Protein Bar
900 N Meacham Rd, Schaumburg, IL, 60173
Protein Bar Menu
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Visit below restaurant in Schaumburg for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Schaumburg for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Schaumburg for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
900 N Meacham Rd
Schaumburg, IL, 60173 - Phone (847) 517-1111
- Website https://www.theproteinbar.com/schaumburg-location-13.php
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:00 am - 8:00pm
Specialities
- Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Accepts Bitcoin : No
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
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Rocky B.
I finally find a place I can always come to. Not only is the menu healthy but it tastes good. This is a repeat for me. Everything here is good here in my opinion. Their bbq bar-ritos is awesome. Southwest salad is good but it also had a little kick to it that tingles the tongue. Their drinks are amazing. I'm going to keep coming here until I try all the drinks. I just tried the Hi-5 raw juice south acai'd and they are bomb. The buffalo quinoa bowl is really good. It's life buffalo wings sauce over quinoa. The bowl is kinda small but ill still get it again. The vegan salad is ok. I still have yet to try a salad I like but so far, the quinoa bowls have been my fav
(5)Joe P.
I had many recommendations from a few close friends to give this place a try. I definitely was not disappointed. I've been here a few times and I can't get over ordering the same thing because it is so delicious. I've gotten the vegan quinoa chili three times in a row...maybe I'm just boring...This is one of the best chilis I've ever had. It is very flavorful and I like to add a little sriracha to it to kick up the spice. Every time I've left the Protein Bar I've been satisfyingly full. On my last adventure here I also ordered the Wrigley Field? smoothie which was awesome-it did have peanut butter in it so you can't really mess that up! I was a little dumbfounded when asked all the options for the smoothie so just be prepared to pick different types of protein, milk, and possible "boosts" (boosts cost more $). Overall I've really enjoyed this and look forward to possibly, someday, ordering something other than the chili.
(4)John G.
Expensive fast food with what's hopefully a relatively healthy option. Stopped in here for the first time after realizing this wasn't just a healthshake hangout, but actually sold real food as well! The experience was hit and miss with a little more on the negative. I ordered an original bar-rito along with a small chicken chili. The burrito was a fairly big disappointment. It features a blended mix of quinoa, beans, and chicken wrapped in a decent tortilla. The chicken was shredded and somewhat absent, what was there was a mess of dry, flavorless meat which was combined with even more flavorless "house made seasoned black beans." It seems they were flavored with bean, since they certainly didn't stand out. The burrito also contains salsa and cheddar cheese, both of which are lost in the dry and tasteless flavors of the bean, meat, quinoa combination dotted with small invasions of cilantro. I know they're trying to capture a healthier market, and I can even get passed the leading flavor of the quinoa (which I actually don't mind) but for god sakes, you have to at least try to season your food with something, and the burrito has quite a list of healthy options like peppers or lime that could have added some actual flavor to the dish. On the flip side, the chicken chili was surprisingly good. It pleasantly packed a little more heat than I was expecting and the dry shredded chicken which had so clearly stuck out in the burrito made a much tastier appearance here dressed in its tomato-bound brethren. The chili was a little on the sweet side, which I don't prefer, but overall not a bad combination. The only real disappointment with the chili was the small "snack" size which, already in a smaller-than-average container, also comes half full. I'm assuming this is to save calories? but it feels more like a cop-out. If you're looking for vegan/vegetarian where unfortunately many places already don't go out of their way to provide a correctly tasty meal, this might not be a terrible option, but compared to everything else around for lunch it definitely comes up short on flavor... And high on price, almost $15 for a small burrito and a half cup of chili does smack a tiny bit of highway robbery.
(3)Bruno P.
I usually come here every week at least once. Not only the food is healthy and fast but it also tastes delicious. The staff is super friendly and offer good suggestions of asked. Overall my favorite place when it comes to grab and go.
(5)Megan M.
