Its not rocket science to make a consistent good sandwich. The intent is good here but I think my sandwich just did not follow through. I ordered the Cortina. Trust me I get the philosophy here, feed the lunch loop mass! If you pre make the sandwiches make sure the turkey isn't dried out and that the turkey is covered throughout the bread and not two thirds of it. The sandwiches intent sounded good, flavors married well, due to the dry turkey could have used more mayo to balance it out. This place is literally a spitball away from my work, wish I had a better 'wich shop that I could rely on.
Great casual lunch spot in the Loop, and a great alternative to the typical sandwich/salad/pizza chains. Lots for vegetarians to eat here - pizza, pasta, soup (the mushroom soup and the minestrone were both vegetarian), several different sandwiches,salads, and an amazing antipasti bar, that looks like what you'd see in the salad bar or to-go bar at an upscale supermarket. Over half the choices were vegetarian, you can get individual servings or a "trio" of 3 different antipasti plus a roll or foccacia. I had a kale & something salad, a wheat berry salad, and roasted vegetables. On another trip I had a cup of soup and half an Assisi sandwich - artichokes, roasted red peppers, smoked mozzarella, chioptle mayo, mmmm. They also have great baked goods - the butterscotch bars and brownies are amazing. Skip the chains and go here.
(5)
Mickey M.
If you are looking for a good inexpensive lunch in the loop, I recommend this place. A step up from the potbelly, cosi, and corner bakery's that are so frequent in the loop. Give this place a try I don't think it will disappoint. Edit: last time I went here turkey was very dry and sandwich was nowhere near what I had previous visits. Will go back again, but hoping quality improve.
(3)
Dirk M.
Really like the ambiance! Good quality service. Different counters based on the type of food you're ordering. The pasta was just ok, but I hear the salads are amazing!
(4)
Kim S.
Went here today for lunch. We had the Italian Cobb salad. ON POINT and delicious. Very generous with artichoke hearts, kalamata olives, blue cheese crumbles. Also, shared the 4 stuffed shells with meat sauce. Vey yummy!
(5)
Vishal B.
One of the best sandwiches a Vegetarian can ask for! The Assisi! available in a half or whole, try it with pasta salad or soup if its 10 below! Just very satisfying food on a cold day. They also have a massive salad selection, brick oven pizza, pasta options, and many other sandwiches to choose from. Also a selection of chips, sweet treats, beverages including beer/wine and enough seating to hold a lunch rush. A top 5 for lunch in the loop!
(5)
Lupe D.
I've always been a fan of Sopraffina...except during the lunch rush - just because I hate fighting for a table! The food here is really good - I've had their pizzas, pastas, sandwiches and desserts. My least fave of all 4 is the desserts, mostly because it's hard to tell how long they've been wrapped up and sitting out. It gets pretty chaotic during lunch, but I will usually get something fast (like pizza) instead of waiting in the longer lines. If I get there on off-hours and have time to chill, I will definitely stay and get some pasta, or my fave tuna sandwich. Everything is a-la carte - so lunch can be pricey - but the food tastes good, so it's worth it.
(4)
Karen C.
Why did I wait this long to try Sopraffina? I feel like such an idiot for not going here sooner. Sad. Anyway, I know about it now, and I will most definitely be back. I tried the #6 panini, the Turino, and it was great. A half sandwich is roughly ~$5 and that's pretty decent to me for lunching in the Loop. The guy making my sandwich did so with a very friendly smile, and made me a fresh one sans-mayo. The selection reminds me of Panino's, except volumes better. I always wanted Panino's to be good, but it wasn't. Sopraffina is.
(4)
Laura A.
Ive had a few things here but my favorite is there tuna salad! I dont like the sandwich though but I can get just a scoop of the tuna and its great. The pizza is just ok and pasta is pretty basic. The people making the food are lovely! The atmosphere is nice.
(4)
Tara M.
The staff here are exquisite -- I used to be a regular when I worked down the street from here. When the sandwich guys saw me they knew my order. I went back like 2.5 years later and they still knew me! Even the cashier. If you go, get the Thursday special sandwich. It's so good! Thanks guys, you are great!!
(5)
Michael S.
Had the sausage ravioli with mushroom marinara sauce for lunch. It was delicious, and served instantly. Docked a star because it was $10 which is a fairly expensive lunch.
(4)
David G.
One of my go to places for lunch. The food is consistent, delicious and fairly fast. It is fast enough to be convenient but still fresh. The salads are tasty with the italian cobb salad and the Caesar being my favorite. The dressing on the Caesar is not overly creamy like many white overwhelms the other ingredients. If you like them, ask for anchovies. The pizza is OK though I rarely get it. As others have said, the tuna in great with only the most minimal amount of mayo. The sides can be really good too.
(4)
Brooke B.
The price is right at Sopraffina for a healthy, hearty lunch and the food is FRESH. The salads are made right in front of you...the deli makes a mean chicken salad...and the marinara sauce...FORGET ABOUT IT. So yummy. Get it on every pasta you order here. Forget the cream sauce, you'll want to take a bath in their marinara, trust me. There's always plenty of room to find a table, even during a lunch rush...but it's just as easy to grab n' go here to avoid eating elbow to elbow with your neighbors.
(4)
Juli A.
Simple Italian food the way it's supposed to be. Antibiotic free meat, high quality cheeses, fantastic pizza and awesome pasta. Their meat lasagna calls me out of my sleep and they have a penne chicken pasta with roasted garlic white wine sauce that makes me giddy. Italian sausage ravioli. Equally pleasing, although much too rare, is their lemon rice soup. I have only had one bad experience and it was shortly after their recent remodel. Someone was incredibly heavy handed with the salt in the meat sauce and my lasagna suffered an unnatural, uneaten death. This will not deter me long, however. Once you have it, there's nothing that can satisfy that craving. Look, there's a lot of not bad places in the loop to get lunch. At Sopraffina, you get lunch taken to a whole new level.
(3)
Nicole H.
I knew that I'd like this spot after reading the menu online! I tried the vegetable pasta salad and a Turino sandwich: chicken breast, roasted peppers, roasted zucchini, fresh mozzarella, lettuce, mayonnaise, and tomato pesto on focaccia. I enjoyed them both immensely. They also serve antibiotic-free meat. I look forward to returning.
(4)
Anya C.
It's across street of my office so I go there all the time. The sandwich is good. Pasta is awful - tried twice, no flavor, under seasoning, noodle + oil = $9, not editable. Pizza is just ok.
(3)
Shin M.
I got the half caprese sandwich and the fruit salad. The caprese sandwich was really good! The fruit salad had very fresh fruit. It was a bit pricey for the small portion... but it was still good.
(4)
Amelia B.
Whenever I have to trek over to the bankruptcy court for a morning hearing, I always make sure to hit up Sopraffina afterwards. It's probably my favorite quick lunch spot in the loop, and it's tragic that it's not closer to my office. My go-to items are definitely the #2 (Caprese) and #3 (Ham) paninis. I swear to god, they put crack in that flatbread, because I just want to eat mountains of it. The salads are a great option as well, but that line tends to be the longest and the slowest (due to the number of customizations). The place is set up cafeteria style, so it can be a bit confusing for a first-timer. But once you know the ins and outs, it's easy to breeze through. Plenty of seating. And grab a cookie while you're at it. You'll pay more than, say, Subway or Potbelly, but it's definitely worth it.
(4)
Sarah F.
Great place for whatever you are craving. They have daily soups and pastas, pizzas, salads and sandwiches. I can't say enough good things about the #9 Venezia (ITS VEGAN and AMAZING!!) and the brussels and white bean antipasto. As a vegan in the loop, its tough to not get sick of the same stuff, but this is a great change and a super tasty sandwich. They also have a great selection of drinks, and even alcohol choices. So good, go eat there!
(4)
Claire C.
The sandwiches are phenomenal. I'd typically get a half sandwich and small pasta salad. The pizza is good and occasionally I'll go for whatever the special is. Everyone seems to love the salad, but get there quickly during the lunch rush or the line can go out the door. Sometimes also a bit cramped for seating. Employees are extremely nice and prices are slightly inflated but it's worth it.
(4)
Emma K.
Sopraffina is one of my favorite lunch spots downtown. They have a little bit of everything, and everything that I've eaten has been great. I love their huge salads (although I don't think they are the healthiest salads ever) and their sandwiches. Every Friday the special sandwich is a portabella which is amazing. I've never tried the pizza or pasta, but my coworkers get it every time. Quick, decently priced, and delicious :)
(4)
Bri A.
This is the place to go if you're craving a quick Italian lunch, but don't want to to shell out a lot of money at Italian Village. My friend and I came here around noon and while the lines were kind of long, they went quick. This was our first time at Sopraffina so things were a little confusing at first but we figured it out. There was plenty of seating which is a big plus! I had the stuffed shells and he had a chicken and pasta dish that was on special. The portions are just right and we felt satisfied and not overstuffed with our meals. The food isn't gourmet or fancy, but it hits the spot. I have seen some reviews say that the food is expensive but it seems to be on par with downtown prices. $7-$10 is pretty average for a casual lunch in the Loop. The pizzas look tasty and I plan on trying one next time I visit. Oh and they have a few beers on hand for those days when happy hour needs to come a little early! :)
(4)
Vishnu V.
Great choice of paninis, pizza and pastas !! Good place to stop n grab quick lunch !!
(5)
FoodLover Z.
Pretty bad Italian food
(1)
Tamara S.
A friend just showed me a photo he took of a sign posted at this restaurant reading "ENGLISH ONLY BEYOND THIS POINT". Folks who want to patronize ethical businesses that are supportive of diversity may want to avoid this place. I have written to the restaurant about this. Let's hope they take down the sign and pledge not to discriminate against patrons or employees based on their language of choice.
(1)
Shradha A.
I have 2 locations of Sopraffina right by my office at the Aon and at the Illinois Center but ended up trying this location as it was more convenient for a friend. The service and preparation here was a lot more careless/hurried and the layout quite inconvenient. It does have a lot of seating..
(3)
Jennifer F.
I love this place for "fast casual." The staff are always friendly. I've only had the paninis - the Milano & Chiana are awesome.
(5)
Jeanette S.
This is a real good place for a quick bite to eat. The people who come here somehow always get on my nerves, I could go on and on about rude, demanding people, but the employees are wonderful and give great service. The fruit salad is amongst one of my favorite here is so fresh and feels healthy when you're finished.
(4)
Taylor P.
Fantastic and unique tasting pizza!
(5)
Michael M.
Good food, huge range of choices. Salads, pastas, pizzas soups, and sandwiches are all good and pretty reliable. Specials are usually interesting. Although the line builds, the staff is very efficient and you can get in and out pretty quickly. Seating area can be pretty crowded, but is pretty nice if you can snag a spot. My only downside to Sopraffina is that I think it's a tad expensive for what you get...that said, most other reviewers don't seem to agree with me on this point.
(4)
Giuseppe D.
