Food: Pret a Manger... lunch, yes! Breakfast, no.

Location: Clark and Monroe + other locations

Order: Steel cut oats and a 12oz skim latte ($5) + various lunches (usually <$15)

Service: Great!

I’ve never had bad service at this kind of fancy lunch spot. Someone always greets you when you enter, whether the place is empty or there’s a huge crowd and they’re attempting to replenish the fresh sandwiches and hot soups. They’re really into service with a smile, even when they’re asking you if you need a bag. Great service.

Flavour Experience: Some mediocre, some awesome!

Breakfast - I’ll start with the bad – my breakfast trial this morning has been a complete failure. Steel cut oats are a big deal and are offered for breakfast at most places in the Loop, so I’ve tried a few. Pret is one of my go-to places for lunch and dinner, but I would never get breakfast from there again! First of all, you pick up the container from the “hot” section of the store, and then ask for the toppings at the register. I wasn’t clear if I only got to pick one kind of topping, or if I could have them all. I could have asked, but the guy was already mumbling and I didn’t want to prolong our conversation. I picked the granola topping, which didn’t even cover the top of my oatmeal. I needed more! This was quite disappointing compared to my usual oats from The Corner Bakery which are loaded with walnuts, almonds, currents and a side of brown sugar. Also, Freshii makes a superior apple cinnamon breakfast oat tub which is chock full of green apples and cinnamon – I’ve had these twice this week! Now I know – Pret’s good for everything except breakfast. The latte was fine, but not as rich and frothy as the one at The Corner Bakery.

Steel cut oats + small latte

Lunch – Pret has a rotating soup menu, so I’ve tried a few of them…favourites include Chicken Noodle and Butternut Squash & Apple. I tried the Mexican Chicken & Cheddar today and didn’t like it at all. Next! There are a few seasonal sandwiches, but for the most part there is a standard selection of freshly made (Made today, gone today). My favourite part about Pret sandwiches is the “Slim” version (half sandwich), so you can mix and match to make a whole. Favourite sandwiches include: Chipotle Chicken, Bacon & Avocado or the California Club. Don't have the holiday ones with the "nut roast stuffing", that stuff sounds good in theory, but is actually not good at all. The stuffing bits had a strange texture which actually made the sandwich inedible for me.

chipotle chicken, bacon and avocado + butternut squash and apple soup

I should also note that Pret makes the best Chicago Style popcorn I’ve ever had: Sharp Cheddar and Caramel, of course. In my opinion, it’s better than Garrett’s. Omg! Another must have is the chocolate chunk cookie. I used to love the Little Cup of Goodness yogurt pot, which was plain greek yogurt, with shredded green apple, cinnamon and granola until I realized it was 300 calories. Delicious, but I probably won’t get it again unless it’s my entire breakfast.

Likely to Return: Yes, regularly for lunch…never for breakfast!