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Categories: Coffee & Tea, Sandwiches [Edit]
Neighborhood: The LoopAdams/Wabash (Orange, Brown, Purple Express, Green, Pink)
Jackson (Blue, Red)
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I'll take Baci over Panera, Cosi, and Corner Bakery any day. The ambiance here is right up my alley. Minimalist, sleek, yet inviting and warm.
Food is served cafeteria style. I had the Tuscan salad. It was a bit overdressed, but good. What I loved... the coffee bar. A latte in a REAL cup in a comfortable, roomy setting. That won me over instantly.
*Baci is a terrific spot to grab some picnic food to take to enjoy at the concerts at Millennium Park.
My boyfriend said it felt like a Swedish or Dutch airport cafe. If this is the case... I clearly need to travel more often.
I came here for a quick lunch before my walking architecture tour. I wanted to get the Baci combo (half sandwich of the day and a bowl of soup). However, I didn't like what they offered for sandwich of the day, so I decided to get their Palio sandwich, which is chicken salad with mixed greens and tomatoes on a bollo roll and a cup of of New England clam chowder.
The Palio was okay, but what disturbed me was their clam chowder. It wasn't like any New England chowder I ever had. It was not creamy, but watery and it had the color of chicken stock. Not good at all.
I may come back again, but will stay away from their New England clam chowder.
This place has my love because they make the best iced chai tea I have found in the city of Chicago. It is really that good. The food is pretty tasty too. I am a big fan of their eggplant parmesan sandwich. If you have some time around lunch time (especially in the spring and summer), this is a place that's great to go because they have so many options (salads, wraps, sandwiches, hot dishes, gelato) and if you love to eat outside, it is right across the street from Millennium Park.
A bit pricey, but you can get a few decently healthy options here. Plus, there's enough variety that if you have a larger group most everyone can find something they like here.
We get this catered at work alot - some pretty decent sandwiches and etc. Cant say much else about the place since I have only had the food.
As an appreciator of all things Panera and Cornerbakery-esque, I thought that I'd really dig this place. It was an impromptu 'stuck downtown and starving' moment and although the menu looked really good, the bread was stale and our sandwiches were lukewarm. Boo.
That is meant to be 3.5 stars, btw.
I stopped in here last week with some out of town friends after tiring ourselves out walking around Millennium Park. We were looking for a small, simple meal.
Set up much like a fancy cafeteria, the place is very clean, and well laid out. There's a place to order sandwiches/salads, another to order pasta and entrees, and another to order your drinks, etc.
I got the pasta special, which ended up being HUGE. It was definitely enough for two people, but I had leftovers for the next day, so that was nice.
Prices are very reasonable.
If you are looking for a quick bite to eat, then try this place out.
Pretty good lunch in the loop. I don't dig the caf style and get somewhat confused with which line and don't like having to decide what I want before I get in line. I waste so much time choosing a line that it takes far longer than it should to get a quick lunch in the loop.
I do enjoy the tomato mozzarella sandwich, and one time was very pleased with the salmon.
Not my favorite, but is definitely a bustling lunch spot in the loop with plenty of hot and cold options.
Ok, so this isn't the location I go to all the time but that's just because I don't want y'all to know what building I work in. Stalkers.
Anyway, the food is decent and since I'm lazy (as we've established from my review of Edgewater Athletic and Swim Club) I often don't want to leave me building to get lunch. Especially in the winter when it's cold. I'm a wuss like that. So I go to this place. There's always something decent on the menu. And if you don't like the entrees there's salads that are pretty good.
Prices are a little high (today I paid over $8 for a salad) but some things are worth it. Good gnocchi is hard to find and I like theirs. It's also 2 servings for about $7. I also dislike the weird line thing they have going. It makes it hard to get through with your food while other people are still waiting. I'm always scared I'm going to spill sauce on someone... probably wearing white because my luck is just that good.
Decent lunch place, I'd probably go even if it wasn't in my building.
After wooing my folks into the city with the $5 metra weekend pass and free Jersey Boys tickets, the next step was to find someplace affordable* to eat within walking distance of Bank of America theatre. As anyone can tell you, there are two options in the theatre district: fast food or fine dining.