Came here for a quick lunch while I was waiting for a friend who lives in Madison (pre-Bulls game!). After walking a few blocks I saw the name "Sopraffina" and couldn't help but check it out. The inside is a very good size, plenty of tables, modern-Italian cafe look overall. I got there just in time for their lunch special which is HALF-OFF pizzas! I ordered a margherita pizza and a pepperoni & three cheese pizza. I got my pizzas and began walking towards the register when I walked passed their pannini and sides section. They had easily over a dozen different sides (pastas, salads, etc.) and after a while, in addition to my two pizzas, I decided on the Milano. The margherita wasn't the best I've ever had, but it definitely got the job done. Big chunks of tomato, the mozzarella could've been better, extra virgin olive oil, and basil, which on this pizza, happened to be a little too much; when the basil is overwhelming the other ingredients, I'd say that's a little too much. The pepperoni & three cheese pizza was good too. Unfortunately I think the pizza I got had been sitting a little since they were about to close for lunch, but it was alright for half-price pizza. Last was the Milano panninowhich was roast beef, provolone cheese, lettuce, giardiniera, and horseradish mayonnaise. The giardiniera and the horseradish mayonnaise made for a pretty spicy combination, but gave the pannino some rich flavor. Altogether a very satisfying sandwich. Overall I was definitely satisfied. Randomly walking around Madison and Dearborn, not expecting to find anything, and stumbling upon Sopraffina is considered a little treasure for me.
(4)
Annabelle L.
It's my 1st time and I'm in love with this place! I want to come here every day! Pasta & pizza are especially amazing! It's a more fast food kind of place. You order food at the bar, most of the food are pre-made. But the food tastes even BETTER THAN MANY PROPER SIT-DOWN ITALIAN RESTAURANTS! I'm so amazed at the quality! I ordered VEGETABLE LASAGNA and KALE SALAD for $16. The vegetable lasagna only comes every Friday. It got a lot of fillings: onions, mushroom, tomato, and cheese. Topped with marinara sauce, cheese and more fresh tomato! The food is so good that it makes me sad that it only opens for lunch, 11am-4pm.
(5)
Rachel S.
Sopraffina is a decent lunch spot for those who work in the Loop, the hilltop salad is great for those with a sweet tooth, most of the sandwiches are pretty good, especially the vegetarian ones, i.e. the Assisi with artichoke hearts Promise me one thing, though, will ya? Don't get the pizza. Its... how you say... not so good... The food ordering area is decentralized, so it can get a little confusing. If you order a salad, you have to squeeze past everyone ordering a sandwich or a soup to pay for your food. A little awkward turtle. A touch on the overpriced side. Just sayin.
(3)
Stacy F.
This is an AWESOME work lunch place in the loop. Pop in and quickly get a delicious meal: pizza, delicious salads, soups, gourmet paninis, the menu is endless! They also offer a ton of great gluten free and vegetarian options! They all taste GREAT! Farmstand Salad is DA BOMB. You cannot go wrong with that one.
(4)
Janet E.
I LOVE this Sopraffina. The hilltop salad is one of my favorites (candied walnuts, pear, cranberries, blue cheese, mixed greens). I just wish it werent so expensive! There's a lot of seating inside but was completely filled with lunch patrons around the noon hour. They have a bunch of sandwiches and pizzas here as well. Their food has so much flavor. Cant wait to come back here!
(4)
Mike K.
Sopraffina has been open for, what, going on 20 years or more and only has 53 reviews? Either all y'all's been slackin', or you never, ever leave Lakeview. For whatever reason, I had a self-imposed moratorium on Sopraffina for going on, oh, let's just say many years. I may or may not have to go back a decade, or maybe even two, to recount my last visit to this place. I really have no recollection why I dismissed it for all those years. Well, on a whim, I let it all go and dropped in for a very late lunch. Dog's gotta eat. As we all know, the Loop is an absolute wasteland for lunch goers, with a dearth of options from which to choose. It's my opinion that the top tier fast lunch places are Bacci and Tuscany, with the second tier options being Corner Robbery, Au Bon, Hannah's (but only for the turkey sandwich) and Mezza (but only for a salad, yes, salad). Well, now I'm going to add Sopraffina to the top tier of fast lunch options in the Loop. It's been so long since I've been in Sopraffina that I didn't realize that they had pasta, paninis and even salad in addition to the pizza. I always thought they only had a couple pasta options and a couple pizza options. Maybe this all changed sometime in the last, oh, however many years? I grabbed a sausage pizza and a Mountain Dew. Six and change. Want to know why? Shh. Everything is half price after 3 p.m. Starving yourself is good on the pocketbook. I'm sorry I blew you off all those years, Sophie. It won't happen again. I love cheap, delicious women. I'm yours. Four stars.
(4)
Kate S.
Sopraffina was a great little place to stop for lunch. I had the Samantha salad, which had mixed greens, chicken, tomatoes, and red peppers with a honey mustard dressing, and I also added to it a small cup of barley and vegetable salad. They were both delicious! The cafe seems reasonably priced and the ambience was very pleasant. It was a horribly rainy day, so it was a nice refuge from the weather. I would recommend!
(4)
Jo W.
I love it when I think I'm eating a healthy salad for lunch, only to discover it has 61 grams of fat. Thanks, Sopraffina. Sigh. Other than their super fatty food, I'm pretty neutral on this place. I don't think I've ever eaten anything but salads here (which is clearly changing now), but despite the fat seeping onto my ass the salads are pretty good. Dining in is next to impossible if you come during the lunch rush. The cookies are delicious. I mean, so I heard... The downside is it's crazy expensive, but the food is better than most options in the immediate area so I guess there's a trade off.
(3)
Amber C.
A solid choice for lunch in the loop. The line moves pretty quickly and the selection of food is fairly large. You can be in and out pretty fast if needed. I've never had a dish I didn't enjoy here.
(4)
Anna P.
LOVE this place for lunch. Their salads - especially the Samantha Salad - are divine, the pizzas are freshly homemade, and I haven't tried anything else but I definitely would. It's an excellent spot to grab some lunch (don't be intimidated by the line, it moves quickly during rush lunch hour!) and sit outside at the Chase Building in the summer, although they also actually have a good amount of indoor seating as well. Buon appetito!
(4)
Fredrick B.
I attended a networking after-work event sponsored for Leadership Greater Chicago Fellows at Trattoria No. 10 at Sopraffina last week. It had been years since I had eaten there, but lunch again soon I assure you! Great wine and appetizers, so I can assure you there will be a review coming of a dining experience I intend to have there soon. The place was alive with energy--on a weeknight! The wine was outstanding, and if the meals are anything like the appetizers: "I CAN'T WAIT!" Stay tuned.
(4)
Michelle S.
Great lunch spot in the loop. Line moves quickly. Plenty of seats. Lots of options. Friendly service. I usually go for the Samantha Salad which is chicken, mixed greens, green & red peppers, croutons, shaved parm, and tomatoes. And of course I'm usually tempted by the chocolate chip cookies by the register. Yum. They are easy with substitutions and the pizza is also delish for lunch. Lots of talk about it being expensive - I guess so- but what isn't in the loop unless you want fast food? Salads are plenty big, too.
(4)
Duane M.
A buddy and I met for lunch here on his recommendation. At noon on a Tuesday it wasn't horribly busy. It's cafeteria style which I wasn't expecting or thrilled about, but it was way easier to navigate than most similar styled restaurants. The food selection was nearly overwhelming, but the place smelled amazing. I was just going to go for a slice of pizza but I walked past the lasagna and couldn't resist. I also picked up an Italian sausage simmering with peppers and some Italian bread. The staff serving the food was professional and helpful, but I still had a flashback of being in the school cafeteria and being handed a tray of food. I should probably talk to a therapist about that. Regardless, from the time I walked in my door, I had paid and started eating within 5 minutes. The lasagna was phenomenal - full of flavor, perfectly spiced, and a generous serving. It was entirely too much food but, of course, I ate it anyway. The sausage was pretty solid, but nothing spectacular. The bread was... well it was bread. This place is perfect for a quick lunch, but if I didn't have to be anywhere, i would have stayed there for an hour. It wasn't crowded or loud, and the food is certainly worth going back for. I'm not a huge fan of the cafeteria style serving, but for flavor like that I'll gladly (try to) get over it. I would recommend going with a couple of friends and sharing your meals so you can all taste more than just your dish.
(4)
Josh V.
This is one of my favorite lunch places in the Loop. The food is always good, better than most "fast casual" places. I particularly love the Samantha salad. I've had a number of good sandwiches here as well. I haven't had a pizza or pasta, but the friend I usually meet there says they're both good. The bad (keeping it from 5 stars): It's a bit pricey, but not ridiculously so. For the money, their sandwiches are more substantial than many of the competition's. Also the layout at this location is not ideal. It's cafeteria style, but you have a very narrow space to get through, leading to traffic jams and having to "excuse me" through the sandwich station to get to the drinks and the checkout. The tables are also kind of close together, so it can get a little uncomfortable during lunch rush. By the way: The interior photo someone posted is not from this (10 N Dearborn) location. The food stations are MUCH more cramped at this location than wherever that was taken.
(4)
Mike W.
I'm not a "Let's get Italian for lunch" type guy but since I work downtown and there are hundreds of great places to eat in the city I feel the need to diversify quite often. The problem with most restaurants that are fast in the Loop may have a dish or two of noodles played off as Italian. None focus primarily on Italian-inspired dishes. I've been to Sopraffina a couple times now. The layout was great. Differentiating lines based on dish type is an awesome idea. Some dish preparation takes a little longer (I've had the pasta each time) but it's cool to see them finish prep 2 feet away. Also, the guy who does the pasta service is super nice/friendly. Prices? Seemingly dirt cheap. Huge portions as well (which can be good or bad depending on your dietary interests). The only knock on Soprafinna is that their lines are somewhat confined (pasta and sandwich) so every person walking through to pay will bump into you unless you cling to the serving counter. Outside of this issue, the interior is nice and has the feeling of a server-less kinda-fancy Italian joint. Definitely worth checking out if you're in the mood for cheap/fast Italian food downtown that is actually a significant upgrade from the Olive Garden.
(4)
Carolyn H.
I'm so impressed. Out in Chicago on travel and stumbled upon Sopraffina while trying to find Which Wich (never did, by the way, thank you Google maps). I ordered the Caprese because for me, if Caprese is on the menu nothing else matters and WOW. Perfectly done - lots of fresh creamy mozzarella, crisp tomatoes, fresh bread, great pesto and basil to add flavor, just perfect. Finish it off with a great chocolate chip cookie and that's about the best lunch I've had for a while. Did I mention for under $10? Going back tomorrow for sure.
(5)
Alesha H.
expensive and horrible ordering set up. Plowing your way around the rush hour crowd. Customer service not at the top of my list either.
(2)
Amanda C.
I have been here twice and it was okay both times. I have only gotten salads there; maybe that is my problem. Next time I will definitely ask for dressing on the side, as the lettuce was drowning in it. This place is similar to Berghoff in that you need to go to different areas to order sandwiches/salads/pizzas, etc. and may not know that the first time you go. Each day they have a special pizza of the day which is cool. The line can get kind of backed up and is awkward because people are waiting for their food to be cooked while others are waiting to check out. Bonus points for the non-skimpy water cups they provide- Panera and CB could take a hint from them.
(3)
Paul B.
