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Pastoral
Categories: Food Specialty Food Cheese Shops Restaurants Delis Cheese Shops, Delis [Edit]
53 E Lake St(between Wabash Ave & Dearborn St)
Chicago, IL 60601
Neighborhood: The Loop
(312) 658-1250
- Nearest Transit:
-
Randolph/wabash (Brown Line, Green Line, Orange Line, Pink Line, Purple Line)
State/lake (Brown Line, Green Line, Orange Line, Pink Line, Purple Line)
Lake (Red Line)
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 10:30 am - 8 pm
Sat-Sun 11 am - 6 pm
- Attire:
- Casual
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Hipster
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
239 reviews for Pastoral
Review Highlights
"My faves are Bocadillo de la Mancha and the Cali Chevre."
(in 9 reviews)
"...cipollini onions, whole grain dijon mustard, field greens..."
(in 4 reviews)
"I had the Cali chevre and avocado veggie sandwich."
(in 12 reviews)
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239 reviews in English
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Review from Luna H.
Chicago, IL
1/4/2012
Being from Spain, I can't explain how excited I was when I saw a "bocadillo" in Pastora's menu: serrano ham with manchego cheese, membrillo and mustard, in a spanish style bread. Totally worth the wait!
Their products are top quality, at least for what you can find in the US (obviously the serrano ham will never be like the ones you can find in Spain) and the have a really wide selection.
Just a note: if you like prosecco you need to try the Belle Casel they have. Amazing. -
Review from Chet M.
Chicago, IL
1/5/2012
Very high quality stuff here but some items are way too pricey - Iberico prosciutto at $89.99 a pound??
Tried to go the value route for cheeses, pates, and cured meats at Whole Foods but Pastoral makes them look like grocery shopping at a CVS.
Great splurge around the holidays or thee place to make that unique pot luck platter sure to be a hit at the party. -
Review from Lara Z.
Chicago, IL
12/21/2011
I love this place! I used to live literally right next door to this perfect cheese & wine shop, so needless to say I went to Pastoral a lot. I tend to avoid it around lunchtime since the lines can be incredibly long. Yet at any other hour, I always found an excuse to visit Pastoral, if not for one of their scrumptious sandwiches then for an assortment of cheeses and a bottle of wine.
The staff is incredibly knowledgeable & friendly. I mentioned that I once worked at a cheese shop and they made excellent recommendations based on my preferences even if they didn't have the exact cheeses I wanted in stock.
A few of my favorites:
Cheeses-
+ Roaring Forties (Australian blue named after the gale winds that lash King Island, Australia - the island itself is situated at 40° latitude. It has a sweet & nutty flavor without being overly salty, and a beautiful distinctive blue wax. Very unlike any other blues).
+ Langres- a soft, washed-rind cheese with a beautiful light tangerine color (on the outside, that is) that is bathed with champagne. Pairs beautifully with Champagne or even a Prosecco... or any bubbly really.
Sandwiches-
+ Blue Pig n' Fig (jamon Serrano, Aderkase Reserve blue cheese, fig and black tea preserve, whole grain dijon mustard and field greens) - The combination of blue cheese and fig spread - amazing. The black tea preserve is not overwhelmingly strong, which I like, and I'm so glad they use Jamón Serrano instead of prosciutto. I much prefer serrano ham to prosciutto - the Spanish got the right idea - less salt, more flavor. Perfect.
+ Le Canard (herbed duck confit, Fromage D'Affinois- which is like a triple crème, so sort of like a brie), shallot confit, whole grain dijon mustard and field greens = delicious as well.
Drinks-
+ I love that they carry San Pellegrino Aranciata & San Pellegrino Limonata. Sparkling beverages with far less sugar than most sodas, and a bit on the tart side. I rarely drink soft drinks but I always buy a couple of these during my visits to Pastoral.
+ Montepulciano D'Abruzzo, an Italian red that is a tad softer than a Chianti and has less tannins, but is good nonetheless. Not amazing, but a good italian table wine for less than $12. Not a bad deal at all.
Also, if you eat here often be sure to ask for a frequent customer card - buy 10 sandwiches & get one free! Pastoral's location in the French market is also excellent, but it's more of a stall amongst all the others... therefore their selection is more limited (I may be wrong about this, but that's the impression I get). Haven't checked out the Lakeview location, but I love this one in the Loop. -
Review from Jeremy C.
