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Noodles & Company

3.5 star rating
based on 54 reviews

Category: American (New)  [Edit]

Neighborhood: The Loop
180 N Michigan Ave
(at Lake St)
Chicago, IL 60601
(312) 981-7110
Nearest Transit:

Randolph/Wabash (Orange, Brown, Purple Express, Green, Pink)

Lake (Red)

Washington (Blue, Red)

Attire:
Casual
Accepts Credit Cards:
Yes
Parking:
Street
Price Range:
$
Good for Groups:
Yes
Good for Kids:
Yes
Takes Reservations:
No
Delivery:
No
Take-out:
Yes
Waiter Service:
No
Wheelchair Accessible:
Yes
Outdoor Seating:
No
Good for:
Lunch
Alcohol:
None
Nearby Tex-Mex

Chili's Grill & Bar

Neighborhood:
Near North Side

Chili's® Grill & Bar is as bold and flavorful as the food it serves. The energetic, fun atmosphere makes it the perfect spot for a... more »

54 reviews for Noodles & Company

Review Highlights   

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"Seriously though, try the pesto cavatappi with shrimp." (in 4 reviews)
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"But the Michigan Avenue location is definitely worth writing about." (in 4 reviews)
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"I recommend the penne rosa with the parmesan crusted chicken." (in 4 reviews)
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Sort by: Yelp Sort | Date | Rating | Elites'
Photo of Renee E.

Elite '09

6

51

Renee E.

Chicago, IL

3 star rating
11/19/2009

Ever since the 3 words "South Beach Diet" entered my lexicon many moons ago (and just as many moons since I've fallen off the wagon), I've shied away from noodles. So really, why would I want to go to a place so loudly proclaiming their intention to make me eat long carbs?

Well, I work across the street in the Illinois Center and tend to stay within its walls for lunch. But, sometimes you just NEED to get out of the building. Sweetwater was a fail with a 30 minute wait....enter the Noodles, which was in eye sight of where my lunch companion and I were standing.

There was a bit of a line, but it moved very quickly. I got a small Japanese pan noodles with tofu and my friend got the Bangkok curry soup with tofu. Both dishes arrived quickly. I was happy that my noodle dish had more tofu and vegetables than noodles, which made me feel a little less like a total carb-age can. The tofu was firm, the veg was fresh and the small size was actually pretty large and definitely filling.

I can't guarantee I'll frequent this place, but in the winter months, I may enjoy hot noodles more than cold salads and it's nice to know I have a quick, easy option across the street.

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Photo of Tristan A.

Elite '09

17

74

Tristan A.

Chicago, IL

5 star rating
Updated - 11/7/2009

I've now had 5 entrees here and each one has been great-I don't know what's not to like, my veggies are always fresh, pastas aren't bland, cooked perfect and you never have to wait long for the food as well it's the right portion-

I've had better pasta here than I've had at some nice places here in Chicago-As well, by far the best Snickerdoodle cookies ever here-Once they ran out and I was pretty sad, I had looked forwards to it all day-I am so glad this is a quick 5 minute walk from my place!

** For those who knock this place b/c of chopsticks...If you need chopsticks that bad just ask for them-They are in the "now" and know that man has invented something awesome called a "Fork", hence why they serve a fork and also, something even more amazing...a knife!

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1 Previous Review: Show all »

  • 5 star rating
    10/20/2009

    I really like this place, been a couple times and each bowl of pasta I've gotten has been great-It's… Read more »

Photo of Ashley C.

 

3

49

Ashley C.

Chicago, IL

3 star rating
10/23/2009

3.5 stars.

This is one of my new lunch spots.  So far, everything I like has been great.  I've had the Mac & Cheese (good), the Pad Thai (very good) and just last time ordered the Tuscan Linguine (very good).  It's usually pretty quick which is perfect for lunch hours, but it doesn't necessarily taste that quick. I also must confess that I love their ginormous rice crispy treats for dessert. So tasty!