Since I've dined at Sopraffina about 10 times now, I figured a review is a bit overdue. It's hard to go to Sopraffina and not spend $10, but for the quality of the food, I don't mind, after all it is downtown Chicago. In terms of Paninis you can go wrong with the Turino, Firenze, or the Milano. Make sure to check out the Pizza and Panini specials. Last week I had the most amazing chicken, pear, carmelized onion, and candied walnut pizza mmmmm. As with most places downtown, Sopraffina gets pretty busy around 12 so we always try to go early or late to minimize the wait time. Definitely somewhere that every loop luncher needs to check out at some point!
(4)
stephen r.
Overrated swill. The salads are way to expensive to not even have a little piece of protein, the sandwiches are OK-I-Guess (save the chicken salad which is pretty good) and the pizzas have way to much cornmeal littered over their spongy, paltry crusts. This is a good place to go for those who like to throw money away - though, i would suggest walking a little further to the Chicago River and throw your cash in there. At least it will be more fun to watch it float down into the sewage river and let the current take away.
(2)
Brett K.
Salads, pizza and pasta are all quality although a dollar or two more than you are used to spending on the same. Personally, I go for the sandwiches, very high quality and not too expensive. My favorite is the Turino which is chicken, roasted peppers, roasted zucchini, and mozzarella on sun-dried tomato pesto focaccia. Its awesome! If your in the mood for red meat the beef tenderloin here is awesome, like real quality tenderloin (with a touch of horseradish). Bonus: Let's just say the clientele (mostly the salad line) is typically very easy on the eyes...
(4)
Aaron N.
This classy place has all types of variety to choose from. Walking into Sopraffina I had the option to have pasta, pizza, slamming sandwiches, or salad. I went with the sausage and cheese pizza and it was just what the doctor ordered. For the price, this might be the best place downtown to grab something quick and amazing. I will definitely be checking out Sopraffina again (maybe today) and look forward to trying their sandwiches which look splendid. Boom Boom.
(4)
Yingzi W.
Great lunch place. A lot of peer pressure to eat a salad here, but that's because the salads are awesome!
(4)
L H.
The food here is alright. I don't usually like sandwiches, but I think the sandwiches are the best item here. The ingredients are quality and fresh - really tasty and an overall satisfying lunch. The salads are alright, pretty bland and lacking in substance - lots of lettuce and not so much goodies. On a positive note - don't let the crowd scare you, the lines move fast.
(3)
David T.
I can't speak about much of the menu. I've had the pizza, a salad, and a few of the deserts. I love this place. The pizza is solid. They have the staples and then add a different special for some spice. The salads are solid. The deserts are tasty. Honestly, my favorite thing about this place is that pizzas are half off after 3 PM. Perfect for a cheap, late lunch.
(4)
Sean P.
I've ate here many of times since it is right around the corner from my office so I'd figure I'd pop into grab a quick bite. The pasta selection is money and so are the sandwiches until today. I've given up all meats during lent (it's been rough by manageable) and decided on the Caprese sandwich. Unfortunately, a friend bumped into me which threw me off and we started chatting, next thing I know my sandwich is ready and I take it back to the office. When I unwrap it, it is soaked in a layer of oil/grease/fat as they toasted my sandwich and the mozzarella became mush. It was absolutely disgusting and the worst thing I've ever eaten. I would think most people prefer their mozz cold unless its on a pizza. Sorry Sop, you just got demoted on my weekly lunch list.
(3)
Michael H.
There are better places to eat. Decent at best.
(2)
Martin J.
Sopraffina Marketcaffe is amazing. the fellas behind the counter make a mean salad and wicked pizza. i cannot judge the rest of the food because i cannot break away from those two. i usually hit it up at lunch and made the mistake of going at the lunch rush hour, so i've switched up my schedule to go right before it and beat the line, can find a decent seat, and enjoy the people-watching along dearborn.
(5)
Pavan S.
Really great lunch time spot. Good value. Good selection.
(4)
Ian T.
This is a great lunch stop. Fast service and some pretty good sandwiches. Nothing to write home about, but a surefire good lunch hour stop.
(3)
Rachelle G.
Great sandwiches and pizza! As with all the other loop restaurants, this place is jam packed during lunch, however, the lines move fairly quickly. I typically order a pizza when I dine in, but we often use them for catering and their sandwiches are always welcomed with happy stomachs =) Friendly service also helps the line move a little quicker. Prices are average for loop lunches, approx. $8/person.
(4)
Megan B.
So the only reason I didn't give Sopraffina 5 stars is because I have only been there once. Tragic right? That one visit was so yummy that I will definitely be back for more. But until then, I don't feel right about bestowing full star glory on the basis of one sandwich. I had the turkey panini and it was damn good. Warm and toasty, but still could taste the crunchy veggies. It was just perfect, and I'm a lunch-whore and tend to be hard to please when it comes to specialty sandwiches. I got the full since I was a Sopraffina-virgin and didn't know how HUGE it would be. Thankfully it was cut in half, and the part that I couldn't finish for lunch became dinner later on. The only hang up I had was the line organization for ordering. Being a newbie I had no idea where to go, whom to order from, etc. so it was a little embarrassing when on the 3rd attempt I finally got it right. I did carry-out so I can't comment on the dine-in experience, though I will say that there was plenty of seating available for 1 pm on a weekday and the tables looked nice and cozy. What I can comment on is the insane cost of the meal! For a full panini and a small side salad, I paid just under $8. I was fully expecting to drop $12-15 on this and was more than pleasantly surprised when I didn't have to. Great place for a quick lunch bite when you're sick of subway, panda, chipotle, or the lunch you bring from home. I will definitely be back for more!
(4)
Sarah L.
Found a coarse, dark hair in my salad.
(1)
Irene H.
I met my friends here for lunch on Friday. It's a bigger scale than the typical Cosi/Panera/lunch places. You pick what you want to eat, stand in line, and checkout at the cashier. Service is fast. I had a hilltop salad. It was alright. My friend's pasta tasted pretty good. The lemon cake was disappointing. If I worked in the area, I could see myself working through the different food choices and probably never going back again unless I didn't have options. The place gets packed. My friend made a good call on meeting at 11:30 instead! Typical prices.
(3)
Sonia L.
I work nearby and I love going here for lunch. Reasonable prices, delicious food. The staff is very friendly and the atmosphere is great.
(5)
Art S.
Reliable. Delicious. Affordable. Those are the three major things I want in a lunch place. Sopraffina nails all of 'em. They excel in their sandwiches and salads. It doesn't matter if you're all haughty-taughty or you're a meat and potatoes kind of guy, this place has something for everyone. Also recommended for a really nice dinner is their sister restaurant, Trattoria No. 10, located downstairs from Sopraffina.
(4)
Victoria h.
I think this is my new favorite sandwich place in the loop. I got there around 12:05 and there was practically no line. I got the Chicken with roasted peppers sandwich - it's huge and super filling. The sandwiches run between $6 and $7, but plenty to fill anyone up. They also have pizzas (you can guy half or whole), a variety of salads made in front of you, and different antipasti you can get with a side or alone. The sandwiches definitely taste more like they're from an upscale deli, ratjer than from the likes of subway or jimmy johns. Go there. Try it. Tell me you don't like it.
(4)
Andrea H.
Sopraffina suffers from a syndrome I've found in Chicago, downtown, in this specific part of downtown: reliably good food, especially in sandwich form. Concurring with Charlotte Y, this place certainly left me lukewarm. Two experiences in the past week: First a sandwich that was really quite good, one with turkey, cranberry walnut chutney, mustard aoli, caramelized onions and some greenery (no tomato for me). Warm and tasty, my only complaint is that the chutney is laid on too thick, its too tangy, while the caramelized onions could be a little more hardcore. No big deal, really, could be dependent on the person who makes it. However, not one of those sandwiches that makes me want it again, which is a big deal for me, with sandwiches. I miss sandwiches. Mainly because of my second visit. A steak sandwich with basil, grilled peppers, arugula, horseradish, on cheesy ciabatta sounds good, yes, but this.. this was.. flavorless, aside from the too-cheesy bread. I could smell but not taste the fresh basil, the peppers were too oily and mostly fell off, and the horseradish in the mayonnaise was undetectable. Maybe I am a loser but this ruined my lunch. Really. It was a ruined lunch. It made me sad. Really. The pasta looks really unremarkable. I wouldn't pay the prices they ask for the food. Sad but true.
(3)
Matt J.
Great food. Do yourself a favor and try this place for lunch. You will not regret it.
(4)
Jen A.
Today, I learned a new word: giardiniera. According to my coworker, it's a Chicago thing. According to Wikipedia, it's "a condiment consisting of serrano peppers, bell peppers, olives, celery, pimentos, carrots and cauliflower marinated in vegetable oil, olive oil, soybean oil or any combination of the three oils." According to my tastebuds, it's tangy, spicy, and good on a roast beef sandwich. Sopraffina is currently my favorite catered-in boxed lunch at work. The croutons in the Caesar salad are so good I'd eat them plain. Like a snack. The Milano sandwich (on which the giardiniera can be found) is all sorts of delicious. The veggies are fresh, the beef is very good, and the lunches come with fruit salad, chips, and an awesome homemade cookie. And since I'm a sucker for all things pretty, I'll mention that the tissue paper the sandwiches come wrapped in is quite excellent. Nice touch!
(5)
S B.
Not a good place to go if you're looking for a sit-down spot, because it is really crowded, but for take out, it's a good spot. Good food and reasonably priced. Nice for grabbing lunch if you're on the go.
(3)
Mike S.
I work upstairs, so my adventurous stomach usually asks me to walk halfway across the Loop for lunchie time. But, since it's raining today and I felt like being a wuss, I got my lunch here today. All in all, I was pleasantly surprised. Although most of the sandwich options didn't appeal to me, and I found it hilarious that they gave Italian names to decidedly non-Italian sandwiches, there were still enough pizza/pasta/entree options to make up for it. The food was pretty good, and I was happy with the choice between regular bred and focaccia. Drinks-wise, they had a good selection of Italian sodas (yay Aranciata!) and even a few (boring) beers. Normally a place like this would merit 3 stars, or 3.5 at the most, but they get a bonus star for (according to the staff) using De Cecco pasta for all of their dishes. As De Cecco fanboy #1, I approve of this strongly.
(4)
Matt K.
Sopraffina is alright, I suppose. The food that I've had there was not terribly exciting, but it wasn't bad. It's a little expensive for what you get though, and since eating it won't make you die from deliciousness, I don't really think it's worth the money. It also gets pretty crowded, and the tables are basically on top of each other, so it doesn't always lend itself to the greatest dining experience. Also, watch out for the pop dispensers. My friend went to fill up his Coke, and the thing wouldn't stop when he was done. Pop just kind of sprayed all over. When I saw, I decided to avoid the problem and get a different kind. Mine exploded worse than his and got all over my hands and arms. It was like Vietnam. I was shot up by soda bullets at an alarming rate. I'm lucky to be alive. Then I was sticky for the whole meal. Not cool.
(3)
Mara S.
I love Sopraffina... mainly because of their fresh salads, but their pizza is good too. This is probably my favorite lunch spot in the loop, which is why I can't believe it's taken me so long to Yelp about. I digress..... Anyway, you should go here. It's good and the food is always fresh and tasty and the service is pretty fast. You have to stand in line and wait for your food and if it's crowded, that's kind of a pain, but otherwise, this place is really swell.
