Specialty’s Café & Bakery
525 W Monroe St, Chicago, IL, 60661
Specialty’s Café & Bakery Menu
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Address :
525 W Monroe St
Chicago, IL, 60661 - Phone (877) 502-2837
- Website https://www.specialtys.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :6:00 am - 5:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : Yes
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Garage
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : No
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : No
Caters : Yes
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Sarah L.
Not sure why I frequent this place so much, but it's easily a regular alternative b/c of the selection and semi-reasonable pricing. I have tried a good portion of their deli menu and have yet to be "wowed" by any of those items, BUT their baked goods/sweets are a whole other story.
(3)Hollina U.
The cookies here are huge, but that's all the praise I can give to them. They're hard, and I like my cookies soft. I enjoyed eating the white chocolate pieces on the cookie platter more than I enjoyed the cookies or the brownies. Oh, but whatever they have that's called "Better than a Bagel" is REALLY better than a bagel.
(3)Christina B.
Customer service is A+. The employees are always upbeat and ready to go. Try their Chinese chicken salad--definitely a twist with its slaw base and worth a mention. And you can order lunch items "to go" in the morning. Definitely a one stop "shop" for grabbing breakfast and lunch to go at the same time.
(5)Belle L.
Excellent value for $$. Good quality and portion. Sandwich price is between $6-$10. Friendly and informative staff. Intelligensia Coffee -- one of the few places in the area to get Hand Crafted Single Origin (aka Chemex style) cup of coffee for $4. A low fat treat without carbs. The Mega Blonde Barista is knowledgeable and informative.
(5)Caitlin S.
I work in the building and frequent Specialty's a lot- especially in the winter so I don't have to venture out for lunch. I love the food and the place has great customer service. You can usually find a seat to sit as well if you choose to dine in. This place would be 5 stars but the nutrition in a lot of the food is just plain bad. How about some lower calorie options so we don't have to feel so guilty after eating a sandwich, yet still feel full? I usually get the cobb salad minus the bacon crumbles- those alone can add 200 calories plus. Overall- a great lunch spot! I will continue to return.
(4)Jeremy B.
Standard Loop (or West Loop in this case) fast casual lunch spot. Salads, sandwiches, and soups which are all tasty but moderately over priced. Was going to give them three stars but give them an extra for the online pickup ordering system and also their friendly and accurate staff - since I'm a picky eater I always customize my orders and they always get it right. We make a great team.
(4)Roxanne R.
I normally get a salad. Actually I get the same Southwestern salad from Specialty's. It's appropriately priced for a loop lunch at $7.99 for a small. Don't be fooled. I don't think the small is small at all. I can only really eat a third of it at a time (it takes me 2 days to finish a Chipotle Burrito Bowl for measure). So if that's their small, I can only imagine their large can feed the Jolly Green Giant. Other Pros and Cons of Specialty's: Pro 1) Their cookies are absolutely rich and decadent in a good way. I sometimes refer to their chocolate chip cookie as a cheer me up cookie. 2) Their pick-up service is really convenient. Order ahead and pick it up on the bookshelf. I've never had anyone steal it. Con 1) The dressing that comes with the salad is too small. I always have to ask for an extra one. Apparently they think people need 3 tablespoons of dressing for a large tub of salad. 2) Sometimes I've had some old tasting cookies that weren't even the day old section. This is a rarity but if I'm calling it the cheer me up cookie it better damn well cheer me up. All in all I'm a fan of specialty's and I'd love to meet the guy (or gal) that eats the large salad all to themselves.
(4)Jim B.
Good food, but not worth the really high prices, and the service is horrific. After giving them REPEATED attempts to earn my business today was the last straw. After waiting 10 minutes for my $17.87 salad and (very) small soup, what was given to me was not the salad I ordered. In the process of remaking the salad they screwed up again by not making it to-go. After another 10 minutes I finally get the right salad, but by this time the soup is cold and the bagger didn't have the foresight to realize this and give me a hot soup. Everyone there is personable, but they are clearly incompetent when it comes to fulfilling orders. This was by no means the first screw-up, but it will be the last for me. If you don't mind a $18 soup/salad combo, and don't mind quality control issues the food is good.
(1)Matt D.
