The Chicago Diner, Logan Square

This is a casual, offbeat vegan/vegetarian restaurant right near the Blue Line California stop that also offers GF options. Service was good, food was mixed. We had a tofu and veggie stir fry (delicious!) and the mushroom and lentil loaf (okay, not our favorite) and a vegan vanilla Chai cheesecake for dessert (okay, not strongly vanilla Chai flavored.) Waitress was knowledgeable about GF and the menu had a few good GF options. Our big challenge and scare came when I noticed what looked like barley in the mushroom lentil loaf. I asked the waitress if there was barley in it, she did not think so, but she pulled out a handy-dandy loose-leaf notebook which listed absolutely every ingredient in every dish in the restaurant! The good news: it was NOT barley, just brown rice that opened to what looked like barley. The bad news: the restaurant used Better Than Boullion in the loaf dish, which is not certified GF! I informed the server who said she would inform the kitchen, but I waited nervously for the hour it usually takes for symptoms to kick in. I did not get sick - excellent news - but if I went back, I would ask for the ingredient list for any dish I ordered to ensure it only had safe ingredients.

How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Not very

Safety Feature Ratings

• Staff is knowledgeable and can answer questions
• Staff will clean kitchen space or change gloves if asked

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Gluten-free items are marked on the main menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Some

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Average

Other Characteristics

• Good for breakfast/brunch
• Good for dairy-free
• Good for dinner
• Good for kids
• Good for lunch
• Good for takeout
• Good selection of healthy options
• Good vegan options
• Good vegetarian options
• Good with other allergies

I love this spot. They are very very mindful of what is cross-contaminated and what is not and I really appreciate how upfront they are about that. Everything marked on the menu. I come here a lot and don’t get sick. I get the mexicana breakfast bowl and LOVE it! Their gf and vegan cheesecake is safe and MIND BLOWING!

How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Somewhat

Safety Feature Ratings

• Dedicated gluten-free space in the kitchen
• Other dedicated kitchen equipment (oven, toaster, pots, pans, utensils, etc.)
• Staff is knowledgeable and can answer questions
• Staff will clean kitchen space or change gloves if asked

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Gluten-free items are marked on the main menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Most/All

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Excellent

Other Characteristics

• Good for breakfast/brunch
• Good for dairy-free
• Good for dinner
• Good for kids
• Good for lunch
• Good for takeout
• Good selection of healthy options
• Good vegan options
• Good vegetarian options
• Good with other allergies
• Offers delivery
• Offers online ordering

This is a vegan diner with amazing options for vegetarian and dairy free people also.My waiter was knowledgeable about celiac and cross-contamination — however they warned me that they would do everything they could but couldn’t promise cross contamination. They do have a separate “gluten-friendly” menu but they were very careful not to say that it was “gluten free”. Also, the fryers are shared so that makes a lot of the menu unsafe. I had the Karma burger with a gf bun with mash potatoes and they did toast the bun on a sanitized griddle for me, so that was great. I was there in the mid afternoon though so if it’s a busier time, they may not have an extra griddle available.

How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Somewhat

Safety Feature Ratings

• Staff is knowledgeable and can answer questions
• Staff will clean kitchen space or change gloves if asked

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Separate gluten-free menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Not Much

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Good

Other Characteristics

• Good for breakfast/brunch
• Good for dairy-free
• Good for dinner
• Good for lunch
• Good for takeout
• Good selection of healthy options
• Good vegan options
• Good vegetarian options