Frango Cafe

I tend to like those places that are a little hidden away; maybe its so I can feel that I have a secret find, which makes posting to Yelp inherently self-defeating. It's also why I don't post a lot of my favorite places here; I don't want others coming along to muck it up. Call me selfish. Nyah nyah nyah.

I'm breaking that policy for Frango's Cafe, up on the 7th Floor of Macy's at State Street. Tucked between the hugely overrated Walnut Room and the somewhat overpriced Seven on State food court, it is an ordinary gem. Macy's boasts not only these restaurants on the 7th floor, but a fairly comprehensive cafeteria in the metro level, so understand that I have a choice as to where to eat. I choose here if I am in the Loop.

The prices are exceptionally good for what you are getting. Other reviewers have talked about the chicken chili, and I guess I can agree with that. I like my chili so spicy that it can reasonably be classified as an incendiary device, and Frango's chili is good, but suburban good, if you catch my drift. All of the food, from the salads to the sandwiches, is decent. It will not ruin your ability to appreciate, say, a Reuben elsewhere, but it also won't ruin your wallet. The pie is excellent, though, as is the world's smallest banana split (their name, not mine). The bottomless coffee, tea or soda while surfing the pretty stable free wifi is a good side benefit.

The best benefit? Let's say you were dying for some meatloaf and mashed potatoes from the metro level cafeteria or a Shoyu Ramen from the 7th floor food court. You can take it into the cafe and eat it there. That is pretty amazing to me. I've tested this out - sushi from the metro level, a salad from the food court and then coffee and pie from the cafe. Nobody batted an eye.

And that's another thing. I've seen some of the older reviews (some from 6 years ago, which is like a century in Restaurant Years) where they complained about the staff. I've only had one less than ideal experience over the many occasions I've eaten there, and that was because the guy was so new, he didn't know where the silverware was. Everyone else, including the manager is pleasant, professional and engaging.

Like a Cafe is supposed to be.

I love this place...  I don't know why I love it so much.  I love cafes and the atmosphere is great!! It's a great place to quickly dine and keep shopping if you have a busy day planned.  I'm shocked at all the bad reviews... hmmm

I have never been so angry with a restaurant.  

I am from Indiana and for as long as I can remember, my Christmas tradition with my parents has been to go to Marshall Fields, shop, and then stop at the Crystal Palace (now Frango Cafe) to have lunch and ice cream.  We have always gone on a Saturday, when the place is ridiciulously packed but this year we stopped in on a Thursday.  

My father and I walked up and didn't see a hostess, so we walked to the counter and asked if it was okay for us to sit there and have lunch.  A woman said the host has been busy, but that it was okay for us to sit.  We sat and waited for someone to bring us menus while 3 different waitresses walked by and looked at us.  We asked, twice, for a menu and got sneers.  I asked a third time and the woman, rudely, told us we couldn't eat lunch at the counter.  what?  At that point we were hungry and fed up so we left.  

I realize this probably doesn't seem like that flagrant of a violation, but it was really the straw that broke the camel's back.  The last three years we have been here service has gotten worse and worse.  The people have just been downright RUDE.  

It was extra disappointing for me because this is something I look forward to doing with my family.