Protein Bar

Stopped in to PB tonight for dinner. I usually go for lunch, so tried something new. Buffalo Bowl — pretty huge and spicy! I really liked it. Paired it with my fave PierNut butter and Jelly drink — all good. Keep up the great work, Protein Bar — you guys rock!

I had lunch with a friend at Protein Bar and it was a fine experience.
Décor: It’s pretty basic as far as «fast food» places go, but there are a few cool features. The big circular table is a nice touch and everything seems very clean. Overall there are a bunch of tables both inside and out and while it can get crowded at lunch you shouldn’t have too hard of a time finding a place to sit. However, there are a couple things I’d change: The menu is on the side wall but nowhere to be seen while ordering; for n00bs (like me) this can cause a small issue — not to mention I think it cuts down on impulse add-​ons (juices, etc.). That being said, I can see how regulars know what they want and it doesn’t matter. Also, the hot sauce dispensers… no idea how to work them and I’m not alone! The woman in front of me snapped off the handle trying to pump it (so I didn’t feel so dumb when I tried and failed).
Bathroom: unknown
Staff: Neither good nor bad, the cashier was just a cashier. The food came out relatively quickly as well.
Food: I had a Korean BiBi-​Q burrito (it was fine. lacked a bit of taste but I guess that’s because it’s «healthy»?) and a Hi-​5 juice-​drink (which was very tasty). Overall… it was just okay.
Value: You can get away with spending the usual amount for a lunch here but if you have a large appetite (like me) I’d recommend doubling down on whatever you get… I went too light and am still hunger.
I’ll keep this place in mind for the future, but I won’t be running back.

I have been wanting to try Protein Bar for a while now and finally did today! I had the Baja Salad which was amazing! The price was a little high but what isn’t in Downtown Chicago! There are so many more items I will be trying! Don’t be scared by the line; it moves super quick and the staff is very friendly!

Just got a smoothie and, in a word, YUCK. The chalky vegan protein powder is gritty and overpowers the blueberries and banana. I must have gotten the whey powder last time. This powder should come with a warning.

The Protein Bar is a great alternative to Starchy Breakfast USA, which is all too prominent in lots of places throughout Chicago. At the Pro.Bar., there are several intriguing menu items, my favorite being the hot Spinach Pesto. It’s delicious, especially as a great alternative to typical bread-​based «morning food.»
The staff at this 221 W. Washington branch are all very nice, and Phillip, the manager, is a sweet guy who is really connected to his business. The only complaint I have is that the music is TOO LOUD, especially at 7 AM when I am trying to eat breakfast and calmly re-​introduce myself to the cold cold world in the Windy City ;) after a night of comfy sweet dreams. But when it gets too much for my ears, I order to go. So, on the whole, this place is a keeper!

Love this place! I’ve been coming here since it first opened. I’m a regular and love that a restaurant like this exist! These are dishes I would make at home (when I’m being good) so it’s perfect for days when I don’t pack lunch for work! I wish they had more of these all over Chicago and not mainly just the downtown area!

This is a great, healthy option for lunch. I went with the Spinach & Pesto bowl and the Wrigley Peeled blended drink. Both were delicious and very filling. However, with the $ 15 price tag I wouldn’t necessarily make this a regular lunch spot. I do think it would be a great place to swing by after a workout though, with all the great protein shake options.
*update: Totally contradicted myself as I now go here at least once a week The spinach & pesto burrito is AMAZING, and the staff at this location is super friendly.

I recently ate at protein bar this past summer when I started working downtown. Most of my coworkers travel to state and lake to eat there service was fair. Then one summer day a coworker recommended we try another of there locations to dine in. Upon entering Washington and wells we realized the atmosphere was so fun. The cashiers jonisha carter and Hector were quick upbeat and responsive the food line were dancing and looked like they enjoyed our company I will say it gets hectic around lunch hour but that is expected downtown an overall fun experience ended with a nice goodbye from the manager Phillip and the whole team

Great tasting, great for you and great that so many locations are starting to pop up. It’s a little pricey, but when you consider the health benefits it’s totally worth it. (Would you rather eat the right thing now and pay a little more or eat nutritional negative food now that’s cheaper but contributes to your Insurance premiums later?)
Fun Fact: Their former menu items are still available on a «secret» menu, you just have to ask at the register!

It’s a nice, healthy place for lunch. I love their spinach pesto quinoa bowl and their chili– they’re very health conscious and selective when it comes to ingredients, but protein bar definitely does not skimp on the flavor! Their meals are always fresh, delicious, and an easy lunch for those in the area. It’s a little pricey for the portions, but when you’re thinking about the health benefits and idea of the place, it’s a bit more justifiable. The place is always clean, and the staff has always been friendly to me.

