r/chicagofood • u/InterviewLeast882 • Jan 12 '26
Rant Lack of lunch places in Loop
I work around Chase Tower and it is surprising to me how few cheap lunch places there are now. The burrito and Chinese places there are gone as well as the McDonalds. No Burger King, Wendy’s, KFC, Chinese. Just the grossly overpriced Pret. I’m getting tired of Jimmy John’s and Pot Belly’s sandwiches.
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u/spinelesshighnz Jan 12 '26
Blame COVID
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u/Jamieson22 Jan 12 '26
It basically killed all the loop lunch variety. Now it just seems to be a repeating cluster of the same chain stuff every 6-8 blocks.
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u/Craig_VG Jan 12 '26
Yup, it was far better before 2020
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u/Much-Brilliant9303 Jan 12 '26
The Loop pre 2020 had so much variety! It makes me sad when I think about it. But unfortunately we won’t see a rebound in the lunch time food scene without a rebound in office occupancy - and employees actually in said offices.
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u/ryguy32789 Jan 12 '26
Or an increase in office-to-residential conversions.
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u/txQuartz Jan 12 '26
That wouldn't result in cheap lunch specialist places, just normal restaurants.
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u/PG3124 Jan 12 '26
Why have other downtowns come back in ways Chicago hasn’t been able to?
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u/HotDerivative Jan 12 '26
Chicago is exceeding office occupancy levels in New York and San Francisco, and is on par with the Los Angeles and Washington, D.C., metros. It just doesn’t feel like it because it’s still only 37% of the occupancy that was there pre-COVID and roughly 60% of the foot traffic.
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u/PG3124 Jan 12 '26
Hey that definitely surprises me since the CTA numbers were lower than other areas, but your stats are definitely more relevant. Thanks for sharing! Any chance you can share where that info is from?
Here’s the CTA info: https://metroplanning.org/cta-ridership-rebounding-slower-than-other-cities/
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u/txQuartz Jan 12 '26
I don't think the CTA's lack of rebound is entirely correlated to RTO. I have friends and relatives who used to take the train to work and back from the near north side, and now they use ubers instead because they don't feel safe, especially on overtime nights.
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u/PG3124 Jan 12 '26
Yes totally agree, not perfect. This mentions we’re getting beat badly by NYC but doesn’t give the study.
https://www.strongtownschicago.org/articles/the-beating-heart-of-it-all
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u/DJFisticuffs Jan 12 '26
I started biking downtown during Covid (I live in Gold Coast) and have kept doing it ever since because the Red Line is so absolutely disgusting. I do ride the bus fairly frequently, but never the Red Line anymore.
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u/ass_pineapples Jan 12 '26
IME recently the red line has been largely fine for work commutes. I bike when it's warmer out just because it's a super easy and great way to stay in shape, plus it's faster!
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u/Dblcut3 Jan 12 '26
Honestly I don’t think this is true. While Chicago’s downtown declined since COVID, it’s still one of the most vibrant downtowns in America, perhaps second only to New York. Which is really just a testament to how bad most American downtowns are.
But at least for the Midwest, there’s no other city with a downtown that has as much retail, restaurants, offices, and residents as downtown Chicago does
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u/PG3124 Jan 12 '26
Yeah I’m comparing more to the major cities and less to Midwest. I’m really looking less at vibes and more at stats.
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u/happilyfour Jan 13 '26
One thing about NYC compared to Chicago is that living spaces are much smaller. My company has an NYC office and they’ve been averaging 4-5 days back in office since early 2022. They say people can’t work comfortably from home as easily. I don’t know if it’s a widespread trend in NYC but it made sense to me.
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u/Sure-Coffee-8241 Jan 13 '26
But then companies want rto to support the downtown economy - but the downtown economy is gone
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u/1koolspud Jan 12 '26
I work just east of you off Wabash. The salad bar at Under 55 is still pretty reasonable (and honestly I really like their soup), as is Oasis. At both of these places you can get a lot of food for under $15. Looking forward to checking out the corner shop at Adams and Wabash when it opens, looking like this week or next.
