Vegan-friendly
Lacto
Ovo
American
Beer/Wine
Non-veg
Serves meat, vegan options available. Restaurant and bar. Veg choices including pizza, tempura green beans, hummus, salad, sandwiches. Uses local and some organic ingredients; there is a list on the wall of the different farms in the area where they are sourcing ingredients (and also grows some of the produce). Half-price veggie food on Mondays. Vegan beer and wine selections, too. Open Wed-Sat 12:00pm-8:00pm.
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110 N Main St, Crystal Lake, Illinois, USA, 60014
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- Outdoor seating
- Accepts credit cards
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Last update on 30 Jan 2012 by Guest
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Added by MattyB on 30 Aug 2011
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26 Reviews
First Review by MattyB
geenaambrose
Points +16
Food was pretty good, but not worth the awful service - Edit
Food was good but it was not worth the service and the wait time. !!! Didn’t get our food till 2 hours later after our “reservation”
Read moreGuest
TravisP19
Points +73
Super vegan-friendly bar & grill - Edit
This is one of the most vegan friendly restaurants I've been to in the suburbs. The place has a nice cozy, intimate atmosphere that's hard to come by in the burbs. Their menu is small, mostly specializing in burgers, but they do have a few vegan dishes. Each vegan dish is labeled on the menu, so there's no stress when ordering. I tried the veggie burger, and it was one of the best veggie burgers I've had at a restaurant. After we paid, our server gave me a punchcard to use towards a free veg entree. Vegetarian dishes give you 1 punch, while vegan dishes give you 2.
Read morePros: Quality vegan entrees and apps, Vegan dishes are labeled on the menu, Plant-based punchcard gives you free entree
Cons: None
Guest
aubreyj27
Points +2112
good service + options! - Edit
i would like to start by saying i was really impressed with the vegan/vegetarian options here! so far this is definitely the most veg friendly place i’ve been to in the area and i really wasn’t expecting them to have a vegan dessert as well! also! it’s easy to see which options are vegan, which i can definitely appreciate.
Read morethe service was pretty fast and i enjoyed the chile roasted mushroom sandwich. there was a lot of bread, but the sandwich itself was very flavorful and i like that all the ingredients are clearly fresh.
the chocolate torte with blueberry lavender ice cream (all vegan!) was really good and definitely passed my expectations. the chocolate torte was very rich and smooth (avocado based i think) and the ice cream was sourced from julie ann’s (local, serves vegan ice cream)
definitely a good place with solid vegan menu items where i can navigate eating out without a lot of stress or ending up just eating fries due to the lack of options!
Pros: fair amount of options, locally sourced, veg options clearly labeled
Cons: vegan options subject to changes/removal
Guest
AddieAnneSmith
Points +380
Excellent Experience! - Edit
I met my parents and my son at Duke's last night and it was such a good evening. The service was the best I've had in a while, the menu is clearly labeled with vegan options, the atmosphere is warm and inviting and the food was amazing! It is a farm to table operation so the menu changes regularly. This time my son had a veggie burger with a side of chili, I had a mushroom sandwich with tots and for dessert we had a chocolate torte with blueberry lavender coconut ice cream! It was all perfect!
Read moreGuest
KimGibson
Points +64
Best non vegan sit down - Edit
I love going to dukes for special occasions! It's a great atmosphere and feels relaxing. People are very friendly and helpful. You also get a rewards card when you eat a plant based meal! They have appetizers, main dishes and desert thats vegan.
Read morePros: Good vegan options , Yummy, Good experience
Cons: Pricey, Not fully vegan- could have more vegan options , Hours are weird
Guest
StevenG
Points +29
Great food and service - Edit
We went there because we heard they had plenty of vegan options. I ordered the grain bowl, it was very good. Server was very attentive and helpful. When my wife told him I was vegan, he told me about their plant-based punch card. Two punches for a vegan dish (one punch for vegetarian dish), after 10 punches you get a free entree.
