Monthly Loop Lunches, Anyone?

The Evanston monthly lunch club seems to be rolling along nicely. I mentioned to Jim in Logan Square recently that there was no reason a group of hungry LTHers shouldn't do the same in the downtown area. While I know it is sometimes difficult to get away at lunchtime (at least in my office), with a little planning we should be able to put something together once a month!

Any takers? What day would work best for you? Any thoughts on when and where to hold the first lunch?

Suzy

I have no suggestions as my office is now 'out of the loop' (pun intended) over by the new Post Office but I'd want to try and sit in on some of these lunches. Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays would be best for me. I think it's a great idea.

I'd be interested, but I couldn't honestly name three places in the loop that I actually look forward to eating at. Sure, there are a couple places that "do the trick", but nothing I'd ever actually recommend.

I've been down in the SW loop for 9 months now and when I want a real meal it's Manny's or Chinatown.

Best,
Michael / EC

Agree with Mike -- my downtown office is near the train stations and IMHO it's a culinary wasteland. But I'd be happy to show up for a semi-regular lunch gig in Chinatown!
>>Brent

Sounds like Kman is pretty close to my office. I would definitely be into getting away from the desk or corporate cafeteria.

Can we coordinate the first event with the finally consumated day-time beefathon, i.e., meet at J&C's?

Another place I would suggest for a lunch would be Lou Mitchell's.

Oh sure, when I worked steps from both of those places at Clinton & Van Buren...

I'm on Michigan at the river but would enjoy joining in. Our deadlines are monthly and midmonth is better for me, but there's often some flexibility and even if I miss one, there's always the next one.

I used to go to Chinatown at lunchtime during the week, but it's very difficult to get a cab back to the loop. Another option is meeting in Greektown if anyone cares to do that as well. I know most people need to get back and forth in an hour's time.

Perhaps we should plan to meet at Bombacigno's when Beefathon V is rescheduled and take it from there!

There are a number of places I would suggest for someone who works in the loop.

I like the pizza at Cafe Venice, not the best, but at half a block it is good...I don't have anything comparable (Pizza-wise) that close to home.

On the other side of the loop:
the Original Heaven on Seven
the Middle Eastern Place at the back of the Jewlers mall,
the fried perch at the coffee shop in the basement of the Palmer House
the lobster bisque in the coffee shop off the second floor lobby.

Pazzo's across the street from Sear's tower has good food, and their sandwich/salad offshoot rocks...big grilled chicken sandwhich w/small soup is $5.50.

You could do a lot worse than Lou's for lunch.

On a good day for Robinson's, bad day for Lems, the rib tips were much better and closer in Union Station.

The cafeteria in the basement of the Board of Trade has pretty reasonable and servicable food.

Sandwiches from Uncle Abes were mention on this board a while back.

...how's that for a start?

pd

pd,

I've been to all of the places you listed, and there are a fair amount of individual items that are satisfying if you dig deep. But, I still can't point to one of those as a destination worthy of a group outing. Maybe Lou's. I'll give you one.

The CBOT cafeteria is the best one in the area, but I don't look forward to it. Oasis Cafe (jewler's mall) and Petra Cafe (similar menu. sister restaurant?) are decent on a good day and horrible on a bad day. I had heard so many good things about the kefta at oasis and I found it to be a major letdown when I finally got one.

I've eaten my way through this thread on the SW loop and I have a short list of things that I think are decent:

Pork Bulgogki at Korean Express
Moroccan Chicken Special (Tues. only) at Petra Cafe
Tacos al Pastor from La Cocina
BBQ Pork from Sixty-Five Restaurant
Italian Beef from Luke's
Spicy Tuna Maki at Tokyo Express

I'm not actually recommending any of the above items, in fact, none of them would rate much more than a B- on their best days for me.

The palmer house perch is new to me, thanks for the tip.

Best,
Michael / EC

EC,

Well, I guess we'll just miss your company

I don't think many loop restaurants really care if they are destinations or not. I'm there and I'm trapped.

I don't mind paying the extra for a trip to Chinatown, but getting a cab back is more difficult than it used to be. Any other locations, add a minimum of $10 to the meal and lunch money just went out the window. That 3.95 lunch special just became $13.95 and it ain't so special anymore. I used to haggle with the parking attendant across the street to let me take an "out" of lunch, but they raised their prices and changed owners.

Frankly, the only way I am going to try new places in the loop anymore, would be if we organized get togethers.

pd

pdaane wrote:Well, I guess we'll just miss your company

Oh no, don't get me wrong, I'm happy for the opportunity for an LTH lunch outing. I'm just skeptical of our ability to come up with anything interesting/worthwhile. If someone throws out a time and a place, I'll do my best to be there, especially if it's a place that I haven't been.

My only caveat is that I will not go to the Berghoff. It's the only place our office goes to for group lunches (birthdays, going away) and I've really developed a deep dislike for 90% of the menu.