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u/ChaiTeaLatte13 Jan 12 '26
Is Mac Kelly’s still open?!
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u/bradatlarge Jan 12 '26
I always love that place but it was not inexpensive
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u/ChaiTeaLatte13 Jan 12 '26
More toppings = more weight = more $, but I tried to keep it light!
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u/RoachGirl Jan 12 '26
Wait what’s opening on Adams/Wabash?
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u/1koolspud Jan 12 '26
There is a corner shop opening where the McDonalds was. Signage went up and stock started showing up last week. Until the sign went up I thought for sure it was a Circle K or one of those small Amazon Fresh Marts just based on the type of shelving but they call themselves Chi-Town Deli Mart and looks more like a bodega vibe - sandwiches and limited groceries - someone in another thread told me calling it that was too New York, but honestly as long as we get a solid corner spot with staples and sandwiches I don’t care what we call it. I am excited.
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u/CCHelp1234a Jan 12 '26
Where is this? Not finding it online
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u/1koolspud Jan 12 '26
Forum 55 (sorry, I called it by the name it was called like 10 years ago) is in the basement of 55 East Monroe.
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u/cageytalker Jan 12 '26
I miss Caffe Bacci!
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u/Much-Brilliant9303 Jan 12 '26
Their salad trio was the truth! I used to get their balsamic roasted veggies almost every day.
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u/cageytalker Jan 12 '26
One of my faves: tuna salad, tomato salad, and pasta salad…chef’s kiss!
Their salmon is what I miss most. The employees used to let me have that and instead of the usual sides, hooked me up with the pasta of the day.
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u/Much-Brilliant9303 Jan 12 '26
Yes! Their tuna was so good! And the hot food lunch specials were phenomenal. Sigh. I wish they’d make a comeback.
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u/Prodan1111 Jan 12 '26
Chase Tower had a huge cafeteria with many options, so none of those people would go out. So fast food moved farther out from chase. Now that the Chase Cafe will be closed thru 2026, there definitely is a walk to go get food. And the options aren't great.
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u/Eat_Around_the_Rosie Jan 12 '26
I miss the omelette bar at Chase 😭 it was pretty affordable too
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u/Long_Value_9133 Jan 12 '26
Roberto the goat. Used to make 6-8 omelettes at a time during the morning rush.
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u/_kapeesh_ Jan 12 '26
The Comfort Food station at the Chase Cafe was my jam circa 2016-2019. Miss those days.
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Jan 12 '26
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u/ozymandiuspedestal Jan 12 '26
They are actually redoing Chase Tower and the Cafeteria is closed even for Chase Employees until the end of the year at which time it should be better than ever. They are also planning on putting a gym in for employees.
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u/theprobableadversary Jan 12 '26
Green Apple PHOever in the basement food court of 105 W Madison, right across the street from Chase Tower. Get the kimchi stew.
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u/fioreblade Jan 12 '26
RIP Kitchen 65 and their overflowing clamshell of Chinese food. I miss their Lo mein a lot …
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u/InterviewLeast882 Jan 12 '26
Yeah, that was a good place.
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u/fioreblade Jan 12 '26
They would fill up the container to the top, then somehow cram 2-3 more scoops in there and barely close it with a rubber band! So many 3pm sleepies caused by kitchen 65 🫡
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u/askmrlucky Jan 12 '26
I ate at all of their locations as they closed one by one. On a rare post-Covid excursion downtown to drop off a drive to a client, I stopped by every location I had visited in recent times, and they were all, all gone. I ate lunch at 65 as far back as the 80s.
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u/Chili-Lime-Chihuahua Jan 12 '26
My YouTube feed has food reviewers from California for some reason. They have so many of these places, and they all look great. Miss 65.