Chicago, IL
1/25/2012
Sorry to do this, the sandwiches are very nice. $10 worth - sure. I came here directly from a flight, and wanted some water. They would not provide free water with a sandwich purchase. No cup, no fountain, no tap to fill a water bottle. Nothing. I bought a $10 sandwich and their $3 water, though I find the policy unreasonable.
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Review from Lindsey W.
Chicago, IL
11/26/2011
While I frequent both this and the Lakeview location, I eat at this one more often because it's near my office. Pro's: the salads and sandwiches are amazing, always fresh and more healthy than most other places. Order your food, wander over to the cheese counter and have them slice some for you to try. It's the perfect way to wait. The staff is so knowledgeable and friendly, they know it's busy but try to make it pleasant. The cons: the prices. The food you order, the wine and some of the cheeses are a bit pricey but well worth it.
One thing I love is to ask them for substitutions or other twists on some of the basic sandwiches because I love trying new things. They're always nice about switching cheese or chutney to put a new spin on it. Sign up for their emails and see how many tastings they have! I've never been, but look like fun! -
Review from Rachel H.
11/2/2011
So many goodies to choose from including burrata, fancy hams, fancier cheeses, and craft beers. Pastoral is also a perfect lunch spot. Perfect for lunch with my other downtown worker bee friends. The novelty of downtown friend lunches is still shiny and new.
In addition to their array of cheeses and charcuterie, they also have a wide variety of sandwiches, including the classic Parisian, with delicious ham and even more delicious salted butter. I love a place where butter is an appropriate condiment and not cause for eye rolling when I explain my hate of mayo. Je t'aime, Pastoral. -
Review from Stephanie W.
Chicago, IL
10/19/2011 3 Check-ins Here
How did I spend $24 on a weekday lunch...for myself? Well, let me tell you
1) Pastoral is AMAZING. So good that I just want to eat everything on the shelves
2) Epic bonus points for carrying my favorite Castelvetrano olives (the only other place I've been able to find them in Chicago is Whole Foods) and these incredibly sea salt and toffee chocolate bars ($9.95)
3) Blue pig and fig? Oh yeah. Blue cheese. Serrano ham. Fig jam/paste/something sweet and yummy. Some mixed greens and whole grain mustard. What more could a girl possibly want? ($9.97)
4) Side salad. Arugula, goat cheese, tomatoes, herbed and toasted marcona almonds and a sweet balsamic vinaigrette (~$3 when added to a sandwich). In all fairness...I didn't eat the salad to the following day because I was already so full
Everything was so good. I just couldn't resist going overboard! Pastoral's cheese plates are also beautiful and a hit at any cocktail party. If you've got the budget, go for it! You can't go wrongListed in: Working Girl's Lunch
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Review from chris c.
Chicago, IL
1/6/2012 1 Check-in Here
There is little else to say then it is the best. You pay the price for the best but there is no other place in Chicago that compares for variety, quality, and knowledge.
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Review from DJ S.
Chicago, IL
11/27/2011
Absolutely delicious.
A wide array of cheese, wine, and don't forget the craft beer. All are of superb quality and we were asked if we wanted to try a random sampling (of cheese)! It was obviously delicious.
The sandwiches are amazing. The Salumi Basque is what I have every time I come in. I also enjoy the Club Nuvo and the Grant Park Grinder, but I'm a creature of habit.
Lastly, this place doesn't allow you to consume alcohol inside. Kind of a turn off not being able to enjoy a good drink with my meal, but everything else makes up for it! -
Review from Chris B.
Springfield, VA
1/3/2012 4 photos
My wife and I ran into this place as we searched for a quick bite around our hotel. After browsing through their menu, we quickly ordered two sandwiches. I had the duck confit and my wife had the Parisian. These types of sandwich shops are hard to come by so we were impressed and ended up frequenting this shop throughout our stay in Chicago. And definite must if you're visiting Chicago.
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Review from Calvin Y.
9/5/2011
Bleu pig 'n' fig.
Bread was a little hard for my taste, but the combination of serrano ham, bleu cheese, and figs is a classic combination and it works. The fig spread is strong and potent and prominently featured in the sandwich.
Even better, Pastoral is next to the L and convenient for a quick lunch under $10.Listed in: Chicago Showcase 2011
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Review from Bel B.
