Essential Kitchen & Essential Kitchen Cafe Menu – Gurnee, IL

Type : Restaurant

Location : Gurnee, IL

Essential Kitchen & Essential Kitchen Cafe is an organic, all natural, vegan food company lead by Chef Shawn Bork & Leslie Hernandez. Located in Gurnee, IL… We use a holistic, whole food approach to creating refreshing juices & smoothies at the cafe, and preparing fresh, ready to eat meals that are delicious, nutritionally balanced, and available for you to grab & go. EK is passionate about sharing with you the tools available for healthy living. Our emphasis is on tasty, delicious and most importantly healthy food options.

Based on 19 reviews, the restaurant has received a rating of 5.0 stars. Price

✔️ Dine-in ✔️ Takeout ✔️ No-contact delivery

Essential Kitchen & Essential Kitchen Cafe 60031

Address:
1405 Hunt Club Rd, Gurnee, IL 60031

Phone: (224) 848-1999

Website: https://wfpbessentialkitchen.com/

Hours

Sunday Closed
Monday

(Labor Day)
 9 AM–3 PM

Hours might differ
Tuesday 9 AM–3 PM
Wednesday 9 AM–3 PM
Thursday 9 AM–3 PM
Friday 9 AM–3 PM
Saturday 9 AM–3 PM

