There might not be a better spot to sit outside at lakeshore east and watch the sunset over the city skyline (glass of wine in hand of course)... I've had the fried fish bites on a sandwich roll twice now and i like to load it up with the chili sauce from the counter- it does not disappoint! My wife continues to order the teriyaki salmon and tells me it's delicious..Pair either with the truffle tots, and you've got a delicious and affordable date night on a chic patio fit for a casual double date. Enjoy this "hidden" treat- it's good for an early bite
(5)
Alfreda D.
It's always great to have new lunch options open up nearby the office! This spot is 2 weeks new and is next to the Mariano's on Columbus Dr. My first impression was positive. It's a cute, trendy spot. There's outdoor seating, indoor booths, seating along the window for you to pop a squat... multiple options. Chalk boards list out the fish of the day and any specials and another by the entrance describes their mission about sourcing products responsibly, using sustainable materials, stuff like that. To my surprise, the ordering process is all but environmentally friendly. It goes along with the theme but umm, there are crayons, pens, brown paper bags and brown pieces of paper stationed on a center island. The menu is listed on the bags and paper and you mark off your choices. So... from a "killing trees" perspective... WTH! I wrote my name on the paper (as directed) and made one check mark next to the food item I wanted before handing it to the cashier. The cashier didn't greet me by name, nor did the server deliver my food and address me by name so why did you need me to waste this paper with my name on it again? I could have just as easily VERBALLY told the cashier my order since my receipt (yet another piece of paper) had my order number on it (not my name) to identify when it was done. LOL. I was tickled by this. It's cute using BROWN.BAGS... but it's so wasteful especially given their sense of responsibility they aim to get across. However, assuming takeout orders are actually placed in those same bags then, yes, that's great!! But I dined in, so I couldn't appreciate it as much. Everyone was very friendly, from the cashiers to the people delivering orders to the tables to the passersby. I was impressed with the food options. First, they give a blackened fish of the day option along with variety of other seafood options. Next, you have a choice of how you eat it... in a sub, salad, tacos, as-is or in a powerbox. The menu doesn't explain what a powerbox is, but thankfully my coworker had been there before and filled me in. You get the seafood choice with a brown rice/quinoa mix on the bottom. That's what I ordered and it had a little bit of spinach in it too. The quinoa part by itself wasn't very flavorful, but they have 5 or so sauces stationed by the beverages so you can spice it up as needed. Overall, I think it was good, not great, but I would give it another go for sure and try something else... perhaps the fish tacos! They also have sweet desserts on display next to what looks like a tip jar. Cookies are $1 and cupcakes are $2. I really do think you just drop your $$ in the jar and take your sweet treats to go.
(3)
Jennifer V.
We took the train into the city to walk by the lake but wanted to grab some food before. We walked in and noticed a fishy smell. We decided to stay because we wanted to try something new. We were greeted by one of the employees to show us how things worked. You have to fill out a erasable menu and choose what you want to eat and drink. I felt nervous like I was going to fail the test or something when we handed it in. I ordered the special Lobster Roll and it came with Parmesan Tots. $22 seemed like a lot for lunch but I figured why not!?! I also ordered the special cocktail, white sangria(that wasn't really white). My husband decided to order the blackened sword fish(also the special). Once you decide on the protein you can then decide on either a sandwich, salad, wrap, straight up(protein with veggies) or the box(brown rice/quinoa and spinach). He chose the box. It was very good, but not as good as my lobster roll. I would go back just for the lobster roll. Maybe split it because of the price. $50 for the both of us including drinks.
(4)
Mameli D.
Always a good idea to eat here! The Atmosphere is great. Depending on how busy the place is, the Service really takes time to break the menue down for you, makes suggestions and recommendations. Been here a couple of times and the Food is fantastic: so many options, great flavors and so fresh. The sides are really good too. That way you end up ordering a couple of things so it gets kinda pricy. You don't usually walk by here, but if you're around millenium park you should definitely stop by and eat here.
(4)
Marci G.
Love this find. Wasn't too worried about the negative review because seriously who orders takeout seafood thru a service and expects the restaurant to insure the food is warm. Had crab cakes on salad with the Thai peanut slaw and it was perfect. My MIL got the lobster roll special and wanted to lick the paper. My partner had the fish tacos and the fish was expertly prepared. Definitely will be back and hope they franchise to California.
(5)
E. M. S.
I have been here a dozen times because it is conveniently located near my job. The concept is cute but the food is grossly overpriced for the portions and the taste. With the exception of the tots, the food is just okay. More importantly, they have messed up my order several times which isn't good with take-out and you don't realize it until you are back at work.
(2)
Laura G.
Brown Bag is an oasis of healthy, sustainable food downtown and is my favorite lunch spot. Awesome rustic vibe inside or on the patio. Perfect food every single time. I recommend the power box which is quinoa, steamed spinach, lemon, and the protein of your choice. I'd eat here every day and still feel good about my choices. The bonus is their array of homemade sauces, including a greek yogurt ranch dressing. Everyone who works here is kind and helpful and seems to be in a genuinely good mood.
(5)
Tracie C.
Great local eatery. Fresh food and enough choices to have a selection for anyone in your group. Would definitely come back. Had the blackened fish sandwich & Louisiana slaw. Both were great. Location is a plus as well. Great views of the city & lake, but away from the crowds. Two thumbs up!
(5)
Ken L.
An unexpected great food experience. Initially, I was a little confused, but after discussion with the lady in charge, she set me straight. Picked up the paper, marked down for the blackened (freshly grilled) fish of the day which was trout, chose the subby with potatoes tots with the buffalo bleu cheese sauce. Awesome. Bread was very fresh, fish was excellent and surprisingly to me I really liked the tater tots. I have come here a few times now and it is consistently excellent. My friend says that I only go there because the owners hot. She is, but the food is just as hot! Great place for a quick lunch.
(4)
Karma K.
Fish heads, fish heads, roly poly fish heads, eat them up yum! I like the idea of this place but the food could be better. As others have said, the interior and outdoor space are both quite spiffy. I've been here twice and both times have had great service. Employees are friendly and seem to enjoy their gig. I find their food to be bit greasy and heavy for place that promotes itself as relatively healthy. The halibut I had was good and fresh but the coleslaw was completely oversauced. Their tots were pretty oily although they did taste good and were piping hot. :-) I may have made poor choices, probably should have gone with the powerbox option. It's different than most of the other eateries you'll find in this area. I'll be back but not at the top of my dining list. I love the name of this place though.
(3)
Leah C.
easy-going fare, easy on the eyes interior... restaurants are a plenty downtown but aside from your fast food and chain restos, finding a kid-friendly spot to grab a quick healthy meal is tough. brown bag may not have a kid's menu or a lot of wiggle room but they do have high chairs and provide "simple" meals to please the little eaters. our son gobbled up his fish nugget powerbox (fish on top of quinoa/rice mix and mixed with raw spinach). the bright/white interior and nautical theme makes you feel like you've stopped for a quick bite in a port city. there's a handful of booths and singles seats along the window so this is definitely a takeout spot (we went for an early din). they do serve fun beers and wines...albeit it expensive. i did not expect to pay $14 for my cabernet! also, pass on the infused water - yeah it's only a dollar but a simple lemon slice would've provided more zing as i could barely detect any apple basil. as you might expect by its name, bb specializes in fish/seafood. portobello is added to the menu to invite vegetarians to dine with them. you basically choose a protein and then choose how it's served (salad, powerbox, tacos, a la carte). i chose the salad and what a vibrant salad it was. the purple leaves almost looked fake - that's how fresh it was (and delicious too). sure, i'd recommend some tater tots - we liked the peppercorn cheddar ones surprisingly over the truffle parm.
(3)
Leah L.
I ordered a salad with crab cake. The salad was mostly lettuce with some parmesan cheese and two very small crab cakes. Expensive for what you get. They also are not great to have a neighbor. The restaurant looks like a junk yard outside. Their outdoor patio is now a storage area. One neighbor commented to me it looks like Stanford and Son (the TV show from the 80's). Overall a disappointing addition to the neighborhood.
(1)
Carol S.
I had a blast! Finally a place totally focused on seafood and health food. Just the view pays for what you get... nice nice outdoor patio facing the lake with a delicious Fishermen's theme ( A+ to the interior designer, the concept is developed very well and the expresses the idea perfectly). People who work there are extremely friendly and fun! I love going there either at lunch during the week or at night over the week end! I don't know if they take reservation but you might want to go there enough early to get good seats and before they run out of fresh food.... Running out of fresh food???? YEP you got it right and that is the best guarantee their food is always fresh and good quality. I read somebody complained about it in the previous reviews... well they might want to re-think about it as an index of quality instead of poor service. .... Clearly is less easy running out of frozen food because you can buy as much as you want... it works the other way around for fresh food. I took my all family when the came visiting me from Italy and they loved it a lot!!! So far is my favorite seafood place in the city.
(5)
Kattria C.
I love the vibe.... It was very pleasant the owner Donna is gorgeous her attitude is tremendous she is a very well respected individual among her coworker.... Her management is very precise and accurate for a new business opening they do very well... The chef is busy and constantly rolling.... The preparation for the kitchen is put together I will definitely be back
(5)
Matthew A.
Extremely unimpressed with this establishment. The layout and ordering process was confusing, to say the least. I came here for an early dinner (5:30 pm) and I can honestly say my food had been sitting under a hot lamp since lunch. I've seen better looking fish come out of a Gorton's box. The Louisiana Tangy Slaw was floating in mayonnaise and enough Tabasco sauce to take down an elephant. The "vegetable of the day" was zucchini (I think?) burnt to a crisp and dripping with oil. It's a good thing the portions were so stingy because I'm not sure how much more I could take. This place seemed more interested in bragging about how "socially conscious" they were than serving real food.
(2)
Mahsa T.
I'll give it four stars, though it's been hit or miss at times. My biggest gripe is that I wish the portions were larger, don't come here if you're starving. They have a daily fish special, which is usually a great deal and tastes great, but there have been times when it's been a miss (either price/portion-wise or taste). But most of the time, if the special sounds good, go for it! For the other times, try the blackened fish power box, it's freakin delicious. And good value at $8. I've had the tacos and wouldn't recommend those as highly as the power box. Great tator tots and good beer on tap. Limited seating, some outdoor seating. Very literal and nautical theme, but cute and a great add to the neighborhood!
(4)
John I.
Another 4 star experience on a perfect summer afternoon brings my average up to 4 stars again. Perhaps it was also the company I kept, toasting a glass of wine on a work day to celebrate a birthday.
(4)
Lyzette A.
I have been here three times since it opened in May, and I am a big fan. So far I have had the whitefish and the teriyaki scallion salmon "straight up," and loved both. Today I had the salmon in a salad, and it was fantastic. I find the servings of fish just right, and I don't walk away hungry. The fish is the real star of the place (I know, duh). The tater tots are good but not unbelievably spectacular. Same with the soups. I agree with other reviewers that you can rack up quite a bill if you are not paying attention or if you want to try everything. Today I skipped the sides and still came out with a $13 lunch, so, for me, this isn't an everyday place for a meal. I would suggest to first-time diners to try the fish "straight up" so they can discover what fish they like before trying them in a sandwich, taco, salad or powerbox. The employees are very friendly and the outdoor seating provides an amazing view of Chicago, even with the on-going construction of Maggie Daley Park.
(4)
Rui L.
My friend and I stopped here for lunch on a Thursday. Like some of the reviews mentioned, ordering on a brownbag is kind of a waste...you just pick what you want and give it to the cashier... Anyway, their portion is definitely on the smaller side, was going to order salad but after seeing other people's food I opted in for teriyaki scallion salmon powerbox which supposed to have quinoa in it. Hmm after I got it, there's actually more brown rice than quinoa and really not that much veggie and fish....$12 dollar for lunch is probably not someone I'd do everyday, rice was on the dry side, the flavor of the dish wasn't bad, but wasn't anything I would go back for.
(3)
Mark E.
Really fresh seafood with a variety of flavors at an affordable cost. I was here in Chicago on business and came back twice, I would have come back more if I was staying longer. And the fish tacos with black and money was my first meal and it was outstanding. I loved the pickled onions and jalapenos. My next dish with the teriyaki salmon in their power box which was over a bed of spinach lemons quinoa and wild rice. When I come back I'm not sure which one I'll have? If you're in the area it's absolutely worth a visit. It is not a sitdown place you order the counter and they bring you food.
(4)
Jo Ann B.
First time there... completed a menu... Stood in line for ten minutes to get told by the cashier that there would be a 25 minute wait for the food. Decided not too stay. Second time there... Went earlier when it wasn't crowded. Ordered the fried shrimp, tater tots, and coleslaw. I ordered it take out. Was not a long wait this time. I was not given silverware, napkins or condiments. For a restaurant that caters to the business crowd... Many of which may take food back and eat at their desk.. These little extras are necessities. The shrimp were okay at best. The tater tots were good but very salty. The coleslaw was okay. Would not return.
(2)
Kelly F.
Highly recommend! Excellent food--fast, fresh, creative recipes. Fun environment and really good service. Will definitely come back.
(5)
Chris V.
This was my first time trying Brown Bag and I will be going back often. The only thing that leads you to the restaurant is knowing it is there otherwise there is just a small sign on the outside of a massive sky scraper. It is really a hidden gem that you could easily walk past if you didn't know it was there, but apparently everyone knows its there because there was a good size line when we arrived. Prices aren't bad you can get a good size meal for around $10-12 depending on how many sides you decide to get. This may be the hardest part because they have 4 types of Slaw and 4 types of Tater Tots. That's right this place will give you fish and tots and they go perfectly together. If you aren't familiar with the menu you pick your fish, pick how you want it (i.e. straight up, taco, sandwich, salad, powerbowl w/quinoa, rice and spinach), then pick your sides. They have their everyday fish but they also have a daily special and a daily special fish. I got a swordfish powerbowl with 2 kinds of slaw (Louisiana and Oil & Vinegar) and Parmesan and Truffle oil Tots. It ended up being a ton of food!! they give you a godo size portion of fish and plenty of quinoa and rice. They also have a selection of sauces you can put on the fish that range from hot sauce to cocktail. Keep in mind I had this in the middle of winter but I would imagine this place would be awesome in the summer, especially if you got it to go and took it across the street to millennium park (of course a beer would go nice with it too). I will be going back to try more options in the near future!
(4)
Luke D.
Brown Bag has a lot of promise but is showing some new restaurant growing pains. The concept/gimmick of writing down your own order doesn't enhance the experience. I'm not sure how this is superior to having people order at a counter. It probably sounded interesting in a brainstorming session, but in practice it's a nedless hassle as customers mill around trying to figure it out. I was there when it wasn't crowded, but imagine there would be a considerable backup when busy. The "hook" of this restaurant is easily it's weakest point. I had the tuna tacos. Tuna should be pink in the middle. This was way over done, well past the point of dryness. The taco toppings and tortilla were solid. My side of brussels sprouts was really good. The menu is interesting and presents a refreshing change from the other lunch options in the area. I'll give Brown Bag another few weeks before returning to see if they've streamlined the process or learned how to properly cook fish.
(3)
Kanani E.