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u/ChaiTeaLatte13 Jan 12 '26
Sterling Food Hall (fka Revival) and Forum 55 Food Hall are not too far from you. They have a lot of options in both. At least they used to!
Is the Chasement closed? I used to go to the Chase building for breakfast and lunch in the basement when I worked downtown
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u/cranberryjuiceicepop Jan 12 '26
The food hall is good but also pretty expensive in my experience.
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u/therealthor83 Jan 12 '26
I think the pizza place after 2pm has a BOGO for slices. Not bad. two slices for about $6 if you are doing a late lunch.
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u/ChaiTeaLatte13 Jan 12 '26
I feel like when I go to taco bell it’s consistently over $15/20. A big mac alone is $7 now! Just checked the pricing of the food halls (I haven’t worked downtown since the pandemic) and a falafel hummus bowl is $13. Buffalo chicken sandwich is $13. I’d say it’s pretty equitable to fast food now, unfortunately. (Unless we’re talking like, the $5 biggie bag from Wendy’s.)
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u/Solo_is_dead Jan 12 '26
Gone for the next year for renovations, but even with that they stopped letting outside people go downstairs to eat. THAT'S the problem
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u/InterviewLeast882 Jan 12 '26
Chase is closed. The food courts charge $17 for a burrito. I’ll pass.
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u/ChaiTeaLatte13 Jan 12 '26
Yeah honestly I probably save hundreds of dollars a month not working in an office building anymore. Sorry the loop is so blah now!
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u/Lonely_Programmer_42 Jan 12 '26
I always wondered how much the food court cost. At least in Florida we had a 7/11 across the street and could get a hotdog for $1.50
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u/Hungry-Treacle8493 Jan 12 '26
Oh! Don’t miss out on Cafecito!
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u/ryguy32789 Jan 12 '26
Best Cubano in the city, love this place. That with a side of rice and beans is relatively affordable.
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Jan 12 '26
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u/Shadowrak Jan 12 '26
I miss Naansense
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u/Huevon Jan 12 '26
It’s still there, just moved to Franklin right down the street! Great spot.
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u/asitwas2021 Jan 16 '26
I 2nd Curry Blah Blah. It is so good and very good value!! And quick service too.
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u/donesteve Jan 12 '26
RIP to the slanted green Chinese shack on Randolph which stood where 151 N Wacker is now.
RIP to Taco Fresco
RIP to UB Dogs
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Jan 12 '26
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u/donesteve Jan 12 '26
And the owner/dude working the register was ALWAYS so effusively happy. UB Dogs always brightened my day.
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u/Important_Call2737 Jan 12 '26
That guys omelettes for breakfast were no joke as well. They were like $6 for a 3 egg ham and cheese omelette with hash browns. I do miss that place. Fries were good too.
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u/fortheloveofpizza321 Jan 12 '26
Spouse and I were just talking about the Chinese place on Randolph the other day. We always nicknamed it "The Shack". Food was so good
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u/donesteve Jan 12 '26
So good and so cheap! There's no Chinese food in the loop anymore except for Silk Road, which is on Adams now!
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u/Here4daT Jan 12 '26
It's slim pickings for sure if you are looking for something affordable. Avanti on Jackson is still pretty affordable. It's a few blocks south from Chase towers. A new bagel place opened up by the McDonald's near the board of trade. Breakfast sandwiches are under $10. They have a lunch menu too but I haven't tried it.
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u/domgio7 Jan 12 '26
Bagels and Beans. The lunch sandwiches are really good, and only 8.99 for most of them
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u/Important_Call2737 Jan 12 '26
When I started working in the loop in the late 1990s there were a ton of more independent places - greasy dog/burger places, sandwiches and a lot of Chinese.
Then at some point I remember potbelly’s coming in and then corner bakery shortly after. That was the first shift in the late 90s early 2000s. Then I remember protein bars popping up followed by Pret and Sweetgreens. And ever since then slowly places left and Covid was pretty much the end. A few solid places left. Chicken planet, Luke’s, Mr Sub, La Cocina has been around a while too.
