoorDash, and the order was accurate, and everything was delicious. Because of our location AND our shared anticipation, we decided to get three things off of the brunch menu: the Breakfast Burrito, Ranchero Skillet, and Southern Fried Chicken Sandwich. The Breakfast Burrito was rolled tightly, and you could see all of the different fresh ingredients before devouring. It was cut in half, making consumption and sharing convenient. We chose to have this made with Just Egg, but tofu is an option as well. The food had a little spice to it, which I loved, but my partner, who is more sensitive to spice, focused her attention on other items. Such as... her favorite, which was the Ranchero Skillet. This was made with scrambled tofu, chorizo, ranchero sauce, and an assortment of other toppings (e.g., peppers, onion, avocado, tortilla strips). Each spoonful consisted of an array of flavors comparable to a sophisticated burrito bowl(?). The Southern Fried Chicken Sandwich was a little sloppy but in the most endearing way. The chicken was tender and not at all chewy, unlike anything I had ever had previously, with delicious breading all around the outside. Presumably this is something they make in house. This came with coleslaw on the sandwich, and the pickles were so fresh they still looked like cucumbers (i.e., not like store bought pickles typically found in restaurants). We passed the sandwich this and forth until it was no gone. There are different sides to choose from, from which we chose fries and the crispy potatoes. Both were good and the crispy potatoes are a nice alternative to more basic forms of potatoes that are often served in restaurants with breakfast foods. We hope to visit in person in the near future and try more of the items from their menus. I'm sure it's all great.

Kate C.

We really liked our meal at Spirit Elephant! The cauliflower wings were delicious. I got the spicy curry tofu dish as my main meal and it was very good. The carrot cake dessert might have been my favorite. Our server was awesome and the outside space is really cool. The only dish that we weren't crazy about was the carrot appetizer. We would definitely come back!!

Cauli-wings with garlic Parmesan and mango chilli sauce
Nanci B.

Ambiance was good and so was the food . The portions are pretty decent . Cauli- wings were delicious .

Southern Fried Chicken Sandwich

Went to Spirit Elephant for the first time for brunch. The ambiance and service were great! What was underwhelming was the food. As a vegan restaurant, it would be awesome if they didn't try to replicate "meat" and "fish" dishes and focused on amazing vegan dishes that highlighted seasonal fruits and vegetables in unique ways. For example, the watermelon and arugula salad with a curry dressing and "feta" was delicious! Just vegetarian and vegan forward ingredients with unexpected flavor profiles. I ordered the fried "chicken" sandwich and my friend ordered the lemon and blueberry pancakes. Her dish was lovely, super fresh ingredients that highlighted summer fruits. There was even an option to make it gluten free, which is rare for restaurant pancake options. My sandwich was underwhelming. It was a very small portion with the ratio of toppings to chicken being off. The fries tasted okay but were a bit soggy and limp. I could have put a Quorn patty and frozen fries in my home air fryer and made better sandwich and side. I would be willing to try again with the dinner menu but I'm not sure it would be worth the high prices. Overall, if you're looking for vegan options, lots of gluten free options, and live in the area, this is a great place to add to your rotation! Because I am less limited in my food options (I'm pescatarian with no food allergies), there are other places that would rank higher on the list.

Waffles!
Jenn C.

Took my mother here for brunch and we were both delighted with the service, the ambience and the food. I really enjoyed the waffles with chicken. Really great menu and all vegan. Definitely would love to return there next time. I am in Chicago.

Pancakes with strawberries

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Food is fine but nothing to write home over. I appreciate the vegan approach, though, and the atmosphere is modern and relaxing.

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22 days ago

Love the food. Love the people. Love the ambience. Everything is delicious! a must try!

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Spirit Elephant Reviews in Other Languages

Ask the Community - Spirit Elephant

Looks like a great place. I see the menu mentions options with eggs, but also see the PSA saying that the restaurant uses no animal products of any type. Do you use "real" eggs, or is an egg-like alternative used in those items?…

The egg product is "Just Egg" which is a mung bean based egg alternative. They also have scrambled tofu if you prefer!

Do you offer any gluten free options? I am vegan and have celiac disease and would love to plan a date night if I know the food is safe for me.

