Chicago Diner, or, Why Hipsters Shun Me

I wanted to write a post about my favorite restaurant in Chicago. That's a high title as Chicago boasts some very fine dining.

I went to Charlie Trotter's last weekend which is ranked number 38 in the world. Down the street there's a joint that has the best guacamole I've ever tasted. So why does Chicago Diner get my vote as favorite restaurant?

Because there, and only there, am I accepted by hipsters.

For those of you who don't know what a hipster is (or those of you who think you are not hipsters but totally are), my basic definition includes anyone that listens to music they discovered before the artist sold out. They wear clothes primarily from American Apparel - partly because the clothes are made from manufacturers with fair trade standards, partly because their ad campaigns are super provocative, and partly because all their friends work there.

Hipsters do not participate in main stream culture. They live outside the boundaries and they like hanging out in fields painting on Saturdays.

Is there anything wrong with any of this? Of course not! If you're doing your thing, more power to you. The problem with hipsters has its roots in the same problem that Avril Lavigne ran into after debuting the rocker-chic-eye-liner-tie-wearing-faux-school-girl look. It was original when she did it, but the next 45,000 people wearing a tie and telling people that life's just so complicated didn't inspire me.

Hipsters choose their lifestyle to escape convention and judgment from others. They want to be free to live their lives in unflattering spandex and date men that have ironic mustaches. Great! Enjoy!

Why, oh why, then do they judge and shun me when I attend their events?

I work for a very hipster friendly magazine and help manage their events and promotions. This past weekend I helped them host a successful shin-dig; during part of the party I worked the VIP list. During the other part of the party - I was systematically ignored by each hipster that walked through the door.

The answer to my aforementioned question: they judge me. Maybe they can tell there were hot rollers in my hair earlier that night. Maybe their grandma died in a horrible accident and my pearls remind them of her. They can sense that I watch "So You Think You Can Dance," and they can smell the stink of sorority on me. I'm too counter-culture for their now well-defined culture.

But at Chicago Diner, everyone accepts everyone else. This haven is located in Boystown - a part of the Lakeview neighborhood of Chicago. There, large rainbows adorn phallic symbols that line the streets showing the acceptance that comes along with multi-colors, penises, and many stores that sell vibrators.

Here I can wear a polo shirt and eat my vegan food. I can sit next to the boys with the semi-mullets, the woman who still breast feeds her 3 year old in public, and no one gives me a second look. I love that.

Especially as I get ready to move to the hipster capital of the world, aka Williamsburg, NY, I have to remember to still stay true to what I like. What I like doing, wearing, eating, watching, and being. I'll find the hipsters that would eat at The Chicago Diner - the true hipsters. The true people.

Plus, the food is absolutely, ridiculously incredible.

Let's make this clear.. an entry on selectarianism

When people ask what I eat, I tell them I am a vegan.

When I go to restaurants where the only vegan option is salad I will order something that has dairy in it.

"How contradictory! Outrage!" You exclaim!

But I don't see it that way. Let me explain.

I chose to become a vegan six-seven months ago in January 2008. I read "Skinny Bitch" and immediately had to completely give up meat. If you want to know why the change had to be so quick, read the book. Otherwise, just trust me, I had to. But the book doesn't stop there, it advocates for full fledged veganism. In addition, the authors hate refined sugars, coffee and constipation. They really go all out.

Eventually I do want to be a full-fledged, card-carrying vegan. I recognize that the world hasn't made the shift yet and sometimes I have to adjust to that.
So I chose to go vegan, cut back on my alcohol intake and nix all the caffeine. I haven't been completely successful. I still drink coffee on mornings when I can't see straight and I think even if it's organic vegan red wine, drinking a bottle of it is not on the recommended list. But what I have found is that just like any lifestyle decision, putting it into practice involves a lot of work and adjustment. Frankly, I'm proud of what I've been able to accomplish. Here's how I've done it so far:

• At home, all the food is vegan. The food I cook, snack on and bring with me somewhere adheres to the strictest of vegan rules. I love trying to make new dishes, and if they suck, I can only blame myself. Or my roommate.


• At restaurants without clear vegan options I am more lax. Have you ever gone out to eat with someone on a strict diet and they took 15 minutes to order? I know the cook is probably going to cook my grilled vegetables in butter (or worse) no matter what I ask for, so I try to keep it as simple as possible.


• Eating with my boyfriend is where I really mess up. What can I say? He makes me so happy, and really how could I tell him no when he orders me ice cream? Plus we're in a little bit of a battle of the meat eater vs. the vegan. Even I'll admit sometimes a little compromise is necessary to keep everyone afloat. He did take a bite of my vegan (read: tofu) quiche, so we're both trying!

Eventually I do want to be a full-fledged, card-carrying vegan. I recognize that the world hasn't made the shift yet and sometimes I have to adjust to that. I pick my battles - and most importantly, I feel good. How can you argue with that? So when I tell you I'm a vegan, I mean that I am against factory farms, pollution and cruelty. When I order the veggie burger even though there is cheese in the patty, it means that I'm doing the best I can. Some people are better, but somebody's always going to be better. Those jerks can look down on me all they want.

I'm still occasionally going to order the portobello entree even if it comes with a cream sauce. And I'm going to like it.