I was so hungry. I looked on yelp for delivery in my area. They were super quick , the salmon was hot and delicious and the truffle tater tots were amazballs !!!! I will definitely be eating here again.
(5)
Stacy D.
(1) Too expensive for not very impressive food. I got 2 shrimp tacos, flavors were not amazing there. Given the $12 price I expected more than 2 20count/lb shrimp in there. If you are going to charge so much, don't skimp on the main ingredient. (2) The concept of writing your orders down on a brown bag and handing it to the cashier is too gimmicky and honestly a waste of paper, at least for people who dine in. I dined in, made 2 check marks on a bag, gave it to the cashier and then the bag got tossed away. (3) Location is great, food does not make up for premium in price. You don't need to go there. I won't be visiting again.
(3)
Greg G.
Nice little trendy fish/sandwich spot. Great outdoor patio seating as well. This place just opened up so I'm sure they are still working out the kinks, but figured I'd give it a review and change it later as I'm sure I'll be back. Basically you walk in and you fill out a matrix that they give you on a brown bag. You can select all sorts of fish/shrimp and then you choose if you want that item served to you straight up, in a salad, tacos, bowl, or a sandwich. They also have chicken if you don't like fish. Then you can pick a side, either coleslaw or tater tots. It's also $1.50 extra for the side. I got the chedder and blackpepper tater tots, I don't recommend these, nothing better than just your avg tater tots.. It's basically just tater tots with some chedder cheese sprinkled on it, I didn't see any black pepper. I should have gone with the truffle one.. next time I guess. It looked like they had some really good desserts and lemonades too. The main issue I had was that when I got back to my office, I opened up my tacos and they were pretty much just a soggy mess. All the sauces had leaked out everywhere, the bag was ripping at the bottom from the saucey mess, and the tortillas were completely soaked in sauce. It was still good, but just really annoying. This wouldn't have happened had I not gotten to go. The main issue I think is that they roll up the 2 tacos together in the same aluminum foil, then they turn it VERTICAL to fit in the brown bag. That means all the juices drip to the bottom, and cause a mess.
(3)
Rachna K.
So I felt compelled to write a review after my second visit. First of all, the food was good. However, the service was not and the portion size is ridiculously small. The second time we were there, three of us had ordered three entrees and two sides of truffle tater tots ($1.50 with the purchase of an entree). We were seated and after 5-7 minutes the food was brought to our table, only we were missing an order of truffle tots. I told the server this, and she simply said, no only one side of tots was ordered. I told her that I marked two orders of tots on our order sheet and she can go check it. Since it was a slow late Sunday afternoon, she went and checked. Sure enough, I had ordered two sides of tots. However, she then informed me that we were only charged for one order of tots and if we wanted to get the second order, we would have to go to the register and pay. Now, I am not trying to get free food, but when the business has clearly made the error and we have ordered over $40 of food, I would have expected them to just bring a side of $1.50 tots. That did not happen. She did not even apologize for the mistake. Being that this place charges a lot, $12 for two shrimp tacos - with barely two pieces of shrimp per taco, along with their poor customer service - we will not return. Too bad you lost customers over $1.50.
(2)
Craig L.
Love this place. Great lunch options (if you like fresh fish) along with awesome spins on Cole Slaw and Tots as sides. Not too pricey for the quality of food. Take it to go, or eat in the nicely designed space. One of my favorites in the Millennium Park area.
(5)
Riley M.
Interesting concept. Your protein prepped your way --- sub, salad, wrap or plain. Pricey, but good location by Millennium Park. Crab cake salad--- amazing. No dressing needed! Fried fish was just too fried for our tastes. Spicy slaw was a good addition and tots complemented our meal well.
(4)
TS L.
I've been three times since BBS opened last week and have loved everything I've tried. The tacos and power box are my favorites and the shrimp curry daily special earlier this week was incredible. Beyond the food, the space feels great and the staff is incredibly friendly. The owner, Donna, is highly involved too and displays an obvious enthusiasm for making sure customers have a great meal and experience. They also have a great outdoor area, an honor system at the treat bar, and the perfect small list of beer and wines.
(5)
Jennifer C.
I went in last week with my hubby for lunch. We both had the fish bites tacos and then I had the peppercorn cheddar tots and he had the buffalo tots. Overall, the food was pretty tasty, but it was not hot at all. We probably would have sent it back, but everything was pretty crazy when we went so we ate it as is. The flavor of the food was good (4 stars), but the coldness of the food and the fAct that we were both still hungry after spending $24 and some change for lunch leaves me with 3 stars. Overall, I might try it again, but I'm certainly not in a hurry.
(3)
Rie C.
I was super excited for this place, but it was a bit of a let down. I ordered the fish bites and shrimp, while my friend ordered the salmon. I'll start with the cons and ends with the good. Cons: The fish bites were extremely disappointing! I love fish/seafood/everything, but they weren't very good. I tried dipping them in sauce from my side dish, but even that didn't improve the situation. My friend's salmon was very dry. Pros: I love the vibes, staff, and the tater tots - they were delicious! I'm hoping the cons were just a one time thing and will try it again, but I'm still a little disappointed.
(2)
Lori G.
Please tell me that the tuna taco I just ordered, is not real. It was so bad, that I pawned it off to my co-worker. A tuna taco should have fresh ahi, that is seared and rare. Not well done shredded tuna. Just horrible.
(1)
John W T.
The food was well prepared and seemed fresh. Portions were spot on. A good variety of sauces to experiment with or dip your tater tots in. The ordering process is different and slightly entertaining. Why 3 stars? Its about $3-4 more than it should be across the board.
(3)
Kiana Y.
Lousy. I wanted to like this place and tried it twice. Their second chance went terribly wrong so i will never go back. I ordered the blackened fish. portion was small and fish was overcooked and cold like it had been sitting there, not cooked to order. also it was covered in some type of salad dressing while the salad was completely dry. The person i was with ordered the same thing and also had salad dressing only on the fish, not the salad. wtf? I sent it back only to get it back slightly warmer. The veggie mix up was overcooked and soggy and on top of it all, way too expensive. I would have preferred eating at Marianos around the corner.
(1)
Pooja P.
Loved the setup, smart casual. White fish tacos were delicious and the power box was good too. Their sangria is amazing, we loved it. Would love to be back.
(5)
Ah-Lawn-Ugh M.
Four of us went to dinner an hour before they closed on a Saturday (bad idea). They were out of all their side items except ginger cole slaw and veggie medley, which was fine. We got our meals and they gave us regular slaw. We asked about the mix up and I was told by one waitress that they "couldn't find where they put the ginger slaw". Another lady in the kitchen let me know they had oil & vinegar, spicy, or peanut slaw and were now out of veggie medley (since I now wanted that instead). I settled for oil and vinegar slaw. By this point we had waited about 15 min and still hadn't received our bottle of wine we purchased. One of my friends went to the cashier about the wine and about his cole slaw as well. They said they couldn't find the bottle opener and were out of ginger slaw. Ten mins later we had wine! In speaking to the manager she was very apologetic and kind. She went to the kitchen and grabbed the 3 slaw they did have, veggie medley (which they were supposedly out of) and 2 types of tots that I believe she cooked up for us. It was a complete cluster fuck and I'm sure it's attributed to them recently opening. There is potential for it to be a great place, but my experience was utterly poor. Good luck people! Recommendations: Peanut spicy slaw New England clam chowder We ordered a salmon power box, salmon burger special, salmon with slaw & a soup, and zucchini crab cracks with a bottle of cab. Cons: Small portions Burger was a huge hoagie of bread and maybe 2 oz of friend salmon Wine is way overpriced
(1)
Andrew D.
I moved from the East Coast about a month ago and have been craving some good seafood. Crab cakes are easily made poorly so I figured if they could make good crab cakes I'd have to come back. Their crab cakes are wicked good. I got it as a power box option, which is a bed of quinoa and spinach under your main dish option. I highly recommend it. I will absolutely be coming back here to work my way down the menu.
(5)
Lisa B.
High quality seafood, fair prices, excellent staff. A real gem of a restaurant, easily our favorite when we're in Chicago. The folks working there are over-the-top friendly and helpful and generous to our little tyke. Thanks, y'all! You made our visit to Chicago and we'll be back to your restaurant as soon as possible! We love healthy and delicious food combined with super friendly service-- you guys/gals check all the boxes. Thanks, again!!
(5)
Wayne B.
Great concept and a great place to take-out for a picnic in the park...
(4)
K. M.
I really like this place. I had the protein box with salmon. It was very filling. I will definitely be back.
(5)
Mike A.
Shrimp tacos and blackened fish tacos both excellent. Really fresh ingredients, and nice clean sharp flavour of the cilantro and chillies. My wife thought the parmesan and truffle tots were to die for. My highlight was the spiked lemonade. Excellent new addition to the neighborhood
(4)
Shanti N.
I live close by and had been meaning to check this place out for a couple of months. I stopped in today for an early lunch, as I knew the power lunching crowd would descend on this place like a swarm of locusts come noon. The chalkboard out front lists specials - fish of the day, booze of the day, etc. I had looked at the web site and yelp reviews prior to my visit so had some idea of how the ordering system works. With the golf pencils (eraserless), check-off paper menus, and chalk boarded specials, I could see this being a CF in the making during the busy time. My experience was not at all fraught, as there were only two people ahead of me in the line and a few others waiting for their orders to come out. If it had not been a lunch visit, I would have tried the cocktail (jalapeno lemonade) in a heartbeat. I opted for the infused water (only $1/glass). The infusions put me in mind of a spa, and I found this a refreshing change from the fountain drink standards. As far as the food, I went with the fish bites. I could have these in a salad, straight up, in a power box, or as tacos. I went with the tacos, as this selection was recommended by BB. I thought the tacos were just the right size and liked the interpretation of 'slaw' served with the fish bites, especially the jalapenos which gave the dish just the right amount of kick. I also tried the sauces - tartar and cocktail - among the lineup of sauces offered as part of a bar setup near the napkins and cups. I hope to get my cocktail on during the next visit with one of the inspired adult beverages on offer.
(4)
Ashley M.
Delicious, reasonable and always great service. Great if you are looking for a healthy option for lunch, the decor is adorable as well. I highly recommend the fish tacos with the Louisiana slaw on top!
(5)
Christina H.
Can't say anything bad about this place. Have tried the crab cakes, shrimp, whitefish and chicken... All so yummy! The truffle tater tots are AMAZING! The only thing that was just "good" was the wine selection. Cute outdoor seating area w rocking chairs, and even a few mini ones for the kiddos. You won't be disappointed!
(5)
Andrew D.
Cozy, hip place with several healthy options for seafood which is rare in this city. I had blackened fish salad which was fresh and flavorful and a fair size, not huge. I also had an order of parm truffle tots which maybe are less healthy but were crispy and pretty good, particularly mixed in with the salad.
(4)
Stu S.
Went here today with my wife. I got the blackened mahi mahi sub with a side of Louisiana tang slaw. It was all very good. Cool atmosphere, too, and the service was quick. We'll be back, for sure.
(4)
G P.
I agree on the rather strange ordering process, although I went with someone who had been before. She got a power box with blackened fish. She's had it a couple of times and it looks like a reasonable amount of food. I had tacos, which as others have pointed out, are on the small side; you get two for a nearly ridiculous $12. We both added tots, which at $1.50 for maybe 10 was decent. They had good toppings but otherwise could have been out of a bag from Ore-Ida. I also wanted plain water and was a little irked at the 3 ounce cup. "Infused" water was available for a dollar, but you know, plenty of places put lemons or cucumber in their water and don't charge you a dollar. Overall just pretty disappointing.
(2)
Christian L.
Ate here today after a few friends raved about it. Hate the blackened sword fish on a salad, New England Clam Chowda and Tater Tots (had to try a bunch of things since it was my first time. Although $20 for lunch is far from the norm and a bit pricey for me, it was absolutely amazing. The soup was incredibly delicious with fresh ingredients and the fish... YUM!!! No dressing was needed.
(5)
Monica S.
I really enjoyed this place! I got the blackened swordfish powerbox and it was so delicious! They give you a pretty big piece of fish and the rice mix was excellent. I will definitely be back to try some more things.
(5)
Steve J.
Had a great lunch here today in a area that desperately needs more casual seafood spots. I had the fish sandwich (swordfish) which was awesome and reasonably priced at $8. Truffle Parmesan tater tots were great. I will agree with other posters that there's no was you can get this stuff to go. It's very messy and will be completely soggy by the time you get where you're going. They also have a great shaded outdoor seating area. I'll definitely be going back.
(5)
Erik I.
Brought the kids here for a fish meal on a Friday during lent. The food was good - the kids enjoyed everything, and the staff was ridiculously friendly and helpful. They also have a great location. Kids were delighted to sit at the window and look out at millennium park. Great place for a casual seafood meal. Also - be aware they have daily specials which interrupt your intended choice as some look to be better than the regular menu choices.
(4)
Stephanie M.
I love this place! It's a great little spot to pop in for lunch during the work day or stop by for a glass of wine at 5:00. The food is light and healthy and there are just enough options, but not too many options. You walk out feeling like you ate just enough, rather than feeling stuffed or like you ate a heavy, rich lunch. The tater tots are a PERFECT addition to any seafood meal- as well as the delicious baked goods you can grab on your way out. There is also a sauce bar in the back and the sauce adds the perfect flavor to the meals with fish. Overall, I would recommend this place to anyone in the area! And don't pass up the tots or the Powerbowl.
(4)
Jialu C.
Fantastic whitefish and salad. The fish was perfectly cooked -- moist and juicy. My one complaint is the clam chowder -- overpriced at $6. Barely any clam. More like potato and cream soup.
(5)
Bill M.
Seafood is not that easy to prepare well--there's a fine line between cooked and overcooked, as was evident from the teriyaki salmon I got at Brown Bag Seafood Co. It was way overdone. On another visit I tried the whitefish, which was much better. On still a third visit I got the crabcake. It was ok, not much taste nor much crabmeat in it. I'll definitely give it another chance, though, because there are so few places trying to do what Brown Bag Seafood Co. does. GT Fish in River North is excellent, but way, way too expensive. Brown Bag Seafood Co. is not exactly cheap, but the prices are a little more in line with what you'd hope for in a casual seafood spot. The staff is incredibly friendly, and they are very eager to please. The decor is fun, and the whole joint looks very clean and well-managed. If they could just perfect cooking the fish, I'd definitely raise a star.
(3)
Mike O.
Stopped in for a quick lunch and left pretty satisfied. Only complaint would be portion size 2 tacos with little fish inside and a side of slaw being 11 dollars. That being said the tacis were really tasty and the infused water for a buck is a good value. I would return and maybe go for a sandwich hope its more filling
(4)
Katie M.
If you love seafood, you will love this restaurant. The concept is so innovative and offers something for everyone. The power box is delicious as well as the spicy peanut slaw, just the right amount of zing! Favorite lunch spot downtown.
(5)
Amy H.
