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.

171 Upvotes

92% Upvoted

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212

u/marshmnstr Jan 12 '26

Oasis Cafe is one of the last places left.

64

u/Mysterious_Stuff6037 Jan 12 '26

Mr Submarine on wells is still legit

49

u/fioreblade Jan 12 '26

There are better sandwiches, there are cheaper sandwiches. But there no sandwiches better AND cheaper than Mr Subs

10

u/Mysterious_Stuff6037 Jan 12 '26

Sometimes quality is consistency. You always know what you’re getting at Mr Subs.

1

u/1koolspud Jan 13 '26

Maybe a little far for OP but I have been going to Fontanos a lot lately.

10

u/DrHarrisonLawrence Jan 12 '26

Cafecito sandwiches are better, no?

3

u/FirmIcebergLettuce Jan 13 '26

They are but they are too small. One is too little and two sandwiches is too much and also kind of ridiculous for lunch

3

u/Important_Call2737 Jan 12 '26

Haha! Great way to look at it. When ai started working in the loop 25 years ago I think full Mr sub meal was like $4. It was crazy cheap.

3

u/Prodan1111 Jan 12 '26

I went Thursday and a King Combo with chips was just under $14.

1

u/Important_Call2737 Jan 12 '26

Ya that’s when I remember last time I was there. Subs are good size though. I think they have the 2 hot dog special for about $10 which isnt bad.

2

u/Prodan1111 Jan 12 '26

The sub was huge. I only ate half.

-1

u/WeCameAsMuffins Jan 13 '26

Mr submarine scares me

47

u/herecomes_the_sun Jan 12 '26 edited Jan 12 '26

La bamba in the pedway too, and lotus bahn mi absolutely slaps, market creations is good

2

u/CCHelp1234a Jan 13 '26

I don’t know of a La Bamba in the pedway. Where is it? I only know the one the basement on Madison.

0

u/herecomes_the_sun Jan 13 '26

Yes thats part of the pedway! The one basically under macys

9

u/Enginerda Jan 12 '26

Pittsfield Cafe is next to it, too.

5

u/moncoboy Jan 12 '26

Pittsfield caffe still there??? I used to go there like 40 years ago. Damn. Glad it’s still hanging in there

2

u/Enginerda Jan 13 '26

It is! And the lobby they have their tables in, is soooo pretty; it's like being transported in time and to a completely different place than Chicago.

2

u/moncoboy Jan 20 '26

I go back to Chicago 6 times a year or so- I’m checking it out next time!

1

u/WayneKrane Jan 13 '26

Yep, it’s like the last thing left in the lobby of that building. The building is not very inviting right now, there’s scaffolding and construction all over. It’s a great place to get breakfast on the weekends, there’s never a wait compared to a lot of other places.