Native Foods — Restaurant in Chicago

This chain actually has good vegan food, but there is something in their service that I have not been able to figure out. The staff is always nice and smile, but why it always takes them 30-45min to get my order is puzzling when I see others get served within 5-10 min. I even see others that came in after me get served before I do. It’s close to work, I’m vegan, so I frequent it often. At times, they’ll forget I had an order. I’ve complained before, and it resulted in an apology by HQ, but nothing has changed here, whether I come in at 12, 1, 2 or 7pm- either it takes them 30+min, a mistake in the order, or altogether forget my order. I figure they see me coming and purposely do it now, can’t figure out any other reason, though. I never make a scene, I’m always quiet and polite, and even leave a tip every single time. I’ve found other vegan places to frequent, maybe it’s just this location or just me, but I’m sure they’ll get to you eventually.

Updated review from 10 months ago: Revisited and nothing has changed except I took them down from 3 stars to 1. Here’s why: Consistently unpredictable on service, wait time, order correctness and food quality. You’re basically throwing dice at this location. The double cheeseburger patties were completely blackened, with a pretty funny attempt at hiding it by removing the cheese from the less burned side, adding cheese to the burnt sides, then lathering sauce all over it. They actually put a lot of work into it. If it hadn’t been for me almost breaking my teeth as the patties were so solidly burned and was like cardboard, I wouldn’t have noticed. Also, they don’t know the difference between their meatball sub and bistro steak sandwich. Receipt always states correct order, but what comes out of the kitchen, not so much.

I really want this location to succeed, there is just something not quite right in management, training, cooking-something. Other city locations are excellent, though.

Update 2020: They did it, new manager and this place runs well...

Ironically, just as I'd posted earlier from "Feed Your Head" I'd already mapped out and planned to hit Native Foods for takeout to bring with me on the last 21-hour leg of my train trip back to NYC - because, once again, Amtrak SUCKS when it comes to Vegan food options - as in, there ARE none (unless you like eating pretzels and hummus sold in those little plastic cups, for breakfast lunch and dinner! 😳) Anyway, I ordered a Buddha Bowl, and a Chicken, "Bacon" & Avo Club with a side of Potato Salad. Between that, and the gyro from Feed Your Head, I should be alright until I return to NY, NY! Update #1: I opted to have the Chicken, Bac'n & Avo with Potato Salad for breakfast (I was so hungry, I snapped the photo added here, AFTER I bit into it - 😋 - LOL - BTW, that's just outside of Buffalo, NY whizzing by in the background - feels kinda nice being back in my home state again ♥️) This really hit the spot, and tasted really good even after 12 hours on the train, so I can imagine how good it is freshly made! The Potato Salad, with fresh dill, (I LOVE dill) was tasty and tangy. This, with a freshly made coffee in the Cafe car was one of the best breakfasts I've had in a long time. Bravo, Native Foods! 👏👏🌱 Update #2 - so more than 12 hours later, we're still on the train, due to heavy rain and severe flooding in the entire Hudson Valley Region....never made it past Rhinecliff, and we're currently being pulled back up to Albany, New York where we'll either be put up for the night in a hotel (not betting on that,) or else Amtrak is working with New York State to have buses brought in that will bring us to our NYC destination (Moynihan/Penn Station) And, once again, I was rescued by a Vegan establishment, this time with Native Foods sweet and savory Buddha Bowl, which held up perfectly over the last 29 or so hours. 😀

Updated from previous review on 2023-07-09

Pros: Excellent customer service, Food is...

This place is pretty good! I didn’t love some things I got but having only ordered 5 things, I can only speak about those. I’m sure they have some stellar items! 5/5 stars for service, staff, atmosphere, quick service, quality of items, portion sizes and overall experience!

-1 star for the medicoreness of the meals. I’ve had a lot of vegan food and it wasn’t above and beyond. I feel like it’s because I prefer vegan items that aren’t “American” cuisine, so I will give it to the restaurant that they offer stellar options. I got the po-boy sandwich and it had no flavor. The cauliflower was very big and hard to bite. I also got the Buffalo cauliflower wings and there was too much sauce; I’ve had better. Also ordering online they didn’t offer ranch sauce which balances out the meal best. The benigets were crispy and brown, not soft, and the chocolate tasted cheap. The fries (regular and sweet) were really thin, crispy, and the quantity is small. Wouldn’t buy any of these options again!

What I did really enjoy was the Buffalo tenders, the Mac and cheese, the oatmeal cream pie and the cheesecake. The quality of these are INSANE and I would absolutely buy these again. The cream pie is incredible and it’s also huge. I want to try all their desserts. My sister loves the cauliflower bowl - has gotten it twice in 2 days and told her gf to get it lol. She liked it too. My gf liked the lobster roll!

I say go here and try it out - they have a lot of options and you (mostly)...