Worked a late afternoon and after my train arrived I walked over to the French Market with a taste for soup. The name of this place is catchy and I decided to see if it had any spice to their food. Ordered the cup of tomato basil and cheddar grilled cheese. It was average. The soup is good, but not as good as the one made at Nordstrom Cafe. The grilled cheese was huge and very cheesy. Total for my meal was $10 and change. I had a moment of sticker shock. Though the name was catchy, there was nothing spicy about the soup or sandwich, and I wasn't really impressed, although I do appreciate their upbeat customer service and fresh ingredients. For $5 and some change, I can go to Nordstrom Cafe for the same ( except grilled cheese made on multigrain) and spend an additional $2 for a yummy chocolate cupcake.
(2)
J Z.
Good hearty soup and it's in the French market. However , their tomato basil is a bit too sour and salty for our taste. The lunch line is long but it moves fairly quickly too.
(4)
Adam T.
I've been going to French Market for a while and somehow I missed this place, but a buddy recently introduced me to it. The heavyset gentleman who owns it seems volatile and ornery, but the soups are decent.
(2)
Alicia E.
One of my boyfriend's favorite places to get lunch from, however I have only been there twice. I think the idea is creative, the staff was polite and enthusiastic about the soup, however, I just wish there was more variety in ingredients used. Otherwise, the soup was fantastic!
(4)
David G.
Amazing! Got the $10 for $20 deal and had a wonderful experience. The staff was helpful and knew all the ingredients in their food, which is helpful with allergies! The grilled cheese is superb and the soup wonderful, and a great price for everything too!
(5)
Adam C.
I came across this place in one of my usual walk-throughs of the French Market at Ogilvie. You know how it usually goes: the next train is leaving in 30 minutes so you take a hike thinking that something delicious will catch your eye. You walk past the pastry place, peering into the glass case of macaroons in every flavor known to mankind (save for broccoli) but you keep going. You head by the Belgian Frite place and think quietly to yourself "Oh I'd really love to eat a giant cone of delicious french fries and slather on flavored mayo...if only my metabolism were what it once was." So you press on, past the Korean place that for some reason does not offer BBQ, past the burrito place (which has pretty tasty food, btw) because it's too filling, and make your way into the main section of the market. It was here that I stumbled upon a new place called "Spicy Monkey" that had not been there the last time I took a stroll through the market. The name is a cute and clever one, and they really try to use the word "monkey" in all of their marketing materials, going so far as to refer to their customers as "monkeys." The "spicy" part of the name is a bit of a misnomer. One would expect this to be a place that sells spicy Asian or Latin food. Nope. It's a gourmet grilled cheese and soup stand. I would say "glorified" but they definitely live up to the challenge of being very unique, high quality and super delicious. I tried their tomato basil soup where they will put other toppings (crutons, cheese, meatballs, chicken, pasta, etc.) into the bowl for you for FREE. It's not quite as delicious as the Tomato Basil you get at Nordstrom Cafe (best in class), but pretty damn yummy, nevertheless. I also had their "Backyard" sandwich that features grilled cheese, bbq sauce, chicken and bacon on it. Wow...this was freakin' delicious! All the way down to the toasted sesame seeds on the bread, each ingredient complemented the others. They also have about 5 or 6 other grilled cheese sandwiches on the menu. One of them has blueberry jam on it that they make from scratch at the stand. Another had apples on it with some other interesting ingredients (which I can't recall since I didn't linger there very long). The person working the counter was very nice and took the time to explain all that they had to offer and how the menu worked. I'll definitely be stopping by here again sometime in the near future. I'd give it a 5th star, but the prices were a bit steep for a cup of soup and sandwich. I believe I paid over $11 for both of these. mind you, it was all high quality, unique and super tasty, however.
(4)
Abbas K.
Americana with tomato basil was a great combo, and the Trust Me was surprisingly good -- the grilled cheese equivalent of PB&J.
(5)
Abi O.
I love this place! Not only is the staff helpful, patient, & friendly, but the owner is also funny - often serving as a needed afternoon "pick-me-up." My first time going there, the owner talked me into trying a sample of the tomato soup, despite my initial response of "Uh, no thanks, I don't like tomato soup." After my first sip, I realized I was sadly mistaken, because it's been my favorite on the menu ever since! The tomato soup is SOOO flavorful & delicious -- it's like a party for my taste buds! Far above your ordinary (often bland, in my opinion) tomato soup. I prefer mine with broccoli, but I like it with or without the custom "toppings" that they offer with any soup. I have yet to get anything from this place that I dislike. Good concept, great food. Thumbs up for Spicy Monkey!!
(5)
Aubrey T.
Good soup, I love the make your own option. I just have a couple recomendations. 1. More vegetable options for the soups, maybe beans, lentils, cabbage, kale, potato, or something like that. 2. The roll that goes with the soup is not very good. Perhaps you guys could offer a garlic bread or a cheesy bread along side the soup. Or an option for apple slices, or carrot instead. Aside from this the workers are always friendly and the prices are good
(4)
Alessandra S.
This is my favorite American food joint in the French Market. Here's why: I came here for lunch for the first time today around 1:15 when the lunch crowd had died down a bit. I stared at the menu for about a minute before the friendly dude at the register had me try a sample of their tomato basil soup and explained the menu to me. He didn't rush me, and even engaged in conversation. He was goofy and made me feel right at home, which is hard to do in what is basically a glorified, upscale food court. I decided on the tomato soup with red peppers and pulled chicken as well as the Evil Fish sandwich, which was a tuna melt oozing with cheddar and provolone. I ended up getting a hand poured ginger ale as well, after a stranger decided to comp my meal for me (that's another story for another time)! The food was so hearty and flavorful. They did NOT skimp on cheese, which was oozing and lent itself well to dipping in the soup. I can't wait to go back and try the rest of their sandwiches. I wonder if they do catering? I'll bet my office would love to order lunch here some time. This is a solid lunch option at very reasonable prices, especially considering the restaurants that surround it. I will not only be back for the food, but for the service as well.
(5)
Stef M.
For a company that serves up mostly grilled cheese sandwiches and soup, they know how to differentiate themselves. What makes a caprese sandwich a crowd standout? A terrific fresh blend of herbs and oil and the best bread. Their homemade soup is great and you get to pick the toppings.
(5)
Padma A.
My Son has been craving their sandwiches and we went back today. He was so happy, and the "Trust me " was love at first bite for my 8 year old!
(4)
Amy J.
$8.50 for scrawny sandwich with basic bottles BBQ sauce on it? I'm the sucker so I can't even hate your hustle! I'm have to take quality over quantity but this was something my three year old could've made with ingredients from Aldi's. Never again. Precooked bland chicken was run through a rolling toaster and some BBQ sauce squirted on top. Go ANYWHERE else in the French Market. Disgraceful price gauging.
(2)
Chris R.
Love the soups at this place, I can't get enough. As the other reviews have said it's always busy so just keep that in mind prior to ordering.
(5)
Ryan B.
The only real problem with Spicy Monkey is the line is often too long at lunchtime (So go early/late!) The grilled cheese sandwiches are great, so are the soups. I don't like tomato soup, but I get theirs often. The owner can be a little condescending (to his employees AND customers), but he's fine.
(5)
Gretchen D.
Good and friendly. The tomato basil had a nice tang--added croutons and rice. Americana grilled cheese was good too.
(3)
Joshua N.
UPDATE: Meat balls are back! Upping rating to four stars. -- This review is for the Chicago French Market (Clinton Street) location. Soup and sandwich stand in the Chicago French Market. Selection of everyday soups, specialty soups, and grilled cheese sandwiches. Everyday veggie broth and tomato basil soups can be customized with an array of toppings. PROS: Standard veggie broth and tomato basil soups are always good. Topping selections are nice. Reasonable prices. Good service. The owner manning the register is always a cut up. One of the better stands in the market. CONS: Not much wrong with this place. The specialty soups are hit or miss. The best topping, meatballs, has been discontinued in favor of boring steak chunks optimistically referred to as "carne asada." This new steak topping is so dull it ruins otherwise good tomato soup. Do not order the carne asada.
(4)
Kevin L.
Got the caprese which went super well with the tomato basil. The soup could have used a little bit of salt and pepper but was a good choice for a cold day. The backyard looks absolutely mouthwatering. Will definitely come back to try some of their other meaty creations!
(4)
Jason H.
Lots of kind words, but my lasting memory echoes those reviewers who sound the service to be lacking. My grilled cheese and tomato soup were solid. No argument there - four stars. But the guy working the stand seemed so put off with my presence that I couldn't wait to get out of there. Also, as others have mentioned - 10 minutes for a grilled cheese? We all want it done right but that is a bit much.
(3)
Belle L.
Soups are a better value than the thick carb galore sandwich with sparse filling. It's great to be able to customized your own soup but taste and flavor is compromised. The more ingredients you add on, the soup base flavor becomes absent.
(3)
James H.
Two major complaints about this place. First and foremost is that they are not serving grilled cheeses!! - they are toasting the bread through a conveyor-belt machine and not grilling it. These sandwiches never touch a griddle or butter. Just look at all the pictures yelpers have posted. The sandwich would have been good if it were prepared the same and then grilled instead of toasted. Second is the branding... I tried this place on a whim during an unexpected visit to the French Market because of the huge grilled cheese sign. It is only when I came back to yelp after my poor experience that I noticed this is actually a soup joint - it was not clear at all while at the location that soup was their specialty. Would be interested to go back to try the soup, but I won't be back because of the lackluster, falsely advertised, toasted sandwiches.
(1)
Dustin G.
I'll cut to the chase: this place is awful and if it weren't for so many first-time customers that pass through Ogilvie then they'd be out of business. I've only gotten food here once and that was enough. I'll start with the service or lack thereof. I walked up to the counter and three employees just stood there staring into space. They all looked stoned out of their minds and I finally had to ask if they were open. It was after noon so they were but I couldn't think of a more polite way to tell them to snap out of it. I thought that a group of stoners could probably make a decent grilled cheese but even that proved to be too complicated for his crew. They put two pieces of ice-cold bread and cheese and a slice of tomato on their heated conveyor and sent it through. However, they got paranoid that it would overcook so they pulled it our early. The cheese hadn't even melted. Then they crushed it stuffing it into a bag. The sandwich was cold and disgusting. I'll never eat there again especially considering all of the other delicious options at the French Market.
(1)
Tavi J.
I don't crave Grilled cheese sandwiches too often at work, but when I do I go here. Located conveniently in the French Market this place offers what I call "gourmet" grill cheese sandwiches. It's a little pricey ($9.00), but you're not just getting a slice of cheese in between two slices of bread. I normally get the Fallbrook Grill cheese which includes: Turkey, Avocado (yummy), Bacon, Swiss cheese, muenster cheese, chipotle mayo. At this point you might as well just call it a normal sandwich, but I like it's still referred to as a "grilled cheese" sandwich. It's pretty filling and I usually don't finish the whole thing. I have also tried the one with the apples and brown sugar (forgot what it was called). Sad to say I still need to try the soup next time.
(4)
Hannah C.
I am total sucker for a great grilled cheese. But a grilled cheese that feels moderately healthy? Well, I'm doubly sold on that! I had the apple pie which was a fun, sweet take with apples and brown sugar. And bacon, because why not? The tomato basil soup was flavorful and the perfect temperature and consistency. It made a great comfort food lunch, and I'll totally be back when I'm in the area.
(5)
Amanda M.
Wish I came here sooner, as I'm always looking for my soup fix. I am picky and look for places that have healthy soups yet are tasty. So far, Specialty's and Au Bon Pain fit that bill. However, it's quite expensive, especially for Specialty's as it's $5.50 (after tax) for a regular sized soup, that's just barely satisfying. At Spicy Monkey, I got the 12oz tomato basil, LOADED with chicken, broccoli, brown rice, red peppers, and mushrooms including a free piece of multigrain bread for $4.50 (after tax)! At Specialty's, there's only the complimentary focaccia bread, which I can only imagine how unhealthy that is. Yes, the tomato basil wasn't your traditional heavy creamy soup, but it was definitely satisfying in flavor and in portion. That loaded soup, in which you can add any toppings for no additional charge, is a meal in itself. Also, while places like Au Bon Pain offer lower calorie soups, they are often packed with sodium. Not here though! Everything was perfectly light, fresh, and above all, tasty! What's also great is that they have a reward punch card! 9 purchases and get your 10th meal free! And even better is their service. The owner I believe was very patient and helpful with me as I took forever to decide what I wanted. After paying, he asks me, "Will you do me a favor?" and I just look at him and he goes, "Just have a good day." My day is made because of excellent service (people) like this. You can bet that this will solely be my soup place from now on. Can't beat tasty, healthy, affordable, and exceptional service!
(5)
Jeremy B.
I'm bananas over this place! (see what I did there?) Ok, on a serious note - this place is great for soup. There just aren't a ton of good soup places in the West Loop so I was thrilled to find this gem nestled in the Chicago French Market. I've had the grilled cheese, too, and it was good. Not like "OMG MUST RUN TO MONKEY" good, but good none the less. I had the one with apples (forget the name) and to me it wasn't a "grilled" cheese. It was a toasted cheese. Grilled cheese to me is slathered in butter and, well, grilled. This was toasted in an oven or panini maker or something similar. Probably healthier, but doesn't have that greasy diner or how mom made it grilled taste. Back to the soup....OMG MUST RUN TO MONKEY. Its great. My favorite is the split pea, and they will add ham or croutons or other items from a small list of additions. The soup is a little pricier than I would expect to pay - so thankfully they dont charge for the extras, but considering it is homemade, and tastes like it, its worth it. The staff is fun and friendly, and work as fast as they can (considering small space) too. The owner is a little quirky and I mean that in a good way. Love that they announce their soups of the day (usually) on Facebook. Only downside is a limited beverage selection, but you can grab one around the corner from the City Fresh market.
(5)
Brian K.
Thanks to quick thinking, we nabbed a deal at Spicy Monkey at the Chicago French Market, which was as good as its full-sized restaurant brethren. The cashier had what I'm beginning to think of as the "Spicy Monkey Sass." Always good.
(5)
Jessica P.
The name caught my attention because I love monkeys + spicy food!! GREAT NAME! I came here for lunch at around 12:40PM on a Friday with a friend..there was no wait in ordering so I briefly reviewed the menu and made my order... It took about 5-10 minutes for the food to come out...which isn't bad knowing that the food is fresh.. Food: Caprese ($7.75)- contains Mozzarella & Provolone with Tomatoes & Basil Pesto...warm delicious..filling! I loved the sesame seed bread that they use--definitely adds a more flavor to the sandwich... I think it's Great choice if you do not want/eat meat! Soup: I didn't personally try the soup, but my friend that tried the tomato soup said it was good..good to dip your sandwich in.. :) Costs: ranges from $6.75-$8.50 for sandwiches and $4.00-$5.50 for soup...gotta get soup to dip the sandwiches in!..yes it is little bit on the higher end for a sandwich because you can probably get a sandwich & soup + apple/chips deal at Panera...but it's about the experience right? Atmosphere: it's a food booth in a busy marketplace area so you don't really have anywhere to sit, but the booth itself is decorated well with photos of monkeys and such... I might be biased because I am in love with monkeys....if you really really don't like monkeys....dont' worry because the food doesn't have monkey stamped on it nor does it taste like monkey... just try it.. :) Customer Care: the staff is very patient and friendly...the only funny thing is that...when the food comes out and there's 3-4 ladies waiting for the food... if the staff says maam/lady your food is ready... we're all going to look at them thinking it's ours.. so it was confusing, but funny at the same time.. maybe they should write our names...or initials on the bags when it's busy so we aren't all confused and staring up with excitement. I would come here again to try some of the other sandwiches...It might be on the more costly end for a sandwich, but for a one time experience it's good and it's not like the sandwich is tiny, it's filling! great place for a quick lunch!! :)
(4)
Michael S.
Now that I am not in the West Loop anymore a bit of nostalgia is hitting me and I am writing all of my much delayed reviews for places around there. Now with Spicy Monkey I've actually never had their soup. I am not a huge soup person unless it's like an asian noodle soup or something like that. I have tried their Trust Me with the blueberry jam and provolone cheese (I think the market deli there took their idea for one of their sandwiches from this sandwich). I actually enjoyed the sandwich and think the price was fair for being downtown, but it wasn't a standout. I guess that's why I've only eaten at Spicy Monkey once.
(3)
Emily K.
Was in Chicago for the weekend to visit friends and stopped by for lunch. The Caprese and Trust Me sandwiches were awesome! The clam chowder was on par with some of the best I've had in New England. Definitely home made and not from a can. My boyfriend liked his french onion soup and said it's as good as the ones he's had at expensive steak restaurants. Overall, the ingredients were fresh, everything tasted home made, and prices were fair. We'll come back again the next time we're in the area.
(5)
Lucas W.
I've been to Spicy Monkey for lunch a few times and always been incredibly satisfied. A warning about going for lunch though - the line gets long, be sure to allow time to wait a bit to order and then pickup your sandwich/soup. Despite advertising themselves as a soup company, I've never had their soup. Maybe I will in the upcoming winter months, but thus far I've only had their grilled cheese sandwiches. And actually I've generally had whatever they have on special. My favorite special thus far has been the grilled cheese with turkey, avocado, and bacon. It was great, amazing how the flavors actually worked together in a warm, gooey grilled cheese sandwich. I keep planning on trying their Backyard sandwich but haven't gotten around to it yet. What really put Spicy Monkey over the edge for me was the service. It's very slow but the servers are very nice. You can get a slightly customized soda and so I wanted Vanilla Sprite (which is phenomenal but not produced so you can't get it anywhere). The server apologized and said they were out of vanilla and asked if I wanted anything else but I just said no thanks. Instead she insisted on giving me a free root beer! That's how service should be!! And all for a very reasonable price!!