Enjoy a Sandwich, Soup, or Salad for lunch ($8-$10, depending on your selection)! I've tried it all and have no complaints about the quality nor the quantity of the food here at Specialty's. Feel free to dine in or take out. Either way, you should be a happy eater! My most recent purchase was the Chinese Chicken Salad (Large) which held me over until dinner.
(5)Jason M.
Tip: check-in to receive free Intelligentsia coffee w/ pastry purchase Another Tip: keep coffee cup for discounted refills Final Tip: it's a "Cafe & Bakery", but skip the Cafe part and head towards Bakery. Cookies are hefty and handcrafted.
(3)Linda N.
I'd already been working downtown for a few months when I finally decide to try this place. I would pass on my way home, but usually not my way in. A few standouts from my visits: cheese quiche: fresh, tasty blend of 3 cheeses with just the right hint of scallions--reasonable for $2.59 egg bacon cheddar sandwich- on super fresh bread, makes all the difference- $4.99 choc chip cappuccino scone- bit too much sugar on top- at $2.29 priced well for its size but will try another flavor next time as it was a bit dry They serve Intelligensia coffee, if you are into that, I'm not - so can't review the coffee.
(4)Jesse S.
The service is great, the people who work here are helpful and funny and personable. You can tell there must be good management. I have now had 2 different meals here and had the same staff experience. Now, the food... The Big BLT. DE-effing-Licious! Great bread, great quality bacon (a LOT of bacon) and real tasty everything else. Today I couldn't decide between the spinach/strawberry salad and the spinach/bacon salad.... so they allowed me to "combine" them. I got a small (which was MORE than enough food) spinach and bacon salad, and added strawberries and goat cheese to it. PHENOMENAL! The poppyseed dressing was lovely, the berries were big and juicy, the veggies were great. I have now sent 3 of my coworkers over there to get this salad for themselves. Well done.
(5)Heather R.
This company is VERY un-user friendly. 1st: they do not have phone numbers to the actual cafe's, only to their office in CA. If you need to change anything, be prepared to pay for anything you need to change/remove despite the fact that they have not even made the order yet. As for attention to detail, don't bother customizing anything as they never seem to quite get it right (ie: adding or deleting items other than the standard description) We initially liked the idea of people being able to select what they wanted individually, but have quickly learned that their TERRIBLE "customer service" is an example of what not to do. Never again.
(1)Adri H.
They are HORRIBLE with orders!!! MORE THAN ONCE they have gotten my order WRONG. The last order I placed on-line, I go to pick it up and I'm told they don't have the bread. Well, that bread makes the sandwich so I canceled the order. THEY NEVER CREDITED MY ACCOUNT. I've tried to clear things up with the assistant manager to no avail. She's very nice but I STILL HAVE NOT BEEN CREDITED. I've even been in touch with headquarters and they have not given me a credit. Too bad, the food is usually pretty good and I order for our office of 15 regularly and they will not get any of our orders....
(1)Jennifer L.
Caution: do not visit the nutritional information on their website regarding the calorie count of their delicious cookies. Just don't do it. Just get a cookie (or cookies) and work hard to burn it (them) off later. Or, skip a meal and just have the cookie(s) instead. Let's be honest. You know you want it (them). They don't sell boxes with the baking mix for the cookies if they weren't good, would they?? Anyway, I had one of those day where I just wanted to eat away my bad feelings. And, nothing sounded more comforting than a big ass semi-sweet chocolate chunk cookie from Specialty's. The cafe is super close to Union Station so I figured I could grab one and still make my train home. So, I popped right in and there was no line. I was able to get in and get out super fast. The employees who helped me were super friendly. When I got to the train, I immediately broke off a piece of the outer edge of the cookie. The semi-sweet chocolate melted in my mouth and for a split second, I felt a lot better about the day. Needless to say, the calorie count will limit my trips to either really good or really bad days. If you are in the mood for something sweet and need a pick me up, go to Specialty's for your fix!
(4)Nick K.
Most unfriendly ladies at the cafe. Coffee was good but the workers were snobby. I may try it again but would advise the owner to get some new workers at the cafe.
(2)Mike K.
