Ceres Cafe

Always packed!

Nothing to write home about, but a good place to stop in for lunch during the week. They used to have a bigger menu, but have reduced it a lot sometime in the last couple of years. They have some good sandwiches but lack a real menu. Their prices are fair for a downtown so-​so restaurant. Seating is plenty, so you shouldn’t have any trouble getting a table for a party of two or four. Anything over four you would though in order to be seated right away. I believe they were a lot busier when they had a larger menu years back. A link to their site is:

Wife and I stop by for a drink and to check out this place after reading reviews. Although the place was and dank the service was much like most of our experience in Chicago very pleasant and the drinks were very heavy handed. We only had the fried shrimp which were pretty good but once again the value along with the service made this place worth checking out.
Sorry folks, but I didn’t realize that I never posted this review. With that being said it is a couple years old. However after reading through the most recent reviews it appears to still be relevant.

Dear future Ceres customers,
Please do not order any hard alcohol drinks unless you have consumed a substantial amount of food prior to sitting down. You will be served an entire lowball glass of booze with a sidecar of soda.
Also, consider breakfast here the next morning after you have come for drinks the prior afternoon/​evening, as the cuisine will fortify your stomach wall with a substantial layer of eggs and potatoes to stave off any potential nausea for the day ahead.
Sincerely,
Your Liver & Brain

THE strongest after-​work Happy Hour drinks ever. Lord. Just be prepared when ordering! They have a minimal food menu, so I wouldn’t suggest coming on a completely empty stomach, but the food they do have available is good. I like the wings and calamari. Friday nights are lit for the young professionals crowd.

THE place to get drinks in the Loop after work. Very generous pours of everything on their drink list at even more reasonable prices. Cheese curds covered in Ritz cracker crumbs and the buffalo chicken rolls are also amazing!
This place does get packed and very noisy as it is a small space, so be sure to get here right after work! Also not open on weekends and wish it were!

You get an ENTIRE glass of liquor. If you say, «Gin and tonic, please.» they bring you an ENTIRE GLASS OF GIN with a can of tonic. Challenge accepted… one «drink» later and I was one happy lass.
Waitstaff could be a bit better. I stared at four workers gossiping in a galley for 15 minutes before they came to ask what I’d like — it wasn’t even happy hour yet.

This is definitely the go-​to spot for drinks after work (if you work in the loop). Ridiculously well priced (and very strong) mixed drinks. They also have an awesome $ 5 beer menu which includes a few of the staple Chicago-​made craft beers. Food is also very good.

There’s no place like home. There’s no place like home. There’s no place like home…

A bunch of co-​workers and I came here for a happy hour and had an enjoyable time.
Décor: We spent most of our time outside, in the courtyard (not the «fenced-​in area»), and it was really nice. The weather was enjoyable and the tall buildings help to block the late-​afternoon sun very well. The tables are just wrought iron but they get the job done; there are plenty of them available as well so feel free to bring a large group. Unfortunately the weather turned and we quickly moved inside. While I did not get a good chance to look around it seems like a nice spot — a good pub feel (with a decent-​sized wood bar, etc.). There are also plenty of tables inside as well.
Bathroom: It is clean, does not smell, and is well lit.
Staff: Our waitress was just fine. She didn’t go above and beyond (not that there was even an opportunity to do so) but she also was there when we needed her.
Drinks/​Food: We started with drinks, a wide assortment, and everything was great. The beer was cold and the whiskey/​bourbon pours are INSANE. Seriously, you get an entire rocks glass FULL of liquor. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything like it! As for food, when we moved inside we contemplated eating but the menu is pretty sparse…
Value: The drink prices are right where you’d expect for a nicer place such as this and the liquor pours are ridiculous. You certainly get your money’s worth here.
This is a solid spot for grabbing drinks after work and I know I’ll return in the future.

Oh how happy I am to be in on Chicago’s dirty little secret! I spent a few days in Chicago and caught up with an old friend here. Shout out to her for taking me to the place to be!
It was a warm summer evening and the patio was calling our names. Friendly staff, great menu, strong drinks, a diverse crowd, fun all around… I was impressed with everything.
The menu seems to really embrace the «farm to table» experience. Everything sounded fresh, healthy and delicious. It’s been a few days and I’m still thinking about the lemon butter tilapia. The combination of the freshness of the fish and the silky smooth sauce from the butter was absolutely delicious! The tilapia was cooked so well and will literally melt in your mouth.
The patio gets packed especially during happy hour but service was outstanding and my waitress was very attentive taking the time to answer all of my questions.
Now shamefully, I must admit that I didn’t even step foot inside. I stayed out on the patio totally absorbed by the outdoor vibe and completely oblivious to that fact an «inside» even exists. That seems to be OK though because from past reviews, it sounds like this isn’t really a dining destination but a happy hour favorite, ideal in the summer. I don’t think any of my trips to Chicago could be complete without a visit to Ceres. Ceres Café is my ticket back to Chicago.

This place has been in the Chicago Board of Trade building since I moved to Chicago in 1985 and is still going. And the one thing that brings people back time and again is the famous fish sandwich.
Ordered as a sandwich or a platter dinner, you get 4 large fried filets of some whitefish, probably a cod, that isn’t greasy, served on a toasted egg bun. This one was as good as the last one I had, probably 15 years ago. We ordered the sandwich only, which comes with some cole slaw that’s tasty, too, but nothing special.
I hope this place survives with the closing of the CBOT. Better get there soon and try out the fish before they don’t survive.

