Chicago Diner Cookbook, The / Kaucher, Jo A

"The Chicago Diner" stands out as a vegetarian jewel in Chicago's historically meat-eating landscape. Founded in 1983 by Jo Kaucher and Mickey Hornick, the diner helped elevate vegetarian cuisine from its humble beginnings to a delicious, even artful, experience.

Over the years the diner has drawn regular folks and celebrities alike, from families who come in each and every Sunday to luminaries such as Madonna, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, the Dave Matthews Band, Boy George, Smashing Pumpkins, Marilu Henner, and Roger Ebert—who gave a thumbs-up to the diner a few years ago on "The Tonight Show" with Jay Leno.