Fish-Free Seafood and Meatless Chicken Filets Gaining Popularity in Chicago Restaurants.

The Chicago restaurant scene is experiencing a surge in plant-based options, with two notable brands leading the charge: Swap Food and Aqua Cultured Foods.

Swap Food: Meatless Chicken Takes Center Stage

Swap Food, originating from the Alsace region of France, has launched its meatless chicken filet in Chicago restaurants. This product, boasting 19 grams of protein, utilizes a proprietary technology called Umisation to achieve a meat-like texture using only eight ingredients, including non-GMO soy and pea protein.

Swap Food's initial US launch focuses on Chicago restaurants before expanding to grocery retailers across the US and Canada. The meatless chicken is already featured on menus at establishments like The Chicago Diner, with chefs creating innovative dishes such as lemon chicken piccata and chicken gyros. Swap Food is also utilizing a food truck to sample its products throughout the city.

Arel Brown, co-owner of Soul Veg City and Vegan Now 2Go, highlights the product's seamless integration into existing menus and positive customer feedback.

Aqua Cultured Foods: Fish-Free Tuna Makes Waves

Aqua Cultured Foods is another Chicago-based company making a splash with its fish-free tuna. This product, grown from microbes and fermented using traditional techniques, is already replacing conventional tuna at Mama Delia, a Bib Gourmand restaurant in Wicker Park.

Chef Marcos Campos Sanchez of Mama Delia praises Aqua Tuna for its taste, texture, sustainability, and appeal to a broader customer base, including vegetarians and those with seafood allergies.

While both Swap and Aqua Cultured Foods are initially focusing on Chicago, their ambitions extend to nationwide expansion, albeit through different strategies. Swap is actively seeking restaurant partnerships, while Aqua is concentrating on establishing itself within Chicago's fine-dining scene before expanding elsewhere.