Protein Bar

I have been ordering from the Merchandise Mart location for about 6 months because I work in the Merch Mart. I have always ordered online so that I can just run in and pick it up and get back to work. The last 4 – 5 times that I have ordered there has been SOME issue that I end up having to go back downstairs to the restaurant to fix. Twice they haven’t included the protein brownie in with my order (that I did indeed order!). Three times I have had to stand and wait for my order for 10 – 15 minutes even though I arrived at the time specified online for my order. Each time when I return to fix something the manager/​expeditor guy that is calling out orders at the end of the counter will not acknowledge me at all even though I am standing RIGHT in front of him. I try to ask him a question numerous times before he finally looks over at me. He doesn’t apologize for the errors. And it is the same exact guy every single time. I DREAD having to go get my orders now because they’re never right and I hate having to try and talk to him. Today was the last day I will be doing business there. I ordered the Chicken Quinoa Chili, got all the way upstairs to my office and when I checked my order it was vegetable chili, not chicken… and I had paid $ 2.49 EXTRA… for EXTRA chicken! I was so mad, so upset and so frustrated at that point I didn’t even want to have to deal with that manager’s incompetency YET again, so I just ate it and am now writing this. I shouldn’t have to go back into the restaurant every single time I order online. And I’m furious that I paid EXTRA for something and didn’t even receive the ORIGINAL meal, let alone the extra I had paid for. It’s ridiculous. Are there no regulations or standards set for these restaurants???

Good option if you’re looking for something healthy and don’t have much time. The food isn’t going to blow your mind, but it’s good enough and the prices are reasonable.

The southwest salad is a very appetizing lunch for $ 11. Chicken, quinoa blend, black beans, cheddar, avocado, fresh salsa, and a pretty spicy Cholula sauce over the blend of greens is an excellent combination of protein, veggies, flavor, and spice. The portion size was large, but not overwhelmingly large. I will certainly return for it. I think if anything, some more options at the condiment/​fountain drink area would help (salt, pepper, lemons, etc).

Unfortunately I’ve have 2 negative experiences recently that will likely keep me from returning…
#1– I found a wood chip in my salad. It looked like a piece of mulch or a chip off of an old piece of furniture.
#2– I found mold growing on a dessert bar.
This resulted in a day of queasiness and frequent trips to the restroom. Being pregnant, I did not need more of!
In both instances I returned the food, and the manager was very apologetic. They a gave me a free food item gift card both times as well.
However, it does make me hesitant to return.
When I returned the moldy dessert bar I found 2 others with visible mold under the packaging and pointed out the ingredients included eggs & milk so they need expiration dates on their packaged desserts!
The staff at this location are very nice and professional.

Always reliable and delicious. This place is managed really well. The line seems long but moves really quickly.

While I still hold a major grudge against the Oakbrook Protein Bar, this is one of the better options for food inside the abysmal food vendors of the Merchandise Mart.
The line can get long, your lunch order will be expensive as heck, and ordering will likely be stressful, but the staff do what they can to make the process run as smoothly as possible among all the lunchtime Loop chaos.
I got one of their avocado smoothies and the vegan chili and I think my total was around $ 15. The chili wasn’t huge, slightly larger than a cup and not filled very well inside, but it was delicious and really helped warm me up while my body tried to fend off the effects of the over-​eager air conditioning system in the office I was working in.
I know I could leave the MM and find some more decent options but I’m lazy and the merch mart is confusing as f*ck so whenever I’m back in the office I’ll likely just head back to PB to blow a $ 20 spot on a tiny somewhat nutritious lunch.

I work in the mart and eat here about every other day. It’s a great place to get high protein, vegetarian meals. The staff is always friendly and working fast to get the orders done quickly. I’ve had a few notably friendly experiences there, today Kevin and Christian brightened my day.

Well here we go again… If i could give no star I would, I’m just really disappointed.
Ordered the Veggie Chili, charged $ 10.25 for adding quinoa and avocado. Veggie Chili cost is $ 6.99, and understand the addtl cost for the 2 extras but $ 10.25? I’m pretty confident I was overcharged and should have caught this at the register. In addition to this, my order was made wrong, I said no greek yogurt and cheese and of course it is on the chili. Pretty simple… When I brought it to the attention of the expeditor he shrugged and said it came with it. He didn’t even try to rectify the situation, left me standing and started working on a new order. I wanted this to work, like I said in previous review great concept… but noone is managing the floor. Not worth the excessive price for poor service and cold chili. Very disappointing.

I love this place! Quick, friendly, and fast service for the lunch rushes during the week. If you are having a bad day go see Kevin here to turn that around instantly! I’ve never met a person who make me laugh more than him!
Thanks, Protein Bar! You rock!

