Long before Lakeview was known as the hip and health-conscious mecca of Chicago, the Chicago Diner had already carved itself a niche in the up-and-coming community. In 1983, the vegetarian and vegan-friendly restaurant started growing its legion of fans with traditional, all-American cuisine. They've brought the whole vegetarian lifestyle down to earth to appeal to the masses. Order piping-hot comfort food like 'meatless' loaves (made with black-eyed peas, lentils or tofu), Shepard's pie (made with lentil tempuh-bake) or Cowboy chili (made with veggies and beans). Chow down on filling sandwiches like the Groovy Gyros (made with seitan, vegan cucumber sauce, on whole wheat pita), BBQ Chix kaiser (with barbecue 'chicken'-style seitan) or the Yes Dog (jumbo 'hot dog'). And there's even a kiddie menu: grilled cheese, peanut butter and jelly with bananas, or quesadillas. For the sweet tooth, Chicago Diner also bakes their own goodies, made with whole, natural and fresh ingredients that are dairy and egg-free. Some of the favorites include the cheesecakes, carrot cake, cocoa mousse cake, German chocolate cake and banana poppyseed cake.

Want More? The vegan desserts are sold at Whole Foods, Wild Oats Hinsdale, Earwax Cafe and the Evanston's Peoples' Market. -- Audarshia Townsend (Photo: Jeff Yoders)