Chicago, IL
11/7/2011
Tasty sandwiches and they have a nice variety. I love their cheese!
You can pick up some nice treats, good for gifts to take to a friends house. -
Review from Abhay S.
9/14/2011
Yup, an easy 5* layup. No questions asked. Pastoral is a small shop on Lake Street and has very high end cheese and an excellent wine and beer selection. They also make a handful of sandwiches as well.
I had a sandwich - plus cookie, chips, and a drink for a grand total of roughly $12.50. A bit steep for lunch, but every once in a while ... it's not THAT bad. I'd return. -
Review from Matt M.
9/24/2011 1 Check-in Here
The big n' fig is quite delicious. It wasnt the sandwich I ordered but it was the better of the too. The "simply healthy" was "simply boring" except the delicious magno chutney. The simply healthy is also about 70% and 1% otherwise healthy and delicious ingredient. So unless you are all about cheese skip it.
They seem to have a few other nice, fresh, and unique ingredients I wouldn't mind trying. The fresh sun dried tomatoes look iincredible and may bring me back all on their own. This place looks more like a "take home ingredients" than an "order out place" but thats my opinion. -
Review from Andrea H.
7/29/2011 1 Check-in Here
You know those nights that you don't know what you want? You're not that hungry and you know you should eat but nothing sounds good? This was the situation I found myself lamenting tonight as I sat in my room at the Hard Rock. "There's nothing light around here," I thought. I was wrong. I'd always heard about Pastoral but who knew it was right next to me all week. I decided to give it a go.
When I walked in I had to resist the urge to pull up a chair to the cheese counter and dig in. It was tough but I managed...barely. I thought a salad was right up my alley but I could not bear to come into a cheese and meat shop and not get either. So I opted for the Pig n' Fig.
Wow, what a tasty sandwich. And remarkably light too. The flavor of the fig spread contrasted nicely with the Serrano ham and the blue cheese. The bread was delicious as well. I kind of wish there was more cheese, though. I love cheese.
This place gets extra points for having the Classic Parisian sandwich on the menu. I haven't seen it since I left Paris. I love that sandwich, and not just because jambon was the only word I wasn't afraid to say in the French deli. That ham and butter might be my favorite part about Paris. Yes, really.
Now I am satisfied but not stuffed. It's really nice to get a sandwich that you don't regret eating the whole thing. Next time I'll be back for lots of cheese and charcuterie. And maybe some wine too. Mmm... -
Review from Gina S.
8/24/2011 1 Check-in Here
Who spends nearly $30 on one piece of cheese!?!?!? Holy Moly, apparently I do. Talk about sticker shock, it sure didn't look like a $30 piece of cheese, Comte to be exact. It's one of those self indulgent things I do, apparently more often than not.
You can find your expensive cheeses and some less expensive Artisian cheeses here for sure. And lucky for those commitment phobic types, you can sample before you make that big decision to commit to any cheese. I also went with a little aged Gouda, which is so good.
I always find the best cheese at Pastoral and I know I'll love it before I even buy it.Listed in: Cheesehead
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Review from Andre W.
7/18/2011 2 Check-ins Here
This place was recommended to me by my buddy Kerry J! She told me they have pretty good sandwiches here and that she was a fan.
Waltzed over on a nice Friday afternoon and after looking over the menu I decided The Sinfully Healthy was the route to go. The Sinfully Healthy includes roasted turkey, Fromager D'Affinois, mango chutney, field greens, whole grain dijon mustard on sliced wheat bread.
The sandwhich was perfect as I savored each bite. I came back a month later and got the same sandwhich and it tasted like they went a little overboard on the Fromager D'Affinois as it was a bit too much.
Aside from sandwiches they offer salads, wine, cheese and bread. The place is quite small and only has 3-4 tables for dining in. The waitstaff is nice and are always helpful when you have questions. If you are going for lunch and want to just pick up, it would probably be best if you called ahead. Good stuff here!Listed in: Lunch in the Loop, Sandwiches! Love Em!
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Review from Sarah Z.
Chicago, IL
8/22/2011
I came here for lunch one and day and spent 30 minutes standing in line. And the guys behind the counter were annoyingly nonchalant about it. They were laughing, talking, nibbling, and taking their grand old time while about 20 people stood there waiting for their sandwiches.
I am not exaggerating, either. From the time I got my receipt to the time I got back to my office (which is across the street), it was 20 minutes. Then there were the 10 minutes of waiting in line to place my order.
