Places to Eat in the Food Court at Work

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Where should I eat in 2012?

Poll Results

OptionVotes
Panda Express 9
Arby's 5
Pizza Hut Express 2
Subway 2
Burger King Express 1
Dunkin Donuts 1
Sbarro 1
KFC Express 0
Taco Bell Express 0


wore glasses and said things (thejenny), Thursday, 29 December 2011 23:46 (twelve years ago) link

ARBY'S

nice catch cuauhtemoc blanco niño (dayo), Thursday, 29 December 2011 23:46 (twelve years ago) link

pro tip: arby's chicken tenders are really underrated

nice catch cuauhtemoc blanco niño (dayo), Thursday, 29 December 2011 23:47 (twelve years ago) link

but seriously, bring your own lunch

nuhnuhnuh, Thursday, 29 December 2011 23:48 (twelve years ago) link

Bossy.

wore glasses and said things (thejenny), Thursday, 29 December 2011 23:49 (twelve years ago) link

for me the great thing about arby's is that they offer unsweetened iced tea as a drink option so I feel I'm not throwing away 64 ounces of sugar

nice catch cuauhtemoc blanco niño (dayo), Thursday, 29 December 2011 23:51 (twelve years ago) link

man i am still addicted to taco bell, but lately i have been getting the disquieting feeling that i am eating processed vomit

~connecticut~ (henrietta lacks), Thursday, 29 December 2011 23:53 (twelve years ago) link

if its a one time deal im goin for the burger king whopper w/cheese every time, tho on a daily basis subway is prob the most sustainable

Cooper Chucklebutt, Thursday, 29 December 2011 23:57 (twelve years ago) link

I don't think I've ever admitted this on ILX but I hate Subway so much. It's so bland and disappointing. Every time I eat a Subway sandwich I just get sad.

wore glasses and said things (thejenny), Friday, 30 December 2011 00:00 (twelve years ago) link

tough but fair

Cooper Chucklebutt, Friday, 30 December 2011 00:00 (twelve years ago) link

I never mentioned it because I didn't want to upset anybody.

wore glasses and said things (thejenny), Friday, 30 December 2011 00:02 (twelve years ago) link

nothing here is good in any way except at 1 am. i don't know how the answer is anything but bring your own sandwich

nuhnuhnuh, Friday, 30 December 2011 00:03 (twelve years ago) link

i wont tell whiney dont worry xp

Cooper Chucklebutt, Friday, 30 December 2011 00:03 (twelve years ago) link

panda. you can get vegetables and plain rice.

trudy campbell, Friday, 30 December 2011 00:04 (twelve years ago) link

hmm did not know that, dont think ive ever had pnda xprs

Cooper Chucklebutt, Friday, 30 December 2011 00:05 (twelve years ago) link

yeah, the wok frying and the sauces probably make it unhealthy, but if you stick with non-orange chicken and some broccoli or whatev, it's not so bad.

trudy campbell, Friday, 30 December 2011 00:07 (twelve years ago) link

I don't think I've ever admitted this on ILX but I hate Subway so much. It's so bland and disappointing. Every time I eat a Subway sandwich I just get sad.

i once went in a subway in reno, nevada, that smelled of recent vomit.

when i got home, i had to change out of my clothes because i smelled so pervasively of barf.

never been back to a subway since, in reno or elsewhere.

remy bean in exile, Friday, 30 December 2011 00:11 (twelve years ago) link

xp (it's cool, guys, I work in downtown Chicago so I pretty much never eat in the food court of our building unless I specifically want Taco Bell or Panda Express or mozzarella sticks from Arby's.)

wore glasses and said things (thejenny), Friday, 30 December 2011 00:12 (twelve years ago) link

*phew*

nuhnuhnuh, Friday, 30 December 2011 00:13 (twelve years ago) link

in that case, taco bell express

nuhnuhnuh, Friday, 30 December 2011 00:14 (twelve years ago) link

I'm telling you though, chicken tenders at arby's are p good

nice catch cuauhtemoc blanco niño (dayo), Friday, 30 December 2011 00:14 (twelve years ago) link

I considered eating Subway for lunch (haven't had it in a few years) but instead I got a tiny gourmet sandwich from a local cafe and I kinda wish I went with Subway because at least I wouldn't be starving.

polyphonic, Friday, 30 December 2011 00:14 (twelve years ago) link

SBARRO IS GOOD. EAT AT SBARRO. SBARRO. EAT THERE. HAVED SOME FOOD. SPADGETTY. BIG BOWLS. SBARRO. FORK. KNIFE. MILKSHAKE DRINK. TASTES GOOD. NABKIN DISPENDER. HOT AIR BLOWER. COST MORE MDONILLDS. BETTER THEN MDONILLDS.

