Chicago Raw

Amazing, healthy food. Carole is great-​so many options for weekly meals/​snacks. Chicago Raw combined with protein shakes and juicing increases ur energy and shed lbs fast!

You guys. This place. Just unbelievably good.
I’ve passed Raw in the French Market multiple times and always dismissed it thinking I would be left hungry or eating a flavorless pile of vegetables. One day I was feeling like making a healthy choice, so I gave it a try. Now I may be addicted.
First, as others have noted, their staff is incredibly friendly and helpful. They are always willing to give samples, so you know you like what you are buying. Everything I have tried has been delicious. They also have a lot of options, so you won’t get bored. My favorites so far are the nori rolls and the spinach lasagna. Yum.
Even if you’re not vegan or vegetarian, check this place out.

Riding the Wave this morning at the French market!
It’s my first time to try something from Raw, and I would highly recommend to try Riding the Wave! It’s a great way to enjoy a pad thai inspired dish, without the guilt!

Yummy! I tried the lasagna and the lemon bar and it was delicious! I’m a big foodie and it was a big step for me to try raw food but definitely trying this again. Surprisingly I didn’t finish most of my food and I felt really full for the rest of the day just goes to show you what nutritious food can do for you.

Fabulous. As a person with a very sensitive stomach, let me tell you– it is extremely difficult finding food that I love and that loves me back! Especially this week. Fortunately, I found Raw (thanks Unilocal!!) and was able to pick up a few items for lunch/​snacks. Not only was the food (spaghetti + «meatballs» and apple cinnamon parfait) absolutely delicious, but I felt wonderful afterwards! Basically, if it makes my stomach happy, I’m happy. Thank you Chicago Raw! A bientôt !

So Good!
I got the sample box so I could try lots. Everything was phenomenal.
Squash spaghetti was a in a simple, light oil. The mariana sauce that went with it had basil and green and black olives in it. Olives added a great flavor. The meatball had a dry, compact texture with a walnut taste and hint of red pepper.
The veggie burger had a good tight texture. Mixed veggies and seeds in it and I think flavored with a soy sauce. It was topped with a different mariana than the spaghetti (the website says red pepper ketchup). This one was sweeter; might have been mixed with onion and /​or carrot. There was a second sauce that was wasabi like (website says mustard and parsley relish). The mustard relish was probably my favorite thing in the tray.
Turnip ravioli with cashew cheese. again such good flavor and texture. Topped with some cilantro. super great.
Desert was this mint square. perfect palate cleanser. Refreshing and clean taste.
Just overall a wonderful meal!

I gave RAW 5 stars because I don’t think raw and clean eating really gets better than this, esp when you are carrying out. Though it is expensive I think its worth the money. The staff at this location was so helpful and they had so many samples which really helped me make a decision. The lasagna was so surprising, I had no idea it was going to taste that good. I had the falafel patty and though I didn’t think it was extremely falafel like, it was really good and I am stuffed. The cucumber salad was a perfect compliment and the dried onion was a great «chip». For sure going back.

I love Raw! I came here for the first time because I was looking for a healthy option in the Chicago French Market. Raw was the obvious option. There were a bunch of different tasty-​looking vegan options in to-​go containers, and I ended up opting for the kale salad with goji berries and spicy sunflower seeds. YUM. The quantity was huge, and I actually ended up making it into three meals. It was really tasty.
The staff there was also very friendly and conversational as she rang up my order, asking me about my order, etc. I don’t want to contribute to unfair stereotypes, but a lot of the vegan/​vegetarian places I’ve been previously often have hipster hippie staff who aren’t very warm (they’re usually very «whatever» and apathetic). The staff member at Raw wasn’t like this at all, so I felt very welcomed.
If I lived in the city and worked nearby, I would definitely come here regularly for a healthy lunch option. Minus one star only because I think $ 14 for a to-​go salad is absolutely absurd, even with quality ingredients and the big portion. (Then again, maybe I’m just not used to the typical city prices.)