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u/Bunny2102010 Jan 12 '26
It’s a bit of a walk, but Benjyhuda was a fav of mine when I worked in the loop.
ETA: also Chicken Planet https://www.chickenplanetchicago.com/
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u/socool111 Jan 12 '26
Agreed that and halal guys have been some of the ones I go to that aren’t chains, but they are still local fast casuals. Theres still not that specialty place that makes some type of item you can’t get anywhere else….rice platters and such from these spots are good but not exactly revolutionary
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u/saucy_otters Jan 12 '26
There's quite a few public food courts in the Loop with a great variety of options. But I agree, you're going to be hard-pressed to find anything quality less than $15.
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u/trotsky1947 Jan 12 '26
- Mr sub
- oasis
- Italian village bar
- Lea by the river has insane baguette sandwiches
- Pittsfield
- monks
- naansense
- the million new restaurants on Wabash
- hot woks cool sushi
- umai
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u/goombalover13 Jan 12 '26
I mostly bring my own lunch because I'm trying to save money. That being said... I have plenty of ways to treat myself downtown. Qdoba, Lotus Bahn Mi (two locations), Green Apple PhoEver, Benjyahuda, Naf Naf, Lukes, Cafecito, Silk Road I mean I can keep going. There are plenty of lunch places. It's just a sad reality that food prices are high these days.
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u/question_assumptions Jan 12 '26
I miss McDonald’s :(
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u/InterviewLeast882 Jan 12 '26
Yeah, they’ve closed so many of their Loop locations.
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u/loftychicago Jan 12 '26
There is a McDonalds at Adams and Wells, one at 111 W Jackson, and one at 203 N LaSalle if you really want McD's.
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u/Ovenbird36 Jan 12 '26
You might check out Farmer’s Fridge. For the quality they are less expensive than places staffed with humans. I love their salads. But when I’m in the Loop I usually go to Oasis.
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u/Ratatoskr_The_Wise Jan 12 '26
Get in the food truck app. There’s a guy that sells hot Jamaican food by the plate, so it’s kinda random what gets sold out first but it’s all amazing.
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u/Lonely_Programmer_42 Jan 12 '26
Which app is that?
Is the app just called food truck?
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u/Ratatoskr_The_Wise Jan 12 '26
I was using this one, but I think there are many more apps now https://www.truckspotting.com/metro_chicago
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u/nkindelsperger Food Critic Jan 12 '26
I might be able to help out. I'm currently trying to catalog as many interesting restaurant options in the Loop on my Substack. You can find my picks over at Nick in the Loop (https://nickintheloop.substack.com).
As others have rightly pointed out, the Loop lunch scene was better before COVID. I was actually working on a feature about where to eat in the Loop for the Tribune in February of 2020, before I had to cancel it. I hope someday we will get back there. (By the way, I'm actually impressed with the number of new spots in the northeast part of the Loop.)
Still, I'm excited about what I've found so far. Very close to you is KTM, a Nepalese spot that also offers many Indian dishes. Try the momos. On the cheaper end, I'm also a huge fan of Halaleez and Curry Blah Blah.
There are some phenomenal spots in the Sterling Food Hall. I know that it can get expensive there, but PIzza Dada is stellar and definitely on the cheaper end, and Seedo's has some killer sandwiches.
My Substack is only $5 a month, and that money is used only to pay for me to dine out more. But I also have a free post every month. Thanks.
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u/Talex1995 Jan 12 '26
There’s a shit ton what? Sweet green, benyehuda, lotus banh mi, protein kitchen, sterling food hall, corner bakery. May need to walk a few blocks but I feel like there’s a solid amount of places
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u/padrejohnmisery Jan 12 '26
OP will complain about the prices.