(5)
James K.
First time and it was great! Loved the tomato basil w/add ons. Spicy, hot, tasty and friendly service!
(4)
Matthew C.
Delicious and great friendly service! Would recommend to anyone. Online coupon worked great.
(5)
Jie S.
My third meal in French Market was soup from Spicy Monkey soup co. I got my Tomato Basil soup with Brocolli and rice. It was pretty good but no close to what others were raving about. Did I pick the wrong combination? Well, I do like this place. The owner was very nice and friendly. The soup was ready super quickly. The price was right. The soup looked healthy. I probably need to figure out my own favorite combination.
(4)
Colleen S.
I must be missing something because I have yet to have a good experience at the Spicy Monkey in the French Market. The reviews below are so positive, but I doubt I've just come at a bad time or it was an off day. I've been there three times for the grilled cheese, which is mediocre. Super thick slices of bread, two meager slices of cheese. For the price I would definitely expect more substance. Disappointing. On then service front, the website and signage would lead you to believe you'd have a great experience with the staff, but every time I've been there, I have to ask for someone to take my order. When they finally ask what I'd like to order it seems forced as if I've just interrupted them. Oh, and don't expect a receipt. Next, you wait around for about 10 minutes...it's a grilled cheese. I wish this place was more welcoming and hearty, unfortunately just disappointing.
(2)
Cara K.
Tried the Americana and Tomato Basil soup this afternoon. The Americana hit my craving, but I feel like I definitely should've grabbed some hot sauce to spice it up a bit. The Tomato Basil soup was good but not great. Good food. Good Price.
(3)
Roxanne R.
Top your own soup. What an excellent concept! A cup of soup at this place fills me up for lunch. You get to choose from a vegetable broth or tomato basil. From there you can add chicken, meatballs, cheese, croutons, rice, pasta, or broccoli. MmMM both soup bases are really tasty. I get that and a root beer almost everyday and that puts me at a $5 lunch which is unheard of at the French Market. Also the workers are super friendly, who doesn't love soup with a smile and a lolipop :)
(5)
Chhavi S.
Who doesn't love grilled cheese and soup? We went right before lunch to avoid all the lines and we used the Yelp coupon so we got a great deal!
(4)
Monica G.
Went today with a $10 for $20 online deal I found and was so glad I did! Got the autumn lentil soup which was packed with veggies and had a nice kick to it. Also had the Backyard sandwich and a cherry cola. Delicious! Plus the owner and employees were extremely friendly. I already picked up a yelp voucher and will be back again!
(5)
Peter S.
All of the sandwiches on their menu sounded curiously good. Despite not being a big fan of combining sweet with savory, their "Trust Me" sandwich was as tasty as it was aptly named. It's very worthy of consideration, no matter how peculiar the combination may seem to some. My partner in crime shared one of these, but we both wanted another. I also got a cup of soup - vegetable broth with barley and meatballs - and was truly delighted. All the ingredients were well prepared, especially the barley and veggies - firm, fresh, and tasty. I ~WILL~ be back to the French Market, and I endeavor to try every sandwich and soup combination.
(5)
Sruts A.
Taking grilled cheese to more flavorful levels :) It's quite wonderful to have bread, cheese, fruit and meat melt in your mouth with every bite. I had the Apple Pie grilled cheese and it was satisfying. I've heard good things about the soups here as well, but somehow got side tracked by the variations of sandwiches.
(4)
lovesmyanimals l.
Why oh Why did I not come here earlier... I work above the french market and come to the market daily for lunch. This is seriously the best damn soup. Yeah I set it. The Tomato Basil, has a nice spicy kick to it. The owner and staff are bad-ass, friendly and service with a smile. Did I mention how awesome the soup is (plus you can create your version with all the add-ons that are FREE). To top it off, if you are nice there are lollipops at the register. So go, try and savor...
(5)
Kathleen A.
Yummmm!!! The grilled cheese are unique and made with super high quality ingredients. Soups are the perfect pairing. They even make homemade sodas. Probably the best hangover lunch possible.
(4)
Josh G.
I had the Back Yard Grilled Cheese. It consists of Cheddar/Swiss cheese, pulled chicken, bacon, and BBQ sauce. I thought it was yummy and flavorful. I wasn't sure I would like the chicken in it, but I did. I had the BBQ sauce all over my face when I was done. That's how you know it was good. I scarfed it.
(4)
Cesar N.
This place is awesome!!! I work some Saturdays and was looking for a breakfast sandwich. Only choices I have around the area I work are Potbelly's or Subway. Not much to work with. Anyhow I was looking to try something new, walked into the French Market and spotted this place. There sandwiches caught my attention. I chose to go with there Fallbrook sandwich (Turkey, Acacado, Bacon, and Swiss Cheese). All I need to say is this sandwich was the BEST sandwich I have had in a while!!! The turkey they put in the sandwich is real thick Turkey slices. (The kind of slices you see in Thanksgiving!!!) The bread on the sandwich is an awesome sesame bread!!! Will definitely keep coming to this place. They sell soups too but I'm a sandwich guy!! Only downside is the sandwiches are priced at $7+ but if you don't have a budget then your taste buds will not be disappointed.
(4)
Stephanie B.
After getting back into the swing of things after the recent Polar Vortex hit the city, my coworker and I decided we needed something warm for lunch and soup sounded oh-so-good. We work in the west loop and a quick yelp search showed this was the place to go. This place was awesome. We went early (11 AM) so there wasn't a crowd- the service was absolutely exceptional. The staff was friendly, really knowledgeable, and funny to boot. We were immediately offered samples of the Tomato Basil- I'm not usually a fan because it's usually too creamy/heavy, but this was fantastic. I tried the daily soup- Winter Lentil - and it was too good not to order a 16 oz. I liked that when I was on the fence about wanting to try the different soups, the person working told me I should try it because she had made it that morning- it made me laugh AND she was right about it being delicious! Prices are really reasonable, especially for the location. A little less than $6 for 16 oz of soup (2 cups worth!) and a roll.
(5)
B C.
Quick lunches near the loop don't get much better than this. I couldn't refuse the Spicy Monkey yelp deal, and it was all that I had hoped for. The staff is super friendly amid the chaos that is the French Market on a Friday lunch hour. They got me through their line and food in my hand within five minutes. I even saw the guy manning the Spicy Monkey counter chase after some customers because they had forgotten their bags of chips. Talk about a nice and honest lunch team. On to the soup and sandwiches. We got the Backyard and the Trust Me, along with a bowl of the tomato soup with chicken and broccoli. Everything was excellent, especially the most basic component, the bread. It was somehow toasted, hearty, and fluffy all at the same time. It all added up to an ideal tomato soup-dipping apparatus. It sponged that stuff right up without getting soggy. The soup was a hearty, chunky and thick tomato with a wide range of free ingredient options. Next, my sandwich was the Backyard, a sort of grilled cheese meets bbq chicken, delicious frankenstein combo on bread. It was an inspired agglomeration, capable of refuting any grilled-cheese-is-boring naysayers, and just enough to strike that thin line between satisfied and tired. I only got a bite in of the Trust-Me. This was simpler in composition, but also enlightened in its non-comformity (go ahead and put some high quality jam on a grilled cheese and you won't be disappointed). It was good, but I'm more likely to go to the big Backyard again next time. Finally, it's worth noting that the French Market is positively humming with activity on a winter day's lunch hour. You get inside and think, "this is where everyone is hiding!" The setup is possibly too clean-cut for some, but I found it a refreshing break from the office. Spicy Monkey is one of the best options down there, especially when you use the yelp deal.
(5)
jesy b.
So, so good! The incredibly nice people working the counter were terribly patient with me as I stumbled through ordering the tomato soup. Doesn't really sound that complicated, right? But then they asked me what I wanted in my soup and I just about lost my sh*t. I was unprepared and apparently having a rough day anyway. They have a lengthy list of add-ins that (I think) are included in the very reasonable price of $4 for a cup. I was assuming that my broccoli and cheddar would be a) minimal and b) given at the expense of the soup, taking up extra space in my cup. But no! The servings on both broccoli and cheddar were great and lasted all the way through the soup. The soup itself was still a solid cup, with none sacrificed on behalf of my broccoli. Maybe my expectations were unfairly low because of their location in the notoriously over-priced French Market, but this place blew me away.
(5)
Shin M.
Got the Caprese Grilled Cheese. Too much pesto and very bland flavor. Not a fan.
(1)
Chelsey L.
Good addition at the French Market. I tried the grilled caprese and Kyle threw in a container of their apple wasabi slaw on the house. The sandwich was nicely done (they use a special low-moisture wrapping paper so it doesn't get soggy on you) with fresh pesto and crispy-crunchy bread. The slaw had a nice zing to it, but I thought it was somewhat overdressed (and I love mayo). I think the slaw normally goes for like $1.25 which seems pretty steep for less than a ramekin-sized container. When the weather's cooler, I'll head back to try the soup. Too bad they opened just as it's warming up.
(3)
Bobbie C.
Had no idea this location existed!!! I'm glad I found it. I used a Yelp voucher which covered for two people. We were able to get two sandwhiches, soup, and a drink. The cashier was very friendly and hilarious. There is an area towards the back where you can sit down and eat your food.
(3)
Toni L.
I eat here AT LEAST once a week. The girls here are incredibly friendly and helpful when I have a brain fart trying to figure out if I want the Fallbrook or the Golden Havana. It's a tough choice. These are grilled cheese sandwiches on figurative steroids. Chipotle mayo? Check. Fresh pesto? Affirmative. Shredded barbeque chicken?! Oh, oh yeah. There is zero need to try and think of what you may want on your dream sandwich because they've already thought of them all. Are you a total nut and can't stand sandwiches? WELL they've also got a bevy of tasty soups, hence the name. TRY. THE. CLAM. CHOWDER. With a rotating menu of everything awesomely tasty in the world and snappy service, this place is beyond Yelps measly five stars. Easily.
(5)
Joni L.
One of the newest spots at the French Market. Normally, I am not a fan of just something simple as soup for lunch. However, this place is leaps and bounds better than any Au Bon Pain I've been too. Prices are very reasonable (4 dollars, tax included) for a cup of soup. You can also get bowl size, and they offer a grilled cheese sandwich. I had the lentil soup. It was not at all salty and for cup size, was very filling. Also included is a multi-grain roll. Extra awesome is their offering (for free) of an add-on for the soup. I chose chicken. This is REAL chicken too, my friends. None of the processed garbage they throw in every other soup. The soup in it's entirety: flavorful, filling, and price are all on the mark! The owner is also super friendly and explained how all their soup is prepared. I can normally get lost the vast plethora of eating choices at the French Market. But this is definitely a spot I am going back to.
(4)
Michelle G.
Love this place. The guy working the register is always super friendly and patient with all of my questions- is this cream based? Do you use flour? etc. Never once got snippy with a long line of people and always encourages me to try all the soups before I decide! Hungarian Mushroom soup? YUM. Bring it back more often please :) Tomato Basil (which is sugarless and creamless!) Soup? Damn right! ask for it withi chicken and to be extra spicy... won't let you down. YAY for Soup lunches!
(5)
Sonia G.
I went for a classic- the Americana. Maybe I'm really picky but I expected way more from my grilled cheese sandwich. Everybody that worked there seemed really nice but the food was plain, bland, tasteless. I could have made a better sandwich for half the price of this $6.50 sandwich. :(
(1)
Sam W.
Absolutely delicious soups and sandwiches. I've tried most of the menu and I can tell you they are all very tasty. I'm particularly fond of the "Backyard" a grilled cheese that has BBQ chicken in it, soooooo goooooood!! Also the tomato soup is one of my favorites, flavors are equally well thought out and very well balanced. Can't wait to go back!
(5)
J A.
I bought a Yelp deal ($10 for $20), and this covered my meal and my lunch partner's meal (2 grilled cheese sandwiches, 2 soups, 1 bag of chips). A $5 lunch in the Loop, let alone the French Market, is hard to come by. So, many thanks for offering this deal. All in all, pretty good. It's hard to find a Manhattan Clam Chowder, and they offered one today. I went with the Americana sandwich, and my brother had the Back Yard sandwich. I'm not sure if I'm sold on customizing your soup, because the best part of soup is that all the flavors have had some time to hang out and get to know each other. The owner's enthusiasm was much appreciated. It would be cool to love work as much as this guy. I'm at about a 6 at work. He's at an 11.
(4)
Stephanie M.
Sandwiches are yummy- I especially like the Caprese. My only complaint is that they are pretty slow... it's soup and sanwiches in an assembly line, yet they always seem confused?
(4)
Mike H.
I admittedly have become a frequent patron, so perhaps you might find my review a bit biased (or you might take that as a sign of the food/service quality). I occasionally get a grilled cheese, but normally go for one of the soups of the day. I have found them to be tasty, filling, and a great value. My favorites include the Brunswick Stew, Hungarian Mushroom, Italian Wedding, Autumn Lentil, and Gator Gumbo soups. Any of these make a meal unto themselves, at a bargain price, especially in and around the Loop. If you plan to enjoy the soups often, I highly recommend purchasing the refillable soup mug. It is $9.95 and includes the first fill, so you basically pay $4 for the mug. The mug is about 25% larger than the large soup, and refilling it only costs the price of the large soup ($5.50). You quickly recoup the cost of the mug and then continue to enjoy the extra-large soup for the price of a large. As I have to walk a few blocks to get there, I appreciate that fact that Spicy Monkey tweets the daily soup specials each morning; so I know what will be available each day. Great food, friendly staff...how can you go wrong?
(5)
Natalie N.
This lunch spot has such a great concept - a menu consisting solely of grilled cheese and tomato soup? Come on! 've had the "Americana" grilled cheese and the tomato soup with rice, bell peppers and cheddar cheese added in. The sandwich was very good but the soup, oh my god the soup, this is the best-tomato-soup-ever. I don't even like tomato soup and I keep thinking about it. I also like that they have a variety of soup toppings you can add in like meatballs, pulled pork, asparagus, broccoli... My only criticism is that I wish you had a choice of bread. My grilled cheese was on white bread with sesame seeds on the crust and I am allergic so It was annoying, It would been nice to choose a different kind of bread without seeds. Small gripe, great place. Can't wait to try the rest of their menu!
(4)
Maribel A.
The food was great and it wasn't expensive. We used the Yelp deal and it was totally worth it! I will go back again and try something new. I had the Americana grilled cheese which was fantastic and the Chicago chili. It is also in the French market which is pretty fun to walk around and explore.
(5)
Jefree T.
Great customer service and food. Soup and sand come to just under $10, about average for lunch downtown.
(4)
Mark C.
First, these are NOT "grilled" cheese sandwiches. The sandwiches are run through a toaster oven which does not replicate an actual grilled sandwich. The bread is not crispy and a little greasy like a good grilled cheese but instead is simply toast with cheese in the middle. I tried the apple pie which had cheese, brown sugar, bacon and apple slices on it. It was completely without flavor and very, very dry. If I'm going to drop $8 for a sandwich, I expect a lot more. Pastoral, for less money, way outshines this place.
(1)
Mourad A.
I liked the clam chowder
(3)
Suzanne M.
Totally agree with jesy b. Great soup - lots of choices and great staff!
(5)
TC S.
This was ok. I walk by it every morning on my way to the office and have been meaning to stop. Now, granted, I did not order soup at the soup place (personal foul), but still was disappointed in the Caprese Sandwich. The bread left something to be desired, there was very little of the most delicious ingredient, the pesto, and also very few tomatoes. The tomatoes were also cubed instead of sliced, so they kept falling out of the sandwich. But the MOST DISTURBING was that all of the employees, including those who made my sandwich, were not wearing gloves. While I noticed the wash station behind the register, I also noticed the girl who made my sandwich wipe her hands repeatedly on her apron while making my order and several others. Who knows where those aprons are kept?? I'm sure this is normal at most other places, but when I physically get the pleasure of seeing you make my food while wiping your hands on a dirty apron, I am just put off. Nonetheless, I will return to try the soup. I hope no one will ladel it out with their hands...
(2)
Shelley M.
I've been waiting a couple weeks for this place to open in the French Market. It was worth the wait. They have several grilled cheese sandwiches to choose from & they are made to order. I had the Americana, which is swiss, cheddar & provolone with tomato. It was served on thick slices of bread & was delicious. Not at all greasy. For soup, they all use vegetarian stock. This is great for me because while I eat meat, I don't eat red meat & can't eat any soup with a beef broth. From there, they have broth, cream & tomato soups. You can add meat, veggies, rice or pasta. I kept it simple & got the tomato basil soup. Nice & fresh with large pieces of basil for good flavor. Perfect combination of sandwich & soup! The service was very friendly too. The man I am assuming is the owner greeted everyone in line & was quite willing to answer questions during a busy workday lunch rush. I had to wait about 5 minutes for the tomato soup & the owner made sure to let me know it wasn't ready. I give Spicy Monkey 2 thumbs up & I'll likely be a regular here. I just wish it had opened during the cold winter months but it's not exactly a warm spring day today!
