Thank you, threadkiller, for setting up this lunch. While the food took a bit to arrive, it was well worth the wait. I loved the Zapotecas Torta - filled with sliced cesina and topped with the delicious and tangy green salsa, it was a satisfying lunch. I loved the salsa enough to dip the chips (homemade?) in it. Coupled with a Grapefruit Jarritos (I did not need to know such a delicious drink existed) - with tax - it was $9.32. More than I want to spend daily - but having plenty of space for seating and a high quality meal - I felt the price tage was well worth it.

Lovely to meet everyone!

liz

threadkiller wrote:For that matter, it didn't appear that there was a manager on the floor, but I had my back to the rest of the room so maybe I just didn't see him/her.

The owners, Luis and Laura Perea, were both there hustling in front and back of the counter...I forgot to point 'em out, but Laura delivered one of the sandwiches to our table.

I had the #8 Dominguera: carnitas, greens, pickled red onions (yum!), Chihuahua cheese and avocado spread. The Bombon sandwich is nothing if not always juicy, and the pickled onions gave a nice punch to the so-so carnitas.

I said at lunch, I think the bakery items are nice, if a bit spendy. The cookies and pastry are probably a notch above the average Mexican bakery (the cakes are in a class their own), but at probably three or four times as expensive.

Nice meeting more people!

It was a pleasure to share lunch w/fellow LTHer's today. It was nice to meet the faces behind some screen names. Thank you, threadkiller, for organizing, and to the others who were able to attend.

Since dining at Bombon two weeks ago, sandwiches are now accompanied by a few thin, flavorful homemade chips. I ordered #7 Caribena (roasted pork thinly sliced, mixed greens, avocado, tomato, grilled pineapple, gouda, and avocado spread). In the bites that only contained the pork and bun, I was reminded of char siu bao. The pork has a light, sweetish sauce on it. All in all, it was a tasty sandwich, but I think I preferred the sonora.

I just want to add my thanks to Nick for organizing this event and getting me over to Bombon. I had the Vizcaina, # 14,

saute cod (in olive oil with garlic, olives, capers, almonds, onions, tomato, white wine) mix greens, gouda cheese and avocado spread.

It was a wonderful delicious mess, though by the time you put all those things in there (and mine included a bay leaf) and put it on their terrific bread, the cod seems to mostly contribute a salty undertone and the occasional fish bone. Any possible flavor from the gouda was also lost (and totally unnecessary IMHO). But if your average loop sandwich is a 5, this was a 15, and I'd get it again any time.

I'm also not concerned about their price point. Yesterday I had a bowl of miso ramen from Takashi Yagihashi in Macy's and by the time I added my ice tea it was $12. Makes BomBon seem like a downright bargain. And even though the service is a little slow, I got there at 11:53 and was done by 12:30. So I think they've got a winner, and I couldn't be more pleased.

Whoa, a Basque lenten torta? Brilliant.

I stopped by Bombon Cafe to have some tamales and picked up some cute glossy cupcake shaped business cards for Bombon Americano. The menu is very different from Bombon cafe, as indicated in the name, Bombon Americano serves mostly "american goods." They have cupcakes, cakes, and the meat selection for sandwiches include bacon, roasted chicken, proscuitto, ham, salami, roast beef etc. So while the same people are behind this new offering, they have decided to not stick with their tried formula and instead are branching into something new. I wish them luck and will try to stop in soon!


Bombon Americano
1000 N Clark
phone 312 787 7717
www.bombonamericano.com

JermAngela wrote:I stopped by Bombon Cafe to have some tamales and picked up some cute glossy cupcake shaped business cards for Bombon Americano. The menu is very different from Bombon cafe, as indicated in the name, Bombon Americano serves mostly "american goods." They have cupcakes, cakes, and the meat selection for sandwiches include bacon, roasted chicken, proscuitto, ham, salami, roast beef etc. So while the same people are behind this new offering, they have decided to not stick with their tried formula and instead are branching into something new. I wish them luck and will try to stop in soon!


Bombon Americano
1000 N Clark
phone 312 787 7717
www.bombonamericano.com

and this is why...as I posted earlier...I have no real reason to happen on in to Bombon Americano...tho' by virtue of it's appellation it would appear to be the best lunch-ish offering in that vicinity(Popeye's, Subway, Jimmy John's, Empire, Mr. Gyro...ack); meaning...I'm terribly disappointed that they didn't seek an outpost of their amazing *sounding*
Latino-fusion fare in the Gold Coast. "No...let's offer run-of-the-mill Yanqui fare..."

