Protein Bar never disappoints. The prices are reasonable for the quality of food and ingredients that you get. Staff are always friendly and helpful. My favorite menu item is the chicken pesto bar-rito -- definitely recommend! The food is great for breakfast or lunch. read more

Stopped by here this morning on opening day. They have a few kinks to work out, but overall it was good. The service was excellent, everyone was very friendly. They were slow, and I will chalk that up to opening day workarounds. I had the pancake in a bowl and Daley drink. The pancake was good, but got cold due to it sitting waiting for the drink to be made. The drink was good, and you get a choice of boost to add as well. All in all, a good place. If they were established, they would get a 3 due to food being cold and waiting, however since it was opening day I will give them a 4. Will come back for lunch, they have many options. Also, a to go menu would be nice to bring back to the office. read more

Finding a dining establishment in the Loop that caters to my dietary restrictions was like trying to find nirvana. At least that's how I felt until a friend suggested I check out the Protein Bar. With Vegan AND Gluten Free food options on the menu I knew I struck gold in finding a new place to grad good food on the go. The chain of restaurants is geared to catering to health conscious people who want to ensure they're giving their bodies the right kind of fuel. For those of you who work out consistently this place is great for grabbing a smoothie because they will put in the type of protein you desire into it (whey, soy or egg) along with the type of milk (2%, skim, soy, almond) and you get to choose from a wide range of boosts to add to the drink. Most of their food items include quinoa, which is the one grain with the highest amount of protein in it and is deliciously gluten free. They also offer a punch card where if you buy 8 drinks they'll give you a 9th free (and that can be a 20oz drink!). Had to re-edit the stars to this review because I finally tried their gluten free/vegan chili and I was sorely disappointed. I usually love chili and the meal I received tasted bland and had a terrible consistency. I'm incredibly bummed about this but I guess it's good to know that this item doesn't really work well on their menu (at least for those of you looking for good vegan/gf chili). read more

Four stars instead of Five because of the long wait to get your order. Customer service is great! They're super friendly and helpful, but... do I really have to wait 20 minutes for a salad? It's also super crowded around the lunch hour. This place needs to knock down a wall for some a bit more room. Sometimes these customers can get pretty primal when it comes to the "waiting area" in front of the counter. Nonetheless, I'll always come back because their food is delicious and I feel a little less guilty eating at this fast food than Chipotle or McDonalds. Their new app is also super convenient as I'm someone who is always forgetting their money/card at home or at the office. Everyone has to try their Baja Salad. Their Spinach and Pesto is also great! read more

I love the Cold Pressed Raw Juice. Today I got the Outta Sight and a Chocolate Chip Brownie. The outta sight had carrots, apple, and ginger and is soooo good. I was at first skeptical about the Brownie but it was super delicious and I will definitely get it again, Ari was super nice when she took my order. read more

Protein Bar & Kitchen - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Heck yeah! This place is so awesome! Completely different concept with healthful options! LOVE LOVE LOVE IT! I had a protein shake with almond milk ( To die for) and a chilli bowl (all vegetarian). Great gluten free and vegetarian options. did I mention the amazing customer service????? read more

The buffalo bowl is my most favorite thing ever. A sprinkle of Sriracha sauce makes it extra spice-aaay!

I work down the street from this place and today was the first time I stopped by. The menu looks good. I tried the buffalo chicken bowl. I'm a beginner of healthy eating and it wasn't that bad! It was def different but a good different. I'll be back again for the protein shake or breakfast menu. This is a great option for those looking at fresh healthy eating. read more

I don't know what the hype is about this chain as I was not impressed. I walk by a couple of Protein Bars on my way to work and always told myself I should give it a try. I regret it. Today I went with one my friends for lunch. It was around 1:00 and was still a little busy. I looked at their menu and noticed it is heavy quinoa. I don't think anything on that menu doesn't have quinoa. I went for the BBQ bar-ritto. It had chicken, quinoa, salad mix, cheese in a "bbq" sauce wrapped in cardboard...I mean a whole wheat tortilla. I ordered and the staff were friendly and frantic to keep up with the crowd. I didn't have to wait long before my order was ready. I was really excited to finally try this place and see what the hype was all about...I take my first bite and taste tough starch. I reason with myself and say hey, it was just mostly this tortilla, the next bite should taste better. Wrong. There was really no flavor, very bland, and I don't know how else to say it but stiff... This place is healthy because it gives your mouth a workout to even chew it! I didn't taste the BBQ and there was an overwhelming amount of processed cheese and quinoa. The quinoa must have not been cooked all the way because it shouldn't be crunchy. Thankfully they had sriracha to bring some life into this disappointment of a meal. Maybe my expectations were too high, or maybe I wasn't in the mood for "healthy" but I think it's safe to say this will not be on my list of places to go. read more

I typically go here several times a week because I love that I get a filling lunch that's also healthy. I originally thought this would just be one of those trendy places that wouldn't be able to back it up but that was happily not the case. My favorites here are the spinach & pesto bowl and the southwest salad. The prices are higher than other lunch spots but the quality of the food is worth it! read more

