LIL VEGGIE EATS

Your Guide to Vegetarian Eats

Author: Riley James

  • Five Lakeview Breakfast Spots with Plant-Based Options

    I’ve lived in Lakeview, Chicago for a few years now, and I’ve found some incredible breakfast restaurants and coffee shops in the area. There’s so many delicious vegetarian options in the neighborhood, but here’s a few of my favorites.

    Sam and George’s have 29 skillets to choose from on their menu, and The Spartan with sautéed tomatoes, onions, green peppers feta cheese on top of hash browns is my go to. If I want something sweet, I order their yummy chocolate chip pancakes as well. This family-run restaurant is one of my favorites in west Lakeview, and I always leave feeling full and happy.

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  • Berry Banana Smoothie Recipe

    Spring is just around the corner which means it’s almost time for smoothies for breakfast again! I love drinking a smoothie in the morning on a warm day.

    Here’s the ingredients I use to make this smoothie:

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  • My Vegetarian DoorDash Favorites

    We live in an age where I can get delicious food from my favorite restaurants delivered right to my door in Chicago, and I’m going to take advantage of that. I use DoorDash when I have a craving because I get a free DashPass membership with the Chase Sapphire Preferred credit card I have.

    The Elote quesadilla from Seoul Taco is one of my favorite indulgences to order for delivery. It’s packed full of flavor and spice. Their kimchi fried rice and churros are fire too. I always recommend this place for a tasty takeout meal.

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  • Autumn Eats in Southwest Michigan

    I grew up in St. Joseph, and I was lucky to be surrounded by so many delicious restaurants. I love visiting so I can indulge in my favorite spots from my childhood. Autumn is the best season to visit Michigan, and I just spent a weekend in the area soaking up the crisp autumn air and fall fresh flavors.

    One of my favorite restaurants in Benton Harbor is the Mason Jar Cafe, and their pumpkin pancakes autumn special is the perfect filling breakfast on a chilly morning. I love how these pancakes taste with their savory breakfast potatoes. I don’t drink coffee, but I do love their chai latte.

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  • What I Ate While Backpacking Isle Royale

    I went on my first backpacking trip to Isle Royale a few weeks ago, and I had such a great time exploring the small island surrounded by Lake Superior. I went with three of my friends, and we ended up hiking around 37 miles total over four days. We camped at Three Mile, Daisy Farm, and Moskey Basin. We were pretty lucky that it barely rained during our trip, and we even plunged into Lake Superior one day after our hike.

    Every day I looked forward to heating up one of my backpacking meals for dinner at the end of the day. I was pleasantly surprised with how delicious the backpacking food was. All I has to do was add boiling water to the package, stir, and wait for the food to moisten. I’ve learned to add a little less water than what it calls for to make the food less watery. Both Backpacker’s Pantry and Mountain House have a variety of vegetarian/vegan options with my favorites being the Pad Thai, Kathmandu Curry, and Veggie Chorizo Breakfast Scramble.

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  • Pick Me Up Cafe is as Delicious as it is Cozy

    Pick Me Up Cafe is diner heaven. The restaurant features fun colors and a menu offering breakfast all day. You really can’t beat the selection of veggie options at Pick Me Up. This spot has options for vegans, vegetarians, gluten-free, and carnivores, so everyone can find something delicious to eat here! Here are a few of my favorites:

    One of the best breakfast dishes in Chicago is The New Yorker. A plate of perfectly-seasoned potatoes topped with red peppers, mushrooms, pesto, goat cheese, and an egg is everything I could ask for in a breakfast dish. And there’s nothing better than a toasted bagel with cream cheese as a side.

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  • Vegetarian Food in The Big Easy

    I’ve visited New Orleans a few times now, and each time I visit there are more and more vegetarian options.

    There’s never a bad time for a beignet, and that’s why I always try to stop by Cafe Du Monde every time I visit. I loved the energy of pure joy found under the striped green and white awning while enjoying fluffy pastries drenched in powdered sugar. If you’re someone who likes coffee, ordering your beignets with a cup of Joe is a pairing you can’t miss.

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  • Eating Plant-Based in Costa Rica

    I spent a week in Costa Rica and visited Puntarenas, La Fortuna, and San Jose. All the plant-based food, hiking, and beaches were incredible.

    We started the week off along the coast at Puntarenas. The desayuno americano at Casa SanSe included pancakes, eggs, toast, and fruit. Everything tasted so fresh, especially the papaya. I couldn’t ask for a better beachside breakfast.

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  • Beachside Eats on Anna Maria Island

    I just spent a few days soaking up the sun on Anna Maria Island in Florida. It was such a lovely way to end winter, and I was pleasantly surprised by all the delicious food and drinks I tried while there.

    I love eating dinner with a view of the gulf, and this tropical salad from Beach House Waterfront Restaurant was incredible after a long day of swimming at the beach. All the fruit tasted so fresh, and the tropical vinaigrette was the perfect dressing. Enjoying a tasty piña colada and some yummy apps while watching the sun set on their patio was a great way to end the day.

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  • A Food Shoot – Stan’s Donuts

    The early bird gets first pick at Stan’s Donuts. My New Year’s resolution was to create more food photos, and I loved making this set for my favorite donut place in Chicago.


    I started this blog so I can take more photos of food as well. I think most of the photos I post on here will be taken with my iPhone, but I decided to pull out my camera for these shots. Check out my photography portfolio here.

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