...are they really experimenting with their concept or do they think the interesting stuff they do elsewhere wouldn't fly in my 'hood? I believe even the new Loop location offers their standards. For me it's a great big disappointed sigh.

I was really excited when I noticed the storefront being rehab-ed awhile back...and venturing online found...feh...

I guess I didn't really get out what I meant to say about Bombon Americano. I am disapointed in their menu selections as the whole appeal of Bombon for me lies in their interesting and different sandwich meats, toppings, soups, etc. While I wouldn't go to Americano to order a sandwich, I would stop by to try their pastry selection; if the greatness of their tres leches cake is any indication of their other baked goods, I will be back more than once.

JermAngela wrote:I guess I didn't really get out what I meant to say about Bombon Americano. I am disapointed in their menu selections as the whole appeal of Bombon for me lies in their interesting and different sandwich meats, toppings, soups, etc. While I wouldn't go to Americano to order a sandwich, I would stop by to try their pastry selection; if the greatness of their tres leches cake is any indication of their other baked goods, I will be back more than once.

and I should clarify...I'm not much of a sweets person so what intrigues me about the Bombon concept is it's creative savories...

if the Gold Coast location retains the attention to pastry then I'm sure that makes it a nearby destination for some especially now that The Chalet closed(they used to carry a local---I forget who---patisserie's offerings...and boy, did they entice)

I'm just irritated that what I assumed would be an outpost of their renowned neuvo-Mex sandwiches is actually an "American" experiment whose menu I feel quite able to duplicate at home.

JermAngela wrote:if the greatness of their tres leches cake is any indication of their other baked goods, I will be back more than once.

I am a tiny sample size, having only been once to each of Americano and the Loop Bombon -- but at Americano I bought a handful of boring cookies and was really underwhelmed. (I was just passing by and wanted to check it out, but I didn't have time or appetite for more than that.)

More recently I met a friend for lunch at the Washington street location. I had a good sandwich, although it wasn't so good to get me walking 25 minutes each way to have lunch there that frequently. But the cookies at Bombon (Washington) were more diverse and better tasting than the ones at Americano. The Americano ones seemed to be more like cocktail party cookies, too small, and all of one basic (grainy) texture.

I just need to repeat the disclaimer that I was not really in a position to give Americano a fighting chance. As the weather gets better, there's a good chance I'll be walking by after work when I might be able to stop and check it out more fully.

Finally, I would bet that the modesty of Americano is as much or more about the rent in that neighborhood as about their idea of what the neighbors would buy -- it's a very very small space. I might guess they bring in a lot of the food from another Bombon kitchen.

I had to run an errand at the County building, so I took the opportunity to pop into Bombon (Loop) for lunch. The place wasn't full and no one was in line at 12 30. I ordered the Zapotecas, but they were out of cesina, so I opted for the Sonoran (marinated steak). I ordered to eat in, grabbed a glass of water, took my seat and put up my number. Then, I waited. And waited. After 10 minutes the expediter noticed me waiting. He called my number and had me come up. He handed me a bag. At this point I didn't really have time to eat in, so this was fine.

They had forgotten my salsa, but quickly provided it. I stopped on my way out to peek in the case. One of the managers noticed my long wait and offered me a free treat. Being pregnant and very hungry, I took him up on it and chose the plain Tres Leches. I was a little leary as they serve it in a little tin cup (like Smoque's mac and cheese) but this kept it super moist and not messy at all.

I just enjoyed everything back at my office.

I will say, I was pretty annoyed by the whole experience, but the gesture of dessert went a long way to make me very very happy. Oh, and the sandwich was darned tasty. The bun has little pumpkin seeds on it, plenty of mashed avocado and a generous portion of meat and mini greens with a tangy vinaigrette.

This should hold me for an hour or two.

I stopped for a late lunch at BomBon Cafe (Loop) this afternoon, about 2 p.m. The last time I went into a BomBon was several years ago, at the original 18th St. location. I always liked the Washington St. space where this branch of BomBon is - from my days of having lunch in the "Workers" Burger King (about as unique a Burger King as I've seen) - and I felt comfortable in the spot today.

BomBon Cafe - 170 W. Washington St. (near La Salle St.)