(4)
Michelle D.
The food is delicious...so much so I didn't even notice that someone stole my wallet here and wasted no time heading over to Saks Fifth Avenue. The lunch crowd gets very tight and the set up makes it difficult to juggle your order in your hands, pull out your wallet, pay, move out of the way, etc. Next time I will go during off peak hours and I will hold on tight to my wallet. FYI: My boss said she was warned (by a SM employee) not to hang her purse off her chair because "they've had problems" there. So be aware. The food is very good though.
(3)
K M.
Oh Sopraffina. How I wish you had more "healthy" options, because even your salads weigh in far too high on my Meter of Acceptable Caloric Lunch Levels. I really love your Hilltop salad. It's kind of like a dessert salad with the candied walnuts and all. And it is giant (maybe you need to offer half-sized salads, because I'm pretty sure that's all I need...and yet I can't stop eating when I'm just sitting there for a lunch hour). I have also had your half-sized mozzarella, basil etc sandwich and was not impressed- for the calories even in the half, despite how small and unsatisfying it was, not even that tasty- yea...I don't think so. The pizzas are decent. But seriously, I pretty much just come here when I get a taste for that damned salad. However, you are not good for my waistline and I therefore must reserve you for treats- you will never make it into the category of good DAILY lunch spots. I love you as a "nicer' lunch spot maybe once every other week. On the upside, despite how crowded you are, I've always managed to find a table. Usually totally on top of another group of people (very squishy table arrangements! But I don't think you can expect much else from a casual Loop lunch!). You also get bonus points for being within the block around my office- no wasting part of the lunch hour with a long walk (especially in the nasty cold)! Bring out some reasonably portioned salads, or at least some lower-cal dressing options (their website claims to have a low-fat raspberry vinaigrette, which turns out to not be true), maybe a few healthier sandwiches (half a sandwich sound NOT be still over the 400-500 calorie range!) and I'd bump you up.
(3)
Ellie B.
Yum! My office is across the street, but I don't get here often enough. Probably because it's a tad bit more expensive than the typical offerings around the loop. You can't go wrong with anything this place has to offer, from the salads, pastas, antipasti, soups or panninis. It's all good! They also have a selection of beers and wine for those interested in getting annihilated before going back to their desk.
(4)
Quantas G.
Good stuff. Great Italian Loop lunch cuisine. Big, filling salads. Tasty thin crust pizza. Toasty panini sandwiches. Oh yeah! I ordered the Hilltop Salad with gorgonzola and walnuts. And shared a Margerhita Pizza that had a delicious crust, tasty basil leaves, and mozzarella cheese. GReat food, fast service, and decent Loop-area prices.
(4)
Natasha O.
Delicious! Quick service and excellent quality food.. not anymore expensive than most other loop places. The only problem is that I think that one pasta dish was probably my entire calorie intake for the day. No dinner for me!
(4)
Bill M.
The original Sopraffina is located next to Trattoria No. 10. It serves what amounts to gourmet fast food with an Italian bent. The thin crust pizzas feature upscale ingredients, and it is a good idea to order one to go and eat it at nearby Daley Plaza. Only lunch is served at this location.
(4)
Mike P.
We ordered in a working lunch from Sopraffina yesterday. Not bad, just some sandwiches and chips. Judging by the food, I would say they are on par with Tuscany or Cafe Baci. Your standard Chicago Loop lunch where you pay $7 for a $4 sandwich to sit in a nice dinning room, as opposed to a dingy food court. The tomatoes on my sandwich were extremely fresh, however, and really added to it.
(4)
joanne y.
the market salad is delicious and their pizzas and pastas look pretty good too. cheap and fast eats are a dime a dozen around this area but you sacrifice eating well with eating greasy fast foods. this is the perfect place for those in search of a healthy meal. my friend and i split the market salad which had goat cheese and apple slices, yum! he ordered some sandwich on a panini that was pretty good too. afterwards, i didn't feel cheated out of a healthy meal. the prices are a bit high but the portions are large so it evens out. you can have the salad for both lunch and dinner. haha! if you really wanted to.
(4)
Kathleen L.
This place is great and right across the street from my work! Everything is made fresh daily. I expecially love their pizza. I have tried their stuffed pasta with meat sauce and that was also really good. I haven't had the salad here but I have heard nothing but good things. One drawback...a bit pricey(not open for dinner). I don't like spending over $10 for lunch but once in a while I like to splurge! :)
(4)
Andrew T.
Pretty much the same as Panera, Cosi, etc. to me. Gets pretty packed during lunch. The sandwich I had didn't stand out, although they do have a nice selection of deli (prepared foods) you can choose from to get separately or on a sandwich.
(3)
Sophie E.
This is my favorate lunch place when I'm in the loop. It moves like a cafeteria, but it is upscale and the food is high quality gourmet. They offer big salads, gourmet thin crust pizzas, pastas, and other deli items. There are lots of choices too. My favorite is the pasta - especially the stuffed shells. They offer freshly grated parm cheese and a chiffonade of fresh basil!! wow! With drink, expect to pay $10-15 per person, but the quality so good that it is worth it. Also, the seating area is cute, but they do cram the tables together and so it can feel a bit claustrophobic. Try to get there at 11:30am, be fore the lunch rush. The 5 stars reflect the quality and tastiness of the food.
(5)
Sheila Y.
So yea this place is usually not the type to yelp about, but since I have been here twice with my fellow co-workers I thought I should throw in my two cents. I love the Farmstand Salad. It is all I have ordered and I will continue to order (although the pizza and sandwiches look great). Last time I added salami, but since I am working on the old figure I kept it vegetarian this time around. Great mix of greens, candied walnuts, goat cheese, tomatoes and a delicious raisin vinaigrette. Last time I caved and got a peanut butter rice crispy with chocolate on top (f'in amazing, but I put the other half in the office fridge and that darn thing keeps calling out to me). This time I stuck with my salad and diet Dr. Pepper, but the cookies and coffee cakes look great. This place is a good Loop staple for all of us highrise workers.
(4)
Steve T.
Very good. Gets really busy at lunch, I recommend going a few min early/late to avoid the crowds.
(4)
payton c.
Quality fast-casual a few notches above the standard Loop fare, with touches like whole-wheat pizza crust and fresh mozzarella, although you'll pay for the privilege. Recommended: Hilltop salad with tart cranberries, gorgonzola, and crunchy candied walnuts; the creamy portabella and parmesan sandwich on toasted focaccia; the wheatberry and white bean salads; and the paper-thin daily special pizzas topped with items like asparagus, capicolla, chipotle ham, or balsamic veggies. Pizzas go for half off between 3-4PM (about $5 for a whole pie, $3 for a half) -- a nice reward if endless meetings ever force you to put off lunch that late.
(4)
A.S. V.
Upscale Italian fast food. They're not the only ones to do it, but are one of the first. Pasta, salads, sandwiches, it's all there, along with extra nice touches like natural mint-strawberry iced tea.
(3)
Charlotte Y.
Maybe something's wrong with me? Or maybe it's that each of my experiences with Sopraffina has left me feeling nothing more than lukewarm. My office is close by, so I make it here frequently. I do enjoy their pepperoni pizza and I must say that they have the best oatmeal raisin cookies I've ever had, but everything else is just... so-so. Salads have ok dressing (although that honey mustard one is quite good), panini are blah and pasta is predictable. Not my fave, but I have to give them credit for feeding me in those times when food is necessary. I guess it really is all about location.
(2)
David G.
I had the special pizza and had some of my friends supremo pizza. It was luke-warm at best and tasted just like Tombstone only you are sober. I paid $6 for "half of a pizza" and it was a complete rip off. If you really want thin-crust pizza in the loop got to Bacci Pizzaria. Overall, this place was vile and i would not recommend it if you want pizza. I cannot say anything about their salads or entrees as i refuse to go back.
(1)
Dale A.
Love the pizza! And I like that it will charge them 1/2 price between 3-3:30p, before closing. I had a 1/2 pizza and a small bottle of wine for around 6 bucks! The fresh pasta is always perfect, never overcooked
(4)
Peter H.
across from the potbelly's right by my work, good poshy little pizzas are about all i eat here. they're good, they're quick. they're mildly overpriced, but whatever.
(4)
nicole r.
Sopraffina is one of those places you meet your girlfriends for lunch in the Loop. There is enough variety to make everyone happy, and the food is usually pretty good. I personally like the antipasti trio, and highly recommend their chicken salad and caprese salad. (Avoid the tuna...it's weird). Their pasta is usually pretty good, and on Fridays, they have a chicken penne pasta with leeks that is out of this world. Hint: Make sure you get it with the cheese and tomato! Prices are a bit high.
(4)
Rachel O.
This place is where I go if I need a good salad. The salads are fresh and the ingredients are of great quality. They have a broad variety of salad dressings and each are delicious. I would say this place has the best salads out of any restaurant.
(5)
Cheryl L.
Sopraffina's serves upscale Italian "fast casual" choices: hearty Mediterranean-themed salads, pastas, made-to-order sandwiches, deli salads, personal-size pizzas, and soups, as well as a tasty variety of desserts and snacks. The restaurant is a good value with delicious food, so it's always very packed between 12-1pm when the Loop lunch crowd is out. Personal favorites here include their mushroom soup, their Thursday sandwich-du-jour (roasted turkey, smoked gouda, red pepper mayo, pickled red onions and lettuce on a tomato bread), and their deli salads. Although crowded at lunch, the lines move quickly, and the staff is generally friendly; however, finding a place to sit - despite two seating areas - can be a challenge during the peak hour. Their deli includes no/low-carb selections, and if you can't decide, there's always the 2- and 3-salad deli plates. Their excellent selection of beverages even includes beer, wine and champagne; and it's hard to go wrong with their tasty dessert treats - especially their toffee chip cookie. Been coming here every week for years and still love their food! (Hours M-F 11am-4pm; closed Sat/Sun)
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : Yes Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch Parking : 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 : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : No Caters : Yes
The immense popularity of Italian cuisine globally isn't unknown. You can find an Italian Pizzeria around every corner of almost every city in the United States. Not to forget that in every house, people enjoy mac and cheese as comfort food. But it would be wrong to believe that Italian food starts with pizza and ends with good pasta as this Mediterranean country has much more to offer other than these two dishes. In Italian Cuisine, there is a high use of fresh tomatoes, all kinds of herbs, great quality of cheese, all types of meat, seafood and fresh handmade pasta. Many find it hard to believe that Italians have been making noodles long back.
Italian and Greek cuisines are always mistaken to be same, but they are poles apart. The primary difference between the two cuisines is the use of cheese in most of the Italian dishes. Italians love to cultivate their own cheese and process them as per their food requirement. It is believed that some cheese is so expensive that cheese producers secure them in lockers.
If you are bored eating the same old pasta or pizza, you can try some of the authentic Italian dishes like Risotto, Polenta, Ribollita, Lasagna, Fiorentina Steak, Bottarga, Ossobuco, Carbonara, Focaccia, Arancini and Supplì. Another item which Italians love to relish every morning is a good cup of Italian Coffee. Once you taste a freshly brewed cup of Italian Coffee, you might not visit Starbucks ever again. Authentic Italian food is made with heart and soul, so go find a restaurant where you can relish Italian cuisine in your city.