I hate to have to give them a 4 star review, but there's one employee there who's attitude is so negative and opposite of what the Protein Bar stands for, that I drive away if I see him from my car. Outside of him, everything about this place makes me happy. It's encouraging to see a menu full of healthy choices, organic, non-GMO with reasonable prices attached. They even sell Kombucha! I've had quite a few selections from the menu, the quinoa pesto chicken bowl being my favorite afternoon/dinner choice. All the other employees are a pleasure, especially Kevin, who covers some shifts (but us from another location) Give it a try- you may be surprised to find that it really is healthy fast food!
(4)Karina S.
This IS the place to be if you're trying to live a healthy lifestyle. It offers anything/everything you need to feel amazing both physically and emotionally :-)
(5)Danielle S.
If you like quinoa, you will love this place. Almost everything has quinoa in it! They have a variety - bar-ritos, smoothies, bowls, breakfast, chili, salads and juices. Everything is high in protein (duh) and pretty healthy. It wasn't very crowded, everything was clean, and the service was very fast. The smoothies remind me of Jamba Juice. I ordered the Wrigley Peeled (basically tastes like a chocolate covered banana). It was really good, but pretty pricey for the size (almost $5 for a small). My friend ordered the chili, and it was about $7 for a small bowl - yikes! It's a good place to come for a treat or if you are really needing something super healthy, but I'm not sure I would want to spend the moolah and come here every day!
(4)Jordan C.
My first visit was enjoyable but not what I expected by any means as Protein Bar offers more than just protein shakes. That being said, if Jamba Juice and Chipotle ever had a baby, Protein Bar would be it. Atmosphere The atmosphere was very casual and fairly typical to any smaller chain restaurant with plenty of seating and open space. It was fairly slow during my visit so the noise level was reasonable and the staff was very friendly when ordering. The lay out was a tad funky but easy to follow. The menu posted on the wall was very easy to follow and informative as nutrition facts were listed next to each item. Food I ordered the Red Line protein shake (Strawberry and banana) which wasn't the greatest tasting. It actually had little flavor which was disappointing. The pricing is fair with most of the shakes. You're also offered a free boost to any shake/smoothie. You can even chose the "hangover cure" boost for those considering a place to eat the morning after an adventurous night. I also ordered the Southwest Salad which, had good flavor but could use more of a zest and kick to it. Pricing on the salads are extremely high compared to the rest of the menu. The salads are served in large portions which helps you come to terms with the price you're paying for it. Overall All in all, this is a great place for health conscious people who need a quick meal. In my mind, I classify Protein Bar as a "health conscious chipotle" and will definitely return to try the other items on the menu.
(3)Nicholas S.
New place! So this is what you get for $9.30!!? Smoothies are watered down, but chili is hearty. Tasty dinner, but MEAGER. - Nicholas visited: 12/16/2013, 5:30pm
(1)Nate G.
Overall poor experience. I took my wife here as we were excited to have a "healthy" high protein option in the area (note artificial sweeteners are used; Splenda). While waiting in line, the manager was very rude to a customer whose order was not to their liking. They ended up walking out. Not a good first impression. As I got to the counter, I explained my gluten allergy and asked if malt could be removed from my order. A worker rudely expressed that he would try his best to remove it. I immediately asked for them to remove my order as I would not gamble with possibly gluten/wheat in my shake. Both the manager and employee came to me after a brief dialogue I expressed how rude they were, not only to me but the customer prior. Manager walked away. I'm glad people have had good experiences in this place, but I will certainly never be back.
(1)David S.
I loved the modern atmosphere and the focus on "healthy" food. There were only a couple of vegan choices and they were pretty calorie heavy "500-600" calories each. I, however, had two raw juices Beetbox (Apple, cucumber, beet, carrot, ginger) which had a good spicy and sweet flavor and the Greenberry (Kale, lime, apple, strawberry, cilantro) first time of kale and strawberry, which was absolutely amazing.
(4)Mary M.