We had some time to kill before the show, so we walked over to Millennium Park. Lo and behold, in the shadow of the mighty Bean, I heard a choir of angels singing "Baaaaaaaaaci!" We walked in to the cafeteria style restaurant and ordered some sandwiches and coffee and ate a delicious meal for a total of 18 bucks. There was something for everyone, from thin-crust pizzas to fresh salads to luscious sandwiches. Me and Pops shared the Jojo, Baci's signature sandwich of prosciutto, mozzarella, and artichoke, while Mom tried out the chicken salad sandwich, which was similarly delectable - just enough mayo to keep it moist without soaking into the bread and making a soggy mess.
Breakfast is available, as are your typical coffee shop desserts (brownies, blondies, lemon bars, etc.).
Service is at lightning speed, which fits in with their goal of being "the most trusted, respected provider of gourmet food at maximum speed." The servers are efficient and indifferent - no time to wax on the virtues of the Asian salad when you are concerned about maximum speed - but I found them quite helpful if you do have questions about a menu item or ingredient.
The interior is bright and light-filled, and does a brisk business among the Millennium Park/Art Institute crowd. Seating was a little tight on a busy Saturday afternoon, but hey, a stranger is just a friend you haven't met yet - and maybe they'll give you a bite of their sandwich if you ask nicely.
* Affordable to my Dad = a diamond dining experience at cubic zirconia prices.
Terrific local chain which serves everything from breakfast to salads and sandwiches along with coffee and other drinks. The concept is simple but they bring a fresh, refined touch to it with their menu, indoor design and the way their concept works.
Just a few steps away from our hotel, we were improvising for breakfast and stumbled upon this place and left extremely satisfied. We each picked up a platter and order our breakfasts. I had 2 scrambled eggs, a side of ham and some homefries along with an english muffin and fresh OJ. What an amazing way to start the day. Everything is made to order and it tasted fantastic and the prices were more than decent (actually it was free for me, my dad paid for us! Thanks Pops!)
Next time I go to Chicago I will not forget to swing by there for breakfast which is way better than going to a Starbucks or the hotel restaurant.
The staff was friendly and there was plenty of available seating.
I know this place is kind of simple, but sometimes simplicity is perfection. I've been here twice. Once I got a panini and the second time I got the Sonoma wrap. Both were fresh and extremely tasty and hit the spot. Their pasta has always looked good to me but I haven't tried it yet. From what I understand it changes everyday so I'll have to start going more often and seeing what new creations fill the counters. Its the perfect lunch place not to heavy and not too light, i will definitely be returning.
COFFEE!! That is what keeps me coming back to this place. Yes, the thin-crust pizzas are amazing, but there is something in their coffee that makes it outstanding. I've gone at all times of the day and never had a bad cup. Just ask for the dark roast! The brand is Caffe Umbria, something I haven't seen before in Chicago.
The pizzas are also pretty close to the thin crust style you can find in Italy but are not exactly the cheapest for a lunch in the Loop.
If you're in the loop, skip Starbucks, Dunkin Donuts and Caribou. Go to Caffe Bacci!
I go to this place nearly every day, because it's in my building for work. It's pretty solid and I'm trying to not hold a grudge because they removed my two favorite items (Pesto pizza and the Asian salad. I mean, the latter makes sense, because it's an Italian place, but I do not understand the former. BRING BACK PESTO, BACI!) I'd recommend the pizzas and the baked panini for lunch and the oatmeal for breakfast.
Have you ever had an encounter with a waiter/server that left you saying, "What?"