I love the idea of Pastoral, I love cheese, I love wine, I love good, fresh, real food. And when there are lots of people waiting to eat during lunchtime, I love nimble sandwich makers and order takers. -
Review from Meghan B.
Updated - 8/15/2011
Just had the Cali Chevre sandwich. It's a real life-changer.
That is all1 Previous Review: Show all »
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9/15/2010
O M G....the sandwiches at Pastoral are incredible. LIFE CHANGING, in fact.
I met a friend here after… Read more »
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Review from Elizabeth G.
Chicago, IL
12/4/2011
As a former cheese monger, sister of a cheese monger and all-around lover of cheese, Pastoral knocks my socks off! This is my favorite Loop lunch spot and great place for a romantic picnic pick-up before heading the Pritzker Pavilion or movies in Grant Park. The Cali Chevre sandwich combined with Limonata is always crave-worthy.
Both The Loop and Lakeview locations are fantastic. I preferred the Lakeview location when I lived in Lakeview, simply for the more personalized service and less harried environment.
Outside of my favorite cheese shop in Minnesota (which sadly no longer exists), this is one of the few places where I can find a bandage-wrapped cheddar from WISCONSIN (Iwho knew they made more than wax-dipped edam) and the most delightfully light and lemony chevre known to humankind. The cheeses are always properly cared for and seasonally appropriate. -
Review from Karen F.
6/17/2011
Pastoral now has a GREAT online shop - to complment that fabulous cheeses and charcutterie you can find in their many stores in Chicago.
I love this company! -
Review from Jaime G.
8/10/2011 3 photos
Great cheese, craft beer, sandwich, and wine collection at the Pastoral right in the loop. Try the olive bar that features a variety of unique olive and veggies that are picked (like the sweet picked garlic).
I had the Cali chevre and avocado veggie sandwich. Very good but wished that the bread wasn't so hard. Would definitely would go back...esp on my way to the park for a picnic. -
Review from An P.
Chicago, IL
5/1/2011
It was sunny, it was beautiful, it was an ideal day to go for the perfect sandwich. Most days the noontime lunch decision can be an excruciating exercise in balancing between bland and banal but every once in awhile a sliver of something extraordinary sneaks past the mundane redefining the downtown lunchtime experience.
Pastoral is a cheese shop, a wine store, and most importantly a gourmet deli. Where else are you going to find $30-40 blocks of rare and exotic cheeses? Perhaps you'd like some baked cheese sitting in their glass shelf. My original idea was to get a sandwich, and a sandwich I got along with a gourmet bag of potato chips and a cute box of chocolate walnut caramels. Not a bad take for a walk down the street.
The table space inside Pastoral is about the only thing in the shop that is unremarkable. Plain wood and about six or eight seats in a crowded venue is not the ideal way to spend lunch. I took my goods and snuck them back to the office in a nice brown bag.
Unwrapping the thick paper and making lots of crumply noises, I found my Sandwich Campagne: loaded up with pate, guyere and some pickles. It was simple and it was crispy. The bread was crispy just the way I like it and the dijon upped the flavor level. The pate was good but not overwhelming but the freshness of the sandwich could not be mistaken.
A great lunch and I will need to try this again! -
Review from Jen L.
Chicago, IL
7/6/2011
I'm not often down in the loop during the day, but I was interviewing for a job downtown and got out around lunchtime. I was able to meet with a friend, she suggested Pastoral. I'm not a sandwich girl. I never have been. When I was little, I was the uppity girl that would bring yogurt or peanut butter crackers for lunch because sandwiches were icky and oh-so-normal (and heaven forbid you bought lunch!). So when my friend suggested a sandwich place, I hesitantly agreed.
Oh man, why did I hesitate? This was probably the best sandwich I ever had. Everything about it on the menu looked odd (goat cheese and almond butter? and apples?), but the goat cheese beckoned me and I ordered it. OH MAN, am I glad I did. Unfortunately, I haven't found another time to make it back to the loop and to Pastoral, but I drool about it pretty consistently. Goat cheese? Almond butter? Oh yes! -
Review from Taryn L.
7/21/2011
This place was PURE BLISS. I don't even LIKE sandwiches (or I didn't think I did.)
