Whenever I head to a new city, I love to Google the Paleo friendly joints. Since my husband has been working in Chicago, we have been eating our way through town and discovered this little gem of a restaurant called mEAT.
Funny story actually. I had done my research to learn that Paleo Yelpers love this place, and even Urbanspoon has very kind words, so on the night of our reservation, we hailed an Uber and off we went. My phone was telling us to go in a different direction completely, but I trusted “Uber guy”. We ended up in a way the heck out of the way in a part of Chicago referred to as “Boy’s Town”. The driver pulled up in front of a restaurant called “mEAT” . Luckily it was the restaurant we were hoping to try, just an alternate location. This one was attached from the back to a very swank gay bar and likely proved to be a more lively dining experience than the location on Chestnut.
We were seated by a charming young man, handsome as all get out. Soon, after meeting our waiter, his trainee and the manager, we realised they were all young, charming and held day jobs as GQ models. Except the bartender; he was a long-hair-flipping, fish-out-of-water, renegade who dropped an entire jar of maraschino cherries when I asked if I could photograph him for this blog post.
Brent and I were thoroughly briefed on the menu. The system is all centered around the skewers. mEAT had a rack at the table and based on your inclination this rack will hold a variety of delectable “meat on stick thingys.” I was sold. I love novel food. We both started with a kale, Caesar. It might have been one of the best things I have ever tasted. The chef poached the egg in red wine and placed it ever so gently on top of a bed of passionately massaged kale. The picture was “ungetable” because of the odd color of the egg but trust me, this salad is worth a way-out-of-the-way-misdirected-Uber-ride.
Then came the skewers. I am not sure what to say here. The table fell silent, and I am pretty sure angels riffed. Brent and I happy-groaned our way through four skewers. Chicken wrapped in Bacon (not paleo-had a little cream cheese stuffed in there). Skirt Steak, Lamb and scallops (all super paleo). The scallops were so tender they fell off the skewers as soon as they were hung. I think I muffled with every alternate bite “I am coming back here, I am so coming back here”.
We were stuffed but the menu they listed a Paleo dessert. What?? I had to. It was a chocolate avocado mousse. I’ll admit It wasn’t a fudge brownie with vanilla ice cream, but it was delicious, and I loved that there was a dessert option for those of us that want to stay paleo when eating out.
Both locations for the mEAT restaurants receive excellent reviews. The meat is well sourced and beautifully prepared, and there are lots of delicious vegetable options. The Brussels with bacon were divine. If you are in Chicago looking for an excellent meal without stepping away from your clean-eating commitments, then mEAT is the place for you. Enjoy!
Check out mEAT!
Do you try to eat clean, whole food as much as possible? I know restaurant eating can be tough. Let me challenge you. The next time you eat out, peruse the menu ahead of time. Decide what your options are and if you want to be sure call the restaurant and speak with someone who knows the cooking methods. What kind of oil do they use? Can they assure a gluten-free environment for those who need it? What meals would they suggest for your particular eating plan? I do this, and it saves awkwardness with my group of pals at the table. I have been enjoying eating out much more since I do a little pre-prep! Let me know how it goes!
If you liked this review, you’d eat snails for these.
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34 Responses
Chicago is definitely on my bucket list – will add this restaurant to the MUST GO list 🙂
So amazing, Noemi. Thanks for reading.
Will have to check this place out! Thanks for posting!
I love doing restaurant posts for sure!
Those brussels sprouts look amazing. Funny about all of the GQ models working there 😉 Sounds like that restaurant’s easy on the eyes all around!
Yes, it was. It was pretty funny actually. Gay men could teach straight men a thing or two about personal care. 🙂
Wow, this place sounds like an awesome find! We don’t eat out much because of dietary reasons. When we do, I love to find places that source from local farms, use organic food, quality oils, etc.
Add this to your list, Emily! It was great!
i don’t follow the paleo diet but this looks like a great place for me to visit next time I’m in Chicago. The skewers look amazing!
Just good whole food! And that is what they serve. yum! 🙂
Sounds like a good time with good food! Those skewers are mouthwatering!
They were excellent, Warren! Fun to read about good food, right?
Oh gosh, thank you for sharing this amazing restaurant! I’m moving to Chicago in the Summer and trying to find as many eateries and things to do as possible!
Have fun! You will love mEAT and CHICAGO!
YUM YUM YUM! I wnat to try this so much. It looks delicious
Cassie! Kale salad, gir! so good. 🙂
Sounds fabulous! Wish we had one here in LA!
LA has some great spots as i am sure you know, Linda! I love eating in LA!
Wish I would’ve read this before I went to Chicago recently! Sounds yummy!
I hate that when that happens! 🙂 Luckily lots of places are popping up around who care more about sourcing and quality of food!
How awesome!! My sister lives in Chicago.. I’ll definitely have to share this with her!! I’m sure she’d love it!!
Valarie
Mommy at Last
I think they would have something for everyone! So good, Valerie!
I’ll be in Chicago next month and will put Meat on our restaurant short list – looks delicious!
I think either location is going to be great! Enjoy, Kate!
I LOVE mEAT! Probably my favorite restaurant in Chicago! I love your review, thanks for sharing!
How fun!!!! I love that you have been there! 🙂 Thanks Sicilian Swede!
Oh my goodness! I just moved away from Chicago after living there for a year and I never tried it. Oh, well. Guess I’ll just have to go back. 🙂
It was worth the flight, Cassandra!
Chicago is a city I want to visit dearly. I have a friend out there that talks about all of the restaurants and attractions but they never mentioned this place. It looks amazing! I love the out of the woods type of restaurants. They are the best. I will have to mention this one to her and she if she’s had it. Thanks for sharing. I will have to add this to my places to visit while in Chicago.
For sure, Travis. I like those kind of places too!
This is awesome! My husband and I recently switched to paleo. We fall off here and there (desserts and tacos are my weakness). But I love knowing that when we head back to America we will have easier food options that follow this way of living.
Lots of great places popping up, Trisha!
We’re not on any type of diet (paleo, gluten-free, etc.), but I’d still love to try this place out! 🙂 I’ve heard so many great things about the Chicago food scene that I really want to dive in and check it out!
Who can pass up skewers right??? I hope you get the chance to check it out Natalie!