Phil T.
Its not rocket science to make a consistent good sandwich. The intent is good here but I think my sandwich just did not follow through. I ordered the Cortina. Trust me I get the philosophy here, feed the lunch loop mass! If you pre make the sandwiches make sure the turkey isn't dried out and that the turkey is covered throughout the bread and not two thirds of it. The sandwiches intent sounded good, flavors married well, due to the dry turkey could have used more mayo to balance it out. This place is literally a spitball away from my work, wish I had a better 'wich shop that I could rely on.
(2)Mark B.
A few friends and I came here for lunch and had a very tasty meal. Décor: They have the interior designed to reflect (what I imagine) an Italian market, which is cool. There are basically four options: salad, pizza, pasta, or sandwich. Each has its own line but they move rather quickly. There are a bunch of tables if you want to stay and eat and the place doesn't get too over-crowded during the lunch hour. Bathroom: I didn't use it during this visit. Staff: The sandwich maker guys and the cashiers are pretty friendly and very quick with their respective tasks - they help move people in and out quickly. Food: I've only had the sandwich station, so that is all I can comment on: The line never gets too long and the menu is right there for easy choice. I went with the Portofino (tuna salad sandwich) and it was very tasty. They ran it through the oven, which essentially made it a tuna melt, but the toppings still kept the taste out of the realm of "cheap tuna melt" taste. Additionally, I had a bag of chips and a water (they have big cups for free water! NICE!) Value: The portions are a big small given the prices... I'd like to see the sandwiches a bit larger. However, I think it has to do with the fact that all the meat is hormone free, etc. So, I get it. It's a nice change to know you're not ingesting a bunch of that crap. My friends are huge, HUGE fans of this place and I like it a lot as well. It's in the standard rotation and I will be back many more times.
(4)Michelle P.
Great casual lunch spot in the Loop, and a great alternative to the typical sandwich/salad/pizza chains. Lots for vegetarians to eat here - pizza, pasta, soup (the mushroom soup and the minestrone were both vegetarian), several different sandwiches,salads, and an amazing antipasti bar, that looks like what you'd see in the salad bar or to-go bar at an upscale supermarket. Over half the choices were vegetarian, you can get individual servings or a "trio" of 3 different antipasti plus a roll or foccacia. I had a kale & something salad, a wheat berry salad, and roasted vegetables. On another trip I had a cup of soup and half an Assisi sandwich - artichokes, roasted red peppers, smoked mozzarella, chioptle mayo, mmmm. They also have great baked goods - the butterscotch bars and brownies are amazing. Skip the chains and go here.
(5)Mickey M.
If you are looking for a good inexpensive lunch in the loop, I recommend this place. A step up from the potbelly, cosi, and corner bakery's that are so frequent in the loop. Give this place a try I don't think it will disappoint. Edit: last time I went here turkey was very dry and sandwich was nowhere near what I had previous visits. Will go back again, but hoping quality improve.
(3)Dirk M.
Really like the ambiance! Good quality service. Different counters based on the type of food you're ordering. The pasta was just ok, but I hear the salads are amazing!
(4)Kim S.
Went here today for lunch. We had the Italian Cobb salad. ON POINT and delicious. Very generous with artichoke hearts, kalamata olives, blue cheese crumbles. Also, shared the 4 stuffed shells with meat sauce. Vey yummy!
(5)Vishal B.
One of the best sandwiches a Vegetarian can ask for! The Assisi! available in a half or whole, try it with pasta salad or soup if its 10 below! Just very satisfying food on a cold day. They also have a massive salad selection, brick oven pizza, pasta options, and many other sandwiches to choose from. Also a selection of chips, sweet treats, beverages including beer/wine and enough seating to hold a lunch rush. A top 5 for lunch in the loop!
(5)Lupe D.
I've always been a fan of Sopraffina...except during the lunch rush - just because I hate fighting for a table! The food here is really good - I've had their pizzas, pastas, sandwiches and desserts. My least fave of all 4 is the desserts, mostly because it's hard to tell how long they've been wrapped up and sitting out. It gets pretty chaotic during lunch, but I will usually get something fast (like pizza) instead of waiting in the longer lines. If I get there on off-hours and have time to chill, I will definitely stay and get some pasta, or my fave tuna sandwich. Everything is a-la carte - so lunch can be pricey - but the food tastes good, so it's worth it.
(4)Karen C.
Why did I wait this long to try Sopraffina? I feel like such an idiot for not going here sooner. Sad. Anyway, I know about it now, and I will most definitely be back. I tried the #6 panini, the Turino, and it was great. A half sandwich is roughly ~$5 and that's pretty decent to me for lunching in the Loop. The guy making my sandwich did so with a very friendly smile, and made me a fresh one sans-mayo. The selection reminds me of Panino's, except volumes better. I always wanted Panino's to be good, but it wasn't. Sopraffina is.
(4)Laura A.
Ive had a few things here but my favorite is there tuna salad! I dont like the sandwich though but I can get just a scoop of the tuna and its great. The pizza is just ok and pasta is pretty basic. The people making the food are lovely! The atmosphere is nice.
(4)Tara M.
The staff here are exquisite -- I used to be a regular when I worked down the street from here. When the sandwich guys saw me they knew my order. I went back like 2.5 years later and they still knew me! Even the cashier. If you go, get the Thursday special sandwich. It's so good! Thanks guys, you are great!!
(5)Michael S.
Had the sausage ravioli with mushroom marinara sauce for lunch. It was delicious, and served instantly. Docked a star because it was $10 which is a fairly expensive lunch.
(4)David G.
One of my go to places for lunch. The food is consistent, delicious and fairly fast. It is fast enough to be convenient but still fresh. The salads are tasty with the italian cobb salad and the Caesar being my favorite. The dressing on the Caesar is not overly creamy like many white overwhelms the other ingredients. If you like them, ask for anchovies. The pizza is OK though I rarely get it. As others have said, the tuna in great with only the most minimal amount of mayo. The sides can be really good too.
(4)Brooke B.
The price is right at Sopraffina for a healthy, hearty lunch and the food is FRESH. The salads are made right in front of you...the deli makes a mean chicken salad...and the marinara sauce...FORGET ABOUT IT. So yummy. Get it on every pasta you order here. Forget the cream sauce, you'll want to take a bath in their marinara, trust me. There's always plenty of room to find a table, even during a lunch rush...but it's just as easy to grab n' go here to avoid eating elbow to elbow with your neighbors.
(4)Juli A.
Simple Italian food the way it's supposed to be. Antibiotic free meat, high quality cheeses, fantastic pizza and awesome pasta. Their meat lasagna calls me out of my sleep and they have a penne chicken pasta with roasted garlic white wine sauce that makes me giddy. Italian sausage ravioli. Equally pleasing, although much too rare, is their lemon rice soup. I have only had one bad experience and it was shortly after their recent remodel. Someone was incredibly heavy handed with the salt in the meat sauce and my lasagna suffered an unnatural, uneaten death. This will not deter me long, however. Once you have it, there's nothing that can satisfy that craving. Look, there's a lot of not bad places in the loop to get lunch. At Sopraffina, you get lunch taken to a whole new level.
(3)Nicole H.
I knew that I'd like this spot after reading the menu online! I tried the vegetable pasta salad and a Turino sandwich: chicken breast, roasted peppers, roasted zucchini, fresh mozzarella, lettuce, mayonnaise, and tomato pesto on focaccia. I enjoyed them both immensely. They also serve antibiotic-free meat. I look forward to returning.
(4)Anya C.
It's across street of my office so I go there all the time. The sandwich is good. Pasta is awful - tried twice, no flavor, under seasoning, noodle + oil = $9, not editable. Pizza is just ok.
(3)Shin M.
I got the half caprese sandwich and the fruit salad. The caprese sandwich was really good! The fruit salad had very fresh fruit. It was a bit pricey for the small portion... but it was still good.
(4)Amelia B.
Whenever I have to trek over to the bankruptcy court for a morning hearing, I always make sure to hit up Sopraffina afterwards. It's probably my favorite quick lunch spot in the loop, and it's tragic that it's not closer to my office. My go-to items are definitely the #2 (Caprese) and #3 (Ham) paninis. I swear to god, they put crack in that flatbread, because I just want to eat mountains of it. The salads are a great option as well, but that line tends to be the longest and the slowest (due to the number of customizations). The place is set up cafeteria style, so it can be a bit confusing for a first-timer. But once you know the ins and outs, it's easy to breeze through. Plenty of seating. And grab a cookie while you're at it. You'll pay more than, say, Subway or Potbelly, but it's definitely worth it.
(4)Sarah F.
Great place for whatever you are craving. They have daily soups and pastas, pizzas, salads and sandwiches. I can't say enough good things about the #9 Venezia (ITS VEGAN and AMAZING!!) and the brussels and white bean antipasto. As a vegan in the loop, its tough to not get sick of the same stuff, but this is a great change and a super tasty sandwich. They also have a great selection of drinks, and even alcohol choices. So good, go eat there!
(4)Claire C.
The sandwiches are phenomenal. I'd typically get a half sandwich and small pasta salad. The pizza is good and occasionally I'll go for whatever the special is. Everyone seems to love the salad, but get there quickly during the lunch rush or the line can go out the door. Sometimes also a bit cramped for seating. Employees are extremely nice and prices are slightly inflated but it's worth it.
(4)Emma K.
Sopraffina is one of my favorite lunch spots downtown. They have a little bit of everything, and everything that I've eaten has been great. I love their huge salads (although I don't think they are the healthiest salads ever) and their sandwiches. Every Friday the special sandwich is a portabella which is amazing. I've never tried the pizza or pasta, but my coworkers get it every time. Quick, decently priced, and delicious :)
(4)Bri A.
This is the place to go if you're craving a quick Italian lunch, but don't want to to shell out a lot of money at Italian Village. My friend and I came here around noon and while the lines were kind of long, they went quick. This was our first time at Sopraffina so things were a little confusing at first but we figured it out. There was plenty of seating which is a big plus! I had the stuffed shells and he had a chicken and pasta dish that was on special. The portions are just right and we felt satisfied and not overstuffed with our meals. The food isn't gourmet or fancy, but it hits the spot. I have seen some reviews say that the food is expensive but it seems to be on par with downtown prices. $7-$10 is pretty average for a casual lunch in the Loop. The pizzas look tasty and I plan on trying one next time I visit. Oh and they have a few beers on hand for those days when happy hour needs to come a little early! :)
(4)Vishnu V.
Great choice of paninis, pizza and pastas !! Good place to stop n grab quick lunch !!
(5)FoodLover Z.
Pretty bad Italian food
(1)Tamara S.
A friend just showed me a photo he took of a sign posted at this restaurant reading "ENGLISH ONLY BEYOND THIS POINT". Folks who want to patronize ethical businesses that are supportive of diversity may want to avoid this place. I have written to the restaurant about this. Let's hope they take down the sign and pledge not to discriminate against patrons or employees based on their language of choice.
(1)Shradha A.
