Chicago Raw — Restaurant in Chicago

I recently visited Chicago Raw for the first time and had high hopes given their mission and dedication to raw, plant based cuisine. As a vegan of eight years, I’m always excited to support businesses aligned with conscious eating and wellness. That said, while the environment was welcoming and the staff incredibly friendly and professional, the food itself left a lot to be desired.

I spent around $70 to try a variety of items from the menu. The presentation was thoughtful, and I could tell a lot of care went into sourcing and preparing the food. However, the biggest issue I encountered across nearly every dish was the lack of flavor balance. • The hummus, for example, was overwhelmingly acidic, the lemon was so dominant that it masked every other ingredient. It wasn’t bright or refreshing; it was harsh. • The mustard served with the meat patties was similarly intense, far too tart, to the point where it distracted from the patty entirely. • The sushi, which had a pumpkin seed filling, again suffered from poor flavor balance. It tasted like an over-concentration of one or two ingredients, lacking the nuance and harmony that make plant-based sushi enjoyable. • The granola was okay, nothing too special but decent enough.

I fully support what Chicago Raw is trying to do, offer clean, health forward meals, but there’s a crucial distinction between food that’s “healing” and food that’s palatable. Raw food doesn’t have to be bland or overpowering; it just needs the right touch. Unfortunately, it seems like many of the dishes could benefit from the expertise of a seasoned plant based chef, someone who truly understands how to layer and balance flavors in raw cuisine.

If I were to return, it would likely be just for a smoothie. I genuinely appreciate the service and the positive, professional energy of the staff, but the menu, as it stands, needs more refinement.

Final Thoughts: Love the mission. Love the people. But flavor is key, and currently, Chicago Raw misses the mark on that front. I wouldn’t recommend the food to anyone who’s truly vegan or...

I'm sorry but on Friday I regretfully ordered a raw cacao drink and I specifically stated to the counter girl that I was craving the drink iced. She explained to me that they usually serve the raw cacao drink hot but she would definitely be happy to create the drink for me and see what happens. I was super excited to try it and after I paid $5.50 I took a sip and realized it was all water and not made with almond milk. Typically hot or iced chocolate milk is created with either dairy, rice milk, oat milk, soy or almond milk; but she made me this horrible tasting cacao water drink with ice cubes and no sweetener. I didn't like the taste and mentioned my drink wasn't rich but bitter and watery tasting so she explained to me that she forgot to mention options and she suggested that she should add some stevia to cut the bitterness of the raw cacao. I was in a hurry to take my drink to go so I politely refused her offer to make me another drink using almond milk. I honestly don't think she is a barista so I feel that even if did recreate the drink for me I still wouldn't have enjoyed it. I tried samples of their vegan desserts and raw food options but it didn't spark my interest. I know that there are some tasty options if you wish to pursue a raw vegan lifestyle but this place definitely falls short of my expectations and the items they have ready for purchase come listed with a very high pricetag so I'm sure it's because it's very expensive for this place to be located just off the Magnificent Mile. I'm very particular About what I eat and even though I'm a true chocoholic and have enjoyed raw cacao nibs in the past I did end up disliking my watery drink so much that I tossed half the drink away in the garbage as I walked several blocks away. I'm not sure if the woman preparing my drink actually drinks the cacao based on the horrible taste of my drink but I don't recommend this tiny vegan restaurant if you are expecting something...

I use to love Chicago Raw, it was my special treat to myself since 2015. This pandemic changed the way I feel about this place. I've spent a lot of money in this place, and completely feel digusted. I visited this establishment in MARCH for my birthday, so excited. I had a relative give me $100 to get the few items I've craved. I'm usually Raw 5-7 times a year. Well, the food was fermented, God awful. I live by Oakpark so I instagramed the owner, immediately after, no response, Which she usually does.

July 17, 2020 Four months later an email was sent to me. I was shell shocked. I explained my unhappiness one again via email, this was the response.

"H Michelle! I am so sorry about this experience. Next time we ask if you please bring back the food with receipt. Our food is made with no preservatives and we do our best to ensure freshness. There is a chance that an item was not rotated properly. I am going to send you a coupon to make up for it. Our apologies!"

What, are you kidding me. I was sick for a week after the vegetables were sold to the public and was no good. The food fermented in my system and caused a Chohns disease flare up badly. A coupon was all that was offering on August 17, 2020.

Oh by the way it's December 9th, 8:12pm, no coupon was sent. This moment let me know how she's valued me as a customer. I feel disregarded, dismissed, & disrespected. Karma knows no name, no gender, no race, no wealth, it's coming.

Thumbs down 6 feet under! I don't refer this place to any of my clients who want to treat themselves to something healthier. Did she think I forgot. No ma'am was invested in my Masters in Nutrition, as I was doing an assignment it reminded me how horrible I was treated and to never treat anyone like this.

In closing, You will hear of this establishment in the future, Karma does what it...