Off Loop Lunch via bike, Wednesday July 26

Our ongoing bike to lunch program will take us to BomBon cafe, at Monroe, Asland and Ogden. This is Justjoan's suggestion. We are going to try it mid-week for a change. Anyone wanting to bike from Loop, please meet at the Daley Center at 12:30, corner of Washington and Clark, by the stairs. For anyone joining us out there, we will plan on meeting at the cafe around 12:45. Hope to see there.

uosullivan

Once again, I will meet you at the venue!

I am assuming Wednsday?

Are we still on? Do they have indoor seating? (it's raining)

I am still planning on going, despite the weather. If you decide not to come I certainly understand.

uosullivan

They do have indoor seating.

I forgot my bike lock, can you lock me to yours?

yes

i'm sorry i couldnt join you for lunch, though we ran into each other there anyway. since i chose the place, i hope you liked your food. what did you order? joan

Good to see you there, thanks for the tip and I hope you enjoyed the exhibit. The cafe was very nice, bright and in good weather has plenty of seating. The menu is all over the room, written on chalkboards, that didn't seem to have any flow and without prices. I did see a yellow flyer that had a listing of items and prices but that was after I ordered. So I was ordering kind of blind in that I didn't know the prices of the items. There were 7 tortas listed and they all looked very good.


Leek order the Sonora, which was marinated steak strips, with caramelized onions, mixed greens, roasted peppers, cheese and avocado spead. I got the Toluca, which had chorizo, with greens, tomato, avocado spread, onions, cheese and black beans. Since the sandwiches were cut in half, we split so we could each taste the other. I felt both were very good, nice flavors coming through and somewhat filling.

My only gripe is that the tortas all cost around $7.00 or more and all you got was the sandwich. For that price I feel they could have thown in some chips or veggies or something to make the meal a little more complete. The cafe is not in the Loop and while very good, 7 bucks for a sandwich without fries, chips or something leaves one feeling a little empty.

I did like the items had, and would go back to try the different tortas as they all look tasty.

The bakery selections were not as extensive as I would have thought, and again, they seemed a little pricey. But maybe I am being too cheap.

Overall very good food, interesting selections, prices a little too high for what you get.

uosullivan

i'm glad you and lee liked your sandwiches. i dont mean to argue with you about the cost, because i agree there are cheaper sandwiches around and most places do give fries or chips on the side. but i think you do get good value for your money. the sandwich ingredients can be very unusual (yesterday i had one of my favorites, cod and green olives sauteed in white wine; very messy but fantastic) and everything is made to order. i'd also like to think (i dont really know), that luis and laura, who own bombon, are paying their employees more than the chain restaurants are paying theirs. i think that extra dollar (let's say) that you can expect to pay at bombon is really one i'm happy to part with for a sandwich on handmade bread with multiple ingredients not found anywhere else.
btw, i was told the refrigerator bakery case was broken. i didnt actually look in it yesterday as i wasnt planning on dessert, but that's why you didnt see the lovely tarts, mousses and tres leches cakes usually there. i believe it pretty much duplicates the offerings at their bakery on 18th street. joan

I don't want to quibble, because I had a very good experience, but a handful of chips is not going to break the place. They even give a thimble of pretzels and cheetos (certainly nice, but very small) with your order while you wait for the sandwich. I just felt like it left me feeling a little empty. Maybe my stomach has gotten too used to the big plates most places give, but I wished there was more there for almost $10. All I got was a sandwich and drink.

As I said though, I would go back, as the tortas I had were very good and the others looked interesting. I know to bring my own chips next time I go.

uosullivan