Big Delicious Planet Canteen

I really wanted to love this place because I love the concept. The space is really cool, and the gardens outside are AWESOME. I wish I could rate those separately, because they deserve 5 stars. And I love that the place is very eco-​consious, oh and that it’s located in an area totally devoid of lunch options. So yeah, love the premise. The food just didn’t deliver. My group ordered almost everything on the menu that day, and only one dish stood out as very good, and that was the lamb curry. The paninis were all pretty bland, without anything beyond exactly what they sound like. My tuna panini was literally just tuna salad on a large amount of bread. No tomato, or lettuce, or fun sauce or anything interesting. And the soup of the day, mulligatawny, was outright bland and not good. We also shared a brownie that was so cold and hard you almost couldn’t cut through it with a fork. I will give credit to the peanut butter chocolate chip cookie though — that was the star of the show! I might give it one more try since I’m so predisposed to like this place, but the specials would have to sound really enticing that day.

I appreciate BPD starting to offer up larger sizes of coffee in the morning, but what I don’t appreciate is them pretending to serve Intelligentcia brand coffee when it’s clearly not. It’s almost as if they pour a different brand of crappier coffee into Intelligentcia bags and «disguise» it. I may be onto something here…

Went for the tacos. Bland tacos, bowl of mediocre carrot soup and a coffee was around $ 19. I can walk there, so I was excited to go. The urban farming hook doesn’t do much for me since local and organic can mean a lot of things that are not what you think. You have to read what these terms actually define in the food world. Anyway, for the taste not worth the price. I will go to another neighborhood spot. It might be for you, not for me.

My eyes have been following this truck and I kept telling myself that I will need to try this place out on a day that I get to work from home, and finally it happened! I worked from home and picked up the tuna melt and the chicken tortilla soup. I have to admit that I doctored it up to add vegetables and hot sauce because that’s just how I roll. I could have been starving so it was really good as was the soup. Good recommendation by the girl that made my sandwich on the soup. I like knowing that there’s this great spot I can grab lunch from now right near where I live. Prices are reasonable.

A short walk from my office, I find myself checking the BDP Instagram page regularly for their lunch specials. Their paninis are always great (that ham & swiss tho…), the soups are fantastic (not overloaded with high amounts of sodium… v important!), and the hot meals are usually creative & flavorful. It’s pricey, but you get a lot for what you pay for. The staff has always been friendly and they’ll answer any questions you have about that day’s specials.

Best Mash Potatoes of my life! Salmon was pretty good too.

Fresh delicious sandwiches, and sweets to die for. Love the chocolate mousse. Simple clean modern seating, and great personable staff. Definitely going to be a regular

There aren’t lots of lunch choices in the Kinzie corridor, so this is a welcome addition. Unfortunately we arrived (shortly after one) just as they sold their last order of the panini of the day we’d hoped to order. We settled for sandwiches from the cold case. They were fine – similar to what you’d get at Panera – but not fabulous. We also each had soup. Nice (my chicken noodle had a good sprinkling of fresh herbs) but underseasoned. We didn’t take anything from the bakery case, but the choices, especially the key lime pie, looked delicious. Another time I might also try the toast with housemade butter and jam.
In season, they grow lots of vegetables right next door. That would be fun to see. In the meantime, they’re very conscientious about reducing waste. We spent some time reading the detailed signs about what goes into compost and what into recycling.

Loved the Friday Fish fry! I hope they will have that again during Lent.

Love this place! Tuesday was the first time I went in because of great recommendations from friends, and I will definitely be going again! The menu changes daily (I now follow them on Instagram and Facebook too to keep up with the excitement, and especially love the chalkboard designs) and offers great selection. I tried the pulled pork sammie with mac and cheese and was NOT disappointed! Michael was awesome and delivered exceptional customer service, and I appreciate the recommendation he gave me for my delicious food choice! I can’t wait to try this place again, what a refreshing option with the ever-​changing food scene in Chicago.

Tucked away in a quiet, creative portion of West Town, Big Delicious Planet’s Canteen is truly a little oasis.
Breakfast specials are from 7AM — 11AM: a fresh bagel bar with veggie and lox toppings as well as two breakfast sandwiches (meat/​no meat). Lunch specials change every day (everything is made fresh using local ingredients) and is served cafeteria style. Full espresso bar and delicious Intellgensia coffee — you can’t beat it!
Check out BDP’s urban garden right next to the building where they harvest produce used in the food they serve. There’s also honeybee hives — super cool!

Fresh, healthy, tasty, menu is always different – what’s not to love?
I have been here three times, and the first time I just got an entrée (which comes with one or two side dishes), and I thought it was pretty good. The next two times, I got a dessert too – a Rosemary caramel brownie and an m&m blondie. While the blondie was good, the brownie was to die for! I have never tasted flavored caramel before, but it was like a taste of heaven in my mouth. It was rich and filling, and I would love to have one of those again… but the menu changes daily, so I don’t know if I ever will. :(
The garden in the back provides a nice ambiance if you want to eat outside. Their parking lot is a little random (I always feel like I’m blocking somebody in, so I pretty much get my food and go), but I have always found a spot. You would never know this place was here from the street. Give it a try – you’ll probably like it!

Was scooting around mad house on Madison and hit my bookmarks. This place came up. Won’t find it unless you are heading there. In the middle of the industrial area. Great food… great lunch food and the women at the front was super nice and friendly. Didn’t get her name but great service and food. I went at 2 so it was empty but was told it was packed around lunch time. Cool garden outside

Freshest, most delish, local, organic, on-​site garden, clean eats, friendly staff. Wish I lived right next door so I could eat here every day!

Is there a negative star?
When I think hipster dufus RIPOFF I think BDP
If you love $ 4 coffee that taste like sweaty gym socks this is your spot

Wonderful new surprise (for us anyway), hidden south of Grand, on Wolcott. Healthy guilt free delicious soups and salads, great paninis, Intelligencia coffee, and to die for bake goods…

Great food, great service.
Always fun options for lunch.

Scrumptious!

Really have to say I appreciate the welcoming staff. Super nice.
Every day they have different specials, which in some ways makes it feel like you’re going to a different restaurant each time. Predictably tasty, and they always seem to have healthy veggie & vegan items in addition to meat and sometimes fish. The fish dishes I’ve had have in fact been quite nice.
In addition to the daily specials, they have grab and go sandwiches and salads.
I’ve liked everything I’ve tried, but do have one complaint. They seem to have some strange issues with keeping things up to temp. While delicious, I’ve ordered a few hot dishes that were served room temp or ½ cold ½ warm. Not a huge issue as everything has always been thoroughly cooked, but it’s a little disappointing to expect hot and get not hot.
That’s all! Great place! I really like it, and glad it’s so close to the office!

Fist bump, chest bump, high five, and an ass slap to Unilocal on this one! You’d never know that BDP existed if it weren’t for the internet. Hidden among all the warehouses on the Near West Side this place puts together a pretty healthy lunch or coffee option if you’re over this way.
Mostly known for their catering but the canteen menu has featured lunch options each day, good coffee, and pre-​made salads and sandwiches. Perfect for the busy bee who’s always doing breakfast or lunch on the fly.
It’s pretty easy to park and I’m guessing almost never super busy. It’s a little pricey but you’re paying for fresh made farm to table food that will make you feel justified in spending a little extra scratch.