America’s Largest Vegetarian Chain to Open First Chicago Restaurant Next Week

Chicago’s first Veggie Grill, the country’s largest 100 percent vegetarian chain, will open on Thursday, February 15 in Lakeview. The chain’s arrival has been fiercely followed by vegetarians and vegans alike. The opening marks the first of at least five Veggie Grills planned for Chicago. They’ve also signed leases in the Loop and West Loop.

The location is at 614 W. Diversey Parkway, right at the border of Lakeview and Lincoln Park. It is the chain’s 29th location. A Facebook event announcement has drawn hundreds of enthusiastic reactions. The location seats 40 in a 2,000-square-foot space. The restaurant is a new design for the chain.

A second location should open in March at 204 N. Wells Street. The chain also has a lead on a third location at 911-915 W. Randolph Street, according to real estate firm RKF. The space is next to a yet-to-be-opened Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams. The restaurant would take up 2,542 square feet on the ground floor and 1,115 square feet on the lower level, according to RKF.

Ashok Selvam

Previously, Veggie Grill announced they planned five restaurant for the Chicago market. They may have a sixth. An RKF release shared that the chain has the “intention to open at least three more restaurants in Chicago.”

The chain operates restaurants in California, Oregon, and Washington. More to come on its Chicago expansion.