(5)
Adam C.
I came across this place in one of my usual walk-throughs of the French Market at Ogilvie. You know how it usually goes: the next train is leaving in 30 minutes so you take a hike thinking that something delicious will catch your eye. You walk past the pastry place, peering into the glass case of macaroons in every flavor known to mankind (save for broccoli) but you keep going. You head by the Belgian Frite place and think quietly to yourself "Oh I'd really love to eat a giant cone of delicious french fries and slather on flavored mayo...if only my metabolism were what it once was." So you press on, past the Korean place that for some reason does not offer BBQ, past the burrito place (which has pretty tasty food, btw) because it's too filling, and make your way into the main section of the market. It was here that I stumbled upon a new place called "Spicy Monkey" that had not been there the last time I took a stroll through the market. The name is a cute and clever one, and they really try to use the word "monkey" in all of their marketing materials, going so far as to refer to their customers as "monkeys." The "spicy" part of the name is a bit of a misnomer. One would expect this to be a place that sells spicy Asian or Latin food. Nope. It's a gourmet grilled cheese and soup stand. I would say "glorified" but they definitely live up to the challenge of being very unique, high quality and super delicious. I tried their tomato basil soup where they will put other toppings (crutons, cheese, meatballs, chicken, pasta, etc.) into the bowl for you for FREE. It's not quite as delicious as the Tomato Basil you get at Nordstrom Cafe (best in class), but pretty damn yummy, nevertheless. I also had their "Backyard" sandwich that features grilled cheese, bbq sauce, chicken and bacon on it. Wow...this was freakin' delicious! All the way down to the toasted sesame seeds on the bread, each ingredient complemented the others. They also have about 5 or 6 other grilled cheese sandwiches on the menu. One of them has blueberry jam on it that they make from scratch at the stand. Another had apples on it with some other interesting ingredients (which I can't recall since I didn't linger there very long). The person working the counter was very nice and took the time to explain all that they had to offer and how the menu worked. I'll definitely be stopping by here again sometime in the near future. I'd give it a 5th star, but the prices were a bit steep for a cup of soup and sandwich. I believe I paid over $11 for both of these. mind you, it was all high quality, unique and super tasty, however.
(4)
Abbas K.
Americana with tomato basil was a great combo, and the Trust Me was surprisingly good -- the grilled cheese equivalent of PB&J.
(5)
Sruts A.
Taking grilled cheese to more flavorful levels :) It's quite wonderful to have bread, cheese, fruit and meat melt in your mouth with every bite. I had the Apple Pie grilled cheese and it was satisfying. I've heard good things about the soups here as well, but somehow got side tracked by the variations of sandwiches.
(4)
Aubrey T.
Good soup, I love the make your own option. I just have a couple recomendations. 1. More vegetable options for the soups, maybe beans, lentils, cabbage, kale, potato, or something like that. 2. The roll that goes with the soup is not very good. Perhaps you guys could offer a garlic bread or a cheesy bread along side the soup. Or an option for apple slices, or carrot instead. Aside from this the workers are always friendly and the prices are good
(4)
lovesmyanimals l.
Why oh Why did I not come here earlier... I work above the french market and come to the market daily for lunch. This is seriously the best damn soup. Yeah I set it. The Tomato Basil, has a nice spicy kick to it. The owner and staff are bad-ass, friendly and service with a smile. Did I mention how awesome the soup is (plus you can create your version with all the add-ons that are FREE). To top it off, if you are nice there are lollipops at the register. So go, try and savor...
(5)
Kathleen A.
Yummmm!!! The grilled cheese are unique and made with super high quality ingredients. Soups are the perfect pairing. They even make homemade sodas. Probably the best hangover lunch possible.
(4)
Josh G.
I had the Back Yard Grilled Cheese. It consists of Cheddar/Swiss cheese, pulled chicken, bacon, and BBQ sauce. I thought it was yummy and flavorful. I wasn't sure I would like the chicken in it, but I did. I had the BBQ sauce all over my face when I was done. That's how you know it was good. I scarfed it.
(4)
Chhavi S.
Who doesn't love grilled cheese and soup? We went right before lunch to avoid all the lines and we used the Yelp coupon so we got a great deal!
(4)
Monica G.
Went today with a $10 for $20 online deal I found and was so glad I did! Got the autumn lentil soup which was packed with veggies and had a nice kick to it. Also had the Backyard sandwich and a cherry cola. Delicious! Plus the owner and employees were extremely friendly. I already picked up a yelp voucher and will be back again!
(5)
Peter S.
All of the sandwiches on their menu sounded curiously good. Despite not being a big fan of combining sweet with savory, their "Trust Me" sandwich was as tasty as it was aptly named. It's very worthy of consideration, no matter how peculiar the combination may seem to some. My partner in crime shared one of these, but we both wanted another. I also got a cup of soup - vegetable broth with barley and meatballs - and was truly delighted. All the ingredients were well prepared, especially the barley and veggies - firm, fresh, and tasty. I ~WILL~ be back to the French Market, and I endeavor to try every sandwich and soup combination.
(5)
Cesar N.
This place is awesome!!! I work some Saturdays and was looking for a breakfast sandwich. Only choices I have around the area I work are Potbelly's or Subway. Not much to work with. Anyhow I was looking to try something new, walked into the French Market and spotted this place. There sandwiches caught my attention. I chose to go with there Fallbrook sandwich (Turkey, Acacado, Bacon, and Swiss Cheese). All I need to say is this sandwich was the BEST sandwich I have had in a while!!! The turkey they put in the sandwich is real thick Turkey slices. (The kind of slices you see in Thanksgiving!!!) The bread on the sandwich is an awesome sesame bread!!! Will definitely keep coming to this place. They sell soups too but I'm a sandwich guy!! Only downside is the sandwiches are priced at $7+ but if you don't have a budget then your taste buds will not be disappointed.
(4)
jesy b.
So, so good! The incredibly nice people working the counter were terribly patient with me as I stumbled through ordering the tomato soup. Doesn't really sound that complicated, right? But then they asked me what I wanted in my soup and I just about lost my sh*t. I was unprepared and apparently having a rough day anyway. They have a lengthy list of add-ins that (I think) are included in the very reasonable price of $4 for a cup. I was assuming that my broccoli and cheddar would be a) minimal and b) given at the expense of the soup, taking up extra space in my cup. But no! The servings on both broccoli and cheddar were great and lasted all the way through the soup. The soup itself was still a solid cup, with none sacrificed on behalf of my broccoli. Maybe my expectations were unfairly low because of their location in the notoriously over-priced French Market, but this place blew me away.
(5)
Shin M.
Got the Caprese Grilled Cheese. Too much pesto and very bland flavor. Not a fan.
(1)
Chelsey L.
Good addition at the French Market. I tried the grilled caprese and Kyle threw in a container of their apple wasabi slaw on the house. The sandwich was nicely done (they use a special low-moisture wrapping paper so it doesn't get soggy on you) with fresh pesto and crispy-crunchy bread. The slaw had a nice zing to it, but I thought it was somewhat overdressed (and I love mayo). I think the slaw normally goes for like $1.25 which seems pretty steep for less than a ramekin-sized container. When the weather's cooler, I'll head back to try the soup. Too bad they opened just as it's warming up.
(3)
Bobbie C.
Had no idea this location existed!!! I'm glad I found it. I used a Yelp voucher which covered for two people. We were able to get two sandwhiches, soup, and a drink. The cashier was very friendly and hilarious. There is an area towards the back where you can sit down and eat your food.
(3)
Toni L.
I eat here AT LEAST once a week. The girls here are incredibly friendly and helpful when I have a brain fart trying to figure out if I want the Fallbrook or the Golden Havana. It's a tough choice. These are grilled cheese sandwiches on figurative steroids. Chipotle mayo? Check. Fresh pesto? Affirmative. Shredded barbeque chicken?! Oh, oh yeah. There is zero need to try and think of what you may want on your dream sandwich because they've already thought of them all. Are you a total nut and can't stand sandwiches? WELL they've also got a bevy of tasty soups, hence the name. TRY. THE. CLAM. CHOWDER. With a rotating menu of everything awesomely tasty in the world and snappy service, this place is beyond Yelps measly five stars. Easily.
(5)
Joni L.
One of the newest spots at the French Market. Normally, I am not a fan of just something simple as soup for lunch. However, this place is leaps and bounds better than any Au Bon Pain I've been too. Prices are very reasonable (4 dollars, tax included) for a cup of soup. You can also get bowl size, and they offer a grilled cheese sandwich. I had the lentil soup. It was not at all salty and for cup size, was very filling. Also included is a multi-grain roll. Extra awesome is their offering (for free) of an add-on for the soup. I chose chicken. This is REAL chicken too, my friends. None of the processed garbage they throw in every other soup. The soup in it's entirety: flavorful, filling, and price are all on the mark! The owner is also super friendly and explained how all their soup is prepared. I can normally get lost the vast plethora of eating choices at the French Market. But this is definitely a spot I am going back to.
(4)
Michelle G.
Love this place. The guy working the register is always super friendly and patient with all of my questions- is this cream based? Do you use flour? etc. Never once got snippy with a long line of people and always encourages me to try all the soups before I decide! Hungarian Mushroom soup? YUM. Bring it back more often please :) Tomato Basil (which is sugarless and creamless!) Soup? Damn right! ask for it withi chicken and to be extra spicy... won't let you down. YAY for Soup lunches!
(5)
Sonia G.
I went for a classic- the Americana. Maybe I'm really picky but I expected way more from my grilled cheese sandwich. Everybody that worked there seemed really nice but the food was plain, bland, tasteless. I could have made a better sandwich for half the price of this $6.50 sandwich. :(
(1)
Sam W.
Absolutely delicious soups and sandwiches. I've tried most of the menu and I can tell you they are all very tasty. I'm particularly fond of the "Backyard" a grilled cheese that has BBQ chicken in it, soooooo goooooood!! Also the tomato soup is one of my favorites, flavors are equally well thought out and very well balanced. Can't wait to go back!
(5)
J A.
I bought a Yelp deal ($10 for $20), and this covered my meal and my lunch partner's meal (2 grilled cheese sandwiches, 2 soups, 1 bag of chips). A $5 lunch in the Loop, let alone the French Market, is hard to come by. So, many thanks for offering this deal. All in all, pretty good. It's hard to find a Manhattan Clam Chowder, and they offered one today. I went with the Americana sandwich, and my brother had the Back Yard sandwich. I'm not sure if I'm sold on customizing your soup, because the best part of soup is that all the flavors have had some time to hang out and get to know each other. The owner's enthusiasm was much appreciated. It would be cool to love work as much as this guy. I'm at about a 6 at work. He's at an 11.
(4)
Stephanie M.
Sandwiches are yummy- I especially like the Caprese. My only complaint is that they are pretty slow... it's soup and sanwiches in an assembly line, yet they always seem confused?
(4)
Mike H.
I admittedly have become a frequent patron, so perhaps you might find my review a bit biased (or you might take that as a sign of the food/service quality). I occasionally get a grilled cheese, but normally go for one of the soups of the day. I have found them to be tasty, filling, and a great value. My favorites include the Brunswick Stew, Hungarian Mushroom, Italian Wedding, Autumn Lentil, and Gator Gumbo soups. Any of these make a meal unto themselves, at a bargain price, especially in and around the Loop. If you plan to enjoy the soups often, I highly recommend purchasing the refillable soup mug. It is $9.95 and includes the first fill, so you basically pay $4 for the mug. The mug is about 25% larger than the large soup, and refilling it only costs the price of the large soup ($5.50). You quickly recoup the cost of the mug and then continue to enjoy the extra-large soup for the price of a large. As I have to walk a few blocks to get there, I appreciate that fact that Spicy Monkey tweets the daily soup specials each morning; so I know what will be available each day. Great food, friendly staff...how can you go wrong?
(5)
Natalie N.
This lunch spot has such a great concept - a menu consisting solely of grilled cheese and tomato soup? Come on! 've had the "Americana" grilled cheese and the tomato soup with rice, bell peppers and cheddar cheese added in. The sandwich was very good but the soup, oh my god the soup, this is the best-tomato-soup-ever. I don't even like tomato soup and I keep thinking about it. I also like that they have a variety of soup toppings you can add in like meatballs, pulled pork, asparagus, broccoli... My only criticism is that I wish you had a choice of bread. My grilled cheese was on white bread with sesame seeds on the crust and I am allergic so It was annoying, It would been nice to choose a different kind of bread without seeds. Small gripe, great place. Can't wait to try the rest of their menu!
(4)
Maribel A.
The food was great and it wasn't expensive. We used the Yelp deal and it was totally worth it! I will go back again and try something new. I had the Americana grilled cheese which was fantastic and the Chicago chili. It is also in the French market which is pretty fun to walk around and explore.
(5)
Jefree T.
Great customer service and food. Soup and sand come to just under $10, about average for lunch downtown.
(4)
Mark C.
First, these are NOT "grilled" cheese sandwiches. The sandwiches are run through a toaster oven which does not replicate an actual grilled sandwich. The bread is not crispy and a little greasy like a good grilled cheese but instead is simply toast with cheese in the middle. I tried the apple pie which had cheese, brown sugar, bacon and apple slices on it. It was completely without flavor and very, very dry. If I'm going to drop $8 for a sandwich, I expect a lot more. Pastoral, for less money, way outshines this place.
(1)
Mourad A.
I liked the clam chowder
(3)
Suzanne M.
Totally agree with jesy b. Great soup - lots of choices and great staff!
(5)
TC S.
This was ok. I walk by it every morning on my way to the office and have been meaning to stop. Now, granted, I did not order soup at the soup place (personal foul), but still was disappointed in the Caprese Sandwich. The bread left something to be desired, there was very little of the most delicious ingredient, the pesto, and also very few tomatoes. The tomatoes were also cubed instead of sliced, so they kept falling out of the sandwich. But the MOST DISTURBING was that all of the employees, including those who made my sandwich, were not wearing gloves. While I noticed the wash station behind the register, I also noticed the girl who made my sandwich wipe her hands repeatedly on her apron while making my order and several others. Who knows where those aprons are kept?? I'm sure this is normal at most other places, but when I physically get the pleasure of seeing you make my food while wiping your hands on a dirty apron, I am just put off. Nonetheless, I will return to try the soup. I hope no one will ladel it out with their hands...
(2)
Shelley M.
I've been waiting a couple weeks for this place to open in the French Market. It was worth the wait. They have several grilled cheese sandwiches to choose from & they are made to order. I had the Americana, which is swiss, cheddar & provolone with tomato. It was served on thick slices of bread & was delicious. Not at all greasy. For soup, they all use vegetarian stock. This is great for me because while I eat meat, I don't eat red meat & can't eat any soup with a beef broth. From there, they have broth, cream & tomato soups. You can add meat, veggies, rice or pasta. I kept it simple & got the tomato basil soup. Nice & fresh with large pieces of basil for good flavor. Perfect combination of sandwich & soup! The service was very friendly too. The man I am assuming is the owner greeted everyone in line & was quite willing to answer questions during a busy workday lunch rush. I had to wait about 5 minutes for the tomato soup & the owner made sure to let me know it wasn't ready. I give Spicy Monkey 2 thumbs up & I'll likely be a regular here. I just wish it had opened during the cold winter months but it's not exactly a warm spring day today!
(5)
Abi O.
I love this place! Not only is the staff helpful, patient, & friendly, but the owner is also funny - often serving as a needed afternoon "pick-me-up." My first time going there, the owner talked me into trying a sample of the tomato soup, despite my initial response of "Uh, no thanks, I don't like tomato soup." After my first sip, I realized I was sadly mistaken, because it's been my favorite on the menu ever since! The tomato soup is SOOO flavorful & delicious -- it's like a party for my taste buds! Far above your ordinary (often bland, in my opinion) tomato soup. I prefer mine with broccoli, but I like it with or without the custom "toppings" that they offer with any soup. I have yet to get anything from this place that I dislike. Good concept, great food. Thumbs up for Spicy Monkey!!
(5)
Dustin G.
I'll cut to the chase: this place is awful and if it weren't for so many first-time customers that pass through Ogilvie then they'd be out of business. I've only gotten food here once and that was enough. I'll start with the service or lack thereof. I walked up to the counter and three employees just stood there staring into space. They all looked stoned out of their minds and I finally had to ask if they were open. It was after noon so they were but I couldn't think of a more polite way to tell them to snap out of it. I thought that a group of stoners could probably make a decent grilled cheese but even that proved to be too complicated for his crew. They put two pieces of ice-cold bread and cheese and a slice of tomato on their heated conveyor and sent it through. However, they got paranoid that it would overcook so they pulled it our early. The cheese hadn't even melted. Then they crushed it stuffing it into a bag. The sandwich was cold and disgusting. I'll never eat there again especially considering all of the other delicious options at the French Market.
(1)
Kevin L.
Got the caprese which went super well with the tomato basil. The soup could have used a little bit of salt and pepper but was a good choice for a cold day. The backyard looks absolutely mouthwatering. Will definitely come back to try some of their other meaty creations!
(4)
Tavi J.