OMG, dude. Go here! Get the kelp noodle Pad Thai. I was so psyched to take my boyfriend to Chicago because he is a total health nut and I found Chicago’s vegan food scene to be quite impressive, coming from Philly. We decided to take a break from climbing at BKB to grab a snack and coffee before getting back at it, and Chicago Raw provided the perfect late afternoon fuel. We got there right before closing, so we didn’t bother the girl at the counter with too many questions, although we certainly could have. Instead, we quickly grabbed the most interesting prepared meal in eyesight: the Pad Thai. We were a little bummed to see it was 14 $, but being the determined traveler I was, I threw down my credit card anyway.
I’m glad I did, because even split between us, it was such a filling and nutritious meal! I think the effort in preparation, the size of the portions, and the quality of ingredients justify the price. I am so grateful to have been introduced to exotic ingredients like kelp noodles, dulse, and wakame through this awesome meal. I especially enjoyed the wakame– it was incredibly briny and delicious when paired with the sweet and savory almond butter sauce-​covered noodles. A raw truffle for desert was a nice touch. Perhaps the placebo effect was at play, but I truly felt radiant and energized by the meal. We went back to the gym and climbed for 3 more hours! Chicago Raw provides healthy, delicious fuel for whatever you have planned for the day :) I am now determined to replicate their recipes at home.

I am beyond disappointed.
I have had their desserts and snacks on many different occasions and they have always impressed me. So for that reason, my cousins and I decided to give their entrees a try. I got the ravioli, my cousins got the pizza and the signature smaller platter which included spaghetti with meatball, ravioli, and garden burger with a dessert. The portion was perfect for the price, but the taste was absolutely disgusting. Don’t get me wrong, I have tried raw food before and I love it. But this food was disgustingly salty. My raviolis were so salty that I literally couldn’t taste anything else. The other two plates were the same way. We ended up eating a bite of each plate then tossing it out. Everything was exceedingly salty in the plates: the cheese, the sauce, etc.
If it wasn’t for their tiramisu, acai bowl, snacks and staff, I would have wanted to give this place 0 stars.
If you go, make sure to avoid their entrees at all costs.

Holy YUM!!! I work at Wells & Wacker and to have this so close for lunch is INCREDIBLE! There are lots of tasty restaurants near me, but nothing on this level. I had the Spaghetti & Meatballs– sauce was fantastic and lots of flavor! Also, the woman working today was a doll– she was very informative and gave RAW an even better reputation in my book :) Will be back!

Absolutely amazing! Exceptionally healthy, natural & wholesome food that everyone should eat. Try it out, you won’t regret it.

I have no idea what i just ate, but it was good. It was some sort of chili, cous cous, and cashew sour cream.
Everything here is raw and vegan.
I also tried to order a drink from the fridge, but they were all so fancy — at least $ 11 for each drink. There was one for $ 4, but when i tried to check out the cashier told me it was similar to a laxative. I put that right back :)

Got a mixed vegetable salad with mixed greens, cucumber, apple, beets, carrots, their little fried garlic and nut mix, and lemon vinaigrette. $ 10 for the salad (which seemed like a lot), but it was a massive salad. I will not need an afternoon snack after a salad like that one. My only complaint is that the dressing could have used more salt (it is a salad, after all), but that’s an easy thing to fix.
They also have freshly-​made pressed juices, and a few sandwich options on raw/​live bread. You just walk up to the counter, grab a container, and pay. There’s seating nearby that’s all part of the same market area.

I purchase their products from whole foods. Im addicted to the mint bar but I really really wish they listed calories.
The pasta is delicious but I don’t like the meat balls.

Wonderful experience i wanted to try vegan raw food and i am in love with it, my food was delivered pretty quick.
Food tasted awesome and loved the smoothies fresh ! also the kale salad is freaking amazing do not miss out of that!

I have been to many raw vegan restaurants around the country and so far this is one of my favorites. Everything we have tried has been deliciously prepared. The convenience of the French Market location is perfect for us as well. They have a great selection, the juices are fresh, and the energy is spot on for an uplifting experience.
A few of our favorites are, apple pie, lasagna, ravioli, kale chips, all juices. Try the sampler so you can try out different things if it is your first time and feel free to talk to them if you have any questions.