Ordered the special. On the board it said "whitefish topped with crab meat with spinach and rice". I verified that the fish was grilled and not deep-fried, because I am gluten intolerant. After waiting 12 minutes for my order what I got was the typical Power Box with grilled whitefish with a spoonful of mushy, poorly seasoned bread crumbs thrown on top. I can only assume that their reference to "crab meat" meant a crab cake, which was mostly soggy, greasy bread crumbs. This was not explained to me when I ordered. They charged me $14 and I was already back at work when I discovered it so I couldn't go back. Never again.
(2)
Ryan D.
I really want to like this place it's a great location and cute set up, but the good really needs to come up to speed. I don't mind paying more for a meal if it's worth it, and so far I'm not seeing it. The salad with whitefish is a joke, the fish was small and flavorless and the salad was small too. The fish tacos were good but cold and not very filling. I hope this place improves, I will give it another chance.
(3)
Janice A.
Food is expensive and the portions don't make up for it. I always feel like I need to go buy more food somewhere else just to be filled. Try it and you will most likely not go back here.
(2)
Mike S.
First week they are open. They have some new business growing pains. The food is good and reasonably priced. It's very much a fast food take away place with a small amount of indoor seating. They also have an outdoor seating area. They are more creative with their fish choices than your average fish takeaway place.
(3)
M G.
Adorable, friendly staff. The cocktails and food are great. Such a wonderful and needed addition to the neighborhood.
(4)
Pat M.
Quality food, great service, and an outstanding view of the Chicago skyline and Millennium Park. I very much Enjoyed my fish tacos and will be back soon.
(5)
Lars H.
Been to Brown Bag a few of times since they opened a couple of weeks ago. First things first: Chicago was in dire need of this place. Name one other location in this glorious city where you could get real good seafood without having to go all out. Meaning you had to sit down at a nicer restaurant, spend the kind of money and time most mortals don't possess. The food is outstanding, flavours are rich yet simple. You can therefore appreciate the quality of the seafood. Which is often disguised elsewhere by way too much "make-up". But what is an entree without a proper side. Chose between slaw (Louisiana one is the bomb), tots (truffle oil on the tots? yes, please), sprouts (better than your moms) or you could have a cup of their delicious "clam chowda" . I eat a lot when I eat, therefore between my wife and I we have by now had nearly half their menu. And I'm already stoked for next time we're headed down there to start working on the other half. Also, what a view! Perfect location. Just a couple blocks of off Michigan, however you feel like you've stepped out of the city. Except for the fact that you have the beautiful southern skyline as a backdrop to remind you that you're very much in the heart of it. Lastly, staff is great, always smiling and super efficient.
(5)
madam n.
I was given a piece of swordfish -- the so-called "catch of the day" -- which had no taste and was barely edible ... I couldn't even finish the small portion ... It wouldn't have passed muster even if breaded in fish & chips ... My "side" was a watermelon salad which was mediocre at best ... This is obviously a place that doesn't want anyone walking through their door a second time ...
(1)
David K.
I've wanted to try this place for a while now as I saw online that they offer fresh seafood in Chicago at reasonable prices. I wanted the fish-of-the-day (blackened mahi mahi) in a taco but unfortunately the tacos were not gluten free. It'd be nice if they offered corn tortillas...hint hint. I ended up going with the blackened mahi mahi in a power box as it was recommended by the cashier. It took about twenty-five minutes to get our food and it was not during a lunch rush, which is pretty slow considering they advertise themselves as being quick. The blackened mahi mahi had an amazing fresh taste and it was well cooked. I thought the nuttiness of power box (wild rice and quinoa with spinach) complimented the fish nicely and it was pretty good on its own even though I'm not a huge quinoa fan. The fish was definitely good enough to get me to come again even though the service was slow.
(4)
J D.
The food was good but I agree with other reviewers about pricing. It's expensive for what you get. The space is cute but the location is bit off the path if you work in the financial district like I do. If you work near by, check it out. But don't expect large anything there. Even my glass of wine was teeny tiny.
(3)
Michael D.
The food is ok, but you get very little for your money. We spent $26 for 4 small tacos with VERY little fish in them. I'm sorry to say Mariano's tastes better, more food, and a lot less money, right around the corner.
(2)
Dana G.
Fish bite tacos + buffalo bleu tots are the way to go!
(4)
MJ L.
THIS PLACE IS AWESOME!!! I've been there many times, always ordered different things, and I always leave SO happy! The food is wonderful, the service is great, and it is always a great experience. The concept of the restaurant is so cool, I've never seen anything like it and it's done so well. The whole place is perfect. I love the salmon, the powerboxes are great, all the tots are wonderful, I enjoyed the salads, and the subbies are delicious. I highly recommend it to everyone!!
(5)
Erin U.
I really wanted to like this place - it's close, it's relatively healthy, the concept is cute. Unfortunately, the food is bland and underwhelming. We've tried the sandwiches, tacos, salads, quinoa bowls and all are disappointing despite changing from teriyaki salmon to blackened mahi to fried shrimp, etc. We gave it multiple attempts and all have just been sad. Plus, it's expensive.
(2)
Kassim H.
Great seafood with a fun new twist. The restaurant is very well done, incorporating various sea and fishing themes. To order takeout, you sign your name and check various portions of a brownbag and hand that to a cashier. I had never seen this before, but it is a fun gimmick. I ordered the teriyaki scallion salmon in a powerbox (a bed of quinoa, rice, spinach, and more.) The fish was excellently cooked and the powerbox was well made. I am always hesitant about ordering fish at restaurants, but I found Brown Bag's salmon to be of good quality and preparation, making for an enjoyable meal. The hosts are very nice and relaxed, eager to answer questions about a cool new restaurant which they seem enthusiastic to be working at. I am looking forward to going back for another meal, but I recommend you go a bit earlier as there seems to be a high demand which makes certain menu options sell out quickly. Nice job on the new restaurant, Brown Bag!
(5)
C G.
As a vegetarian I assumed that I wouldn't find anything at a seafood place. But their portabella, goat cheese, pesto dish is so delish. Fresh and flavorful. This is going to become my new go to place for lunch and dinner.
(4)
Kyle S.
I went with a group of 8 people for lunch this week and we were all raving about our food. I had the shrimp tacos and loved them, and the tater tots were passed around the table and demolished within minutes. Within our group, we had everything from a subbie to a salad to a cup of the clam chowder. Everyone was loving it and we even hung out on the patio area for a while outside. I will definitely be back and recommending it to friends.
(5)
Yelp F.
expensive and portions are too small.I had the tacos and it was just okay.Nothing great for the price you pay.I have had better tasting for cheaper price.First and last time for me.My office cafe serves more reasonably priced and decent tasting tacos.Ordering process is also strange.There's a pick me up board but they bring up the food to you.It's confusing.
(2)
Bebaxa T.
I had high hopes for the food here based on the reviews. I ordered delivery via the new Caviar app. Things are expensive here, so I thought- wow, this fish sandwich is probably going to blow my mind. My food arrived about 45 minutes after the promised window and it was stale and scold. Cold tater tots are not fun. So I microwaved them. Bad idea! The tator tots reduced to a mush of potato in a puddle of oil. Gross! Walk down the block and order some spicy fish strips and fries from Popeye's. Same thing (maybe better) but only $6.99, not $24 like BrownBag. Maybe I'll try them in person, one day.... (Not making it a priority.)
(2)
Greg S.
Brown Bag is a real gem. It sits just far enough East on Randolph, behind Millennium Park, to avoid the touristy masses of Michigan Ave. The restaurant design has a real pick-me up vibe as it mimicks the feeling of sitting by the docks in San Diego Bay, but instead offers up beautiful views of the Chicago Loop skyline. The process to order is fun and the staff are very friendly and helpful throughout. The entrees run on the small side so be sure to order at least one side of either the coleslaw or tots if you're hungry. I'm a big fan of the white fish tacos or powerbox, the Louisiana tang slaw, and the fresh ginger infused lemonade. Another big hit with friends is the fish bites (a.k.a. breaded and fried fish).
(5)
Marcella M.
The indoor area is adorable. I love the concept and the layout. I always research a place when I'm in town. A bonus is im staying at the fairmont. Ok cool I check out the photos. This place looks great. The food was just so so. I should preface the fact that I come from a big taco city, San Diego. That may not be fair that I have Mariscos on every corner of the South Bay. But alas I will still try it cause I'm craving tacos. The chicken had great texture but no flavor. The weird pickled onions were overwhelming. Didn't quite go with things. The shrimp tacos were lame lame lame. All the cocktail sauce in the world didn't help. The tots were pretty good although pretty greasy. All in all. Maybe I should try something else like the power box. Sorry guys. The place is soooo cute. Come to San Diego Chicagoans. I'll show you a taco or two.
(3)
Andrea S.
I wanted to write a follow up review on Brown Bag Seafood Co. The owner heard about my past bad experience and reached out to me directly via email. She appologized for the unfortunate delivery service and asked us to return to the restaurant and promised us a better experience if we gave it another try. Last night I brought my boyfriend along (he was the other person I originally tried it with too) and we were very impressed. The staff was very polite and treated us like VIP. The young man at the bar greeted us and directed me to the manager when I asked for her. She was very accommodating and handed me a hand-written note from the owner with a thank you for our return. The manager then asked another team member to explain the menu and ordering process to us. The bartender gave us samples of the beer and sangria before ordering which was very nice. I ordered the salmon on its own with a side of truffle parmesan tater tots and I thought the food was good. The fish was cooked and seasoned well and the tots were DELICIOUS. My boyfriend ordered the whitefish power box served over quinoa and got the same tots. He thought the fish was good and the tots were great! The manager comp'ed the meal and gave us a couple of cookies on the way out after I thanked her. Overall, the customer service was superb. The staff went above and beyond for us and seemed to treat the other patrons very well too. I am very impressed that the owner reached out and encouraged me to give Brown Bag another try. I am glad I did. We would come back again after that experience.
(5)
Milena P.
Original idea, nice location, tasty fish with fresh and healthy combination! Might be a little pricey, but the environment is comfy and nice.
(5)
Norm J.
Stumbled upon this hidden seafood gem while on a walk with friends. Since that fateful day I've been back twice and plan on returning. The food is delicious and the options for tater tots garnered this place 2 stars before I even tasted the food. I highly recommend trying the friend shrimp (straight up). You get 9 perfectly fried good size shrimp that go great with any side of tots. I also recommend you try the crab zucchini cakes. The crab meat was definitely fresh, not from a can thank ya Little Baby Jesus! If you get it straight up you get 3 crab cakes, but if you happen to have an empty pit where your stomach should be you'll definitely need a side of tots. Speaking of tots, they have a number of combinations to choose from: Truffle Parmesan, Cheddar Peppercorn, Buffalo Bleu and Classic. I've had the Truffle Parmesan and Cheddar Peppercorn and while they both were good they didn't blow my hair back. If the cheese was melted on the tots i'd probably had liked them better. I still need to try the Buffalo Bleu and Classic so be ready for those pics to be added at a later date. Overall, I've enjoyed each visit to Brown Bag Seafood and recommend you give it a try if you like seafood. The only issue I have with this place is that on my first visit I ordered the Buffalo Bleu tots (my bill showed I did), but I was served the Truffle Parmesan ones. I didn't complain because I was running short on time and didn't have time to wait for them to correct their mistake. So if you go here make sure you get what you ordered.
(4)
Kimberly M.
We are here for an awesome lunch. Good white fish, lobster roll, combo and yummy tator tots!!!! Johnny Johnson the kitchen manager has a great personality and let's you know exactly what is the best!!!!! Fun times again visiting
(5)
Gino W.
Ginger lemon spritzer. Grilled brussel sprouts with pickled onions. Clam chowder. Mint cucumber spritzer. Lobster roll with tater tots. Both spritzers were refreshing. Being mostly pescatarian, I could not whine about the grilled brussel sprouts with pickled onions. The clam chowdah -- had to misspell chowder for the sake of pronouncing it properly -- was full of potatoes and clams. And the lobster roll. Oh my God! I have had lobster rolls at numerous seafood restaurants and boutiques in Chicago and while they were good, the lobster roll at Brown Bag Seafood Company makes my "Best Lobster Roll in Chicago" list. I swear that was a bit of New Orleans in the seasoning to the lobster and whatever savoury aspect that was added to the mayonnaise made for a delicious sandwich. It didn't hurt that it came with tater tots covered in parmesan truffles. Not only was this blogworthy for my blog, but it's definitely in my slideshow.
(5)
Esther E.
While in the area touring the park, we searched for a decent seafood place in the area and stumbled upon Brown Bag. It's a very casual restaurant and I imagine lots of people go here during their lunches. They have very easy to go lunches. When you enter, you fill out a clipboard with different options. The seating is really not like other casual restaurants; there were booths and nice mood lighting. It made it more upscale. The seafood was decent, nothing memorable and almost too pricey for what it was. Overall, it was worth a try but not worth retrying.
(3)
Melissa C.
If you're just eating to fuel your body and have ZERO interest in flavor then by all means please eat here. I had the blackened fish of the day power box and truffle tots. The fish just so happened to be cod that day and it was not enjoyable. The quinoa rice blend was typical of course. The tots were not good at all. They had this funky old cheese smell and taste. I may go back just to try the shrimp tacos or maybe I won't actually.
(3)
Sarah M.
I loved the freshness and ease of grabbing this on our way home. We got the daily fish (blackened mahi) power box and a side of the peanut slaw. I wish we had one of these in Charleston, SC! We have lots of seafood but none that are ready to go and with healthy sides.
(4)
Oskar M.
Perfect lunch spot. Daily catch is always a good deal. Friend was obsessed with lobster roll.
(4)
Tom E.
This is a really neat little place, and I went with a shrimp power box. Quite yummy. It's clean, the people are genuinely nice, but I'm puzzled by a female manager (who is stunningly beautiful) who walked around talking on a phone, and adjusting lights most of the time I was there. It was a bit disconcerting. It would have made her look better if she actually made an effort to chat with customers while they were waiting for their orders. Connecting with customers is vital. Do that, and the first timers become regulars.
(3)
A D.
I stumbled upon this place while on a short lunch break. The food was so good, I came back for dinner. Disclaimer: Now, dinner and lunch are two different things, so I'll describe my experience and recommend that you keep this in mind. Lunch with no car during a meeting packed day means, something quick, something better than fast food (because I need to be slightly healthy), and something worth my money - don't want to pay more for something that isn't worth it and at the same time, I'm willing to pay a little bit more because I'm in a huge hurry - so it better be good. My approach to dinner - completely different. I want a good dining experience that allows me to relax, savor my food, take in the sights and sounds, and I'm a little pickier about what I want to eat because there are so many choices. I am also willing to travel to a good restaurant, I am patient about how long my food needs to cook, if required, and I may also be willing to pay more for the total package (food + atmosphere + overall value) For lunch, I ordered the Phat Fish Sandwich It's not on their regular menu, but it should be. It was fabulous - cod with bacon, red peppers, some type of fancy home made slaw and pesto. A savory, tingly, experience for the palette. This sandwich alone gets 5 stars, although it is a little oily, but I'll overlook this minor defect. I also ordered the ginger lemonade, it was refreshing, but not too strong, perfect for a warm summer day. For dinner, I ordered the crab cake appetizer and the Phat Fish sandwich again. This time, I had their fruit infused water (lime with strawberries and watermelon with apple). Very fresh, very good. The Phat Fish still gets 5 stars and the drinks get 4 stars. The crab cakes, well, they get 2 stars - a little too expensive, too bready for crab cakes, too small, overall, not that great. This appetizer was supposed to come with a fancy shmancy salsa or something, but it just sat on a bed of lettuce with pieces of corn sprinkled throughout. They could have kept the corn, I'm not sure why it's there. I've averaged my ratings together to come up with 3 stars. This includes atmosphere, price, quality, taste, freshness of ingredients, ability to get your food and relax or just get it and go, and restaurant cleanliness. This restaurant is clean, modern, people are friendly and the food is quite fresh and healthy. It's design is a little confusing at first, but you get it after visiting at least one time. The food is priced a little high for the portions, but not for the quality or compared to other restaurants in the area. The atmosphere is casual and it looks more like a quick lunch stop rather than a "relax, stay and have dinner with us" type of spot. I will definitely give it another try when I'm in Chicago again, but I'm sticking with the Phat Fish sandwich for now. Pictures are included.