Hi Candice. We get asked this a lot. We have many menu items with no added gluten--and so they are ideal for people with gluten intolerance. We also have procedures in place when people tell us they have a gluten allergy. However, because there… Read more

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Fred's Garage - Salmon burger

Fred's Garage

3.6(190 reviews)
0.8 mi
•$$

They have the best Berger on the Northshore It is a great…read moreplace to meet friends The decor is adorable I love the wall of Fred's The salads are very good but I can never resist the burger

Fred's Garage is truly a hidden gem in Winnetka. From the moment you walk in, the atmosphere is…read morewarm, inviting, and full of character. The space has a relaxed yet stylish vibe that works perfectly for brunch, lunch, or a night out with friends. The food is consistently outstanding. Every dish is flavorful and thoughtfully prepared with fresh ingredients. And I have to call this out specifically: their Fred's Garage habanero sauce with a hint of pineapple is easily one of the best sauces I've ever tried. Just the right balance of heat, sweetness, and flavor it's unforgettable. The service is what really sets this place apart. Jessica is hands down one of the best servers you'll ever come across kind, attentive, and always on point. Gabby is also amazing, bringing great energy and genuine care to every table/bar area. The owner, Cary, clearly pours his heart into the restaurant, and that pride shows in everything from the food to the atmosphere to the staff. In the summer, the patio is the place to be. The live bands and outdoor setting create a fun, welcoming vibe that makes you want to take your time, relax, and enjoy the moment. Whether you're local or passing through, Fred's Garage is the place you'll want to come back to again and again.

Photos
Fred's Garage - Watching the game while at our table.

Watching the game while at our table.

Fred's Garage - Fred slaw

Fred slaw

Fred's Garage

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Mino's - Pizza

Mino's

4.2(210 reviews)
0.1 mi
•$$

Great pizza! Amazing ambience! Frito misto cannot be missed!…read more I actually loved everything we ordered! Such a gem of a place ! Can't wait to go back

This was a very nice visit for Italian out in Winnetka. We had a date to go to Lightscape at the…read moreChicago Botanical Gardens and looked for a place close by to have dinner before ... thus we found Mino's. It was a very nice place with simple decor, had great ambiance for families, a lot of outdoor seating that we could return for with better weather, and a little firepit going on the patio to greet you as you walked up to the front door. Nice start. One of their hallmarks is handmade pasta and pizza ... and for dinner one in our party had the Il Mino pizza (4 stars, which was very nice with little pieces of Calabrian chili in it to give it some oomph and a generous helping of sausage); another had the White Truffle Pasta (5 star stuff, with shaved white truffles on top of very nice pasta); and the last had the Tortelloni (4 star stuff that was delightful, but just a bit al dente). I was leaning toward a 4 star rating for the whole experience here, but had to round it up to 5 stars because of the Burrata appetizer ... creamy cheese and nice prosciutto. Other stuff: as a family place, you should expect that there will probably be kids running back and forth, something which is not the establishment's fault ... but can be distracting at times; the full-service bar served up nicely curated drinks, but suffered a bit from small pours; service (Andrew) was exceptional, as he appeared every time we were just about in need; easy 90 minute street parking was available; the men's bathroom could have used a bit of attending; and they don't offer bread for the table: probably because some bread appears with appetizers like the crostini that came with the Burrata, and they probably want you to get a pizza rather than fill up on plain bread. While they have gone the way of most restaurant in adding a 3% surcharge for using a credit card ... all in all this was a very nice dinner ... we will be back.

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Mino's - Dining room

Dining room

Mino's - GF? DF?  They have GF pizza crust here.  And will custom make a pizza for you!

GF? DF? They have GF pizza crust here. And will custom make a pizza for you!

Mino's - Exterior

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Exterior

Guanajuato - 3 Enchiladas San Miguel

Guanajuato

3.4(186 reviews)
0.2 mi
•$$

This place was good, but lacking a little flavor. It was also pricier than it should be for the…read moreportion and taste you get. Our server was nice, and the chips were all right, but I don't think I'll come back here again. Parking is either street parking or behind the building in a garage.

This place was recommended by Diane at Lifetime Fitness as I'm always up for trying Mexican places…read moreespecially in the North Shore. I have to support el gente! Unfortunately they didn't support me. My son and I came here for lunch and we were really greeted as the bartender served as the host and a few other employees were doing stuff around the restaurant. We were seated and my son was hungry so I ordered his food right away which was Quesadillas con Queso. They came out quick but it would've been helpful to let me know the rice was a little spicy. If you need a high chair for someone at the table, you should probably let them know about the spice in the rice. Other than that, he ate the food. I asked for milk as well. I ordered the Carne Asada (yes a heavy my lunch order) but obvs I was hungry. It was very good and had some sort of marinade but couldn't figure out what it was. The rice and beans were bad as the rice didn't taste fresh and the beans were blah. Also I had to ask for more corn tortillas since I only got 3. The service was ok and I was never asked what I wanted to drink. My biggest beef was when other patrons (all Caucasian) walked into the restaurant, they were greeted immediately and made a hell of a lot more welcome than us. It was weird to hear how over accommodating that same person who was on his computer when we walked in, jumped off his seats for the other patrons walking in. The nicest person by far was a women who brought me more tortillas and actually engaged with my son. No need to come back here but cmon gente, get it together when fellow gente walk in.

