Le Pain Quotidien in Chicago

🕗 opening times

comments 5

• 

  Christian Vega

  :: 18 May 2018 17:33:24

  To preface: the 5 star rating is for the wonderful employees and managers who work at this business. I started coming to this Le Pain the month after it opened. I've met so many wonderful people, many of whom know my name and order. I know Gaby, Felix, Audrey, Garret, Laura, and the list goes on! I frequent breakfast, and totally use Le Pain as a 2nd office. If it didn't hurt their reputation, I'd absolutely give a one star review for my recent visits. Why? I brought an associate from a business I hope to work with for a breakfast last week. We both arrived right at 7:00 when the cafe opened. I order the scrambled eggs with bacon and cheddar, (which has become my favorite). I was told there was some kind of breakdown in the kitchen, so I settled for a waffle which was room temperature, and my acquaintance got a croissant instead of his omelette. Not the impression I wanted to make. Over a week later, I visited again having no question in my mind the same issue would persist. This time I brought my mom and my brother who were visiting from out of town. We arrived around 9:00, and the manager said good morning at the door. She informed me and my family that once again the breakfast menu would be substituted with soft or hard boiled eggs, and that they were still serving sandwiches and salads as well as a small selection of additional items. Pardon me, but I don't want a salad for breakfast. I just want my eggs, my beautiful perfect scrambled eggs that I always get. I think it's ridiculous that the poor staff have had to explain to me, and every other customer, each and every time I've visited, (even the counter to get my espresso daily), that the menu is small because of the issues in their kitchen. It's been over a week, and this isn't the first time breakdowns have limited the menu!!!!! I remember after New Years I stopped coming for breakfast for a few weeks because the stove-top was an issue. Now it is the oven, or the stove-top, or both? What is going on? Again the staff have tried to help me, but until there's a solution, they sadly can't and I've had to walk out on my favorite guys. I'm sure I'm not the only one. :( I'll see you guys next month. You'll be missed, -Christian V.

• 

  Ruth Zaharek

  :: 29 April 2018 10:58:27

  Good food, small portions... that about sums it up. We had an almond croissant and a regular croissant which were both good. However the blueberry muffin was very generic and not worth the $4 price tag. I enjoyed my eggs with avocado in a skillet but was surprised at how small the portion was for $12. I have to remember that the location has a lot to do with that. And if you can sit by the front window and enjoy looking out on Michigan Avenue while you're eating, then it might be worth it. Coffee was good but our server was pretty busy and I did not get my second cup of coffee until we were getting ready to leave... however, I was able to take it to go, which was great.

• 

  Seongmin Choi

  :: 19 April 2018 01:03:13

  Great fresh bread, kind service. A lady here recommended me the apricot pie. I bought it for breakfast and tried just one bite. I took 1 photo and 5 minutes later it was gone... The pie was buttey and fresh; the apricot slices on it were sweet, soft and extremely fruity. The sourdough bread here was also good, especially with some almond milk and some ricotta.

• 

  Margot Schwamb

  :: 10 April 2018 07:34:12

  3.5 stars. Nice environment and friendly waiters. I got one of the open-faced sandwiches which was good but trickier to eat than I liked. My daughter had the quiche which she liked and we both also enjoyed a cup of chicken soup which was great but not worth the price tag. The score reflects the time it took to get seated and the price. Probably because it's on Michigan Ave.

• 

  Zee

  :: 03 April 2018 07:41:03

  A lot of healthy options in the menu. Some items were a bit smaller in portion than I had expected; otherwise, tasted great. Lots of fresh baked pastries and bread too. Very nice atmosphere -- warm and welcoming. Servers were quick and you are seated almost immediately. Great for breakfast, lunch or even a quick stop to pick up some pastries!