I don't crave Grilled cheese sandwiches too often at work, but when I do I go here. Located conveniently in the French Market this place offers what I call "gourmet" grill cheese sandwiches. It's a little pricey ($9.00), but you're not just getting a slice of cheese in between two slices of bread. I normally get the Fallbrook Grill cheese which includes: Turkey, Avocado (yummy), Bacon, Swiss cheese, muenster cheese, chipotle mayo. At this point you might as well just call it a normal sandwich, but I like it's still referred to as a "grilled cheese" sandwich. It's pretty filling and I usually don't finish the whole thing. I have also tried the one with the apples and brown sugar (forgot what it was called). Sad to say I still need to try the soup next time.
(4)
James H.
Two major complaints about this place. First and foremost is that they are not serving grilled cheeses!! - they are toasting the bread through a conveyor-belt machine and not grilling it. These sandwiches never touch a griddle or butter. Just look at all the pictures yelpers have posted. The sandwich would have been good if it were prepared the same and then grilled instead of toasted. Second is the branding... I tried this place on a whim during an unexpected visit to the French Market because of the huge grilled cheese sign. It is only when I came back to yelp after my poor experience that I noticed this is actually a soup joint - it was not clear at all while at the location that soup was their specialty. Would be interested to go back to try the soup, but I won't be back because of the lackluster, falsely advertised, toasted sandwiches.
(1)
Padma A.
My Son has been craving their sandwiches and we went back today. He was so happy, and the "Trust me " was love at first bite for my 8 year old!
(4)
Adam T.
I've been going to French Market for a while and somehow I missed this place, but a buddy recently introduced me to it. The heavyset gentleman who owns it seems volatile and ornery, but the soups are decent.
(2)
Stephanie B.
After getting back into the swing of things after the recent Polar Vortex hit the city, my coworker and I decided we needed something warm for lunch and soup sounded oh-so-good. We work in the west loop and a quick yelp search showed this was the place to go. This place was awesome. We went early (11 AM) so there wasn't a crowd- the service was absolutely exceptional. The staff was friendly, really knowledgeable, and funny to boot. We were immediately offered samples of the Tomato Basil- I'm not usually a fan because it's usually too creamy/heavy, but this was fantastic. I tried the daily soup- Winter Lentil - and it was too good not to order a 16 oz. I liked that when I was on the fence about wanting to try the different soups, the person working told me I should try it because she had made it that morning- it made me laugh AND she was right about it being delicious! Prices are really reasonable, especially for the location. A little less than $6 for 16 oz of soup (2 cups worth!) and a roll.
(5)
B C.
Quick lunches near the loop don't get much better than this. I couldn't refuse the Spicy Monkey yelp deal, and it was all that I had hoped for. The staff is super friendly amid the chaos that is the French Market on a Friday lunch hour. They got me through their line and food in my hand within five minutes. I even saw the guy manning the Spicy Monkey counter chase after some customers because they had forgotten their bags of chips. Talk about a nice and honest lunch team. On to the soup and sandwiches. We got the Backyard and the Trust Me, along with a bowl of the tomato soup with chicken and broccoli. Everything was excellent, especially the most basic component, the bread. It was somehow toasted, hearty, and fluffy all at the same time. It all added up to an ideal tomato soup-dipping apparatus. It sponged that stuff right up without getting soggy. The soup was a hearty, chunky and thick tomato with a wide range of free ingredient options. Next, my sandwich was the Backyard, a sort of grilled cheese meets bbq chicken, delicious frankenstein combo on bread. It was an inspired agglomeration, capable of refuting any grilled-cheese-is-boring naysayers, and just enough to strike that thin line between satisfied and tired. I only got a bite in of the Trust-Me. This was simpler in composition, but also enlightened in its non-comformity (go ahead and put some high quality jam on a grilled cheese and you won't be disappointed). It was good, but I'm more likely to go to the big Backyard again next time. Finally, it's worth noting that the French Market is positively humming with activity on a winter day's lunch hour. You get inside and think, "this is where everyone is hiding!" The setup is possibly too clean-cut for some, but I found it a refreshing break from the office. Spicy Monkey is one of the best options down there, especially when you use the yelp deal.
(5)
Alicia E.
One of my boyfriend's favorite places to get lunch from, however I have only been there twice. I think the idea is creative, the staff was polite and enthusiastic about the soup, however, I just wish there was more variety in ingredients used. Otherwise, the soup was fantastic!
(4)
Hannah C.
I am total sucker for a great grilled cheese. But a grilled cheese that feels moderately healthy? Well, I'm doubly sold on that! I had the apple pie which was a fun, sweet take with apples and brown sugar. And bacon, because why not? The tomato basil soup was flavorful and the perfect temperature and consistency. It made a great comfort food lunch, and I'll totally be back when I'm in the area.
(5)
Jason H.
Lots of kind words, but my lasting memory echoes those reviewers who sound the service to be lacking. My grilled cheese and tomato soup were solid. No argument there - four stars. But the guy working the stand seemed so put off with my presence that I couldn't wait to get out of there. Also, as others have mentioned - 10 minutes for a grilled cheese? We all want it done right but that is a bit much.
(3)
Belle L.
Soups are a better value than the thick carb galore sandwich with sparse filling. It's great to be able to customized your own soup but taste and flavor is compromised. The more ingredients you add on, the soup base flavor becomes absent.
(3)
Amanda M.
Wish I came here sooner, as I'm always looking for my soup fix. I am picky and look for places that have healthy soups yet are tasty. So far, Specialty's and Au Bon Pain fit that bill. However, it's quite expensive, especially for Specialty's as it's $5.50 (after tax) for a regular sized soup, that's just barely satisfying. At Spicy Monkey, I got the 12oz tomato basil, LOADED with chicken, broccoli, brown rice, red peppers, and mushrooms including a free piece of multigrain bread for $4.50 (after tax)! At Specialty's, there's only the complimentary focaccia bread, which I can only imagine how unhealthy that is. Yes, the tomato basil wasn't your traditional heavy creamy soup, but it was definitely satisfying in flavor and in portion. That loaded soup, in which you can add any toppings for no additional charge, is a meal in itself. Also, while places like Au Bon Pain offer lower calorie soups, they are often packed with sodium. Not here though! Everything was perfectly light, fresh, and above all, tasty! What's also great is that they have a reward punch card! 9 purchases and get your 10th meal free! And even better is their service. The owner I believe was very patient and helpful with me as I took forever to decide what I wanted. After paying, he asks me, "Will you do me a favor?" and I just look at him and he goes, "Just have a good day." My day is made because of excellent service (people) like this. You can bet that this will solely be my soup place from now on. Can't beat tasty, healthy, affordable, and exceptional service!
(5)
Amy J.
$8.50 for scrawny sandwich with basic bottles BBQ sauce on it? I'm the sucker so I can't even hate your hustle! I'm have to take quality over quantity but this was something my three year old could've made with ingredients from Aldi's. Never again. Precooked bland chicken was run through a rolling toaster and some BBQ sauce squirted on top. Go ANYWHERE else in the French Market. Disgraceful price gauging.
(2)
Chris R.
Love the soups at this place, I can't get enough. As the other reviews have said it's always busy so just keep that in mind prior to ordering.
(5)
Ryan B.
The only real problem with Spicy Monkey is the line is often too long at lunchtime (So go early/late!) The grilled cheese sandwiches are great, so are the soups. I don't like tomato soup, but I get theirs often. The owner can be a little condescending (to his employees AND customers), but he's fine.
(5)
Jeremy B.
I'm bananas over this place! (see what I did there?) Ok, on a serious note - this place is great for soup. There just aren't a ton of good soup places in the West Loop so I was thrilled to find this gem nestled in the Chicago French Market. I've had the grilled cheese, too, and it was good. Not like "OMG MUST RUN TO MONKEY" good, but good none the less. I had the one with apples (forget the name) and to me it wasn't a "grilled" cheese. It was a toasted cheese. Grilled cheese to me is slathered in butter and, well, grilled. This was toasted in an oven or panini maker or something similar. Probably healthier, but doesn't have that greasy diner or how mom made it grilled taste. Back to the soup....OMG MUST RUN TO MONKEY. Its great. My favorite is the split pea, and they will add ham or croutons or other items from a small list of additions. The soup is a little pricier than I would expect to pay - so thankfully they dont charge for the extras, but considering it is homemade, and tastes like it, its worth it. The staff is fun and friendly, and work as fast as they can (considering small space) too. The owner is a little quirky and I mean that in a good way. Love that they announce their soups of the day (usually) on Facebook. Only downside is a limited beverage selection, but you can grab one around the corner from the City Fresh market.
(5)
Brian K.
Thanks to quick thinking, we nabbed a deal at Spicy Monkey at the Chicago French Market, which was as good as its full-sized restaurant brethren. The cashier had what I'm beginning to think of as the "Spicy Monkey Sass." Always good.
(5)
Alessandra S.
This is my favorite American food joint in the French Market. Here's why: I came here for lunch for the first time today around 1:15 when the lunch crowd had died down a bit. I stared at the menu for about a minute before the friendly dude at the register had me try a sample of their tomato basil soup and explained the menu to me. He didn't rush me, and even engaged in conversation. He was goofy and made me feel right at home, which is hard to do in what is basically a glorified, upscale food court. I decided on the tomato soup with red peppers and pulled chicken as well as the Evil Fish sandwich, which was a tuna melt oozing with cheddar and provolone. I ended up getting a hand poured ginger ale as well, after a stranger decided to comp my meal for me (that's another story for another time)! The food was so hearty and flavorful. They did NOT skimp on cheese, which was oozing and lent itself well to dipping in the soup. I can't wait to go back and try the rest of their sandwiches. I wonder if they do catering? I'll bet my office would love to order lunch here some time. This is a solid lunch option at very reasonable prices, especially considering the restaurants that surround it. I will not only be back for the food, but for the service as well.
(5)
Stef M.
For a company that serves up mostly grilled cheese sandwiches and soup, they know how to differentiate themselves. What makes a caprese sandwich a crowd standout? A terrific fresh blend of herbs and oil and the best bread. Their homemade soup is great and you get to pick the toppings.
(5)
Jessica P.
The name caught my attention because I love monkeys + spicy food!! GREAT NAME! I came here for lunch at around 12:40PM on a Friday with a friend..there was no wait in ordering so I briefly reviewed the menu and made my order... It took about 5-10 minutes for the food to come out...which isn't bad knowing that the food is fresh.. Food: Caprese ($7.75)- contains Mozzarella & Provolone with Tomatoes & Basil Pesto...warm delicious..filling! I loved the sesame seed bread that they use--definitely adds a more flavor to the sandwich... I think it's Great choice if you do not want/eat meat! Soup: I didn't personally try the soup, but my friend that tried the tomato soup said it was good..good to dip your sandwich in.. :) Costs: ranges from $6.75-$8.50 for sandwiches and $4.00-$5.50 for soup...gotta get soup to dip the sandwiches in!..yes it is little bit on the higher end for a sandwich because you can probably get a sandwich & soup + apple/chips deal at Panera...but it's about the experience right? Atmosphere: it's a food booth in a busy marketplace area so you don't really have anywhere to sit, but the booth itself is decorated well with photos of monkeys and such... I might be biased because I am in love with monkeys....if you really really don't like monkeys....dont' worry because the food doesn't have monkey stamped on it nor does it taste like monkey... just try it.. :) Customer Care: the staff is very patient and friendly...the only funny thing is that...when the food comes out and there's 3-4 ladies waiting for the food... if the staff says maam/lady your food is ready... we're all going to look at them thinking it's ours.. so it was confusing, but funny at the same time.. maybe they should write our names...or initials on the bags when it's busy so we aren't all confused and staring up with excitement. I would come here again to try some of the other sandwiches...It might be on the more costly end for a sandwich, but for a one time experience it's good and it's not like the sandwich is tiny, it's filling! great place for a quick lunch!! :)
(4)
Michael S.
Now that I am not in the West Loop anymore a bit of nostalgia is hitting me and I am writing all of my much delayed reviews for places around there. Now with Spicy Monkey I've actually never had their soup. I am not a huge soup person unless it's like an asian noodle soup or something like that. I have tried their Trust Me with the blueberry jam and provolone cheese (I think the market deli there took their idea for one of their sandwiches from this sandwich). I actually enjoyed the sandwich and think the price was fair for being downtown, but it wasn't a standout. I guess that's why I've only eaten at Spicy Monkey once.
(3)
Emily K.
Was in Chicago for the weekend to visit friends and stopped by for lunch. The Caprese and Trust Me sandwiches were awesome! The clam chowder was on par with some of the best I've had in New England. Definitely home made and not from a can. My boyfriend liked his french onion soup and said it's as good as the ones he's had at expensive steak restaurants. Overall, the ingredients were fresh, everything tasted home made, and prices were fair. We'll come back again the next time we're in the area.
(5)
Gretchen D.
Good and friendly. The tomato basil had a nice tang--added croutons and rice. Americana grilled cheese was good too.
(3)
Matthew C.
Delicious and great friendly service! Would recommend to anyone. Online coupon worked great.
(5)
Jie S.
My third meal in French Market was soup from Spicy Monkey soup co. I got my Tomato Basil soup with Brocolli and rice. It was pretty good but no close to what others were raving about. Did I pick the wrong combination? Well, I do like this place. The owner was very nice and friendly. The soup was ready super quickly. The price was right. The soup looked healthy. I probably need to figure out my own favorite combination.
(4)
Joshua N.
UPDATE: Meat balls are back! Upping rating to four stars. -- This review is for the Chicago French Market (Clinton Street) location. Soup and sandwich stand in the Chicago French Market. Selection of everyday soups, specialty soups, and grilled cheese sandwiches. Everyday veggie broth and tomato basil soups can be customized with an array of toppings. PROS: Standard veggie broth and tomato basil soups are always good. Topping selections are nice. Reasonable prices. Good service. The owner manning the register is always a cut up. One of the better stands in the market. CONS: Not much wrong with this place. The specialty soups are hit or miss. The best topping, meatballs, has been discontinued in favor of boring steak chunks optimistically referred to as "carne asada." This new steak topping is so dull it ruins otherwise good tomato soup. Do not order the carne asada.
(4)
Lucas W.
I've been to Spicy Monkey for lunch a few times and always been incredibly satisfied. A warning about going for lunch though - the line gets long, be sure to allow time to wait a bit to order and then pickup your sandwich/soup. Despite advertising themselves as a soup company, I've never had their soup. Maybe I will in the upcoming winter months, but thus far I've only had their grilled cheese sandwiches. And actually I've generally had whatever they have on special. My favorite special thus far has been the grilled cheese with turkey, avocado, and bacon. It was great, amazing how the flavors actually worked together in a warm, gooey grilled cheese sandwich. I keep planning on trying their Backyard sandwich but haven't gotten around to it yet. What really put Spicy Monkey over the edge for me was the service. It's very slow but the servers are very nice. You can get a slightly customized soda and so I wanted Vanilla Sprite (which is phenomenal but not produced so you can't get it anywhere). The server apologized and said they were out of vanilla and asked if I wanted anything else but I just said no thanks. Instead she insisted on giving me a free root beer! That's how service should be!! And all for a very reasonable price!!
(5)
James K.
First time and it was great! Loved the tomato basil w/add ons. Spicy, hot, tasty and friendly service!
(4)
Colleen S.
I must be missing something because I have yet to have a good experience at the Spicy Monkey in the French Market. The reviews below are so positive, but I doubt I've just come at a bad time or it was an off day. I've been there three times for the grilled cheese, which is mediocre. Super thick slices of bread, two meager slices of cheese. For the price I would definitely expect more substance. Disappointing. On then service front, the website and signage would lead you to believe you'd have a great experience with the staff, but every time I've been there, I have to ask for someone to take my order. When they finally ask what I'd like to order it seems forced as if I've just interrupted them. Oh, and don't expect a receipt. Next, you wait around for about 10 minutes...it's a grilled cheese. I wish this place was more welcoming and hearty, unfortunately just disappointing.
(2)
Cara K.
Tried the Americana and Tomato Basil soup this afternoon. The Americana hit my craving, but I feel like I definitely should've grabbed some hot sauce to spice it up a bit. The Tomato Basil soup was good but not great. Good food. Good Price.
(3)
Roxanne R.
Top your own soup. What an excellent concept! A cup of soup at this place fills me up for lunch. You get to choose from a vegetable broth or tomato basil. From there you can add chicken, meatballs, cheese, croutons, rice, pasta, or broccoli. MmMM both soup bases are really tasty. I get that and a root beer almost everyday and that puts me at a $5 lunch which is unheard of at the French Market. Also the workers are super friendly, who doesn't love soup with a smile and a lolipop :)
(5)
Kat T.
Worked a late afternoon and after my train arrived I walked over to the French Market with a taste for soup. The name of this place is catchy and I decided to see if it had any spice to their food. Ordered the cup of tomato basil and cheddar grilled cheese. It was average. The soup is good, but not as good as the one made at Nordstrom Cafe. The grilled cheese was huge and very cheesy. Total for my meal was $10 and change. I had a moment of sticker shock. Though the name was catchy, there was nothing spicy about the soup or sandwich, and I wasn't really impressed, although I do appreciate their upbeat customer service and fresh ingredients. For $5 and some change, I can go to Nordstrom Cafe for the same ( except grilled cheese made on multigrain) and spend an additional $2 for a yummy chocolate cupcake.
(2)
J Z.
Good hearty soup and it's in the French market. However , their tomato basil is a bit too sour and salty for our taste. The lunch line is long but it moves fairly quickly too.
(4)
David G.
Amazing! Got the $10 for $20 deal and had a wonderful experience. The staff was helpful and knew all the ingredients in their food, which is helpful with allergies! The grilled cheese is superb and the soup wonderful, and a great price for everything too!
