The Chicago Diner, Lakeview Menu (Update 2025)
Welcome to The Chicago Diner, Lakeview, where comfort food meets culinary creativity! This beloved establishment is renowned for its extensive menu that brilliantly caters to both vegan and vegetarian diners, offering a range of delectable dishes that leave you craving more.
Start your meal with the mouthwatering Thai Chili Wings or the indulgent Poutine, perfectly crafted for sharing. For entrees, the amazing Reuben and Spicy Chicken Sandwich are crowd favorites, bursting with flavor and texture. Don't miss the chance to wrap up your visit with a signature milkshake that transforms dessert into an experience.
The inviting atmosphere, combined with friendly service and eco-friendly practices, makes every visit a delightful escape. Whether you're a local or just passing through Chicago, The Chicago Diner promises a memorable dining experience filled with comfort and taste!
Appetizers
Special Recipe Wings
Breaded seitan strips, ranchand celery. Available in Barbeque or spicy buffalo style.
Thai Chili Wings
Spicy chili-lime marinade, sriracha-ranchand sesame seeds.
Nachos
Seitan chorizo, black beans, tomato, onion, jalapeno, guacamole, vegan sour cream, Teese nacho, chipsand salsa.
Poutine
Hand-cut fries, Teese creamy cheddar, gravyand green onions.
Spinach Artichoke DIp
Everyone's favorite party food! Our creamy, spinach artichoke dip is served with toasted ciabatta crostini.
Chips & Guacamole
Gluten-free. Housemade salsa cruda, guacamoleand tortilla chips.
Fries Appetizer
Sweet potato, waffle or hand-cut fries.
Stuffed Zucchini Empanaditas
Herbed Teese brand mozzarella stuffed zucchinis with a side of tomato sauce.
Quinoa Chili
Gluten-free. Our chili is topped with 1 or 2 jalapeno corn fritters.
Soup of the Day
Our vegan housemade soup of the day.
Soups
Salads
Chicken Ranch Salad
Barbeque or buffalo style seitan, ranch tossed salad mix, tomato, onion, bell pepperand cucumber.
Caesar Salad
Caesar tossed romaine, grilled artichoke, sun-dried tomatoand croutons, with choice of spicy chicken, crispy chicken, or grilled tempeh.
Taco Salad
Southwest dressed salad mix, tomato, onion, corn, black beans, cheese, jalapeno, seitan chorizo, tortilla chips, avocadoand vegan sour cream.
Garden Salad
Gluten-free. Salad mix, tomato, sprouts, beets, cucumberand choice of dressing.
Portabella Truffle Melt
Marinated mushrooms, arugula, tomato, onion, white truffle aioliand Teese mozzarella, on ciabatta.
The Radical Reuben
Corned beef seitan, onions, peppers, sauerkraut, Thousand island, vegan or dairy cheese, on marbled rye.
Buddha's Karma Burger
Curried sweet potato-tofu patty, grilled pineapple, sprouts, onionand chimichurri sauce.
The Titanic BLT Burger
Our house seitan patty, seitan bacon, French fried onions, lettuce, tomatoand Chipotle Fire sauce.
S.U.V. (Straight Up Veggie)
Toasted whole grain bread with melted vegan or dairy cheese, avocado, sprouts, tomato, onion, lettuceand creole mustard.
Cuban Sandwich
Grilled marinated seitan, fried yucca root chips, peperoncini, melted cheese, mayoand mustard on crunchy ciabatta bread.
Sandwiches
Entrees
Bowl of Quinoa Chili
Gluten-free. Served with jalapeno corn fritters.
The Soul Bowl
Gluten-free. Grilled tempeh strips or blackened or scrambled tofu, quinoa, flashed greens, mashed sweet potato, black beans, chimichurri.
Truffle Mushroom Lentil Loaf
Gluten-free. A soul-warming blend of mushroom and lentil casserole topped with a white truffle mushroom sauce. Served with sauteed vegetables and roasted potatoes.
Scrambled Tofu Deluxe
Gluten-free. Veggie sautee with kale and quinoa.
Country Fried Steak
Battered seitan filet, country gravy, mashed potatoand sauteed veggies.
Avocado Tostadas
Gluten-free. Black beans, quinoa, onion, bell pepper, lettuce, tomatoand avocado on a corn tortilla. Served with chimichurri.
Thai Basil Stir Fry
Tofu or tempeh, brown rice, veggie mix, in a spicy Thai garlic sauce with fresh basil.
Pierogi Quesadilla
Sauerkraut, mashed potato, green onion, mushroom, Daiya is the cheddar, tomato basil tortillaand dill sour cream.
Mascarpone Pear Salad
Gluten-free. Mesclun salad mix, endive, radicchio, toasted walnuts, housemade vegan mascarpone, bosc pears, vegan cheese chips, balsamic vinegar and balsamic reduction drizzle.
Philly Cheese Steak
Back by popular demand! Italian Seasoned seitan, sauteed onions, and peppers, vegan cheese sauce, on a hoagie bun. Served with your choice of side and pickle.
Teriyaki Tofu Wrap
Teriyaki marinated tofu, mesclun mix, cucumbers, jalapenos, cilantro, sriracha sauce, wrapped in a tomato basil tortilla. Served with your choice of side and pickle.
Chicken Shawarma Plate
Grilled chicken-style seitan, hummus, pita, cucumbers, tomatoes, lettuce, vegan tzatzikiand lemon wild rice.
Jalapeno Poppers
Not for the weak - these babies are hot! Fresh jalapeno peppers stuffed with vegan Teese cheddar cheese, breaded and fried. Served with ranch dressing.
Chicago Style Dogs
Two Lightlife vegan dogs, yellow mustard, white onion, sweet pickled relish, sport peppers, tomatoes, pickle spear, celery salt on a poppy seed bun. Served with hand cut fries!
Handcrafted Soda
Seasonal Specials
Sides
Waffle Fries
Mac & Teese
Cheesy Waffle Fries
Hand-Cut Fries
Sauteed Vegetables
Chili Cup
Balsamic Brussels Sprouts
Cheesy Hand-Cut Fries
Mashed Potatoes
Sweet Potato Fries
Salad
Steamed Vegetables
Flashed Greens
Seasonal Cheesecake
Gluten-free. Vegan cream cheese filling.
Donnie's Peanut Butter Puck
Peanut butter cookie cup stuffed with creamy peanut butter and filled with ganache.
S'mores Brownie Sundae
Layers of rich chocolate brownie, graham crackers, Dandies marshmallows topped with Temptation vanilla ice cream, chocolate ganache, whipped cream and graham cracker crumbs.
Caramel Crunch Torte
Vanilla almond cake with layers of chocolate cookie crumbles, topped with ganache and caramel.
Cocoa Mousse Cake
Chocolate layer cake with mousse filling and chocolate frosting.
Carrot Cake
Cinnamon layer cake with raisins, walnuts and vegan cream cheese frosting.
Desserts
Award-Winning Shakes
Vanilla Chai
Gluten-free.
Chocolate Peanut Butter
Gluten-free.
Vanilla
Gluten-free.
Chocolate
Gluten-free.
Strawberry
Gluten-free.
Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough
Mocha
Gluten-free.
Mint Chocolate Chip
Gluten-free.
Cookie Dough Peanut Butter
Iced Rishi Peach Black Tea
Iced Organic Fair Trade Coffee
Orange Juice
Boylan Bottling Company Soda
Lemonade
La Croix Sparkling Water
Zevia Diet Cola
Iced Rishi Chai Latte
Vegan.