I never thought I’d say this, but vegan comfort food at 10th Street Diner has completely changed my mind about plant-based eating. Located at 3301 E 10th St in Indianapolis, this industrial-chic spot serves up dishes that taste so authentic, you’ll swear there’s meat on your plate.
I remember walking in skeptical, wondering if their famous Reuben could possibly live up to the hype. What I discovered was a menu packed with crispy chili cheese fries, hearty chimichangas, and buffalo chicken sandwiches that satisfy every craving.
The exposed brick walls and warehouse vibe create the perfect backdrop for diving into comfort classics reimagined without any animal products. My first visit turned into a second the very next day.
Whether you’re vegan, vegetarian, or just curious about plant-based dining, this place proves that giving up meat doesn’t mean sacrificing flavor. The 4.7-star rating from nearly 900 reviews speaks volumes about what owner and chef are doing right.
Come hungry and prepare to be amazed.
The Legendary House-Made Reuben That Converts Skeptics
Walking into 10th Street Diner and ordering their Reuben was one of those moments where I had to put my doubts aside. After all, how could plant-based corned beef possibly compare to the real thing?
The answer arrived on my plate minutes later, stacked high with house-made seitan that the kitchen painstakingly crafts to replicate traditional corned beef.
Every bite delivers that perfect balance of tangy sauerkraut, creamy thousand island dressing, and melted vegan cheese between slices of perfectly grilled rye bread. The seitan has a texture that mirrors the real deal, with just enough chew and savory depth to fool even the most devoted meat eaters.
One reviewer mentioned it was the best Reuben they’d had in five years of vegan eating, and I completely understand why.
What makes this sandwich truly special is the care that goes into every component. The kitchen doesn’t rely on store-bought substitutes but creates their own corned beef from scratch, seasoning and preparing it with traditional methods adapted for plant-based ingredients.
This dedication shows in every layer.
Pair it with their crispy fries or opt for a side of their famous Brussels sprouts for a complete meal. The Reuben alone is worth the trip to East 10th Street, whether you’re vegan or simply appreciate exceptional diner food done right.
Chorizo Chimichanga That Delivers Serious Flavor Punch
If you’re looking for something that packs heat and satisfies your craving for Tex-Mex comfort food, the chorizo chimichanga at 10th Street Diner will blow your mind. This isn’t some wimpy wrap trying to pass itself off as authentic Mexican cuisine.
The kitchen fills a large flour tortilla with perfectly seasoned vegan chorizo, then fries it until the outside reaches that ideal golden-brown crispiness.
The cheese sauce drizzled over top adds a creamy richness that balances the spicy chorizo filling beautifully. Multiple reviewers have called this dish amazing, and one mentioned ordering it twice during their visit because it was that good.
The portion size is generous enough to leave you satisfied without feeling uncomfortably full.
What impressed me most was how well the flavors worked together. The vegan chorizo captures that distinctive smoky, spicy taste you expect from traditional Mexican sausage, while the crispy exterior provides textural contrast.
Each bite delivers a satisfying crunch followed by warm, flavorful filling.
The chimichanga comes plated beautifully, making it as Instagram-worthy as it is delicious. Even non-vegans rave about this dish, with several reviews mentioning how it successfully replicates the experience of eating actual chorizo.
For anyone who thought going plant-based meant giving up bold, exciting flavors, this dish proves otherwise.
Chili Cheese Fries That Achieve Crispy Perfection
Some foods just hit differently when they’re done right, and the chili cheese fries at 10th Street Diner fall squarely into that category. These aren’t your typical soggy, greasy diner fries drowning in toppings.
The kitchen starts with perfectly cooked fries that maintain their crispiness even under layers of hearty vegan chili and melted cheese sauce.
One reviewer described them as something they’d crave for the rest of their life, and after trying them myself, I get it. The fries stay crispy because they’re cooked just right, achieving that golden exterior while remaining fluffy inside.
The chili brings warmth and substance, loaded with beans and seasonings that deliver authentic comfort food flavor.
The cheese sauce ties everything together without overwhelming the other components. It’s creamy, slightly tangy, and melts into all the nooks and crannies of the fries and chili.
This creates a dish where every forkful offers the perfect combination of textures and tastes.
Multiple reviews specifically mention these fries, with people calling them amazing and perfectly crispy. The portion size makes them ideal for sharing, though you might not want to after that first bite.
Whether you order them as an appetizer or make them your main course, these chili cheese fries represent everything great about vegan comfort food done exceptionally well.
Brussels Sprouts That Disappear From The Table Instantly
Brussels sprouts often get a bad reputation from childhood memories of mushy, bitter vegetables. The version served at 10th Street Diner completely rewrites that narrative.
These aren’t your grandmother’s boiled sprouts sitting sadly on a plate. The kitchen roasts them until the outer leaves become crispy and caramelized, transforming them into something addictively delicious.