(3)
Ryland B.
I am sitting outside on a cloudy day in Chi while still tasting my excellent meal. Halibut quesadilla with cilantro rice and truffle parm tots with wine $28 for lunch but it was so good. Service was excellent. I was greeted by a native, love them up front around the way girls with swag, and she helped talk me through my order and quickly delivered. Ohhh that dish was soooo good. I will be back!!!
(5)
Anne H.
Two words Shrimp Tacos! Great food, fast and polite service and conveniently just accross the street from Millenium Park. Great place to eat in or get food to go....and with Spring blooming, enjoy their outdoor seating and beautiful skyline views. My choice meal (you select your options on a small dry erase board and then hand it to the cashier), shrimp tacos, coleslaw and truffle parmesan tater tots. Hint: go in post lunch pre-dinner time around 3pm for your pick of in or outdoor seating!
(5)
Teresa G.
I am kind of sad writing this review. I have lived in lakeshore east and brown bag is where my husband and I went to celebrate our engagement. We met the owner (Donna?), a lovely lady, and saw her around always greeted with a smile. We recently moved and when I found myself down by brown bag at lunch time I decided to stop in. I was pleased to see they were busy. All I can say is that this is a ship that needs to be righted. Very confusing about how, what and where to order and no helpful staff. I felt like I was somehow not "cool" when I didn't quite understand which of the several counters and menus I was supposed to follow. After being passed off to several different, indifferent employees I finally ordered the "special" herbed cod with rice, asparagus and red peppers and a glass of wine. My husband is British so I have developed an appreciation for the much derided cod and looked forward to a moist, flavorful dish. No such luck. I was surprised when my order was rung up that it was over $26. Prices are not clear. Ok, if the food is good I guess even for a serve yourself kind of place it might be acceptable. The price definitely impacted my expectations. The meal that was essentially dropped on my table (didn't get my drink, didn't get my flatware and was clearly annoying the server with my requests for same) was without question unacceptable. A cold, rubbery, poorly and unevenly cooked piece of what I can only assume was cod on top of 2 pathetic and tasteless pieces of asparagus and something resembling a rice product. After some thought I took it in to the counter where the cooks are (can't call them chefs) and asked them if they cooked the cod when it is ordered. They said they did but I saw a HUGE tray of cooked cod (and other fish) behind them. When I pointed this out they said they did this for lunch rush. In other words, no they don't cook as ordered, even McDonalds has started doing this. Come on. They directed me to the manager who also said they cooked ahead for lunch rush and essentially had a "pound sand" attitude. He did give me a refund. Bottom line, I guess if you are looking for tater tots and sauces with a bit of fish go for it. If you want to go someplace that is so "trendy" that you get to feel like one of the cool kids, this is your home. If you are looking for a proper meal avoid this place.
(1)
Brian L.
Brown Bag is easily one of my favorite go-to spots in Chicago for a quick meal. Everything on the menu is consistently delicious, creative, healthy (if you want it to be) well-prepared, made to order, and reasonably priced. Anyone complaining about portion size or price clearly doesn't understand that this is quality SEAFOOD, and if you want Long John Silver's or Mcdonald's fillet-o-fish prices, then go there and get what you pay for. ANYWAY, I love this place and their super-friendly staff.
(5)
Jenna C.
There are so many mixed reviews about this new kid on the block, I didn't know what to expect walking in for lunch today! At first, it can be confusing - as in, where do I go? What do I do? Luckily, an employee walked over and explained the system to us. Once we reached the "station" where you write out your order, there was another employee to help with questions and recommendations. And they were actually helpful ones, like which options are the most substantial amount of food if you're hungry (which I was, because I always am). He pointed me in the direction of the powerbox, and I chose the blackened fish of the day for it - Halibut. Also had to try a side, and while everyone I was with went tot style, I settled on the intriguing sounding spicy peanut cilantro slaw. Both choices were great! I would definitely get them again. The key is to eat the powerbox with a little spinach, quinoa, and fish in each bite. The way they stack it in the box, you may be tempted to just dig in to whatever is on top but trust me on this one - the flavors and textures are meant to be together in one heaping delicious bite :)
(4)
Brad G.
I'll never forget the first time I visited when they were closed early because they ran out of fish for the day. That's fresh! Casual, fast, fresh, high quality seafood in the loop? Scratch that- CHICAGO? This is one of my favorite lunch spots in the city right now. The place is supercool, the outdoor seating is lovely and the indoor seating, while cozy, is borderline romantic with an easy coast dockside feel. Very casual spot but just seeping in original charm. The food is fresh and prepared to savor the delicate seafood flavors and the ordering process is fun: pick your seafood and pick your form! So, salmon straight up with a side salad or shrimp in tacos! There are original tots, slaws, soups, and vegetable dishes not to mention a catch of the day for putting in the form you want and a daily plate special to take as is. THEIR LOBSTER ROLLS ARE THE BOMB
(5)
Ian H.
Yum! I had never had a lobster roll before and this was a great way to start off. I love knowing about this gem right off the park. Also, ginger ale in the soda fountain?!? Yes please.
(4)
Fernando A.
Fresh and simple. I had the grilled whitefish, squash soup, and a glass of white wine. All quite good.
(5)
Benjamin C.
Food was delicious and love the presentation! Everything was extra fresh! Sat outside on the patio...only view I didn't enjoy was the cooks coming out of the kitchen to take a smoke break standing in front of the restaurant. Kind of a mood killer and quite frankly unsanitary, don't you think???
(3)
Trevin S.
When we walked in we were a little concerned. There were no customers and their ordering system was very cumbersome. But then we both ordered the teriyaki salmon power box.. It was absolutely amazing. Squeeze some lime over the fish and dip your fork into the rice and spinach and you will love it. The price was also reasonable considering this is fresh salmon. The infused water was very refreshing as well. Nice work.
(5)
Jialing L.
Grabbed lunch here with my coworkers. Good place to grab a quick lunch, especially if you want some seafood. You basically choose a protein, how you want it (salad, taco, as a sub, etc), and if you want sides/drinks. I ordered the teriyaki salmon powerbox with truffle tater tots. Pretty decent quantity/quality of food and the prices are reasonable. Nothing exceptional but good for what it is. Seating can be difficult around lunchtime but its doable. Will probably come again and try some of the other combinations.
(3)
William F.
I'm a Florida boy in the Midwest and come here when I need good casual seafood. Definitely one of my favorite places in the city.
(5)
Sally Y.
I really wish I had a better experience. This super cute restaurant popped up just around the corner from me. I love the name, the decor, and everything about this restaurant. If only my food matched. I ordered one of the powerboxes with broiled lemon whitefish. Overall the food was good and filling, but I had at least 5 fish bones in my filet which made eating a bit of an adventure. I wouldn't mind a bone or two, but after the 4th bite with a bone, I was definitely disappointed with the lack of attention they had to cleaning the fish. Overall, food is good and on par with their price for the food you're getting. Hopefully my experience was a one time issue and not a continuous problem.
(3)
Lee P.
This is a delightful fish place with great eat-in or carry out options. Just well-prepared real fish. OK wines and good beers. Buffalo tater tots are exceptional. Good clam "chowda". Inexpensive. Nice outdoor space.
(4)
Heidi R.
Brown bag is one of the best lunch spots in LakeShore East. They have a neat concept of to-go fast food but fresh and delicious seafood. You pick your protein, pick your style (salad, sub, tacos, box, straight up) and enjoy! They have amazing sides of tots, veggies and soup. I love their daily specials. Drinks served as well :)
(4)
Ralph B.
Very fresh made while you wait fish house. When they run out of a particular fish it gets scratched off the wall. Very casual. Reasonably priced. Food is prepared for the health conscious. Service is friendly. A rare find in Chicago.
(4)
Grant M.
In surprised this place has such mediocre reviews. I went there for dinner on a Friday night before grocery shopping at the nearby marianos. We tried the fish tacos and a shrimp subbie with a couple sodas and the cheddar peppercorn tots and parmesan truffle tots. Both of the sandwiches were good and the tots were fine. Parmesan ruffle were better than the cheddar. I don't know that I would get the cheddar ones again. We enjoyed the atmosphere and thought the place was supper cute. The menu had a lot of options. The good was good- nothing to do a rain dance over. It was a tiny but pricey for a fast casual place, but the concept lends itself to that. We will be back b
(4)
Lee G.
Update on the review below: the owner promptly replied to my review with an apology and An offer to make it right. Sometimes things get screwed up, but it is great that she acknowledged the mistakes and offered to fix them. Somehow they were able to screw up the same order twice. I ordered a grilled chicken subbie to go. Though there were only 2 or 3 orders in line before mine, they somehow seemed to lose my order. Since I was literally standing there for 10 minutes, the only attentive person on their staff asked if I had placed an order. She told the staff my grilled chicken order and they hastily put it together. A woman I assume is the manager or owner told me, rather unapologetically, that they were starting my order. I left with my order a few minutes later. When I unwrapped it in my office, it was a cornflake chicken sub, which is pretty unappealing. A total waste of time. Those interested in carry out, try at your own risk.
(3)
Kristina W.
I was pretty surprised when the cashier told me my order was $17, but I figured that the price correlated to the quality of food (which, according to Yelp, should've been high). Sadly, I was extremely disappointed with both the taste and the portion size of my food. I ordered the Teriyaki Scallion Salmon in the Powerbox, and the salmon was dry and flavorless beyond belief. There were only 2 small pieces while the rest of the quinoa desperately needed something to pair with. Also, do they have some policy in which they can't fill up their take-out containers all the way? The powerbox and the seasonal vegetable soup were both 50% full. The only redeeming factor of my meal was the truffle parmesan tater tots. But too bad if you just order those on their own it's $2.50 rather than $1.50 with the $11 meal. No thanks. But nice business strategy.
(2)
Katrina O.
This place was amazing. We are from az and were caught off guard from the cold weather in July. We came in to warm up and ended up staying to eat. Great food and service. Love the vintage look and the unique way to order.
(5)
Karen N.
Chicago is sorely lacking in the seafood restaurant arena. So this is a welcomed choice near my work! One you learn the food system, it's a good way. You choose your fish choice and the format they are served. The formats are salad, straight up, tacos, power box and sandwich. I got two takeout orders for dinner, salmon straight up with two sides and also crab cake with salad. The bill was $30 and I was a little surprised. The meals tasted great, portion size being average, $30 is not too much for well made seafood take out, which you honestly cannot get anywhere else in Chicago. Service was friendly and they know they need to explain to every new person coming in.
(4)
Sheila G.
Food is fairly decent, but way overpriced for quantity served. Side of coleslaw in a cup filled halfway is 2.50, 1.50 if you get an entree. 10 for two tacos???with no sides! Staff is not trained well. Both times I've been there they have messed up the order, leaving a side or an entree out. They charge a dollar for water with a couple fruit slices in it. I'll skip this place now and eat at Marianos and save some cash.
(2)
Caroline J.
I popped over to this place for lunch yesterday because it seemed like a pretty cool concept - fast casual seafood that's actually good! The patio outside is really cute and cozy, and had it not been pretty windy yesterday I definitely would have snagged a seat out there. Upon walking in, it's a little confusing where to go because there's a couple different counters. However, I saw all the menus to the right so I went there to see their daily specials and what I could order. The premise is pretty simple: pick your fish and pick how you want it: straight up, on a "subbie," tacos, salad, or power box. Sides include soups, veggies, and different kinds of tots and slaw. I went with the blackened fish of the day (halibut) straight up, with a side of cheddar peppercorn tots. My boyfriend got the combo subbie (fried fish/shrimp sub) with the same tots and extra slaw. My fish was excellent! Great seasoning and flavor. The tots were a little underwhelming, as they just had some shredded cheddar cheese and pepper thrown on top. His sandwich was good, but the bread seemed a little stale. We both went for the $1 honor box chocolate chip cookies after, which were delicious! Also, props to all the cool sauces they have. We definitely tried all of them and my favorite was the rickshaw sauce. I think this place is a great idea, because it's pretty different from everything else in the area. The fish is good, but some of the sides could use a little work. I could see where if you're starving, the portion size is a bit on the small size and wouldn't quite fill you up. I'll probably be back because the fish was great and definitely cheaper than what I'd pay at a standard sit-down place, but hope the iron out the kinks.
(3)
William B.
Get the power box, which is full of filling and tasty quinoa, get the blackened fish of the day (swordfish), get slaw and a veggie side, and don't be shy with the sauces, and you will have a delicious and reasonably healthy meal. It's not often I leave a restaurant experience thinking: That quinoa was really satisfying! I should make more quinoa. It's no Tender Greens, neither in variety nor in sheer tastiness, but it's still quite good.
(4)
Kristy C.
This place has been on my list for awhile and I finally got a chance to try it yesterday. I ordered the blackened fish of the day which was swordfish and it was great. Very tasty and full of flavor! I ordered a side of Parmesan truffle tots and they also tasted great but was really disappointed with the portion size... My friend ordered the blackened swordfish salad & he complained of too many carrots but he also loved the fish. We shared the vegetable of the day which was cauliflower but I didn't like the sauce it came with so mike had them all to himself which is good because again major small portions! We ordered the infused waters.., only $1 and was very very refreshing and tasty! Love the decor and the atmosphere but the setup is confusing when you walk in.. Head to the right and grab a menu. Then take it to the cashier counter and grab a seat, they will bring the food to you!
(4)
Joe L.
so went and checked out this new place today and wasn't really impressed. The entire ordering process with brown bag is different, but with not paying attention to what I was checking off I had $16 lunch. The service size was OK. The fish was small, but you get a bunch of rice and spinach. My experience was OK. Had the blackened fish of the day (cod I think) power bowl, with veggies, and coleslaw as extra charge. I am still hungry to be honest. So much for rice filling you up. My 2 co-workers honestly had a worse experience. Fish tacos, hardly had any fish on them, and they were covered in a sauce. They should really put the sauce on the side, cause it gets everywhere when wrapped up to go. Couldn't imagine how soggy they would have been if we took them back to the office Other order of crab cakes had to be sent back for something that was found in the food, but in the restaurants defense they did make another order quickly and even gave my co-worker a free lunch coupon for his next visit. Even tossed in some extra truffle tots, that were ok. Overall it's a different option, but maybe just missing the mark a little bit with some things.