We came here on a Thursday for a work happy hour. We got there around 4 and managed to get a spot on their outdoor patio. The place gets really packed, inside and outside! The drinks are really strong, and even that’s an understatement. They are definitely well priced. The menu looked really good too, but I was told that their food is not the best so I just stuck with a sangria, which was made with brandy rather than wine. It seems like the common spot of many after work happy hours, but we were disappointed to find out that the place closes at like 7:30!

Literally… Soda. On. The. Side. Be forewarned, this place is not for the weak minded — come prepared. Make sure to also get there early if you want to secure a table, this place gets packed, QUICK. My friend and I heeded to this and got there around 4:30pm on a Friday, but were seated in a pretty secluded area. The place to be was the bar area (surprise). As a first timer, of course we got the «soda can special.» Choose your poison (read: alcohol) — get a served a cup filled to the rim, with a can of soda on the side. Great bang for your buck if you’re looking for a quick and potent drink.
What was a little awkward was that this place is a café — it had the McDonald’s after the club lets out feel. Maybe if we had been by the bar, I would have had a different opinion. Either way, it gets the job done — great happy hour spot after a long day of work.

As a warning to the rookies, I encourage you to stop after 2 Ceres. Don’t have 3 Ceres. You’ll stumble into some nearby Jimmy Johns at 6:30, eat your weight in deli meat and have no recollection the morning after.
You will receive a glass of pure alcohol. If you’re lucky you might get a can on the side, otherwise that small splash of tonic will have to suffice. You will get free popcorn that will ultimately end up over your nice, black skirt and the table.
When the weather’s nice, they open up the patio. I’m convinced there is no place more perfect for a happy hour in Loop.
On one last note, the food is «meh», but no one really goes there for the food. Let’s be honest with ourselves.

While many people often comment about the quality of the drinks at Ceres (and yes, they are commendable), there is another facet to this establishment that is often overlooked. Ceres has an excellent menu with fresh, delicious and healthy options. They source a lot of their food from local purveyors for a true «farm to table» experience. The staff is always fast, friendly and never lacking in personality. My favorite is the Chopped Salad and the soups are always delicious. Portions are generous. You won’t leave here hungry!
The restaurant was recently redecorated with an art deco feel. Definitely a much needed and appreciated improvement. In addition, the menu was re-​concepted with an edge toward more healthy options.
For a great meal in the heart of the Loop, Ceres can’t be beat!

Very poor service. We came in a little after 1pm on a weekday and after being seated, we waited 20 minutes for our waitress Maria. The table next to us was served right away. They were given menus and their food even before we got to see a menu. We did not even get complimentary bread while we were waiting. Our waitress was also very short when we asked for napkins and to explain what kind of vegetables their lunch special came with.
The food was also not that impressive. We ordered the special of the day which was a fried filet fish with tortilla soup. It was $ 9.95. A cup of soda was $ 2.25. The soup was salty and the fish was sour, probably too much lemon. The fish was also not very fresh.
I would not go back based on the poor service and mediocre food. Not sure if it was because we were dressed casually or it was because I have a disability. It might have also been because it was at an off hour but other people who were dressed casually seemed to have gotten better service. Whatever it is, Maria was not a great waitress and made our experience less than memorable.

«I’ll keep you my dirty little secret /​ (Dirty little secret) /​Don’t tell anyone or you’ll be just another regret» — American Rejects (throw back to 2005 anyone?)
Okay, so the secrets out (thanks to Unilocal), but Ceres is so much more than a café. It’s where those who run the 9 – 5 rat race should go to get a lunch time cocktail in the middle of their work day. I mean…
… but seriously. This staple café tucked in the Board of Trade Building not only offers a delish café meal, but their drinks are HEFTY. I’m talking a full glass of liquor with a side of pop. No really, they literally give you a can of pop on the side. SCHWING! Your co-​worker lunches just got a little weirder folks.
I used to work down the street and have had the pleasure of enjoying festive lunches at this fine establishment with my co-​working friends. My favorite go-​to lunch is their buffalo chicken salad. It’s huge! The turkey club and fries is also a solid choice.
The ambiance and vibe of the restaurant is not really a place I’d go out of my way for, but if you work downtown, are looking for a decent lunch, or are on the hunt for a strong cocktail — definitely go to Ceres!

Get crunk as funk on the cheap in the loop? Yes, it exists!
You must order liquor here. Why? Every liquor drink comes in a full glass of liquor and a soda can (not pop!) on the side. This has made the perfect celebratory setting when friends have gotten new jobs, promotions or other random life events. You got a new haircut? Let’s go to Ceres!
Funny story: my then bf and I got whiskey wasted one fri night here and when I came home drunk-​craving cupcakes, he busted out Molly’s cupcakes and an engagement ring! The rest is history.
The crowd has changed a bit over the years as now it’s much younger and less dudes in suits, at least on Fridays. Also, the food is only good to keep you drinking. Overly-​salty and greasy, but you don’t come here for fine dining.
Thanks Ceres for giving my boo the liquid courage he needed that one night and being the setting for tons of great memories!

This place is just awesome. Incredibly stiff drinks — you won’t see a pourer on any bottle. Food was very good as well.
The waiters were great — really entertaining and nice, and if you chat with them you’ll get a little something extra. You have to appreciate the history and allure of this place also.