I guess I'm pretty dumb, but I did not realize this place had food until I looked at the menu one day online. The food here is great. If you do not like quinoa, then really a salad is your only other option. Lucky for me, I love quinoa. My favorite burrito is the original burrito. The original burrito does not contain lettuce, which is great for my extremely picky boyfriend. The first time I came here, I got the black bean bowl. It was not what I expected at all but it was still good. I'm pretty sure they gave me kidney beans instead of black beans, and overall it tasted very similar to chili. The actual chili on the menu is good too, but only as a side. You will not be full from just having the chili. A burrito, on the other hand, is very filling. Lastly, I have only gotten 1 smoothie from this place because it was the first one I tried, and absolutely loved it. It is called Pier-nut Butter & Jelly. So delicious! Overall, I recommend this place to friends who want to eat a bit healthier. The prices are more than Subway or any average lunch place, but I think it's totally worth it.
(5)Chris R.
The smoothies are really good, but food is OK. I had eggs with spinach and thought it was interesting that they just put the spinach on top and didnt cook it with the eggs. I wish it came with a piece of bread of something...just didnt feel complete :( Its kind of expensive too. Another time I had a burrito and it was fine, but nothing i would go back to. I think my biggest criticism is the food doesnt keep me full. I find myself hungry after an hour or two.
(3)Tiffany P.
If you're looking for something that is both healthy and delicious, you've found your holy grail. I had one of their bar-ittos and it was very good. I've also had their smoothies and their equally as delicious.
(5)Sarah S.
I'm loving all these healthy options that are coming to Schaumburg! I went to Protein Bar today for their grand opening and was surprised to be handed a coupon for a free lunch! I had no idea any promotion would be going on...and the only way I knew they opened today at 11 was because I was stalking their website to find out. I figure most people were not in the know as it didn't get very busy during their grand opening hour while I was there. Staff was all very friendly when we walked in with people stationed every few feet ready to help explain the food & give recommendations. When we got up to the cashier, placing my order was seamless. It seemed to be all new staff on the registers as they were having issues finding buttons but they had another staff on hand that helped them with this. This was my first time to any Protein Bar though I know they are a chain with locations throughout Chicagoland. I tried the Spinach & Pesto Bowl which has all natural chicken with organic quinoa, spinach, basil pesto, and shredded parmesan cheese. I enjoyed this quite a bit. The flavors went together well, it tasted great especially for "healthy food". The portion was quite big, completely filled me up and at just 371 calories and $6.49, I think it will be in my regular lunch rotation. There are many other options that sound delicious, too. Pop options! I must say I'm super happy that there are THREE Diet Pop options. That makes me a very happy camper. And the Diet Root Beer tasted soooo~ good! Crazy aftertaste that was almost better than the pop itself. Love their fountain drink options. Protein Bar has a nice dining area with tables & booths which made for a comfy experience for my dining partner and I. Plus they gave us a coupon for a free blended drink the next time we come in. Finally, they have a nice little punch card for food & drinks...Buy any 8, get 1 free! Nice!
(5)Jim n.
Some interesting and fresh menu items. I had the "green city vegan" wrap which was very flavorful. I tried the black bean quinoa bowl with tofu on today's visit and it was good as well. I wish they had fresh brewed idea tea instead of just bottled.
(4)Mary S.
What a waste of money and time. When you order a quinoa bowl with extra chicken you expect quinoa in your bowl and not a bowl of chili with 1 1/2 pieces of chicken. I have order the same thing every time I have been in there so I know what I ordered, thanks manager for telling what I was supposed to order. I called and the manager did offer a credit the next time I am in which gives them a 2 star rating, it really does not help if I am only in the area every 2-3 months on top of the fact she tried to make me feel stupid for her employees error of entering in when I know what I ordered. $11 for a crappy bowl of chili with only one piece of chicken, eh I could make my own at home with farm fresh Amish chicken and pay about $6 and eat for a week. They don't even provide fresh squeezed juice anymore which was one of the benefits of stopping there.