Read moreGreat beer selection also. Nice to have vegan options available at a quality restaurant!
Pros: Good food, plenty of vegan options
Cons: No cons
Guest
ohhbedelia
Points +16
One of the best Veg options in McHenry County - Edit
Duke’s is our go-to place! There are vegan options, vegetarian options, GF options, and still other menu items for for non veg people in your life. Some of their vegan menu staples include a really satisfying house made vegan patty burger, vegan chili, and a grain bowl. However, they do have other rotating vegan items that have never disappointed me. Additionally they have several vegetarian items.
Read moreGuest
KatieFrey
Points +23
The BEST - Edit
Nearly zero waste restaurant with numerous vegan options. The tempura green beans are a must, but also serve a tofu kimchi sandwich, a falafel dish, and a vegan grain bowl. Often have rotating vegan specials and have a handful of vegetarian options as well. Also has a vegan chocolate cake!!!
Read moreGuest
olgueis
Points +68
Disappointed with vegan sandwich - Edit
We were so disappointed with our lunch and service today.
Read moreThe attendant was so rude. We had to show her our ID because she couldn’t understand our names and surnames, even spelling them.
Our vegan sandwich was loaded with oil and so so salty I drank water for hours. The tofu too soft and wet and full of oil outside. Same with the side salad, and sooooo small.
We waited 40 minutes to get our food. An adult burger was exactly same size as my kids’ today. And fries was burnt.
Duke was always with high quality, specially with vegetarian/ vegan dishes but today all our food was just bad.
Pros: Some vegan options, Farm & sustainable produce
Cons: Too noisy , Waiting time , Small sizes
Guest
AllisonHogan
Points +40
Delicious and creative dishes & drinks - Edit
We have been going to Dukes for years because they are one of the only higher-end restaurants near us that offers amazing delicious vegan food. I keep watching their vegan options expand. No idea how one could think the food is gross here, I’m shocked and would say give it another try. Im fully vegan and always super happy with my meals here. The staff has always been very accommodating and sensitive to all requests. My husband is not vegan and absolutely loves their chicken and waffles and burgers. They take special steps in the kitchen to prepare vegan dishes here since they also serve non-vegan. They have a rotation menu that changes based on what is locally available. Some of my favorite menu choices are (if in season): kimchi tofu sandwich, grain bowl (wow), falafel pita with pickled onions, dinner salad with added endive and radish, and their guacamole.
Read morePros: Locally sourced ingredients , Lots of vegan options , Craft beers on draft
Guest
JSunflower
Points +37
Disappointed. - Edit
So many good reviews. Nice selection of drinks, but food was GROSS! Why was the food here praised?? I really don’t want to complain because it is nice to have vegan options especially in an area like this, but gosh the food was terrible. With a farm-to-table mentality and a note that they recycle and compost (that’s cool!), and with a menu touting vegan options like “grain bow” (quinoa, rice, smoked corn, fried kale, white beans) and falafel, I came to expect somewhat decent food. Everyone’s food not only looked unappetizing and over cooked but tasted bland. My grain bowl: topped with lots of smoked corn, that was fine, but underneath were bland mashed beans and overcooked veggies with soggy quinoa and a huge chunk of avocado. Made me lose my appetite. My meat-eating friends’ pizza dough was undercooked and their togarashi mayo fries looked like soggy fries in a soup. It must have been a bad night in the kitchen because I can’t believe their food could usually be this terrible with all the good reviews. Waited 40 minutes for a table, then 50 minutes for food. The only reason I’m giving this place 2 stars is because the restaurant has 7 “green initiative”-type awards. Will NOT be coming back.
Read morePros: “Green” restaurant, Quite a few vegan and veg options, Big selection of drinks
Cons: Food: looked unappetizing, overcooked, bland, Expensive, Long wait
Guest
GutterGrl
Points +17
They deserve 5 stars. - Edit
Cool restaurant. Great vegan and vegetarian options. They have a list of all the farms they work with for their produce and goods. Loved our server and had reasonable prices. They also compost which I really liked.
