Lunch/Dunch in & around the main post office (clark &

Do people have ideas for a late lunch in and around Clark and Adams? Me and GF need to get passports renewed at the main post office and will want to do lunch/dunch, but want to avoid chain places like cosi etc. We will have a car, which helps. Any ideas?

Are you going to the Loop post office, or the main post office? The main post office for Chicago is on Harrison between the river and Canal St. There's a parking garage underneath it. Afterwards you could easily drive over to Greektown or down to Pilsen or Chinatown...

the loop one... sorry

Well, I should defer to the folks who work in the loop and face lunch choices every day, but if you want a sandwich I'd recommend going up to Hannah's Bretzel on Washington near Wells (too bad the branch of Bombon next door had to close). Just south of that post office is Cavanaugh's, inside the Monadnock Building, which has good burgers, etc.

Any particular kind of lunch you're looking for?

I was hoping for asian/indian/mexican...

dkimerling wrote:I was hoping for asian/indian/mexican...

Then you're really best off taking the extra 15 minutes (since you have a car) and getting to Chinatown or Pilsen. Nothing in the loop will satisfy any of those hopes. Search the board or look at The Great Neighborhood Restaurants section for some solid recommendations.

Best,
Michael

Village restaurant across the street from Union Station serves decent Indian grub.

The only one of those three that I could recommend nearby is Siam Rice for Thai. If you are stuck in the loop, I think it's a really good option. But, if you have a car and are willing to drive and park a second time, go a little southwest for better options.

Siam Rice
117 N. Wells
Chicago
siamricethai.com

There is a Japapnese (decent sushi and udon for lunch) and a My Thai restaurant in the Presidential Towers building.

My Thai
555 W. Madison

Sorry I forgot the name of the Japanese place, but it's right next door.

Are you thinking of?:
Takumi Restaurant
555 W Madison St
(312) 258-1010

My Thai is simply dreadful, and has the ambiance of a bus station. Steer clear, buddy!

A better Loop bet(and highly searchable on LTH, I might add) are Miller's Pub and Exchequer. No Chinese, Indian, or Mexican, but forgivable Chicago-style BBQ and decent enough burgers. Too bad Trader Vic's ist kaput.

Re: the lack of good Mexican food in the Loop, it just sucks that Bom Bon is closed. I tall-talked my Customary Dining Companion in just once, and he was hooked. We had several fine lunches there, and he kvelled over the melon aguas every time. And the pork tinga sopes. And the FABULOUS macaroons....he was as sad as I to hear of the abrupt closing.



Dammit!

Years ago, my office used to be at 333 W. Wacker. From what I remember, there always were some reliable places for lunch. I was a huge fan of The Surf & Perry's.

I don't get downtown for lunch often. Is it my imagination, or are the choices for really good reliable food getting smaller? There seems to be more and more chain spots that serve the same stuff. Am I losing my sense of scouting out good spots downtown?

Yes it is Takumi. I never said My Thai was good, both theses places to me are just acceptable lunch places, fairly inexpensive, and near where your location. Believe me, we in the loop are searching for good places for lunch.

Christopher Gordon wrote:No Chinese, Indian, or Mexican

There is an Indian place below Monks Pub at Lake & Wells
Sorry I don't know the name of the Indian place, but here is Monk's info:

Monk's Pub
205 W Lake St
Chicago, IL 60606

sarcon wrote:

Christopher Gordon wrote:No Chinese, Indian, or Mexican

There is an Indian place below Monks Pub at Lake & Wells
Sorry I don't know the name of the Indian place, but here is Monk's info:

Are you thinking of Larosh which has been closed for a long time now? Or is there a new one?

Dave148 wrote:I don't get downtown for lunch often. Is it my imagination, or are the choices for really good reliable food getting smaller? There seems to be more and more chain spots that serve the same stuff. Am I losing my sense of scouting out good spots downtown?

It depends on what you are looking for. There have always been a lot of reasonably-priced places (particularly ones that have carry-out options) for all the office workers in the vicinity. There are also plenty of upscale places whose prices tend to be quite reasonable at lunchtime, such as Custom House, Blackbird, Vivere, Trattoria No. 10, Atwood Cafe, Park Grill, and lots more. (And that's not counting the bazillion places north of the river.) However, what the Loop really doesn't have is very much in the way of non-Italian ethnic cuisine such as the Asian and Mexican varieties mentioned by the OP.

sarcon wrote:

Christopher Gordon wrote:No Chinese, Indian, or Mexican

There is an Indian place below Monks Pub at Lake & Wells
Sorry I don't know the name of the Indian place, but here is Monk's info:

Monk's Pub
205 W Lake St
Chicago, IL 60606

By no Chinese, Indian, or Mexican I was referring to the menus at the restaurants recommended in my post. They both serve Chicago-style "BBQ" and burgers.