Big corporate feel. Big corporate sandwiches. Big corporate poppyseed bread. Big corporate cranberry scone. Independent boy coffee from Intelligentsia. Big corporate price tag for a quick time lunch. And then back to the evil commie Gulag to finish out the day digging ditches. The only thing I don't like about Specialty's is the name. What corporate wizard came up with that one?
(5)Seth G.
Literally the worst chocolate chip cookie I have ever eaten. It was chewy on top but the bottom was a burnt coaster. I would have overlooked all of that if it had flavor. It was the blandest and most tasteless cookie imaginable. And the cherry on top...3 freakin dollars.
(1)Nat Z.
I always have a good time here. It's always pretty quiet and the staff are great-- helpful, friendly, personable. It's also about as cozy as you can get for being located in the lobby of a soulless office tower. Intelligentsia coffee served to you for affordable prices NOT by pretentious people wearing vests. Day-old tray of cookies is a wonderful thing. Dig.
(5)Dominick Q.
Peanut Butter 'N Stuff sandwich. It will change your life. Every bite tastes like dessert. I just came in from NYC and devoured this on back to back days. Toss in a side order of tomato lentil soup, and for $10 you've got a deliciously filling lunch. The iPad ordering system makes it easy. You can even set up an account, order from your office, show up and they'll have your bag ready for you.
(5)Ryan M.
The day old stuff is really good and so is the service. Except for the girl who made me a macchiato the other day. I didn't know they came in small cups and I was taking a client out. I asked which one is which and she pretty much snubbed me. She was mean.
(3)Don R.
This place is the absoulte bomb. It doesnt require any lengthy disertation. Met all my expectation on cost, quality, taste and service!!
(5)Moni K.
Awesome. I had the hot Big BLT sandwich. It was done just right, bacon nice and crispy just as I like it and the price was just right $5.99. I also could not help myself and had the White Chocolate Macadamia - $2.29. Which was Heavenly! Beautiful cafe right by the financial district. Friendly staff and super fast service. Can't wait to go back!
(5)Sruts A.
This is a perfect place to grab a quick breakfast, lunch or a snack! I love that you can order online and just go there and grab it from the shelves without waiting in line. The bakery items here are delicious and addictive - the cookies (you can track them online and they are DE-LI-CI-OU-S!!), bundts and scones require a special shout out. Croissants are large and perfect with a cup of chai tea latte (Intelligensia). I've been here for lunch several times and had a variety of sandwiches, soups and salads - the turkey, bacon, apple and brie, turkey cranberry and peanut butter and stuff are my favorite sandwiches, the chicken cobb and chinese chicken salads are pretty good. They also cater, which is very convenient for work. Every time I order, I get a hand written card with a cookie voucher :) - very sweet of the manager to do that!
(4)Kimi N.
I have loved everything I've gotten at Specialties, seriously. This place is a pricier lunch option but man, it is so worth it. The salads are great. I've gotten the vegan one and added chicken making a non-dairy haven of a lunch. I've also gotten the roast beef, club, and turkey, bacon apple and brie (but no brie) sandwiches. Both are delicious and the bread at Specialities is really top notch. Fluffy but hearty. Droool. And their soups! There seems to always be a vegan option which I totally appreciate. And they are really tasty chilli and bean soups. Also, I appreciate the staff there. It's a very busy lunch spot, but it usually is a well-oiled machine of ordering and then getting your order. They have yet to mess mine up, knock wood.
(4)Natasha Z.
Worked across the street for a year before trying this place and I'm so sad I waited so long. Love their sandwiches, amazing quality and good portions. No complaints here.
(5)Angie M.
Get the chicken salad sandwich. You won't be sorry. It's full of nuts, dried cranberries, celery and of course chicken. They slather a cranberry spread on the bread, too. OMG. Amazing. Love.
(4)Marian H.
525 W. Monroe--a well remembered address--I worked at the location when IBM had an office there... it was a pleasure to go to the Cafe Bakery. Yeye Lynvonne WCSU iHeart radio Cafe Yeye
(4)Catherine W.
Excellent, spacious place for a coffee break or lunch in the loop. I especially loved the convenient option of ordering at a computer kiosk with your credit card if you don't want to wait in the line for a cashier. Free wifi a plus. My friend told me you can get their "day-old" cookies for half off if you need a cheaper cookie fix - lol.
(4)Dorotka K.