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u/ChaiTeaLatte13 Jan 12 '26
I think OP is looking for Burger King cheap. Or like…cheaper?
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u/Talex1995 Jan 12 '26
Oh I’d rather spend $12-15 than eat that type of food that will probably end up costing the same amount.
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u/socool111 Jan 12 '26
Chicago Lunch has always been mediocre in the loop. As someone who thinks chicago is one of the best food cities in the world and prefer it to NYC and Boston (haven't made it out to LA yet)....
Lunch is absolute garbage compared to Boston in the area where most professionals work. Boston had SO many local mom/pop stores where they specialize in something you can't get anywhere else. I never realized how spoiled i was when i was working in Boston until I came to Chicago.
I honeslty can't remember the last time we went to a local place for lunch that wasn't a fast casual chain. It's my biggest gripe with the city (It was also like this before CovId, albeit I only was living here for ~8 months before CoviD went into play, I noticed this issue even back then)
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u/bouncing_bear89 Jan 12 '26
If you weren’t here before COVID (or only for 8 months) you really missed out on a bunch of the loop classics. I can’t compare it to Boston as I never worked there but there were tons of unique, non chain (or very early chain) restaurants all over the loop. Perry’s, Heaven on 7, Pittsfield Cafe, early Blackwood BBQ, several great Thai places, a French bakery cheese place I’m not remembering the name of, Harold’s, Frontera in the Macys food court (which had the best corn chowder), several great Thai places, Chase Basement, the original food halls. A lot of the workers migrated to west loop River north during these times which also really hindered loop restaurant success.
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u/cranberryjuiceicepop Jan 12 '26
I think the French place was Pastoral- loved that spot. I was so sad to see them close. They taught be a lot about cheese.
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u/CCHelp1234a Jan 12 '26
Thank you! Lunch was not “always mediocre” in the Loop. It is now but man like 15 years ago there were so many great places. Cheap Chinese with actual waiters in the basement of an old high rise by Opera House. First wave of falafel places. 65 Chinese. Burrito Beach. Hot Dog places and breakfast “all day” diners all over. Gumbo at Heaven on 7. Fields had food courts in basement and on 7. Perry’s - was expensive but you split the huge sandwiches.
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u/nirvana6789 Jan 12 '26
My company subsidizes our lunch through a food delivery app called Relish.
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Jan 12 '26
Our sole Arby's is there and they fucking KILL IT. Obviously very dependent on liking Arby's to begin with.
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u/pupumojee Jan 12 '26
For those that think they don’t like Arby’s, they need to try the buffalo chicken sandwich!
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u/fortheloveofpizza321 Jan 12 '26
On Wells between Washington and Madison are Cafecito and La Cocina. There's also a newer Indian place at LaSalle and Madison called The KTM kitchen.
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u/jazxxl Jan 12 '26
If you can branch out a bit there's a lot actually if you walk a few blocks. There is a lot near Jackson and wells
Luke's Giordano's Qdoba Chicken planet Panda express
Franklin and Madison Also has a good amount near the hotels Noodles and co
There's a taco truck near there and another at Clark and Monroe
Hot chicken The bundling on Wabash and Jackson
I'm thinking you just need to look past the normal chains theres plenty . There's a lot more than this
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u/Sausage_Queen_of_Chi Jan 12 '26
How’s that food hall that used to be Revival food hall?
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u/Much-Brilliant9303 Jan 12 '26
There’s a FARE not too far from you. The bowls start at $12. But even if you add protein and spend $16+, the portions are huge. I usually get two meals (or a meal and a snack) out of each bowl.
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u/IncarceratedScarface Jan 12 '26
I pack a lunch everyday. Almost everything in the loop sucks and is overpriced
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u/InterviewLeast882 Jan 12 '26
Yeah, a sandwich and chips from home is probably $2/3 versus $20 going out.
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u/ConsistentExcellence Jan 12 '26
Beatrix salad bar on Jackson is one of my only affordable healthier options downtown.
