Explorer Cafe

You know the drill: you’re at the museum all day, lots of walking, kid needs to eat. And it sucks, too, because one lunch for 5 people here is like dropping nearly a week’s worth of groceries.
I had the chicken sandwich. IF you’re lucky enough to locate or taste the anemic chicken breast between the ginormous, dry, mammoth bun, you’ll find it’s also dry. I mostly tasted bun, though: couldn’t taste the cheese, couldn’t taste the sauce, nothing, because THE BUN IS HUGE.
The kid had pizza, which (I can attest) was muuuuch better than my sandwich. They forgot a cut, making it into 6 pieces, which means we had to wrestle with plastic cutlery to cut the rest.
The good: They have divided recycling/​compost/​trash receptacles.
Tip: Don’t pay for tap water. Ask, and they’ll give you a free shorty cup that you can fill using the «water» spout at the fountain machine. Otherwise, you’ll shell out $ 3 for the fountain drink cup. Don’t pay $ 3 for tap water, kids. Really.

Ate here because we were starving and weren’t ready to leave the museum. We each ordered a pizza. No complaints, but it is pricey. Ridiculously pricey. I mean — I know it’s the city, but come on …

The staff is very friendly. However, this doesn’t make up for overpriced, disgusting food. $ 3 for a fries order that would be a small at McD’s, chicken sandwich not cooked all the way, and pizza that makes Domino’s look good. Bring your own lunch or wait to eat somewhere else.

Absolutely hideous selection and barely edible food. Overpriced, poor quality and not worth clogging your arteries for. Why families are duped into visiting this den of carcinogens is beyond belief. I also can’t believe people give this dive more than two stars. Desperation?
I gave this basement dive another try and regretted it. What I ordered was fries and a Chicago beef. What I got was an elementary school-​sized hotdog bun and some chipped beef smothered with melted industrial grade Velveeta. It almost ranks as the most disgusting thing I’ve eaten all year. I am NOT kidding.
Save yourselves and go upstairs to the Field Bistro. The food is almost the same price, and your internal organs will thank you for not being an «Explorer» of grossness.

Came here since we didn’t want to leave the Field Museum to find lunch. Yes, this place is more expensive compared to like fast food places. But that’s expected. We ordered 4 grilled chicken sandwiches and 1 burger. Price was around $ 40 something. The chicken sandwich was actually not bad. The buns were nicely toasted and the chicken was not dry but fairly juicy and tender.
Pro tip #1: Bring your own bag of chips or something to reduce lunch costs.
Pro tip #2: Beat the lunch crowd, we got in around noon and it wasn’t too crowded on a Saturday. But around 12:30 there was a huge line and then you’ll also have seating issues.

Yes, it’s expensive. But certainly not one star. Ordered 2 tuna melts and 2 hot dog kid’s meals. Tuna melt was $ 7.50, and didn’t come with any side. Yes, grossly overpriced, but it tasted pretty good. The kids’ meals are a bargain. $ 6 and it included fries and a Capri Sun. And the fries were enough that the kids shared with us. Still expensive though, but since there are numerous vending machines in the museum, and nobody checked my backpack (we brought water, that’s why we didn’t order drinks), I’m going to guess that bringing outside food in is allowed.

This is a well organized dining option for while you’re at the museum and not planning to have an elaborate meal. And I ordered the veggie pizza and enjoyed a very cold refreshing Diet Coke the wait staff were attentive and friendly the food arrived within a reasonable amount of time. I wonder if some of the impatience that people often have with this dining option has to do with children and adults being overtly tired by the time they finally take a meal break. And the pizza was perfect no complaints and the crust actually tasted pretty close to hand tossed. Certainly better than frozen pizza from the grocery store or pizza made on an English muffin which we all eat those at home so come on people be real.

We had a great Experience.
We came at during the lunch rush and the place was packed.
We only waited 3 minutes to place an order and by the time we got our drinks and condiments they delivered the food.
We had pizza, Beef, Tuna Salad and Salad.
All were fresh and delicious. My friend said it was the best tuna melt she’s ever had.
The pizza was large for 7 bucks (I cant believe people complain on pricing) Name any restaurant that’s not fast food and the price is much cheaper. I even saw a cook in the back slicing a huge chunk of beef on the slicer which is why I ordered the beef. It seems as if everything is fresh and in house which makes up for any arguments on quality.
Overall my wife and friends had a good time.
They are coming back to Chicago in two weeks and we look forward to eating the bistro.

This place is ridiculously overpriced and has the worst service that I’ve ever experienced. We ordered one pizza, 1 chicken sandwich, 1 Italian beef sandwich, and 1 tuna melt for $ 42, and seriously $ 3 for a soda? The dude in charge of cleaning the trays and garbage area literally yelled at me for putting my water bottle in the «recycle». This place needs to give their employees better training on how to behave in front of their customers.
The Field museum should consider getting of this place soon. they are definitely not what museum goers want to deal with.

For a café located within the Field museum, it’s not as costly or bad, as reviews would have you thinking. A friend and I hit up this café whilst exploring the museum the other day. We came to check out the Vikings and dinosaur exhibits on an off day. Since we didn’t plan on lunch ahead of time, we grabbed a pizza and a couple drinks at the café. The pizza was big enough for two and is offered in one size only. We got six, decent sized slices out of it. A hand tossed pie, it was tasty and quelled the calling for a snack. And all for less than $ 14 dollars. Looking over the menu, they have a wide variety of options good for any individual or family. Soups, sandwiches, grilled items and more and all priced between $ 5 and $ 9 dollars. Drinks and desserts for $ 2 — $ 3 dollars. Plus they make everything fresh and they compost.
Cost-​wise, it’s comparable to other museum food options and yet, inexpensive if compared to dining at Navy Pier. Heck, for those stuck on its cost, bring your own bag lunch and dine in any of their remote dining rooms.
Do kids like it? I recall many kids chomping down on food (quietly) while looking around or watching television. The café is a colorful place and it was maintained well. What I didn’t see was people bitching or complaining about food or cost. I gotta say, I for one do not eat fast food any longer (when better options are available) nor do I subject nieces or nephews to it. Cost wise, I’d rather buy them or myself, something better (healthier).
I can’t believe a few reviewers are requesting Mcdonald’s back here?! There was a time when after school, the drive thru at McDonald’s was steadily busy. Times have changed and people want healthy options for a decent cost. Need a bit of something fast? There’s a hot dog stand outside guys.

2 hot dogs and a tuna melt took 25 minutes. At that point, who cares what it tastes like. Not that it tasted great. Mediocre and about what you’d expect.
I don’t expect fine dining but I do expect something actually convenient.

We ordered 5 different items. The Caesar salad and chicken wrap were inedible. In addition, it took between 10 – 15 mins to get our food. You don’t have any other choices at the Field Museum for lunch, so bring a picnic lunch with you if you have that option.
Bring back McDonalds!

Was very excited for this family café after trying the bistro upstairs, meh, disappointing and overpriced. A cut down version of the Aramark offerings upstairs. Horrid «Loop sausage sandwich» (half a rock hard sausage in a cheap hotdog bun for $ 8 anyone?) and $ 3 soda. Kids ate pizza, small but no complaints other than the wait time. Disinterested staff manning the tills and table didn’t look very clean. Avoid.