I am not vegan, but every once in a while I pretend to be so that my body can recover from the many abuses I inflict on it. However, if the folks at Raw prepared my food every day I would absolutely be vegan. This is what I’ve tried, I’ve loved every bite.
Pizza: Superb.
Croquette Platter: Fantastic. It comes with vegan sour cream (made from cashews!) and salsa.
Mock Salmon Sandwich: I was surprised. This was VERY good.
Apple Pie: Yummy.
Cranberry Muffin: Delicious, very dense and filling. A really good breakfast if you’re chained to a desk.
They just opened a new location at 51 W. Huron. If you’re a Midwestern meat and potatoes guy like me, this is a great place to pop that vegan cherry.

Chicago Raw is a nice counter-​balance to many of the other food options in the Chicago French Market. In a sea of so much meat and processed food, Chicago Raw is a nice occasional lunch option for when you want to slow down and let your body enjoy the food you eat. All of the selection here, in addition to being good for you, are also very flavorful. Not one bland item here. But I do wish the prices were a couple of bucks lower. Unfortunately I can’t afford to eat here regularly.

Years ago I walked in to their location at the French Market. Carole was so amazing and helpful and offered samples galore. I came in today and she totally remembered me. That aside the food is ridiculously good. The only place I go to in Chicago. Other places can be so militant but Chicago raw is positive and helpful.
The tiramisu is so good! Deep dish pizza and raw lasagna are some of my favorite too. Ginger ale and hazel mlyk are must haves. Warming you will get addicted to eating amazing food that happens to be healthy for you too!!!
The selection of home products will make it a one stop visit!

In awe!!! I could give limitless praise.
Chicago raw and the amazing staff deserves all the praise and support they are receiving.
For the freshest and most soul-​satisfying delish gourmet raw vegan delights, you must go check this place out. Yumm, Delish, and purely Amazeballs…
Ask for the owner Carole, she is a wonderful soul and a true benefit to your community. Her kindness and care for her customers is a blessing to us all.
The quality of her food, the care that goes into her menu, presentation, and the staff are all truly remarkable.
When you’re ready for the best raw/​vegan/​veggie experience in all of the Midwest– maybe even in the US, def go meet Carole and her amazing Chicago Raw crew.
Namaste–

Tastey raw, fresh, vegan food. Lots of variety. Delicious! And was helped and given lots of information by the cute employee working there (son of one of the owners).
I will absolutely be going back!

First and foremost, this place is CONVENIENT. It is located inside of the Chicago French Market. It’s not a sit down and order type of place, but more of a grab and go kind of place. And for a raw food enthusiast, that is very rare.
For my first time, I got the sample platter which consisted of raw spaghetti and meatball, raw-​violi, a raw garden burger, and a dessert truffle. It was a wonderful thing to get if you want to give everything a taste while still filling up. The spaghetti was my favorite. The sauce packed a mean punch (in a good way)!
My roommate recommends the couscous, which I agree was very light and full of good additions.
The raw apple pie was also a winner if you love the taste of apple pie (obviously)! Split the desserts with a friend because of their incredibly high caloric count. Enjoy eating raw!

Hard to find. Then hard to stop ordering things.
My wife and I had a heck of a time finding it. It is in a train station and then inside the French Market.
My wife and I ordered a salmon sandwich. I then felt compelled to order a slice of tiramisu. I had never had vegan tiramisu before!
The salmon had a great taste that was reminiscent of a taste I haven’t had since going vegan. The tiramisu was great. Drop-​dead delicious. My wife warned me that raw food is really filling. Wow was she right. Half a sandwich and a slice or tiramisu and I was not hungry until the next day.
We also ordered a sampler platter (lot of things, zucchini spaghetti, burger, small dessert) and tried it the next morning. Also very good though I preferred the salmon sandwich.
If I had more time in Chicago I would go there multiple times!