Menu

BREAKFAST January2 – March12 (Ayurvedic)
Blackberry Chia Oats (Vata)
Blackberries, Lemon & Coconut Milk Compote, Chia & Oat Base, Coconut Flake & Almond Topping		 $3.00
Blueberry Pie Overnight Oats (Vata)
Rolled Oats, Oat & Hemp Milk, Chia Seeds, Vanilla Extract, Date Syrup, Pink Himalayan Salt, Wild Blueberries, Lemon Zest, Arrowroot Powder, Toasted Oats		 $3.00
Caramel Apple Yogurt (Pitta/Kapha)
Coconut Yogurt, Vanilla Extract, Date Syrup, Red Apples, Ceylon Cinnamon, Rolled Oats, Lemon Juice, Walnuts, Date Caramel		 $3.50
Orange Cranberry Bread (Vata)
Oat Flour, Baking Powder, Baking Soda, Ceylon Cinnamon, Date Syrup, Orange Juice, Orange Zest, Applesauce, Cranberries		 $3.50
Purple Muffin W/Turmeric Coconut Flakes (Vata/Pitta)
Oat Milk, Ube Powder, Date Syrup, Baking Powder, Lemon Juice, Vanilla Extract, Coconut Flakes, Turmeric, Pink Himalayan Salt		 $3.50
Sweet Potato Hash W/Pumpkin Seed “Egg”& Sausage (Tri-Doshic)
Sweet Potato, Red Onion, Garlic, Poblano Pepper, Sprouted Pumpkin Seeds, Turmeric, Nutritional Yeast, Black Salt, Oregano, Black Pepper, Oat Milk, Hot Sauce		 $9.00
LUNCH/DINNER January2 – March12 (Ayurvedic)
Buffalo White Bean Patty With Sunflower Seed Ranch (Kapha
Homemade breaded white bean patty tossed in a garlic butter hot sauce served on Dave’s Killer Bread bun with sunflower seed creamy ranch dressing.		 $7.50
Build-A-Bowl (Vata)
Choice of grain, veggies, greens, plant-based protein and a sauce . Choose one from each category: GRAIN Millet Farro VEGGIES Cabbage Carrots Green Beans, Peppers/Onions Snow Peas Sweet Potatoes GREENS Spring Mix Spinach PROTEIN Lentils Edamame TOPPINGS CCF-cumin.coriander.fennel Seasoning Sesame seeds SAUCE Poke Sauce		 $10.00
Build-A-Bowl (Pitta)
Choice of grain, veggies, greens, plant-based protein and a sauce . Choose one from each category: GRAIN Quinoa Farro VEGGIES Cabbage Carrots Green Beans Peppers/Onions Sweet Potatoes GREENS Arugula Spring mix PROTEIN Black beans Tofu/Soy Curls TOPPINGS Parsley Cilantro CCF-cumin.coriander.fennel Seasoning SAUCE Pumpkin Seed Pesto		 $10.00
Build-A-Bowl (Kapha)
Choice of grain, veggies, greens, plant-based protein and a sauce. Choose one from each category: GRAIN Millet Buckwheat VEGGIES Cabbage Carrots Green Beans Peppers/Onions Snow Peas Sweet Potatoes GREENS Kale, Spring Mix PROTEIN Spiced Lentils Tofu/Soy Curls TOPPINGS Pickled Ginger CCF-cumin.coriander.fennel Seasoning SAUCE Wasabi dressing		 $10.00
Chickpea Pot Pie W/Zesty Orange & Goji Berry Spinach Salad (Vata/Kapha)
Homemade slice of pot pie that is filled with carrots, celery, peas, and chickpeas swirled in a creamy herb filled bechamel sauce. Paired with a side salad of baby spinach, dried goji berries, orange zest, sunflower seeds and citrus lime vinaigrette.		 $11.00
Chickpea Tuna Salad (Vata)
Crumbled chickpeas, celery, sunflower seeds, dill, dulse flakes are all mixed together in with a creamy cashew mayo. It is served on Dave’s Killer Bread with spring mix and thinly sliced radish.		 $7.50
Cordon Blue W/Green Beans & Arugula Caesar Salad W/Parm Dijon Dressing (Tri-Doshic)
The base of our colorful cordon bleu is white bean and vegetables which is then layered with thinly sliced smoky carrot and our homemade cheddah cheeze. Paired with lemon fennel haricot vert, and an arugula caesar salad with dijon dressing.		 $11.00
Creamy Carrot Poppy Seed Soup (Vata
Slow cooked carrots in tahini and oat milk, this soup incorporates homemade coconut yogurt, cracked black pepper, poppy seeds and garnished with freshly chopped scallions.		 $5.50
Egg Roll Bowl (Vata)
This Asian inspired dish combines crunchy cabbage slaw, bell pepper, ginger and coconut aminos and our own “pumpkin seed” egg into a buddha bowl that is perfect for any meal. Served over turmeric brown rice, and paired with our sunflower butter spicy sauce.		 $10.00
Essential Burger With Special Sauce (Tri-Doshic)
Homemade Lentil Mushroom burger served on Dave’s Killer Bread bun and special sauce. Add-ons: cheddah cheeze $1.00 coconut bacon $.50		 $8.00
Greek Bowl (Vata/Kapha)
Our base of millet tabbouleh is surrounded by mediterranean veggies, leafy greens, falafel patties, lemon hummus and a cashew sour cream.		 $11.00
Mole W/Turmeric Brown Rice – White Bean “Chicken” Patty (Kapha)
Freshly prepared mole using a myriad of ingredients, this spicy chocolate sauce is created and served over our turmeric brown rice with a homemade breaded white bean patty. Served with extra delicious mole sauce.		 $12.00
Soup Of The Week (Tri-Doshic)
Check our website for the soup of the week!		 $5.50
Special Of The Week (Tri-Doshic)
Check our website for the special of the week!		 $12.00
Stuffed Sweet Potato W/Quinoa, Spinach, Cranberries, Toasted Pumpkin Seeds & Feta Cheeze (Pitta)
Colorful sweet potato stuffed with tri-color quinoa, spinach, cranberries, marinated coconut “feta” cheeze, and toasted pumpkin seeds as a garnish.		 $10.00
White Bean Chili W/Balsamic Reduction (Tri-Doshic)
Our version of a white bean chili made with cannellini beans, jalapeno, applesauce, ashwagandha, lime juice and a balsamic reduction glaze.		 $9.00
DESSERTS January2 – March12 (Ayurvedic)
Banana Bread W/Strawberry Jam (Pitta)
Oat Flour, Cinnamon, Salt, Mashed Banana, Date Syrup, Date Powder, Nutmeg, Almond Butter, Almond Milk, Vanilla Extract, Walnuts, Strawberries, Chia Seeds, Lemon Juice		 $3.00
Cherry Almond Blondie (Vata)
Chickpeas, Tahini, Almond Flour, Date Syrup, Vanilla Extract, Almond Extract, Baking Powder, Baking Soda, Sea Salt, Sliced Almonds, Freeze dried cherries		 $3.50
Chocolate Brookie (Pitta)
Almond Flour, Cacao Powder, Cocoa Powder, Date Powder, Applesauce, Vanilla Extract, Freeze Dried Strawberries		 $3.50
Figgy Lemon Bar (Vata)
Rolled Oats, Oat Flour, Almond Flour, Date Powder, Baking Soda, Coconut Yogurt, Dried Figs, Lemon juice, Vanilla Extract, Maple Syrup		 $3.50
Mint Chocolate Chip Cookie (Pitta)
Oat Flour, Almond Flour, Date Powder, Baking Soda, Peppermint Extract, Vanilla Extract, Matcha Powder, Tahini, Aquafaba (Made from chickpeas) Cacao Chips		 $3.50
Red Velvet Brownies (Tr-Doshic)
Date Syrup, Sweet Potato, Flax seed “egg”, Oat Milk, Vanila extract, Apple Cider Vinegar, Oat Flour, Cocoa Powder, Beet Powder, Baking Soda, Mixed Strawberry & Beet Powder		 $3.50
Sun Butter Cup Cookie (Kapha)
Oat Flour, Sunflower butter, Date Powder, Baking Soda, Lemon Juice, Sea Salt, Coconut Yogurt, Sunflower Butter, Oat Milk, Vanilla Extract, Mini SunButter cups		 $3.50