Beyond cute little cafe. I was given a coupon for a free coffee or cookie, so I thought I'd check it out. Great service at the register and very good coffee. Grabbed a menu to check out later, as they seem to have quite a few interresting lunch options. They definitely have an edge on Panera in terms of vegetarian food and prices are comparable. This location has a very large and, more importanly, clean dining area. I will definitely be back for lunch.
(4)Liz P.
The beef and blue sandwich is delicious. Sandwiches are made to order, so there's a bit of a delay between ordering and getting your food, but they give you a beeper so you can find a seat and set your stuff down while you wait for your food.
(4)Jenny S.
I've been to Specialty's twice now and the food has been good both times. First time I got a salad and second time a sandwich--sandwich was the better choice. The bread is fantastic. The reason they don't get four stars is purely price. When I ordered a sandwich, soda and cookie, the grand total was $12. Yeouch! Seriously? That's a pricey sandwich!
(3)Ashok R.
I had breakfast and a client meeting this morning at this location. I ordered my sandwich, but was clumsy enough to drop it on the floor. Matthew was great. He remembered my order and made me another one at no charge. I work in professional services and this is great customer service. Food/ambiance was great as well. Definitely recommend this location.
(5)Jeanette S.
This place has magical coffee! And unlike some other coffee spots, notably starbucks and dunken donuts, they serve fresh baked goods and not stale ones! I also like the staff. They are very friendly, approachable and talkative. Glad this place is only a block away from my work!
(5)David C.
The Intelligentsia kiosk, and the woman who runs it (Zabrina), are the best. You know when you are abroad and you have a macchiato, or a cafe cortado, and you think: "Why can't coffee taste like this in the US?" Well, here you go. So lucky to have this in the building. I have a place in my heart for Specialty's, as it is a San Francisco company. Over the years, I have probably eaten hundreds of their cookies. Maybe even over a thousand. I had a friend who knew the baking schedule of the Specialty's by our office, so we would always get cookies right out of the oven. So. So. Good. Don't look at the nutritional value on the website, it will only make you sad. And cookies should make you happy. The other plus about having this in the building: the smell of baked bread in the morning. Seriously, even ten floors up, the hallways smell like a hot loaf. And not that kind, get your mind out of the gutter.
(5)Natalie G.
Good thing this place is not in SD, because I would be in carb heaven all the time! Came here with a girlfriend, because her colleagues all loved this place. And it really is fantastic. We were part of the "earlier" lunch crowd around 11:30 am-ish, so we definitely beat the rush of lines. - Turkey Cranberry Sandwich: These are big sammys! But pretty freakin tasty and delectable. They go a little overboard with all the alfalfa sprouts so ask them to ease up on them, so you can actually bite into the sandwich, but it's yum. Nice smothering of cranberry, and the warm bread. - Tomato Gnocci Soup: Hello comfort. Warm, cheesy, oozy. A cup of it is perfect to split and dip your bread in it. - Asian Peanut Salad: Made with cabbage, this was a light and fresh salad. It's very veggie and it was decent. All in all. This place does get crowded at lunch times, but its crowded for a reason. It's fantastic.
(5)Laila C.
The egg, cheese and sausage breakfast sandwich was massive but the chocolate/mocha scone was dry and the large iced mocha was tiny. It's a good choice for a quick, fresh breakfast and I'll back to try their sandwiches and SOUP for lunch!
(3)Erin G.
Specialty's is one of my favorite places to eat lunch on workdays, though I think it's pretty expensive for lunch (not unusual at this location though). Their baked goods are great. I seriously cannot resist their semi-sweet chocolate chip cookies. It's bad. They also have a cookie radar thing you can sign up for that tells you when cookies are fresh out of the oven. Sooo dangerous. They have great homemade bread which makes their sammiches deelightful. They have a good variety, and salads too (though I haven't tried them). Some of their sandwiches have sort of odd ingredients, like pickles on every sandwich, no matter what kind, and I think they could stand to employ more of a "simpler is better" approach to their toppings. There's a lot going on on some of them. Overall though, very tasty. Their soup is great and I know I'll be loving that in the wintertime. They also have an Intelligentsia location in-house, which is a fantastic complement to their yummy baked goods.
(4)Kim J.
