Posted 2 days ago by Maggie Young; Marketing Manager at Elephant + Vine
2 MIN READ -- More Chicagoans are choosing plant-based meals, likely because plant-forward food checks a lot of boxes people care about when it comes to dining choices: convenience, taste, sustainability, and health. The fastest-growing group in plant-based eating isn’t strict vegans, it’s flexitarians: people who still eat meat but intentionally choose plant-based meals a few times a week. That shift is reflected in grocery stores, fast-casual menus, office catering, and downtown lunch habits.
There are a variety of reasons why people are shifting toward plant-based food. For one, plant-based meals are known to be healthier than meat-based options and also tend to be lighter and easier to digest, helping to avoid afternoon slumps. Second, many diners want choices that align with environmental values, even if it’s just a few times a week. It doesn’t hurt that there are now better options than ever before. Today’s plant-based food goes far beyond veggies and hummus: plant-based meals today are comforting, satisfying, and tasty. Plant-based fast-casual meals also allow for more inclusive dining (great for groups with different dietary needs) and offer options that travel well to the office.
As someone who works at Elephant + Vine, a plant-based fast-casual restaurant in Chicago, I see this shift play out daily. Downtown diners aren’t necessarily looking to change how they eat entirely; they’re looking for lunches that are quick, healthy, satisfying, align with their values, and don’t contribute to an afternoon slump.
If you’re curious about plant-based food and want to order from us, I’d recommend our Santa Fe wrap or our Elechik’n sandwich. You won’t miss the meat, and you’ll be doing something good for yourself, for animals, and for the planet!
-Maggie Young, Marketing at Elephant + Vine (a plant-based fast-casual restaurant concept in Chicago and Evanston)