Read morePros: Lots of vegan and vegetarian options., Good service., Good prices
Cons: None!
Guest
stezeiger
Points +106
Quality food, minimal options - Edit
The food I had was so GOOD I was in love, but there were only a couple vegan options.
Read moreOne thing I did absolutely love though was that this is a certified eco-friendly restaurant. There wasn't plastic, and the to go box was cardboard instead of Styrofoam.
Pros: Great food, Eco-friendly
Cons: Few options
Guest
MikaelaHight
Points +40
eco friendly - Edit
I got the vegan veggie burger and hummus and it was so good and fresh! I saw the guy picking veggies from the garden. It's very cute and environmentally friendly 10/10 would recommend!
Read morePros: vegan options
Guest
MidPackPark
Points +227
Nice Place & Good Food - Edit
Great atmosphere. Wonderful location. Locally sourced. Environmently conscious. Great beer selection.
Read moreI've eaten at Dukes a few times. Their menu changes seasonally and can be a bit hit or miss with vegan options. I've seen up to 3 items and only one sometimes. Of the items they do have they are really good. Tasty food and well prepared.
Pricing is average and no more than the carnivore items. Wait staff is pleasant and friendly.
My only complaint would be the amount of options. It would be nice if they consistently kept 3 items on the menu but I feel like it may just be picky as I'm very happy to see any.
I would recommend this place.
Pros: Quality, Environmentaly conscious , Locally sourced
Cons: Some visits only have one option
Guest
abbzombie
Points +18
great local place :-) - Edit
Duke’s is such a wonderful place for a really good vegan-friendly meal! It’s hard to find a restaurant in this area that has both good ambiance and vegan entrees that are made with the same effort as other items on the menu, so this is definitely a go-to option for me when I’m looking to have date night on the weekends. My only complaint is that it gets very busy on Friday/Saturday night, so it’s hard to get a table if you’re trying to make a spontaneous visit. Definitely not the restaurants fault, just make sure to have a reservation if you’re planning on a weekend dinner. Otherwise the wait can get up to over an hour!
Read moreGuest
HeidiMignonne
Points +196
Vegan, GF Chocolate Dessert - Edit
Pleasantly surprised to find some options. I had chips, salsa, chili and their chocolate dessert. All my food was vegan and gluten free! I never find a gluten free chocolate option, but it was here.
Read moreGuest
IrisMadelyn
Points +16
Great food Friendly staff - Edit
While there isn’t a ton of vegan options, the ones that do have are really delicious. Menu is clearly marked vegan and vegetarian. Veg items can be made vegan and they are really accommodating for special requests. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable which is a big plus.
Read moreFavorite items:
The Fried Goat Cheese Salad minus the goat cheese. Replaced the cheese with fried tofu and it was delicious. And a large enough portion to be filling.
The tots with vegan chili. They offered to bake the tots instead of frying to avoid cross contamination from the fryer. The chili is really tasty but a bit small.
Tempura Green beans are great.
The chocolate torte is good but can sometimes be dry.
Pros: Nice ambiance, Friendly and knowledgeable staff, Easy parking
Guest
VeganHammy
Points +187
Delicious and locally sourced - Edit
I love Duke's! Vegan options clearly labelled, vegetarian options can be made vegan. Staff very accommodating. Beer selection also wonderful. I love how they put the farm the food came from on the menu. Slightly pricey but it's good food. I had the veggie burger with vegan chili. Burger fell apart but was tasty. Other Options:
Read moreTempura fried green beans with teriyaki ginger sauce
Chips and salsa
Falafel pita with no tzatziki
Veggie burger with no mayo
Farro risotto without cheese
Vegan chili
Pros: Accomodating staff, Locally sourced
Cons: Used to have more vegan options, Expensive
Guest
ashi81
Points +38
nice option in the area - Edit
Clearly labeled vegan and vegetarian options, though only a couple vegan options and very few vegan friendly sides.
