Certified green restaurant, opened since 1979. Sit-down dining, self-service cafe, and bakery. Prices moderate to expensive; dinner prices are higher. Mostly vegetarian. NOTE: Reported to use cheese made with animal rennet. Open Tue-Fri 11:00am-9:00pm, Sat 9:00am-10:00pm, Sun 9:00am-9:00pm.
Categories: Lacto, Ovo, American, International, Western, Juice bar, Bakery, Catering
21 Reviews
First Review by Reba
Contributions +22
Amazing! - Edit
Great food, great service. Not a ton of vegan options on the brunch menu, but that didn’t matter because the Thai peanut noodles were so incredible that I’ll probably stick with them from now on. Seriously, this place rocks!
Pros: all vegetarian, foodie-caliber delish!, great service and recommendations
Cons: not a ton of vegan options on the brunch menu
Contributions +24
Yummy but needs an update! - Edit
I've been to Blind Faith dozens of time in the past ~8 years, and although I appreciate having an all-vegetarian restaurant in an area without many all-veg options, I am disappointed at the lack of updates to their menu and ingredients.
Blind Faith seems to be a bit behind other veg restaurants - i.e. their seitan is really rubbery and doesn't compare to seitan at vegan restaurants in the Chicago area. I also wish they were all-vegan, and I definitely don't think that would hurt their customer base as this area has TONS of vegans! I appreciate the gluten-free options and clear labeling of gluten-free and vegan dishes, but would be nice to have more dishes that are both gluten-free and vegan. Plus, more sugar-free desserts would be nice!
Since going gluten-free as well as vegan, I usually get their peanut noodles - these are delicious, but get old after the 10th time having them. Please update your menu and add more gf & vegan options!
Updated from previous review on 2018-03-24
Pros: Clear labeling of gluten-free and vegan options, Quiet and cozy , Nice music
Cons: Outdated menu , Rubbery seitan , Not all-vegan
Contributions +259
loved it! - Edit
Absolutely delicious!
Pros: full veggie and vegan menu
Cons: none
Contributions +31
amazing and so many options - Edit
so so many vegetarian and vegan options! I had vegan fajitas and they were amazing. They are so accommodating and even made hot chocolate with almond milk. They also have many vegan baked goods (chocolate cupcake was delish) in their bakery section.
Contributions +16
Blind Faith Cafe is overcharging clients! - Edit
Blind Faith Cafe is overcharging clients! Several months ago we've noticed the credit card was charched more than the total stated on the receipt from our visit. Talked to the owner. Today I received the credit card statement and I see the credit card was charged more than stated on the receipt ftom our recent visit again!
Updated from previous review on 2017-11-21
Cons: Overcharging clients!, Overcharging clients!
Contributions +22
drove 8 hours for this restaurant - Edit
My aunt and I visited Chicago last year and came here our first night. We ended up coming three more times in 2 days:) we were obsessed. We could not wait to come back. We planned another trip this year to Chicago mainly just to visit this place. We got the Thai noodle salad, dolmas, and pudding. Everything was delicious!!'
Contributions +20
NOT VEGETARIAN - Edit
First, and most importantly, this is not a vegetarian restaurant. They use cheese made with calf rennet. I wanted to give this restaurant a one-star review, but the site won't let me because it's falsely labeled as vegetarian.
Anyway, the food at Blind Faith ranges from bad to mediocre, and everything is grossly overpriced. Avoid at all costs.
Edit: They finally removed the "vegetarian" label, so I gave this place the rating it deserves.
Updated from previous review on 2017-08-14
Pros: N/A, N/A, N/A
Cons: not vegetarian, bad food, fraudulently claims to be "100% vegetarian"
Contributions +370
Delicious!!! - Edit
I had the BBQ seitan sandwich & it was phenomenal. So tasty! Great vegan dessert options too! Vegan items clearly labeled on the menu. Beautiful restaurant, lovely deco & wonderful cosy atmosphere. Highly recommended!!
Contributions +13
Highly Recommend - Edit
This is a really great spot for anyone who it either vegetarian or vegan.
Pros: Great staff and service, Fantastic food, Great Variety
Cons: Parking, Pricing for student budget
Contributions +20
Quality food and service - Edit
Everything I've tried on the menu has been phenomenal, and it's just so nice to be able to try anything on the menu. Good service, nice ambiance, highly recommended!
Contributions +1043
Tasty Food, great bakery - Edit
I wish this place was closer, as I almost never make it up to Blind Faith. It's not that far, but I have to drive past a dozen other great places to get to BF, so I always seem to hit one of them. It's a shame, because I really do like this place. They really don't have a great menu, but they do have a few things that they do very well. I love their BBQ sandwich. I also really like their bakery. I believe that they have the best vegan(isn) bakery in Chicago. Not everything is vegan, but what is vegan is very good.
Pros: Good Food, Nice Place, Friendly Staff
Cons: Parking can be a challenge
Contributions +107
One of my Favorite Veg Restaurants - Edit
I love Blind Faith. It's the first vegetarian restaurant I ever went to when I became vegetarian in the 90s. They have a diverse menu, plenty of seating, and a great atmosphere. Highly recommended.
Contributions +24
the best kept secret - Edit
this café is wonderful. the menu is full of choices where I can go (I'm a vegan) and I can eat with my friends whom aren't as strict. it is a must go eatery.