(2)Dee M.
Love protein bar. I've had the burritos, bowls and shakes. I'm always satisfied when I leave there. The service is always excellent and it's always so clean inside. My favorite ingredients in fast food form? Oh yeahh. Love their drink selection too, coconut water, natural sodas, kombucha...Just wish they weren't getting rid of their punch cards in October.
(5)Melissa Y.
I ordered the spinach and pesto quinoa bowl the first time I ever went to protein bar. I. Fell. In. Love. Now it's all I order! Well, anything with quinoa and pesto on it haha. Also I love the pier-nut butter and jelly drink! Love how you can add boosts to them. There's wifi in the place so you can eat healthy while you study!
(5)Leon T.
I really don't understand people who go on yelp and just complain, especially about this place. I think if people don't like protein bar then they didn't realize what protein bar is all about and got frustrated with some of the ingredients that a lot of people not into nutrition and health would not recognize or appreciate. As far as staff complaints go. Ask yourself if you are always the happiest bubbliest person 24/7. Seriously even though people are in the service industry doesn't mean they won't have a bad day or come across short sometimes. Anyway, Protein bar offers healthy options for people concerned about what they put in their bodies. Not only healthy but tasty too. I love the Spinach pesto chicken quinoa bowl. That paired with a millenium perk gives me all the protein and energy I need. This place is a body builder or any other fitness enthusiasts dream come true. Wish there were more of them around. People have always been super nice to me and service has always been quick.. Give it a try.
(5)Debra L.
Yes, indeed I'm a fan. I walked in to meet some pals and the first thing I noticed was that fruity juicy smell, like walking into Jamba Juice. The decor is clean, modern, and comfortable. They have a nice selection of fresh juices and healthy smoothies. What's not to like? The food menu isn't huge, but it's fresh and healthy. I had the Green City Vegan Bar-ito. Of course it was healthy and so filling. It was actually enough for two Bar-itos, but I pigged out. If you're a junk food junkie this might not be the place for you. If you like healthy, clean food that's served fast, check them out. Oh, and the staff was really nice!
(4)Whitney N.
I'm kind of confused. I went to Protein Bar in the city near Roosevelt last week for my first time and ordered the Pier Nut Butter and Jelly smoothie and I loved it. Today I went to this location and ordered the same thing and it had absolutely no flavor to it... I don't know what they did differently but I'm pretty disappointed.
(1)Jeremy S.
Just had the black bean quinoa bowl and one of the cold pressed raw juices. I am traveling through Chicago on business and have stopped at various Protein Bar locations before. Always a treat. Delicious food that actually makes you feel better after eating it than you did before. Imagine that! Wish there was a location that was local to me.
(5)Christine R.
I frequent Protein Bars in Chicago quite a bit and have had a 4 star experience at each. I ordered the chicken chili and strictly judging the food here (the employees were pleasant and very, very quick).... The chili was very watered down, and no exaggerations - I counted one morsel of chicken...ONE. This was more like a chili broth actually. Very disappointed.
(1)Lisa W.
Protein Bar has some amazing veggie friendly dishes. It is a nice "fast food" alternative that is both healthy and delicious. Their smoothies are amazing. The Wrigley Peeled is my favorite. The quinoa bowls are decadent, flavorful and healthy. They have a punch card as well to reward frequent visitors to their restaurant. You get a free meal or smoothie once your card is full. The staff is always very friendly and happy.....must be the wheatgrass. :)
(5)Danyell P.
The service is excellent and the people are nice. Convenient location and it's near the mall too.
(5)Mel W.
I love this place! Went in today twice because it was so good! Its so wonderful to finally have a place that you can eat at that truly cares about their ingredients. I had the Buffalo quinoa bowl for lunch, it's perfect! My brother got their quac and roll, which was also amazing. I highly recommend this place.
(5)Fritzie H.