Read moreI had the lentil and sweet potato sloppy joes which was pretty good. (Comes with pickles in the sandwich, so if you don't like that sort of thing, you may want to ask for something else.) even though it is labeled vegan, the server did bring out a small thing of coleslaw, so I will have to remember to ask for no coleslaw next time.
Also, a pretty kid friendly place as I went there with a three year old.
Pros: Good food, friendly staff
Cons: few vegan options
Guest
Marcyp7
Points +192
Disappointed - Edit
Dukes used to be one of the only options in the area...now they're really no different than anywhere else. With only one vegan option on the menu it was so disappointing. They used to have 3 or 4 listed as vegan. I am usually so grateful when there are any vegan options but since they've cut their options down it has become very frustrating to go there especially since the service can be very slow there as well. The servers used to be knowledgeable about what vegan means, now some are clueless. Cute atmosphere and good beer but the food is just mediocre.
Read moreGuest
debbo2
Points +81
Awesome menu - Edit
Great place for vegetarians. Gluten free options too. Great beer selection. Lots of craft beers. Food is awesome. They use local ingredients and have a no waste policy.
Read morePros: Great food
Guest
Lindsey
Points +115
Legitimate Vegan Options in the Suburbs - Edit
My husband and I ordered the grilled vegetable flatbread pizza that is made with Daiya. The crust was delicious! It had plenty of Daiya on it too. We had the jalapeno hummus for an appetizer, which was tasty and a nice portion. My husband was very happy with the beer selection. Here's the one thing that makes me maybe not want to come back...the second I walked in - the smell of urine hit me! I thought maybe it was just the restrooms leaking into the bar/entrance area, but the smell was also in the dining area. I went to the bathroom, and it did not smell like that in the bathroom. It smelled like air freshener. They must use the same dirty mop for the bathroom and the rest of the restaurant. Yuck!!! Other than that, the service was friendly; it was a pretty cool building, and the location is great - downtown Crystal Lake is really nice. Maybe the smell was a one-time thing. I'll probably give it another chance sometime. There were a lot of other people there who seemed to be regulars, so it must not have been bothering everyone.
Read morePros: options actually marked vegan on menu, friendly, tasty pizza
Cons: place smelled like urine!, somewhat inconvenient parking, could have more vegan items
Guest
·X·
Points +23598
Duke's Alehouse and Kitchen - Edit
Last weekend I was shocked by the offerings of Duke's Alehouse...way out in Crystal Lake at that! I ordered the raw pasta, not expecting my dish to be awesome. But my assumption was wrong, that raw pasta was very good. It was made of zucchini and had sun dried tomatoes and olive tapenade - I didn't even have to salt my dish. I have a lot of friends in the area, so I'll certainly go back and try their other offerings. Certainly Duke's was above my expectations.
Read moreGuest
hungrig
Points +142
Great option in the suburbs - Edit
It's really nice to have a place with a few good vegan options out here. My first time there I had the raw spaghetti salad. Very healthy, tasted ok. Second time I had the vegan pizza that comes topped with arugula salad. It was excellent! I also like the fried tempura beans. Love the huge beer selection. Plenty of vegan options there. Only negative was the waiter who called me 'hun.' I found that extremely rude.
Read morePros: Multiple vegan options, Nearby, Great beer selection
Cons: Rude waiter
Guest
MattyB
Points +94
Good food, good beer, good people - Edit
This is a nice restaurant/bar that has a few vegan and vegetarian meals, and a great beer selection. The establishment is environmentally conscious and is a hidden gem in an area with very little to offer vegans. Located right at the Metra station in Crystal Lake.
Read morePros: Vegan choices in a town that offers none, Good beer selection
Cons: Only a few vegan options
Guest
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