Take-out in or very near Chicago's Union Station

[Alex]

When I take the train back home from Chicago I make a point of eating some good take-out for my rolling dinner. My schedule usually allows me to pick most any place I want, within reason. Last trip, for example, I hit the salad bar at Whole Foods; the one before that, an entrée and dessert from Trotter's To Go. However, next Saturday I'll be in the 'burbs, and my Metra arrives perhaps an hour and a quarter before Amtrak boards. I know there are several places right at Union Station where I can pick up a sandwich -- Corner Bakery, Metro Deli, Nino Panino -- and I'm wondering if anyone has feedback about them.

Or, weather permitting and if the food is worth it, I could handle maybe a ten-minute walk. I know there's a collection of restaurants in the Presidential Towers a few blocks away, at Madison and Clinton -- My Thai, Takumi, etc. Any thoughts about these, or other places within a few blocks of the station?

[molto e]

When I take the train back home from Chicago I make a point of eating some good take-out for my rolling dinner. My schedule usually allows me to pick most any place I want, within reason. Last trip, for example, I hit the salad bar at Whole Foods; the one before that, an entrée and dessert from Trotter's To Go. However, next Saturday I'll be in the 'burbs, and my Metra arrives perhaps an hour and a quarter before Amtrak boards. I know there are several places right at Union Station where I can pick up a sandwich -- Corner Bakery, Metro Deli, Nino Panino -- and I'm wondering if anyone has feedback about them.

Or, weather permitting and if the food is worth it, I could handle maybe a ten-minute walk. I know there's a collection of restaurants in the Presidential Towers a few blocks away, at Madison and Clinton -- My Thai, Takumi, etc. Any thoughts about these, or other places within a few blocks of the station?

←

Have you ever had a Potbelly sub?? My friend is raving about the Kobe burger at Nine.

Edited February 25, 2007 by molto e (log)

[Alex]

When I take the train back home from Chicago I make a point of eating some good take-out for my rolling dinner. My schedule usually allows me to pick most any place I want, within reason. Last trip, for example, I hit the salad bar at Whole Foods; the one before that, an entrée and dessert from Trotter's To Go. However, next Saturday I'll be in the 'burbs, and my Metra arrives perhaps an hour and a quarter before Amtrak boards. I know there are several places right at Union Station where I can pick up a sandwich -- Corner Bakery, Metro Deli, Nino Panino -- and I'm wondering if anyone has feedback about them.

Or, weather permitting and if the food is worth it, I could handle maybe a ten-minute walk. I know there's a collection of restaurants in the Presidential Towers a few blocks away, at Madison and Clinton -- My Thai, Takumi, etc. Any thoughts about these, or other places within a few blocks of the station?

←

Have you ever had a Potbelly sub?? My friend is raving about the Kobe burger at Nine.

←

Thanks for the ideas, Eliot. I haven't had a Potbelly yet. I see there's one a couple of blocks away but it closes 20 minutes after my train arrives -- is it worth a quick jog? I've only been to Nine once, for dinner. It's just a bit too far away, though, and anyways I think a Kobe burger would lose some of its charm after an hour or two in a takeout container.

[tammylc]

What about Hannah's Bretzel? You're the one who gave me the recommendation originally, and it was a great one! I can't remember how long it took me to walk there, but I don't think it was very long.

[Alex]

What about Hannah's Bretzel?  You're the one who gave me the recommendation originally, and it was a great one!  I can't remember how long it took me to walk there, but I don't think it was very long.

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Great idea! It's a brisk 12 minutes or so from the station. Unfortunately, they're open only until 2 on Saturdays, and my train doesn't arrive until well after that.

[nsxtasy]

Stuffed pizza from Giordano's or Bacino's! Call ahead because the pizza takes 30-45 minutes to bake. I don't know if they're open Saturdays. There's one location of Giordano's three blocks east of the station, and another four blocks west:

Giordano's

223 W. Jackson Blvd.

(312) 583-9400

815 W. Van Buren St.

(312) 421-1221

www.giordanos.com

I'm not as familiar with Bacino's pizza but I've heard it's good and there's one even closer to the station than Giordano's:

Bacino's

118 S Clinton

(312) 277-1100

www.bacinos.com

You also have all the Greek places in Greek Town, also four blocks west of the station: Santorini's, Greek Islands, etc. See this topic for comparisons.

Edited February 25, 2007 by nsxtasy (log)

[dls]

Alex...

A couple of assumptions on my part. It appears that you are taking the Amtrack train to GR which, if I recall correctly, departs around 5:30 P.M. If so, you're Metra commuter arrives around 4:00 P.M. Also, the food that you are looking for will be eaten cold or at room temp.

