Celebrate Earth Month by ordering from one of these must-try restaurants.
Earth Day is April 22 , and while we ’re all for celebrate the cause in any number of way , from blend in car - destitute to building some epic animate being affluent , we ’re particularly excited about one activity : eat . That is , of track , if the restaurants in dubiousness are doing their part to help keep our globe a little greener — and we ’re happy to report that , throughout Chicagoland , so many of them are .
From a Fulton Market pillar hump for its whole - animate being mass murder to America ’s first organic rooftop farm and all of its prized produce , here are some of our favoriteChicagospots known for environmentally friendly transportation and school of thought .
The Lobster Empanadas atAzul Mariscos
Goose IslandVibrant , nautical semblance scheme and energetic vibes receive guests to this eating house , situated along the Chicago River . Chef Michael Hernandez redact forth Latin - inspired fare with a focus on seafood , as certify by alternative like spicy hydrated lime - cured shrimp , mini lobster rolls , and grilled devilfish clobber in house butter . Spring for one of the kitchen ’s specialties with the Lobster Empanadas , airy pocket filled with lobster claw and tail heart , Chihuahua cheese , and chipotle aioli sauce . When you order takeout , you’re able to feel good about it . The restaurant strives to work with sustainable collaborator and purveyors as often as possible , and it alone uses paper bags for all carryout and delivery orders ( intend all you have to do is make that recycling bin , post - meal toss).How to test it : regulate viaGrubhub
The Tiramisu Parfait atFormento’s
West LoopAt this modern Italian restaurant , Chef David Schwartz serves a computer menu inspired by sometime - school red sauce classics , from house - made pastas and seasonal vegetable to wood - elicit steaks and chop . Then , there ’s sweet . A fan of foraging , canning , and preserving , Pastry Chef Sarah Howlett is bragging on getting the most out of every ingredient that enters her place — and passionate about hold back thing local ( to the point of keep off exotic fruits or ingredients that require extreme mileage to ship ) . We recommend order the oatmeal biscuit or deep brown cake ; or keep things Italian with the Tiramisu Parfait , a hulk and decadent finale of mascarpone , coffee , and chocolate . How to try it : regularize viaGrubhub
The Porchetta Sandwich atPublican Quality Meats
Fulton MarketThe team from some of the metropolis ’s most acclaimed venues ( Publican , Big Star , Violet Hour ) is behind this slaughterer shop class , café , bakery , and gourmet marketplace , placed ( ably ) in Chicago ’s meat packing district . Head Butcher and Chef Rob Levitt helms the culinary program , for which sustainability flirt a key role . In gain to butchering whole animals ( and make origin , sausages , or crown from any leftover product ) , the team maintains warm relationships with local farmer , buying hard - to - sell cuts and ensuring they ’re honored within their meat event . lionize those practices by grade from a variety of theater - made particular , such as the Smoked Turkey Sandwich or Croque Madame with PQM ham , or the Porchetta Sandwich with house porchetta , marinated fennel , and herbaceous plant aioli on focaccia from sis bakery Publican Quality Bread . How to try it : Order viaGrubhub
The Crispy Fish Tacos atTakito Kitchen
Wicker ParkThis lively taqueria features Mexican - inspire cuisine made from carefully sourced , always sweet ingredients . Case in full stop with the Grilled Pineapple Guacamole , Skirt Steak Fajitas , and the 3 Sisters Polenta , with Wisconsin cheddar cheese and pickled chili . Those seek something at once conversant and active in flavor can opt for the Crispy Fish Tacos , made with hibiscus tortillas , coconut custard , basil , and drink coconut . Pair them with the eatery ’s honor - winning margarita cocktail outfit , but do n’t expect any straws — the restaurant did aside with them in an endeavour to reduce formative waste . How to try it : Order viaGrubhub
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The Mighty Vine Tomato Zucchini Lasagna atAlthea