Getting Ready for Dia de los Muertos



Place your order



La Caribeña Sandwich



I chose the La Caribeña sandwich: thinly sliced roasted pork, thin slices of grilled pineapple, slightly melted gouda cheese, tomato, some mixed greens and a generous helping of freshly-scooped avocado . . . served on great tasting sandwich bread. Accompanying the order were freshly cut/cooked potato chips. No salsas were presented (maybe I missed them sitting at a self-serving station?), and that was fine with me - I enjoyed the flavorful sandwich without condiments. The pork flavor blended with the sweetness of the pineapple and the combination of those two along with the gouda worked well for me. I opted for the agua fresca de melon, a nice cantaloupe water lightly sweetened (if at all).

Lemon Tart, with Magnificent Meringue



The selection of desserts staring at you as you attempt to walk out of the place (or greeting you as you enter, depending upon your perspective) are too tempting to pass up, at least they were for me. I opted for a lemon tart topped with some of the best meringue I've ever tasted. I prefer a tart with more tartness, which produces a greater pucker, and a bit stronger lemon flavor - but this tart was good. You could make a meal on the tart alone!

BomBon Menu



This was s splurge lunch for me, costing about $16.00. The sandwiches are maybe a $1 more costly than, say, Corner Bakery and Cosi - which have nearby locations . . . but I think they taste better, and fresher.

There were only 5/6 other customers in the restaurant when I arrived and service wasn't an issue. About 5 minutes passed from the time I placed my order until one of the cooks walked it over to my table. I like the sign near the door thanking people for supporting a family owned/operated business.

The price-point of the lunch today places out of the range of what I typically spend but there are other, less expensive items to choose from - and I don't eat that type of dessert regularly. I expect to make a return visit to BomBon Cafe (Loop) soon.

BomBon Cafe
170 W Washington St.
[between La Salle and Wells Streets)
Chicago, IL 60602
(312) 781-2788

On my way back to the office following a visit to the Doctor's office this morning, I stopped at BomBon (Loop) for an early lunch.

The soup of the day was Sopa de Tortilla. The chicken broth had a rich taste, with a nice falvoring of the dried peppers and just a hint of lime. Though I'm accustomed to having some additional condiments served with the soup, it was good.

The special meal of the day was tostadas with chicken chipotle. The fried small taco disc was topped with a layer of black bean paste, chicken in a light chipotle sauce (tinga de pollo), lettuce, crema, cheese and topped with a dollop of salsa verde. Two came with the order. All of the ingredients tasted fresh and they were just right.

I chose an agua fresca to wash down the food - horchata. The drink was excellent - almost thick in consistency - and had more than a hint of cinnamon.

At 11:45 a.m. there was a line of about 10 people waiting to place lunch orders (after I'd received mine, of course!) - and that was good to see.

This was my second visit and I felt comfortable there. I hope the restaurant does well, because it's good to have a high quality Mexican restaurant not far from where I work. If you're planning something special at the office or in the home for Dia de los Muertos, BomBon had some loaves of Pan de Muerto and I'm assuming they'll be offered for sale through at least November 2nd.

Hey Bill, just wanted to say that I really appreciate you posting the menus of the various places you visit.

I just want to remind everybody how good this place is and how lucky we are to have one in the loop. They have been doing pozole on Thursdays and a nice tortilla soup on fridays. Both are excellent and warming on a dark, cold, windy and wet December afternoon.

I would just like to echo what everyone has been saying about this place. I just got back from lunch at Bombon, and I can honestly say that there isn't a single restaurant in the loop (that I've been to at least...) that is in the same league as this place. My co-workers and I ordered 5 different sandwiches, and all were outstanding.

The portions are smaller than what you would probably find at the corner bakery, or au ban pan, but really, my sandwich and chips from Bombon were more than enough to fill me up.

If this place ever in danger of going out of business, you will see me outside with a picket sign, flyer's, and a petition.

thomasec wrote:The portions are smaller than what you would probably find at the corner bakery, or au ban pan, but really, my sandwich and chips from Bombon were more than enough to fill me up.

To quote a fellow LTH member, " I wished I would have liked it more".
Went back after my first visit just to make sure it wasn't an off day. Both times had the combination half sandwich and soup. The Sonora and Piolin half sandwiches were on hamburger type buns with miniscule amounts of meat. I mean like 3 pieces the width and diameter of a quarter. The assorted other ingredients were sort of a blah mash that would make a big mac proud. The soups were also small portioned and to me thin tasting. The pastries are exellent and a saving grace.