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : Yes Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch Parking : Garage, Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : Yes Dogs Allowed : Yes Waiter Service : No Caters : Yes
Sarah C.
There might not be a better spot to sit outside at lakeshore east and watch the sunset over the city skyline (glass of wine in hand of course)... I've had the fried fish bites on a sandwich roll twice now and i like to load it up with the chili sauce from the counter- it does not disappoint! My wife continues to order the teriyaki salmon and tells me it's delicious..Pair either with the truffle tots, and you've got a delicious and affordable date night on a chic patio fit for a casual double date. Enjoy this "hidden" treat- it's good for an early bite
(5)Alfreda D.
It's always great to have new lunch options open up nearby the office! This spot is 2 weeks new and is next to the Mariano's on Columbus Dr. My first impression was positive. It's a cute, trendy spot. There's outdoor seating, indoor booths, seating along the window for you to pop a squat... multiple options. Chalk boards list out the fish of the day and any specials and another by the entrance describes their mission about sourcing products responsibly, using sustainable materials, stuff like that. To my surprise, the ordering process is all but environmentally friendly. It goes along with the theme but umm, there are crayons, pens, brown paper bags and brown pieces of paper stationed on a center island. The menu is listed on the bags and paper and you mark off your choices. So... from a "killing trees" perspective... WTH! I wrote my name on the paper (as directed) and made one check mark next to the food item I wanted before handing it to the cashier. The cashier didn't greet me by name, nor did the server deliver my food and address me by name so why did you need me to waste this paper with my name on it again? I could have just as easily VERBALLY told the cashier my order since my receipt (yet another piece of paper) had my order number on it (not my name) to identify when it was done. LOL. I was tickled by this. It's cute using BROWN.BAGS... but it's so wasteful especially given their sense of responsibility they aim to get across. However, assuming takeout orders are actually placed in those same bags then, yes, that's great!! But I dined in, so I couldn't appreciate it as much. Everyone was very friendly, from the cashiers to the people delivering orders to the tables to the passersby. I was impressed with the food options. First, they give a blackened fish of the day option along with variety of other seafood options. Next, you have a choice of how you eat it... in a sub, salad, tacos, as-is or in a powerbox. The menu doesn't explain what a powerbox is, but thankfully my coworker had been there before and filled me in. You get the seafood choice with a brown rice/quinoa mix on the bottom. That's what I ordered and it had a little bit of spinach in it too. The quinoa part by itself wasn't very flavorful, but they have 5 or so sauces stationed by the beverages so you can spice it up as needed. Overall, I think it was good, not great, but I would give it another go for sure and try something else... perhaps the fish tacos! They also have sweet desserts on display next to what looks like a tip jar. Cookies are $1 and cupcakes are $2. I really do think you just drop your $$ in the jar and take your sweet treats to go.
(3)Jennifer V.
We took the train into the city to walk by the lake but wanted to grab some food before. We walked in and noticed a fishy smell. We decided to stay because we wanted to try something new. We were greeted by one of the employees to show us how things worked. You have to fill out a erasable menu and choose what you want to eat and drink. I felt nervous like I was going to fail the test or something when we handed it in. I ordered the special Lobster Roll and it came with Parmesan Tots. $22 seemed like a lot for lunch but I figured why not!?! I also ordered the special cocktail, white sangria(that wasn't really white). My husband decided to order the blackened sword fish(also the special). Once you decide on the protein you can then decide on either a sandwich, salad, wrap, straight up(protein with veggies) or the box(brown rice/quinoa and spinach). He chose the box. It was very good, but not as good as my lobster roll. I would go back just for the lobster roll. Maybe split it because of the price. $50 for the both of us including drinks.
(4)Mameli D.
Always a good idea to eat here! The Atmosphere is great. Depending on how busy the place is, the Service really takes time to break the menue down for you, makes suggestions and recommendations. Been here a couple of times and the Food is fantastic: so many options, great flavors and so fresh. The sides are really good too. That way you end up ordering a couple of things so it gets kinda pricy. You don't usually walk by here, but if you're around millenium park you should definitely stop by and eat here.
(4)Marci G.
Love this find. Wasn't too worried about the negative review because seriously who orders takeout seafood thru a service and expects the restaurant to insure the food is warm. Had crab cakes on salad with the Thai peanut slaw and it was perfect. My MIL got the lobster roll special and wanted to lick the paper. My partner had the fish tacos and the fish was expertly prepared. Definitely will be back and hope they franchise to California.
(5)E. M. S.
I have been here a dozen times because it is conveniently located near my job. The concept is cute but the food is grossly overpriced for the portions and the taste. With the exception of the tots, the food is just okay. More importantly, they have messed up my order several times which isn't good with take-out and you don't realize it until you are back at work.
(2)Laura G.
Brown Bag is an oasis of healthy, sustainable food downtown and is my favorite lunch spot. Awesome rustic vibe inside or on the patio. Perfect food every single time. I recommend the power box which is quinoa, steamed spinach, lemon, and the protein of your choice. I'd eat here every day and still feel good about my choices. The bonus is their array of homemade sauces, including a greek yogurt ranch dressing. Everyone who works here is kind and helpful and seems to be in a genuinely good mood.
(5)Tracie C.
Great local eatery. Fresh food and enough choices to have a selection for anyone in your group. Would definitely come back. Had the blackened fish sandwich & Louisiana slaw. Both were great. Location is a plus as well. Great views of the city & lake, but away from the crowds. Two thumbs up!
(5)Ken L.
An unexpected great food experience. Initially, I was a little confused, but after discussion with the lady in charge, she set me straight. Picked up the paper, marked down for the blackened (freshly grilled) fish of the day which was trout, chose the subby with potatoes tots with the buffalo bleu cheese sauce. Awesome. Bread was very fresh, fish was excellent and surprisingly to me I really liked the tater tots. I have come here a few times now and it is consistently excellent. My friend says that I only go there because the owners hot. She is, but the food is just as hot! Great place for a quick lunch.
(4)Karma K.
Fish heads, fish heads, roly poly fish heads, eat them up yum! I like the idea of this place but the food could be better. As others have said, the interior and outdoor space are both quite spiffy. I've been here twice and both times have had great service. Employees are friendly and seem to enjoy their gig. I find their food to be bit greasy and heavy for place that promotes itself as relatively healthy. The halibut I had was good and fresh but the coleslaw was completely oversauced. Their tots were pretty oily although they did taste good and were piping hot. :-) I may have made poor choices, probably should have gone with the powerbox option. It's different than most of the other eateries you'll find in this area. I'll be back but not at the top of my dining list. I love the name of this place though.
(3)Leah C.
easy-going fare, easy on the eyes interior... restaurants are a plenty downtown but aside from your fast food and chain restos, finding a kid-friendly spot to grab a quick healthy meal is tough. brown bag may not have a kid's menu or a lot of wiggle room but they do have high chairs and provide "simple" meals to please the little eaters. our son gobbled up his fish nugget powerbox (fish on top of quinoa/rice mix and mixed with raw spinach). the bright/white interior and nautical theme makes you feel like you've stopped for a quick bite in a port city. there's a handful of booths and singles seats along the window so this is definitely a takeout spot (we went for an early din). they do serve fun beers and wines...albeit it expensive. i did not expect to pay $14 for my cabernet! also, pass on the infused water - yeah it's only a dollar but a simple lemon slice would've provided more zing as i could barely detect any apple basil. as you might expect by its name, bb specializes in fish/seafood. portobello is added to the menu to invite vegetarians to dine with them. you basically choose a protein and then choose how it's served (salad, powerbox, tacos, a la carte). i chose the salad and what a vibrant salad it was. the purple leaves almost looked fake - that's how fresh it was (and delicious too). sure, i'd recommend some tater tots - we liked the peppercorn cheddar ones surprisingly over the truffle parm.
(3)Leah L.
I ordered a salad with crab cake. The salad was mostly lettuce with some parmesan cheese and two very small crab cakes. Expensive for what you get. They also are not great to have a neighbor. The restaurant looks like a junk yard outside. Their outdoor patio is now a storage area. One neighbor commented to me it looks like Stanford and Son (the TV show from the 80's). Overall a disappointing addition to the neighborhood.
(1)Carol S.
I had a blast! Finally a place totally focused on seafood and health food. Just the view pays for what you get... nice nice outdoor patio facing the lake with a delicious Fishermen's theme ( A+ to the interior designer, the concept is developed very well and the expresses the idea perfectly). People who work there are extremely friendly and fun! I love going there either at lunch during the week or at night over the week end! I don't know if they take reservation but you might want to go there enough early to get good seats and before they run out of fresh food.... Running out of fresh food???? YEP you got it right and that is the best guarantee their food is always fresh and good quality. I read somebody complained about it in the previous reviews... well they might want to re-think about it as an index of quality instead of poor service. .... Clearly is less easy running out of frozen food because you can buy as much as you want... it works the other way around for fresh food. I took my all family when the came visiting me from Italy and they loved it a lot!!! So far is my favorite seafood place in the city.
(5)Kattria C.
I love the vibe.... It was very pleasant the owner Donna is gorgeous her attitude is tremendous she is a very well respected individual among her coworker.... Her management is very precise and accurate for a new business opening they do very well... The chef is busy and constantly rolling.... The preparation for the kitchen is put together I will definitely be back
(5)Matthew A.
Extremely unimpressed with this establishment. The layout and ordering process was confusing, to say the least. I came here for an early dinner (5:30 pm) and I can honestly say my food had been sitting under a hot lamp since lunch. I've seen better looking fish come out of a Gorton's box. The Louisiana Tangy Slaw was floating in mayonnaise and enough Tabasco sauce to take down an elephant. The "vegetable of the day" was zucchini (I think?) burnt to a crisp and dripping with oil. It's a good thing the portions were so stingy because I'm not sure how much more I could take. This place seemed more interested in bragging about how "socially conscious" they were than serving real food.
(2)Mahsa T.
I'll give it four stars, though it's been hit or miss at times. My biggest gripe is that I wish the portions were larger, don't come here if you're starving. They have a daily fish special, which is usually a great deal and tastes great, but there have been times when it's been a miss (either price/portion-wise or taste). But most of the time, if the special sounds good, go for it! For the other times, try the blackened fish power box, it's freakin delicious. And good value at $8. I've had the tacos and wouldn't recommend those as highly as the power box. Great tator tots and good beer on tap. Limited seating, some outdoor seating. Very literal and nautical theme, but cute and a great add to the neighborhood!
(4)John I.
Another 4 star experience on a perfect summer afternoon brings my average up to 4 stars again. Perhaps it was also the company I kept, toasting a glass of wine on a work day to celebrate a birthday.
(4)Lyzette A.
I have been here three times since it opened in May, and I am a big fan. So far I have had the whitefish and the teriyaki scallion salmon "straight up," and loved both. Today I had the salmon in a salad, and it was fantastic. I find the servings of fish just right, and I don't walk away hungry. The fish is the real star of the place (I know, duh). The tater tots are good but not unbelievably spectacular. Same with the soups. I agree with other reviewers that you can rack up quite a bill if you are not paying attention or if you want to try everything. Today I skipped the sides and still came out with a $13 lunch, so, for me, this isn't an everyday place for a meal. I would suggest to first-time diners to try the fish "straight up" so they can discover what fish they like before trying them in a sandwich, taco, salad or powerbox. The employees are very friendly and the outdoor seating provides an amazing view of Chicago, even with the on-going construction of Maggie Daley Park.
(4)Rui L.
My friend and I stopped here for lunch on a Thursday. Like some of the reviews mentioned, ordering on a brownbag is kind of a waste...you just pick what you want and give it to the cashier... Anyway, their portion is definitely on the smaller side, was going to order salad but after seeing other people's food I opted in for teriyaki scallion salmon powerbox which supposed to have quinoa in it. Hmm after I got it, there's actually more brown rice than quinoa and really not that much veggie and fish....$12 dollar for lunch is probably not someone I'd do everyday, rice was on the dry side, the flavor of the dish wasn't bad, but wasn't anything I would go back for.
(3)Mark E.
Really fresh seafood with a variety of flavors at an affordable cost. I was here in Chicago on business and came back twice, I would have come back more if I was staying longer. And the fish tacos with black and money was my first meal and it was outstanding. I loved the pickled onions and jalapenos. My next dish with the teriyaki salmon in their power box which was over a bed of spinach lemons quinoa and wild rice. When I come back I'm not sure which one I'll have? If you're in the area it's absolutely worth a visit. It is not a sitdown place you order the counter and they bring you food.
(4)Jo Ann B.
First time there... completed a menu... Stood in line for ten minutes to get told by the cashier that there would be a 25 minute wait for the food. Decided not too stay. Second time there... Went earlier when it wasn't crowded. Ordered the fried shrimp, tater tots, and coleslaw. I ordered it take out. Was not a long wait this time. I was not given silverware, napkins or condiments. For a restaurant that caters to the business crowd... Many of which may take food back and eat at their desk.. These little extras are necessities. The shrimp were okay at best. The tater tots were good but very salty. The coleslaw was okay. Would not return.
(2)Kelly F.
Highly recommend! Excellent food--fast, fresh, creative recipes. Fun environment and really good service. Will definitely come back.
(5)Chris V.
This was my first time trying Brown Bag and I will be going back often. The only thing that leads you to the restaurant is knowing it is there otherwise there is just a small sign on the outside of a massive sky scraper. It is really a hidden gem that you could easily walk past if you didn't know it was there, but apparently everyone knows its there because there was a good size line when we arrived. Prices aren't bad you can get a good size meal for around $10-12 depending on how many sides you decide to get. This may be the hardest part because they have 4 types of Slaw and 4 types of Tater Tots. That's right this place will give you fish and tots and they go perfectly together. If you aren't familiar with the menu you pick your fish, pick how you want it (i.e. straight up, taco, sandwich, salad, powerbowl w/quinoa, rice and spinach), then pick your sides. They have their everyday fish but they also have a daily special and a daily special fish. I got a swordfish powerbowl with 2 kinds of slaw (Louisiana and Oil & Vinegar) and Parmesan and Truffle oil Tots. It ended up being a ton of food!! they give you a godo size portion of fish and plenty of quinoa and rice. They also have a selection of sauces you can put on the fish that range from hot sauce to cocktail. Keep in mind I had this in the middle of winter but I would imagine this place would be awesome in the summer, especially if you got it to go and took it across the street to millennium park (of course a beer would go nice with it too). I will be going back to try more options in the near future!
(4)Luke D.
Brown Bag has a lot of promise but is showing some new restaurant growing pains. The concept/gimmick of writing down your own order doesn't enhance the experience. I'm not sure how this is superior to having people order at a counter. It probably sounded interesting in a brainstorming session, but in practice it's a nedless hassle as customers mill around trying to figure it out. I was there when it wasn't crowded, but imagine there would be a considerable backup when busy. The "hook" of this restaurant is easily it's weakest point. I had the tuna tacos. Tuna should be pink in the middle. This was way over done, well past the point of dryness. The taco toppings and tortilla were solid. My side of brussels sprouts was really good. The menu is interesting and presents a refreshing change from the other lunch options in the area. I'll give Brown Bag another few weeks before returning to see if they've streamlined the process or learned how to properly cook fish.