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Menu Photos

Photo Gallery

Reviews

Meg Zirkelbach
The restaurant is located inside the Centre Club. I’ve dined in and taken out… Both delicious meals! I have severe allergies and it seems vegan non GMO seem to agree with me. It seems to have helped with my arthritis as well. I have allergies to do many things and Shawn is able to help me with his careful labeling and he will make me dishes special order. Worth a try and see if you feel better!

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Rita Cangialosi
I started a journey this year to eat healthier in hopes it will help my chronic pain condition. I’ve cut out processed sugar and am slowly working towards a plant based diet. Owners Leslie and Chef Shawn have been so generous with their time, knowledge and suggestions for my goal to get my symptoms in check. You can stop in for a grab and go from the cooler or you can pre-order from their website for delivery or pickup. All of their food is devoid of refined oils, sugar and processed ingredients but not taste. They change the menu seasonally and offer specials weekly so you’ll never get bored. My favorites are the sun butter cookies, orange cranberry bread, and the Greek Bowl.

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Wendy Spalding
I am delighted that this super healthy vegan cafe is now open at Advocate Condell Centre Club Gurnee. I have bought several smoothies there after gym workouts and they have all been superb.

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Suzie Kormos-Davis
It’s such a blessing to find foods that fit into my whole food plant based diet and are also incredibly healthy and delicious. Thoughtfully prepared without refined oils, sugar or processed ingredients, and if you follow Ayurvedic practices, the foods are easily distinguishable by Dosha. They will also help you through the journey if this is all new to you! I have too many favorites to mention, and specials change every week, but you will never be disappointed if you order a bowl and cherry almond brownie. Also, the menu changes with the seasons and weekly specials so there is always something new to try. Pre-ordering is done on the website for delivery or pickup 2x week, but they also have a good selection of ready to eat/grab and go options in the cooler.

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Bustajoint Nflex
For years i suffer With chronic illness and irritable bowel syndrome. Even with other disorders, I’ve had had to change a lot of my diet through out my life. This food is honestly Delicious. I was forced to eat vegan and gluten free and was not getting the correct vitamins.The chef told me that I could eat healthy without sacrificing my taste buds.This company was definitely built on honesty and wellness. The owner puts their love for cooking I’m good energy into making Hearty and healing food. The prices are actually very Reasonable if you think of non mass produce and organic cooking. Also the time and dedication. I order from here for gut resets and or big events. I will continue to here forever lol. Thank you guys For making a difference in my life. Best food ever .

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Fitzroy
I had a great experience here! It was my first time, but all of the staff were very helpful and incredible overall. Highly recommend the Orange Creamsicle smoothie, 10/10

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Roy Bingham
Delicious and healthy. Shawn and Leslie are steeped in knowledge of health, fitness and nutrition and they are also fun! Great food and lovely people.

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Jack Dege
I’ve been here a few times, and everything I’ve ordered has been fantastic. When I find a good resturant I tend to order too frequently and quickly get sick of it. Hasn’t happened here thanks to the weekly specials. The specials are very different each time, not just “a regularly offered sandwich but now with green peppers” situation.

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Sam Petrichos
We originally discovered them from a vending machine/fridge outside of our doctor’s office in Barrington. We tried the Mint Chocolate Chip Cookie and Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookie and loved them!

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Ainsley Smith
Awesome restaurant! Food tastes great, and has great nutrition. Owners are very kind and helpful.

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