My coworker and I have spent many a day trekking from our West Loop office over to the location at 191 N Wacker. The day we found out a location was opening across the street from my office, I was *this close* to openly weeping tears of joy. (OK, not really, but I was really happy.) I can't figure out what's not to love about Specialty's. 1. They make all of their food from scratch, in house. 2. Everything is super fresh. Yeah, you pay a little extra for it, but I have no problem paying for quality. And I think the portions make up for it - they are very generous. 3. I think their employees are the happiest bunch in the Loop. After one too many lunches out with surly people behind the counter, it's nice to go somewhere where you know they'll smile at you. 4. Three words: WARM COOKIE RADAR. If you go to their website, you can find out what cookies are just out of the oven. There is nothing better than a warm cookie on a lousy work day. An added bonus: order online, and you don't have to wait in line. Just order, and then pop over 15 minutes later to pick up your food. Great for anti-social actuaries like myself. ;)
(5)Shanti N.
So close to the office, I can't believe I wasn't aware of this lunch spot sooner. I have ordered from here three times - including one catered order - and am a convert. The online ordering feature makes it oh so convenient and cuts out the standing around time. Baked goods look fantastic, especially the mini bundt cakes. ... if they taste just as good, I will be in definite trouble. The homemade bread is excellent, when the servers remember to throw it into my bag, and I love that Intelligentsia coffee is on-site. I am a bigger fan of the soups and salads than I am of the sandwiches. Personal faves are the Greek Goddess salad and the chicken Caesar- love the homemade croutons. A bit pricier than Corner Bakery but I have no qualms about paying for freshness.
(4)Michael K.
Great ordering options and very good cookies, but the sandwiches are just average. I had the turkey and cranberry that should have been awesome, but ended up being bland.
(3)Demetrio P.
Been ordering often from Specialty's. Great place to order food such as a salad and soup and customize it to your specific needs. Great thing about it is you can also get a calorie count from their online website when you do order online. I also had a slight snafu with one of my orders, and happy to say, they went above and beyond to remedy the situation. Will definitely keep Specialty's as one of my fave lunch spots near work!
(4)Mandy A.
Stopped here on my way home from a lunch meeting and I'm glad I did. I remember coming here when it first opened and I can't remember what I got but it was good. Obviously not that memorable though. I got the Turkey Pesto today and it was yum. Cream cheese... my weakness. Add pesto and red peppers and pickles and red onions? Yes, I can still smell the wrapper in my garbage and that's okay with me. Also, I dig the whole order yourself and pay with a credit card and wait for your order. I'm all about not having to talk to someone if I don't need to.
(4)Jo W.
This morning I was invited to the launch party at the new Specialty's location, which opens to the public tomorrow. I'm VIP like that. At least, that's what they told me. This new location is spectacular. Walking in, you're greeted by a separate coffee bar, complete with all the fixings your caffeinated heart desires. Then, a case full of baked goods that will have you wiping drool off of your chin and not caring how many hours of cardio it will take to work it off. As I write this I am currently vibrating in my chair from all of the sugar in the orgasmly delicious cinnamon roll. My coworker might be concerned because I just licked the icing off of the knife in a trance. Oh sure, they have their yummy salads and sandwiches too. They even have fresh breakfasts that won't send you into a diabetic coma... but where's the fun in that? The space where you place your order is kind of tight - but never fear, because Specialty's has hooked this location up! To help speed things along they have two kiosks set up where you can place your own order, customize it, view calorie counts (dangerous), and they give you one of those vibrating light up pagers to take to alert you when your order is up. You can grab it to go, or you can snag a seat in their spacious dining room. Pressed for time? No worries - you can opt for priority pick up, or even have them deliver. Add in super friendly employees, and you have all of the ingredients to make a fine addition to West Loop lunching. Welcome, Specialty's!
(4)Ronnie P.
Best cinnamon rolls ever! The staff is always very friendly and the food is always delicious.
(5)Michelle S.