(3)Kanani E.
I was so hungry. I looked on yelp for delivery in my area. They were super quick , the salmon was hot and delicious and the truffle tater tots were amazballs !!!! I will definitely be eating here again.
(5)Stacy D.
(1) Too expensive for not very impressive food. I got 2 shrimp tacos, flavors were not amazing there. Given the $12 price I expected more than 2 20count/lb shrimp in there. If you are going to charge so much, don't skimp on the main ingredient. (2) The concept of writing your orders down on a brown bag and handing it to the cashier is too gimmicky and honestly a waste of paper, at least for people who dine in. I dined in, made 2 check marks on a bag, gave it to the cashier and then the bag got tossed away. (3) Location is great, food does not make up for premium in price. You don't need to go there. I won't be visiting again.
(3)Greg G.
Nice little trendy fish/sandwich spot. Great outdoor patio seating as well. This place just opened up so I'm sure they are still working out the kinks, but figured I'd give it a review and change it later as I'm sure I'll be back. Basically you walk in and you fill out a matrix that they give you on a brown bag. You can select all sorts of fish/shrimp and then you choose if you want that item served to you straight up, in a salad, tacos, bowl, or a sandwich. They also have chicken if you don't like fish. Then you can pick a side, either coleslaw or tater tots. It's also $1.50 extra for the side. I got the chedder and blackpepper tater tots, I don't recommend these, nothing better than just your avg tater tots.. It's basically just tater tots with some chedder cheese sprinkled on it, I didn't see any black pepper. I should have gone with the truffle one.. next time I guess. It looked like they had some really good desserts and lemonades too. The main issue I had was that when I got back to my office, I opened up my tacos and they were pretty much just a soggy mess. All the sauces had leaked out everywhere, the bag was ripping at the bottom from the saucey mess, and the tortillas were completely soaked in sauce. It was still good, but just really annoying. This wouldn't have happened had I not gotten to go. The main issue I think is that they roll up the 2 tacos together in the same aluminum foil, then they turn it VERTICAL to fit in the brown bag. That means all the juices drip to the bottom, and cause a mess.
(3)Rachna K.
So I felt compelled to write a review after my second visit. First of all, the food was good. However, the service was not and the portion size is ridiculously small. The second time we were there, three of us had ordered three entrees and two sides of truffle tater tots ($1.50 with the purchase of an entree). We were seated and after 5-7 minutes the food was brought to our table, only we were missing an order of truffle tots. I told the server this, and she simply said, no only one side of tots was ordered. I told her that I marked two orders of tots on our order sheet and she can go check it. Since it was a slow late Sunday afternoon, she went and checked. Sure enough, I had ordered two sides of tots. However, she then informed me that we were only charged for one order of tots and if we wanted to get the second order, we would have to go to the register and pay. Now, I am not trying to get free food, but when the business has clearly made the error and we have ordered over $40 of food, I would have expected them to just bring a side of $1.50 tots. That did not happen. She did not even apologize for the mistake. Being that this place charges a lot, $12 for two shrimp tacos - with barely two pieces of shrimp per taco, along with their poor customer service - we will not return. Too bad you lost customers over $1.50.
(2)Craig L.
Love this place. Great lunch options (if you like fresh fish) along with awesome spins on Cole Slaw and Tots as sides. Not too pricey for the quality of food. Take it to go, or eat in the nicely designed space. One of my favorites in the Millennium Park area.
(5)Riley M.
Interesting concept. Your protein prepped your way --- sub, salad, wrap or plain. Pricey, but good location by Millennium Park. Crab cake salad--- amazing. No dressing needed! Fried fish was just too fried for our tastes. Spicy slaw was a good addition and tots complemented our meal well.
(4)TS L.
I've been three times since BBS opened last week and have loved everything I've tried. The tacos and power box are my favorites and the shrimp curry daily special earlier this week was incredible. Beyond the food, the space feels great and the staff is incredibly friendly. The owner, Donna, is highly involved too and displays an obvious enthusiasm for making sure customers have a great meal and experience. They also have a great outdoor area, an honor system at the treat bar, and the perfect small list of beer and wines.
(5)Jennifer C.
I went in last week with my hubby for lunch. We both had the fish bites tacos and then I had the peppercorn cheddar tots and he had the buffalo tots. Overall, the food was pretty tasty, but it was not hot at all. We probably would have sent it back, but everything was pretty crazy when we went so we ate it as is. The flavor of the food was good (4 stars), but the coldness of the food and the fAct that we were both still hungry after spending $24 and some change for lunch leaves me with 3 stars. Overall, I might try it again, but I'm certainly not in a hurry.
(3)Rie C.
I was super excited for this place, but it was a bit of a let down. I ordered the fish bites and shrimp, while my friend ordered the salmon. I'll start with the cons and ends with the good. Cons: The fish bites were extremely disappointing! I love fish/seafood/everything, but they weren't very good. I tried dipping them in sauce from my side dish, but even that didn't improve the situation. My friend's salmon was very dry. Pros: I love the vibes, staff, and the tater tots - they were delicious! I'm hoping the cons were just a one time thing and will try it again, but I'm still a little disappointed.
(2)Lori G.
Please tell me that the tuna taco I just ordered, is not real. It was so bad, that I pawned it off to my co-worker. A tuna taco should have fresh ahi, that is seared and rare. Not well done shredded tuna. Just horrible.
(1)John W T.
The food was well prepared and seemed fresh. Portions were spot on. A good variety of sauces to experiment with or dip your tater tots in. The ordering process is different and slightly entertaining. Why 3 stars? Its about $3-4 more than it should be across the board.
(3)Kiana Y.
Lousy. I wanted to like this place and tried it twice. Their second chance went terribly wrong so i will never go back. I ordered the blackened fish. portion was small and fish was overcooked and cold like it had been sitting there, not cooked to order. also it was covered in some type of salad dressing while the salad was completely dry. The person i was with ordered the same thing and also had salad dressing only on the fish, not the salad. wtf? I sent it back only to get it back slightly warmer. The veggie mix up was overcooked and soggy and on top of it all, way too expensive. I would have preferred eating at Marianos around the corner.
(1)Pooja P.
Loved the setup, smart casual. White fish tacos were delicious and the power box was good too. Their sangria is amazing, we loved it. Would love to be back.
(5)Ah-Lawn-Ugh M.
Four of us went to dinner an hour before they closed on a Saturday (bad idea). They were out of all their side items except ginger cole slaw and veggie medley, which was fine. We got our meals and they gave us regular slaw. We asked about the mix up and I was told by one waitress that they "couldn't find where they put the ginger slaw". Another lady in the kitchen let me know they had oil & vinegar, spicy, or peanut slaw and were now out of veggie medley (since I now wanted that instead). I settled for oil and vinegar slaw. By this point we had waited about 15 min and still hadn't received our bottle of wine we purchased. One of my friends went to the cashier about the wine and about his cole slaw as well. They said they couldn't find the bottle opener and were out of ginger slaw. Ten mins later we had wine! In speaking to the manager she was very apologetic and kind. She went to the kitchen and grabbed the 3 slaw they did have, veggie medley (which they were supposedly out of) and 2 types of tots that I believe she cooked up for us. It was a complete cluster fuck and I'm sure it's attributed to them recently opening. There is potential for it to be a great place, but my experience was utterly poor. Good luck people! Recommendations: Peanut spicy slaw New England clam chowder We ordered a salmon power box, salmon burger special, salmon with slaw & a soup, and zucchini crab cracks with a bottle of cab. Cons: Small portions Burger was a huge hoagie of bread and maybe 2 oz of friend salmon Wine is way overpriced
(1)Andrew D.
I moved from the East Coast about a month ago and have been craving some good seafood. Crab cakes are easily made poorly so I figured if they could make good crab cakes I'd have to come back. Their crab cakes are wicked good. I got it as a power box option, which is a bed of quinoa and spinach under your main dish option. I highly recommend it. I will absolutely be coming back here to work my way down the menu.
(5)Lisa B.
High quality seafood, fair prices, excellent staff. A real gem of a restaurant, easily our favorite when we're in Chicago. The folks working there are over-the-top friendly and helpful and generous to our little tyke. Thanks, y'all! You made our visit to Chicago and we'll be back to your restaurant as soon as possible! We love healthy and delicious food combined with super friendly service-- you guys/gals check all the boxes. Thanks, again!!
(5)Wayne B.
Great concept and a great place to take-out for a picnic in the park...
(4)K. M.
I really like this place. I had the protein box with salmon. It was very filling. I will definitely be back.
(5)Mike A.
Shrimp tacos and blackened fish tacos both excellent. Really fresh ingredients, and nice clean sharp flavour of the cilantro and chillies. My wife thought the parmesan and truffle tots were to die for. My highlight was the spiked lemonade. Excellent new addition to the neighborhood
(4)Shanti N.
I live close by and had been meaning to check this place out for a couple of months. I stopped in today for an early lunch, as I knew the power lunching crowd would descend on this place like a swarm of locusts come noon. The chalkboard out front lists specials - fish of the day, booze of the day, etc. I had looked at the web site and yelp reviews prior to my visit so had some idea of how the ordering system works. With the golf pencils (eraserless), check-off paper menus, and chalk boarded specials, I could see this being a CF in the making during the busy time. My experience was not at all fraught, as there were only two people ahead of me in the line and a few others waiting for their orders to come out. If it had not been a lunch visit, I would have tried the cocktail (jalapeno lemonade) in a heartbeat. I opted for the infused water (only $1/glass). The infusions put me in mind of a spa, and I found this a refreshing change from the fountain drink standards. As far as the food, I went with the fish bites. I could have these in a salad, straight up, in a power box, or as tacos. I went with the tacos, as this selection was recommended by BB. I thought the tacos were just the right size and liked the interpretation of 'slaw' served with the fish bites, especially the jalapenos which gave the dish just the right amount of kick. I also tried the sauces - tartar and cocktail - among the lineup of sauces offered as part of a bar setup near the napkins and cups. I hope to get my cocktail on during the next visit with one of the inspired adult beverages on offer.
(4)Ashley M.
Delicious, reasonable and always great service. Great if you are looking for a healthy option for lunch, the decor is adorable as well. I highly recommend the fish tacos with the Louisiana slaw on top!
(5)Christina H.
Can't say anything bad about this place. Have tried the crab cakes, shrimp, whitefish and chicken... All so yummy! The truffle tater tots are AMAZING! The only thing that was just "good" was the wine selection. Cute outdoor seating area w rocking chairs, and even a few mini ones for the kiddos. You won't be disappointed!
(5)Andrew D.
Cozy, hip place with several healthy options for seafood which is rare in this city. I had blackened fish salad which was fresh and flavorful and a fair size, not huge. I also had an order of parm truffle tots which maybe are less healthy but were crispy and pretty good, particularly mixed in with the salad.
(4)Stu S.
Went here today with my wife. I got the blackened mahi mahi sub with a side of Louisiana tang slaw. It was all very good. Cool atmosphere, too, and the service was quick. We'll be back, for sure.
(4)G P.
I agree on the rather strange ordering process, although I went with someone who had been before. She got a power box with blackened fish. She's had it a couple of times and it looks like a reasonable amount of food. I had tacos, which as others have pointed out, are on the small side; you get two for a nearly ridiculous $12. We both added tots, which at $1.50 for maybe 10 was decent. They had good toppings but otherwise could have been out of a bag from Ore-Ida. I also wanted plain water and was a little irked at the 3 ounce cup. "Infused" water was available for a dollar, but you know, plenty of places put lemons or cucumber in their water and don't charge you a dollar. Overall just pretty disappointing.
(2)Christian L.
Ate here today after a few friends raved about it. Hate the blackened sword fish on a salad, New England Clam Chowda and Tater Tots (had to try a bunch of things since it was my first time. Although $20 for lunch is far from the norm and a bit pricey for me, it was absolutely amazing. The soup was incredibly delicious with fresh ingredients and the fish... YUM!!! No dressing was needed.
(5)Monica S.
I really enjoyed this place! I got the blackened swordfish powerbox and it was so delicious! They give you a pretty big piece of fish and the rice mix was excellent. I will definitely be back to try some more things.
(5)Steve J.
Had a great lunch here today in a area that desperately needs more casual seafood spots. I had the fish sandwich (swordfish) which was awesome and reasonably priced at $8. Truffle Parmesan tater tots were great. I will agree with other posters that there's no was you can get this stuff to go. It's very messy and will be completely soggy by the time you get where you're going. They also have a great shaded outdoor seating area. I'll definitely be going back.
(5)Erik I.
Brought the kids here for a fish meal on a Friday during lent. The food was good - the kids enjoyed everything, and the staff was ridiculously friendly and helpful. They also have a great location. Kids were delighted to sit at the window and look out at millennium park. Great place for a casual seafood meal. Also - be aware they have daily specials which interrupt your intended choice as some look to be better than the regular menu choices.
(4)Stephanie M.
I love this place! It's a great little spot to pop in for lunch during the work day or stop by for a glass of wine at 5:00. The food is light and healthy and there are just enough options, but not too many options. You walk out feeling like you ate just enough, rather than feeling stuffed or like you ate a heavy, rich lunch. The tater tots are a PERFECT addition to any seafood meal- as well as the delicious baked goods you can grab on your way out. There is also a sauce bar in the back and the sauce adds the perfect flavor to the meals with fish. Overall, I would recommend this place to anyone in the area! And don't pass up the tots or the Powerbowl.
(4)Jialu C.
Fantastic whitefish and salad. The fish was perfectly cooked -- moist and juicy. My one complaint is the clam chowder -- overpriced at $6. Barely any clam. More like potato and cream soup.
(5)Bill M.
Seafood is not that easy to prepare well--there's a fine line between cooked and overcooked, as was evident from the teriyaki salmon I got at Brown Bag Seafood Co. It was way overdone. On another visit I tried the whitefish, which was much better. On still a third visit I got the crabcake. It was ok, not much taste nor much crabmeat in it. I'll definitely give it another chance, though, because there are so few places trying to do what Brown Bag Seafood Co. does. GT Fish in River North is excellent, but way, way too expensive. Brown Bag Seafood Co. is not exactly cheap, but the prices are a little more in line with what you'd hope for in a casual seafood spot. The staff is incredibly friendly, and they are very eager to please. The decor is fun, and the whole joint looks very clean and well-managed. If they could just perfect cooking the fish, I'd definitely raise a star.
(3)Mike O.
Stopped in for a quick lunch and left pretty satisfied. Only complaint would be portion size 2 tacos with little fish inside and a side of slaw being 11 dollars. That being said the tacis were really tasty and the infused water for a buck is a good value. I would return and maybe go for a sandwich hope its more filling
(4)Katie M.
If you love seafood, you will love this restaurant. The concept is so innovative and offers something for everyone. The power box is delicious as well as the spicy peanut slaw, just the right amount of zing! Favorite lunch spot downtown.
(5)Amy H.