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch Parking : Garage, Street, Validated Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : No Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : No Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : No Dogs Allowed : No Waiter Service : No Caters : No
Kat T.
Worked a late afternoon and after my train arrived I walked over to the French Market with a taste for soup. The name of this place is catchy and I decided to see if it had any spice to their food. Ordered the cup of tomato basil and cheddar grilled cheese. It was average. The soup is good, but not as good as the one made at Nordstrom Cafe. The grilled cheese was huge and very cheesy. Total for my meal was $10 and change. I had a moment of sticker shock. Though the name was catchy, there was nothing spicy about the soup or sandwich, and I wasn't really impressed, although I do appreciate their upbeat customer service and fresh ingredients. For $5 and some change, I can go to Nordstrom Cafe for the same ( except grilled cheese made on multigrain) and spend an additional $2 for a yummy chocolate cupcake.
(2)J Z.
Good hearty soup and it's in the French market. However , their tomato basil is a bit too sour and salty for our taste. The lunch line is long but it moves fairly quickly too.
(4)Adam T.
I've been going to French Market for a while and somehow I missed this place, but a buddy recently introduced me to it. The heavyset gentleman who owns it seems volatile and ornery, but the soups are decent.
(2)Alicia E.
One of my boyfriend's favorite places to get lunch from, however I have only been there twice. I think the idea is creative, the staff was polite and enthusiastic about the soup, however, I just wish there was more variety in ingredients used. Otherwise, the soup was fantastic!
(4)David G.
Amazing! Got the $10 for $20 deal and had a wonderful experience. The staff was helpful and knew all the ingredients in their food, which is helpful with allergies! The grilled cheese is superb and the soup wonderful, and a great price for everything too!
(5)Adam C.
I came across this place in one of my usual walk-throughs of the French Market at Ogilvie. You know how it usually goes: the next train is leaving in 30 minutes so you take a hike thinking that something delicious will catch your eye. You walk past the pastry place, peering into the glass case of macaroons in every flavor known to mankind (save for broccoli) but you keep going. You head by the Belgian Frite place and think quietly to yourself "Oh I'd really love to eat a giant cone of delicious french fries and slather on flavored mayo...if only my metabolism were what it once was." So you press on, past the Korean place that for some reason does not offer BBQ, past the burrito place (which has pretty tasty food, btw) because it's too filling, and make your way into the main section of the market. It was here that I stumbled upon a new place called "Spicy Monkey" that had not been there the last time I took a stroll through the market. The name is a cute and clever one, and they really try to use the word "monkey" in all of their marketing materials, going so far as to refer to their customers as "monkeys." The "spicy" part of the name is a bit of a misnomer. One would expect this to be a place that sells spicy Asian or Latin food. Nope. It's a gourmet grilled cheese and soup stand. I would say "glorified" but they definitely live up to the challenge of being very unique, high quality and super delicious. I tried their tomato basil soup where they will put other toppings (crutons, cheese, meatballs, chicken, pasta, etc.) into the bowl for you for FREE. It's not quite as delicious as the Tomato Basil you get at Nordstrom Cafe (best in class), but pretty damn yummy, nevertheless. I also had their "Backyard" sandwich that features grilled cheese, bbq sauce, chicken and bacon on it. Wow...this was freakin' delicious! All the way down to the toasted sesame seeds on the bread, each ingredient complemented the others. They also have about 5 or 6 other grilled cheese sandwiches on the menu. One of them has blueberry jam on it that they make from scratch at the stand. Another had apples on it with some other interesting ingredients (which I can't recall since I didn't linger there very long). The person working the counter was very nice and took the time to explain all that they had to offer and how the menu worked. I'll definitely be stopping by here again sometime in the near future. I'd give it a 5th star, but the prices were a bit steep for a cup of soup and sandwich. I believe I paid over $11 for both of these. mind you, it was all high quality, unique and super tasty, however.
(4)Abbas K.
Americana with tomato basil was a great combo, and the Trust Me was surprisingly good -- the grilled cheese equivalent of PB&J.
(5)Abi O.
I love this place! Not only is the staff helpful, patient, & friendly, but the owner is also funny - often serving as a needed afternoon "pick-me-up." My first time going there, the owner talked me into trying a sample of the tomato soup, despite my initial response of "Uh, no thanks, I don't like tomato soup." After my first sip, I realized I was sadly mistaken, because it's been my favorite on the menu ever since! The tomato soup is SOOO flavorful & delicious -- it's like a party for my taste buds! Far above your ordinary (often bland, in my opinion) tomato soup. I prefer mine with broccoli, but I like it with or without the custom "toppings" that they offer with any soup. I have yet to get anything from this place that I dislike. Good concept, great food. Thumbs up for Spicy Monkey!!
(5)Aubrey T.
Good soup, I love the make your own option. I just have a couple recomendations. 1. More vegetable options for the soups, maybe beans, lentils, cabbage, kale, potato, or something like that. 2. The roll that goes with the soup is not very good. Perhaps you guys could offer a garlic bread or a cheesy bread along side the soup. Or an option for apple slices, or carrot instead. Aside from this the workers are always friendly and the prices are good
(4)Alessandra S.
This is my favorite American food joint in the French Market. Here's why: I came here for lunch for the first time today around 1:15 when the lunch crowd had died down a bit. I stared at the menu for about a minute before the friendly dude at the register had me try a sample of their tomato basil soup and explained the menu to me. He didn't rush me, and even engaged in conversation. He was goofy and made me feel right at home, which is hard to do in what is basically a glorified, upscale food court. I decided on the tomato soup with red peppers and pulled chicken as well as the Evil Fish sandwich, which was a tuna melt oozing with cheddar and provolone. I ended up getting a hand poured ginger ale as well, after a stranger decided to comp my meal for me (that's another story for another time)! The food was so hearty and flavorful. They did NOT skimp on cheese, which was oozing and lent itself well to dipping in the soup. I can't wait to go back and try the rest of their sandwiches. I wonder if they do catering? I'll bet my office would love to order lunch here some time. This is a solid lunch option at very reasonable prices, especially considering the restaurants that surround it. I will not only be back for the food, but for the service as well.
(5)Stef M.
For a company that serves up mostly grilled cheese sandwiches and soup, they know how to differentiate themselves. What makes a caprese sandwich a crowd standout? A terrific fresh blend of herbs and oil and the best bread. Their homemade soup is great and you get to pick the toppings.
(5)Padma A.
My Son has been craving their sandwiches and we went back today. He was so happy, and the "Trust me " was love at first bite for my 8 year old!
(4)Amy J.
$8.50 for scrawny sandwich with basic bottles BBQ sauce on it? I'm the sucker so I can't even hate your hustle! I'm have to take quality over quantity but this was something my three year old could've made with ingredients from Aldi's. Never again. Precooked bland chicken was run through a rolling toaster and some BBQ sauce squirted on top. Go ANYWHERE else in the French Market. Disgraceful price gauging.
(2)Chris R.
Love the soups at this place, I can't get enough. As the other reviews have said it's always busy so just keep that in mind prior to ordering.
(5)Ryan B.
The only real problem with Spicy Monkey is the line is often too long at lunchtime (So go early/late!) The grilled cheese sandwiches are great, so are the soups. I don't like tomato soup, but I get theirs often. The owner can be a little condescending (to his employees AND customers), but he's fine.
(5)Gretchen D.
Good and friendly. The tomato basil had a nice tang--added croutons and rice. Americana grilled cheese was good too.
(3)Joshua N.
UPDATE: Meat balls are back! Upping rating to four stars. -- This review is for the Chicago French Market (Clinton Street) location. Soup and sandwich stand in the Chicago French Market. Selection of everyday soups, specialty soups, and grilled cheese sandwiches. Everyday veggie broth and tomato basil soups can be customized with an array of toppings. PROS: Standard veggie broth and tomato basil soups are always good. Topping selections are nice. Reasonable prices. Good service. The owner manning the register is always a cut up. One of the better stands in the market. CONS: Not much wrong with this place. The specialty soups are hit or miss. The best topping, meatballs, has been discontinued in favor of boring steak chunks optimistically referred to as "carne asada." This new steak topping is so dull it ruins otherwise good tomato soup. Do not order the carne asada.
(4)Kevin L.
Got the caprese which went super well with the tomato basil. The soup could have used a little bit of salt and pepper but was a good choice for a cold day. The backyard looks absolutely mouthwatering. Will definitely come back to try some of their other meaty creations!
(4)Jason H.
Lots of kind words, but my lasting memory echoes those reviewers who sound the service to be lacking. My grilled cheese and tomato soup were solid. No argument there - four stars. But the guy working the stand seemed so put off with my presence that I couldn't wait to get out of there. Also, as others have mentioned - 10 minutes for a grilled cheese? We all want it done right but that is a bit much.
(3)Belle L.
Soups are a better value than the thick carb galore sandwich with sparse filling. It's great to be able to customized your own soup but taste and flavor is compromised. The more ingredients you add on, the soup base flavor becomes absent.
(3)James H.
Two major complaints about this place. First and foremost is that they are not serving grilled cheeses!! - they are toasting the bread through a conveyor-belt machine and not grilling it. These sandwiches never touch a griddle or butter. Just look at all the pictures yelpers have posted. The sandwich would have been good if it were prepared the same and then grilled instead of toasted. Second is the branding... I tried this place on a whim during an unexpected visit to the French Market because of the huge grilled cheese sign. It is only when I came back to yelp after my poor experience that I noticed this is actually a soup joint - it was not clear at all while at the location that soup was their specialty. Would be interested to go back to try the soup, but I won't be back because of the lackluster, falsely advertised, toasted sandwiches.
(1)Dustin G.
I'll cut to the chase: this place is awful and if it weren't for so many first-time customers that pass through Ogilvie then they'd be out of business. I've only gotten food here once and that was enough. I'll start with the service or lack thereof. I walked up to the counter and three employees just stood there staring into space. They all looked stoned out of their minds and I finally had to ask if they were open. It was after noon so they were but I couldn't think of a more polite way to tell them to snap out of it. I thought that a group of stoners could probably make a decent grilled cheese but even that proved to be too complicated for his crew. They put two pieces of ice-cold bread and cheese and a slice of tomato on their heated conveyor and sent it through. However, they got paranoid that it would overcook so they pulled it our early. The cheese hadn't even melted. Then they crushed it stuffing it into a bag. The sandwich was cold and disgusting. I'll never eat there again especially considering all of the other delicious options at the French Market.
(1)Tavi J.
I don't crave Grilled cheese sandwiches too often at work, but when I do I go here. Located conveniently in the French Market this place offers what I call "gourmet" grill cheese sandwiches. It's a little pricey ($9.00), but you're not just getting a slice of cheese in between two slices of bread. I normally get the Fallbrook Grill cheese which includes: Turkey, Avocado (yummy), Bacon, Swiss cheese, muenster cheese, chipotle mayo. At this point you might as well just call it a normal sandwich, but I like it's still referred to as a "grilled cheese" sandwich. It's pretty filling and I usually don't finish the whole thing. I have also tried the one with the apples and brown sugar (forgot what it was called). Sad to say I still need to try the soup next time.
(4)Hannah C.
I am total sucker for a great grilled cheese. But a grilled cheese that feels moderately healthy? Well, I'm doubly sold on that! I had the apple pie which was a fun, sweet take with apples and brown sugar. And bacon, because why not? The tomato basil soup was flavorful and the perfect temperature and consistency. It made a great comfort food lunch, and I'll totally be back when I'm in the area.
(5)Amanda M.
Wish I came here sooner, as I'm always looking for my soup fix. I am picky and look for places that have healthy soups yet are tasty. So far, Specialty's and Au Bon Pain fit that bill. However, it's quite expensive, especially for Specialty's as it's $5.50 (after tax) for a regular sized soup, that's just barely satisfying. At Spicy Monkey, I got the 12oz tomato basil, LOADED with chicken, broccoli, brown rice, red peppers, and mushrooms including a free piece of multigrain bread for $4.50 (after tax)! At Specialty's, there's only the complimentary focaccia bread, which I can only imagine how unhealthy that is. Yes, the tomato basil wasn't your traditional heavy creamy soup, but it was definitely satisfying in flavor and in portion. That loaded soup, in which you can add any toppings for no additional charge, is a meal in itself. Also, while places like Au Bon Pain offer lower calorie soups, they are often packed with sodium. Not here though! Everything was perfectly light, fresh, and above all, tasty! What's also great is that they have a reward punch card! 9 purchases and get your 10th meal free! And even better is their service. The owner I believe was very patient and helpful with me as I took forever to decide what I wanted. After paying, he asks me, "Will you do me a favor?" and I just look at him and he goes, "Just have a good day." My day is made because of excellent service (people) like this. You can bet that this will solely be my soup place from now on. Can't beat tasty, healthy, affordable, and exceptional service!
(5)Jeremy B.
I'm bananas over this place! (see what I did there?) Ok, on a serious note - this place is great for soup. There just aren't a ton of good soup places in the West Loop so I was thrilled to find this gem nestled in the Chicago French Market. I've had the grilled cheese, too, and it was good. Not like "OMG MUST RUN TO MONKEY" good, but good none the less. I had the one with apples (forget the name) and to me it wasn't a "grilled" cheese. It was a toasted cheese. Grilled cheese to me is slathered in butter and, well, grilled. This was toasted in an oven or panini maker or something similar. Probably healthier, but doesn't have that greasy diner or how mom made it grilled taste. Back to the soup....OMG MUST RUN TO MONKEY. Its great. My favorite is the split pea, and they will add ham or croutons or other items from a small list of additions. The soup is a little pricier than I would expect to pay - so thankfully they dont charge for the extras, but considering it is homemade, and tastes like it, its worth it. The staff is fun and friendly, and work as fast as they can (considering small space) too. The owner is a little quirky and I mean that in a good way. Love that they announce their soups of the day (usually) on Facebook. Only downside is a limited beverage selection, but you can grab one around the corner from the City Fresh market.
(5)Brian K.
Thanks to quick thinking, we nabbed a deal at Spicy Monkey at the Chicago French Market, which was as good as its full-sized restaurant brethren. The cashier had what I'm beginning to think of as the "Spicy Monkey Sass." Always good.
(5)Jessica P.
The name caught my attention because I love monkeys + spicy food!! GREAT NAME! I came here for lunch at around 12:40PM on a Friday with a friend..there was no wait in ordering so I briefly reviewed the menu and made my order... It took about 5-10 minutes for the food to come out...which isn't bad knowing that the food is fresh.. Food: Caprese ($7.75)- contains Mozzarella & Provolone with Tomatoes & Basil Pesto...warm delicious..filling! I loved the sesame seed bread that they use--definitely adds a more flavor to the sandwich... I think it's Great choice if you do not want/eat meat! Soup: I didn't personally try the soup, but my friend that tried the tomato soup said it was good..good to dip your sandwich in.. :) Costs: ranges from $6.75-$8.50 for sandwiches and $4.00-$5.50 for soup...gotta get soup to dip the sandwiches in!..yes it is little bit on the higher end for a sandwich because you can probably get a sandwich & soup + apple/chips deal at Panera...but it's about the experience right? Atmosphere: it's a food booth in a busy marketplace area so you don't really have anywhere to sit, but the booth itself is decorated well with photos of monkeys and such... I might be biased because I am in love with monkeys....if you really really don't like monkeys....dont' worry because the food doesn't have monkey stamped on it nor does it taste like monkey... just try it.. :) Customer Care: the staff is very patient and friendly...the only funny thing is that...when the food comes out and there's 3-4 ladies waiting for the food... if the staff says maam/lady your food is ready... we're all going to look at them thinking it's ours.. so it was confusing, but funny at the same time.. maybe they should write our names...or initials on the bags when it's busy so we aren't all confused and staring up with excitement. I would come here again to try some of the other sandwiches...It might be on the more costly end for a sandwich, but for a one time experience it's good and it's not like the sandwich is tiny, it's filling! great place for a quick lunch!! :)
(4)Michael S.
Now that I am not in the West Loop anymore a bit of nostalgia is hitting me and I am writing all of my much delayed reviews for places around there. Now with Spicy Monkey I've actually never had their soup. I am not a huge soup person unless it's like an asian noodle soup or something like that. I have tried their Trust Me with the blueberry jam and provolone cheese (I think the market deli there took their idea for one of their sandwiches from this sandwich). I actually enjoyed the sandwich and think the price was fair for being downtown, but it wasn't a standout. I guess that's why I've only eaten at Spicy Monkey once.
(3)Emily K.
Was in Chicago for the weekend to visit friends and stopped by for lunch. The Caprese and Trust Me sandwiches were awesome! The clam chowder was on par with some of the best I've had in New England. Definitely home made and not from a can. My boyfriend liked his french onion soup and said it's as good as the ones he's had at expensive steak restaurants. Overall, the ingredients were fresh, everything tasted home made, and prices were fair. We'll come back again the next time we're in the area.
(5)Lucas W.