While I love to go to Chinatown it's tough for me to plan around since I won't know in advance if I'll have time or not. I have to play-it-by ear and just head down on an especially slow day. And I find the red line to be a sufficient alternative to a cab.

I agree that a monthly loop lunch would be more about getting together than about making great culinary discoveries of otherwise unknown treasures, but that's fine with me. And there are lots of places just a stop out of the loop--Greektown, Chinatown, River North--that would be worth stretching a lunch hour once a month. I can also see that a group would make it more likely that I'd try menu items at a place, like, say, The Russian Tea Room, than I'd otherwise get to.

I've heard good things about Hannah's Bretzel ... haven't been there myself but other reports have been positive.

In general, I've been so disappointed by choices around me (N.E. loop) that I'd rather bring my lunch and save the $$ for dinner

Hey, this is good. If you google Hannah's Bretzel, this LTH post comes up third.

I had a perfectly decent sandwich from there yesterday--an herbed goats' milk cheese with avocado. My only regret is that the colleagues who picked it out for me didn't get it on the bretzel.

Several of my staff are in love with the soy coffee. I'm not one to comment since I don't drink coffee. But I'm glad they like it since that way they can pick me up a sandwich when they head over there.

I'd like to join in whenever possible. Two "almost" destination places, though a little pricey for lunch, are Petterino's and La Rosetta. More reasonable for a really good pizza is Pizano's. Haven't been to Nick and Tony's in quite some time, but it used to be pretty good. And, though I'm not a particular fan of Monk's pub, the closest of my own suggestions to my office at Randolph and Wells, many consider the burger there a good one. And finally, Petros, the Greek-owned "joint" at LaSalle and Randolph. I've only been having lunches there for about 30 years, and it's a pretty good value for the money. In fact, if we let them know in advance, they will do a broiled salmon lunch that is large, excellent, and equal to many "finer" spots that would charge $20 or more. For $10.95, Petros includes soup or salad, and a vegetable with the salmon. The menu is otherwise large and very good, with broiled whitefish offered every day for $9.95 for the complete lunch.

What about a picnic in Millennium Park? On a nice day, we could do take out for a number of places and converge on the park, sharing food and stories. 'Cause let's face it, there is no one place that will satisfy us, accomodate us, and accomodate our schedules.

*raising hand*

I can't commit to any regular frequency and no day is better than the other (I'm in a support role; chained to my e-mail) but would love to meet up when I can.

I usually bring my lunch because of the cost and the fact that I'm chained to my desk. Cost and location aren't too much of a concern, as long as the food's good.

I have to agree with EC....Berghoff just didn't do anything for me.

I'd be interested, but my availability is subject to sudden changes. I pretty much agree with the general sentiments about what's available. I think Greektown is a good bet - especially if we go beyond the core places and maybe investigate some of the smaller, more coffeshop-esque places.

Russian Tea place on Adams in the other direction also does a very nice job and they are, or at least used to be, on the dining rewards program thats ome people participate in.

Ada's Deli is in no way exceptional in my experience, but they do put a pickle bowl on the table and perhaps if one digs into the menu we'll turn up something they really do well. (We could pit Ada against Mrs. Levy in the Sears Tower for an ersatz Yiddishe mama smackdown.)

La Cocina, both locations, either on Wells or Jackson, seem pretty consistently decent and good value.

Also Soprafina has done some better than average things cafeteria-style in the past.

I have to be in the loop on July 6. Shall we convene our first meeting at J&C Bombacingo's? 11:30

My thinking right now is to disconnect J&C's from the Bridgeport places like La Milanese. I am suggesting/doing this for several reasons, not the least so I have a good lunch place with good company on July 6th. Also, I want to get J&C into the beefathon database. Finally, as readily apparant, it is quite difficult to plan and launch an extensive mid-week event due to everyone's schedule. I PROMISE to visit the Bridgeport weekday only beef places soon (with date), but just do not know how soon.

So, July 6th?

Rob

I'm there.

I'd love to be there with people who actually liked the place, but it looks like I'm going to have to stick to lunches in the Loop's northeast corner -- the CTA Trip Planner tells me it's nearly a half-hour trip.

Please forgive my ignorance....can you please post the address? I really don't get out much downtown.....

Thanks!

Bombacigno's J & C Restaurant
558 W. Van Buren Ave.
Chicago

I'll be back to work and look forward to joining you!

Suzy

I'm in, and I second the request to dine there with someone who is not repulsed by the place. Too expensive, mediocre food, snotty service...I have been there two or three times and have always wondered what am I missing?

pd

Count me in, barring any work emergencies (which seem to happen daily).

Ditto eatchicago; I'll plan on being there.

eatchicago wrote:Count me in, barring any work emergencies (which seem to happen daily).

Gotta cancel.

I am also not going to be able to make it. Work is way too hectic today.