Lunch help: ISO of a cafeteria style eatery

[carebear]

My coworker and I are looking for a good cafeteria style eatery. Someplace where the orange plastic trays are as sweaty as the dude behind the carving station.
We're looking large variety of foodstuffs; mashed potatoes, salads, sandwiches, pasta bar. We work at State and Lake.

Where would you recommend?

Carrie
=)

[bagnall]

there's one in the basement of the equitable building (the one on michigan, just north of the river)...its the building that stands in front of the nbc building.

there's also a nice one near monroe and dearborn (i think)...its at the bottom of a building (a chase/bank one building maybe) across the street from the italian village restaurant. josh calls it narnia.

[Saff]

There are a few options. Your closest bet is the Basement of Macy Field's. They have a few stations situated around a bunch of tables. There is the salad bar and the carvery and the deep fried corner. Pretty cafeteria like.

The Thompson Center probably has the dankiest food court. There are trays associated with each eatery. But they are technically seperate store fronts. But, if you are looking for dark, it is in the basement and by the trains, and therefore has a bunch of vagrants traveling through. (For extra added fun, try to sit on the floor in the middle of the circle to eat. Look up at the amazing glass roof far above your head. Then count how long it takes to be asked to move.)

MacKelly's is the most reasonable of all food tray restaurants. Fresh foods, low prices, but no place to sit. The closest one to you is in 255 N. Michigan. It is downstairs and pretty hard to find though.

There is also reportedly a cafeteria in the bottom of Bank One Building (don't know what it's called now). I don't know how it is as I have never been there.

The cafeteria which Brooke already mentioned is a great choice though. They have a large variety and it is a sunny place opening up to the river.

Good luck! Have a great lunch!

[Ldub]

Yeah, Brooke is right. That place in the Chase Bank Building at Dearborn and Monroe is huge. They have Chinese, Mexican, Vegetarian, Sandwiches, Salads, burgers. Everything. You can get there by going down the escalators in the building on the south side or you can walk south on dearborn or clark and walk down the steps toward the fountain and you'll see a sign for the entrance.

But if you go to the Italian Village, tell the manager Joe or the maitre'd Andre or KAtie behind the bar and tell them Lindsay sent you. Seriously.

[carebear]

I went to Under 55 at 55 E. Monroe. My friend and I had the carving station. Roast Beef, Mashed potatoes and gravy, mac and cheese with a free soda and frozen yogurt. $6.99!!!!!

So good. I stuffed my gut.

Carrie
=)

[Fooomfh]

that sounds good, Carrie. i'll bet it was fulfilling.

i went to Chowtown at the cafeteria "bagnall" mentioned underneath the Equitable building (401 N. Michigan Ave.). They have a panini/sandwich station, a grill, a salad bar, a potato-meat type bar, a salad/wrap station, a soup station, and usually some type of fish/thai food/fusion deal.

i like it, but don't ever get the buffalo chicken sandwich at the grill. they put it on bread that doesn't fit the chicken and you'll only get frustrated.

[EdO]

I went to Under 55 at 55 E. Monroe. My friend and I had the carving station. Roast Beef, Mashed potatoes and gravy, mac and cheese with a free soda and frozen yogurt. $6.99!!!!!

So good. I stuffed my gut.

Carrie
=)

Dude!

That's my building.

I grew weary of Under 55 after the first thousand times. Occasionally I'll still pop in to get some fried chicken.