Alice and Friends, a vegan restaurant with two locations in the Chicago area, will soon open in the former Munch space at 104 N. Marion St. in Oak Park.
“I really loved Munch, even before I had my restaurant business,” said Mun Wong, the owner of Alice and Friends. “When we found out that Munch was closing, I reached out. It was a good opportunity.”
“The grapevine in the vegan community is pretty strong,” said David King, president of Oak Park-based commercial real estate company David King and Associates. “I’m
beyond excited to find a vegan restaurant to follow in Munch’s footsteps. There are
many local restaurants that offer vegan options on their menu, but Alice and Friends is a
true vegan restaurant. And they have significant experience operating two other
locations. They truly are the real deal.”
The exact date of opening has not been determined, as upgrades to the space have not been completed.
Wong’s path to becoming a vegan entrepreneur started with her love of animals.
“The agricultural industry is brutal. Animals suffer behind the scenes. But veganism isn’t only about animals. There has been research about how a vegan diet can save energy, save water. It’s about doing something for our home, the planet.”
Wong bought Alice and Friends’ Chicago location in 2015 and since expanded to
another spot in Glenview. The name is a reference to the original owner, named Alice,
but there is another reason she decided to keep it.
“Because I want to create a wonderland for vegans, so they can enjoy everything on the menu without double checking,” Wong said.
She wants to attract non-vegans as well. Two dishes she recommends to first-timers or the vegan curious are Mushrooms Wonderland, a trio of mushrooms served with kale and broccoli over quinoa, and Kung Pao Ding, sauteed red and green pepper, ginger, scallion, broccoli and garlic with peanuts and a choice of meat alternative (tofu, oyster mushrooms or soy protein) with hot chili and house-made Kung Pao sauce, served over brown rice.
Another dish which is a favorite of Wong’s non-vegan parents is ramen. There are two options on the menu: Tonkotsu ramen is made with plant-based broth, served with vegan bacon, mushrooms, bok choy, corn and bean sprouts. Roasted sesame miso ramen is made with house-made dashi, served with lightly seasoned mung bean sprouts, crispy tofu “skin” and corn.
“My parents think our ramen is actually better than meat versions,” Wong said.
Menu options change seasonally. Many dishes just happen to be free of animal products.
Thai tomka soup, Burmese noodle salad, heavenly curry, sweet and sour cauliflower, to name a few.
There’s a kids’ menu too. And don’t forget dessert. All items can be made nut-free.
Wong is excited to bring a fully vegan restaurant back to Oak Park. “I like to promote vegan food so, that’s what we are trying to do. We want people to know it can be delicious. That’s the goal,” said Wong.
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Keep a Lookout:
Website: aliceandfriendsvegankitchen.com
Address: 104 N Marion St, Oak Park