I suspect that the rent on this place (right at the entry of the hospital) has to be steep, which would explain the high prices. It seems that my biggest complaint, along with everyone else, is the cost. With that out of the way, I like visiting this Au Bon Pain because the employees are very nice; they remember my face and always say hello. When they make a latte or a sandwich for me and I say "thank you," I believe them when they say "my pleasure" in response.
The soups are good--I like the clam chowder the best. But what is truly spectacular about Au Bon Pain is that they have terrific lemonade and the absolute best cheese danish in the entire world.
I had that danish on Christmas Day and I've thought about that danish every day since.
. Â Â Â Â Hospital cafe
A refreshing change of smells...
  Tasty, expensive.
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Ok, it's nice to have something other than the cafeteria for patients/employees. Â That said, I almost think letting a local cafe open up in the ABP space would allow for lower prices, better service and would reinvest in the community. Â That being said...
Coffee is surprisingly good, if not always hot...
Bread is amazing, and any sandwich you order or get premade will without a doubt be on some delicious chewy-crusty masterpiece.
Have you ever had ABP apple-cinnamon oatmeal? Â It's sort-of a big deal. Â I recommend lots of almonds with it, and plenty of brown sugar!
In summary, if you are in the UofC hospital and are in need of some grub/coffee then you should at least consider the ABP.
Definitely the best dining option on U of C Medical Center grounds. One bit of advice--don't get the preassembled salads and sandwiches from the cooler. Â The freshly made options are much better and seem more generous. Â It is too pricey for me for everyday--but is a nice treat. The small space is set up intelligently, so that it is not as unpleasant as I anticipated during the lunch rush. Â I was able to get everything that I wanted quickly, and even found a table.
Review Source:It's probably the best dining choice available around here. Â As its competition pretty much consists of two hospital cafeterias, I don't know if that's saying much. Â A small cup of soup & a tiny, plain side salad will be close to $10. Â You can get a larger salad in the cafeteria for less money. Â Again though, it's the basement cafeteria. Â Eat at your own risk. Â But back to ABP: it also always seems to be really disorganized...people kind of standing around everywhere waiting for their food to be made. Â There's no good place to wait for your order.
I do like their soups and desserts, but it desperately needs to be better organized. Â I'd eat here way more often if it were a little more affordable.
The quality of food is better here than at the hospital cafeteria (surprise!), meaning it should merit more than just 3 stars by quality of food alone. However, it's pretty expensive for what is - most of the time I spend around $8 on a meal that costs me about half in the cafeteria. Then again, I don't know exactly what I'm eating in the cafeteria.
The quality is what makes it good - coffee, soup, sandwiches and pastries. A pretty good salad bar, too. Plus, they are open 24 hours, a necessity in a hospital this size.
It would be nice if they offered some sort of student discount to those of us going to school at Rush - it's pretty expensive for what it is, and food choices in this area are very scarce. You either have to pack it in, or be prepared to shovel out a good amount of cash for the week if you spend a lot of time at Rush.
3.75 stars
I guess since I eat here about 3 times per week and multiple times a day....I should just buy stock in them.
#1 complaint is the steep prices: a sandwich & soup will cost you over 10 bucks....easily.
However, now that we have that out in the open....
The food choices ROCK my boat! Make your own sandwich, make your own salad, at least 6 different soup choices, tons of pasteries, yogurt, cookies, wraps,bagels, chips, healthy snacks....you name it....this place probably has it.
Well prepared, fresh, & ornate on the palate. Nothing is plain and ordinary here.
Since this is my second home...I recommend these:
Let's start with DESSERT: Oatmeal cookies....I never cared for oatmeal cookies until I had them from here. Trust me on this one.
SOUP: hearty cabbage soup, baked stuffed potato soup, and broccoli cheddar are my favorite....but then again there are so many choices.
SANDWICH: ANY sandwich to your taste...they are all great! I always improvise and make my own concoction.
SALAD: Thai peanut chicken salad (but they have anything from garden to ceasar....all pretty good). Get it mixed with the dressing for you....it taste better.
SIDE: Hummus (amazing) and cucumber.
DRINK: good coffee and tea selection...latte this or macchiato that or smoothie this...
Since this is my 'lunchtime cafeteria', I think I take it for granted....but if you have never tried this place (at any location) you really should:-)
Ok- am I the only one who cringes at the idea of a restaurant with the name of PAIN in a hospital lobby? Â
I know, I know, it is not pronounced as PAIN-
but I read it that way anyhow.
And- when I am here, PAIN is what I am in...
every single time. Â Maybe I just do not appreciate irony.
But- name aside, this place definitely fills a great need.  Soup, sandwiches, wraps, muffins, brownies, cookies, COFFEE, hot chocolate, and  fresh, made to order salads.
I cannot count the number of times my big brother or father picked up a hot chocolate and snuck it up to my hospital room for me. Â The coffee also kept my family going when they were hanging around all hours. Â My mother enjoyed the oatmeal. Â
I must say- I LOVE the salads... large chunks of fresh cuc, tomatoes, Gorgonzola, sprouts and egg... YUM. Â Just watch how much dressing- they tend to put a bit much.
The seating area is small and cramped. Â However, for most people, that is not an issue.
Thanks for being here!
It's a little pricey and corporate, but I like how this Au Bon Pain offers their lunch choices cafeteria style. Almost set up like a grocery store, you can ladle your own fantastic soup (they have about 8 choices), choose your own bread (i recommend the cornbread) or go to the sandwich or salad stations before checking out at a register.
Lot's of healthy options, like pita chips and carrots instead of potato chips and pastries. My only qualm is that they do not have chicken salad on their menu.
Thank goodness for Au Bon Pain.
After spending  many of hours and days here in waiting rooms, hospital rooms, ICU, etc...
There is NOTHING like descent coffee and a healthy, fresh salad or sandwich. Â Also, the oatmeal bar in the morning is perfect.
The cafeteria at the hospital isn't so bad either, but the Au Bon Pain is more convenient and comfortable.
Oh, one negative, it's SOOO expensive.
Pricey food albeit fresh. Â I typically buy pastries & bagels from here; I can't "afford" to eat here. Â The half-price bake sale on pastries/bagels is from 10-11pm now and the breads are 25% off from 10-11pm. Â My favorites: chocolate croissant, almond croissant, apple croissant, dutch apple bagel, french toast bagel and jalapeno cheese bagel.
Review Source:When I get something to eat here I get it nice and fresh. The college kids are packed here around the afternoon time. Tax is alot to me but hey you might have a different experience. The food is really really good though! Take the blue line forest park train to Medical Center stop and you can find it easily.
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