I go to this location a couple days a week, and I'm impressed with the consistency of their product, and customer service. It is noteworthy to mention two people specifically, Seona M. & Jimmy H, who always remember me by first name, welcome me with a smile, and provide consistent punctual service. I write reviews infrequently, but felt compelled to acknowledge good service when I see it. Going to protein bar, on Washington St, first thing in the morning has proven to be a positive and healthy way to start my day. Millennium Perk with peanut butter is also big reason I keep going back. read more

Good for a quick and healthy meal. Just know that the "Steak" came out as come kind of shredded meat that resembled more of a pork flavor than steak. read more

"Meh. I've experienced better," does not even come close to how I feel about the customer service at the Washington and Wells location. Here's a reenactment of today's episode with the Protein Bar delivery guy: Him: Uh, ummm I have two orders here. Me: Can I see the delivery receipts? Me: This order is for tomorrow, the date is listed on the receipt. Him: Oh, well that's not my problem. Really?! Every.single.time I order for guests and coworkers, I try to order with enough wiggle room that it's not too early or late. Does Protein Bar care if their food (that's just okay) sits around for awhile...No they don't. In fact, when I've called the manager(on more than one occasion) I was told "mistakes happen." I agree, mistakes do happen. Once..maybe twice. But every time I order lunch from here I'm consistently met with animosity from the delivery guy and below average service. Also, If I had to guess I'd say that the catering staff isn't even reading the instructions on the order. Things are always missing that we're charged for and when I've tried to correct the problem...again - met with a bad attitude, especially for people who work in CUSTOMER SERVICE. I'll order Protein Bar again because people here like it, but this location can suck it hard. read more

Get the superfood vegan salad each time and it's tasty and healthy! Folks at this branch in particular are very friendly!

Took a risk and loved the place. Everything I've tried so far is fantastic. The shakes/smootheis are a little pricey but they're worth it. This has become one of my regular lunch spots read more

This is a great place for a fast, healthy lunch. I got a quinoa bowl on my trip here. and I think my only quibble was that it was a bit on the small side. It was really tasty, though, and I'd be a regular if I worked nearby. There was a small army of people working during lunch, and service was friendly and fast. read more

I've had numerous bowls here as well as the chili, and they were all amazing. I also recently sampled the machu green tea, and I can't wait for it to be available next week! Everything here is super tasty, low calorie and amazing. The staff is very friendly too! read more

Every time i go in here I'm impressed with how tasty they can make a measly 500 cal taste! you'd expect some dry cardboard with a few wood chips sprinkled in, but I can tell you that the buffalo chicken wrap and the protein bar-rito are both freaking AWESOME! read more

I was pleased to find great vegan options downtown. Protein Bar has nailed it with good, quick (and healthy) vegan food. Thank you!

My favorite place for lunch in the loop. There is a ton of variety between their bar-ritos, bowls, and salads. They also have breakfast options which I haven't tried. All the ingredients are fresh and made-to-order. The bar-rotios and bowls are tasty and filling with all the protein packed quinoa they stuff in them. There are a bunch of different hot sauces to choose from. I haven't had anything on the menu I don't like. And it's reasonabley priced. read more

I love some of the new offerings (like the Thai Coconut Curry). The blended drinks make a great mid-day snack (the Pier-nut Butter & Jelly is pure awesome). More importantly though is that the employees at this location are super friendly and will remember what your favorites are :) read more

I get Protein Bar for breakfast most mornings - I love the Millennium Perk and Wrigley Peeled protein shakes. The oatmeal and scramble bowls are pretty good too. For dinner I usually get a Southwest or Buffalo salad, but I love the new Coconut Curry soup! The staff is really friendly here too. They all know me for breakfast and just ask if I want the usual now, which is nice when I'm in a hurry to get to work. My only complaint is that they now close at 7PM instead of 8PM during the week and 4PM on Fridays, which sometimes is hard to make it to after work and going to the gym. I've given up on hoping they could be open on Saturdays. read more

The BEST place for healthy, yummy food options in the loop! I have been going there for a few years now - most week days I get breakfast (Santa Fe scramble) and lunch (Buffalo salad or their new Caesar salad is AMAZING!) there. The staff (including managers) is so friendly, knows me by name and is always willing to go the extra mile to make their customers happy. Their protein shakes (especially the Millennium Perk with whey protein/almond milk) are also so good! I have been able to stick to a healthy eating plan b/c of this place and recommend anyone in the area to stop in and try their food at least once! read more

It is the spot for quick and pretty healthy lunch. The thing what amaze me is how efficient they are in rush hour ... so don't be afraid of line it goes very quick... my favorite is spinach pesto bowl with quinoa, perfect amount, healthy, flavorful and keeps me going for entire day.... very friendly service (Joan and Sabrina always welcome You with a smile)... also get the app for payment and it goes even quicker.... read more

Love this place. The food is fresh, yummy and healthy. Plus the prices are very reasonable. I wish they had more locations with parking nearby. read more

Healthy, fast, and delicious! Great first time there. I had the southwest salad and could not finish it all.