Lunch time can get busy but its in the Loop so that’s expected. Your standard Protein Bar. I’d visit again! :)

I have been a member for only a short time at FFC. However, I have certainly picked up on the energy of the people who represent FFC as a whole and I am truly grateful to have met Lisa at the protein bar. She’s always happily glowing and remembers my name, and even when I was having a bad day on the inside, she possibly sensed it within me and brightened my day.
Cheers Lisa

1 of my go-​to lunch spots. Healthy, filling, fresh food. Quick service.
Recently, I learned they no longer utilize punch cards. They gave me a free lunch anyways for my punch card (and it wasn’t even completely filled!) Can’t beat that!

The food is good — and you feel good eating it, but it’s really pricey for a place you drop in for quick eating.
The people are nice and its always clean.
It did get me to start eating quinoa — but I make my own at home. They must be killing it cause quinoa is not expensive and each meal is about $ 8.

I’d give them 4.5 stars for flavor, and about 2 stars for slow service (yes, they are slow at almost 2:00 P.M. and hardly anyone there)
For $ 7.72 for about 6 oz of Black Beans in a quinoa bowl, WITHOUT meat, I can make a LOT of QUINOA and a LOT of Black beans at home… I’m happy it was there, and it did have good flavor, but the quantity (about 6 oz.) doesn’t jive with the price charged… that means they are charging about $ 15 per lb…
And to the Corporate Commad Chain of Protein Bar. You’re touting that you make all your wraps with WHOLE WHEAT — Well, I wouldn’t be so proud of that because Whole Wheat is an inflammatory ingredient and actually has more sugar than white flour. Whomever told you WHOLE WHEAT IS BETTER is WRONG… all they have to do is some real easy research about nutrition and it’s all there ON THE INTERNET!

In general I’m kind of a freak for Protein Bar. I previously trekked down to the State and Lake location. Doh! I just discovered this one which is so close to where I work. My craving is the Green City Vegan Bar-​Ito. It’s always tasty and protein packed. What sets this location apart are the friendly and helpful people that work here. The way an establishment treats its customers is huge. These folks make coming here a pleasure. Check ‘em out.

A great place to go for a good lunch. The menu accommodates all dietary restrictions. They even list which items are gluten free.
The quinoa bowls are pretty small but tasty. I had the southwest salad today and really enjoyed it. Plus, they use hot sauce as dressing. HELLO no added sugar or vegetable oil!
I mostly come here for juices and protein shakes. The juices are delicious, but I’m still always nervous with how much sugar goes into one of those. The protein shakes are great too. Perfect afternoon snack, especially if you have to hit the gym after work.
I still prefer bringing my own lunch to work, but in a pinch this place is great. Nothing about the flavor of the food will wow you.

I like the burritos and bowls. However I feel they use too much quinoa as filler and neglect actual nutritious items to fill the bowls and burritos with. Some more tomato or salsa would be good. How about some more beans or avocado? For almost $ 9 an item there should be more than just quinoa as a filling.
They need to get the ordering process amended also, it’s a gigantic cluster in here when ordering/​picking up food.

LOVE. ME. SOME. Protein Baaaaar.
Healthy + delicious = a happy and fulfilling work lunch.
Usually I bring my lunch to work (to save money & try & eat healthier), but there are some days I’m just way too busy to think about packing a lunch (let alone grocery shop) in the morning as I’m running out the door to catch my train.
Eating out can be challenging if you are trying to stay on track with a healthy diet. That’s why I’m so happy Protein Bar is around the corner from my office. They’ve got quite a variety of options — burritos, bowls, salads, chilli, and smoothies… all of which are very good! I mean, they had me at avocado and buffalo chicken…
Here are my personal fave menu items:
Buffalo salad or bowl… YUM :)
Wrigley Peeled Smoothie
Pier Nut Butter & Jelly Smoothie

Protein Bar is one of the few healthy places I really enjoy. True there are other food places (not so good for you) I would rather have, but for the calories and nutrition Protein Bar does a good job. The burrito’s to me are just okay. I prefer the bowls more. Today I decided to try the Black bean bowl and it was really good. The salsa tasted so fresh… or maybe it’s because I haven’t eaten anything the last 3 days (cleanse…hmmm). Either way other good bowls that I normally get here are the Buffalo bowl and the Healthy parm bowl. The quinoa really fills me up and the bowls are really low in calories without sacrificing taste.
I also noticed they have raw juices here. I will have to try one on my next visit. The restaurant location on Frankin/​Adams is really small. If you go between noon to 1:00 it will be hard to eat in. It’s more of a grab your food in go. A nice sit down Protein bar nearby is on Washington and Wells. Same great food, but more seating. If you’re trying to live a healthy lifestyle and work in the loop this is a great place to go.