Best Takeout Food Restaurants in Chicago River

"No Chicago day tour is complete without indulging in a some deep dish pizza, so grab a slice at Lou Malnati’s on N Wells Street which many locals swear is the best joint in town (or Giordano’s, or Gino’s East, depending who you ask). From there it’s only a couple more blocks to the Flamingo Rum Club, which is known for its mural depicting a trio of larger-than-life, fluorescent pink flamingos…AKA Instagram heaven and one of the best photo spots in Chicago."

"A Chicago list of restaurants would not be complete without that classic Chicago favorite – pizza!. Lou Malnati’s is considered the oldest family name in Chicago pizza, with plenty of restaurants throughout Chicagoland. Lou’s offers both thin and deep crust pizzas (including gluten-free options!), as well as pastas and salads for any non-pizza lovers in the family."

"I can’t believe it’s seitan,” is what you might be saying after a bowl of chili, piled-high Reuben or taco salad that are all completely vegan. Cashew cheese, faux bacon and organic tempeh are used to make every item meat- and dairy-free."

"The city’s most prominent Jewish deli is coming up on its 80th birthday but little about the experience has changed. Stroll in during lunch hours for massive corned beef sandwiches, potato pancakes, knishes, matzo ball soup, and more. Cafeteria-style service keeps things moving along quickly — a big plus for diners short on time."

"Grab a tray, your silverware and do your best to make quick decisions as you make your way down the cafeteria line. If you’re heading there for breakfast, we suggest the eggs or French toast—mostly because either is served with Manny's famous corned beef, pastrami, salami or turkey. Oh, and ask for an extra latke."

"The corned-beef sandwich here is the one that other local delis aim to beat. Manny's has always been popular with Chicago politicians—so if...Read More"

"Everything from the spicy seitan to the hummus and vegan cheese is made in-house at Kitchen 17. Find the beloved seitan wrapped in fluffy Greek flatbread in the gyro or griddled with cheese and green peppers in the philly cheesesteak. The rest of the menu reads as vegetized versions of your favorite bar food, such as buffalo cauliflower wings, chili cheese fries, veggie burgers drenched in barbecue sauce and personal pan pizzas strewn with crumbles of soy sausage and vegan mozzarella."

"Fancy Plants Cafe was founded by Kevin Schuder, who started as Kitchen 17’s coffee-and-pastry barista. He found Fancy Plants Cafe, which offers coffee, tea, pastries, gluten-free pastries, sauces, greens, and a fancy five-course dinner option on weekends (Saturday and Sunday). Kitchen 17 is a BYOB eatery where guests can enjoy a vegetarian dessert of Middle Eastern and American dishes."

"Restaurants Vegan Lake View. This vegan café in Lakeview focuses on foods made with its house-made seitan, a meat substitute crafted from wheat flour dough. Find the protein-rich gluten in menu favorites like the crave-worthy deep dish pizza and the super saucy chicken parm sandwich."

"Check out this delightful rooftop deck overlooking Evanston’s Central Street. Their Mexican cuisine-with-a-twist is something to be savored, from the Sweet Potato and Green Chili Latke with apple salsa and citrus crema to the Roasted Cauliflower Queso served with crisp tostones (fried plantains). I recommend a Mezcal Paloma to wash it all down under the twinkly lights."

"At Blaze, you can completely customize your pizza and have it cooked in under three minutes. The build-your-own pizza options offers unlimited toppings free of charge, so if you’re really adventurous you can add every single topping on the menu. However you eat your pizza, you’re sure to have it your way at Blaze."

"This is one of the most popular seafood restaurants in all of Chicago. Just to give you an idea about why you absolutely have to try this restaurant at least once, it has received rave reviews. Eater Chicago calls it one of the best “hidden sports to catch great seafood,” Forbes cites it as one of the best seafood restaurants in Chicago, and CBS has called it one of the “best places for fresh fish in Chicago,” and “one of the best places for late-night eats.” With all of these high-recommendations rolling in there must be something very special about Lawrence’s."

"ChinatownWhat you’re getting: Shrimp po-boyFor a quick bite, this Chinatown seafood spot has garnered a loyal following with its Gulf-imported catches since the 1950s. The thicker-style breading on the addictive fried shrimp and fish offerings makes this a go-to restaurant for quality, fast seafood that's available 24/7."

"This 24-hour spot has mastered the art of fried—and fresh—seafood. Founder Lawrence Schweig opened up a shrimp shop in 1950 right on the bridge crossing over Canal Street. After getting the hang of working with fishermen and exploring new recipes, Lawrence expanded both his shop and his menu."

"Tasty banh mi sandwiches are the draw at this beloved Vietnamese bakery and restaurant. The house special is filled with paté, headcheese, ham, pork roll, and a medley of veggies, while other sandwich options include lemongrass chicken, meatballs, and roasted pork. They’re all served on fresh and crusty bread that’s made in-house."