I've been to Spicy Monkey for lunch a few times and always been incredibly satisfied. A warning about going for lunch though - the line gets long, be sure to allow time to wait a bit to order and then pickup your sandwich/soup. Despite advertising themselves as a soup company, I've never had their soup. Maybe I will in the upcoming winter months, but thus far I've only had their grilled cheese sandwiches. And actually I've generally had whatever they have on special. My favorite special thus far has been the grilled cheese with turkey, avocado, and bacon. It was great, amazing how the flavors actually worked together in a warm, gooey grilled cheese sandwich. I keep planning on trying their Backyard sandwich but haven't gotten around to it yet. What really put Spicy Monkey over the edge for me was the service. It's very slow but the servers are very nice. You can get a slightly customized soda and so I wanted Vanilla Sprite (which is phenomenal but not produced so you can't get it anywhere). The server apologized and said they were out of vanilla and asked if I wanted anything else but I just said no thanks. Instead she insisted on giving me a free root beer! That's how service should be!! And all for a very reasonable price!!
(5)James K.
First time and it was great! Loved the tomato basil w/add ons. Spicy, hot, tasty and friendly service!
(4)Matthew C.
Delicious and great friendly service! Would recommend to anyone. Online coupon worked great.
(5)Jie S.
My third meal in French Market was soup from Spicy Monkey soup co. I got my Tomato Basil soup with Brocolli and rice. It was pretty good but no close to what others were raving about. Did I pick the wrong combination? Well, I do like this place. The owner was very nice and friendly. The soup was ready super quickly. The price was right. The soup looked healthy. I probably need to figure out my own favorite combination.
(4)Colleen S.
I must be missing something because I have yet to have a good experience at the Spicy Monkey in the French Market. The reviews below are so positive, but I doubt I've just come at a bad time or it was an off day. I've been there three times for the grilled cheese, which is mediocre. Super thick slices of bread, two meager slices of cheese. For the price I would definitely expect more substance. Disappointing. On then service front, the website and signage would lead you to believe you'd have a great experience with the staff, but every time I've been there, I have to ask for someone to take my order. When they finally ask what I'd like to order it seems forced as if I've just interrupted them. Oh, and don't expect a receipt. Next, you wait around for about 10 minutes...it's a grilled cheese. I wish this place was more welcoming and hearty, unfortunately just disappointing.
(2)Cara K.
Tried the Americana and Tomato Basil soup this afternoon. The Americana hit my craving, but I feel like I definitely should've grabbed some hot sauce to spice it up a bit. The Tomato Basil soup was good but not great. Good food. Good Price.
(3)Roxanne R.
Top your own soup. What an excellent concept! A cup of soup at this place fills me up for lunch. You get to choose from a vegetable broth or tomato basil. From there you can add chicken, meatballs, cheese, croutons, rice, pasta, or broccoli. MmMM both soup bases are really tasty. I get that and a root beer almost everyday and that puts me at a $5 lunch which is unheard of at the French Market. Also the workers are super friendly, who doesn't love soup with a smile and a lolipop :)
(5)Chhavi S.
Who doesn't love grilled cheese and soup? We went right before lunch to avoid all the lines and we used the Yelp coupon so we got a great deal!
(4)Monica G.
Went today with a $10 for $20 online deal I found and was so glad I did! Got the autumn lentil soup which was packed with veggies and had a nice kick to it. Also had the Backyard sandwich and a cherry cola. Delicious! Plus the owner and employees were extremely friendly. I already picked up a yelp voucher and will be back again!
(5)Peter S.
All of the sandwiches on their menu sounded curiously good. Despite not being a big fan of combining sweet with savory, their "Trust Me" sandwich was as tasty as it was aptly named. It's very worthy of consideration, no matter how peculiar the combination may seem to some. My partner in crime shared one of these, but we both wanted another. I also got a cup of soup - vegetable broth with barley and meatballs - and was truly delighted. All the ingredients were well prepared, especially the barley and veggies - firm, fresh, and tasty. I ~WILL~ be back to the French Market, and I endeavor to try every sandwich and soup combination.
(5)Sruts A.
Taking grilled cheese to more flavorful levels :) It's quite wonderful to have bread, cheese, fruit and meat melt in your mouth with every bite. I had the Apple Pie grilled cheese and it was satisfying. I've heard good things about the soups here as well, but somehow got side tracked by the variations of sandwiches.
(4)lovesmyanimals l.
Why oh Why did I not come here earlier... I work above the french market and come to the market daily for lunch. This is seriously the best damn soup. Yeah I set it. The Tomato Basil, has a nice spicy kick to it. The owner and staff are bad-ass, friendly and service with a smile. Did I mention how awesome the soup is (plus you can create your version with all the add-ons that are FREE). To top it off, if you are nice there are lollipops at the register. So go, try and savor...
(5)Kathleen A.
Yummmm!!! The grilled cheese are unique and made with super high quality ingredients. Soups are the perfect pairing. They even make homemade sodas. Probably the best hangover lunch possible.
(4)Josh G.
I had the Back Yard Grilled Cheese. It consists of Cheddar/Swiss cheese, pulled chicken, bacon, and BBQ sauce. I thought it was yummy and flavorful. I wasn't sure I would like the chicken in it, but I did. I had the BBQ sauce all over my face when I was done. That's how you know it was good. I scarfed it.
(4)Cesar N.
This place is awesome!!! I work some Saturdays and was looking for a breakfast sandwich. Only choices I have around the area I work are Potbelly's or Subway. Not much to work with. Anyhow I was looking to try something new, walked into the French Market and spotted this place. There sandwiches caught my attention. I chose to go with there Fallbrook sandwich (Turkey, Acacado, Bacon, and Swiss Cheese). All I need to say is this sandwich was the BEST sandwich I have had in a while!!! The turkey they put in the sandwich is real thick Turkey slices. (The kind of slices you see in Thanksgiving!!!) The bread on the sandwich is an awesome sesame bread!!! Will definitely keep coming to this place. They sell soups too but I'm a sandwich guy!! Only downside is the sandwiches are priced at $7+ but if you don't have a budget then your taste buds will not be disappointed.
(4)Stephanie B.
After getting back into the swing of things after the recent Polar Vortex hit the city, my coworker and I decided we needed something warm for lunch and soup sounded oh-so-good. We work in the west loop and a quick yelp search showed this was the place to go. This place was awesome. We went early (11 AM) so there wasn't a crowd- the service was absolutely exceptional. The staff was friendly, really knowledgeable, and funny to boot. We were immediately offered samples of the Tomato Basil- I'm not usually a fan because it's usually too creamy/heavy, but this was fantastic. I tried the daily soup- Winter Lentil - and it was too good not to order a 16 oz. I liked that when I was on the fence about wanting to try the different soups, the person working told me I should try it because she had made it that morning- it made me laugh AND she was right about it being delicious! Prices are really reasonable, especially for the location. A little less than $6 for 16 oz of soup (2 cups worth!) and a roll.
(5)B C.
Quick lunches near the loop don't get much better than this. I couldn't refuse the Spicy Monkey yelp deal, and it was all that I had hoped for. The staff is super friendly amid the chaos that is the French Market on a Friday lunch hour. They got me through their line and food in my hand within five minutes. I even saw the guy manning the Spicy Monkey counter chase after some customers because they had forgotten their bags of chips. Talk about a nice and honest lunch team. On to the soup and sandwiches. We got the Backyard and the Trust Me, along with a bowl of the tomato soup with chicken and broccoli. Everything was excellent, especially the most basic component, the bread. It was somehow toasted, hearty, and fluffy all at the same time. It all added up to an ideal tomato soup-dipping apparatus. It sponged that stuff right up without getting soggy. The soup was a hearty, chunky and thick tomato with a wide range of free ingredient options. Next, my sandwich was the Backyard, a sort of grilled cheese meets bbq chicken, delicious frankenstein combo on bread. It was an inspired agglomeration, capable of refuting any grilled-cheese-is-boring naysayers, and just enough to strike that thin line between satisfied and tired. I only got a bite in of the Trust-Me. This was simpler in composition, but also enlightened in its non-comformity (go ahead and put some high quality jam on a grilled cheese and you won't be disappointed). It was good, but I'm more likely to go to the big Backyard again next time. Finally, it's worth noting that the French Market is positively humming with activity on a winter day's lunch hour. You get inside and think, "this is where everyone is hiding!" The setup is possibly too clean-cut for some, but I found it a refreshing break from the office. Spicy Monkey is one of the best options down there, especially when you use the yelp deal.
(5)jesy b.
So, so good! The incredibly nice people working the counter were terribly patient with me as I stumbled through ordering the tomato soup. Doesn't really sound that complicated, right? But then they asked me what I wanted in my soup and I just about lost my sh*t. I was unprepared and apparently having a rough day anyway. They have a lengthy list of add-ins that (I think) are included in the very reasonable price of $4 for a cup. I was assuming that my broccoli and cheddar would be a) minimal and b) given at the expense of the soup, taking up extra space in my cup. But no! The servings on both broccoli and cheddar were great and lasted all the way through the soup. The soup itself was still a solid cup, with none sacrificed on behalf of my broccoli. Maybe my expectations were unfairly low because of their location in the notoriously over-priced French Market, but this place blew me away.
(5)Shin M.
Got the Caprese Grilled Cheese. Too much pesto and very bland flavor. Not a fan.
(1)Chelsey L.
Good addition at the French Market. I tried the grilled caprese and Kyle threw in a container of their apple wasabi slaw on the house. The sandwich was nicely done (they use a special low-moisture wrapping paper so it doesn't get soggy on you) with fresh pesto and crispy-crunchy bread. The slaw had a nice zing to it, but I thought it was somewhat overdressed (and I love mayo). I think the slaw normally goes for like $1.25 which seems pretty steep for less than a ramekin-sized container. When the weather's cooler, I'll head back to try the soup. Too bad they opened just as it's warming up.
(3)Bobbie C.
Had no idea this location existed!!! I'm glad I found it. I used a Yelp voucher which covered for two people. We were able to get two sandwhiches, soup, and a drink. The cashier was very friendly and hilarious. There is an area towards the back where you can sit down and eat your food.
(3)Toni L.
I eat here AT LEAST once a week. The girls here are incredibly friendly and helpful when I have a brain fart trying to figure out if I want the Fallbrook or the Golden Havana. It's a tough choice. These are grilled cheese sandwiches on figurative steroids. Chipotle mayo? Check. Fresh pesto? Affirmative. Shredded barbeque chicken?! Oh, oh yeah. There is zero need to try and think of what you may want on your dream sandwich because they've already thought of them all. Are you a total nut and can't stand sandwiches? WELL they've also got a bevy of tasty soups, hence the name. TRY. THE. CLAM. CHOWDER. With a rotating menu of everything awesomely tasty in the world and snappy service, this place is beyond Yelps measly five stars. Easily.
(5)Joni L.
One of the newest spots at the French Market. Normally, I am not a fan of just something simple as soup for lunch. However, this place is leaps and bounds better than any Au Bon Pain I've been too. Prices are very reasonable (4 dollars, tax included) for a cup of soup. You can also get bowl size, and they offer a grilled cheese sandwich. I had the lentil soup. It was not at all salty and for cup size, was very filling. Also included is a multi-grain roll. Extra awesome is their offering (for free) of an add-on for the soup. I chose chicken. This is REAL chicken too, my friends. None of the processed garbage they throw in every other soup. The soup in it's entirety: flavorful, filling, and price are all on the mark! The owner is also super friendly and explained how all their soup is prepared. I can normally get lost the vast plethora of eating choices at the French Market. But this is definitely a spot I am going back to.
(4)Michelle G.
Love this place. The guy working the register is always super friendly and patient with all of my questions- is this cream based? Do you use flour? etc. Never once got snippy with a long line of people and always encourages me to try all the soups before I decide! Hungarian Mushroom soup? YUM. Bring it back more often please :) Tomato Basil (which is sugarless and creamless!) Soup? Damn right! ask for it withi chicken and to be extra spicy... won't let you down. YAY for Soup lunches!
(5)Sonia G.
I went for a classic- the Americana. Maybe I'm really picky but I expected way more from my grilled cheese sandwich. Everybody that worked there seemed really nice but the food was plain, bland, tasteless. I could have made a better sandwich for half the price of this $6.50 sandwich. :(
(1)Sam W.
Absolutely delicious soups and sandwiches. I've tried most of the menu and I can tell you they are all very tasty. I'm particularly fond of the "Backyard" a grilled cheese that has BBQ chicken in it, soooooo goooooood!! Also the tomato soup is one of my favorites, flavors are equally well thought out and very well balanced. Can't wait to go back!
(5)J A.
I bought a Yelp deal ($10 for $20), and this covered my meal and my lunch partner's meal (2 grilled cheese sandwiches, 2 soups, 1 bag of chips). A $5 lunch in the Loop, let alone the French Market, is hard to come by. So, many thanks for offering this deal. All in all, pretty good. It's hard to find a Manhattan Clam Chowder, and they offered one today. I went with the Americana sandwich, and my brother had the Back Yard sandwich. I'm not sure if I'm sold on customizing your soup, because the best part of soup is that all the flavors have had some time to hang out and get to know each other. The owner's enthusiasm was much appreciated. It would be cool to love work as much as this guy. I'm at about a 6 at work. He's at an 11.
(4)Stephanie M.
Sandwiches are yummy- I especially like the Caprese. My only complaint is that they are pretty slow... it's soup and sanwiches in an assembly line, yet they always seem confused?
(4)Mike H.
I admittedly have become a frequent patron, so perhaps you might find my review a bit biased (or you might take that as a sign of the food/service quality). I occasionally get a grilled cheese, but normally go for one of the soups of the day. I have found them to be tasty, filling, and a great value. My favorites include the Brunswick Stew, Hungarian Mushroom, Italian Wedding, Autumn Lentil, and Gator Gumbo soups. Any of these make a meal unto themselves, at a bargain price, especially in and around the Loop. If you plan to enjoy the soups often, I highly recommend purchasing the refillable soup mug. It is $9.95 and includes the first fill, so you basically pay $4 for the mug. The mug is about 25% larger than the large soup, and refilling it only costs the price of the large soup ($5.50). You quickly recoup the cost of the mug and then continue to enjoy the extra-large soup for the price of a large. As I have to walk a few blocks to get there, I appreciate that fact that Spicy Monkey tweets the daily soup specials each morning; so I know what will be available each day. Great food, friendly staff...how can you go wrong?
(5)Natalie N.
This lunch spot has such a great concept - a menu consisting solely of grilled cheese and tomato soup? Come on! 've had the "Americana" grilled cheese and the tomato soup with rice, bell peppers and cheddar cheese added in. The sandwich was very good but the soup, oh my god the soup, this is the best-tomato-soup-ever. I don't even like tomato soup and I keep thinking about it. I also like that they have a variety of soup toppings you can add in like meatballs, pulled pork, asparagus, broccoli... My only criticism is that I wish you had a choice of bread. My grilled cheese was on white bread with sesame seeds on the crust and I am allergic so It was annoying, It would been nice to choose a different kind of bread without seeds. Small gripe, great place. Can't wait to try the rest of their menu!
(4)Maribel A.
The food was great and it wasn't expensive. We used the Yelp deal and it was totally worth it! I will go back again and try something new. I had the Americana grilled cheese which was fantastic and the Chicago chili. It is also in the French market which is pretty fun to walk around and explore.
(5)Jefree T.
Great customer service and food. Soup and sand come to just under $10, about average for lunch downtown.
(4)Mark C.
First, these are NOT "grilled" cheese sandwiches. The sandwiches are run through a toaster oven which does not replicate an actual grilled sandwich. The bread is not crispy and a little greasy like a good grilled cheese but instead is simply toast with cheese in the middle. I tried the apple pie which had cheese, brown sugar, bacon and apple slices on it. It was completely without flavor and very, very dry. If I'm going to drop $8 for a sandwich, I expect a lot more. Pastoral, for less money, way outshines this place.
(1)Mourad A.
I liked the clam chowder
(3)Suzanne M.
Totally agree with jesy b. Great soup - lots of choices and great staff!
(5)TC S.
This was ok. I walk by it every morning on my way to the office and have been meaning to stop. Now, granted, I did not order soup at the soup place (personal foul), but still was disappointed in the Caprese Sandwich. The bread left something to be desired, there was very little of the most delicious ingredient, the pesto, and also very few tomatoes. The tomatoes were also cubed instead of sliced, so they kept falling out of the sandwich. But the MOST DISTURBING was that all of the employees, including those who made my sandwich, were not wearing gloves. While I noticed the wash station behind the register, I also noticed the girl who made my sandwich wipe her hands repeatedly on her apron while making my order and several others. Who knows where those aprons are kept?? I'm sure this is normal at most other places, but when I physically get the pleasure of seeing you make my food while wiping your hands on a dirty apron, I am just put off. Nonetheless, I will return to try the soup. I hope no one will ladel it out with their hands...
(2)Shelley M.
I've been waiting a couple weeks for this place to open in the French Market. It was worth the wait. They have several grilled cheese sandwiches to choose from & they are made to order. I had the Americana, which is swiss, cheddar & provolone with tomato. It was served on thick slices of bread & was delicious. Not at all greasy. For soup, they all use vegetarian stock. This is great for me because while I eat meat, I don't eat red meat & can't eat any soup with a beef broth. From there, they have broth, cream & tomato soups. You can add meat, veggies, rice or pasta. I kept it simple & got the tomato basil soup. Nice & fresh with large pieces of basil for good flavor. Perfect combination of sandwich & soup! The service was very friendly too. The man I am assuming is the owner greeted everyone in line & was quite willing to answer questions during a busy workday lunch rush. I had to wait about 5 minutes for the tomato soup & the owner made sure to let me know it wasn't ready. I give Spicy Monkey 2 thumbs up & I'll likely be a regular here. I just wish it had opened during the cold winter months but it's not exactly a warm spring day today!