This location has been open for two weeks, so there are some bugs to work out. Probably because I live in a two block bubble, I was introduced to this franchise at its newest location on Washington (btw Franklin and Wells). I had breakfast here the day it opened in which I was very impressed with the freshness of the ingredients. I had granola, which was very yummy, with yougart and fresh fruit. I returned yesterday for the buffalo burrito and the fruit looped shake: both of which I was very impressed. So far I am happy with the healthy options and the quality. I would give it 5 stars, but lets face it, eating healthy is sadly expensive. Overall, I see myself eating here once a week and Protein bar is a welcomed addition to the bubble. :) read more

This place was OK. I love bowls and protein so I was excited. Had lots of yum-o choices for the bowls. I got the "Mexicali" bowl which had chicken, quinoa, black beans, avocado, some other stuff, and yum sauce. The bowl itself was great, but way small and too expensive. It was $10 and I probably could've have another. Also, the layout of this particular Protein Bar was strange. It felt like where you go to order was hidden all the way at the back. Would try again though so not all home is lost. read more

Love this location! The staff is always super friendly and helpful. They go out of their way to make sure you're happy. And it's very well run. No matter how busy it is, service is always great. read more

A good lunch time option. This is the only place I know that sells a salad that actually fills you up and won't leave you hungry in a couple hours. The "barritos" are also good and filling. I like this place because it feels like healthy eating. The prices are way crazy. You will spend a lot and some of the entrees leave you wondering how something so small cost $14. read more

This place is amazing! They even know my order when I walk in! Seona and Jimmy exude the epitome of customer service. They make me feel wanted and appreciated. The customer service and the food options are unparalleled and I will continue to support this place. I'll continue to come for breakfast and lunch if the customer service and the taste of the food/drinks remains this way! read more

I work in a profession where every day can look different. Protein Bar is my dependable rock and helps me stay nourished and well balanced. Everything on the menu is rock solid. Shakes, salads, and wraps all leave me feeling full with no guilt. Feel free to customize, the team wants you to enjoy your meal. Enroll in their rewards program and you will be unlocking points in no time. The staff and management are on top of their game. Walking into this location makes me feel like part of a community. Keep up the great work! read more

I've been trying their different smoothies and I must admit they're Great! The customer service is outstanding and Deonta Jones has helped me tremendously every time I come in their. read more

Service here is fantastic! The employees at this specific location already memorized my order (Avo Matcha ALL DAY) and they have it ready for me before I'm done paying. Everyone working here is very professional and customer friendly. Also the food won't give you fat tires! I'll recommend this specific protein bar to anyone visiting or working in the Loop area. read more

I really want to like Protein Bar, since I love eating healthy whenever I can, but it just never really satisfies me. I tried this location for the first time recently, and got a vegetarian quinoa chili bowl and split a greenberry juice with my boyfriend. The chili tasted like it really needed some salt (I know we're trying to be healthy here, but that's no excuse to skimp on flavor) and it wasn't very hot, temperature wise. Sure it's topped with cheese and Greek yogurt but I think it was lukewarm even before the toppings got involved. It's a small portion for the price, though it is still enough food for little me. But you can get a much bigger (still heatlhy) meal for the price elsewhere. The Greenberry juice had a nice fresh taste - a creative combination of kale, strawberry, cilantro, lime, and apple - but the texture gets really frothy. Still, I'd order it again. It's very refreshing. It just isn't enough - not quite substantial enough, and lacking in the strong flavors that healthy food should have to make it appealing. Not saying I wouldn't eat it again, but it would never be my first choice. I think I'd mainly just go there for the fresh juice. read more

Avocado Chicken wrap, awesome. I stopped in a handful of times for a filling shake in the pinch but finally made the trip for lunch and I will for sure be back again. Not the world's biggest Quiona fan but there is something for everyone here. Can't wait to get back to try more. read more

In general I would give the food 4 stars. I subtracted a star for the cost. Holy cripes, a $10 salad? For that there needs to more substance. I like the place, but unless you truly believe that quinoa is the best food on the planet, it's just hype. read more

Love this place! I go at least once a week for my lunch. Their smoothies, salads, and wraps are delicious! Always greeted by a friendly professional staff. Deonta Jones is courteous, friendly, and very welcoming. read more

This review is only for the Blended Drinks and Raw Juice, both are delicious. There has been an occasional lunch or two when I felt like eating it through a straw and Protein Bar blended it just right. My favorite is the Greenberry with Kale, Apples, Strawberries, Cilantro and lime. The apple gives it a nice tartness and the kale a nice green color. You dont taste much of the cilantro so if youre not a fan dont worry. This drink will tide you over for sure until dinner time. read more

Love Protein Bar. Not a cheap lunch option but healthy and very filling. I have tried their spinach pesto bowl and healthy parm bowl. Both are delicious. I don't think they lack seasoning like others mention but could be a personal preference(?). I love their fruit loop'd and millennium perk smoothie (almond milk, whey protein, and fiber boost). I normally just get 1 of the bowls and a small smoothie and that's more than enough to fill me up for lunch. It would come out to about $10-12. This location always has a long line at lunch but the line moves really quickly so I'm okay with that. read more