I love the sandwiches, and this is what keeps me coming back. I do enjoy the buns, but which bun I get is always a surprise (sunflower seed, sesame, poppy seed). The side started out as a delicious salad, but nowadays it's usually chips. The chips are a big hit or miss within the basket - some are perfection, some are soggy and awful. I wish there was better quality control on the homemade chips. I think I might start requesting the side salad instead of the chips.

I go to Bombon about twice a week for their soups. They're uniformly excellent and quite addictive. Recently they featured a garbanzo bean and rice soup that was so delicious. I also like the tamales and the salads. It is a rather expensive place, but like Hannah's Bretzel next door, the quality of the ingredients rarely disappoints. I've noticed a few service glitches now and again, but I think that the people there are very courteous and they TRY, which is all I ask for at a lunch place.

I really like BonBom Cafe. In particular, I've become a little obsessed with the La Tejana salad. It has a smoky-spicy dressing (maybe some adobo sauce? I can't tell) which complements the black beans and avocado. I've tasted the Xochimilco (beets and fruit) which was also good, but love the Tejana too much to stray.

The mushroom and rajas (cheese and pepper) tamales are also very tasty and the salsas pack a punch. The guacamole is great too. The time I tried it, they punched it up with some fresh mango.

For me, the only downside is that I don't love the sandwiches. I've tried--the cheese and grilled vegetables. I'm not sure what I expected, but they were cold sandwiches and it masked the flavor of the fillings. The bread was wonderful, but there wasn't anything else so special to justify the prices for me. I've heard positive things from meat eaters about the beef and pork sandwiches, so that side of the menu sounds great for omnivores.

In all, I really like the restaurant and I'm glad to have it as an option in the loop. If you're looking for a semi-nice (not formal business lunch, but better than delis and fast food) place to go, it's a great choice. I'd recommend it as a vegetarian-friendly place that would also make meat eaters very happy.

Does anyone know their hours?

Thanks!

The W. Washington location is open from 10:30 - 5:30 Monday through Friday...not sure about the hours on the weekend.

thomasec wrote:The W. Washington location is open from 10:30 - 5:30 Monday through Friday...not sure about the hours on the weekend.

I tried to go to this location today and it was closed. The woman inside was explaining that they'd be unable to renegotiate their lease.

I'm hoping they can re-open nearby soon.

timmx wrote:

thomasec wrote:The W. Washington location is open from 10:30 - 5:30 Monday through Friday...not sure about the hours on the weekend.

I tried to go to this location today and it was closed. The woman inside was explaining that they'd be unable to renegotiate their lease.

I'm hoping they can re-open nearby soon.

That is awful, awful, awful news.

This is a crime. I'd always assumed the prior restaurants in that spot had disappeared because of overwhelmingly mediocre food, but now I'm suspecting a rapacious landlord. Bah. Humbug.

Ack!!! I was just going to take two coworkers there for lunch on Wednesday... This is terrible, terrible news. It sounds like a sublease situation, I believe that much of the equipment was in place from the atrocity of a chicken place before them.

You're right, of course, this is terrible news. But I work in the Wrigley Building, so getting over there during the week was just too long a hike unless the weather was *perfect* for such an adventure. I understand from the people I talked to at the other location that it was a combination of business levels AND landlord/rent.

The good news is that the Bombon Cafe on Ashland is still open (7a-7p)!
And the Dominguera is as delicious as ever!
And they seem to have eggnog flan year-round now!

So, you can still get your fix, if willing to drive West of the Loop a bit. It's directly between Madison & Monroe on Ashland, across from the park. [/i]

The problem with the Ashland location is the parking situation.... it's on this little triangle of land (Ogden/Monroe/Ashland), and it can be impossible to find parking especially after 4pm when Ashland has restrictions.

You know, I have to say I've never had problems finding a parking spot on Monroe. Usually right in front of the restaurant, but sometimes across Ogden.

Lucky, I guess.

Sad event to report - watching this morning's news coverage of a fire on 18th St there was video footage of a badly fire-damaged BomBon. Early reports are that nobody has been hurt, so that's the good news; here's hoping the nice folks at BomBon can get back on their feet quickly. I've always enjoyed a nice lunch at Neuvo Leon followed by trying to decide from all the tempting options across the street at BomBon.