It gets crowded: work + MI avenue. I'd recommend ordering via phone if you are in a time crunch for lunch. Sometimes seating is a problem and you feel on top of each other. Service isn't the best, but the standards aren't that high since it's quasi-fast food.

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Photo of Daniel M.

 

0

5

Daniel M.

Chicago, IL

4 star rating
11/22/2009

Excellent quality, delightful well made food, very nice place and good service. If I want a pad thai made with reliable ingredients and to enjoy it in a nice place, I make a trip through michigan avenue to get to noodles and company.

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Photo of erin b.

 

0

2

erin b.

Chicago, IL

1 star rating
11/17/2009

Honestly, I blame myself. I should have turned right around when I saw the menu. Any place that serves, Asian, Mediterranean and American on one fast food menu probably isn't doing any of them right. On what planet are linguine noodles considered "rice noodles"???? On planet Noodles & Co. Yikes.... save your money and get yourself some real authentic Scottish cuisine at your local McDonald's!

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Photo of Greg G.

 

2

10

Greg G.

Alameda, CA

2 star rating
9/30/2009

Too bad, it looked so cool from outside. I ordered the Japanese Udon and they brought it to my table with a knife and fork. Couldn't they at least serve chop sticks with the Asian dishes?

The chicken is simply a frozen breast pan seared before serving. I'm quite certain the carrots were also frozen and the brocolli seemed an odd addition. Too find one good point I'll say the menu was very fun.

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Photo of yolanda y.

 

5

41

yolanda y.

San Bruno, CA

3 star rating
10/2/2009

Interesting concept in fast-food noodles, but I was hoping for a true Asian noodle house. The food was okay, nothing great, maybe 2 stars. I got the Japanese pan noodles with braised beef, and they brought it out to me with a fork - at least they went back and got me a pair of chopsticks after I asked. My meal was very Americanized in flavor and appearance, but that doesn't necessarily make it bad. But I gave it an extra star for the menu variety including the different types of noodles as well as the different ways to customize your selection. The place was shockingly crowded, more than I'd expect for the food, but maybe the mediterranean or american pasta options were better choices for Chicago.

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Photo of nikki s.

Elite '09

34

88

nikki s.

Chicago, IL

5 star rating
7/23/2009

After roaming around downtown, I stopped in for a quick bite on  a Saturday afternoon. There was a good amount of people there, but surprisingly, I didn't even have to wait in line. I took a seat and my food was brought to me within about five minutes.

Not bad for fast-food pasta. The place is clean, the food, fairly cheap. It's definitely a family friendly place, which are few and far between on North Michigan Avenue.  You'd better believe I'm tucking this one in my mommy database.

I recommend the penne rosa with the parmesan crusted chicken. The pasta was tasty and the chicken was  flavored well, by the way. I'll be sure to go back and try some of the other dishes.

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Photo of Sarah L.

Elite '09

120

319

Sarah L.

Chicago, IL

4 star rating
Updated - 2/3/2009

Upping this one star. I am in LOVE with their pad Thai. Add a chicken breast and it's a pretty filling meal. They have two sizes, small and regular. I usually get the regular but now I will start eating their small sizes. I went online and compared nutritional values and a small is half the calories as the regular. I have no self control so I just opt to get the smaller portion.

Back to the pad Thai, it's the best I ever had and it's not all greasy and salty. It's truly a "healthier" version of one of my favorite Thai dishes. Noodles is one of my favorite lunch spots in the loop!

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1 Previous Review: Show all »

  • 3 star rating
    11/18/2008

    This places offers a lot of variety, well for noodles that is. If you want Asian, Mediterranean,… Read more »

Photo of Eric M.

Elite '09

3

175

Eric M.

Chicago, IL

2 star rating
2/16/2009

If you're in the Millennium Park area and need some food, Noodles & Co will get you nourishment, but it won't be that great. The service is very lax. As the place appears to be constantly busy the person taking your order and the other bringing it to you don't seem to care. The food is also made so quickly there is very little time spent on it and don't attempt to order specifics. I saw many people who ordered a certain type of cheese or asked for something to not be included and none were followed.