My dad and I had lunch here -- late on a Saturday afternoon. I make this point to stress that the restaurant was NOT busy. Since it is set up sort of cafeteria style, I'd walked to the 'Order Sanwiches' section and my dad stopped at the "Order Soup" area. But, first, let me back up. My dad will be 84 next month. So, picture a tiny (5 ft 5 in) man wearing an impeccably tailored suit). At any rate, he asked for a cup of soup. The surly server thrust (yes, thrust) a huge BOWL of soup over the counter and into my dad's hands. Since he is ONLY 5 ft 5 in, he was slightly shorter than the counter/server, so the bowl was at an angle. Long story, he slopped clam/corn chowder over his sleeve and front of his shirt. I saw the fiasco as it unfolded and arrived just in time to nab the bowl and slide a tray under it. My points are:
1. The restaurant wasn't full, so the server could have easily walked out to hand dad a tray.
2. The server could have held the bowl and asked dad to GET a tray,
3. The server could have made sure my dad had a good grasp on the bowl before letting it go!
My dad is not a feeble 84 year old, don't get me wrong. As a matter of fact, he drove 6 hours to make this visit, works three times a week ( as a Master Chef and can cook circles around most people half his age). But, he is still a small, eighty-four year old man. Whatever happened to 'honoring our elders'?
At any rate, the food was 'okay', but after this experience I doubt if I will go back...oh, and for those who are wondering, the server DID NOT apologize or appaear at all contrite. Just gave us a flippant look and walked away!?
eye catchable modern stylish Italian caffe..
cuz of that, NEED to try their food.. ku ku ku.. =)
Veggie Fusion Omelette & Caffe Macchiato for breakfast.. (were under $7.00)
Oh My God!! Macchiato was terrific, but Omelette?? please, please, give me some salt!!
Eat Italian, Dream Italian
where's Italy??
Caffe Baci became my new coffee stop since starting my new job. I start early, so there is rarely a line, and I get my coffee faster than if I had at starbucks. Plus, their lattes and mochas are much better than starbucks.
However, all that didn't earn the five star review. I wandered down for a quick lunch, and discovered the perfect salad trio could finally be mine.
Tuna Salad
Antipasto Salad
Olive Salad
What, you've never sat in your cube, and thought "Gee, I wish I had some tuna. And some cured meats and cheese. Oh, and definately, olives. Olives would rock. OH, I wish I could get all three together!"
No? Then I guess you aren't me. Because believe me, you need that salad trio.
Salads rock.
I couldn't eat at Cafe Bacci all the time, but it's a nice change from the usual Potbelly's - Corner Bakery - Chipotles lunch triangle.
Best place for lunch in the Loop, especially salads (but tell them to go easy on the dressing) and sandwiches. Wonderful bread, good coffee in the a.m. too.
So, I had the Walnut Apple Gourmet Salad and it blew my mind. Can I just say delicious! My friends and I were just spending the day at the parks and walked across the street. The service was fast, and the seating was wonderful (we sat outside and people-watched).
After that first visit, I've become a regular. Their coffee is wonderful, and I am on a 2 cup minimum regimen. Haha. You should definitely check this place out!
In the ongoing search for places to grab an early dinner before our night class at Depaul's loop campus my friend and I decided to give Baci a go. I had been there once before and remembered it being pretty good. I went with the Jojo, and honestly think that this sandwich was designed for me. Lots of balsamic vinegar, prosciutto crudo, thick slices of fresh mozzarella, tomatoes and artichoke hearts. All on a nice hearty Italian roll. I loved every part of it, and saw some other options that were just as tempting. The prices were a little high, but I think that the quality lives up to this, and I wouldn't hesitate to return. The one thing I could see being a problem is the layout. It was 5pm so we were practically the only people in there and just brought our sandwiches to the coffee bar to pay. I would imagine when it is crowded the line flow would be confusing, and cause congestion in this small spot.
Having never visited a Caffe Baci until recently, I didn't know how well I'd scored when I received a gift card for this little local chain. It is delicious, high quality, and reasonably priced. I highly recommend Caffe Baci for breakfast, in particular. You can get a big cheesy omelet, rosemary seasoned country potatoes (the hand-cut kind with the skin still on), and English muffin for $3.99. (It's big enough to split with another person and still have a filling breakfast, and they don't skimp on the cheese). The place is clean and the staff is very friendly. Also, the soda machine is out on the floor, i.e. you get unlimited refills - unfortunately a dying convenience in Chicago.
This was the closest place to a downtown conference I was attending, and a nice find. Nice spread of sandwiches, freshly cooked panini, nice coffee bar. Took a little long for how busy it was and probably a touch overpriced, but what isn't anymore. Too bad there aren't any closer to me! Pretty quick/cheaper place to eat on Mich ave.