We stopped here amidst our museum hopping. The hubby got the Blue Pig n Fig: Jamon Serrano, Aderkase Reserve blue cheese, local fig and black tea preserve, whole grain dijon mustard and field greens. It was as good as it sounds.
I knew he would love his and his would be good and so the pressure was on. I asked the guy taking order whether he'd go with one of the turkeys or the tomato and mozzarella. He immediately recommended the Sinfully Healthy - said it was a best seller. Roasted local turkey, Fromager D'Affinois, mango chutney, whole grain Dijon mustard and field greens on sliced wheat bread.
Before I even left the shop, however, I second-guessed myself; just as we got to the register, I saw the specials. A Nutty Fig? Oh no! I should have ordered that. I was already decided that I would need to come back the next day to redeem myself for my initial poor selection.
But alas, this was not the case! This healthy turkey sandwich did NOT let me down. I ate the entire dang thing. I stopped after the first half, claimed I was done, then promptly started on Half Two. Just the right ingredients, just the right amount.
We also shared the Fromager's Salad, which came with incredible goat cheese, spiced almonds (enjoyed even by the hubby, who is slightly allergic and only eats them when they are exceptionally delicious), fresh tomatoes and a yummy vinaigrette.
The entire ordering experience was smooth and painless. Yes, there was a line nearly out the door, but they came through and took orders so that by the time we got to the register to pay, our sandwiches were well on their way to becoming reality. While we waited we were pampered with wine and cheese tastings - can't complain about that.
If I could import this to my DC neighborhood, I would in a heartbeat. -
Review from Danielle S.
Chicago, IL
10/19/2011
Pastoral was wonderful, I had never gone in because I thought it was just wine and cheese. They have a nice selection of sandwiches as well as salads and vegetarian options too. I ordered the "Club Nuovo" Roasted local turkey, house made prosciutto bacon, mayonnaise, tomato and field greens. Added Gruyere cheese. All of the ingredients were very fresh and the prosciutto bacon was amazing. The sandwich was also large as it turned into two meals for me. I will certainly return and highly recommend this cozy spot!
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Review from Kathy P.
Chicago, IL
5/3/2011
I needed to grab a quick but classy birthday gift for a friend with excellent taste whose gifts are always spot on. Seriously - the girl gives gifts that you didn't even know you wanted until you squeal with joy after unwrapping them. To add more pressure, I also faced a looming train departure. It was a Jack Bauer situation, and - DAMN IT, CHLOE! - I was going to beat the clock.
I wish I remembered the name of the woman who helped me, but she is heretofore known as Cheese Angel. Cheese Angel recommended a buttery pecorino and a to-die-for brie (complete with cute ramekin container) and really knew her stuff, asking me when the cheeses would be eaten so she could select the appropriate level of ripeness. Cheese Angel also suggested some tasty chocolates to top it off, thoughtfully removed any price tags, and then wrapped my purchases with a festive bow, ensuring a successful gift-giving experience. She also came in under budget - and under the clock.
I ran out the door and hustled to Ogilvie, silently thanking Cheese Angel for her knowledge and excellent customer service, and knowing that the world was safe for now. -
Review from Michelle V.
Chicago, IL
8/20/2011 1 Check-in Here
I was hesitant at first, as it has an odd cheese smell when you first go in, but don't be shy -- stick around and order an amazing sandwich. My favorite is the Mediterranean Turkey on wheat bread, but everything they have is dope, especially the Olive Sample Bar they let you partake in while waiting for your lunch.
While I prefer Hannah's Bretzel, Pastoral offers that market-feel that a lot of chain/commercial places don't have. -
Review from Jeff R.
9/21/2011 1 Check-in Here
Whenever we need to break out of our normal lunch routines we head to Pastoral. It's like walking into a little slice of Europe - a wine and cheese shop in the middle of the Loop. This makes sense since they describe themselves as a "European-inspired neighborhood cheese, specialty food and wine shop offering the highest quality, cut-to-order domestic and international specialty cheeses, freshly baked breads, perfectly chosen accompaniments and small production wines, along with hand-crafted, cheese loving beers." Sounds pretty good to me - beer, cheese, wine and fresh sandwiches and salads. On a previous trip for lunch I ordered a sandwich. The ingredients are fresh and likely locally sourced. The bread is delicious and the portions are large. I think I also bought some potato chips from an obscure Eastern European country. The prices are high for lunch sandwiches and salads ($9-10) but you're paying for quality.