I'm fairly familiar with the are since I use Union Station daily for the commute to my office which is 2 blocks away. Within the station itself, I would opt for a sandwich and/or salad from Corner Bakery. Everything else is downhill from there. Can't speak about Nino Panino other than it does not look very appealing. Metro Deli should be avoided at all costs except, if you're so inclined, a pre-boarding drink or one (or more) to take with you for the trip.

In the immediate area around the station, most of the places are closed on Saturday. A few casual ones that are open during the day have limited lunch hours and will be closed or closing when you arrive. Most of the better places are also closed on Saturday with a few exceptions during opera season. Unfortunately, they don't open until 5:00 P.M. which would cut it a bit close.

You're options expand somewhat with a short cab ride of 5 minutes or so. My first choice would have been Blackbird for the charcuterie plate. Problem is they don't open until 5:30. Their sister restaurant next door, Avec, opens at 3:30, however. A copy of their menu can be found here. If this appeals to you, I would suggest calling ahead with a pre-order, grab a cab (which are plentiful), have him wait while you pick up the order, and return to the station. Total elapsed time should not exceed 15 minutes.

You may also want to consider the options available in the area of the Metra station that you will be using for the trip to Union Station.

Safe trip.

[Alex]

Alex...

A couple of assumptions on my part. It appears that you are taking the Amtrack train to GR which, if I recall correctly, departs around 5:30 P.M. If so, you're Metra commuter arrives around 4:00 P.M. Also, the food that you are looking for will be eaten cold or at room temp.

I'm fairly familiar with the are since I use Union Station daily for the commute to my office which is 2 blocks away. Within the station itself, I would opt for a sandwich and/or salad from Corner Bakery. Everything else is downhill from there. Can't speak about Nino Panino other than it does not look very appealing. Metro Deli should be avoided at all costs except, if you're so inclined, a pre-boarding drink or one (or more) to take with you for the trip.

In the immediate area around the station, most of the places are closed on Saturday. A few casual ones that are open during the day have limited lunch hours and will be closed or closing when you arrive. Most of the better places are also closed on Saturday with a few exceptions during opera season. Unfortunately, they don't open until 5:00 P.M. which would cut it a bit close.

You're options expand somewhat with a short cab ride of 5 minutes or so. My first choice would have been Blackbird for the charcuterie plate. Problem is they don't open until 5:30. Their sister restaurant next door, Avec, opens at 3:30, however. A copy of their menu can be found here. If this appeals to you, I would suggest calling ahead with a pre-order, grab a cab (which are plentiful), have him wait while you pick up the order, and return to the station. Total elapsed time should not exceed 15 minutes.

You may also want to consider the options available in the area of the Metra station that you will be using for the trip to Union Station.

Safe trip.

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Thanks, dls. Yes, assuming it's on time, Amtrak leaves at 5:20 and boards around 5:00; Metra arrives at 3:40 from Lisle. I have no idea what's near that station but if I get there early I can take a look around.

According to menupages.com, My Thai and Takumi are open then. Have you eaten at either place?

Avec -- now that's an interesting idea. Those dates should get some interesting looks on the train, eh? I'm guessing the round-trip cab fare would be about $6-7; does that sound right?

And nsxtasy, thanks for the Greektown reminder. A nice wedge of spanakopita and a piece of baklava would make an excellent dinner.

[dls]

Alex....

Can't help you with Lisle. That's quite a bit further west than my stop. It's been awhile since I've been in that area and don't recall anything of consequence. It might be worthwhile checking it out before you catch the Metra train.

I've been to My Thai though it's been awhile. As I recall, it was good but nothing out of the ordinary. Can't help you with Takumi.

I would guess that the cab to/from Avec would run $8-$10 including wait time and tip.

I pretty much discounted Greektown considering food temps, etc. One place just came to mind, known as Artopolis that's a great little bakery and cafe. Very good apps, salads, and sandwiches on their homemade bread. It's quite reasonable, open when you are there, and no more than a 10 minute walk directly west of Union Station. Check it out.

[LAZ]

I pretty much discounted Greektown considering food temps, etc. One place just came to mind, known as  Artopolis that's a great little bakery and cafe. Very good apps, salads, and sandwiches on their homemade bread. It's quite reasonable, open when you are there, and no more than a 10 minute walk directly west of Union Station. Check it out.

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Artopolis is a great suggestion but all kinds of Greek food works well at room temperature. Greek Islands has some wonderful cold dishes and a create-your-own combination menu that makes it easy to get an assortment of smaller portions. Don't miss the loukaniko!

[Alex]

Thanks, dls and LAZ. The sandwiches and desserts at Artopolis look like winners. I'll have to try the loukaniko at Greek Islands when I'm back in town in May.

Keep those great suggestions coming, folks!

[budrichard]

"Cheezborger! Cheezborger!

No fries, cheeps! No Pepsi, Coke!"?

Theres one near Union Station on Washington http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?formt...ubmit=Get%2BMap .-Dick

Edited February 28, 2007 by budrichard (log)