Vegetarian Restaurants in Chicago suburb (?)--suggestions needed

[NinetyFour]

When I volunteered for a conference (which will be held 2 weeks from now), I was told it would be in Chicago.  Turns out it is in Schaumburg, IL, quite a hike from the windy city, looks like.  I might have time for one half-day hour jaunt into Chicago itself, but otherwise I will be holed up in a hotel in Schaumburg.  This might be a longshot, but does anyone have suggestions for good restaurants in that area--or within an easy walk or bus/train ride?  I am a vegetarian, and try to eat a fairly low fat diet.  I am also a bit of a coffee snob, and would love to know about coffee shops in that area.  I will not have a vehicle, so I will be relying on my feet and on public transportation.

Also, in case you know the area, I could use suggestions for how to cheaply and quickly get into Chicago--and what I should do there--I will have from about 7am - 1pm free on my last day there, which will be a weekday.

Thanks in advance for any help!

[chicagomeg]

Hi NinetyFour. My only suggestion for vegetarian in Schaumburg is Sweet Tomatoes buffet at Woodfield Mall. I don't know where your hotel is in relation though; Schaumburg is not a tiny place and it's pretty much the absolute epic epitome of urban sprawl, so I don't really know if there's anything that's easily walkable.

As far as going into the city, 7am-1pm is pretty tight for the Metra. Metra is the commuter train in the area & it does run almost meticulously on time 99% of the time, but outside of rush hour, trains can be infrequent. Once you get into the city, the Metra station is at least half a mile or so from anything interesting. It might be worth making a trip in, but check the schedules at metrarail.com.

[NinetyFour]

Thanks, mlipps.  Looks like I will be near the intersection of 90 and 290, where all the other hotels in Schaumburg are.

Other suggestions, Mustachians?  Does anyone know anything about Schaumburg?  I hope I will at least be able to walk to a grocery store!!

[galaxie]

When I am stuck at conferences in places without a lot of veggie food, I go to the nearest Whole Foods (or other grocery store with a big, veggie-friendly deli area) and buy a bunch of the deli salads.  It's cheaper than eating out, and this way at least I know I'll have something vegetarian available.  Maybe someone else at the conference can give you a ride?  Schaumburg is a place where you usually need a car.

[NinetyFour]

I just used Google Maps and found that there is a Whole Foods within 1 mile of my hotel.  Score!  (And I don't have to cross a major highway to get there!)

Thanks for your ideas.

[chicagomeg]

The local grocery stores in Chicago are Dominick's, Jewel, and Meijer, so you could look if any of those are nearby; I can't remember off hand.

[NinetyFour]

Thanks--I will do that. Those places will probably have better prices than WF.

[NinetyFour]

Any other ideas regarding Schaumburg?  I will be there most of next week.

Thanks very much.

[ritchie70]

Schaumburg is really just typical suburbia. Don't expect much except all the same stores and restaurants that exist everywhere else.

If you're from somewhere warm, don't underestimate how unpleasantly cold it will seem to you, and expect a strong wind.

If you like gadgets, the Ikea has cart escalators. I thought they were kind of neat.

Most of the hotels are clustered more-or-less around Woodfield Mall. It's one of the biggest enclosed malls in the area, possibly the biggest, if that sort of thing appeals to you.

[NinetyFour]

Thanks, ritchie70.  I have discovered that there is a Whole Foods nearby, and a couple of interesting looking eateries (Wildberry Pancakes and Maggiano's).  So I think I will be OK.  I still need to do some research about how I might get into Chicago early Friday morning before I fly out of O'Hare at 3:15pm.  Not sure if I really have the time to make it into the city.  Is public transit fairly reliable?

[chicagomeg]

Thanks, ritchie70.  I have discovered that there is a Whole Foods nearby, and a couple of interesting looking eateries (Wildberry Pancakes and Maggiano's).  So I think I will be OK.  I still need to do some research about how I might get into Chicago early Friday morning before I fly out of O'Hare at 3:15pm.  Not sure if I really have the time to make it into the city.  Is public transit fairly reliable?

Metra is 98% reliable, barring major accidents or weather, but like I said, won't get you terrible close to downtown proper.

[NinetyFour]

Thanks, mlipps.  Maybe I should just sleep in and then get a good work out that morning, instead of trying to race into Chicago.

I appreciate the input!

[N]

If you take the metra in, you will probably not have time to do much- the Willis Tower is close to that station, so you could conceivably get there, go up to the viewing deck (not sure price) and then get back. it would probably take you too long to try to do anything else. (willis tower is formerly Sears Tower, which is probably still the tallest buildng in the us)

[NinetyFour]

Thanks for the suggestion.

[ChicagoGirl]

If I recall there is a Stir Crazy near the mall in Schaumburg. It's a chain restaurant (Asian Cuisine) that has vegetarian options, grilled veggies, etc. 

[N]

Im revising my opinion :)

http://metrarail.com/content/metra/en/home/maps_schedules/metra_system_map/md-n/map.html

http://metrarail.com/content/dam/metra/documents/Union_Station_TravelGuide11042013.pdf

assuming you are on the schaumburg metra stop, you can catch a train around 7 am to Union Station and arrive by 8 am.

To return, you can take a 11:30 am train and arrive back by 12:30. trains dont run as often that time, so its then or an hour later. it looks like its approx 6$ each way.

That would leave you 3.5 hrs

Depends on what you want to do or see, but I dont think you have time to go into a museum.

Willis Tower http://www.theskydeck.com/ 18$ walking distance

Milennium Park (depends on weather) http://www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/depts/dca/supp_info/millennium_park.html bus ride/cab ride
the art institute is one block over from here. fantastic gift shop, museum is great of course, and food.

John Hancock Building http://jhochicago.com/en/plan-your-visit/espression-cafe another high view of city, I belive its free to go to the restaurant (no admission) but buy a drink or coffee instead of doing the observatory thing for 18$ looks like the 151 bus goes directly from union station to the hancock.

French Market http://www.frenchmarketchicago.com/ few blocks from union station, could walk, lots of foodstuffs,

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/amtrak-guest-rewards/1170282-chicago-layover-things-do.html

http://www.texaseagle.com/pdf/theloop.pdf

hope this helps.

[Eric]

French Market http://www.frenchmarketchicago.com/ few blocks from union station, could walk, lots of foodstuffs,

That place looks cool.  I was wondering how I hadn't heard of it.  Apparently it opened the week after I moved West.  I'll have to check it out next time I'm back.  Thanks for posting this.