On my second visit I ordered the "health nut" salad (Field greens, Podda cheese, cucumbers, avocado, spiced almonds and red wine vinaigrette). It's plenty large and filling with avocado and almonds. I really liked the flavor combinations of greens, cheese dressing and everything. It's a great salad and I would never have thought about spiced almonds in a salad otherwise.
I'm a fan of all things Pastoral. I wish I could enjoy their extensive beer and wine selection during the day but I'm pretty sure that's not office policy. For now it will remain a nice escape into a slice of Europe when regular lunch spots won't do the trick. -
Review from Malori M.
Chicago, IL
11/18/2011
This restaurant was wonderful. I've walked by it quite a few times and knew it was something I wanted to try. My dad and I finally stopped in this afternoon and I have to say we were both impressed. I had the Prosciutto di Panini and he had the Mediterranean Turkey--both sandwiches were fabulous. I'm not sure what sort of cheese was on mine but it was delicious.
Not only was the food marvelous (and very reasonably priced) but Pastoral also has a wide array of wines, cheeses, and packaged foods available for purchase. They had a selection of some extremely unique jams, cheese spreads, alcohols, and chocolates that have me brainstorming excuses to buy them.
My only complaint is that the bread was a little stiff for my taste. You should also be aware that the seating is limited in the restaurant so if you're looking to bring a large group you'll have to take your food to go. I will definitely be back, I can't wait to try some of their other menu offerings! -
Review from Oscar W.
Chicago, IL
5/25/2011
My rating is for the lunch at this place. Not for the quality or variety of their wine and cheese.
Went with 4 colleagues in the middle of a work day - Pastoral has a nice selection of sandwiches that we've been hearing about. It was a loooooooong wait to order, and then a loooooooong wait to get the sandwich. We had 3-4 people infrontof us, didn't understand why it took so long, as all the customers in the room were waiting for their sandwiches (about 15 of them).
During the wait we had to find sth to do, so purchased a bottle of wine and some vermont cheese. The cashier and the cheese guy were cold and almost snobbish, didn't even make an effort to demonstrate the origin or quality of the wine and cheese, which i highly disliked.
Once the lunch has finally arrived, my Atun A Tuna sandwich's baguette was way too hard, and the sandwich was greasy with olive oil, which was a mess. My other colleagues also found their bread too hard to bite, and had to throw away half of the sandwich.
Overall, not worth the 30 minutes wait and the $10 price. And disliked the service. My thing is - if you choose to do lunch, do it professionally; don't be all like "we're a wine and cheese store, we're too good for lunch". Because that simply doesn't work. -
Review from Joan F.
Ogden, IL
11/5/2011
I had the opportunity to spend 1.5 hours learning about cheese pairings with both wine and beer in one of Pastoral's classes in their second store on Lake Street. The cheeses were fantastic, as were the pairing selections. The people who were teaching were well-versed in both cheeses and drink. However, they were not snobby at all. Anyone who enjoys cheese, wine and/or beer will walk away with tastebud satisfaction, as well as a lot of information. Cost of the class was $45. Pastoral has numerous classes for people to attend and enjoy. It is highly recommended that people do not wait to register for some of the classes...as they fill quickly.
The staff has a wonderful philosophy about serving customers. They are generous, down-to-earth and very kind. The wine, beer and cheese selections are extremely good. They will cut the cheeses to order for you...plus give you a sliver to taste to make sure that you are spending your money in a way that you would like. If you are not yet a fan of artisan cheeses, walk in for a bit and ask questions...they will answer them for you and help you make a wicked good selection.
I have been a customer numerous times in the Lakeview store and I had the same staff experience with them as I had in tonight's experience. I highly recommend the class opportunity, as well as the shopping experience in both. -
Review from Jamie B.
5/6/2011
Nothing hits the spot like a fresh caprese sandwich on a good quality baguette from Pastoral.
When I worked around the corner from Pastoral I would find myself day dreaming about their sandwiches around 12:30 everyday. Luckily I was usually too busy to leave the office for lunch so I would get this on occasion as a special treat. Not going to lie though, there was one week I got this 3 days in row...not one of my proudest moments.
It can get pretty busy at lunch, so if you want to get in and out faster I recommend calling in your order about 15-20 minutes ahead of time. It's also a nice place to just pick up a baguette on your way home from work, or if you want to get a nicer bottle of wine for someone as a gift. The people who work there are very knowledgeable about their wines and cheeses and are willing to help. -
Review from Jess C.