By "insulted" I mean "engaged in amateur rock criticism." (step hen faps), Friday, 30 December 2011 00:14 (twelve years ago) link

Arby's is okay I guess, I like their iced tea.
Burger King Express makes good burgers, but shitty fries
Dunkin Donuts not really a place for meals
KFC Express joek option
Panda Express orange chicken doesn't even qualify
Pizza Hut Express could be okay i guess
Sbarro is ... fuck no
Subway, please see above
Taco Bell Express gives people diarrhea

remy bean in exile, Friday, 30 December 2011 00:15 (twelve years ago) link

I love Taco Bell, but would not dare eat it during the workday.

Your food court is very chainy. Mine is mostly locally-owned places with a few exceptions (Checkers, Chick-fil-A, Subway, Dairy Queen).

God is great. God is good. And people are crazy. Amen. (Johnny Fever), Friday, 30 December 2011 00:17 (twelve years ago) link

None of the above - eat elsewhere - but Subway is the least unhealthy of these options.

illegal crew member (C.K. Dexter Holland), Friday, 30 December 2011 00:22 (twelve years ago) link

xp There are some nonchains down there but I omitted them because then it would be really obvious where I work and I am pretending it is possible to still remain semi-anonymous on the internet. There's a hot beef/gyro place, a weird fucking creepy coffee shop and a sketchy soup and sandwich place that some googling reveals are both owned and operated by Sodexo, a cheesesteak place that is closed for health code violations, an actual for real decent burger place (local chain), and a hit or miss sushi place. Oh and a completely horrid "Cajun" place that is indescribably disgusting.

wore glasses and said things (thejenny), Friday, 30 December 2011 00:23 (twelve years ago) link

Oh and a completely horrid "Cajun" place that is indescribably disgusting.

i used to live near one of these. they never had any customers. i went in there once and they seemed annoyed that they had to break away from whatever they were up to in the back room.

trudy campbell, Friday, 30 December 2011 00:25 (twelve years ago) link

i love token Other fast food stalls in food courts.

nuhnuhnuh, Friday, 30 December 2011 00:28 (twelve years ago) link

mongolian bbq ftw

nuhnuhnuh, Friday, 30 December 2011 00:29 (twelve years ago) link

brazilian churrasco stall ftw

trudy campbell, Friday, 30 December 2011 00:31 (twelve years ago) link

tibetan momo stall ftw

tanuki, Friday, 30 December 2011 00:32 (twelve years ago) link

What makes a person look at these options and go "zomg so unhealthy"? It's pretty obvious the thread is not about health food.

dayo OTM re: Arby's

OH NOES, Friday, 30 December 2011 00:37 (twelve years ago) link

Subway meatball with lotsa veggies imo.

You know that Arby's roast beef is totally processed, right?

wrinklepause, Friday, 30 December 2011 00:39 (twelve years ago) link

It's pretty obvious the thread is not about health food.

What you eat everyday is not about your health? Subway may well be the best-tasting of those too, if you order right.

illegal crew member (C.K. Dexter Holland), Friday, 30 December 2011 00:40 (twelve years ago) link

xp (it's cool, guys, I work in downtown Chicago so I pretty much never eat in the food court of our building unless I specifically want Taco Bell or Panda Express or mozzarella sticks from Arby's.)

― wore glasses and said things (thejenny), Thursday, December 29, 2011 6:12 PM (28 minutes ago) Bookmark Permalink

wore glasses and said things (thejenny), Friday, 30 December 2011 00:41 (twelve years ago) link

I came here to say you forgot Mongolian BBQ~!!

OH GNUS (Pyth), Friday, 30 December 2011 00:41 (twelve years ago) link

is mongolian BBQ the one where you point at a bunch of shit and they put it on a big griddle and squirt a lot of sauce at it?

nice catch cuauhtemoc blanco niño (dayo), Friday, 30 December 2011 00:42 (twelve years ago) link

Da.

OH GNUS (Pyth), Friday, 30 December 2011 00:42 (twelve years ago) link

I don't think I've ever admitted this on ILX but I hate Subway so much. It's so bland and disappointing. Every time I eat a Subway sandwich I just get sad.