I have 2 locations of Sopraffina right by my office at the Aon and at the Illinois Center but ended up trying this location as it was more convenient for a friend. The service and preparation here was a lot more careless/hurried and the layout quite inconvenient. It does have a lot of seating..
(3)Jennifer F.
I love this place for "fast casual." The staff are always friendly. I've only had the paninis - the Milano & Chiana are awesome.
(5)Jeanette S.
This is a real good place for a quick bite to eat. The people who come here somehow always get on my nerves, I could go on and on about rude, demanding people, but the employees are wonderful and give great service. The fruit salad is amongst one of my favorite here is so fresh and feels healthy when you're finished.
(4)Taylor P.
Fantastic and unique tasting pizza!
(5)Michael M.
Good food, huge range of choices. Salads, pastas, pizzas soups, and sandwiches are all good and pretty reliable. Specials are usually interesting. Although the line builds, the staff is very efficient and you can get in and out pretty quickly. Seating area can be pretty crowded, but is pretty nice if you can snag a spot. My only downside to Sopraffina is that I think it's a tad expensive for what you get...that said, most other reviewers don't seem to agree with me on this point.
(4)Giuseppe D.
Came here for a quick lunch while I was waiting for a friend who lives in Madison (pre-Bulls game!). After walking a few blocks I saw the name "Sopraffina" and couldn't help but check it out. The inside is a very good size, plenty of tables, modern-Italian cafe look overall. I got there just in time for their lunch special which is HALF-OFF pizzas! I ordered a margherita pizza and a pepperoni & three cheese pizza. I got my pizzas and began walking towards the register when I walked passed their pannini and sides section. They had easily over a dozen different sides (pastas, salads, etc.) and after a while, in addition to my two pizzas, I decided on the Milano. The margherita wasn't the best I've ever had, but it definitely got the job done. Big chunks of tomato, the mozzarella could've been better, extra virgin olive oil, and basil, which on this pizza, happened to be a little too much; when the basil is overwhelming the other ingredients, I'd say that's a little too much. The pepperoni & three cheese pizza was good too. Unfortunately I think the pizza I got had been sitting a little since they were about to close for lunch, but it was alright for half-price pizza. Last was the Milano panninowhich was roast beef, provolone cheese, lettuce, giardiniera, and horseradish mayonnaise. The giardiniera and the horseradish mayonnaise made for a pretty spicy combination, but gave the pannino some rich flavor. Altogether a very satisfying sandwich. Overall I was definitely satisfied. Randomly walking around Madison and Dearborn, not expecting to find anything, and stumbling upon Sopraffina is considered a little treasure for me.
(4)Annabelle L.
It's my 1st time and I'm in love with this place! I want to come here every day! Pasta & pizza are especially amazing! It's a more fast food kind of place. You order food at the bar, most of the food are pre-made. But the food tastes even BETTER THAN MANY PROPER SIT-DOWN ITALIAN RESTAURANTS! I'm so amazed at the quality! I ordered VEGETABLE LASAGNA and KALE SALAD for $16. The vegetable lasagna only comes every Friday. It got a lot of fillings: onions, mushroom, tomato, and cheese. Topped with marinara sauce, cheese and more fresh tomato! The food is so good that it makes me sad that it only opens for lunch, 11am-4pm.
(5)Rachel S.
Sopraffina is a decent lunch spot for those who work in the Loop, the hilltop salad is great for those with a sweet tooth, most of the sandwiches are pretty good, especially the vegetarian ones, i.e. the Assisi with artichoke hearts Promise me one thing, though, will ya? Don't get the pizza. Its... how you say... not so good... The food ordering area is decentralized, so it can get a little confusing. If you order a salad, you have to squeeze past everyone ordering a sandwich or a soup to pay for your food. A little awkward turtle. A touch on the overpriced side. Just sayin.
(3)Stacy F.
This is an AWESOME work lunch place in the loop. Pop in and quickly get a delicious meal: pizza, delicious salads, soups, gourmet paninis, the menu is endless! They also offer a ton of great gluten free and vegetarian options! They all taste GREAT! Farmstand Salad is DA BOMB. You cannot go wrong with that one.
(4)Janet E.
I LOVE this Sopraffina. The hilltop salad is one of my favorites (candied walnuts, pear, cranberries, blue cheese, mixed greens). I just wish it werent so expensive! There's a lot of seating inside but was completely filled with lunch patrons around the noon hour. They have a bunch of sandwiches and pizzas here as well. Their food has so much flavor. Cant wait to come back here!
(4)Mike K.
Sopraffina has been open for, what, going on 20 years or more and only has 53 reviews? Either all y'all's been slackin', or you never, ever leave Lakeview. For whatever reason, I had a self-imposed moratorium on Sopraffina for going on, oh, let's just say many years. I may or may not have to go back a decade, or maybe even two, to recount my last visit to this place. I really have no recollection why I dismissed it for all those years. Well, on a whim, I let it all go and dropped in for a very late lunch. Dog's gotta eat. As we all know, the Loop is an absolute wasteland for lunch goers, with a dearth of options from which to choose. It's my opinion that the top tier fast lunch places are Bacci and Tuscany, with the second tier options being Corner Robbery, Au Bon, Hannah's (but only for the turkey sandwich) and Mezza (but only for a salad, yes, salad). Well, now I'm going to add Sopraffina to the top tier of fast lunch options in the Loop. It's been so long since I've been in Sopraffina that I didn't realize that they had pasta, paninis and even salad in addition to the pizza. I always thought they only had a couple pasta options and a couple pizza options. Maybe this all changed sometime in the last, oh, however many years? I grabbed a sausage pizza and a Mountain Dew. Six and change. Want to know why? Shh. Everything is half price after 3 p.m. Starving yourself is good on the pocketbook. I'm sorry I blew you off all those years, Sophie. It won't happen again. I love cheap, delicious women. I'm yours. Four stars.
(4)Kate S.
Sopraffina was a great little place to stop for lunch. I had the Samantha salad, which had mixed greens, chicken, tomatoes, and red peppers with a honey mustard dressing, and I also added to it a small cup of barley and vegetable salad. They were both delicious! The cafe seems reasonably priced and the ambience was very pleasant. It was a horribly rainy day, so it was a nice refuge from the weather. I would recommend!
(4)Jo W.
I love it when I think I'm eating a healthy salad for lunch, only to discover it has 61 grams of fat. Thanks, Sopraffina. Sigh. Other than their super fatty food, I'm pretty neutral on this place. I don't think I've ever eaten anything but salads here (which is clearly changing now), but despite the fat seeping onto my ass the salads are pretty good. Dining in is next to impossible if you come during the lunch rush. The cookies are delicious. I mean, so I heard... The downside is it's crazy expensive, but the food is better than most options in the immediate area so I guess there's a trade off.
(3)Amber C.
A solid choice for lunch in the loop. The line moves pretty quickly and the selection of food is fairly large. You can be in and out pretty fast if needed. I've never had a dish I didn't enjoy here.
(4)Anna P.
LOVE this place for lunch. Their salads - especially the Samantha Salad - are divine, the pizzas are freshly homemade, and I haven't tried anything else but I definitely would. It's an excellent spot to grab some lunch (don't be intimidated by the line, it moves quickly during rush lunch hour!) and sit outside at the Chase Building in the summer, although they also actually have a good amount of indoor seating as well. Buon appetito!
(4)Fredrick B.
I attended a networking after-work event sponsored for Leadership Greater Chicago Fellows at Trattoria No. 10 at Sopraffina last week. It had been years since I had eaten there, but lunch again soon I assure you! Great wine and appetizers, so I can assure you there will be a review coming of a dining experience I intend to have there soon. The place was alive with energy--on a weeknight! The wine was outstanding, and if the meals are anything like the appetizers: "I CAN'T WAIT!" Stay tuned.
(4)Michelle S.
Great lunch spot in the loop. Line moves quickly. Plenty of seats. Lots of options. Friendly service. I usually go for the Samantha Salad which is chicken, mixed greens, green & red peppers, croutons, shaved parm, and tomatoes. And of course I'm usually tempted by the chocolate chip cookies by the register. Yum. They are easy with substitutions and the pizza is also delish for lunch. Lots of talk about it being expensive - I guess so- but what isn't in the loop unless you want fast food? Salads are plenty big, too.
(4)Duane M.
A buddy and I met for lunch here on his recommendation. At noon on a Tuesday it wasn't horribly busy. It's cafeteria style which I wasn't expecting or thrilled about, but it was way easier to navigate than most similar styled restaurants. The food selection was nearly overwhelming, but the place smelled amazing. I was just going to go for a slice of pizza but I walked past the lasagna and couldn't resist. I also picked up an Italian sausage simmering with peppers and some Italian bread. The staff serving the food was professional and helpful, but I still had a flashback of being in the school cafeteria and being handed a tray of food. I should probably talk to a therapist about that. Regardless, from the time I walked in my door, I had paid and started eating within 5 minutes. The lasagna was phenomenal - full of flavor, perfectly spiced, and a generous serving. It was entirely too much food but, of course, I ate it anyway. The sausage was pretty solid, but nothing spectacular. The bread was... well it was bread. This place is perfect for a quick lunch, but if I didn't have to be anywhere, i would have stayed there for an hour. It wasn't crowded or loud, and the food is certainly worth going back for. I'm not a huge fan of the cafeteria style serving, but for flavor like that I'll gladly (try to) get over it. I would recommend going with a couple of friends and sharing your meals so you can all taste more than just your dish.
(4)Josh V.
This is one of my favorite lunch places in the Loop. The food is always good, better than most "fast casual" places. I particularly love the Samantha salad. I've had a number of good sandwiches here as well. I haven't had a pizza or pasta, but the friend I usually meet there says they're both good. The bad (keeping it from 5 stars): It's a bit pricey, but not ridiculously so. For the money, their sandwiches are more substantial than many of the competition's. Also the layout at this location is not ideal. It's cafeteria style, but you have a very narrow space to get through, leading to traffic jams and having to "excuse me" through the sandwich station to get to the drinks and the checkout. The tables are also kind of close together, so it can get a little uncomfortable during lunch rush. By the way: The interior photo someone posted is not from this (10 N Dearborn) location. The food stations are MUCH more cramped at this location than wherever that was taken.
(4)Mike W.
I'm not a "Let's get Italian for lunch" type guy but since I work downtown and there are hundreds of great places to eat in the city I feel the need to diversify quite often. The problem with most restaurants that are fast in the Loop may have a dish or two of noodles played off as Italian. None focus primarily on Italian-inspired dishes. I've been to Sopraffina a couple times now. The layout was great. Differentiating lines based on dish type is an awesome idea. Some dish preparation takes a little longer (I've had the pasta each time) but it's cool to see them finish prep 2 feet away. Also, the guy who does the pasta service is super nice/friendly. Prices? Seemingly dirt cheap. Huge portions as well (which can be good or bad depending on your dietary interests). The only knock on Soprafinna is that their lines are somewhat confined (pasta and sandwich) so every person walking through to pay will bump into you unless you cling to the serving counter. Outside of this issue, the interior is nice and has the feeling of a server-less kinda-fancy Italian joint. Definitely worth checking out if you're in the mood for cheap/fast Italian food downtown that is actually a significant upgrade from the Olive Garden.
