Flat Top Grill

Flat Top Grill a solid ‘go to’ choice in the loop for quality food at a reasonable price.
This is a unique style restaurant where you pick your protein at the table, then choose vegetables and various ingredients from a buffet line, followed providing the bowl to the grill master for him to cook. As it cooks you return your table and your bowl will arrive once it is finished. All in all a simple process.
Overall, the atmosphere is festive and cool. The wait staff was polite and helpful. As far as imperfections, the drinks were quite slow initially. The proteins did get mixed up between two of the party, but I can’t say that we verified the paper slip prior to turning the bowls over, and it didn’t impact the taste terribly. They do offer kids meals with good sides for today’s parents — celery and peanut butter, apple sauce, etc… A unique quirk — their ‘take home boxes’ are simple, but attractive and functional in the trademark bowl shape.
Wrapping up with the most important area — taste. As you make it yourself, you are about the only one you can complain to as you designed the bowl. For the small group at our table — everyone was very satisfied and we ended up with most bowls empty at the end. With the substantial amount of ingredients and various recipes provided — it is very hard to go wrong and end up with something that you do not like. Serving sizes are not overwhelming and just about perfect.
All in all, a relatively quick and inexpensive yet fun place to eat.
*Personal note — I’m a professional with a family who lives and works in the loop.

We had a horrible experience here. When we walked in the hostess acted like we were burdening her with our presence. The cooks forgot the eggs and tofu in my sister’s bowl. The tofu in my bowl was cold and my food came out 5 minutes after my sister’s had arrived. After eating a horribly unsatisfying lunch we had to wait 10 minutes for our server to remember us, which he actually didn’t do as we had to ask for our check from a busser. Though the busser seemed to blow us off with his attitude, he came back a few minutes later with our check. I would not recommend this branch of Flat Top Grill to anyone.

Flat Top is a great choice if you’re the loop and looking for a place to eat. I usually come here after visiting Millennium park. It’s pretty fun making your own bowl, but it’s overpriced. They made a few changes in the last few years that limited the amount of food you can get and there is no longer an «unlimited» option. Granted, one bowl is usually enough for me, but it was kinda fun to think that there are endless bowls of food you could potentially eat.
It’s still a good meal, especially if you’re picky about what goes into your food. Oh, and the roti is the BEST. Always add the roti. Good choice for the loop, but I think there are better choices close by in River North.

The Flat Top Grill here in the loop is a great spot for lunch. For $ 10, you get a huge stir fry! You can choose one, or a number of meats which include Filipino sausage, pork, beef, calamari, chicken, and shrimp/​fish (these last two will cost you extra). You then get a plastic bowl where you fill it to the brim with veggies, rice, quinoa, noodles, and whatever sauces you like.
I came today for lunch at around noon with a friend and got a bowl with sausage and calamari with a bunch of veggies and noodles. I also added in eggs and a side of their roti bread, which is so good! I love that everything is really fresh– none of the veggies I saw were frozen.
I double checked the menu today and I believe it has been altered slightly. Instead of having the choice of unlimited bowls, you are limited to two bowls for an extra $ 4, so be mindful of that if you were planning on coming to this location for the all you can eat option.
Other than that, good service, friendly staff and tasty food! Left happy and full!

This has been the best stir fry that I’ve had in a long time. The sheer amount of variety and how you are able to customize it to exactly what you want is amazing!

Been here multiple times, its one of the best places in to eat out in Chicago. They are quick, neat and cozy. You put the ingredients and veggi’s in the bowl they provide, you can put in sticks, each color represents each add ons, such as egg, tofu, parata. They cook separately if you have dietary restrictions. I being a vegetarian this is really a good place and good food.

We usually love this place but this time it was just ok. The downtown Chicago locations make you choose your meats with your waiter (shrimp and a couple of other meats/​proteins come with a surcharge), wait for them to bring your bowl and a receipt stating what you’re getting, then you can go to the bar and make your dish. Also, it’s not like other Flat top Grills that are 1 bowl for a price then it’s all you can eat for a couple more bucks. THIS one has a charge for 1 bowl then it’s $ 4 more for 2bowls… that’s it.
Our server, Ms. T. P. (I don’t want anyone to loose her job… unless I go back and the service doesn’t change), made us feel mostly abandoned. Especially since we had to ask multiple times for our children’s drinks and I had to seek out a manager on my own to address a couple of promotional issues (Which he took care of VERY quickly). I’ll admit, we had a large party but I’m used to having a little more attention when that’s the case. We saw our server when we made our order and when she brought the check and even then, it seemed like either she really didn’t want to wait on us OR maybe her day wasn’t going well because a few of the people in my party felt like she had a bad attitude towards them. Either way, I hope the rest of her day was better.
To sum it all up, the combination of our server’s attitude, her absence, and how different the flow is at this location vs ALL other locations I’ve EVER visited… I may not visit it again…

I had visited this place a number of times when I worked in downtown Chicago… I visited again last week, and they did make one change. When you sit down to order, your server will ask what kind of meat you’d like added to your order (pork, chicken, beef, etc.) prior to this, you were able to add your choice of meat to your meal before submitting it. I’m guessing sanitary reasons made this particular change, which is fine. This change didn’t decrease in the amount of meat added to the meal.
So basically, you get a bowl… choose your rice (brown or white) thought leave room for your veggies. At the end of the line you choose your flavoring and at the larger table where you submit your dish, you can add «sticks» with add ons like cheese, or sticks that indicate restrictions/​allergies.
One tip is to get in EARLY because it does get crowded.