You can't go wrong with the Caffe when it comes to a quick lunch or dinner. With this place being right on the edge of the park you could also stop by before the shows. I would go with the lasagna or one of their wonderful sandwiches. I was highly impressed with the lasagna though. The place is a bit on the high end but it's not far out of line with other places surrounding the area like My Thai. Go early because it gets packed.
it's a cute place and definitely has more options than cosi or panera. i recommend this place over the other two any day. although i have to agree about working on a line structure or something large and brightly coloured so people don't get confused about who gets to order food next.
Mmm....flat bread pizza that's actually kind of puffy and has enough cheese. This place is usually packed at lunch, but they're fast and efficient. The giant cookies are good too. I was skeptical at first because they were $2 but they were definitely worth it. Get the cookie.
Friendly service, nice atmosphere and decent prices for what you're getting. The food was OK. When I say food is OK I really mean "It's definitely not OK... but at least I didn't get sick from it." The only thing worse than the food is that there is another location right down the street from it.
My friend works here as a manager, so we stop by a lot to see her. The caprese sandwich is AWESOME. I also had their butternut squash soup this past fall, excellent. I thought about it for about a week. Also, every once in awhile she'll bring home leftovers for us and so I've had the chicken parmesean as well as some spicy pasta dish... Both were really good too! I have yet to have anything bad here. And, unlike most cafes they actually have a bar so it has a nightlife as well. Love Cafe Bacci. I'd rather go here over Panera or Corner Bakery any day.
argh. i just bought the "mozza e pom" panini and brought it back to my desk, only to discover that it was drizzled with balsamic. i hate balsamic! but this is not a review of vinegar, it's about baci. i was not led to believe i would find balsamic on this sandwich. there was a lovingly detailed description of it on the menu, including such condiments as black pepper and olive oil (which, come to think of it, i couldn't taste), but no mention of balsamic. uncool, baci.
you still get a couple of stars because i like your selection and your prices, and the bread on my tainted sandwich seemed tasty. my fountain diet coke is just fine, too.
Walking around Chicago in the snow can get pretty cold, so this Italian cafe is the perfect place to warm up w/ some coffee or any other hot beverage of your choice. It's a nice, modern cafe with no long lines, so service is quick. I've only been there once so I've only tried the cafe mocha, but it was quite tasty. Also, a nice place to sit and do some crowd watching from the front window.
reliable enuf of a place to grab a quick bite, but there is nothing exciting. the sandwiches are pretty good, but i wish they toasted the bread rather than just hand you a pre-made sandwich. prices are kinda high for a sandwich, too.
Try one of the many gellato's or a hot panini. Fresh soups and salads make for a great lunch.
I was in Chicago for a trip recently, and we ate at this place place 3 times! It was great for breakfast and lunch. The decorating was cute and bright. I thought it was just a nice, clean-looking place in a great location. I especially liked the imported italian sodas and juices that you can buy. All around, a nice place to eat.
this place has the best sandwiches i've tasted in my entire life. i had one yesterday that contained portobellos, basil, and feta and it very well may have been the best thing i've ever tasted. food is amazing and not too expensive at all. definitely worth checking out if you're downtown.
i'm a fan of their soups and coffee. haven't tried much of anything else but on a cold windy day in chicago nothing beats a great soup.
Cute place where you can get everything from gelato and sorbetto to soups, sandwiches, pasta and salads! I had Italian onion soup which was very similar to the french counterpart except they use mozzarella cheese. I think the dude serving us was hard of hearing. He kept saying what? to me and my friend. other than that...its a nice place to meet and chat and is very clean and bright. There's a location on michigan avenue just across millenium park. next time i am definitely getting the gelato.
Happy Tea Hour 2 - 4 pm
Neighborhood: Bucktown
Daily specials
Neighborhood: The Loop
Neighborhood: The Loop
Category: Restaurants
Neighborhood: The Loop
Category: Sandwiches
Neighborhood: The Loop
Category: Bakeries
Neighborhood: The Loop
Category: Coffee & Tea
Neighborhood: Near West Side
Category: Italian
My own places to hang and spend money in the Loop,…
