Penelope’s Vegan Taqueria
Penelope’s Vegan Taqueria — one of Near North Side's strongest vegan spots. Order the nachos. The space has a modern, polished edge, and solid veggie options. Rich K: "The customer service and the food were both phenomenal" [$$]
What 630 diners keep saying
What 630 diners keep saying
verbatim, from Google
“Amazing! The chorizo taco was unforgettable, while the al pastor "meat" had zero taste. I was disappointed by that but the chorizo + rice and beans made up for it so no stars lost.”

“The food and service were good. Luckily, it was not a long wait, and we were seated quickly. A good place to try if you're looking for something new or different.”

“Absolutely delicious! The vegan tacos were packed with flavor and exceeded our expectations. We ordered takeout this time, but we can't wait to come back and dine in. Highly recommend to anyone looking for amazing vegan Mexican food!”

“Amazing mexican food! I got a housemade tepache to drink which was so refreshing and huge. To eat I had a taco platter. I got the carnitas taco which is made with pulled oats, it was incredible! I also tried the soy al pastor which was delicious too and the Baja which has fried avocado on it and mango salsa. The tacos came with a side of rice and beans which was delicious. I highly recommend coming here for some delicious eats. 😋”

“I wasn't sure there was a need for a vegan taqueria, but I was wrong. These tacos were flavorful and creative. I was especially taken by the oat carnitas taco, which unexpectedly ended up being my favorite. But not just the meat substitutes, the salsas, additional veggies, and shells were also very good. Each bite on each taco was amazing. The elote was also tasty, we couldn't tell the cheese was vegan.”

“The best food , service, and vibes !! i love this place down ✨️🫶🏾. Forever a costumer !”

“One of the best taquerias! Great service. Delicious food, especially the chorizo taco and their salsa. I'll definitely be back to try the torta. Highly recommend.”

“I tried their tacos for the first time and they were superb! The flavor was great, particularly the Al Pastor taco. Can't wait to order again.”

“Penelope’s is great! Food was amazing and I forgot it was vegan. Everyone was very friendly.”

“Penelope’s Vegan Taqueria is hands down one of the best spots in Chicago — vegan or not. The food was absolutely incredible, and the experience was made even better by Michelle’s amazing service. She was so on point with her recommendations and made us feel completely taken care of from start to finish. The pineapple jalapeño margarita was chef’s kiss — perfectly balanced, flavorful, and not overly tart. It had just the right amount of kick and sweetness. The al pastor tacos and mushroom tacos were out of this world. The flavors were bold, perfectly seasoned, and honestly hard to believe they’re plant-based. The fries were bomb — crispy, flavorful, and addictive. Even the chips and salsa deserve a shoutout — the salsa was fresh, vibrant, and totally on point. If you’re in Chicago and looking for incredible Mexican food with outstanding service, Penelope’s is a must. We’ll absolutely be back!”

“INCREDIBLE FIND!!! Michelle made us feel right at home and helped us order the best food!! The soy al pastor tacos, mushroom tacos, pineapple jalapeños margaritas and cucumber agua fresca was sooo delicious! It felt like being in Mexico City!”

“Food was spectacular. Delicious and portions were phenomenal. My number one pet peeve for vegan places are high prices and small portions, I was finally not disappointed here! We ordered the nachos, and taco dinner… 3 “pick your own” tacos it came with rice and beans. They had a lot of taco options and an entire Mexican menu on top of that. And yea, the whole menu is vegan, really happy with our experience, will definitely be returning to try everything else. 😋🌮”
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