No Bones Beach Club, the Seattle Vegan Restaurant, Should Soon Open in Chicago

Originally slated for a summer opening, No Bones Beach Club — a vegan bar and restaurant that debuted in Seattle — is close to unveiling its first location outside the Pacific Northwest. Founder MacKenzie DeVito said she’s sending Chicago management staff next month to the West Coast for training to see their “mission and our culture firsthand.” The meat- and dairy-free No Bones should open at the end of November at 1943 W. North Avenue — the former Santullo’s Eatery.

The first No Bones — a vegetarian/vegan pun on par with “Bad Hunter” in the West Loop — opened in 2015 in Seattle and DeVito opened a second restaurant last year in Portland, Oregon. Dishes like faux lox using smoked carrots, Buffalo-style “wings” using fried cauliflower, and a fried parsnip sandwich that tastes like a crab cake are options on the 100-percent vegan menu. The menu is seasonal; there might be tweaks with items as they move from the Pacific Northwest to the Midwest. Weekend brunch is also a big part of the restaurant.

Ashok Selvam/Eater Chicago

Some of the cocktails, which have a beach/island feel, use coconut milk to keep things vegan. There’s a piña colada, Mai Tai, and coconut mojito on the drink list, as well as mocktails.

Crews have gutted the former pizzeria. There should be a bar and room for 50 people inside the full-service restaurant.

Since announcing the restaurant in February, DeVito and No Bones have held pop-ups to get to know Chicago’s vegan community. They’re also hoping to crossover and entice omnivores into eating more vegan options near Wicker Park’s heavily trafficked North/Milwaukee/Damen intersection. If it worked for film director Kevin Smith, it could work for anyone. Stay tuned for updates.