Vegan
Fast food
Delivery
Take-out
Mexican
Catering
An all-vegan Mexican restaurant serves a large variety of dishes and beverages. Open Mon-Sat 12:00pm-9:00pm, Sun 12:00pm-8:00pm.
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- Wheelchair accessible
- Accepts credit cards
- Free Wi-Fi
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Last update on 27 Aug 2024 by KatelynCollin
Update business info -
Added by Degu on 01 Apr 2022
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174 Reviews
First Review by ExploreV
VeganClarkGriswold
Points +33
Late lunch - Edit
Popped in on a recommendation from maps. Chimichanga was incredible, portions were HUGE and the NA margarita was great. Spicy but I elected for that experience.
Read morePros: Portions, Options, Staff
Guest
Amyladedada1
Points +832
Delicious - Edit
Delicious vegan Mexican food. Really glad I tried this spot since I was only in Chicago for a short visit.
Read moreRecently visit and went back…. Still delicious! They had a great taco Tuesday deal. The food came out so quickly. Can’t wait to visit again next time I’m in Chicago.
Updated from previous review on 2023-10-05
Guest
StephenTanner
Points +105
Delicious taco lunch - Edit
I stopped by and got the taco dinner combination (three tacos plus rice and beans). Really excellent, savory, filling meal!
Read morePros: Variety of flavors and textures in tacos, Funky decor
Guest
Selonyx
Points +1288
Probably one of the best vegan restaurants - Edit
One of the best dinners I’ve had in my travel to America would come back in a heartbeat
Read moreStaff, vibe and food was amazing and super affordable
Pros: Tasty, Cheap
Guest
lentils_af
Points +958
Fantastic - Edit
I had the chimichanga. It was great. Lots of good looking stuff on the menu, it’ll be my first stop next time I come to Chicago. Mmmmmmmm
Read moreGuest
XoxoVeganGirl
Points +168
Best taqueria in Chicago! - Edit
Update: Andersonville location was so cute and the staff were super nice. The horchata is fantastic. We got nachos, guacamole, chips, a chimichanga (of course), and more tacos. It was really hot in the restaurant because they had the windows open on an 85-degree day, but that was the only downside. The guac was a bit overpriced at $13.50 for a small scoop, but it was super fresh. Chimichanga was extraordinary (as usual). The tacos were all incredible aside from the Baja which lacked flavor (needed more avocado) and the carnitas (which are oat-based) tasted like barley, in my husband’s opinion. The chorizo, barbacoa, asada, and al pastor tacos were tremendous. Overall, though, our second visit was phenomenal and we love supporting women-owned businesses (especially WOC!) that are 100% vegan!! Please, Penelope’s, sell your sour cream in bulk!! I will buy your entire stock!! Same for the tomatillo sauce!
Read more————————————
My husband and I tried this place today for lunch, and boy was it amazing! Reasonably priced, especially for such a downtown location. The texture of my chimichanga was crispy and filling, and the taste was to die for. I asked if they make their own sour cream, and the chef says he does! I knew it was too good to be store-bought. Not to mention, was this thing huge - so I’m currently eating the other half at home while I write. My husband says the tacos were extremely authentic, he was worried it was real meat for a second!
The murals throughout the restaurant are beautiful, and they play a mixture of Hispanic and American pop music. We went around 4:00pm on a Wednesday and we were the only people in there for a while, but as soon as we were leaving, the place filled up immediately! Parking is not terrible, there is street parking with a limit of 2 hours which costs about $10. They have one gender neutral bathroom in the back which is very clean.
The staff were super great and we thanked the chefs on our way out - they gave us a sweet goodbye!
My husband and I will definitely be back to try more menu items, everything looks so good!
Updated from previous review on 2025-09-29
Pros: Food, Staff, Art + culture
Cons: Music was a tiny bit loud, Hot inside 🥵
Guest
ForTheAnimals23
Points +790
Bangin’ enchilada - Edit
Enchilada was super flavorful and filling. Love the elote corn. Watermelon juice was refreshing
Read moreGuest
TiannaPrichard
Points +395
Delicious!! - Edit
I got the enchilada plate and elote appetizer. I’ve never had a chance to try vegan elote before, so I couldn’t pass on the opportunity. The food is fantastic and the atmosphere is very cute!
Read moreGuest
PlantRich
Points +454
Absolutely must visit! - Edit
Loved everything about this place! How do they make such incredible queso fresco?!?!?
Read morePros: Quesobirria tacos, Tacos dorados!!!, Roasted corn pico de gallo
Cons: No t-shirts 🤔
Guest
jccoach
Points +108
Fantastic vegan Mexican food!! - Edit
Tasted like street food in Mexico City. Delicious tacos!!
Read moreGuest
Manjuvegan
Points +1161
¡Para chuparse los dedos! - Edit
Exceptional vegan Mexican restaurant. My friend and I got the quesabirrias and a taco dinner and it was all delicious. Tacos were quite filled to the top, which I appreciated because they were so good! Staff is friendly and will help you order if you’re unsure.