It's not fast, it's not cheap, and it's not worth visiting.

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Photo of Ben B.

Elite '09

5

112

Ben B.

Chicago, IL

2 star rating
2/19/2009

I had dinner at this location, just a quick bowl of chicken noodle soup.  Not very much flavor, and the chicken was somehow dry, even though it was in soup, which is really kind of an achievement in a backward sort of way.

At least there wasn't a line at 6:00 PM.  It sounds like I was lucky.

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Photo of Noah B.

Elite '09

18

109

Noah B.

Chicago, IL

4 star rating
3/9/2009

Three-stars for the mac and cheese. It's surprisingly easy to be underwhelmed by mac and cheese, but Noodles & Company did a great job. The parmesan chicken went along well with it.

An extra star gets added for having a very large partition separating the urinal from the sink, which is unusual these days. Also, while I might not need use of it anytime soon, having a baby changing station in a men's bathroom is badass. More places should have it.

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Photo of Anastasia K.

Elite '09

7

82

Anastasia K.

Chicago, IL

2 star rating
2/26/2009

I love the food at this Noodles location.
And that's it.

The service is TERRIBLE!!!!!! From the phone order person, to the cash register person, to the manager, no one here seems to have any compassion, concern or understanding for the customers. You can complain to the district manager, you'll get some free noodles, but the same crappy service.

I have always ordered takeout here, and I would HIGHLY recommend faxing / phoning ahead. If you fax, you MUST call to verify your order - TRUST me, it's worth the extra call. Phoning ahead will save you time waiting in the order line which can often be a 20 minute wait.

I order buttered noodles with no cheese, but double seasoning - they come completely plain and boring 99% of the time. But I'm crazy about the buttered noodles (plain or not), so I keep going back. I must be nuts.

FYI - if you haven't already, go to their website & sign up for the Noodlegram newsletter. You WILL be rewarded with free noodles!!!!

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Photo of Michael G.

Elite '09

229

258

Michael G.

Chicago, IL

4 star rating
12/9/2008

Here's a plot idea for anyone who plans on doing National Novel Writing Month next November.  It's non-fiction so I'm not sure if it totally goes along with the spirit of the "competition" but I'll fire it off anyway:

A group of intrepid speed novelers from the Chicago area upon finding the Gioradano's on Lake Street packed to the brim on a Saturday night (there's no element of suprise in that) hikes off into the cold December night to find sustinance on Michigan Avenue. They wander into a magical world of fast food noodles from all over the planet (Asian, Mediterranian, and American).  Enraptured by the bounty of choices and fun atmosphere, they spend hours disecting the meaning of life as revealed by the macaroni and cheese.  Then they decide to stay there forever because the real world outside sans the amazing noodle dishes served to them kind of sucks in comparison.

Alright, the last part is fictionalized.  I'll admit that.  We did leave.

But what is the absolute truth is Noodles & Company is transcendent fast food.  I had passed this place by a dozen times thinking it was some low quality Thai restaurant. But the second I stepped through the door, my perceptions changed.  Noodles & Company could almost qualify as a sit down restaurant.  Each of the dishes still has a slight fast food quality - like the fact that the pasta isn't quite cooked to perfection; but they do seem to use real ingredients like freshly shredded cheese and actual vegetables that still taste like vegetables (unlike, say, Panda Express).

I have to say using mood sensing displays to help choose a menu item was a bit creepy.  But it recommended me to one of the best macaroni and cheeses I've ever had (saying my hand temperature wanted me to order off the American menu) so who am I to judge?  Though I did cheat and order the Tomato Basil Bisque off the Mediterranan menu which was even better.

The a la carte aspect of the restaurant (it costs more to add meat, additional vegetables from the base, bread, etc.) and the long waits keeps it from perfection.  But the Michigan Avenue location is definitely worth writing about.  Maybe not a novel, but definitely a very positive review.

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Photo of Michelle C.

Elite '09

26

370

Michelle C.

