Raw Food in Chicago

Chicago is a city that easily evokes images of not-so-healthy food.  After all, I used to think there was nothing better than a hot dog at Wrigley Field or late-night deep dish pizza.  However, there has been a quiet yet steady increase in organic, sustainable food purveyors, making healthy food just as easy to get as the ubiquitous greasy, fried foods.  Farmers markets are found in every neighborhood and many of them take their goods inside for the colder months, to be had all year.  Better yet, more and more restaurants are using this organic, local food to create amazing menus with reservation wait-lists to prove it.  Restaurants like Sprout, Green Zebra, Nana, Drew's Eatery, and Bristol, are evidence that the word has gotten out, and it's spreading like nut cheese on raw crackers! 

Cousin's Cafe is at the heart of this movement.   They are an all-organic, all-raw food restaurant and I was in heaven when I went there.  After green juices were served, a plate of appetizers came out.  I tried the Triple Taco first.  On a romaine tortilla were "refried beans" (sesame tahini), mango salad, guacamole, and Mexican spices.  Next were the Fake'n Bacon Poppers, which were really made with marinated dehydrated eggplant, stuffed with kale salad.  Delicious.  Last was RAWmazing Antipesto, a savory mix of zucchini frites, onion rings, more fake'n bacon, bell peppers, tempura with olive and pumpkin seed cheese.  Rawmazing, indeed. 

In addition to the sampler plate, the table munched on Sushi Maki which consisted of an incredible almond pate, avocado, and greens.  

This could have been a meal in itself, but my curiosity about other dishes on the expansive menu prevailed and I ordered the Caesar Salad which came topped with Dolmas stuffed with pine nuts, currants, lemon zest, and fresh herbs.  

My days of stadium hot dogs are gladly behind me.  And, while Chicago remains famous for their hot dog joints, the innovative chefs interested in organic and sustainable eating are gaining national attention.  I'll never have to time to get to every one of these restaurants.  But, I'll be sure to get to Cousin's no matter what.  They even make a Deep Dish Pizza.  So, there you go.