Good Lunch Options in Chicago's West Loop

Chicago's West Loop area is an eclectic mix of art galleries, boutiques, condominiums, lofts, and warehouses from when the area was mostly industrial. It's also home to some of the city's most eclectic businesses. For those of us that work here, we're often at odds with where to eat. Most likely you don't want to travel into downtown, unless it's a special occasion. If you've found a good parking spot, you don't want to move your car. The other challenge is that to get to anything in particular, most likely you'll need to walk a few blocks; not favorable in the winter if it's really cold or summer if it's really hot. So where can you have lunch at a reasonable price? I'll let you in on a few places.

Butterfly Thai

Butterfly Thai is good if you want reasonably-priced Thai food. Is it the best Thai food in the world, not really, but it is in the area. As far as I'm aware they have the West Loop market on Thai food. They are located at 1156 W. Grand Avenue near Racine St. You'll probably pay between $7-9 for the entrees, and another $3-5 for any appetizers you get. I do recommend the Vietnamese coffee and/or the Thai iced tea, they're really good. As far as appetizers, the potstickers are tasty. As far as entrees, I like the basil fried rice and pad thai.

Baba Pita

Baba Pita is located at 1032 W. Lake Street. It serves Middle Eastern, Greek and Mediterranean fare. It's probably the only place outside of Greektown that sells this kind of food. Consider going here if you're looking for something different than your typical hamburgers, hot dogs, chicken sandwich, etc. I've been here a couple of times and I'd recommend it. Average lunch price is about $10.00 including beverage. You are able to order online at this establishment.

Flattop Grill

Flattop Grill has the best mix of buffet and healthy options in my opinion. This place is known for create-your-own stir-fry. Lunch cost is $8.99 for one-time feasting, $9.99 for buffet-style. You also have the option to take-out here. Not to mention you get discounts for your birthday, and at times for responding to certain surveys they present to you through email. I'd recommend going here after 1pm due to the usual noon-time crowds. I'd say this is a great place to go if you're looking for a healthy alternative, or even a place to try new things. This is definitely a place to experience with other co-workers. Flattop Grill is located on the corner of Washington Blvd and Carpenter Street adjacent to Harpo Studios.

Gourmet 47 Market & Cafe

Gourmet 47 is actually a grocery store with take-out food options. If you don't want to do the typical "eat-out" experience, then you can always purchase food from the frozen-food section, purchase a beverage from the beverage aisle, checkout, and warm it up in the microwave in your office. As I said, you can order hot food to go as well so you're not at the mercy of what's in each aisle.

What I like about them is that they are a unique grocery store. There aren't too many grocery stores in the West Loop area so keep this one in your hip pocket if you want to try somewhere different. They are located at 112 N. May Street.

Market Bar and Restaurant

Market is located at 1113 W. Randolph Street, between May Street and Aberdeen Street. What you'll find at this restaurant is fancy beverages named after famous people, a great outdoor patio (and rooftop patio), and upscale bar-and-grill food. I first had them around the time that they first opened and their pizza grabbed me. The view from the rooftop patio is gorgeous! Average cost for food here is between $10-20.

Jerry's Sandwiches

This place has some of the best sandwiches in town! What I like about them is that you can totally customize your own sandwich, or use someone else's customization. Their menu has about 100 different pre-customized options. You usually can get a side of either fruit or potato salad to go with your sandwich. Beverages are extra, but their beverages are good too... not your usual fountain drinks or sugared-down beverages.

Jerry's is located at 1045 W. Madison Street, between Morgan Street and Carpenter Street. There's also a sister location in the Wicker Park community at 1938 W. Division Street. Meal range is between $9-$12 depending on if you get a beverage and/or a side.

J.P. Graziano's*

J.P. Graziano's is located at 901 W. Randolph Street (between Peoria St & Sangamon St). If you go here I recommend going here earlier as they close at 3:30pm during the week. If you can't get there early, perhaps going before work is an option as they're open at 7:30am. What people seem to like most about them is the Italian subs. It is family owned and operated and they do accept credit cards. For more about them either go to their website: http://www.jpgraziano.com or find out what others think about them on Yelp by clicking here.

Wishbone*

Wishbone is located at 1001 W. Washington Blvd. Their fare includes breakfast and brunch and is more on the Southern-style of food. You won't find too many places with menu items such as "Hoppin John Salad, " or "Louisiana Chicken Wrap." They have your typical sides such as red beans and rice, southern style green beans, baked beans. They also have appetizers such as salmon cakes, black bean cakes, hot wings, and bbq pork sandwiches. As far as entrees, does pecan chicken, North Carolina crab cakes, smoked beef brisket, or grilled salmon do anything for you? Keep in mind they also have vegetarian options as well.

If you want more information about Wishbone, go to their website at http://www.wishbonechicago.com, or find out what others think from Yelp by clicking here.

Note: the food places with the * next to them I've never been to, but I've heard that they're pretty good. I recommend that you go and be the judge of that for yourself; I definitely plan to try them in the near future.