I had been to Mongolian grill style places in the past, but this place definitely takes the cake! Lunch was super affordable, and we had great service. There were so many options, it was hard to pick among the plethora of ingredients and sauces. I appreciated that they had mock duck which I always love. I was also impressed by the existing systems they had for accommodating food allergies. My food took a while but was super tasty. I wish I took advantage of more stuff to add, but it was good and fresh on its own.

LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS PLACE! I ordered a vegetarian stir fry with Chill Garlic sauce, hot sauce and some veggies with Noodles. And ordered their Naan for bread, oooh and Naan is AWESOME, but eat it hot, it is made of all purpose flour so might become rubbery if you wait for too long before you eat it.
The service is good, I’d say they manage crowd very well, atleast when I went there during a weekday lunch. The wait was 1.5 hr but it was well worth it. Edamame for starters is very good too.
As for the décor, it is pretty decent, casual and nothing you would not like. It is very clean, cozy. It is nothing extra ordinary but nothing too bad either.
Definitely recommend this place to anybody.

I was in the city for a forum located at the Palmer House Hilton. After I was done, I walked out onto Monroe street and felt really hungry. I had a few choices, but ultimately decided on the 9.99 Lunch special at Flat Top.
I was seated quickly, but it took a while to be ‘served.’ Another woman was solo dining as well, and she experienced the same issue. After a few minutes, I was asked which protein I wanted (Chicken), and went up to the serving line.
Flat Top offers Mongolian BBQ (I think that’s what it’s considered). Pile on as many veggies, starches, and sauces as you can. They also had tofu, which was unique. Once I set my bowl in the cooking line, I received it relavitely quickly after returning to my seat.
I know the restaurant also offers soup, appetizers, and other entrees. They also feature their famous Roti bread with each bowl.
I wasn’t overly impressed by Flat Top. My total was 11.02; I guess that’s typically for a city lunch? I have no idea.
Not a destination restaurant, but I could see myself here again someday.

We loved our server, Manny. He was SO friendly and and helpful. He took the time to make sure we were ok with our experience and even charged my phone for me. He was just great. The manager, too, was excellent. He was running around the whole time making sure everyone was happy and telling the cooks to improve their work when necessary.
The food itself was, ok. It wasn’t the best thing I have ever tasted, but it was fresh and it was tasty. I don’t really like do-​it-​yourself places, and I’m not the biggest fan of stir-​fry so the problem could just be me. We also had a brownie dessert. It was a little dry, but we ate it all up regardless.
Overall, a solid place.

I’ve been here twice– dined in for dinner and got a to-​go for dinner.
Dining in experience– 5 stars! I had a great experience– very prompt and attentive service.
Carry-​out experience– 1 star. Hostess asked me to order with the bartender. I sat at the bar, looking at the bartender for about 5 minutes before he even acknowledged me. He then gave me a menu and ignored me for another 5 minutes. My food came, I waited another 10 minutes after the food was delivered to me to get the check and cash out.

Very friendly. Very clean. They do a good at helping you around and explaining how it works if it is your first time. Very attentive and polite ever visit :) make sure you download their app because you get free stuff :)

Food are good, cheap and create my own. The waiters were so busy all the time. Try the appetizer like juanbing soooo good! Add blue tag when you create your own. You won’t regret it, better than tacos and sandwiches!

I stopped in here for lunch one day, just randomly, while exploring the city and had an enjoyable meal.
Décor: The dining area feels like a bit of a cross between a P.F. Chang’s and a club (both are good things!). There is a lot of space, a bunch of tables, and even a small bar area for loners like myself. The food stations are very well lit and very well labeled so you know exactly what you’re getting. They have changed things a bit from when I have dined at a Flat Top in the past (for example, the meat no longer sits out…) but much has also stayed the same. Everything, given the style of dining, is kept very clean as well, which is nice when you think about it.
Bathroom: a typical bathroom that continues the décor of the main restaurant, nice and clean
Staff: My waiter left a bit to be desired as he was not very present after I started eating my main course. However, the cooks were great and my food was fantastic.
Food: I started with edamame (it was pretty good) and then moved right to a build-​my-​own-​bowl, which I loaded up. To be honest, I was a bit worried to discover that the meat is no longer «self serve» but they gave a healthy serving in my bowl. Everything tasted fresh and delicious!
Value: It’s not expensive by any means, but it is, when all is said and done, just a bit too pricey. I couldn’t, as much as I’d love to, come here regularly for lunch.
I’ve always been a HUGE fan of Flat Top and, after this visit, I shall remain. I can’t wait to come back again!

