Soup & Salad Alternatives

I find myself in training for the big Green City Chef's BBQ tomorrow night, and I've been trying to eat soups and salads for lunch all week so as to be ready with lots of stomach space for the big event. Where do you go for light lunches these days? Who's making homemade soup? I"m tired of Jack's, where they serve an excellent julianne salad, and I'm looking for alternatives pretty much anywhere outside downtown.

Great topic - I find it hard to find decent, light lunch fare that's really good.

Not a restaurant, but an option to know about: I really like Karl's Craft Soups. He will be at the Andersonville Farmers Market this afternoon/evening. The website lists a few places that stock the soup. He also delivers.

Another good salad option to know about is the ready-made salad (i.e. for carry out) at Little Goat Bread. It's kale-based, with chickpeas and a few other things. Good move is to pick up a bagel for breakfast and a carry-out salad for lunch.

Hi- I have not been there yet, but there is LYFE kitchens at 1603 Orrington in Evanston, that just opened up, and one of my friends loves the place, and another friend says it is just okay. It is located in what used to be the rotunda for Chase Bank and Orrington and Davis. Everything in the restaurant is supposed to be good for you, and some of the recipes have been developed by Art Smith, including an unfried fried chicken. My friend that is not crazy about the place says it is too expensive, and too loud. Andy thought the food was ok, but his friend hated the food. My other friend knows the owner, and says that yes it is not cheap, but the food is worth it, and the food is really good, and she recommended that I try it out. I think this is one of those fast food restaurants where you give them your order, and then they bring it to your table when it is done, and everything is made from scratch. They have a lot of gluten free and vegetarian options. I believe lunch costs you somewhere around $10-$12.

Personally I am a big fan of Panera bread. When I go there, I almost always get a half a turkey breast sandwich, and a bowl of soup. They always have several low fat soup options, and I tell them to leave off the mayo on the sandwich. I have had a few salads there too, and they are good too. Hope this helps, Nancy

One vote for missing the made-to-order salads at Zoom Kitchen and decent soups.

In the interim,

Plum Market has a lovely salad bar and DH loves their chicken noodle soup.

Otherwise there is... Cross Rhodes in Evanston or Athenian Room in Chicago. Oh and don't forget the salad bar at R.J. Grunts.

And for dinner there is that Avocado and pickled onion salad at Mana that I can't ever pass up along with their delicious chili.

pairs4life wrote:One vote for missing the made-to-order salads at Zoom Kitchen and decent soups.

In the interim,

Plum Market has a lovely salad bar and DH loves their chicken noodle soup.

Otherwise there is... Cross Rhodes in Evanston or Athenian Room in Chicago. Oh and don't forget the salad bar at R.J. Grunts.

And for dinner there is that Avocado and pickled onion salad at Mana that I can't ever pass up along with their delicious chili.

Man, I miss Zoom. Also had a great mac-and-cheese (rotini with Ro-Tel and cheese).

spinynorman99 wrote:

pairs4life wrote:One vote for missing the made-to-order salads at Zoom Kitchen and decent soups.

Man, I miss Zoom. Also had a great mac-and-cheese (rotini with Ro-Tel and cheese).

Those chocolate chip cookies, red hen bread, corn, and carmaelized onions to add to the salad or sandwiches it was good food.-- Le Sigh

Hi- I know you said you did not want anything downtown, but I highly recommend the soup at Foodlife at Water Tower Place. It is all you can eat. You might also try the salad bar and soup at both Mariano's and Whole Foods. I have had the hot bar at several Whole Foods, and it has always been good.

pairs4life wrote:One vote for missing the made-to-order salads at Zoom Kitchen and decent soups.

In the interim,

Plum Market has a lovely salad bar and DH loves their chicken noodle soup.

When I did my 28 day VB6 Challenge, I found myself quite enjoying Plum's salad bar. Zingerman bread a good accompaniment.

I know I"m the one who started this thread looking for suggestions, but in the name of completeness, here are a couple contenders that shoul e on this list.

First is GNR Brown Sack. They always have a pot of home made soup and/or chili to go along with their awesome BLT with shrimp and avocado. I love this place, and it's just the kind of joint I'm hoping to uncover in this thread.

The second place is Birchwood Kitchen, a neighborhood gem in Wicker Park. Like Brown Sack, they feature great home made soups as well as great sandwiches, including their pot roast sandwich, with which I've become enamored with.

Birchwood Kitchen Pot Roast Sandwich


The Brown Sack
3581 W Belden Ave
Chicago, IL 60647
773-661-0675

Birchwood Kitchen
2211 W. North Ave
Chicago, IL 60647
773-276-2100

You know you're an LTH'er when a pot roast sandwich is the answer to the question "Where do you go for light lunches these days?" Does look good though!