Pret A Manger

It is with such a heavy heart that I frequent the Americanized version of my old sarnie standby in London. When I heard Pret was coming to Chicago, I was hopeful that they'd keep the English menu (I'm seriously nostalgic, what can I say?) I just want a Mature Cheddar & Pret Pickle or a Wild Crayfish & Rocket, even a Cracking Egg Salad. Indulge me, Pret! Instead, it's fairly boring sandwich fare. Not terrible, mind you, just not the same...(insert sadness here.)

But, I'm a fan of the salads. My new fave is the chicken avocado and I like that they have a "skinny vinaigrette" that is very lemon/mustard-y. It is what it is.

The food is bland; it's not cooked to order so when I opened my sandwich that was probably sitting there for hours the tortilla was burned to the paper. There wasn't much dressing so it was dry. I don't understand how this place is in business and I really don't understand why people would choose to go here with so many other great restaurants/quick healthy lunch spots in Chicago. I hate giving bad reviews but I'm never going back.

Hahaha, this place is dumb, but I eat here like every other day. Everything is prepackaged - who gives a spurting peptic ulcer burp if it's "made fresh earlier that day?" You're basically getting the same experience as grabbing a cellophane-wrapped sandwich from 7-Eleven except you're paying the same $7+ for it as you would at somewhere like Panera or Cosi for them to make it for you on the spot. Ignorant! So ridiculously overpriced for pre-packaged stuff that's been rotting on the hot roller or cool shelf for hours and hours. Who cares that they donate it at the end of the day? WHO CARES? Meaningless. All is dross and glamour.

I still come here every other day, though.