― wore glasses and said things (thejenny), Thursday, December 29, 2011 7:00 PM (42 minutes ago) Bookmark Permalink

tough but fair

― Cooper Chucklebutt,

i lol'd because it's so, so true. i end up eating at subway about once a week due to my own food court situation and yeah, i derive almost zero pleasure from it.

jenny, is this the food court i would be eating at too if i landed that one job? fuck, dude!

Z S, Friday, 30 December 2011 00:46 (twelve years ago) link

If you aren't putting oil and vinegar on yr Subway sandwich, which is either a cold cut trio or a BMT on classic Italian, IMO you are doing Subway wrong. I don't think any of their other sandwiches are particularly tasty but those two are great with lettuce, tomato, cucumber, bell peppers, provolone, salt & pepper and oil & vinegar.

OH NOES, Friday, 30 December 2011 00:49 (twelve years ago) link

I got an 'avocado sandwich' at a HK subway once and they only spared me half an avocado, and they pasted it onto that awful fast food restaurant shredd lettuce, and mealy tomatoes, and they put cheese on it (36 calories)

nice catch cuauhtemoc blanco niño (dayo), Friday, 30 December 2011 00:51 (twelve years ago) link

really though, could not spare a whole avocado

nice catch cuauhtemoc blanco niño (dayo), Friday, 30 December 2011 00:51 (twelve years ago) link

xp Different building, but you can get to this food court from where you would be working through Chicago's network of underground tunnels. I would recommend instead taking those tunnels to Macy's and checking out the food court on their seventh floor, which is really good.

However if you are ever in serious need of one of those Taco Bell burritos with Flaming Hot Cheetos in it or you want to try Arby's reputedly delicious chicken tenders, you know where to go.

wore glasses and said things (thejenny), Friday, 30 December 2011 00:52 (twelve years ago) link

I think I have done everything possible to make Subway palatable and it always ends in despair.

wore glasses and said things (thejenny), Friday, 30 December 2011 00:53 (twelve years ago) link

If you aren't putting oil and vinegar on yr Subway sandwich, which is either a cold cut trio or a BMT on classic Italian, IMO you are doing Subway wrong

Exactly what I was going to say

illegal crew member (C.K. Dexter Holland), Friday, 30 December 2011 00:55 (twelve years ago) link

Except I order (I haven't eaten subway in years) the (probably fake) chicken

illegal crew member (C.K. Dexter Holland), Friday, 30 December 2011 00:56 (twelve years ago) link

I cannot imagine ordering anything but a traditional roast beef sandwich from Arby's. It's like ordering a steak at a seafood restaurant; it I probably still good but why go there if you're not in the mood for their raison detre

OH NOES, Friday, 30 December 2011 00:56 (twelve years ago) link

U should order one thing from every place listed here and have a Xmas feast

є(٥_ ٥)э, Friday, 30 December 2011 00:59 (twelve years ago) link

otm

Cooper Chucklebutt, Friday, 30 December 2011 01:00 (twelve years ago) link

(sorry just wanted to say that out loud)

nice catch cuauhtemoc blanco niño (dayo), Friday, 30 December 2011 01:35 (twelve years ago) link

really though, could not spare a whole avocado

1. establish subway as a giant worldwide restaurant chain
2. advertise
3. do not spare a whole avocado. only use half
4. profit

Z S, Friday, 30 December 2011 01:37 (twelve years ago) link

I believe you have figured out the Subway Key to Making Money©

nice catch cuauhtemoc blanco niño (dayo), Friday, 30 December 2011 01:39 (twelve years ago) link

in 7 days Jared will appear at your front door and try to kill you

~connecticut~ (henrietta lacks), Friday, 30 December 2011 01:59 (twelve years ago) link

I think it would have been only right for you to have consulted with me before creating this poll, as I am deeply involved in the situation.

Sandbox Jesse, Friday, 30 December 2011 02:00 (twelve years ago) link

food court manager

Cooper Chucklebutt, Friday, 30 December 2011 02:01 (twelve years ago) link

jared fogel

Cooper Chucklebutt, Friday, 30 December 2011 02:01 (twelve years ago) link

I understand the anonymity thing, but the "local chain very good burger" is the clear winner. It's my write-in vote.

The Jenny and I had lunch today in this food court. I ate at the hit or miss sushi/udon place and Jenny at at Panda.