(5)Adam C.
I came across this place in one of my usual walk-throughs of the French Market at Ogilvie. You know how it usually goes: the next train is leaving in 30 minutes so you take a hike thinking that something delicious will catch your eye. You walk past the pastry place, peering into the glass case of macaroons in every flavor known to mankind (save for broccoli) but you keep going. You head by the Belgian Frite place and think quietly to yourself "Oh I'd really love to eat a giant cone of delicious french fries and slather on flavored mayo...if only my metabolism were what it once was." So you press on, past the Korean place that for some reason does not offer BBQ, past the burrito place (which has pretty tasty food, btw) because it's too filling, and make your way into the main section of the market. It was here that I stumbled upon a new place called "Spicy Monkey" that had not been there the last time I took a stroll through the market. The name is a cute and clever one, and they really try to use the word "monkey" in all of their marketing materials, going so far as to refer to their customers as "monkeys." The "spicy" part of the name is a bit of a misnomer. One would expect this to be a place that sells spicy Asian or Latin food. Nope. It's a gourmet grilled cheese and soup stand. I would say "glorified" but they definitely live up to the challenge of being very unique, high quality and super delicious. I tried their tomato basil soup where they will put other toppings (crutons, cheese, meatballs, chicken, pasta, etc.) into the bowl for you for FREE. It's not quite as delicious as the Tomato Basil you get at Nordstrom Cafe (best in class), but pretty damn yummy, nevertheless. I also had their "Backyard" sandwich that features grilled cheese, bbq sauce, chicken and bacon on it. Wow...this was freakin' delicious! All the way down to the toasted sesame seeds on the bread, each ingredient complemented the others. They also have about 5 or 6 other grilled cheese sandwiches on the menu. One of them has blueberry jam on it that they make from scratch at the stand. Another had apples on it with some other interesting ingredients (which I can't recall since I didn't linger there very long). The person working the counter was very nice and took the time to explain all that they had to offer and how the menu worked. I'll definitely be stopping by here again sometime in the near future. I'd give it a 5th star, but the prices were a bit steep for a cup of soup and sandwich. I believe I paid over $11 for both of these. mind you, it was all high quality, unique and super tasty, however.
(4)Abbas K.
Americana with tomato basil was a great combo, and the Trust Me was surprisingly good -- the grilled cheese equivalent of PB&J.
(5)Sruts A.
Taking grilled cheese to more flavorful levels :) It's quite wonderful to have bread, cheese, fruit and meat melt in your mouth with every bite. I had the Apple Pie grilled cheese and it was satisfying. I've heard good things about the soups here as well, but somehow got side tracked by the variations of sandwiches.
(4)Aubrey T.
Good soup, I love the make your own option. I just have a couple recomendations. 1. More vegetable options for the soups, maybe beans, lentils, cabbage, kale, potato, or something like that. 2. The roll that goes with the soup is not very good. Perhaps you guys could offer a garlic bread or a cheesy bread along side the soup. Or an option for apple slices, or carrot instead. Aside from this the workers are always friendly and the prices are good
(4)lovesmyanimals l.
Why oh Why did I not come here earlier... I work above the french market and come to the market daily for lunch. This is seriously the best damn soup. Yeah I set it. The Tomato Basil, has a nice spicy kick to it. The owner and staff are bad-ass, friendly and service with a smile. Did I mention how awesome the soup is (plus you can create your version with all the add-ons that are FREE). To top it off, if you are nice there are lollipops at the register. So go, try and savor...
(5)Kathleen A.
Yummmm!!! The grilled cheese are unique and made with super high quality ingredients. Soups are the perfect pairing. They even make homemade sodas. Probably the best hangover lunch possible.
(4)Josh G.
I had the Back Yard Grilled Cheese. It consists of Cheddar/Swiss cheese, pulled chicken, bacon, and BBQ sauce. I thought it was yummy and flavorful. I wasn't sure I would like the chicken in it, but I did. I had the BBQ sauce all over my face when I was done. That's how you know it was good. I scarfed it.
(4)Chhavi S.
Who doesn't love grilled cheese and soup? We went right before lunch to avoid all the lines and we used the Yelp coupon so we got a great deal!
(4)Monica G.
Went today with a $10 for $20 online deal I found and was so glad I did! Got the autumn lentil soup which was packed with veggies and had a nice kick to it. Also had the Backyard sandwich and a cherry cola. Delicious! Plus the owner and employees were extremely friendly. I already picked up a yelp voucher and will be back again!
(5)Peter S.
All of the sandwiches on their menu sounded curiously good. Despite not being a big fan of combining sweet with savory, their "Trust Me" sandwich was as tasty as it was aptly named. It's very worthy of consideration, no matter how peculiar the combination may seem to some. My partner in crime shared one of these, but we both wanted another. I also got a cup of soup - vegetable broth with barley and meatballs - and was truly delighted. All the ingredients were well prepared, especially the barley and veggies - firm, fresh, and tasty. I ~WILL~ be back to the French Market, and I endeavor to try every sandwich and soup combination.
(5)Cesar N.
This place is awesome!!! I work some Saturdays and was looking for a breakfast sandwich. Only choices I have around the area I work are Potbelly's or Subway. Not much to work with. Anyhow I was looking to try something new, walked into the French Market and spotted this place. There sandwiches caught my attention. I chose to go with there Fallbrook sandwich (Turkey, Acacado, Bacon, and Swiss Cheese). All I need to say is this sandwich was the BEST sandwich I have had in a while!!! The turkey they put in the sandwich is real thick Turkey slices. (The kind of slices you see in Thanksgiving!!!) The bread on the sandwich is an awesome sesame bread!!! Will definitely keep coming to this place. They sell soups too but I'm a sandwich guy!! Only downside is the sandwiches are priced at $7+ but if you don't have a budget then your taste buds will not be disappointed.
(4)jesy b.
So, so good! The incredibly nice people working the counter were terribly patient with me as I stumbled through ordering the tomato soup. Doesn't really sound that complicated, right? But then they asked me what I wanted in my soup and I just about lost my sh*t. I was unprepared and apparently having a rough day anyway. They have a lengthy list of add-ins that (I think) are included in the very reasonable price of $4 for a cup. I was assuming that my broccoli and cheddar would be a) minimal and b) given at the expense of the soup, taking up extra space in my cup. But no! The servings on both broccoli and cheddar were great and lasted all the way through the soup. The soup itself was still a solid cup, with none sacrificed on behalf of my broccoli. Maybe my expectations were unfairly low because of their location in the notoriously over-priced French Market, but this place blew me away.
(5)Shin M.
Got the Caprese Grilled Cheese. Too much pesto and very bland flavor. Not a fan.
(1)Chelsey L.
Good addition at the French Market. I tried the grilled caprese and Kyle threw in a container of their apple wasabi slaw on the house. The sandwich was nicely done (they use a special low-moisture wrapping paper so it doesn't get soggy on you) with fresh pesto and crispy-crunchy bread. The slaw had a nice zing to it, but I thought it was somewhat overdressed (and I love mayo). I think the slaw normally goes for like $1.25 which seems pretty steep for less than a ramekin-sized container. When the weather's cooler, I'll head back to try the soup. Too bad they opened just as it's warming up.
(3)Bobbie C.
Had no idea this location existed!!! I'm glad I found it. I used a Yelp voucher which covered for two people. We were able to get two sandwhiches, soup, and a drink. The cashier was very friendly and hilarious. There is an area towards the back where you can sit down and eat your food.
(3)Toni L.
I eat here AT LEAST once a week. The girls here are incredibly friendly and helpful when I have a brain fart trying to figure out if I want the Fallbrook or the Golden Havana. It's a tough choice. These are grilled cheese sandwiches on figurative steroids. Chipotle mayo? Check. Fresh pesto? Affirmative. Shredded barbeque chicken?! Oh, oh yeah. There is zero need to try and think of what you may want on your dream sandwich because they've already thought of them all. Are you a total nut and can't stand sandwiches? WELL they've also got a bevy of tasty soups, hence the name. TRY. THE. CLAM. CHOWDER. With a rotating menu of everything awesomely tasty in the world and snappy service, this place is beyond Yelps measly five stars. Easily.
(5)Joni L.
One of the newest spots at the French Market. Normally, I am not a fan of just something simple as soup for lunch. However, this place is leaps and bounds better than any Au Bon Pain I've been too. Prices are very reasonable (4 dollars, tax included) for a cup of soup. You can also get bowl size, and they offer a grilled cheese sandwich. I had the lentil soup. It was not at all salty and for cup size, was very filling. Also included is a multi-grain roll. Extra awesome is their offering (for free) of an add-on for the soup. I chose chicken. This is REAL chicken too, my friends. None of the processed garbage they throw in every other soup. The soup in it's entirety: flavorful, filling, and price are all on the mark! The owner is also super friendly and explained how all their soup is prepared. I can normally get lost the vast plethora of eating choices at the French Market. But this is definitely a spot I am going back to.
(4)Michelle G.
Love this place. The guy working the register is always super friendly and patient with all of my questions- is this cream based? Do you use flour? etc. Never once got snippy with a long line of people and always encourages me to try all the soups before I decide! Hungarian Mushroom soup? YUM. Bring it back more often please :) Tomato Basil (which is sugarless and creamless!) Soup? Damn right! ask for it withi chicken and to be extra spicy... won't let you down. YAY for Soup lunches!
(5)Sonia G.
I went for a classic- the Americana. Maybe I'm really picky but I expected way more from my grilled cheese sandwich. Everybody that worked there seemed really nice but the food was plain, bland, tasteless. I could have made a better sandwich for half the price of this $6.50 sandwich. :(
(1)Sam W.
Absolutely delicious soups and sandwiches. I've tried most of the menu and I can tell you they are all very tasty. I'm particularly fond of the "Backyard" a grilled cheese that has BBQ chicken in it, soooooo goooooood!! Also the tomato soup is one of my favorites, flavors are equally well thought out and very well balanced. Can't wait to go back!
(5)J A.
I bought a Yelp deal ($10 for $20), and this covered my meal and my lunch partner's meal (2 grilled cheese sandwiches, 2 soups, 1 bag of chips). A $5 lunch in the Loop, let alone the French Market, is hard to come by. So, many thanks for offering this deal. All in all, pretty good. It's hard to find a Manhattan Clam Chowder, and they offered one today. I went with the Americana sandwich, and my brother had the Back Yard sandwich. I'm not sure if I'm sold on customizing your soup, because the best part of soup is that all the flavors have had some time to hang out and get to know each other. The owner's enthusiasm was much appreciated. It would be cool to love work as much as this guy. I'm at about a 6 at work. He's at an 11.
(4)Stephanie M.
Sandwiches are yummy- I especially like the Caprese. My only complaint is that they are pretty slow... it's soup and sanwiches in an assembly line, yet they always seem confused?
(4)Mike H.
I admittedly have become a frequent patron, so perhaps you might find my review a bit biased (or you might take that as a sign of the food/service quality). I occasionally get a grilled cheese, but normally go for one of the soups of the day. I have found them to be tasty, filling, and a great value. My favorites include the Brunswick Stew, Hungarian Mushroom, Italian Wedding, Autumn Lentil, and Gator Gumbo soups. Any of these make a meal unto themselves, at a bargain price, especially in and around the Loop. If you plan to enjoy the soups often, I highly recommend purchasing the refillable soup mug. It is $9.95 and includes the first fill, so you basically pay $4 for the mug. The mug is about 25% larger than the large soup, and refilling it only costs the price of the large soup ($5.50). You quickly recoup the cost of the mug and then continue to enjoy the extra-large soup for the price of a large. As I have to walk a few blocks to get there, I appreciate that fact that Spicy Monkey tweets the daily soup specials each morning; so I know what will be available each day. Great food, friendly staff...how can you go wrong?
(5)Natalie N.
This lunch spot has such a great concept - a menu consisting solely of grilled cheese and tomato soup? Come on! 've had the "Americana" grilled cheese and the tomato soup with rice, bell peppers and cheddar cheese added in. The sandwich was very good but the soup, oh my god the soup, this is the best-tomato-soup-ever. I don't even like tomato soup and I keep thinking about it. I also like that they have a variety of soup toppings you can add in like meatballs, pulled pork, asparagus, broccoli... My only criticism is that I wish you had a choice of bread. My grilled cheese was on white bread with sesame seeds on the crust and I am allergic so It was annoying, It would been nice to choose a different kind of bread without seeds. Small gripe, great place. Can't wait to try the rest of their menu!
(4)Maribel A.
The food was great and it wasn't expensive. We used the Yelp deal and it was totally worth it! I will go back again and try something new. I had the Americana grilled cheese which was fantastic and the Chicago chili. It is also in the French market which is pretty fun to walk around and explore.
(5)Jefree T.
Great customer service and food. Soup and sand come to just under $10, about average for lunch downtown.
(4)Mark C.
First, these are NOT "grilled" cheese sandwiches. The sandwiches are run through a toaster oven which does not replicate an actual grilled sandwich. The bread is not crispy and a little greasy like a good grilled cheese but instead is simply toast with cheese in the middle. I tried the apple pie which had cheese, brown sugar, bacon and apple slices on it. It was completely without flavor and very, very dry. If I'm going to drop $8 for a sandwich, I expect a lot more. Pastoral, for less money, way outshines this place.
(1)Mourad A.
I liked the clam chowder
(3)Suzanne M.
Totally agree with jesy b. Great soup - lots of choices and great staff!
(5)TC S.
This was ok. I walk by it every morning on my way to the office and have been meaning to stop. Now, granted, I did not order soup at the soup place (personal foul), but still was disappointed in the Caprese Sandwich. The bread left something to be desired, there was very little of the most delicious ingredient, the pesto, and also very few tomatoes. The tomatoes were also cubed instead of sliced, so they kept falling out of the sandwich. But the MOST DISTURBING was that all of the employees, including those who made my sandwich, were not wearing gloves. While I noticed the wash station behind the register, I also noticed the girl who made my sandwich wipe her hands repeatedly on her apron while making my order and several others. Who knows where those aprons are kept?? I'm sure this is normal at most other places, but when I physically get the pleasure of seeing you make my food while wiping your hands on a dirty apron, I am just put off. Nonetheless, I will return to try the soup. I hope no one will ladel it out with their hands...
(2)Shelley M.
I've been waiting a couple weeks for this place to open in the French Market. It was worth the wait. They have several grilled cheese sandwiches to choose from & they are made to order. I had the Americana, which is swiss, cheddar & provolone with tomato. It was served on thick slices of bread & was delicious. Not at all greasy. For soup, they all use vegetarian stock. This is great for me because while I eat meat, I don't eat red meat & can't eat any soup with a beef broth. From there, they have broth, cream & tomato soups. You can add meat, veggies, rice or pasta. I kept it simple & got the tomato basil soup. Nice & fresh with large pieces of basil for good flavor. Perfect combination of sandwich & soup! The service was very friendly too. The man I am assuming is the owner greeted everyone in line & was quite willing to answer questions during a busy workday lunch rush. I had to wait about 5 minutes for the tomato soup & the owner made sure to let me know it wasn't ready. I give Spicy Monkey 2 thumbs up & I'll likely be a regular here. I just wish it had opened during the cold winter months but it's not exactly a warm spring day today!
(5)Abi O.
I love this place! Not only is the staff helpful, patient, & friendly, but the owner is also funny - often serving as a needed afternoon "pick-me-up." My first time going there, the owner talked me into trying a sample of the tomato soup, despite my initial response of "Uh, no thanks, I don't like tomato soup." After my first sip, I realized I was sadly mistaken, because it's been my favorite on the menu ever since! The tomato soup is SOOO flavorful & delicious -- it's like a party for my taste buds! Far above your ordinary (often bland, in my opinion) tomato soup. I prefer mine with broccoli, but I like it with or without the custom "toppings" that they offer with any soup. I have yet to get anything from this place that I dislike. Good concept, great food. Thumbs up for Spicy Monkey!!
(5)Dustin G.
I'll cut to the chase: this place is awful and if it weren't for so many first-time customers that pass through Ogilvie then they'd be out of business. I've only gotten food here once and that was enough. I'll start with the service or lack thereof. I walked up to the counter and three employees just stood there staring into space. They all looked stoned out of their minds and I finally had to ask if they were open. It was after noon so they were but I couldn't think of a more polite way to tell them to snap out of it. I thought that a group of stoners could probably make a decent grilled cheese but even that proved to be too complicated for his crew. They put two pieces of ice-cold bread and cheese and a slice of tomato on their heated conveyor and sent it through. However, they got paranoid that it would overcook so they pulled it our early. The cheese hadn't even melted. Then they crushed it stuffing it into a bag. The sandwich was cold and disgusting. I'll never eat there again especially considering all of the other delicious options at the French Market.
(1)Kevin L.
Got the caprese which went super well with the tomato basil. The soup could have used a little bit of salt and pepper but was a good choice for a cold day. The backyard looks absolutely mouthwatering. Will definitely come back to try some of their other meaty creations!
(4)Tavi J.