If I lived in Chicago, I would eat here every. single. day.
Pastoral is a deli with 3-5 small tables. They have a pretty limited sandwich selection, and the choices are traditional. They also sell a variety of meats, cheeses, breads, and wines.
Not only was my BLT a delicious, high quality sandwich (fresh soft, baguette with UBER fresh toppings and the best pancetta ever)... but it's affordable! $6 and change for a sandwich?!!
Wow! -
Review from Gerry X.
Chicago, IL
5/4/2011 6 photos
I have a blast here.....and there was so much information as well as cheese and spirits that I swear I felt at times...like a child.
I also have never seen cheese to be expensive, and obviously there was a reason why...high quality and care taken into all down to the detailed visualization on how it is shown goes to show the pride of the business itself....and I wish alot of places had as much dedication to customer service as they did here.
I want to come back soon....and I thank my niece and her field trip for showing me this. I dont know when a good time (other than all the time) is a good time to go; obviously I need to get out more. So I only chose a couple of the selections on the 'good for' part on this survey. They made it seem like a resturant which THAT I didnt get a feel of (unless there was a section I totally missed) so I answered the said questions as honestly as I could.
Pics will soon follow. -
Review from Amy H.
1/10/2011 1 Check-in Here
I popped into Pastoral for a couple of bottles of wine to give as gifts. As usual, whenever I go wine shopping I bring along my Wine Mad Libs - "s/he likes ________ (type of wine) and I want to spend about ______ (dollar amount)" and they typically hook me up with something nice.
If you buy 6 bottles or more you get a discount on your entire purchase, which is how I ended up with two bottles for gifts and four bottles for me. Each wine that I tried was delicious.
I also love the cheese selection at Pastoral. When the zombie apocalypse happens, I'm totally going loot Pastoral and take all their cheese...you know...for survival... -
Review from Kiki M.
9/14/2011
The sandwiches at Pastoral are amazing, and the high quality of ingredients completely justifies the $8 price. Very friendly and knowledgeable staff. The lines can sometimes get crazy, so I generally order my sandwich over the phone to avoid waiting forever.
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Review from Celia Z.
Cambridge, MA
8/18/2011
I LOVE Pastoral. LOVE LOVE LOVE it. It is my favorite sandwich shop of all time, and I will miss it so much when I return to Boston. I first came across it in the French Market, where this Chicago chain has an outlet. Seeing how crowded it was, I naturally floated over. All the salespeople were extremely nice and accommodating; they really cared about what type of cheese flavor I liked and did their best to accommodate that, allowing me to sample many different cheeses before I made my decision. My favorite was the five-year aged gouda--salty, firm, aged, and handcrafted.
Going on their website, I discovered that Pastoral also made sandwiches at a shop a few blocks from my work, so I excitedly went there the next day. While the line was out the door, someone came to take our orders in line, so my food came rather quickly. Although I was set on the sinfully healthy turkey sandwich when I went in, I realized that they had run out of Mango Chutney, so I went with the make-your-own sandwich, forming a very similar version of Sinfully Healthy, but piling on every single vegetable possible, including apples. Back in the office, I took my first bite--delicious. The cracked wheat bread was fresh, and the Fromager D'Affinois was rich and creamy, both of which blended well with the high quality deli turkey. The whole grain mustard could have been spread a bit more heavily, as my veggies and apple (which added a nice crispness to the sandwich) almost completely overpowered the mustard, but it was not a big deal. I ate half the sandwich, and then left it in the fridge for breakfast the next morning. It was even better then, as the flavors of the cheese had already made friends with the turkey and bread. Thank goodness they got along.
Even though each time going to Pastoral, I got less than half a pound (have to be at least a little bit conscious of my crazy eating habits), no one laughed or judged me. They were sure to satisfy my accommodations to the best of their ability. They get a five for food and cheese, and just as high for customer service. They are amazing. And everytime I get cheese from there, I find myself nibbling on it constantly on the walk home. Especially the Zamorano cheese made of raw sheep's milk and imported from Spain I got today. So rich and flavorful with the perfect nutty taste. Thank you Pastoral, for my first ever cheese-only purchase; that is, if you don't count the shredded cheddar I got at Walmart for my seventh grade foods class.