Gold CoastA surefire means to run through sustainably ? Keep matter plant - based . An gentle feat at Althea , Chef Matthew Kenney ’s Mag Mile eatery offers a globally inspire menu of organic and thoughtfully source sweetheart . Case in stop with the Kelp Noodle Cacio e Pepe or al pastor tacos ( create with Persea Americana puree and made “ meaty ” with maitake and oyster mushrooms ) . Then , there ’s the Mighty Vine Tomato Zucchini Lasagna , a meridian example of the squad ’s reliance on local purveyor like Mighty Vine and Closed Loop Farms . Its eco - friendly diplomacy continues : Cocktails are served with bamboo straws and skewer to eliminate unmarried - use plastics , compostable publicity is used for carryout , and the team repurposes surplus food by do the stave meals every daytime — taking care of the environment and one another likewise . How to try it : arrange viaGrubhub
The Double Epic atEpic Burger
Multiple locationsThis local solid food range of mountains was one of the first profligate - casual restaurants to propose non - GMO ingredient , Halal - license preparation , and across-the-board vegetarian options , and , today , continue in its mission of serving simple and existent ingredient throughout its eight Chicagoland locations . It serves its meals in compostable or reclaimable promotional material when possible — and with a card like Epic Burger ’s , that ’s a full thing ( chances are , you ’ll be ordering from it a bunch ) . Peruse a choice of nearly a XII dissimilar burgers , but do yourself a favor by landing on the Double Epic , with two premium black Angus bitch patties , cheddar cheese , grilled onion plant , and epic sauce , served on a pantry brioche roll . How to try it : Order viaGrubhub
The Southern Grits atEverybody’s Coffee
UptownRelationships are the driving force behind this Uptown coffee harbour , which partnered with Cornerstone Community Outreach in its military mission to bung and shelter those experiencing homelessness in Chicago . Everybody ’s Coffee is also serious about sustainability , roasting and selling only fairish and direct trade coffee and carefully choosing its growers to see that the author product is equally beneficial for the farmer , land , and community . Aid those efforts with its hourly brewed selection , plus some sustenance from the kitchen — freshly broil blueberry muffins or buttermilk biscuits are easy bunch - pleasers , but for something mouth-watering , make it the Southern Grits Bowl , a substantial breakfast top with sausage balloon links , salsa verde , and a soft ball . How to hear it : Order viaGrubhub
The Bacon-Wrapped Meatloaf atUncommon Ground
Multiple locationsHome to the first certify organic brewery in Illinois and the first certified organic rooftop farm nationwide , it ’s safe to say that this Chicago dine and drinking establishment order an emphasis on sustainability . Enjoy any one of its starter motor , from roast Brassica oleracea botrytis to the Superfood Caesar Salad ( with chopped broccoli , avocado , and cole ) . Then , dig into larger main , especially the Bacon - Wrapped Meatloaf , with Yukon Gold mashed potatoes , beer - buffet crispy onions , bordelaise sauce , and arugula salad . How to try it : Order viaGrubhub
The Seoul Bowl atFairgrounds Cafe
Multiple locationsWhen owner Michael Schultz opened Fairgrounds in Chicago , he had a simple-minded finish : To offer supporter the same sort of selection in coffee that he had been seeing in the world of beer . And not just any coffee , but beans from sustainable , fair - trade cultivator across the globe . The mannikin has proven so successful that the squad now has more than a twelve positioning across four state , with more than one-half of those throughout Chicagoland . Choose from a wide range of a function of cockcrow and high noon fixes , from Nutella - banana toast to veggie rice bowls . Stemming from the latter , make it the Seoul Bowl , an energizing kickstarter of kale , brown rice , zucchini , Sriracha , and a John Milton Cage Jr. - free deep-fried egg . How to sample it : Order viaGrubhub
Azul Mariscos
Formento’s
Takito Kitchen
Photo by Brent Hofacker/Shutterstock
Uncommon Ground Lakeview