Chicago, IL

2 star rating
2/17/2009

I hadn't been to a Noodles & Co in almost 4 years, until my work peeps suggested we go there for lunch. I remember now why I waited this long to go back. It was, and continues to be, just an ok choice for eats. No matter what you order, you will have lots of noodles, and not much of the other ingredients. Things are also super greasy here, so I felt kind of gross afterwards. The food does come out decently fast, but I wouldn't come here if you are pressed for time. The line can get pretty long during rush hours.

If you do end up coming here, avoid sitting near the doors, especially during the wintertime because traffic is insane at this location. We were a bit chilly with the doors opening and closing every minute from the people on their way in and out.

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Photo of Mihir S.

Elite '09

190

528

Mihir S.

Chicago, IL

2 star rating
4/4/2009

I went to N & C because I thought it was a "noodle house" style restaurant. I used to walk by and see all the Sriracha bottles and soy sauce on the tables. So finally I went there with some friends after yoga, They have noodle dishes but it's a mix of Asian, Italian and American. We all ordered the Asian dishes. The portions are small for the price and they are really aren't very tasty - the beef was dry and chewy and the veggies were dull. The side salad I got was lame - I could count the amount of lettuce leaves on the dish and the dressing was a watery excuse for balsamic vinaigrette.

Like my dad once said. "if you want Mexican, go to a Mexican restaurant"....and so on.

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Photo of jeverr w.

 

21

64

jeverr w.

Chicago, IL

2 star rating
7/12/2009

just for the record i have a cold so that may be why the food tasted a little bland ? but there was no excuse for  just  half a bowl of chicken noodle soup  with 8 stuck together noodles  and 6  tiny bits of chicken !  and it was luke warm ! The meatballs seemed dried out and nearly burned ?

i made my visit  on  a saturday night , this was my first time at  this location  but i will not go out of my way again  just to  got there ....  the place was not too crowded but  they did seem to have trouble keeping up  with  cleaning off the  tables  of people  who had eaten and gone ?

on the plus side i will grant you that this is prime real estate for people watching !   just press your nose   to the front window  from the  "bar" of seats  there and enjoy !

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Photo of Shradha A.

Elite '09

79

459

Shradha A.

Chicago, IL

4 star rating
1/31/2009

I eat here once a week and have never written a review!? This place is a hit or miss on some days but once you're a regular, you know how to bypass their shortcomings and still have a decent meal here. Their extras are really expensive so think about it before adding stuff on... but generally reliable place for a quick dinner after work when you're young and don't want to cook at home..

Their Bangkok curry, Indonesian peanut sautee and Thai soup are the better dishes on the Asian side (horrible pad thai!!!) and Penne Rosa is decent on the Mediterranean end of the menu.

I'm not a fan cuz it's anything special - it's very very chain - but it's reliable for what I need from it...

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Photo of Candace P.

 

27

80

Candace P.

Chicago, IL

4 star rating
2/10/2009

I ate here yesterday for lunch with a friend and she raved on how healthy the food is, she was right!  I enjoyed my butter noodles with broccoli, parmesan cheese, chicken breast and tomato.  There are more things I would like to try and so we were invited to schedule a tasting so that we can try different items on the menu.

I will definitely revisit Noodles & Company because the food is good and light.  We got there around 11:30-11:45 and there was no line but after 12:00 it did get very busy.

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Photo of Robyn T.

Elite '09

44

349

Robyn T.

Chicago, IL

4 star rating
2/6/2009

Noodles was a college staple for me back in Madison and I was ecstatic to have it open in Chicago. This location on Michigan is great because its one of the restaurants that is open late throughout the week and seems to be pretty busy even at say 9 pm on a Sunday night. They do good business.

What makes Noodles so great is that your entree is cooked to order, its fresh and you can get a pretty balanced (and if you like healthy) meal. The combo is a great option - you can choose your noodle dish, a side salad and a protein on your noodle dish. The price is right and its a pretty filling meal.

