When I switched to a vegetarian diet, one of my biggest worries was what I would eat when I went out with friends. I was preparing myself to live a life of fries and diet coke while having my dining out cravings. Thankfully it was extremely easy to find restaurants that could satisfy my dietary restrictions, and with plenty of options.

One of my favorite vegetarian-friendly restaurants is The Chicago Diner. While it is located in Chicago, it is totally worth the trip. Whenever I’m downtown I always see if I can stop by their Lincoln Park location because of the homely diner atmosphere.

Not only are all of their options meat-free, but they are also extremely accommodating towards vegan diets. While most of their meals are over $10, they are not unreasonably priced for meat alternatives. They offer a variety of foods from Mediterranean dishes to Thai stir fry that will satisfy all of your cravings.

Some of my recommendations include the Buddha Karma Burger and the avocado tostadas. The burger is sweet potato based and is paired with the perfect amount of pineapple. If you’re looking for something sweet they are famous for their vegan milkshakes and pina colada cake.

If you want similar quality food, but a place a bit closer to home my second recommendation is True Food Kitchen in Oakbrook. This restaurant is definitely more modern than the Chicago Diner, nonetheless I frequent it a lot, especially when it comes to shopping at Oakbrook Mall. All of their ingredients are locally sourced and organic which aids nearby agriculture.

Again, these prices are typically above $10 for a meal because they are locally sourced, but the freshness of the food is unmatched to most restaurants. They offer extremely healthy and delicious drinks to help get your day (or shopping) going like the honey matcha lemonade or sparkling antioxidant tea.

Even though the drinks alone warrant a stop, their food is always original and out of the box. Some of my favorites include edamame dumplings as an appetizer and the teriyaki quinoa bowl with tofu. I genuinely was not a fan of tofu until I had it from True Food Kitchen.

If these two restaurants are a bit out of your price range or area, there is one vegetarian option that I believe tops them all — Taco Bell. Not only does Taco Bell satisfy my fast food cravings, but it is also extremely vegan-friendly with their substitutions. I firmly believe that the people who despise Taco Bell have not tried their vegetarian options.

The best vegetarian options are their black bean crunchwrap and seven-layer burrito (fresco vegan style of course). When I was younger I would feel like trash after eating Taco Bell, but after switching to their vegetarian options I can fully appreciate the fast “Mexican” food chain.

Thankfully, the Chicagoland area has limitless options for vegetarian meals. Even if these restaurants aren’t your cup of tea, you are bound to find one you love.