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Guanajuato - Live music

Live music

Guanajuato - Sizzling Fajitas

Sizzling Fajitas

Guanajuato - Blackberry Rosemary Margarita

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Blackberry Rosemary Margarita

Carlos And Carlos - tiramisu

Carlos And Carlos

4.5(121 reviews)
3.4 mi
•$$

I must have passed Carlos and Carlos hundreds of times on Green Bay Road, always wondered if it was…read morea Mexican restaurant. Found out it's Italian, so based on positive reviews, my wife and I went there early last night. To start they bring out a warm mini-loaf of crusty bread with a small serving of garlicky olive tapenade -- we knew right away we were gonna enjoy this place. The Bella salad had a huge amount of arugula, pear, figs and goat cheese, enough for two. My wife had a special: spinach stuffed ravioli, with a paper thin dough -- very light and buttery. I had the tasty vermicelli amatriciana -- a huge serving, the leftovers was my lunch today. What's interesting was the waitstaff tag-teamed us: Everyone could do everything from take our orders to bus dishes -- you could see they were pros, had worked together for a long time. The only negative (which I will not deduct a star for): There were two huge TV's playing with their sound off -- this did not add anything, were rather distracting. But the food and service won us over -- we will be back.

I was looking for a place to have dinner with a former co-worker who lives up near the border of…read moreWisconsin. I was trying to find a place at least midway between us and discovered Carlos and Carlos on Yelp. Carlos and Carlos is old school from the perspective you actually have to call the restaurant to make a reservation. The space itself is located in what I think is a condo building. The space itself is compact, with tables relatively close together. We ended up sitting at table next to the kitchen door, which for me turned out not to be too bad as we were not sitting on top of other folks. The restaurant and bar were packed as it was a Saturday. Based on the size of the space and number of tables, I would strongly suggest making a reservation if you go there. We started out with fresh bread and one of their specials for the night: flash fried calamari served w/fresh tomatoes, pepperoncini peppers, shaved garlic, black olives, capers & garlic butter. This was a first for me as I have never had calamari served this way and it was great. Definitely a dish I would drive back to get. The bread was wonderful and hot. I could see through the kitchen as fresh bread was being pulled out of either a warmer or oven, not sure. It was served with some sort of olive oil and pesto, I think. It made for a lovely spread on the bread. For dinner I ordered a dish called "Meatballs" and it was just that, a whole lotta meatballs with some spaghetti thrown in as a side...HAHAHA! Not complaining, just staying a fact. The meatballs and pasta were good, but I would say there was a fair amount of garlic in the dish. I had my dish as a leftover and as I was warming it up, The Doctor commented that he could smell the garlic. The Doctor had the Pollo Vesuvio, which also came with pasta. I had a small piece and it was pretty nice. Again there was more meat than pasta, but again we were not complaining. The chicken was nice and tender and had a lovely flavor to it. My GF got the Risotto Al Fungi (Arborio served with wild mushrooms & goat cheese). Prior to sampling her dish, I would have absolutely stated that this was a dish I would not order in a restaurant as I wouldn't have any interest in it. I tried a spoonful of my GF's and was amazed at how good it was! The broth that the risotto was cooked in was chicken and I think beef. That with the goat cheese made this a very nice dish and the second reason I would drive here to do a repeat visit for dinner. Portion sizes were nice as The Doctor and I had plenty to eat and enough for light snack the next day. My GF had no leftovers, she became a member of the clean plate club. For dessert we shared a slice of the chocolate mousse cake, which was really nice. It had a lovely dark flavor to it and was creamy in texture. Service was nice and everyone was friendly. There is plenty of street parking within walking distance as well. While this is a bit of a drive for us to get to since it is outside of the city, I could see coming back here. I think I want to try a serving of that risotto on my own instead of a taste.

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Carlos And Carlos
Carlos And Carlos - Braised short ribs

Braised short ribs

Carlos And Carlos - Chocolate Mousse Cake, very good

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Chocolate Mousse Cake, very good

Spirit Elephant - vegan - Updated May 2026

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