Its hard for me not to get the mac and cheese as I love it so and there's the whole nostalgia factor. I usually mix in broccoli and mushrooms (both extra) if I'm getting just that as my entree. Very hearty. If I'm opting for the meal I enjoy the chicken with that . The Japanese pan fried soba noodles are also pretty addictive and the beef stroganoff holds its own too.

Rice krispie treats or cookies are good and big enough to share.

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Photo of Andrew Y.

Elite '09

5

76

Andrew Y.

Chicago, IL

1 star rating
4/29/2009

you know whats good about this place...............nothing.....

this place sucks..i dont get it..worst place i have ever eaten at..not sure if i mentioned that yet..i advise to go somewhere normal for food...who goes to this place for pasta..who goes to this place for asian..who goes to this place for mac and cheese..its an awful concept bottom line...i wouldnt lose any sleep if this place disappeared

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Photo of Tara M.

Elite '09

135

209

Tara M.

Chicago, IL

4 star rating
11/11/2008

Never been here for lunch, but I have cruised by for dinner a few times and the staff is super friendly. Carry out or dining in, it's quick and affordable. The portion sizes are perfect, as well.

Penne Rosa with shrimp? Amazing. I could eat it every day. So happy to have a Noodles close to home!

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Photo of Shannon B.

 

22

47

Shannon B.

Chicago, IL

5 star rating
7/4/2008

I'm admittedly biased, as my sister works at this location...sooooo:

Noodles on Michigan is fabulous! =)

Seriously though, try the pesto cavatappi with shrimp. Or the -anything- with the seasoned tofu. It's even good in the (drool) mac & cheese. And don't skimp on the sides; the flatbread is amazing. Replace the egg with the tofu if you're getting the pad Thai, in my opinion. Even the boring "buttered noodles & parmesan" has excellent, flavorful seasoning. Plus: you *have* to try the Rice Krispie treats. I don't know why they're so good, but they are.

And if you run across a super-friendly and adorable red-headed cashier, be extra nice to her. :-)

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Photo of emily c.

Elite '09

29

116

emily c.

Astoria, NY

4 star rating
8/22/2008

It was good. Wasn't the BEST, but for $5 you definitely get what it's worth and more.

I liked how I could order it in a variety of sizes. This is definitely NOT played often enough in regular restaurants. There's also a myriad of flavours. What more can you want!

Downside was the wait. It was insane during lunch hour. But then again, I've kind've grown immune to it after having waited for centuries for SF restaurants ...

Yay for noodles!

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Photo of Niki C.

Elite '09

164

452

Niki C.

Chicago, IL

3 star rating
5/11/2008

So far, I've eaten the mac & cheese & mushroom stroganoff.

I order a small mac & cheese & a large stroganoff, but honestly, I couldn't tell the difference in size.

The mac & cheese was interesting & tasty, but only when the bite had part of the melted cheese on top.  When it was just the mac & cheese base, it was bland.

The stroganoff was also bland.  The sauce was not creamy enough &, while I'm used to rice, they serve it with noodles (natch) ... but the noodles were all sticking together.

I'd probably go back, but, I dunno.  I'm not jumping up & down about it, y'know?

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Photo of Leo L.

 

5

34

Leo L.

Chicago, IL

5 star rating
1/5/2009

Pros:
1. a few very good dishes, such as the whole grain tuscan, the indonesian peanut sauté and the pesto cavatappi.
2. Sign up on noodles. com and you'll get a free lunch on your birthday. Hint: they don't check your ID to confirm it's actually your birthday.
3. they have a lot of tables so you never have to wait for a seat, like at the Chipotle up the street.
Cons:
1. the line can be a bit long before 1pm
2. This location, unlike all the others I've been to, does not sell beer or wine. Just wishing I could wash down my meal with my customary Newcastle.

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Photo of Julian W.

 

7

34

Julian W.

Chicago, IL

3 star rating
6/9/2009

Decent, but overpriced.  I was underwhelmed by the pad thai, but the service was fine, and I will try them again (just a different item on the menu).

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Photo of Katie S.

 

5

3

Katie S.