Sandbox Jesse, Friday, 30 December 2011 02:04 (twelve years ago) link

If I worked in the loop, I would eat at Frontera Fresco every day.

illegal crew member (C.K. Dexter Holland), Friday, 30 December 2011 02:09 (twelve years ago) link

The line is crrrrrazy long unless you get there at 11.

wore glasses and said things (thejenny), Friday, 30 December 2011 02:10 (twelve years ago) link

well some people have assitants to wait in line for them ::adjusts bowtie::

є(٥_ ٥)э, Friday, 30 December 2011 02:11 (twelve years ago) link

Panda gets my vote.

The cafe at my office has gone from a not bad housemade soup/daily special + short order sandwiches to totally dreadful everything-from-Sysco to its current incarnation as a pathetic bbq place where multiple people have gotten food poisoning in the 3 years I've been working there. I was working at a customer's site in Birmingham AL a few weeks ago and ate at the Chick-Fil-A in their food court every damn day (by choice; there aren't any at home). When I'm back next month, I might explore the other (all non-chain) options.

jaq, Friday, 30 December 2011 02:21 (twelve years ago) link

The Panda Express is good, and very fast, even with awful-looking lines. But what makes it fast makes it terrifying. If you are anything but 100% alert and ready to speak your selections QUICKLY - speak up; no needless words, "white rice and entree!" "medium Pepsi!" - you will be eaten alive.

The first couple of times I ordered there I left with heart palpitations and pupils the size of saucers. You need to have your shit together.

Sandbox Jesse, Friday, 30 December 2011 02:24 (twelve years ago) link

The Katz's Deli of the food court.

OH GNUS (Pyth), Friday, 30 December 2011 02:28 (twelve years ago) link

It feels like 1 minute of boot camp.

There is a Wendy's in the Loop that is also very, very efficient, but not quite as terrifying. They have huge lines, but at busy times, a person with a pen and order form takes your order and hands it to you to give to the cashier. It is a really smart idea! All the hemming and hawing and questions are taken care of during time you would be idle.

But then there is sometimes that one d-bag who for some reason insists on ordering at the register. >:(

Sandbox Jesse, Friday, 30 December 2011 02:35 (twelve years ago) link

If I worked in the loop, I would eat at Frontera Fresco every day.

― illegal crew member (C.K. Dexter Holland), Friday, December 30, 2011 2:09 AM (29 minutes ago) Bookmark Permalink

did you guys know there's a Frontera Fresco at O'Hare, in terminal 3? they don't have all the options though (no huaraches, which is what I usually order).

n/a, Friday, 30 December 2011 02:40 (twelve years ago) link

smh @ arby's apologism

iatee, Friday, 30 December 2011 02:41 (twelve years ago) link

we can't all eat at the snake shack

nice catch cuauhtemoc blanco niño (dayo), Friday, 30 December 2011 02:42 (twelve years ago) link

huh apparently pizza hut pizza sauce is vegetarian (contrary to what i had heard) so i voted that

n/a, Friday, 30 December 2011 02:43 (twelve years ago) link

if faced with these choices today I would probably get some regular burritos at taco bell and use lots of hot sauce

I haven't had taco bell for years but have a weird craving for it sometimes

iatee, Friday, 30 December 2011 02:44 (twelve years ago) link

i always associate arby's with that location w/ all the crackheads, by the sunset/bronson studios. it's pretty dire in there.

http://www.bridgeandtunnelclub.com/bigmap/outoftown/california/losangeles/sunsetblvd/015920wsunsetblvd.jpg

trudy campbell, Friday, 30 December 2011 02:45 (twelve years ago) link

Frontera in O'Hare is pretty great, as in I would probably eat there if I wasn't trapped in an airport. Flights into my hometown all go through ORD and I ate there twice this summer.

In my food court aka the student union I'm always kind of amazed at how many people are waiting in line for Panda Express. Way more than Subway which is in second place. I imagine it has to do with the default restaurant in the NW being one that serves the holy trinity of pho, teriyaki, and sushi and this is as close as it gets.