Pros: afforable, relaxing, friendly and helpful staff
Cons: hard finding parking
Contributions +175
Not good - Edit
I really wanted to like this restaurant. I had been meaning to try it for years, though had been warned that the quality has fluctuated over the years. I can say that this is the first vegetarian restaurant I have eaten at that I wouldn't return to (and I have eaten at many). I ordered a seitan mushroom dish. While that part was okay, the sides were uninspired and unseasoned (white rice, sweet potato/squash mash, and very undercooked green beans). My husband got the peanut noodle and tofu dish. The tofu was cold in the center, and the dish tasted very bland (like unsalted peanut butter on noodles). Even when they provided a side of hot sauce, it was not very tasty.
With so many other great veg places in Chicago, I would skip this one.
Pros: Nice location
Cons: Bland, poorly executed ideas
Contributions +97
Blind Luck Cafe - Edit
Blind Faith started right around the time I became a vegetarian (and then vegan). From the strange little hole in the wall to its current lovely sit down, Blind Faith has always been there. Truth be told, I haven't visited Evanston in years, but every time I go back, I go to Blind Faith as part of my "reunion tour." It is always consistently good -- a reliable favorite. Because I was lucky enough to grow up down the street, I also grew up thinking that it was "normal" and easy to be veg, back in the days before tofu was stocked in the grocery store and every meal included a PB & J. Just one of the many excellent things about growing up in Evanston. Go give it a try and say hello for me!
Pros: Reliably Good Food, Atmosphere, Location!
Contributions +16
Terrible Service - Edit
I had heard from friends about this place, and so I finally went to check it out yesterday with a friend. I was really impressed by the food -- the Macrobiotic was great, the Kung Pao was very flavorful, and our waiter was very helpful. I was also impressed that we didn't have to wait a long time for our food. As we were going out, we passed by the check-out section and was so excited to try one of the cupcakes, and wow. Let's just say that the guy behind the counter was not very helpful (and rude). Because of that experience, I doubt I will go back to this establishment. I do recommend the place because of all the healthy and tasty food, but I left with a really sour taste in my mouth. It definitely was enough to deter me from considering the place again.
Pros: excellent food, healthy
Cons: service
Contributions +17
Great vegetarian find near Northwestern University - Edit
Our vegetarian family had an excellent meal here at the Blind Faith Cafe. The variety of options was great. My seitan stew over linguine was very well prepared and seasoned. The restaurant itself is clean and attractive. They have a good selection of wine, beer and cocktails as well, which we consider to be a plus. My husband and I came back the next morning for brunch before heading back to Pennsylvania. The place was hopping with families of all sizes. There was pleasant outdoor seating available to accomodate the crowd. It is great to see a real vegetarian restaurant doing so well and clearly meeting a need. I wish it were always this easy to find a great restaurant with no meat on the premises. We were very glad for such a good meal to get us on our way.
Pros: quality and variety of ingredients, excellent and attractive prep, open late on Sat. eve.
Contributions +202
Classic - Edit
The Blind Faith Cafe has been my safe spot for going out to dinner with my meat-eating grandparents who both get the BBQ Seitan Sandwich EVERY time we go. The corn bread is terrific as are all the salads, the quesadillas, and blind faith burger. The desserts (both vegan and dairy) are well balanced and always fresh. My experiences with the wait staff have proved them to be patient and kind in the face of 80 year old grumpy seniors. This place is a winner. Well worth the trip up to Evanston (and very easy to get to if traveling by the El). My only complaint is how they became more expensive in the past year or two since the remodel. Great restaurant however getting pricey. Will be eating here for years to come.
Pros: Delicious food., Wonderful staff., Desserts!
Cons: Tad on the pricey side.
Contributions +3358
Best BBQ Seitan Sandwich I've Ever Had!!! - Edit
I highly recommend this place! And Chicagoans, it's really easy to get here via the train, so get out here soon [take the purple line to the Dempster stop and it's about a block away - really close!!!]! When I first walked in I had the choice of sit down dining or self serve, I was with a friend so we did the sit down area. Unfortunately I had to walk past the desert display case which had some really good looking Vegan cakes and brownies [this is all I could think about until I got my good ;)]. I ordered the BBQ Seitan sandwich...all I have to say is, that was the best BBQ Seitan sandwich I've ever had! The prices are a little higher, but I will tell you my sandwich was pretty big - and I was too full to order the Vegan deserts. Overall this is a cute area and nice restaurant with VERY GOOD food!
1 Response
SynthVegan 22 Feb 2013 - I just had the Vegan Blueberry muffin!!! OMG! It's the best!
Contributions +11
Great Food!! - Edit
This is simply one the best restaurants I have ever eaten at. The seitan is excellent, well flavored, I highly recommend it. The dessert selection is amazing as well. Even if I wasn't looking for a vegeterian selection I would advise anyone to go to Blind Faith.
Pros: Excellent Tasting Food, Lots of Choices, Inexpensive
Cons: Decor Cheesy
Contributions +24
tasty and reliable - Edit
I've never had a bad meal here. Their menu is diverse and interesting, offering something for everyone.
Pros: healthy cuisine, varied menu, comfortable room
Cons: can get a little crowded, parking is tough
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