Whether you want to find out about mobsters, go to a sporting event, or hobnob with the artists’ elite, you can find something to do in Chicago. But, the question is, can you eat keto in Chicago? That is the question we are asking today in this blog.
Breakfasts for Keto in Chicago
Whether it’s Denny’s, IHOP, or just a breakfast sandwich at McDonalds, there are options to eat keto breakfasts in Chicago. But if you’re looking for something a bit different, I found that the Goddess and Grocer might be a good option. They have 5 locations around the Chicago area and they actually have a menu item called Keto Breakfast. This is a breakfast plate that includes eggs, avocado, cucumbers, pickled red onions, green goddess sauce, and your choice of bacon or sausage. I would likely go without the red onions, and I’d ask about the sauce, but this might be a keto treat if you are on vacation.
The Honey Bear Cafe also looks really good, as it gives you the option of creating your own scrambled egg dish and omelet. They also have a steak and eggs dish. This sounds like there are lots of options. And, if you’re there closer to lunch time, they have ½ pound burgers you could order without the bun.
Keto Lunches in Chicago
If you don’t want a fast-food restaurant for lunch, you might want to check out Bluebird Chicago. When I looked up keto and Chicago, this one popped up every time. They have several salads that look really good. The Cobb salad seems keto-friendly as is. Their Santa Fe salad sounds yummy, just hold the corn. One of their sides is cheese curds – you’d have to ask about how they are served.
But the one item that everyone seems to rave about in the keto universe is the keto / gluten-free fried chicken meal. I would order this with caution, as the menu says that while they use keto-approved flour for the batter, they also use buttermilk. The amount they would use would probably not make a huge difference, but many companies add sugar to buttermilk.
Dinners for Keto in Chicago
If I’m going to Chicago, you know I’m going to the Michael Jordan Steak House. They have many options of tender, well-aged, expensive steak you can choose. I’d get them with a Caesar salad with no croutons. But, they also have a lot of sides that sound keto-friendly. There is asparagus, bacon Brussels sprouts, mushrooms, and green beans. Heck, if you’re to this restaurant, you might as well add their lobster tail as a side!
Another restaurant that pops up a lot in my keto research is Mable’s Table. They have a variety of steaks to choose from. Their sides are why, I think, this restaurant gets keto props. They have a kale-spinach duo, baked cauliflower, or crispy Brussel sprouts for sides. A steak with baked cauliflower sounds pretty good to me!
But the one that gets our vote is called Keto Bros Pizza. Apparently they also have restaurants in Ohio and California. They ONLY serve keto pizza. That’s it. There are 4 net carbs in a slice of the crust. You can get a cheese pizza, a veggie pizza, a turkey pepperoni pizza, meat lovers, or a mushroom and pesto pizza. This option is awesome!
Another Option
Another option they have in the Chicago area is the Low Carb Kitchen. It is a place where you can order meals like you would with Chef’s Plate, but the meals are all under 8 net grams of carbs. You can order 7, 14, 21, or 28 packs of meals a week. This could be a great option for traveling if you have a small fridge and microwave in your room.
A Final Thought About Eating Keto in Chicago
The bottom line is that there are options for eating keto in Chicago. I had never really considered the city as a destination, and then I started doing some research. They have so much in their area to explore. It’s nice to know there are specific keto options there, as well as the normal restaurants where you can make things work. I think the Windy City might now be on my travel bucket list!
Wendy