Cook, IL

5 star rating
6/11/2008

For those of you looking for a casual and delicious dining experience, this is the place for you. It's not hotsy-totsy and it's not fast food. I find that I can get a quick, healthy meal here and that's not always a simple feat. The menu is easy to navigate and has something for everyone. From spicy and sweet to mac and cheese, you're sure to find a dish to tickle your fancy.

Another nice thing about them is that they offer sizes. If you're starving, they offer a larger size. If you're feeling a bit peckish, they've got a smaller size for you. Both of them will be delivered to your table, with a smile, in a timely manner.

All in all, I whole-heartedly recommend Noodles & Company to everyone. Kids and adults alike. Something else you might like? This one is very reasonably priced. And everybody likes that, right?

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Photo of Eddy C.

Elite '09

59

168

Eddy C.

Chicago, IL

3 star rating
4/9/2008

Noodles & Company is one of those places where the idea has potential but the execution of said idea is less than stellar.  

First off, I think the idea is a good one.  There have been many a times where I've craved tasty noodles for lunch but didn't have the time to go to an actual sit-down Thai/Italian restaurant.  In those instances, I usually will go to a food court (Chase Tower, Aon Center, etc) but it's never quite the same.  So I was very excited to give Noodles & Company a try.  Unfortunately, the place fell short of my expectations for a couple reasons:

- WAIT: It's a long one.  I got there close to 12:45 PM and I still waited about 15 minutes before I could get out the door.  I don't even want to think what kind of wait I'd encounter if I went there at noon.

- TASTE:  I got the Trio, which is basically a small order of noodles and a side soup (Tomato Bisque or Chicken Noodle) or salad (House or Caesar Salad).  I went with the Indonesian Peanut Saute w/chicken and the Tomato Bisque.  The noodles were a bit too sticky and clumpy but I thought the flavor was ok.  The bisque tasted no better than what I can get out of a can.  

- VALUE: The small order of noodles was indeed small; I think I finished the entire thing in about eight bites.  I will commend them on not skimping on the meat though.  The soup is pretty small too.  All in all, not a great deal for the $7.99 that I paid but nothing exorbitant either.

- OVERALL: I have a feeling this place will do well for awhile only because it offers a novel concept.  And to be fair, I only tried one noodle dish so maybe the other noodle dishes are better.  I wouldn't recommend taking a pass on the place but definitely don't go out of your way to give it a try.

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Photo of Dane K.

Elite '09

226

709

Dane K.

Chicago, IL

2 star rating
2/11/2008 3 photos

I waited a few weeks thinking the mad rush to try this place would be over.  I also waited until 1:40 PM to go, thinking there was no chance for any sort of rush.  Boy was I wrong.

I arrived, waited about 10 minutes in line.  I could see that there were people everywhere... probably 20 or 30 people waiting for food.  Probably about 20 people in the kitchen, and 5-10 helping run food and taking orders.  So it seemed like even though there were a lot of people they might be somewhat quick.  Boy was I wrong.  VERY wrong.

Just after ordering, I overheard some girl saying she ordered an hour ago and still was waiting on her food.  I thought she was exxagerating, then over the next 5 minutes people were going up to the register demanding refunds.  

I waited.  And waited.  And waited some more.  Some girl came around saying she was sorry for the wait, "free lunch coupon" ...  I was temporarily appeased by thinking they were doing something nice about it.  They also offered a few cookies to some people.  Really I would have been a lot happier with a drink or something while I waited...

About 45 minutes later I heard my name being called for my takeout order.  I really wanted a cookie but nobody offered me one...   I went back to my office to and ate it.

The food was OK.  I had the Indonesian Peanut Saute with chicken.  For the "regular' size it was $8, no drink.  Perhaps a little pricey for some fast food noodles.

I looked at my coupon, and it's not actually a free lunch, it's a "buy one get one free" ... Kind of lame, wasting an hour of people's lunch hours.

...This place will have to get their act together quick or they'll be out of business in no time (they're already in a cursed location as it is!).  Loop lunch crowds don't have 45 minutes to wait for food, let alone 1 hour+.