I don't crave Grilled cheese sandwiches too often at work, but when I do I go here. Located conveniently in the French Market this place offers what I call "gourmet" grill cheese sandwiches. It's a little pricey ($9.00), but you're not just getting a slice of cheese in between two slices of bread. I normally get the Fallbrook Grill cheese which includes: Turkey, Avocado (yummy), Bacon, Swiss cheese, muenster cheese, chipotle mayo. At this point you might as well just call it a normal sandwich, but I like it's still referred to as a "grilled cheese" sandwich. It's pretty filling and I usually don't finish the whole thing. I have also tried the one with the apples and brown sugar (forgot what it was called). Sad to say I still need to try the soup next time.
(4)James H.
Two major complaints about this place. First and foremost is that they are not serving grilled cheeses!! - they are toasting the bread through a conveyor-belt machine and not grilling it. These sandwiches never touch a griddle or butter. Just look at all the pictures yelpers have posted. The sandwich would have been good if it were prepared the same and then grilled instead of toasted. Second is the branding... I tried this place on a whim during an unexpected visit to the French Market because of the huge grilled cheese sign. It is only when I came back to yelp after my poor experience that I noticed this is actually a soup joint - it was not clear at all while at the location that soup was their specialty. Would be interested to go back to try the soup, but I won't be back because of the lackluster, falsely advertised, toasted sandwiches.
(1)Padma A.
My Son has been craving their sandwiches and we went back today. He was so happy, and the "Trust me " was love at first bite for my 8 year old!
(4)Adam T.
I've been going to French Market for a while and somehow I missed this place, but a buddy recently introduced me to it. The heavyset gentleman who owns it seems volatile and ornery, but the soups are decent.
(2)Stephanie B.
After getting back into the swing of things after the recent Polar Vortex hit the city, my coworker and I decided we needed something warm for lunch and soup sounded oh-so-good. We work in the west loop and a quick yelp search showed this was the place to go. This place was awesome. We went early (11 AM) so there wasn't a crowd- the service was absolutely exceptional. The staff was friendly, really knowledgeable, and funny to boot. We were immediately offered samples of the Tomato Basil- I'm not usually a fan because it's usually too creamy/heavy, but this was fantastic. I tried the daily soup- Winter Lentil - and it was too good not to order a 16 oz. I liked that when I was on the fence about wanting to try the different soups, the person working told me I should try it because she had made it that morning- it made me laugh AND she was right about it being delicious! Prices are really reasonable, especially for the location. A little less than $6 for 16 oz of soup (2 cups worth!) and a roll.
(5)B C.
Quick lunches near the loop don't get much better than this. I couldn't refuse the Spicy Monkey yelp deal, and it was all that I had hoped for. The staff is super friendly amid the chaos that is the French Market on a Friday lunch hour. They got me through their line and food in my hand within five minutes. I even saw the guy manning the Spicy Monkey counter chase after some customers because they had forgotten their bags of chips. Talk about a nice and honest lunch team. On to the soup and sandwiches. We got the Backyard and the Trust Me, along with a bowl of the tomato soup with chicken and broccoli. Everything was excellent, especially the most basic component, the bread. It was somehow toasted, hearty, and fluffy all at the same time. It all added up to an ideal tomato soup-dipping apparatus. It sponged that stuff right up without getting soggy. The soup was a hearty, chunky and thick tomato with a wide range of free ingredient options. Next, my sandwich was the Backyard, a sort of grilled cheese meets bbq chicken, delicious frankenstein combo on bread. It was an inspired agglomeration, capable of refuting any grilled-cheese-is-boring naysayers, and just enough to strike that thin line between satisfied and tired. I only got a bite in of the Trust-Me. This was simpler in composition, but also enlightened in its non-comformity (go ahead and put some high quality jam on a grilled cheese and you won't be disappointed). It was good, but I'm more likely to go to the big Backyard again next time. Finally, it's worth noting that the French Market is positively humming with activity on a winter day's lunch hour. You get inside and think, "this is where everyone is hiding!" The setup is possibly too clean-cut for some, but I found it a refreshing break from the office. Spicy Monkey is one of the best options down there, especially when you use the yelp deal.
(5)Alicia E.
One of my boyfriend's favorite places to get lunch from, however I have only been there twice. I think the idea is creative, the staff was polite and enthusiastic about the soup, however, I just wish there was more variety in ingredients used. Otherwise, the soup was fantastic!
(4)Hannah C.
I am total sucker for a great grilled cheese. But a grilled cheese that feels moderately healthy? Well, I'm doubly sold on that! I had the apple pie which was a fun, sweet take with apples and brown sugar. And bacon, because why not? The tomato basil soup was flavorful and the perfect temperature and consistency. It made a great comfort food lunch, and I'll totally be back when I'm in the area.
(5)Jason H.
Lots of kind words, but my lasting memory echoes those reviewers who sound the service to be lacking. My grilled cheese and tomato soup were solid. No argument there - four stars. But the guy working the stand seemed so put off with my presence that I couldn't wait to get out of there. Also, as others have mentioned - 10 minutes for a grilled cheese? We all want it done right but that is a bit much.
(3)Belle L.
Soups are a better value than the thick carb galore sandwich with sparse filling. It's great to be able to customized your own soup but taste and flavor is compromised. The more ingredients you add on, the soup base flavor becomes absent.
(3)Amanda M.
Wish I came here sooner, as I'm always looking for my soup fix. I am picky and look for places that have healthy soups yet are tasty. So far, Specialty's and Au Bon Pain fit that bill. However, it's quite expensive, especially for Specialty's as it's $5.50 (after tax) for a regular sized soup, that's just barely satisfying. At Spicy Monkey, I got the 12oz tomato basil, LOADED with chicken, broccoli, brown rice, red peppers, and mushrooms including a free piece of multigrain bread for $4.50 (after tax)! At Specialty's, there's only the complimentary focaccia bread, which I can only imagine how unhealthy that is. Yes, the tomato basil wasn't your traditional heavy creamy soup, but it was definitely satisfying in flavor and in portion. That loaded soup, in which you can add any toppings for no additional charge, is a meal in itself. Also, while places like Au Bon Pain offer lower calorie soups, they are often packed with sodium. Not here though! Everything was perfectly light, fresh, and above all, tasty! What's also great is that they have a reward punch card! 9 purchases and get your 10th meal free! And even better is their service. The owner I believe was very patient and helpful with me as I took forever to decide what I wanted. After paying, he asks me, "Will you do me a favor?" and I just look at him and he goes, "Just have a good day." My day is made because of excellent service (people) like this. You can bet that this will solely be my soup place from now on. Can't beat tasty, healthy, affordable, and exceptional service!
(5)Amy J.
$8.50 for scrawny sandwich with basic bottles BBQ sauce on it? I'm the sucker so I can't even hate your hustle! I'm have to take quality over quantity but this was something my three year old could've made with ingredients from Aldi's. Never again. Precooked bland chicken was run through a rolling toaster and some BBQ sauce squirted on top. Go ANYWHERE else in the French Market. Disgraceful price gauging.
(2)Chris R.
Love the soups at this place, I can't get enough. As the other reviews have said it's always busy so just keep that in mind prior to ordering.
(5)Ryan B.
The only real problem with Spicy Monkey is the line is often too long at lunchtime (So go early/late!) The grilled cheese sandwiches are great, so are the soups. I don't like tomato soup, but I get theirs often. The owner can be a little condescending (to his employees AND customers), but he's fine.
(5)Jeremy B.
I'm bananas over this place! (see what I did there?) Ok, on a serious note - this place is great for soup. There just aren't a ton of good soup places in the West Loop so I was thrilled to find this gem nestled in the Chicago French Market. I've had the grilled cheese, too, and it was good. Not like "OMG MUST RUN TO MONKEY" good, but good none the less. I had the one with apples (forget the name) and to me it wasn't a "grilled" cheese. It was a toasted cheese. Grilled cheese to me is slathered in butter and, well, grilled. This was toasted in an oven or panini maker or something similar. Probably healthier, but doesn't have that greasy diner or how mom made it grilled taste. Back to the soup....OMG MUST RUN TO MONKEY. Its great. My favorite is the split pea, and they will add ham or croutons or other items from a small list of additions. The soup is a little pricier than I would expect to pay - so thankfully they dont charge for the extras, but considering it is homemade, and tastes like it, its worth it. The staff is fun and friendly, and work as fast as they can (considering small space) too. The owner is a little quirky and I mean that in a good way. Love that they announce their soups of the day (usually) on Facebook. Only downside is a limited beverage selection, but you can grab one around the corner from the City Fresh market.
(5)Brian K.
Thanks to quick thinking, we nabbed a deal at Spicy Monkey at the Chicago French Market, which was as good as its full-sized restaurant brethren. The cashier had what I'm beginning to think of as the "Spicy Monkey Sass." Always good.
(5)Alessandra S.
This is my favorite American food joint in the French Market. Here's why: I came here for lunch for the first time today around 1:15 when the lunch crowd had died down a bit. I stared at the menu for about a minute before the friendly dude at the register had me try a sample of their tomato basil soup and explained the menu to me. He didn't rush me, and even engaged in conversation. He was goofy and made me feel right at home, which is hard to do in what is basically a glorified, upscale food court. I decided on the tomato soup with red peppers and pulled chicken as well as the Evil Fish sandwich, which was a tuna melt oozing with cheddar and provolone. I ended up getting a hand poured ginger ale as well, after a stranger decided to comp my meal for me (that's another story for another time)! The food was so hearty and flavorful. They did NOT skimp on cheese, which was oozing and lent itself well to dipping in the soup. I can't wait to go back and try the rest of their sandwiches. I wonder if they do catering? I'll bet my office would love to order lunch here some time. This is a solid lunch option at very reasonable prices, especially considering the restaurants that surround it. I will not only be back for the food, but for the service as well.
(5)Stef M.
For a company that serves up mostly grilled cheese sandwiches and soup, they know how to differentiate themselves. What makes a caprese sandwich a crowd standout? A terrific fresh blend of herbs and oil and the best bread. Their homemade soup is great and you get to pick the toppings.
(5)Jessica P.
The name caught my attention because I love monkeys + spicy food!! GREAT NAME! I came here for lunch at around 12:40PM on a Friday with a friend..there was no wait in ordering so I briefly reviewed the menu and made my order... It took about 5-10 minutes for the food to come out...which isn't bad knowing that the food is fresh.. Food: Caprese ($7.75)- contains Mozzarella & Provolone with Tomatoes & Basil Pesto...warm delicious..filling! I loved the sesame seed bread that they use--definitely adds a more flavor to the sandwich... I think it's Great choice if you do not want/eat meat! Soup: I didn't personally try the soup, but my friend that tried the tomato soup said it was good..good to dip your sandwich in.. :) Costs: ranges from $6.75-$8.50 for sandwiches and $4.00-$5.50 for soup...gotta get soup to dip the sandwiches in!..yes it is little bit on the higher end for a sandwich because you can probably get a sandwich & soup + apple/chips deal at Panera...but it's about the experience right? Atmosphere: it's a food booth in a busy marketplace area so you don't really have anywhere to sit, but the booth itself is decorated well with photos of monkeys and such... I might be biased because I am in love with monkeys....if you really really don't like monkeys....dont' worry because the food doesn't have monkey stamped on it nor does it taste like monkey... just try it.. :) Customer Care: the staff is very patient and friendly...the only funny thing is that...when the food comes out and there's 3-4 ladies waiting for the food... if the staff says maam/lady your food is ready... we're all going to look at them thinking it's ours.. so it was confusing, but funny at the same time.. maybe they should write our names...or initials on the bags when it's busy so we aren't all confused and staring up with excitement. I would come here again to try some of the other sandwiches...It might be on the more costly end for a sandwich, but for a one time experience it's good and it's not like the sandwich is tiny, it's filling! great place for a quick lunch!! :)
(4)Michael S.
Now that I am not in the West Loop anymore a bit of nostalgia is hitting me and I am writing all of my much delayed reviews for places around there. Now with Spicy Monkey I've actually never had their soup. I am not a huge soup person unless it's like an asian noodle soup or something like that. I have tried their Trust Me with the blueberry jam and provolone cheese (I think the market deli there took their idea for one of their sandwiches from this sandwich). I actually enjoyed the sandwich and think the price was fair for being downtown, but it wasn't a standout. I guess that's why I've only eaten at Spicy Monkey once.
(3)Emily K.
Was in Chicago for the weekend to visit friends and stopped by for lunch. The Caprese and Trust Me sandwiches were awesome! The clam chowder was on par with some of the best I've had in New England. Definitely home made and not from a can. My boyfriend liked his french onion soup and said it's as good as the ones he's had at expensive steak restaurants. Overall, the ingredients were fresh, everything tasted home made, and prices were fair. We'll come back again the next time we're in the area.
(5)Gretchen D.
Good and friendly. The tomato basil had a nice tang--added croutons and rice. Americana grilled cheese was good too.
(3)Matthew C.
Delicious and great friendly service! Would recommend to anyone. Online coupon worked great.
(5)Jie S.
My third meal in French Market was soup from Spicy Monkey soup co. I got my Tomato Basil soup with Brocolli and rice. It was pretty good but no close to what others were raving about. Did I pick the wrong combination? Well, I do like this place. The owner was very nice and friendly. The soup was ready super quickly. The price was right. The soup looked healthy. I probably need to figure out my own favorite combination.
(4)Joshua N.
UPDATE: Meat balls are back! Upping rating to four stars. -- This review is for the Chicago French Market (Clinton Street) location. Soup and sandwich stand in the Chicago French Market. Selection of everyday soups, specialty soups, and grilled cheese sandwiches. Everyday veggie broth and tomato basil soups can be customized with an array of toppings. PROS: Standard veggie broth and tomato basil soups are always good. Topping selections are nice. Reasonable prices. Good service. The owner manning the register is always a cut up. One of the better stands in the market. CONS: Not much wrong with this place. The specialty soups are hit or miss. The best topping, meatballs, has been discontinued in favor of boring steak chunks optimistically referred to as "carne asada." This new steak topping is so dull it ruins otherwise good tomato soup. Do not order the carne asada.
(4)Lucas W.
I've been to Spicy Monkey for lunch a few times and always been incredibly satisfied. A warning about going for lunch though - the line gets long, be sure to allow time to wait a bit to order and then pickup your sandwich/soup. Despite advertising themselves as a soup company, I've never had their soup. Maybe I will in the upcoming winter months, but thus far I've only had their grilled cheese sandwiches. And actually I've generally had whatever they have on special. My favorite special thus far has been the grilled cheese with turkey, avocado, and bacon. It was great, amazing how the flavors actually worked together in a warm, gooey grilled cheese sandwich. I keep planning on trying their Backyard sandwich but haven't gotten around to it yet. What really put Spicy Monkey over the edge for me was the service. It's very slow but the servers are very nice. You can get a slightly customized soda and so I wanted Vanilla Sprite (which is phenomenal but not produced so you can't get it anywhere). The server apologized and said they were out of vanilla and asked if I wanted anything else but I just said no thanks. Instead she insisted on giving me a free root beer! That's how service should be!! And all for a very reasonable price!!
(5)James K.
First time and it was great! Loved the tomato basil w/add ons. Spicy, hot, tasty and friendly service!
(4)Colleen S.
I must be missing something because I have yet to have a good experience at the Spicy Monkey in the French Market. The reviews below are so positive, but I doubt I've just come at a bad time or it was an off day. I've been there three times for the grilled cheese, which is mediocre. Super thick slices of bread, two meager slices of cheese. For the price I would definitely expect more substance. Disappointing. On then service front, the website and signage would lead you to believe you'd have a great experience with the staff, but every time I've been there, I have to ask for someone to take my order. When they finally ask what I'd like to order it seems forced as if I've just interrupted them. Oh, and don't expect a receipt. Next, you wait around for about 10 minutes...it's a grilled cheese. I wish this place was more welcoming and hearty, unfortunately just disappointing.
(2)Cara K.
Tried the Americana and Tomato Basil soup this afternoon. The Americana hit my craving, but I feel like I definitely should've grabbed some hot sauce to spice it up a bit. The Tomato Basil soup was good but not great. Good food. Good Price.
(3)Roxanne R.
Top your own soup. What an excellent concept! A cup of soup at this place fills me up for lunch. You get to choose from a vegetable broth or tomato basil. From there you can add chicken, meatballs, cheese, croutons, rice, pasta, or broccoli. MmMM both soup bases are really tasty. I get that and a root beer almost everyday and that puts me at a $5 lunch which is unheard of at the French Market. Also the workers are super friendly, who doesn't love soup with a smile and a lolipop :)
(5)Kat T.
Worked a late afternoon and after my train arrived I walked over to the French Market with a taste for soup. The name of this place is catchy and I decided to see if it had any spice to their food. Ordered the cup of tomato basil and cheddar grilled cheese. It was average. The soup is good, but not as good as the one made at Nordstrom Cafe. The grilled cheese was huge and very cheesy. Total for my meal was $10 and change. I had a moment of sticker shock. Though the name was catchy, there was nothing spicy about the soup or sandwich, and I wasn't really impressed, although I do appreciate their upbeat customer service and fresh ingredients. For $5 and some change, I can go to Nordstrom Cafe for the same ( except grilled cheese made on multigrain) and spend an additional $2 for a yummy chocolate cupcake.
(2)J Z.
Good hearty soup and it's in the French market. However , their tomato basil is a bit too sour and salty for our taste. The lunch line is long but it moves fairly quickly too.
(4)David G.
Amazing! Got the $10 for $20 deal and had a wonderful experience. The staff was helpful and knew all the ingredients in their food, which is helpful with allergies! The grilled cheese is superb and the soup wonderful, and a great price for everything too!
(5)