So I used to really love this place but recently they changed the pricing which really threw me off. The concept of the restaurant is great though especially if you’re the type who loves picking and choosing for yourself!
I’ll start off with the positives in that it still has a great selection of fresh vegetables, meat, sauces, and toppings; ranging from cilantro and garlic to squash and zucchini to literally over 20 sauces.
Onto the not so impressive. Our waitress asked us if we had been before and we said yes but it had been a while so a refresher would be great. She didn’t tell us that now you aren’t able to go up for seconds/​thirds for the same price (used to be $ 15) so we just assumed that hadn’t changed. A friend of mine is vegan so she wanted to try small portions of different stirfrys since it was all included in the base price and didn’t get tofu the first time around so she got a relatively small bowl. After we found out going up again would be an extra $ 4 (which is a great deal if you already had a full meal especially because you can get it to go) she had honestly felt a little cheated.
Just be aware before you go but other than that miscommunication it was pretty decent!

I’m really sad that I need to drop this down, and don’t let this be indicative of other Flat Top Grill locations. I still love the idea of filling up a bowl with tons of veggies, meats, and sauces and having a fresh hot bowl of chow customized to your liking.
Unfortunately there have been changes implemented here (maybe because it’s in the Loop so they have higher traffic) that put it below the bar especially compared to other locations of theirs.
Before, you got a little bowl to pile your proteins into, and you were limited only by your ability to stack. It was great because they had a large variety of them so you could mix and match beef, pork, chicken, fish, squid, longganisa…
No more here. Now you can only get up to three different ones, and if you want to «double up» on one of them, they’ll charge you $ 4. Oof.
They’ve also removed their hot and sour soup option which was pretty darn tasty and my girlfriend’s favorite. And to top it off, our service last night was pretty lacking. You’d think at 8:30pm in the Loop you wouldn’t have to be waiting around to get water/​get the check/​pay the check.
I really hope this doesn’t extend to other Flat Top locations, but looking on their website it seems that they’re showing the same $ 4 upcharge and lack of soup options. It’s a sad day, but for now I’m going to go to the West Loop one and hope for the best.

My friend and I were looking to try someplace new for lunch. She has a peanut/​soy allergy so our first step was to see if they could be accommodating to that and they assured us they could be. Now I consider both of us to be very bright individuals, but the whole time here I was very confused. We sat down and our waiter asked us if it was our first time. We said yes… and from there on it felt like we were speaking a different language with the instructions we were given. I will apologize in advance, but this will be a lengthy review…
First we were given a stick and a pencil with our menu. We were told to write on the stick our names and up to 3 meats we would like to come with our meals. Simple enough I figured (I chose sausage, shrimp, calamari). Then we were given this huge explanation on how things worked. They come back to your table with a bowl and then you are set free to navigate the ridiculous array of sauces, veggies, rice/​noodles and basically put the meal together yourself. We held on to our little bowls and gave each other reassuring looks that we got this.
So first stop we had to decide rice or noodles and then fix up your bowl with whatever condiments. I went with the brown rice, noodles, and added broccoli, mushrooms, onions. (There were seriously about 15 other items, but I tried to keep it simple). Then there are about 10 sauces to choose from. I went with the garlic black bean.
After that it’s time to «Transform your meal» You go over to this area where you are met with another set of sticks to choose from. You can Transform and add to your creation. The transform sticks you can choose between having them change the items you have in the bowl into either a burrito, wrap, soup, roti taco, or stuffed sandwich. I went with the roti taco. Also you can choose from the other side of sticks to add to your creation tofu, eggs, cheese, or a white stick to mean you have some form of allergy.
Once your done with all that it’s time to hand them your bowl so they can «create» your meal. By that point we were exhausted and went back to our tables praying we did somewhat well in choosing the right items. I also needed a drink by this point (I know it’s lunch time… but I felt I worked hard enough for it). I went with the FTG Punch… sweet and fruity and I couldn’t taste the alcohol so I liked it. About 5 minutes later we get our creation and honestly we didn’t do a bad job in our item selections. The problem to me is it tasted like something I could have ordered someplace else and had the chefs do all the work. I’m not big on specialization of my food and having to pick so many options, but if you are this is a great place to go.

I have only been here a few times and my last visit pre-​dated Unilocal.The food here is always good, although my wife does not agree.
I had whitefish as the protein option. The resulting stir fry is pictured with this review. My complaint is that it is difficult to judge how much sauce is necessary. I am not a line cook or chef and would prefer to leave to the experts how much sauce should go on stir fry. There are no sauces on the tables. I understand the theory that you shouldn’t need sauce on the table. In practice, all four of us needed to add soy sauce. The nice and prompt waiter brought it so there was no problem, but there really should be some soy sauce and salt on the table.
The wife did not like the roti bread. She said it was greasy and flavorless. I found it okay. She also warns that the vegetable pakora wasn’t good. I didn’t try it.
If you like this kind of place, it meets expectations. I note that some reviewers have said «no line» or «no wait.» This is not always the case. When we were left, at 19:30 on a Saturday, there was a line at the door.