Read moreGuest
lalupitagomz
Points +584
Lollapalooza - Edit
I have been waiting for so long to try Penelope's and the day finally came when I saw they were at Lolla! I tried their al Pastor Tacos and really enjoyed them! They are some of the best I have tried so far. I also had some of their Horchata, which was also very good and made me nostalgic. The staff was also very friendly!
Read moreGuest
Trashlord666
Points +604
¡me gusta mucho! - Edit
delicious all-vegan mexican food and super friendly service! an excellent selection of non-alcoholic beverages, too! it seems to get pretty busy on the weekends so reservations are strongly recommended!
Read morePros: all vegan , great staff and great environment , nonalcoholic drink options
Guest
portlandvegan24
Points +38
Yummy food, beautiful interior - Edit
Great vegan Mexican food! I highly recommend this place. The tacos, fries, and onion rings were delicious.
Read morePros: Great food, Beautiful interior, Good service
Guest
HappyFoodLove1
Points +287
Delicious! - Edit
Plentiful and so tasty! I had the salad and the chunky cheddar taco. So good! The salad would have been enough food - I love the vegan queso!
Read moreGuest
EABessel
Points +1771
Really good - Edit
Recommended stop for all-vegan Mexican food. The molletes were outstanding. Tried several different tacos and they were all very good, but a bit on the oily side. The pozole was wonderfully simple and light. Worth a visit. Friendly staff and good vibes.
Read moreGuest
joanna240
Points +373
Optimal dinner choice - Edit
We were happy to find Penelope's within walking distance of our hotel on our last night in Chicago. Initially, we were going to sit outside, but when it seemed as though no one would take our order, we went inside and snagged a table. There were only two other parties there but service was slow and the staff, though friendly, seemed depressed.
Read moreFood was fine. We're Californians so spoiled by lots of great Mexican options, and I would call Penelope's pretty much mid-pack.
I'd hesitate to go back only because it felt so oppressive eating there. That's not a vibe I usually encounter! I hope it was just a bad night for them.
Guest
Techmama
Points +151
Great variety of vegan tacos! - Edit
There were at least 8 different tacos to choose from, as well as burritos, flautas, enchiladas, quesadillas - so much better than the usual veggie burrito with no cheese at other places! They also have a good selection of beer, wine, cocktails and non-alcoholic drinks. Highly recommend!
Read morePros: Great variety of vegan options, Cute, colorful atmosphere, Friendly service
Cons: None!
Guest
jessorz
Points +1050
I’d eat it again. - Edit
I had the chimichanga and the salad. I enjoyed them both, but the flavors weren’t as strong as I imagined they would be. The salad tasted good once you mixed in the dressing, but mine was missing the carrots and possibly the pepita seeds. The chimichanga contained a lot of rice, which made it taste a little bland overall. It did come with a semi-spicy salsa that could be used to jazz it up a little, though. Overall, it was okay, and I would give it another try.
Read moreGuest
CoryCole
Points +151
Great taste and fantastic service - Edit
Great Mexican food with an appealing authentic vegan take. I would eat here again and again. Also the drinks hit the spot!
Read morePros: Great food, Friendly service , Cute location
Cons: Small establishment , Only one bathroom, if that’s important.
Guest
Sorrelsprout
Points +138
Super Tasty Chimichanga - Edit
Penelope's is overall great and the Chimichanga was really tasty. There was a lot of potato in the Chimichanga. The portion sizes were quite large though and the food was flavorful. I got takeout so didn't get a full gauge of the restaurant/atmosphere.
Read morePros: Chimichanga, Friendly staff
Guest
NickiSellKasper
Points +78
Yay! Delicious Vegan Mexican Food - Edit
Food and service was great!!
Read morePros: Takis Elote corn appetizer so good!!!, Mushroom and Asada Tacos, Rice, Beans and Salsa
Guest
Norwottuck
Points +179
Bomb tacos and nachos - Edit
Had the loaded nachos and carnitas and queso taco. Washed it all down with the original horchata. All delicious!
Read moreGuest
MacklanClendenin
Points +83
Best vegan tacos - Edit
Some of the best vegan street tacos I’ve ever had, and they have a whole section of different ones. Can’t wait to try the others!
Read morePros: Tacos , Small place, Friendly servers
Cons: Ceviche, just not that creative.
Guest
veggiesaurus_86
Points +5285
Tasty Tacos - Edit
Tasty Tacos in a nice atmosphere.
Read morePros: Nice interior, Friendly service
Guest
MatthewCoomber
Points +45
Great food & service - Edit
Visiting from out of town, we were so happy to come across this place! The food was delicious. The Asada Fries appetizer was delicious, as was my chimichanga. Waitstaff was helpful and kind with our neurodivergent family’s needs and many questions. We will definitely visit again when in Chicago.
Read morePros: Food quality, Presentation , Service
Guest
cns71
Points +199
Cute patio - Edit
Nachos were super yummy and the service was great!
Read moreGuest
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