One review mentioned how a group of kids devoured the Brussels sprouts the moment they hit the table, which tells you everything you need about how good they are. The roasting process brings out natural sweetness while adding a satisfying crunch.
Whatever seasoning blend the kitchen uses creates layers of flavor that make these vegetables taste more like a treat than a side dish.
Another reviewer specifically came back for the wings but made sure to mention the Brussels sprouts were amazing too. That kind of repeat mention in reviews shows a dish that stands out even on a menu full of comfort food favorites.
The sprouts work equally well as a starter to share or as a side to complement your main course.
The preparation method matters here. Instead of simply steaming or boiling, the high-heat roasting creates those crispy edges while keeping the centers tender.
A light coating of oil and the right seasonings complete the transformation. Even people who claim to hate Brussels sprouts find themselves reaching for seconds at 10th Street Diner.
Seitan Wings And Gyros That Nail The Texture Game
Texture often makes or breaks vegan meat alternatives, and 10th Street Diner absolutely nails it with their seitan-based dishes. The wings come tossed in your choice of sauces, from classic buffalo to Thai BBQ, with each piece offering that satisfying bite you expect from traditional wings.
The seitan has a chewy, fibrous quality that mimics chicken remarkably well, holding up to sauces without getting soggy.
The gyro takes this same seitan magic and applies it to Greek-style street food. Thin slices of seasoned seitan get piled into warm pita bread along with fresh vegetables and creamy tzatziki sauce.
Multiple reviews single out the gyro as amazing, with travelers specifically seeking out this dish during their Indianapolis visits.
What impressed me about both dishes was how the seitan maintained its texture throughout the meal. The wings stayed crispy on the outside while remaining tender inside, even after being coated in sauce.
The gyro meat had that characteristic slightly crispy edges you find in traditional gyros, showing attention to cooking technique.
The variety of sauce options for the wings lets you customize heat levels and flavor profiles. Whether you prefer tangy buffalo, sweet and spicy Thai BBQ, or classic BBQ, each sauce complements the seitan perfectly.
Both dishes prove that plant-based proteins can deliver on texture and taste when prepared with skill and care by a kitchen that knows what it’s doing.
Buffalo Chicken Sandwich With Just-Right Spice Balance
Finding that perfect spice level in buffalo chicken can be tricky. Too mild and it’s boring, too hot and it overwhelms everything else.
The buffalo chicken sandwich at 10th Street Diner hits that sweet spot where you get authentic buffalo flavor without needing a fire extinguisher nearby. The vegan chicken has a satisfying texture that holds up beautifully to the tangy, spicy sauce.
One reviewer described the buffalo sauce as just right, spicy but not hot, which perfectly captures what makes this sandwich work so well. The toppings provide cool contrast to the warm, saucy chicken, creating a balanced bite every time.
Fresh lettuce adds crunch, while the creamy ranch or mayo keeps everything from getting too spicy.
The sandwich comes on a toasted bun that manages to contain all those saucy ingredients without falling apart halfway through your meal. This might seem like a small detail, but anyone who’s dealt with a disintegrating sandwich knows how important bun quality is.
The kitchen clearly thinks through every component.
Several reviews mention this sandwich specifically, with people noting how the fries served alongside are perfectly crispy and not greasy. The combination makes for a satisfying meal that delivers classic diner comfort food vibes.
Whether you’re vegan or just looking to try something different, this buffalo chicken sandwich proves plant-based versions can match or exceed their traditional counterparts in flavor and satisfaction.
Weekend Brunch Menu That Brings Breakfast Classics To Life
Weekends at 10th Street Diner bring a special brunch menu that transforms traditional breakfast favorites into plant-based perfection. The biscuits and gravy steal the show with their incredibly flavorful sauce that reviewers describe as divine.
Fluffy, tender biscuits get smothered in rich, peppery gravy that tastes like it came straight from a Southern grandmother’s kitchen, minus any animal products.
The spicy chicken biscuit sandwich appears on both the regular menu and brunch offerings, though several reviews note it’s not actually spicy despite the name. What it lacks in heat, it makes up for in flavor and satisfaction.
The breaded vegan chicken sits perfectly between a split biscuit, creating a handheld breakfast that’s both filling and delicious.
Cherry cream cheese pancakes represent the sweeter side of the brunch menu, and according to reviews, they’re absolutely amazing. The combination of tart cherries and creamy filling creates a dessert-like breakfast that still feels appropriate for morning dining.
The pancakes themselves are fluffy and cook up golden brown.
Brunch runs on Saturdays and Sundays with slightly different hours, so plan accordingly. The Monte Cristo also makes appearances on the brunch menu, offering a sweet and savory option that comes with a side of baked apples.
The weekend menu proves that vegan cooking can handle any meal of the day with equal skill and creativity, giving you reasons to visit beyond lunch and dinner.
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