That said, I guess it might make sense to call in your order ahead of time and hope for the best, if you really want to try it.

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Photo of Hollie S.

Elite '09

166

183

Hollie S.

Chicago, IL

4 star rating
4/9/2008

I don't know what happened when you bad reviewers went to this place; every time I've been there it's been friggin' amazing.

This place is a fairly longish walk from work, so I don't go very often. I've gotten the whole wheat pasta with tofu both times and it was delicious. You get a pasta dish, an extra (meaning a meat or tofu), and side for, I think, $7.99, which is actually worth it.

The line is long when you get there, but moves fast. The employees are very nice (complete with high fives because of my Obama button). The only concern is that there isn't anywhere to put people while they wait for their food. You're kind of crammed in there trying not to be in anyone's way. I'm only giving four stars because of that and because they don't deliver.

If they delivered, we'd get it twice a week.

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Photo of leah c.

Elite '09

19

183

leah c.

Chicago, IL

2 star rating
5/5/2009

complicatedly tasteless...
study the menu well before you order - it's a bit confusing :)  8 bucks got my friend and me (each) pad thai with choice of protein and a side salad (choices included garden, caesar or soups).   everything cried for more flavor and the pad thai noodles were hard and some were even brittle!
you order your food from the counter then you cross your fingers that a table will open up by the time your food is served.  fun lunch concept, housing italian and asian noodles under one roof, but i think i'll stick with ponte or mezza.

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Photo of Jim W.

Elite '09

27

175

Jim W.

Chicago, IL

3 star rating
2/14/2008

I generally don't like to Yelp about large chains, but I've never come across a Noodle&Co before and like Sonia C said, living where I live, any new opening is cause for great excitement.

By the time I went here, I think 5 of my classmates had already tried it.  I made the mistake of opting for  the Japanese Pan Noodles - some craving kicked in.  Of course, it wasn't good, but I held my expectations in check.  Whatever.  Don't get it.  Essentially it's supposed to be a stir-fried udon dish, but the noodles tasted weird like they used Barilla pasta - was kind of hard.  The small portion is REAL small.  They do add some healthy veges, I'm a fan of bean sprouts, broccoli, and shiitake mushrooms as much as the next guy, but the combination was odd, more like it was just placed there rather than meant to be together.

I did however, try some of the Indonesian Peanut Saute and that had a nice zing to it - appropriately spicy and the peanut sauce was tasty.  Likewise, I heard that the Mac and Cheese is good (although it wasn't proclaimed Best in Chicago).

Oh, and their rice krispies kick major ass - just the right amount of marshmallow goodness.

For you late niters, this place closes at 9 early in the week (until Wed), but opens til 10 after Thurs and I believe through the weekend.

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Sierra T.

Chicago, IL

4 star rating
11/22/2008

It's really hit or miss here, depending on who is working. Most of the time, delicious bangkok curry with tofu (I get it every single time)...other times, the tofu is so stale and/or overcooked that I can't even cut it with a fork.
I suggest try it out; if you see a couple younger kids working there and chatting more than working, run! I def. do not like stereotyping all 18 year olds as bad workers, but trust me, the food is not good when they are working.

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Elite '09

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Sonia C.

New York, NY

3 star rating
2/13/2008

This was my first time at any Noodles & Co location, and honestly, I expected more.  Any decent place would have a monopoly on good food in my area because there's really nothing to eat in the downtown vicinity.  My options in 1 degree weather have been limited to Chipotle, Subway, & Giordano's - even Potbelly is too far away.

I ordered the small Thai Curry Soup and it came with al dente rice noodles which I liked.  However, the soup was lukewarm and they were quite stingy with the ingredients - there were only a small handful of noodles, a few onions, and a couple leaves of spinach.  After I had fished everything out in a few minutes, all that was left was a large bowl of tepid curry soup.

In terms of variety, there's really not that many options.  There are 6 options each of Asian, Mediterranean, and American - and not all of them contain noodles either, so there's really only 13 "noodle" dishes or so.  Portions, even the regular size, aren't very big and I can imagine I wouldn't be too full after consuming a whole order.

