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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"
Andres P.
106 reviews
Very bad experience- on my birthday unfortunately. The moment we walked in things seemed quite cute but very petite.
Where I’m not fully vegan I do love to dine with fully vegan establishments; and I was very excited to come and try Penelope.
230 W Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60654
“I'm in Chicago to do vegan activism against the fur industry, we are currently targeting LVMH group and protesting all their stores countrywide, this place is close to were we are protesting, the restaurant is beautiful, the artist senkoe has beautiful artwork, it's the same artist that painted my previous favorite vegan restaurant, Charly's Vegan Tacos in Miami (which shut down on early 2021 unfortunately), and this restaurant Penelope's Vegan taqueria took it's place of my favorite Mexican vegan restaurant and definitely took a place in my favorite vegan restaurants in Chicago and in the US so far”
“A bit pricey but when you taste magic they're cookin up in the kitchen you won't regret a thing.”
A bit pricey but when you taste magic they're cookin up in the kitchen you won't regret a thing. The chimichanga was phenomenal!
Mabel Schula
Nov 2025
“We’d come here often as our midweek date spot after hitting up some museum exhibits.”
We’d come here often as our midweek date spot after hitting up some museum exhibits. Other than the fact that I can’t handle the spice from jalapeños (lol), everything about the experience is lovely. The servers are nice. The kitchen staff is locked in. The artwork all over is relaxing. The food is always consistently delicious.
Deven
Jun 2025
“Best Nachos, Rice & Beans I’ve had at a vegan spot.”
Best Nachos, Rice & Beans I’ve had at a vegan spot! The portions are size-able and you’re sure to leave full. My favorite taco was the Baja.
Elena Ruiz
Mar 2025
“Not only one of the best but THE best Taco place to go when in Chicago.”
Not only one of the best but THE best Taco place to go when in Chicago. I am not vegan but I am curious about their interpretation of Tacos in a vegan version and I am hooked! From now on I will try to find more vegan Taco options as this experience showed me how full and rich of flavours a Taco can be. Highly recommend going there even if you are not vegan! Please keep going guys - you rock the vegan Tacos and I hope to be able to come back on my future trips to Chicago.
Vera Oldenburger
Feb 2025
“🏡 Atmosphere: Beautiful aesthetic.”
🏡 Atmosphere: Beautiful aesthetic! There is even a wall of greenery to take cute pics by near the exit. Nice music, it was warm inside and smelt great upon arrival! 😋 Food: Had an order of chips and salsa to start off, then 4 steak tacos with a side of rice, jalapeno cheese fries and elote en vaso ! Everything was absolutely delicious as a non vegan I would have never been able to tell that I was eating a bunch of veggies! 🍵 Drinks: Ordered 2 pineapple margaritas, they were delicious! 🔥 Service: Staff was super patient & kind.
Nakira Dorsey
Feb 2025
“We stopped in for dinner while we were in town for just one night before a concert.”
We stopped in for dinner while we were in town for just one night before a concert. My husband and I were both sad we weren't in town longer or we would have come back the next night. The customer service and the food were both phenomenal! Some definite highlights were the carnitas taco, the whole tacos dorados dinner, and the watermelon margarita. I'm confident to say that you couldn't go wrong no matter what you choose. Next time we are back in Chicago we are definitely going to be back here!
Rich K
Dec 2024
“This is a nice informal vegan only restaurant with very pleasant friendly staff.”
This is a nice informal vegan only restaurant with very pleasant friendly staff. It has a large menu. We chose the Nachos Locos and the Street Style Elote "Corn" for starters, and the Mushroom Chimichurri Taco and the Carnitas Taco for mains. They came pretty fast. All were delicious. And the portions were large also. In hindsight we should have had only one starter for the two of us.
Paul Harhen
Nov 2024
“My wife is strict vegan, so this was a wonderful find.”
My wife is strict vegan, so this was a wonderful find. We had the nachos, takis elote, chimichanga and chilaquiles. I highly recommend the nachos and chilaquiles, but would gladly have any of the dishes again. Need to go back to try the rest of the menu. Also had the chocolate cake, which was great as a vegan cake, but this months flavor is maple which I'm not very fond of. We'll definitely go back next time we're in town.
Don Walling
Oct 2024
“Penelope's Vegan Taqueria is a cozy looking establishment with friendly services and well presented vegan cuisines.”
Penelope's Vegan Taqueria is a cozy looking establishment with friendly services and well presented vegan cuisines. The portion sizes appear just right, and the ingredients appear fresh. This is a recommended spot for vegetarian and vegan communities or for those who want to try something different.
Antwuan M. Donley (Ant)
Sep 2024
“Make your reservation before going in!!”
Make your reservation before going in!!! Especially on a weekend. The food is top notch, and one to die for if you are a vegan and crave for good Birrias. We were not aware of the reservation, but the owners were too good to let us sit at the bar table, when we told them we were here just for 2 days. The flavors were top notch, the chef was not shy spice. Will definitely visit this place again, if I am in Chicago. The ambience was great, and the service was smooth and fast.
Sudhindra Gopal
Sep 2024
“For starters, my husband and I ordered guacamole and chips and a margarita for me and a sangria for my husband.”
For starters, my husband and I ordered guacamole and chips and a margarita for me and a sangria for my husband. The guacamole was fresh and delicious. We each ordered three tacos with rice and beans. The food arrived hot and was very flavorful. Our waitperson was attentive. The decor was a colorful painted mural.
Linda Wabanimkee
Jul 2024
“Food came out super fast.”
Food came out super fast. Everything was so flavorful and although the portions weren’t huge, it was all very filling. Pricy but expected for vegan in city of Chicago. Our server wasn’t the most attentive but the other two servers were very attentive. Overall it was a great experience. The only thing that would have made it the best experience, was if our server was more on top of it.
Astrid
Jun 2024
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