Protein Bar & Kitchen — Restaurant in Chicago

Normally I wouldn't write a review after one negative experience, but several bad experiences in a single visit was enough to keep me from going back to this location. Before I get started, though, I still love Protein Bar and will still spend tons of money on their wonderful wraps, smoothies, and such; just not at the La Salle location in Chicago. Here was my experience... First, the app didn't process my order correctly (absolutely not the locations fault), but I didn't get an error message or any other indication so I wasn't sure if I had been charged or not (still no big deal, really), but the manager just insisted ringing me up; no real effort to assure me I hadn't already been charged until I kept verbally worrying about not getting charged twice. Second, the bowl of Berry Oatmeal was soup (so much liquid the oatmeal was below the water line), which I discovered after getting to work. I went back, they saw the issue, replaced it, didn't offer anything else for my trouble (which isn't a huge gripe, but makes me feel like it doesn't matter if I come back or not), and... Third, the replacement was horrible. I couldn't finish it. The berries tasted like they had been watered down (maybe to make a dwindling supply stretch further?) and I threw it in the trash. It appeared to me there may have been a new employee, so I would expect the manager to ensure the second attempt was right. Instead she ordered the replacement and went back to her "desk." Fourth, the manager's desk is one of the dinning room tables; computer set up, paperwork stacked around her own food. This is a minor turn off. I realize they likely have much to balance, but don't make my dining space...

Oct 2024 We ordered lunch online here and decided to stay and eat when we picked it up. Note while their food is high in protein (like their store name suggests), they are also pretty high in fat and carbs. Their food is delicious, but I would not recommend this place for someone on a strict diet who is watching their macros.

The place has two entrances, one opening onto the street and another opening into the rest of the building. The inside is dimly lit, with a cafe level of noise and music in the background. There are mainly 2-3 people tables, with some high chair tables and a bar. The bar also has outlets on the top.

They also have two self-ordering koisks on the right side of the store. I noticed that most people arriving used those to order rather than talking to a person.

The staff were polite, busy, and efficient. When we picked up our order, they made sure to remind us to pick our own napkins, utensils, and straws.

They have 2 all gender bathrooms here. They require a code to enter, which you can ask one of the staff members for. I think they must change the code periodically, because the keypads on each bathroom were missing a few number keys, and the code would only be able to work on one of the doors.

All of the food we tried was very delicious and very filling. We would definitely come again if just getting...

I went here for breakfast for two days in a row. The first time I ordered the overnight oats, I was the only customer and there were no other orders (you can see all the orders from all in-store and online customers on a big screen). The bowl was good with a nice portion to fill up. (Dine-In) The pictures are for the first day. The second time I ordered Berry Banana Parfait which has homemade granola. (Take-out) They barely put any yogurt, maybe 5 tablespoons. The bowl was almost empty, the granola was burnt (they were dark brown almost black). There is no almond in the ingredients but it was in the bowl and it looked like roasted burnt almonds again totally black.

I did an in-store order using one of their machines and unchecked the chia seed from the ingredients. The lady that was preparing the order seemed not to be able to speak or read English so someone had to tell her not to put Chia seeds, this is dangerous as someone might be allergic to something and they put it anyway due to lack of English fluency.

Overall, it’s a good idea to have such a healthy meal place but this requires lots of work to get...