(4)Carolyn H.
I'm so impressed. Out in Chicago on travel and stumbled upon Sopraffina while trying to find Which Wich (never did, by the way, thank you Google maps). I ordered the Caprese because for me, if Caprese is on the menu nothing else matters and WOW. Perfectly done - lots of fresh creamy mozzarella, crisp tomatoes, fresh bread, great pesto and basil to add flavor, just perfect. Finish it off with a great chocolate chip cookie and that's about the best lunch I've had for a while. Did I mention for under $10? Going back tomorrow for sure.
(5)Alesha H.
expensive and horrible ordering set up. Plowing your way around the rush hour crowd. Customer service not at the top of my list either.
(2)Amanda C.
I have been here twice and it was okay both times. I have only gotten salads there; maybe that is my problem. Next time I will definitely ask for dressing on the side, as the lettuce was drowning in it. This place is similar to Berghoff in that you need to go to different areas to order sandwiches/salads/pizzas, etc. and may not know that the first time you go. Each day they have a special pizza of the day which is cool. The line can get kind of backed up and is awkward because people are waiting for their food to be cooked while others are waiting to check out. Bonus points for the non-skimpy water cups they provide- Panera and CB could take a hint from them.
(3)Paul B.
Since I've dined at Sopraffina about 10 times now, I figured a review is a bit overdue. It's hard to go to Sopraffina and not spend $10, but for the quality of the food, I don't mind, after all it is downtown Chicago. In terms of Paninis you can go wrong with the Turino, Firenze, or the Milano. Make sure to check out the Pizza and Panini specials. Last week I had the most amazing chicken, pear, carmelized onion, and candied walnut pizza mmmmm. As with most places downtown, Sopraffina gets pretty busy around 12 so we always try to go early or late to minimize the wait time. Definitely somewhere that every loop luncher needs to check out at some point!
(4)stephen r.
Overrated swill. The salads are way to expensive to not even have a little piece of protein, the sandwiches are OK-I-Guess (save the chicken salad which is pretty good) and the pizzas have way to much cornmeal littered over their spongy, paltry crusts. This is a good place to go for those who like to throw money away - though, i would suggest walking a little further to the Chicago River and throw your cash in there. At least it will be more fun to watch it float down into the sewage river and let the current take away.
(2)Brett K.
Salads, pizza and pasta are all quality although a dollar or two more than you are used to spending on the same. Personally, I go for the sandwiches, very high quality and not too expensive. My favorite is the Turino which is chicken, roasted peppers, roasted zucchini, and mozzarella on sun-dried tomato pesto focaccia. Its awesome! If your in the mood for red meat the beef tenderloin here is awesome, like real quality tenderloin (with a touch of horseradish). Bonus: Let's just say the clientele (mostly the salad line) is typically very easy on the eyes...
(4)Aaron N.
This classy place has all types of variety to choose from. Walking into Sopraffina I had the option to have pasta, pizza, slamming sandwiches, or salad. I went with the sausage and cheese pizza and it was just what the doctor ordered. For the price, this might be the best place downtown to grab something quick and amazing. I will definitely be checking out Sopraffina again (maybe today) and look forward to trying their sandwiches which look splendid. Boom Boom.
(4)Yingzi W.
Great lunch place. A lot of peer pressure to eat a salad here, but that's because the salads are awesome!
(4)L H.
The food here is alright. I don't usually like sandwiches, but I think the sandwiches are the best item here. The ingredients are quality and fresh - really tasty and an overall satisfying lunch. The salads are alright, pretty bland and lacking in substance - lots of lettuce and not so much goodies. On a positive note - don't let the crowd scare you, the lines move fast.
(3)David T.
I can't speak about much of the menu. I've had the pizza, a salad, and a few of the deserts. I love this place. The pizza is solid. They have the staples and then add a different special for some spice. The salads are solid. The deserts are tasty. Honestly, my favorite thing about this place is that pizzas are half off after 3 PM. Perfect for a cheap, late lunch.
(4)Sean P.
I've ate here many of times since it is right around the corner from my office so I'd figure I'd pop into grab a quick bite. The pasta selection is money and so are the sandwiches until today. I've given up all meats during lent (it's been rough by manageable) and decided on the Caprese sandwich. Unfortunately, a friend bumped into me which threw me off and we started chatting, next thing I know my sandwich is ready and I take it back to the office. When I unwrap it, it is soaked in a layer of oil/grease/fat as they toasted my sandwich and the mozzarella became mush. It was absolutely disgusting and the worst thing I've ever eaten. I would think most people prefer their mozz cold unless its on a pizza. Sorry Sop, you just got demoted on my weekly lunch list.
(3)Michael H.
There are better places to eat. Decent at best.
(2)Martin J.
Sopraffina Marketcaffe is amazing. the fellas behind the counter make a mean salad and wicked pizza. i cannot judge the rest of the food because i cannot break away from those two. i usually hit it up at lunch and made the mistake of going at the lunch rush hour, so i've switched up my schedule to go right before it and beat the line, can find a decent seat, and enjoy the people-watching along dearborn.
(5)Pavan S.
Really great lunch time spot. Good value. Good selection.
(4)Ian T.
This is a great lunch stop. Fast service and some pretty good sandwiches. Nothing to write home about, but a surefire good lunch hour stop.
(3)Rachelle G.
Great sandwiches and pizza! As with all the other loop restaurants, this place is jam packed during lunch, however, the lines move fairly quickly. I typically order a pizza when I dine in, but we often use them for catering and their sandwiches are always welcomed with happy stomachs =) Friendly service also helps the line move a little quicker. Prices are average for loop lunches, approx. $8/person.
(4)Megan B.
So the only reason I didn't give Sopraffina 5 stars is because I have only been there once. Tragic right? That one visit was so yummy that I will definitely be back for more. But until then, I don't feel right about bestowing full star glory on the basis of one sandwich. I had the turkey panini and it was damn good. Warm and toasty, but still could taste the crunchy veggies. It was just perfect, and I'm a lunch-whore and tend to be hard to please when it comes to specialty sandwiches. I got the full since I was a Sopraffina-virgin and didn't know how HUGE it would be. Thankfully it was cut in half, and the part that I couldn't finish for lunch became dinner later on. The only hang up I had was the line organization for ordering. Being a newbie I had no idea where to go, whom to order from, etc. so it was a little embarrassing when on the 3rd attempt I finally got it right. I did carry-out so I can't comment on the dine-in experience, though I will say that there was plenty of seating available for 1 pm on a weekday and the tables looked nice and cozy. What I can comment on is the insane cost of the meal! For a full panini and a small side salad, I paid just under $8. I was fully expecting to drop $12-15 on this and was more than pleasantly surprised when I didn't have to. Great place for a quick lunch bite when you're sick of subway, panda, chipotle, or the lunch you bring from home. I will definitely be back for more!
(4)Sarah L.
Found a coarse, dark hair in my salad.
(1)Irene H.
I met my friends here for lunch on Friday. It's a bigger scale than the typical Cosi/Panera/lunch places. You pick what you want to eat, stand in line, and checkout at the cashier. Service is fast. I had a hilltop salad. It was alright. My friend's pasta tasted pretty good. The lemon cake was disappointing. If I worked in the area, I could see myself working through the different food choices and probably never going back again unless I didn't have options. The place gets packed. My friend made a good call on meeting at 11:30 instead! Typical prices.
(3)Sonia L.
I work nearby and I love going here for lunch. Reasonable prices, delicious food. The staff is very friendly and the atmosphere is great.
(5)Art S.
Reliable. Delicious. Affordable. Those are the three major things I want in a lunch place. Sopraffina nails all of 'em. They excel in their sandwiches and salads. It doesn't matter if you're all haughty-taughty or you're a meat and potatoes kind of guy, this place has something for everyone. Also recommended for a really nice dinner is their sister restaurant, Trattoria No. 10, located downstairs from Sopraffina.
(4)Victoria h.
I think this is my new favorite sandwich place in the loop. I got there around 12:05 and there was practically no line. I got the Chicken with roasted peppers sandwich - it's huge and super filling. The sandwiches run between $6 and $7, but plenty to fill anyone up. They also have pizzas (you can guy half or whole), a variety of salads made in front of you, and different antipasti you can get with a side or alone. The sandwiches definitely taste more like they're from an upscale deli, ratjer than from the likes of subway or jimmy johns. Go there. Try it. Tell me you don't like it.
(4)Andrea H.
Sopraffina suffers from a syndrome I've found in Chicago, downtown, in this specific part of downtown: reliably good food, especially in sandwich form. Concurring with Charlotte Y, this place certainly left me lukewarm. Two experiences in the past week: First a sandwich that was really quite good, one with turkey, cranberry walnut chutney, mustard aoli, caramelized onions and some greenery (no tomato for me). Warm and tasty, my only complaint is that the chutney is laid on too thick, its too tangy, while the caramelized onions could be a little more hardcore. No big deal, really, could be dependent on the person who makes it. However, not one of those sandwiches that makes me want it again, which is a big deal for me, with sandwiches. I miss sandwiches. Mainly because of my second visit. A steak sandwich with basil, grilled peppers, arugula, horseradish, on cheesy ciabatta sounds good, yes, but this.. this was.. flavorless, aside from the too-cheesy bread. I could smell but not taste the fresh basil, the peppers were too oily and mostly fell off, and the horseradish in the mayonnaise was undetectable. Maybe I am a loser but this ruined my lunch. Really. It was a ruined lunch. It made me sad. Really. The pasta looks really unremarkable. I wouldn't pay the prices they ask for the food. Sad but true.
(3)Matt J.
Great food. Do yourself a favor and try this place for lunch. You will not regret it.
(4)Jen A.
Today, I learned a new word: giardiniera. According to my coworker, it's a Chicago thing. According to Wikipedia, it's "a condiment consisting of serrano peppers, bell peppers, olives, celery, pimentos, carrots and cauliflower marinated in vegetable oil, olive oil, soybean oil or any combination of the three oils." According to my tastebuds, it's tangy, spicy, and good on a roast beef sandwich. Sopraffina is currently my favorite catered-in boxed lunch at work. The croutons in the Caesar salad are so good I'd eat them plain. Like a snack. The Milano sandwich (on which the giardiniera can be found) is all sorts of delicious. The veggies are fresh, the beef is very good, and the lunches come with fruit salad, chips, and an awesome homemade cookie. And since I'm a sucker for all things pretty, I'll mention that the tissue paper the sandwiches come wrapped in is quite excellent. Nice touch!
(5)S B.
Not a good place to go if you're looking for a sit-down spot, because it is really crowded, but for take out, it's a good spot. Good food and reasonably priced. Nice for grabbing lunch if you're on the go.
(3)Mike S.
I work upstairs, so my adventurous stomach usually asks me to walk halfway across the Loop for lunchie time. But, since it's raining today and I felt like being a wuss, I got my lunch here today. All in all, I was pleasantly surprised. Although most of the sandwich options didn't appeal to me, and I found it hilarious that they gave Italian names to decidedly non-Italian sandwiches, there were still enough pizza/pasta/entree options to make up for it. The food was pretty good, and I was happy with the choice between regular bred and focaccia. Drinks-wise, they had a good selection of Italian sodas (yay Aranciata!) and even a few (boring) beers. Normally a place like this would merit 3 stars, or 3.5 at the most, but they get a bonus star for (according to the staff) using De Cecco pasta for all of their dishes. As De Cecco fanboy #1, I approve of this strongly.