I pack lunch every day.

joygoat, Friday, 30 December 2011 02:49 (twelve years ago) link

Arby's Roast Beef consists entirely of Beef and a Self-Basting solution

nice catch cuauhtemoc blanco niño (dayo), Friday, 30 December 2011 02:49 (twelve years ago) link

my man!

nuhnuhnuh, Friday, 30 December 2011 02:51 (twelve years ago) link

xp

nuhnuhnuh, Friday, 30 December 2011 02:51 (twelve years ago) link

http://www.sitcomsonline.com/photopost/data/615/pd8.JPG

It feels like an Arby's night.

some dude (Mr. Stevenson #2), Friday, 30 December 2011 02:53 (twelve years ago) link

#2, super size, hurry up I'm starving

wrinklepause, Friday, 30 December 2011 03:01 (twelve years ago) link

sorry just an attempt to get that out of my FUCKING HEAD

wrinklepause, Friday, 30 December 2011 03:08 (twelve years ago) link

Automatic thread bump. This poll is closing tomorrow.

System, Saturday, 31 December 2011 00:01 (twelve years ago) link

I always eat in whatever Asian place has bourbon chicken (cuz there's always one!)

if you ain't gonna wash it, i ain't gonna eat it, Saturday, 31 December 2011 14:31 (twelve years ago) link

I think Panda Express is overpriced but its usually the best-tasting of the food court choices, IMO. It is kind of like a giant pile of salt, though.

Frobisher, Saturday, 31 December 2011 16:04 (twelve years ago) link

The Oh and a completely horrid "Cajun" place that is indescribably disgusting has bourbon chicken.

You know what tho, I never thought it was such a bad place. I've eaten there a couple of times.

Sandbox Jesse, Saturday, 31 December 2011 16:06 (twelve years ago) link

I miss the DQ.

Jeff, Saturday, 31 December 2011 16:43 (twelve years ago) link

Arby's Market Fresh sandwiches used to be the shit (relative to other fast food options).

milo z, Saturday, 31 December 2011 16:55 (twelve years ago) link

Their Jamocha shakes are good. Also, the jalapeno poppers.

Sandbox Jesse, Saturday, 31 December 2011 17:02 (twelve years ago) link

I always eat in whatever Asian place has bourbon chicken (cuz there's always one!)

Ha, the terrible Cajun place has bourbon chicken and is run by Asian people.

wore glasses and said things (thejenny), Saturday, 31 December 2011 17:35 (twelve years ago) link

The line is crrrrrazy long unless you get there at 11.

Didn't we meet there at like 1 PM one time, and it was practically empty? (Actually, I can't remember if you were there or not -- I know Jesse and n/a and Sarah were.)

jaymc, Saturday, 31 December 2011 17:42 (twelve years ago) link

Can you hear me....
Can you hear me fappin....

if you ain't gonna wash it, i ain't gonna eat it, Saturday, 31 December 2011 17:43 (twelve years ago) link

I was not there in that fateful day. I believe it is possible but I stand by my caution that most days the line during peak lunch hours is prohibitively long.

wore glasses and said things (thejenny), Saturday, 31 December 2011 17:45 (twelve years ago) link

It's because a specific cashier is painfully slow.

Jeff, Saturday, 31 December 2011 17:49 (twelve years ago) link

GD, why are my posts fro Zing not showing up.

I said earlier that the according-to-Jenny shitty Cajun place had Bourbon chicken and it was run by Asians. And I thought that overall it was not such a bad place.

Sandbox Jesse, Saturday, 31 December 2011 18:41 (twelve years ago) link

Wait, my post did show up. Please forgive and disregard me.

Sandbox Jesse, Saturday, 31 December 2011 18:41 (twelve years ago) link

Their macaronic and cheese tastes like dishwater. Unforgivable IMO.

wore glasses and said things (thejenny), Saturday, 31 December 2011 19:16 (twelve years ago) link

It's New Years Eve, let's not fight.

Sandbox Jesse, Saturday, 31 December 2011 19:28 (twelve years ago) link

Automatic thread bump. This poll's results are now in.

System, Sunday, 1 January 2012 00:01 (twelve years ago) link

Surprised there were no secret shame votes for Taco Bell.

wore glasses and said things (thejenny), Sunday, 1 January 2012 00:55 (twelve years ago) link

At the food court at the local mall, there are four or five restaurants that usually have someone giving out free samples on a toothpick. Sometimes when i'm hungry i'll walk through and eat one of each. I'm so cheap....

Everything else is secondary, Sunday, 1 January 2012 02:16 (twelve years ago) link

that is just a smart way 2 be proactive abt portion control imo

j crunchwrap supreme, Sunday, 1 January 2012 02:43 (twelve years ago) link


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