I want to update my previous review. Protein Bar was really responsive to my feedback. So I headed back and got a bowl with chicken, avocado and a bunch of other things, I don’t remember the name (and don’t have my receipt) but it was fantastic. Thanks for making the changes to the management and better training for employees. It really made a difference going back. My bowl was packed full of fresh ingredients. My only comment would be to slice the avocado thinner (keep the amount please, it’s just perfect) so it’s easier to mix in with the bowl and mix the bowl a bit more… I ended up dumping half onto a plate and mixing each part separately, but considering my previous experience, this was a really great second chance. I’ll be back for sure

I’ve been eating at Protein Bar since I first spotted their vibrant orange, modern interior and bold signage. Good graphics and interiors get me every time, but that’s not what keeps me coming back. Oh and, the music selection is ace! For a person that is constantly on the go and cares about what goes into their body, Protein Bar is a great choice for tasty, healthy ingredients in your food and juice. This is my «fast food.» I’ve gone to pretty much every location and happy when a new one pops up around the city. The peeps at the Merch Mart were super friendly and when I asked for my fav juice, «Green Berry», and heard they are no longer making it in house, I was kinda bummed. Instead of letting me walk away disappointed, one of the girls offered to let me try their cold pressed bottled juice. I tried the staff favorite, «POW.» Delish and refreshing! That’s what you call great customer service. Big up to her for turning a negative into a positive! The bottled juice is just as good and I’ll be getting it in the future! :-) Thks Protein Bar Merch Mart!

These guys rock!
Imagine if Chipotle was born in Santa Monica. Healthy food that doesn’t disappoint.

I give it a 3.5 but I’m rounding down. It’s too pricey for the quantity of food. However, the quality of the food is great. The Pier-​nut shake is amazing.

As I walk from Union train station to Merchandise Mart, I have a lot of choices.
I love small juice place in French Market (Ogville Train Station) but it is a little out of th way. So I thought I save time and get juice in Merchandise Mart itself.
Place was empty, after 3 people before me got their food and at least 3 people after me got their food as well, I got up to the counter and saw that they are just getting started on making Market juice I ordered. To little surprise, majority of what was put into the machine — where apples (stored in bucket with water), then 2 kale leaves were added and another apple finished it off. Now, I know why I always felt like I am drinking more of apple juice than green juice (kale, cilantro, spinach).

I have been a regular at this Protein Bar for a while now but think I may have to switch to another location. Every supervisor I’ve come across there is excellent in customer service. But the pace has become truly a problem at this location. I go early in the morning when there are barely more then 3 customers there and yesterday I saw and watched as it took 6 minutes for them to even start my order. It was very frustrating seeing two people make a juice, while other workers came in and talked to them, and then a mad scramble when they realized while they were talking they had forgotten about my order. More and more i am getting «sorry about the wait» with my order, when there is no line, and no more then 3 other customers in the space.

I like Protein Bar for healthy food… or for not as bad for me fast food :)
I find their marketing interesting because they act like they are organic… however the meat is not organic.
I like the buffalo chicken barito and the basil chicken baritos… MMMMMmmmm!
What? Its totally healthy!!! hehehehe
Overall though, I think its a fairly good for you option on the run or if you feel like being a little bad…

Even with three week running congestion I was able to taste the flavors in the chicken chili. That’s pretty amazing.
Protein Bar is the healthy, fast and tasty solution to all your lunch woes. And while this location doesn’t provide more than a handful of seating options, it makes up with a stocked cooler of teas, waters and kombuchas, quick and friendly staff and a solid menu.
My chicken chili was packed with tons of quinoa, hearty flavors, cheese and a dollop of Greek yogurt. Not only were the spices nice and punchy, but the little bowl was oh-​so-​filling. Next time I find myself hungry but health conscious in the Merch Mart, I’ll definitely make my way back to Protein Bar.

Hi-​5 all day everyday! The Protein Bar employees in merchandise mart are the bomb! I no longer drink coffee because I prefer their specialty juices so much more! I will never turn my back on this place! I go 1 – 2 times a day!

Love this new location. As a vegan I am there almost everyday and can get something different everyday. The vegan quinoa chili is the best! The Market juice is refreshing and I alternate between that and the Greenberry. A little pricey, but service is good, friendly and they have a frequent buyers reward punch card.

Tasty and healthy — AND is better than OR. Located on the second floor, away from the food court and Dunkin Donuts and McDonald’s, you’ll find this accessible location. The inside seating area isn’t as extensive as other locations, but of course, you have the rest of Merchandise Mart to sit around in.
Service is solid, but definitely order ahead if a convention is going on at the Mart, since you’ll have longer than normal wait times.