(4)Matt K.
Sopraffina is alright, I suppose. The food that I've had there was not terribly exciting, but it wasn't bad. It's a little expensive for what you get though, and since eating it won't make you die from deliciousness, I don't really think it's worth the money. It also gets pretty crowded, and the tables are basically on top of each other, so it doesn't always lend itself to the greatest dining experience. Also, watch out for the pop dispensers. My friend went to fill up his Coke, and the thing wouldn't stop when he was done. Pop just kind of sprayed all over. When I saw, I decided to avoid the problem and get a different kind. Mine exploded worse than his and got all over my hands and arms. It was like Vietnam. I was shot up by soda bullets at an alarming rate. I'm lucky to be alive. Then I was sticky for the whole meal. Not cool.
(3)Mara S.
I love Sopraffina... mainly because of their fresh salads, but their pizza is good too. This is probably my favorite lunch spot in the loop, which is why I can't believe it's taken me so long to Yelp about. I digress..... Anyway, you should go here. It's good and the food is always fresh and tasty and the service is pretty fast. You have to stand in line and wait for your food and if it's crowded, that's kind of a pain, but otherwise, this place is really swell.
(4)Michelle D.
The food is delicious...so much so I didn't even notice that someone stole my wallet here and wasted no time heading over to Saks Fifth Avenue. The lunch crowd gets very tight and the set up makes it difficult to juggle your order in your hands, pull out your wallet, pay, move out of the way, etc. Next time I will go during off peak hours and I will hold on tight to my wallet. FYI: My boss said she was warned (by a SM employee) not to hang her purse off her chair because "they've had problems" there. So be aware. The food is very good though.
(3)K M.
Oh Sopraffina. How I wish you had more "healthy" options, because even your salads weigh in far too high on my Meter of Acceptable Caloric Lunch Levels. I really love your Hilltop salad. It's kind of like a dessert salad with the candied walnuts and all. And it is giant (maybe you need to offer half-sized salads, because I'm pretty sure that's all I need...and yet I can't stop eating when I'm just sitting there for a lunch hour). I have also had your half-sized mozzarella, basil etc sandwich and was not impressed- for the calories even in the half, despite how small and unsatisfying it was, not even that tasty- yea...I don't think so. The pizzas are decent. But seriously, I pretty much just come here when I get a taste for that damned salad. However, you are not good for my waistline and I therefore must reserve you for treats- you will never make it into the category of good DAILY lunch spots. I love you as a "nicer' lunch spot maybe once every other week. On the upside, despite how crowded you are, I've always managed to find a table. Usually totally on top of another group of people (very squishy table arrangements! But I don't think you can expect much else from a casual Loop lunch!). You also get bonus points for being within the block around my office- no wasting part of the lunch hour with a long walk (especially in the nasty cold)! Bring out some reasonably portioned salads, or at least some lower-cal dressing options (their website claims to have a low-fat raspberry vinaigrette, which turns out to not be true), maybe a few healthier sandwiches (half a sandwich sound NOT be still over the 400-500 calorie range!) and I'd bump you up.
(3)Ellie B.
Yum! My office is across the street, but I don't get here often enough. Probably because it's a tad bit more expensive than the typical offerings around the loop. You can't go wrong with anything this place has to offer, from the salads, pastas, antipasti, soups or panninis. It's all good! They also have a selection of beers and wine for those interested in getting annihilated before going back to their desk.
(4)Quantas G.
Good stuff. Great Italian Loop lunch cuisine. Big, filling salads. Tasty thin crust pizza. Toasty panini sandwiches. Oh yeah! I ordered the Hilltop Salad with gorgonzola and walnuts. And shared a Margerhita Pizza that had a delicious crust, tasty basil leaves, and mozzarella cheese. GReat food, fast service, and decent Loop-area prices.
(4)Natasha O.
Delicious! Quick service and excellent quality food.. not anymore expensive than most other loop places. The only problem is that I think that one pasta dish was probably my entire calorie intake for the day. No dinner for me!
(4)Bill M.
The original Sopraffina is located next to Trattoria No. 10. It serves what amounts to gourmet fast food with an Italian bent. The thin crust pizzas feature upscale ingredients, and it is a good idea to order one to go and eat it at nearby Daley Plaza. Only lunch is served at this location.
(4)Mike P.
We ordered in a working lunch from Sopraffina yesterday. Not bad, just some sandwiches and chips. Judging by the food, I would say they are on par with Tuscany or Cafe Baci. Your standard Chicago Loop lunch where you pay $7 for a $4 sandwich to sit in a nice dinning room, as opposed to a dingy food court. The tomatoes on my sandwich were extremely fresh, however, and really added to it.
(4)joanne y.
the market salad is delicious and their pizzas and pastas look pretty good too. cheap and fast eats are a dime a dozen around this area but you sacrifice eating well with eating greasy fast foods. this is the perfect place for those in search of a healthy meal. my friend and i split the market salad which had goat cheese and apple slices, yum! he ordered some sandwich on a panini that was pretty good too. afterwards, i didn't feel cheated out of a healthy meal. the prices are a bit high but the portions are large so it evens out. you can have the salad for both lunch and dinner. haha! if you really wanted to.
(4)Kathleen L.
This place is great and right across the street from my work! Everything is made fresh daily. I expecially love their pizza. I have tried their stuffed pasta with meat sauce and that was also really good. I haven't had the salad here but I have heard nothing but good things. One drawback...a bit pricey(not open for dinner). I don't like spending over $10 for lunch but once in a while I like to splurge! :)
(4)Andrew T.
Pretty much the same as Panera, Cosi, etc. to me. Gets pretty packed during lunch. The sandwich I had didn't stand out, although they do have a nice selection of deli (prepared foods) you can choose from to get separately or on a sandwich.
(3)Sophie E.
This is my favorate lunch place when I'm in the loop. It moves like a cafeteria, but it is upscale and the food is high quality gourmet. They offer big salads, gourmet thin crust pizzas, pastas, and other deli items. There are lots of choices too. My favorite is the pasta - especially the stuffed shells. They offer freshly grated parm cheese and a chiffonade of fresh basil!! wow! With drink, expect to pay $10-15 per person, but the quality so good that it is worth it. Also, the seating area is cute, but they do cram the tables together and so it can feel a bit claustrophobic. Try to get there at 11:30am, be fore the lunch rush. The 5 stars reflect the quality and tastiness of the food.
(5)Sheila Y.
So yea this place is usually not the type to yelp about, but since I have been here twice with my fellow co-workers I thought I should throw in my two cents. I love the Farmstand Salad. It is all I have ordered and I will continue to order (although the pizza and sandwiches look great). Last time I added salami, but since I am working on the old figure I kept it vegetarian this time around. Great mix of greens, candied walnuts, goat cheese, tomatoes and a delicious raisin vinaigrette. Last time I caved and got a peanut butter rice crispy with chocolate on top (f'in amazing, but I put the other half in the office fridge and that darn thing keeps calling out to me). This time I stuck with my salad and diet Dr. Pepper, but the cookies and coffee cakes look great. This place is a good Loop staple for all of us highrise workers.
(4)Steve T.
Very good. Gets really busy at lunch, I recommend going a few min early/late to avoid the crowds.
(4)payton c.
Quality fast-casual a few notches above the standard Loop fare, with touches like whole-wheat pizza crust and fresh mozzarella, although you'll pay for the privilege. Recommended: Hilltop salad with tart cranberries, gorgonzola, and crunchy candied walnuts; the creamy portabella and parmesan sandwich on toasted focaccia; the wheatberry and white bean salads; and the paper-thin daily special pizzas topped with items like asparagus, capicolla, chipotle ham, or balsamic veggies. Pizzas go for half off between 3-4PM (about $5 for a whole pie, $3 for a half) -- a nice reward if endless meetings ever force you to put off lunch that late.
(4)A.S. V.
Upscale Italian fast food. They're not the only ones to do it, but are one of the first. Pasta, salads, sandwiches, it's all there, along with extra nice touches like natural mint-strawberry iced tea.
(3)Charlotte Y.
Maybe something's wrong with me? Or maybe it's that each of my experiences with Sopraffina has left me feeling nothing more than lukewarm. My office is close by, so I make it here frequently. I do enjoy their pepperoni pizza and I must say that they have the best oatmeal raisin cookies I've ever had, but everything else is just... so-so. Salads have ok dressing (although that honey mustard one is quite good), panini are blah and pasta is predictable. Not my fave, but I have to give them credit for feeding me in those times when food is necessary. I guess it really is all about location.
(2)David G.
I had the special pizza and had some of my friends supremo pizza. It was luke-warm at best and tasted just like Tombstone only you are sober. I paid $6 for "half of a pizza" and it was a complete rip off. If you really want thin-crust pizza in the loop got to Bacci Pizzaria. Overall, this place was vile and i would not recommend it if you want pizza. I cannot say anything about their salads or entrees as i refuse to go back.
(1)Dale A.
Love the pizza! And I like that it will charge them 1/2 price between 3-3:30p, before closing. I had a 1/2 pizza and a small bottle of wine for around 6 bucks! The fresh pasta is always perfect, never overcooked
(4)Peter H.
across from the potbelly's right by my work, good poshy little pizzas are about all i eat here. they're good, they're quick. they're mildly overpriced, but whatever.
(4)nicole r.
Sopraffina is one of those places you meet your girlfriends for lunch in the Loop. There is enough variety to make everyone happy, and the food is usually pretty good. I personally like the antipasti trio, and highly recommend their chicken salad and caprese salad. (Avoid the tuna...it's weird). Their pasta is usually pretty good, and on Fridays, they have a chicken penne pasta with leeks that is out of this world. Hint: Make sure you get it with the cheese and tomato! Prices are a bit high.
(4)Rachel O.
This place is where I go if I need a good salad. The salads are fresh and the ingredients are of great quality. They have a broad variety of salad dressings and each are delicious. I would say this place has the best salads out of any restaurant.
(5)Cheryl L.
Sopraffina's serves upscale Italian "fast casual" choices: hearty Mediterranean-themed salads, pastas, made-to-order sandwiches, deli salads, personal-size pizzas, and soups, as well as a tasty variety of desserts and snacks. The restaurant is a good value with delicious food, so it's always very packed between 12-1pm when the Loop lunch crowd is out. Personal favorites here include their mushroom soup, their Thursday sandwich-du-jour (roasted turkey, smoked gouda, red pepper mayo, pickled red onions and lettuce on a tomato bread), and their deli salads. Although crowded at lunch, the lines move quickly, and the staff is generally friendly; however, finding a place to sit - despite two seating areas - can be a challenge during the peak hour. Their deli includes no/low-carb selections, and if you can't decide, there's always the 2- and 3-salad deli plates. Their excellent selection of beverages even includes beer, wine and champagne; and it's hard to go wrong with their tasty dessert treats - especially their toffee chip cookie. Been coming here every week for years and still love their food! (Hours M-F 11am-4pm; closed Sat/Sun)
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