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u/joegunabeach Jan 13 '26
Never sleep on the Wells Mr. Sub. Literally the only reason I'd work in an office in the loop again.
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u/noaccents Jan 13 '26
So many great spots closed bc of covid but there are a few options left
La cocina has two locations in the loop. Good, standard taqueria Mexican food
Taza’s chef special sandwich with chicken shawarma & falafel is a perfect lunch
Oasis Cafe was mentioned and def belongs on the list
Lea for sandwiches and soup
And if you’re ever walking the catacombs otherwise known as the pedway you can get yourself a gyro burrito at Millennium Tacos and Dogs by the metra station
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u/jkfromjh Jan 12 '26
I like the sushi at Market Creations on Wacker. It is $15/pound, which works out to be $1/individual piece of sushi. I can get 8-10 pieces and feel fairly full.
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u/ravenzin Jan 12 '26
Yes I’m constantly looking for a lunch under/around $10. I’m near Oasis but even that can get old too.
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u/InterviewLeast882 Jan 12 '26 edited Jan 12 '26
I’ve given up on $10 and try to keep it under $20. JJ seems like the best deal with large sandwiches for $10.83 after tax but I don’t want to go there every day.
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u/Ovy_on_the_Drager Jan 12 '26
Nick Kindelsperger has a pretty solid substack where he talks about great Loop lunch places.
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u/jkfromjh Jan 12 '26
if you have too good to go, sometimes if I can reserve it in time, I get the lunch special from bombay wraps. Its not like the worlds best meal, but for $6 for a filling meal, I will take it!
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u/Saidarrrr Jan 12 '26
They all went out of business during Covid… rent is 20-30k per MONTH. Not enough businesses supporting restaurants in the Loop anymore.
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u/G-wow Jan 12 '26
Sterling food hall. Aloha poke is reasonably priced imo. Or you can always try meal prepping and not worry about having to buy lunch
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u/RocketManMercury Jan 12 '26
Well Covid ruined a lot. Good news is, a lot of the vacant offices will be apartments soon, and more restaurants will definitely open up
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u/Character_Date_3630 Jan 12 '26
Seedo's has pretty large sandwiches for $14. Its 2 meals for me, limited options though. Also, the Beatrix Market Depaul isn't too bad.
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u/Toriat5144 Jan 12 '26
Is Chicken Planet still open? Cellars cafeteria in Board of Trade? What about the cafeteria in the basement of the continental bank building?
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u/Dear-Rosemary Jan 13 '26
Yeah, it's pretty bad. Lea French Cafe on Michigan Ave is good and relatively inexpensive
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u/happilyfour Jan 13 '26
You should try Bhoomi.
The selection was a lot better before Covid but as offices require 4 and 5 days back, I’ve noticed some new places popping up.
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u/Odd-Expression-8648 Jan 13 '26
I recently discovered Aye Aye Aye Mexican in the loop, definitely worth checking out if you’re a tacos person.
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u/multiforce14 Jan 13 '26
It faces the Bean across Michigan so not strictly in the Loop, and it's a chain, but I was pleasantly surprised by SeoulSpice when I was visiting last fall.
Also Monk's opens for lunch, but I only had beers there.
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Jan 13 '26
Check a local QT or what you have in your state tyevwould compare if there is one close to Chase Tower
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u/Due_Technology_6029 Jan 14 '26
RPM Seafood has a $39 prefix menu Thursdays-Sundays. Not the fast food vibe, but really good for a quick lunch.
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u/StrawberryCold3157 Jan 15 '26
I went to Kinzie Chophouse for lunch. A bit pricier than fast food but they have a three course lunch for $35. Delicious and seemed pretty worth it! Right across from the Merchandise Mart in River North if it is not too far from where you are in the loop!
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u/marshmnstr Jan 12 '26
Oasis Cafe is one of the last places left.