I've been going to Specialty's since it opened at 191 N. Wacker. Their baked goods are amazing. Seriously, uh-maz-ing. I think they they have a long way to go before becoming one of the IT lunch places in the area, but they're in a great location and offer a diverse menu. Prices are about on par with downtown pricing (that is, absurd, but better for you than eating off McDonald's dollar menu). While I haven't had a sandwich from this location, if it's anything like the location on Wacker, they're exceptional. Their vegetarian sandwich is just delicious. On the other hand, I had a salad and was not terribly impressed. The salad was mundane and the ingredients seemed sparse. While it sounded good, it's hard for me to determine if my issue is because the ingredients didn't flow together, or if it was because there wasn't anything that was particularly delicious in the salad. Plus, I felt like the salad wasn't spun enough because there was water in the bottom of my carry-out container (which means the dressing was runny, blech). I'll give them another shot, but will probably look elsewhere for salads.
(3)Sarah M.
I actually really like Specialty's. Good bread. Great baked goods, just good food - I go there a lot. I reduced my stars because I am so sick of getting food there and ending up with a giant mess when I open the package. For Christ's sake, reassembling a sandwich is not what I overpaid for there. Every damn time, it's the same. Sandwich construction is an art that is totally lost there. I dare say that Jimmy John's could teach them a thing or two. But do try the black and white cookie. That's pure genius.
(2)Melanie H.
I love Specialty's! Thrilled that they opened a second location in Chicago because golly, the lunchtime crowds on a nice day were out of control. I'm not a fan of lunchtime crowds and I often can be flexible with my schedule, so I try to go at off-peak times. I wandered into this location for the first time this week and the huge seating area is a big plus! I also appreciate the free wi-fi, but I always think it's strange when new cafes don't put in lots of power outlets. Maybe they didn't do much remodeling when they moved in...I don't know what the space was like before. Had a slight issue with my order, but it was fixed quickly and handled well, so no hard feelings. Delicious café au lait and of course, the cookies are out of control amazing. I usually order the turkey pesto sandwich, and they never flinch when I ask them to leave off half the ingredients, so that's a plus. I can't wait until strawberry season arrives, because I was a little addicted to the strawberry, spinach, and feta salad last year! It's not often that I get addicted to a salad, so this is pretty serious, folks.
(4)Bill M.
Specialty's looks like a busy lunch spot just west of the Loop. Its main space branches off the central lobby of this office building, and it is hard for a first-timer to see where you line up, or order, or what. There's a bakery counter adjacent to two registers, and the fountain soda machines are there too. After you order from the sandwich-centric menu, you get one of those flashing devices that buzz off when your order is ready. That is usually not a good sign, as those disks are mainly dished out at gargantuan restaurants with hour-long waits. Although my friend warned that they do take their time with the food here, my sandwich came out in less than five minutes. The dining area gets crowded as you would expect at noon hour, so my friend and I shared a communal table with a bunch of other diners (all the smaller tables were seemingly anchored with customers). This takes me back to the day when my family had to share tables at restaurants in New York's Chinatown...and we HATED to share tables with a bunch of strangers. The hate has dissipated over the years, but it's hard to enjoy your friend's wacky stories when they are occasionally overshadowed by the louder vocal chords of other tablemates. Well, at least my BBQ chicken sandwich was good, with cole slaw, cheddar cheese and bacon atop the chicken chunks all on a chewy ciabatta roll. My friend liked her toasty BLT.
(4)Vanessa R.
This is my favorite lunch place. Their foods are made with great ingredients and reasonably priced. The staff is also very friendly, even durning the lunch rush.
(5)Leticia L.
I was excited to see Specialty's open up in this location. The building hadn't had a tenant since the previous restaurant closed a few years ago. I have to agree that is is a little chaotic and disorganized during the morning rush. I am not a fan of the two counters and I think it makes this difficult the first time you order. That being said, I think their pasteries are amazing. I cannot say that I have had a bad one yet. I like the fact that they sell day-old pasteries for 1/2 price. And I really like the fact that they sell Intelligentsia coffee. They also sell pour overs which I am a fan of. I am looking forward to trying their lunch menu. I am hoping they are as good as their mini quiches.
(4)Lisa F.
I tried out the place down from my work the first day it opened. I was quite impressed with their selection and the atrium had been smelling wonderfully due to the baking of bread. One of the workers was showing me how I could order food at a computer and just go down and pick it up. Well, she scanned my credit card twice, no worky so she gave me my meal on the house. Awesome. I'll happily take it as it was QUITE pricey for a salad. I got the chicken caesar salad to go and it was alright. It was decent, don't get me wrong but the little piece of bread they put in the salad stole the show. I wasn't planning on eating the bread but after one bite, I had to gobble it down. Great flavor. The salad was good, too, but not sure it was worth the $9 or so after tax. I'll definitely be back, but as I'm really trying to work on my weight, I haven't dared look at the baked items because I know they have chocolate chip cookies that will just call my name.