The concept is so simple, yet when there are high quality ingredients that are handmade (unlike the super processed Subway) with care, food can be elevated to a glorious status. Just like Pastoral. No need molecular gastronomy to impress me. With that said, I am determined to get reservations to Alinea. When reservations open for December and Jan, I will be on the phone.Listed in: My Favorite Things
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Review from Dan D.
Chicago, IL
2/22/2011
There's probably not a lot to add, but I enjoy Pastoral so much I have to throw another great review out there. It's a weekly lunch stop for me (along with Burrito Beach, hate all you want) when I'm not traveling. If you're there for wine or cheese, the staff will be incredibly helpful.
But, you should be going for a sandwich. If you believe that the bread makes the sandwich, which all people knowledgable in the art of sandwiching do, you will love Artisan's baguettes. As others note, the sandwiches are "pricey", but you're paying for the quality of ingredidents. I'd give them a 6th star if possible for being the only place, ever, where I will order a tuna sandwich. If you, like me, think you don't like canned tuna, go order the Atun a Tuna and enjoy your come to jesus moment. -
Review from Tina B.
10/2/2010
For all of my supposed food-lovingness, this place had the ability to sticker shock me - and I am a serious Whole Foods apologist, so impressing me with scary gourmand prices takes some doing. Here's how it went down....
So, I was at home, watching No Reservations in Spain - not that one one, but the other one. I know this is surprising. Anyways...
So Anthony Bourdain and this Spanish dude were sitting in some chiaroscuroly lit scene, grubbing and singing the praises of this ham that still had a fucking hoof attached to it! I mean, damn! Just a big ass hoof just ON there and they were slicing off pieces, cramming it in their mouths and rolling their eyes back in swine-induced ecstasy. And I was like:
If I'm ever in Spain, Ima gonna get me some of that.
Then, the next day, after roaming the loop hungry for a while, I ended up smack in front of this place.
Beautiful little shop with a great collection of cheeses and meats and wines.
The sandwich menu sound good and has the potential to be super duper incredibly awesome, but are kind of inconsistent in the end product - heavy on the bread, light on the meat and cheese, a little dry. But they're pretty good and I ate mine all gone.
After my sandwiches, I perused their cases, as I am likely to do in such situations and then...
Then - I see this ham - no hoofs or anything, but it still drew me to it. It was just a really pretty piece of meat, dark and purpleyish and just...same Bourdain-looking ham.
And I was all:
Ima gonna get me some of that.
So I asked for a few slices, just like three or four since I'd just eaten and just wanted a taste. And the chick was like - You want like three or four slices of this one?, kind of worried sounding and odd and I was like yes, is that okay, and she was like yeah, that's okay, with a funny look and I was like, to myself, maybe I should get more? Like am I wasting her time with my bullshit baby sized order or something? And so then I also got a couple of slices of some duck salami, because that sounded like some impressive foodie bullshit that I could cop to having experienced and shit, if ever I'm at such a dinner party or what have you where such foodie testifying may be required.
So then she rings up my four thin slices of ham and three circles of duck salami and it comes to almost $20. Four pieces of ham, mind you, almost paper thin, and three pieces of salami, about the size of a quarter each.
And then she was like - oh, wait, that's not the right price, and I was like - pssht, girl, obviously! And then she was like, that will be more like $18 and the soundtrack that follows me around in life was like
Everybody Ha-yates Tina...waaaaaamp waaaaaamp.... (Tragic! TRAGIC!!)
It was $119 a pound. Turned out it was jamon iberico de bellota - the prized meat of free range Spanish pigs that spend their whole lives grazing only on acorns. http://en.wikipedia.or...
It was musty, nutty, earthy, almost cheesy with a complexity I was almost baffled by. And it melted in my mouth. I mean, I know that people say that things melted in their mouths all the time, but I've never really had that happen, except with like meringues and Pop Rocks. It felt like it almost dissolved. If that is ham, what in the fuck have I been "experiencing" my whole life?
Was it worth it? Yes, and probably even more so than my kind of just-okay sandwich. I loved being surprised, both by something I can't buy many places in this country and by its cost (value).
I will have to restrain myself, pretty much forever, from coming to Pastoral with cracky urges and buying the fixins for a $100 sandwich - hell, we haven't even gotten to cheeses.
But I think it still would have been better with the hoof.
