Recently we took a quick trip to Chicago for business. But In the windy city mixing business and pleasure is easy. Especially with all the exceptional restaurants in town.
We were only in town for the day, arriving in the morning and then out the same evening. So, our vegan date was a lunch date. As soon as we landed we took the train from the airport. The traffic has been so bad recently due to construction and congestion that we thought we'd give the train a go. It was very easy. We didn't have any luggage, just a tote which made it extra easy. The tap and ride means you can pass through the turnstile with any chip credit card making it ultra easy. We took the blue line into town and transferred to the brown line for just a few stops to Penelope's Vegan Taqueria, one of our favorite Mexican restaurants… ever.
We love it and it is on our list every time we are in Chi-town.
The ambience is welcoming, joyful and uplifting as are the waitstaff and other employees. The walls are covered in murals and the store front is bright pink.
The food is amazing. All vegan. It's one of the places that will blow non vegans minds. "Wait these are mushrooms?!" "This is not cheese?!" Those are just some of the last words heard from omnivores before getting lost in their vegan tacos forever.
This time we were with a few not vegan colleagues, so I guess it's not technically a date, but since we were with a few people we got a lot of photos of different menu items which we want to share with you. We assure you, we have been here on a date before and it's all heart eyes.
The origin of our love for Penelope's began several years ago when we went on a trip to Mexico city - we were not vegan at the time. A friend of ours took us to a local favorite restaurant where we had potato tacos for the first time. Literally, mashed potatoes in a taco. This was a life changing moment - nothing was the same ever again! It's one of those meals that just sits in your head and tastebuds as perfect.
So, when we rolled up to Penelope's for the first time we were more than a little excited to see potato tacos on the menu (Tacos Dorado). Absolute bliss. They hit that place of perfection.
The cauliflower ceviche is a fun starter. The nachos are awesome. Love the enchiladas. The barbacoa is spicy and amazing. And while we have not tried it yet the chimichanga is visually impressive and beautiful. If you love heat you can order grilled jalapenos on the side. Thank you!
For drinks, the margaritas are sweet and easy to drink. Dangerous for a lunch with colleagues but worth the risk. The horchata is perfect.
I cannot express how much we love the food here. For us, it's a journey back to that Mexico City trip we took years ago, but now in an alternate vegan universe. I'm certain you will enjoy it even without the previous context. Just like love, you know the real deal when you are sitting across from it.
Vegan Cauliflower Ceviche
Vegan Nachos
Vegan Tacos Dorado
Vegan Mushroom Tacos
Vegan Enchiladas
Vegan Chimichanga
Margarita