Ordered the special. On the board it said "whitefish topped with crab meat with spinach and rice". I verified that the fish was grilled and not deep-fried, because I am gluten intolerant. After waiting 12 minutes for my order what I got was the typical Power Box with grilled whitefish with a spoonful of mushy, poorly seasoned bread crumbs thrown on top. I can only assume that their reference to "crab meat" meant a crab cake, which was mostly soggy, greasy bread crumbs. This was not explained to me when I ordered. They charged me $14 and I was already back at work when I discovered it so I couldn't go back. Never again.
(2)Ryan D.
I really want to like this place it's a great location and cute set up, but the good really needs to come up to speed. I don't mind paying more for a meal if it's worth it, and so far I'm not seeing it. The salad with whitefish is a joke, the fish was small and flavorless and the salad was small too. The fish tacos were good but cold and not very filling. I hope this place improves, I will give it another chance.
(3)Janice A.
Food is expensive and the portions don't make up for it. I always feel like I need to go buy more food somewhere else just to be filled. Try it and you will most likely not go back here.
(2)Mike S.
First week they are open. They have some new business growing pains. The food is good and reasonably priced. It's very much a fast food take away place with a small amount of indoor seating. They also have an outdoor seating area. They are more creative with their fish choices than your average fish takeaway place.
(3)M G.
Adorable, friendly staff. The cocktails and food are great. Such a wonderful and needed addition to the neighborhood.
(4)Pat M.
Quality food, great service, and an outstanding view of the Chicago skyline and Millennium Park. I very much Enjoyed my fish tacos and will be back soon.
(5)Lars H.
Been to Brown Bag a few of times since they opened a couple of weeks ago. First things first: Chicago was in dire need of this place. Name one other location in this glorious city where you could get real good seafood without having to go all out. Meaning you had to sit down at a nicer restaurant, spend the kind of money and time most mortals don't possess. The food is outstanding, flavours are rich yet simple. You can therefore appreciate the quality of the seafood. Which is often disguised elsewhere by way too much "make-up". But what is an entree without a proper side. Chose between slaw (Louisiana one is the bomb), tots (truffle oil on the tots? yes, please), sprouts (better than your moms) or you could have a cup of their delicious "clam chowda" . I eat a lot when I eat, therefore between my wife and I we have by now had nearly half their menu. And I'm already stoked for next time we're headed down there to start working on the other half. Also, what a view! Perfect location. Just a couple blocks of off Michigan, however you feel like you've stepped out of the city. Except for the fact that you have the beautiful southern skyline as a backdrop to remind you that you're very much in the heart of it. Lastly, staff is great, always smiling and super efficient.
(5)madam n.
I was given a piece of swordfish -- the so-called "catch of the day" -- which had no taste and was barely edible ... I couldn't even finish the small portion ... It wouldn't have passed muster even if breaded in fish & chips ... My "side" was a watermelon salad which was mediocre at best ... This is obviously a place that doesn't want anyone walking through their door a second time ...
(1)David K.
I've wanted to try this place for a while now as I saw online that they offer fresh seafood in Chicago at reasonable prices. I wanted the fish-of-the-day (blackened mahi mahi) in a taco but unfortunately the tacos were not gluten free. It'd be nice if they offered corn tortillas...hint hint. I ended up going with the blackened mahi mahi in a power box as it was recommended by the cashier. It took about twenty-five minutes to get our food and it was not during a lunch rush, which is pretty slow considering they advertise themselves as being quick. The blackened mahi mahi had an amazing fresh taste and it was well cooked. I thought the nuttiness of power box (wild rice and quinoa with spinach) complimented the fish nicely and it was pretty good on its own even though I'm not a huge quinoa fan. The fish was definitely good enough to get me to come again even though the service was slow.
(4)J D.
The food was good but I agree with other reviewers about pricing. It's expensive for what you get. The space is cute but the location is bit off the path if you work in the financial district like I do. If you work near by, check it out. But don't expect large anything there. Even my glass of wine was teeny tiny.
(3)Michael D.
The food is ok, but you get very little for your money. We spent $26 for 4 small tacos with VERY little fish in them. I'm sorry to say Mariano's tastes better, more food, and a lot less money, right around the corner.
(2)Dana G.
Fish bite tacos + buffalo bleu tots are the way to go!
(4)MJ L.
THIS PLACE IS AWESOME!!! I've been there many times, always ordered different things, and I always leave SO happy! The food is wonderful, the service is great, and it is always a great experience. The concept of the restaurant is so cool, I've never seen anything like it and it's done so well. The whole place is perfect. I love the salmon, the powerboxes are great, all the tots are wonderful, I enjoyed the salads, and the subbies are delicious. I highly recommend it to everyone!!
(5)Erin U.
I really wanted to like this place - it's close, it's relatively healthy, the concept is cute. Unfortunately, the food is bland and underwhelming. We've tried the sandwiches, tacos, salads, quinoa bowls and all are disappointing despite changing from teriyaki salmon to blackened mahi to fried shrimp, etc. We gave it multiple attempts and all have just been sad. Plus, it's expensive.
(2)Kassim H.
Great seafood with a fun new twist. The restaurant is very well done, incorporating various sea and fishing themes. To order takeout, you sign your name and check various portions of a brownbag and hand that to a cashier. I had never seen this before, but it is a fun gimmick. I ordered the teriyaki scallion salmon in a powerbox (a bed of quinoa, rice, spinach, and more.) The fish was excellently cooked and the powerbox was well made. I am always hesitant about ordering fish at restaurants, but I found Brown Bag's salmon to be of good quality and preparation, making for an enjoyable meal. The hosts are very nice and relaxed, eager to answer questions about a cool new restaurant which they seem enthusiastic to be working at. I am looking forward to going back for another meal, but I recommend you go a bit earlier as there seems to be a high demand which makes certain menu options sell out quickly. Nice job on the new restaurant, Brown Bag!
(5)C G.
As a vegetarian I assumed that I wouldn't find anything at a seafood place. But their portabella, goat cheese, pesto dish is so delish. Fresh and flavorful. This is going to become my new go to place for lunch and dinner.
(4)Kyle S.
I went with a group of 8 people for lunch this week and we were all raving about our food. I had the shrimp tacos and loved them, and the tater tots were passed around the table and demolished within minutes. Within our group, we had everything from a subbie to a salad to a cup of the clam chowder. Everyone was loving it and we even hung out on the patio area for a while outside. I will definitely be back and recommending it to friends.
(5)Yelp F.
expensive and portions are too small.I had the tacos and it was just okay.Nothing great for the price you pay.I have had better tasting for cheaper price.First and last time for me.My office cafe serves more reasonably priced and decent tasting tacos.Ordering process is also strange.There's a pick me up board but they bring up the food to you.It's confusing.
(2)Bebaxa T.
I had high hopes for the food here based on the reviews. I ordered delivery via the new Caviar app. Things are expensive here, so I thought- wow, this fish sandwich is probably going to blow my mind. My food arrived about 45 minutes after the promised window and it was stale and scold. Cold tater tots are not fun. So I microwaved them. Bad idea! The tator tots reduced to a mush of potato in a puddle of oil. Gross! Walk down the block and order some spicy fish strips and fries from Popeye's. Same thing (maybe better) but only $6.99, not $24 like BrownBag. Maybe I'll try them in person, one day.... (Not making it a priority.)
(2)Greg S.
Brown Bag is a real gem. It sits just far enough East on Randolph, behind Millennium Park, to avoid the touristy masses of Michigan Ave. The restaurant design has a real pick-me up vibe as it mimicks the feeling of sitting by the docks in San Diego Bay, but instead offers up beautiful views of the Chicago Loop skyline. The process to order is fun and the staff are very friendly and helpful throughout. The entrees run on the small side so be sure to order at least one side of either the coleslaw or tots if you're hungry. I'm a big fan of the white fish tacos or powerbox, the Louisiana tang slaw, and the fresh ginger infused lemonade. Another big hit with friends is the fish bites (a.k.a. breaded and fried fish).
(5)Marcella M.
The indoor area is adorable. I love the concept and the layout. I always research a place when I'm in town. A bonus is im staying at the fairmont. Ok cool I check out the photos. This place looks great. The food was just so so. I should preface the fact that I come from a big taco city, San Diego. That may not be fair that I have Mariscos on every corner of the South Bay. But alas I will still try it cause I'm craving tacos. The chicken had great texture but no flavor. The weird pickled onions were overwhelming. Didn't quite go with things. The shrimp tacos were lame lame lame. All the cocktail sauce in the world didn't help. The tots were pretty good although pretty greasy. All in all. Maybe I should try something else like the power box. Sorry guys. The place is soooo cute. Come to San Diego Chicagoans. I'll show you a taco or two.
(3)Andrea S.
I wanted to write a follow up review on Brown Bag Seafood Co. The owner heard about my past bad experience and reached out to me directly via email. She appologized for the unfortunate delivery service and asked us to return to the restaurant and promised us a better experience if we gave it another try. Last night I brought my boyfriend along (he was the other person I originally tried it with too) and we were very impressed. The staff was very polite and treated us like VIP. The young man at the bar greeted us and directed me to the manager when I asked for her. She was very accommodating and handed me a hand-written note from the owner with a thank you for our return. The manager then asked another team member to explain the menu and ordering process to us. The bartender gave us samples of the beer and sangria before ordering which was very nice. I ordered the salmon on its own with a side of truffle parmesan tater tots and I thought the food was good. The fish was cooked and seasoned well and the tots were DELICIOUS. My boyfriend ordered the whitefish power box served over quinoa and got the same tots. He thought the fish was good and the tots were great! The manager comp'ed the meal and gave us a couple of cookies on the way out after I thanked her. Overall, the customer service was superb. The staff went above and beyond for us and seemed to treat the other patrons very well too. I am very impressed that the owner reached out and encouraged me to give Brown Bag another try. I am glad I did. We would come back again after that experience.
(5)Milena P.
Original idea, nice location, tasty fish with fresh and healthy combination! Might be a little pricey, but the environment is comfy and nice.
(5)Norm J.
Stumbled upon this hidden seafood gem while on a walk with friends. Since that fateful day I've been back twice and plan on returning. The food is delicious and the options for tater tots garnered this place 2 stars before I even tasted the food. I highly recommend trying the friend shrimp (straight up). You get 9 perfectly fried good size shrimp that go great with any side of tots. I also recommend you try the crab zucchini cakes. The crab meat was definitely fresh, not from a can thank ya Little Baby Jesus! If you get it straight up you get 3 crab cakes, but if you happen to have an empty pit where your stomach should be you'll definitely need a side of tots. Speaking of tots, they have a number of combinations to choose from: Truffle Parmesan, Cheddar Peppercorn, Buffalo Bleu and Classic. I've had the Truffle Parmesan and Cheddar Peppercorn and while they both were good they didn't blow my hair back. If the cheese was melted on the tots i'd probably had liked them better. I still need to try the Buffalo Bleu and Classic so be ready for those pics to be added at a later date. Overall, I've enjoyed each visit to Brown Bag Seafood and recommend you give it a try if you like seafood. The only issue I have with this place is that on my first visit I ordered the Buffalo Bleu tots (my bill showed I did), but I was served the Truffle Parmesan ones. I didn't complain because I was running short on time and didn't have time to wait for them to correct their mistake. So if you go here make sure you get what you ordered.
(4)Kimberly M.
We are here for an awesome lunch. Good white fish, lobster roll, combo and yummy tator tots!!!! Johnny Johnson the kitchen manager has a great personality and let's you know exactly what is the best!!!!! Fun times again visiting
(5)Gino W.
Ginger lemon spritzer. Grilled brussel sprouts with pickled onions. Clam chowder. Mint cucumber spritzer. Lobster roll with tater tots. Both spritzers were refreshing. Being mostly pescatarian, I could not whine about the grilled brussel sprouts with pickled onions. The clam chowdah -- had to misspell chowder for the sake of pronouncing it properly -- was full of potatoes and clams. And the lobster roll. Oh my God! I have had lobster rolls at numerous seafood restaurants and boutiques in Chicago and while they were good, the lobster roll at Brown Bag Seafood Company makes my "Best Lobster Roll in Chicago" list. I swear that was a bit of New Orleans in the seasoning to the lobster and whatever savoury aspect that was added to the mayonnaise made for a delicious sandwich. It didn't hurt that it came with tater tots covered in parmesan truffles. Not only was this blogworthy for my blog, but it's definitely in my slideshow.
(5)Esther E.
While in the area touring the park, we searched for a decent seafood place in the area and stumbled upon Brown Bag. It's a very casual restaurant and I imagine lots of people go here during their lunches. They have very easy to go lunches. When you enter, you fill out a clipboard with different options. The seating is really not like other casual restaurants; there were booths and nice mood lighting. It made it more upscale. The seafood was decent, nothing memorable and almost too pricey for what it was. Overall, it was worth a try but not worth retrying.
(3)Melissa C.
If you're just eating to fuel your body and have ZERO interest in flavor then by all means please eat here. I had the blackened fish of the day power box and truffle tots. The fish just so happened to be cod that day and it was not enjoyable. The quinoa rice blend was typical of course. The tots were not good at all. They had this funky old cheese smell and taste. I may go back just to try the shrimp tacos or maybe I won't actually.
(3)Sarah M.
I loved the freshness and ease of grabbing this on our way home. We got the daily fish (blackened mahi) power box and a side of the peanut slaw. I wish we had one of these in Charleston, SC! We have lots of seafood but none that are ready to go and with healthy sides.
(4)Oskar M.
Perfect lunch spot. Daily catch is always a good deal. Friend was obsessed with lobster roll.
(4)Tom E.
This is a really neat little place, and I went with a shrimp power box. Quite yummy. It's clean, the people are genuinely nice, but I'm puzzled by a female manager (who is stunningly beautiful) who walked around talking on a phone, and adjusting lights most of the time I was there. It was a bit disconcerting. It would have made her look better if she actually made an effort to chat with customers while they were waiting for their orders. Connecting with customers is vital. Do that, and the first timers become regulars.
(3)A D.
I stumbled upon this place while on a short lunch break. The food was so good, I came back for dinner. Disclaimer: Now, dinner and lunch are two different things, so I'll describe my experience and recommend that you keep this in mind. Lunch with no car during a meeting packed day means, something quick, something better than fast food (because I need to be slightly healthy), and something worth my money - don't want to pay more for something that isn't worth it and at the same time, I'm willing to pay a little bit more because I'm in a huge hurry - so it better be good. My approach to dinner - completely different. I want a good dining experience that allows me to relax, savor my food, take in the sights and sounds, and I'm a little pickier about what I want to eat because there are so many choices. I am also willing to travel to a good restaurant, I am patient about how long my food needs to cook, if required, and I may also be willing to pay more for the total package (food + atmosphere + overall value) For lunch, I ordered the Phat Fish Sandwich It's not on their regular menu, but it should be. It was fabulous - cod with bacon, red peppers, some type of fancy home made slaw and pesto. A savory, tingly, experience for the palette. This sandwich alone gets 5 stars, although it is a little oily, but I'll overlook this minor defect. I also ordered the ginger lemonade, it was refreshing, but not too strong, perfect for a warm summer day. For dinner, I ordered the crab cake appetizer and the Phat Fish sandwich again. This time, I had their fruit infused water (lime with strawberries and watermelon with apple). Very fresh, very good. The Phat Fish still gets 5 stars and the drinks get 4 stars. The crab cakes, well, they get 2 stars - a little too expensive, too bready for crab cakes, too small, overall, not that great. This appetizer was supposed to come with a fancy shmancy salsa or something, but it just sat on a bed of lettuce with pieces of corn sprinkled throughout. They could have kept the corn, I'm not sure why it's there. I've averaged my ratings together to come up with 3 stars. This includes atmosphere, price, quality, taste, freshness of ingredients, ability to get your food and relax or just get it and go, and restaurant cleanliness. This restaurant is clean, modern, people are friendly and the food is quite fresh and healthy. It's design is a little confusing at first, but you get it after visiting at least one time. The food is priced a little high for the portions, but not for the quality or compared to other restaurants in the area. The atmosphere is casual and it looks more like a quick lunch stop rather than a "relax, stay and have dinner with us" type of spot. I will definitely give it another try when I'm in Chicago again, but I'm sticking with the Phat Fish sandwich for now. Pictures are included.