(4)Eric E.
The pastries and breakfast stuff at this place are awesome. Really, they are. The lunch food, however, isn't. It's also some of the unhealthiest stuff I've ever eaten. A chicken sandwich with more bacon than chicken? Really? The bread my roast beef sandwich came on actually broke my knife while I was trying to cut it. The orders are often incorrect. Don't even think of asking them to leave the dressing off. Even if you use their awesome little computer order station and mark what you don't want, it still ends up on it. Oh, and their little cubby station if you order ahead of time? I just want to go there and start swiping orders. No one seems to notice. I say go there for a cookie, that'll be safe. Now if you'll excuse me, my stomach is upset and I'm going home.
(2)Erin M.
So nice to have a reasonably priced sammich place right across the street from my building. Not 30 short minutes ago, I was midway through a hectic day in which I didn't have the ability to think about lunch until nearly 2, when lo and behold, I spot the Specialty's "order online!" reminder flyer on the corner of my desk. It took all of 2 minutes to peruse the menu and put in my order (and had I saved my billing info on my account, I might have shaved off 30 seconds, but alas, I am too paranoid), then a few work e-mails later, I ran down to go get my grub. I was in and out of there with my order in the amount of time it took the light at Monroe and Canal to cycle through. Once. In addition to the convenience, the pastries and cookies (!!) are crazily fantastic, and the folks providing service certainly do their best -- anywhere is going to be nuts during the morning and lunch rushes. Why not 5 stars, then, you ask? You can tell that the sandwiches and soups were designed by someone with inspiration, but the execution on those are lacking a bit -- like a foodie put together the menu, but they don't have someone with any kind of training making it. I also find the open floor plan too cafeteria-like -- i wouldn't want to eat in; the environment doesn't add anything for me.
(4)Samantha R.
I work just across the street and had passed it lots of times without thinking about it. Then, I saw the most beautiful muffin I had ever seen. Unfortunately, someone else was eating it. I had to splurge and get one. I tried a latte too,and I was so impressed. I hadn't had Intelligentsia coffee before, and it's my new fave. Since then, I have had a variety of breakfast sandwiches and lattes. The breakfast sandwiches are HUGE! I get the sausage, and it has TWO patties!! I eat the first half with the coffee and the second at lunch. To me, that is value! Two meals for one. I don't mind spending $10 in the morning for coffee and sandwich if I don't eat again until 5.
(4)Annie K.
Delightful! The selection is great, though I always go for the peanut butter sandwich. Banana, green apple, cranberry sauce, and peanut butter on the best bread ever. All you need is a big glass of milk! Their bakery items are amazing as well. Prices are pretty typical for the area - not cheap, but well worth it for the quality. Seating area is cozy, can get very busy. So glad I found this place for lunch!
(4)Emma S.
Amazing BLT, probably one of the best I've ever had. However, the service is dreadfully slow.
(3)Noah C.
Awesome Cobb sandwich on freshly baked bread. This is my favorite sandwich at Specialties. Always good, always fresh, always what I want. The Reuben is good, too. Pastrami instead of corned beef but it is still a great sandwich. Everything at Specialties is made fresh. All the breads are baked on site. They bake cookies, bagels, croissants, muffins, brownies, and I'm sure I have left things out. They serve Intelligentsia coffee and make a great latte. When I choose the food for meetings, I always choose Specialties. Nobody ever complains. If you go during the lunch rush, expect to wait. The secret is out. Specialties is some of the best lunchtime food in the loop.
(5)Sam M.
Solid spinach salad, and when I order ahead of time, they always have my stuff ready when they say they will. Plus, the people at the coffee counter are super nice.
(4)Carol F.
Love the Vegan salad and dressing is always on the side. I appreciate the fact that they have the nutrition information at their website. Also very easy to order via mobile app. You just walk in and pick up your order off a shelf, No standing in line. Staff is very helpful.
(4)