"Those craving Chicago-style deep dish pizza will love this Roscoe Village joint, where the team spent more than a year perfecting their tomato-herb sauce. Find it layered between a cracker-thin crust and generous handfuls of Wisconsin cheese, where every slice you grab can pull apart for what feels like miles. Visit on game day, and order a signature pie or make your own creation, since nearly 20 kinds of toppings await."

"Restaurants Bakeries Near South Side. Life's sweet at Veranda Runsewe's South Loop bakery, where the pastries are baked fresh daily and the custom cakes are crafted with love. The muffins and loaf cakes pair nicely with the lengthy list of tea varieties, from cinnamon-plum and jade oolong to matcha-ginger buzz."

"If you don’t want to bake, or fry in this case too, then decorate with DIY cookie and doughnut kits ($14) starring colorful icing and sprinkles. You may find inspiration in the bakery’s smiley face cookies and Easter lamb cakes, wearing icing medical masks. Owner Can Lao, who revived the historic bakery in the Bridgeport neighborhood back in February, recently added Chinese egg tarts, plus a few staple items like paper towels, gloves, milk and Yakult, the yogurt-like drink."

"Restaurants Bakeries Bridgeport. This iconic Polish bakery closed in October 2019 after decades of serving pączki, doughnuts, cookies and other candy-colored sweets to its fans. Thankfully, new ownership swept in and restored the spot to its former glory."

"The family-owned Il Vicinato Ristorante has welcomed Chicagoland diners since 1983 and has changed little on its menu of Italian classics since its early days. The nostalgic neighb..."

"Owners Andy and Gina Kalish have created indulgent, crave-worthy fare without the use of meat at their plant-based diner. The popular Clucker Crisps are comprised of a garbanzo bean and gluten seitan mixture and seasoned with garlic, onion, and paprika. They’re available as a basket or in a sandwich."

"It is a great place to spend some time with your besties no matter what they are –either vegans or omnivores –as Kal’ish provide perfect dishes for everyone. If this is the first time you come to Kal’ish, you need to order Kal’ish burgers. There are various kinds of burgers that you can choose from."

"Given “a 100% animal-free zone” being listed, Uptown’s Kal’ish (which opened in 2017) is proud to be serving up flavorful and satisfying vegan foods. We make mouthwatering burgers, deli sandwiches, Mexican fare, ice cream, and pastries. Delicacies that you will love."

"Upton’s Breakroom is a casual café that serves light vegan fare in a bright, modern setting. Located next to Upton's Naturals seitan factory, the charming little restaurant offers a small menu with a variety of seitan-based dishes such as chick seitan Korean tacos, pastrami seitan sandwiches, bowls of rice, kale, warm seitan chunks, and bright-green nut pesto, and vegan soft serve. Blending natural textures and flavors to create an innovative and satisfying menu, Upton’s Breakroom is the ideal spot for a quick lunch or a languid dinner of exotic vegan fare."

"Restaurants Vegan River West/West Town. House-made seitan is the base for most menu items at Upton’s Breakroom, a bright little café attached to Upton’s Naturals, a company that makes seitan and sells it in stores across the country. The café has a plentiful menu, including a tofu-seitan banh mi, a BBQ jackfruit sandwich and Korean tacos with housemade kimchi."

"Head on down to Seitanville and grab some vegan comfort food and the famous soy-based ice-cream!. Upton’s Breakroom is an unassuming little shop where you can not only sit down for a bite, but you can shop their products as well. You’ve almost definitely seen their products as you wander the health food store – check out the packaging below!"

"Macku Sushi can satisfy your need for a standard spicy salmon roll, but if you want something more adventurous, try the omakase menu. Chef Macku gets very creative not only with his presentations, but also flavor combinations, such as a spoonful of salmon roe with Pop Rocks. Hopefully you won't befall the same fate as Little Mikey from the Life commercials."

"For those who appreciate art as much as their food, Macku Sushi beckons to you. The elaborate embellishments with onion slices, truffle oil, tomato-mushroom puree, and fried garlic look almost too good to eat. However, you can also choose the less extravagant looking dishes that are also very flavorful."

"Bon Appetit called Macku Sushi one of the top 10 sushi spots in the nation, so there's no doubt the Lincoln Park restaurant is a serious contender when it comes to the best sushi i..."

"Not only does Sunda offer a dedicated vegetarian menu, but its sushi also pairs quite well with a pescatarian diet. With items like beets gunkan maki and veggie fried rice, you'll have something to enjoy and so will your meat-loving friends!"

"Sunda Chicago, a sushi bar and Asian fusion and Japanese spot in River North, is another high-traffic go-to, with four stars out of 2,813 Yelp reviews."

"Bua Hana is a contemporary and casual Forest Park eatery serving Japanese and Thai creations, including some top-notch sushi. Diners can mix and match from what's essentially three..."