(3)Ryland B.
I am sitting outside on a cloudy day in Chi while still tasting my excellent meal. Halibut quesadilla with cilantro rice and truffle parm tots with wine $28 for lunch but it was so good. Service was excellent. I was greeted by a native, love them up front around the way girls with swag, and she helped talk me through my order and quickly delivered. Ohhh that dish was soooo good. I will be back!!!
(5)Anne H.
Two words Shrimp Tacos! Great food, fast and polite service and conveniently just accross the street from Millenium Park. Great place to eat in or get food to go....and with Spring blooming, enjoy their outdoor seating and beautiful skyline views. My choice meal (you select your options on a small dry erase board and then hand it to the cashier), shrimp tacos, coleslaw and truffle parmesan tater tots. Hint: go in post lunch pre-dinner time around 3pm for your pick of in or outdoor seating!
(5)Teresa G.
I am kind of sad writing this review. I have lived in lakeshore east and brown bag is where my husband and I went to celebrate our engagement. We met the owner (Donna?), a lovely lady, and saw her around always greeted with a smile. We recently moved and when I found myself down by brown bag at lunch time I decided to stop in. I was pleased to see they were busy. All I can say is that this is a ship that needs to be righted. Very confusing about how, what and where to order and no helpful staff. I felt like I was somehow not "cool" when I didn't quite understand which of the several counters and menus I was supposed to follow. After being passed off to several different, indifferent employees I finally ordered the "special" herbed cod with rice, asparagus and red peppers and a glass of wine. My husband is British so I have developed an appreciation for the much derided cod and looked forward to a moist, flavorful dish. No such luck. I was surprised when my order was rung up that it was over $26. Prices are not clear. Ok, if the food is good I guess even for a serve yourself kind of place it might be acceptable. The price definitely impacted my expectations. The meal that was essentially dropped on my table (didn't get my drink, didn't get my flatware and was clearly annoying the server with my requests for same) was without question unacceptable. A cold, rubbery, poorly and unevenly cooked piece of what I can only assume was cod on top of 2 pathetic and tasteless pieces of asparagus and something resembling a rice product. After some thought I took it in to the counter where the cooks are (can't call them chefs) and asked them if they cooked the cod when it is ordered. They said they did but I saw a HUGE tray of cooked cod (and other fish) behind them. When I pointed this out they said they did this for lunch rush. In other words, no they don't cook as ordered, even McDonalds has started doing this. Come on. They directed me to the manager who also said they cooked ahead for lunch rush and essentially had a "pound sand" attitude. He did give me a refund. Bottom line, I guess if you are looking for tater tots and sauces with a bit of fish go for it. If you want to go someplace that is so "trendy" that you get to feel like one of the cool kids, this is your home. If you are looking for a proper meal avoid this place.
(1)Brian L.
Brown Bag is easily one of my favorite go-to spots in Chicago for a quick meal. Everything on the menu is consistently delicious, creative, healthy (if you want it to be) well-prepared, made to order, and reasonably priced. Anyone complaining about portion size or price clearly doesn't understand that this is quality SEAFOOD, and if you want Long John Silver's or Mcdonald's fillet-o-fish prices, then go there and get what you pay for. ANYWAY, I love this place and their super-friendly staff.
(5)Jenna C.
There are so many mixed reviews about this new kid on the block, I didn't know what to expect walking in for lunch today! At first, it can be confusing - as in, where do I go? What do I do? Luckily, an employee walked over and explained the system to us. Once we reached the "station" where you write out your order, there was another employee to help with questions and recommendations. And they were actually helpful ones, like which options are the most substantial amount of food if you're hungry (which I was, because I always am). He pointed me in the direction of the powerbox, and I chose the blackened fish of the day for it - Halibut. Also had to try a side, and while everyone I was with went tot style, I settled on the intriguing sounding spicy peanut cilantro slaw. Both choices were great! I would definitely get them again. The key is to eat the powerbox with a little spinach, quinoa, and fish in each bite. The way they stack it in the box, you may be tempted to just dig in to whatever is on top but trust me on this one - the flavors and textures are meant to be together in one heaping delicious bite :)
(4)Brad G.
I'll never forget the first time I visited when they were closed early because they ran out of fish for the day. That's fresh! Casual, fast, fresh, high quality seafood in the loop? Scratch that- CHICAGO? This is one of my favorite lunch spots in the city right now. The place is supercool, the outdoor seating is lovely and the indoor seating, while cozy, is borderline romantic with an easy coast dockside feel. Very casual spot but just seeping in original charm. The food is fresh and prepared to savor the delicate seafood flavors and the ordering process is fun: pick your seafood and pick your form! So, salmon straight up with a side salad or shrimp in tacos! There are original tots, slaws, soups, and vegetable dishes not to mention a catch of the day for putting in the form you want and a daily plate special to take as is. THEIR LOBSTER ROLLS ARE THE BOMB
(5)Ian H.
Yum! I had never had a lobster roll before and this was a great way to start off. I love knowing about this gem right off the park. Also, ginger ale in the soda fountain?!? Yes please.
(4)Fernando A.
Fresh and simple. I had the grilled whitefish, squash soup, and a glass of white wine. All quite good.
(5)Benjamin C.
Food was delicious and love the presentation! Everything was extra fresh! Sat outside on the patio...only view I didn't enjoy was the cooks coming out of the kitchen to take a smoke break standing in front of the restaurant. Kind of a mood killer and quite frankly unsanitary, don't you think???
(3)Trevin S.
When we walked in we were a little concerned. There were no customers and their ordering system was very cumbersome. But then we both ordered the teriyaki salmon power box.. It was absolutely amazing. Squeeze some lime over the fish and dip your fork into the rice and spinach and you will love it. The price was also reasonable considering this is fresh salmon. The infused water was very refreshing as well. Nice work.
(5)Jialing L.
Grabbed lunch here with my coworkers. Good place to grab a quick lunch, especially if you want some seafood. You basically choose a protein, how you want it (salad, taco, as a sub, etc), and if you want sides/drinks. I ordered the teriyaki salmon powerbox with truffle tater tots. Pretty decent quantity/quality of food and the prices are reasonable. Nothing exceptional but good for what it is. Seating can be difficult around lunchtime but its doable. Will probably come again and try some of the other combinations.
(3)William F.
I'm a Florida boy in the Midwest and come here when I need good casual seafood. Definitely one of my favorite places in the city.
(5)Sally Y.
I really wish I had a better experience. This super cute restaurant popped up just around the corner from me. I love the name, the decor, and everything about this restaurant. If only my food matched. I ordered one of the powerboxes with broiled lemon whitefish. Overall the food was good and filling, but I had at least 5 fish bones in my filet which made eating a bit of an adventure. I wouldn't mind a bone or two, but after the 4th bite with a bone, I was definitely disappointed with the lack of attention they had to cleaning the fish. Overall, food is good and on par with their price for the food you're getting. Hopefully my experience was a one time issue and not a continuous problem.
(3)Lee P.
This is a delightful fish place with great eat-in or carry out options. Just well-prepared real fish. OK wines and good beers. Buffalo tater tots are exceptional. Good clam "chowda". Inexpensive. Nice outdoor space.
(4)Heidi R.
Brown bag is one of the best lunch spots in LakeShore East. They have a neat concept of to-go fast food but fresh and delicious seafood. You pick your protein, pick your style (salad, sub, tacos, box, straight up) and enjoy! They have amazing sides of tots, veggies and soup. I love their daily specials. Drinks served as well :)
(4)Ralph B.
Very fresh made while you wait fish house. When they run out of a particular fish it gets scratched off the wall. Very casual. Reasonably priced. Food is prepared for the health conscious. Service is friendly. A rare find in Chicago.
(4)Grant M.
In surprised this place has such mediocre reviews. I went there for dinner on a Friday night before grocery shopping at the nearby marianos. We tried the fish tacos and a shrimp subbie with a couple sodas and the cheddar peppercorn tots and parmesan truffle tots. Both of the sandwiches were good and the tots were fine. Parmesan ruffle were better than the cheddar. I don't know that I would get the cheddar ones again. We enjoyed the atmosphere and thought the place was supper cute. The menu had a lot of options. The good was good- nothing to do a rain dance over. It was a tiny but pricey for a fast casual place, but the concept lends itself to that. We will be back b
(4)Lee G.
Update on the review below: the owner promptly replied to my review with an apology and An offer to make it right. Sometimes things get screwed up, but it is great that she acknowledged the mistakes and offered to fix them. Somehow they were able to screw up the same order twice. I ordered a grilled chicken subbie to go. Though there were only 2 or 3 orders in line before mine, they somehow seemed to lose my order. Since I was literally standing there for 10 minutes, the only attentive person on their staff asked if I had placed an order. She told the staff my grilled chicken order and they hastily put it together. A woman I assume is the manager or owner told me, rather unapologetically, that they were starting my order. I left with my order a few minutes later. When I unwrapped it in my office, it was a cornflake chicken sub, which is pretty unappealing. A total waste of time. Those interested in carry out, try at your own risk.
(3)Kristina W.
I was pretty surprised when the cashier told me my order was $17, but I figured that the price correlated to the quality of food (which, according to Yelp, should've been high). Sadly, I was extremely disappointed with both the taste and the portion size of my food. I ordered the Teriyaki Scallion Salmon in the Powerbox, and the salmon was dry and flavorless beyond belief. There were only 2 small pieces while the rest of the quinoa desperately needed something to pair with. Also, do they have some policy in which they can't fill up their take-out containers all the way? The powerbox and the seasonal vegetable soup were both 50% full. The only redeeming factor of my meal was the truffle parmesan tater tots. But too bad if you just order those on their own it's $2.50 rather than $1.50 with the $11 meal. No thanks. But nice business strategy.
(2)Katrina O.
This place was amazing. We are from az and were caught off guard from the cold weather in July. We came in to warm up and ended up staying to eat. Great food and service. Love the vintage look and the unique way to order.
(5)Karen N.
Chicago is sorely lacking in the seafood restaurant arena. So this is a welcomed choice near my work! One you learn the food system, it's a good way. You choose your fish choice and the format they are served. The formats are salad, straight up, tacos, power box and sandwich. I got two takeout orders for dinner, salmon straight up with two sides and also crab cake with salad. The bill was $30 and I was a little surprised. The meals tasted great, portion size being average, $30 is not too much for well made seafood take out, which you honestly cannot get anywhere else in Chicago. Service was friendly and they know they need to explain to every new person coming in.
(4)Sheila G.
Food is fairly decent, but way overpriced for quantity served. Side of coleslaw in a cup filled halfway is 2.50, 1.50 if you get an entree. 10 for two tacos???with no sides! Staff is not trained well. Both times I've been there they have messed up the order, leaving a side or an entree out. They charge a dollar for water with a couple fruit slices in it. I'll skip this place now and eat at Marianos and save some cash.
(2)Caroline J.
I popped over to this place for lunch yesterday because it seemed like a pretty cool concept - fast casual seafood that's actually good! The patio outside is really cute and cozy, and had it not been pretty windy yesterday I definitely would have snagged a seat out there. Upon walking in, it's a little confusing where to go because there's a couple different counters. However, I saw all the menus to the right so I went there to see their daily specials and what I could order. The premise is pretty simple: pick your fish and pick how you want it: straight up, on a "subbie," tacos, salad, or power box. Sides include soups, veggies, and different kinds of tots and slaw. I went with the blackened fish of the day (halibut) straight up, with a side of cheddar peppercorn tots. My boyfriend got the combo subbie (fried fish/shrimp sub) with the same tots and extra slaw. My fish was excellent! Great seasoning and flavor. The tots were a little underwhelming, as they just had some shredded cheddar cheese and pepper thrown on top. His sandwich was good, but the bread seemed a little stale. We both went for the $1 honor box chocolate chip cookies after, which were delicious! Also, props to all the cool sauces they have. We definitely tried all of them and my favorite was the rickshaw sauce. I think this place is a great idea, because it's pretty different from everything else in the area. The fish is good, but some of the sides could use a little work. I could see where if you're starving, the portion size is a bit on the small size and wouldn't quite fill you up. I'll probably be back because the fish was great and definitely cheaper than what I'd pay at a standard sit-down place, but hope the iron out the kinks.
(3)William B.
Get the power box, which is full of filling and tasty quinoa, get the blackened fish of the day (swordfish), get slaw and a veggie side, and don't be shy with the sauces, and you will have a delicious and reasonably healthy meal. It's not often I leave a restaurant experience thinking: That quinoa was really satisfying! I should make more quinoa. It's no Tender Greens, neither in variety nor in sheer tastiness, but it's still quite good.
(4)Kristy C.
This place has been on my list for awhile and I finally got a chance to try it yesterday. I ordered the blackened fish of the day which was swordfish and it was great. Very tasty and full of flavor! I ordered a side of Parmesan truffle tots and they also tasted great but was really disappointed with the portion size... My friend ordered the blackened swordfish salad & he complained of too many carrots but he also loved the fish. We shared the vegetable of the day which was cauliflower but I didn't like the sauce it came with so mike had them all to himself which is good because again major small portions! We ordered the infused waters.., only $1 and was very very refreshing and tasty! Love the decor and the atmosphere but the setup is confusing when you walk in.. Head to the right and grab a menu. Then take it to the cashier counter and grab a seat, they will bring the food to you!
(4)Joe L.
so went and checked out this new place today and wasn't really impressed. The entire ordering process with brown bag is different, but with not paying attention to what I was checking off I had $16 lunch. The service size was OK. The fish was small, but you get a bunch of rice and spinach. My experience was OK. Had the blackened fish of the day (cod I think) power bowl, with veggies, and coleslaw as extra charge. I am still hungry to be honest. So much for rice filling you up. My 2 co-workers honestly had a worse experience. Fish tacos, hardly had any fish on them, and they were covered in a sauce. They should really put the sauce on the side, cause it gets everywhere when wrapped up to go. Couldn't imagine how soggy they would have been if we took them back to the office Other order of crab cakes had to be sent back for something that was found in the food, but in the restaurants defense they did make another order quickly and even gave my co-worker a free lunch coupon for his next visit. Even tossed in some extra truffle tots, that were ok. Overall it's a different option, but maybe just missing the mark a little bit with some things.
(2)