The inside of the restaurant is nice and clean.  Service was fast - order & pay at the counter and they bring your food to your table.

Overall, N&C leaves much to be desired, but it's a good option when I'm tired of my Healthy Choice meals and canned soups.  I heard the mac & cheese was good, so I'll probably try that next time - after all, they are an American chain.

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EllaElla A.

San Diego, CA

5 star rating
4/22/2008

An American restaurant that got Pad Thai right? AMAZING!
The Udon noodles are steamed and seared. The portions are huge, and well worth it. It's fast and inexpensive. There is plenty of seating and no long waits.

Very vegetarian and carnivorous friendly menu.

It is a hidden gem on the Mile.

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Elite '09

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248

Heather K.

Chicago, IL

4 star rating
1/16/2008

To the delight of carb lovers all around the Loop, Noodles & Company finally opened its doors today. Though the wait was long (about 1/2 hr from standing in line to receiving my food to-go) it was worth it. As far as casual chains go, I think Noodles does a great job of providing healthy, customizable and affordable options. I've been eating at Noodles for years after having lived in Evanston, and they recently opened a Lakeview location right by my current apartment - hooray! So even though I miss the Baja Fresh that used to reside in this spot, Noodles makes a great addition to the Loop lunch scene.

They have three main categories of cuisine - Asian, Mediterranean and American. Each has a few noodle entrees, a soup and a salad. Everything comes in either a small or "regular" size, and you pay extra for the protein of your choice, if desired.

My favorite dishes are the Japanese Pan Noodles (in a sweet sesame sauce), Indonesian Peanut Noodles (they have a slight kick, but not too spicy) and Pasta Fresca (balsamic sauce, and great with Feta cheese instead of Parmesan). What's great about the menu is that you're basically encouraged to make substitutions and get the food exactly the way you like it, because each of the dishes are made to order. Even today, as I was anticipating screw-ups due to the stress of opening day, my lunch was perfect. And it's a great place for vegetarians - the tofu is really tasty added into any of the Asian dishes and all of the entrees across the board are loaded with veggies.

Another thing I love is that when you dine in, they give you giant water glasses and you can refill drinks yourself. I hate how most fast casual places give you a Dixie cup when you say that you only want water and not a fountain drink. Thanks for trusting me, Noodles! I promise never to steal pop from you!

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Elite '09

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Tracy K.

Chicago, IL

4 star rating
7/6/2008

I love me some Noodles.

This location in particular has given me nothing but positive experiences.

The staff is friendly and efficient, the store is relatively clean (even the bathroom!), and sitting along the Michigan Ave window makes for some good people watching.

I have never had to wait longer than 5 minutes, and have always had my food at most 10 minutes after ordering, but I always go at off times.

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Elite '09

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Andrew T.

Chicago, IL

4 star rating
3/27/2008

Pesto Cavatappi was great, but yes, a little light on the sauce if you expect every bite to be dripping with flavor.  The seared chicken is very salty and not breast meat, but softer like rib meat if that bothers you.

I love the idea and the variety, I'm just going to avoid it from 11:30 to 1:30.

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Tobia C.

Chicago, IL

2 star rating
4/24/2008

How craptacular these noodles are.  I have some in my mouth (Japaneses pan) right now and I fee like I'm eating worms with maple syrup on them.  YUM!

I had the mac and cheese, too.  They decided to use the new genetically altered cows to make "tasteless cheese...the cheese that has no taste" (coming to a Jewel near you).  Radical!

And the chicken?  Hey, I didn't know you could get airplane food when you're NOT in an airplane.  Rock on!

Ever have Kool Aid without the sugar?  There's the curry soup.  Hey, it's Cub Scout initiation all over again.  Who knew bad soup could get nostalgic.  Dope!

Hey, and I only had to wait in line for 20 minutes!  I'm giving it two stars because it hasn't made me sick yet.  Do yourself a favor...walk down the  street to the 7th floor of Macys.  Those noodles are tubular, for realz.

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