I'm a big fan of Protein Bar. I visit the loop locations quite frequently so I was excited to find out there was a PB close to my job. I was slightly turned off by the negative reviews but decided to give it a shot anyway. I went in three weeks ago for the first time and was instantly greeted by a girl that was sweeping. As I walked up to the counter I was greeted by the cashier and the workers behind the counter. Was I at the right place? I went with the Vegan Quinoa Chili and the Comiskey Cocoa shake. Extra points to the cashier for pointing out that the malt powder wasn't vegan so they customized it for me. The chili was slightly bland but the shake was delicious. I had a craving for something sweet so I went in two days later at around 11:30AM. It was empty again except for two people in line ahead of me. I guess I beat the lunch rush. Yay! The morning staff was not as welcoming as the evening staff. The cashier acted as if I was bothering him while I placed my order. I asked if they had soy yogurt and he rudely replied no followed by "is that it?" several times while I was still ordering. I don't know what was that guy's problem. There was no one behind me in line and they had five employees in the back so it's not like he had to run back and prepare my meal. I might pop in after work again some day but I won't ever come back for lunch. There are far more choices in the area to get a quick bite without the sass.
(3)Christine M.
I'm giving this place a 3 star because of the AWFUL costumer service. I hate to throw every employee there under the bus but the past two times I have gone I've left actually upset. The first time I felt stupid was when I walked in at 9:30 am and the music was blasting. All I wanted was a juice. Little did I know they changed their hours... They made me feel SO DUMB and made awful comments. Then tonight I went to get dinner and the one girl had so much attitude the guy behind me even made a comment. I love the food, which is why I go ALL the time, but this protein bar needs to drop some staff. It makes the company look bad... Just saying.
(3)Frank M.
Had the Baja salad, it was better than expected. Great flavor with a cilantro lime dressing. Fresh avocado and spinach are a winner for me. I would go back for sure. One thing I find confusing and it isn't just at this restaurant, what is the point of a person behind the counter that bags your food if they don't put other things in there like napkins or utensils? I know that was a run on sentence but you get the point!
(4)Julie Y.
I really like this place! I always feel pretty healthy when I eat here. The juice is great and the burritos are good. I always get the avocado burrito with the buffalo sauce on the side!
(4)Michael P.
Healthy alternative to typical fast food at an affordable price. Quality of food is good and nice serving sizes. I will definitely be back for more.
(4)Jessica R.
This place has a nice bright atmosphere. I felt the menu was somewhat limited and it was a bit pricey. However, a more pricey meal is to be expected when you have delicious food using quality ingredients. The burritos are amazing!!!
(4)Rita A.
Love this new joint, conveniently located close to my gym for post workout meal. The prices are $6-11 for items. I have been here four times and i have enjoyed salads and quinoa bowls along with their kids menu. The good- the wholesome goodness they put into the meals. I love the healthy mixes they have and the location. The bad-the kids quesadillas had tomatoes in them-which is not listed on the menu; I think this was a mistake. So of course we had to take them apart and pick out every tomato-DON"t make mistakes with Kids food-okay! The chicken....what chicken. Every time I go there, I barely get 3oz of chicken, where's the meat! The employees are tired and at time bothered overly tattooed loafs that don't even keep the dinning area clean. Advice, step it up with good customer service and cleanliness, because some of those gorillas from the gym are gonna get roid rage if they can't find their meat in their meals.
(4)Matthew A.
This place is awesome! I have been able to try a few different menu items at this restaurant and they are all delicious. A couple shout outs go to the Millennium Perk, Chili, and the Spinach and Pesto quinoa bowl. Protein Bar can get a bit expensive so I am unable to dine here to frequently, however, the quantity and quality of what you get is well worth the price in my book. The staff as well as service is exceptional because you do not have to wait for long to receive your order from behind the counter. Overall, if you are looking for an extremely healthy meal and don't mind spending a little bit of money, this is the place to go.
(5)Bridget L.
I want to like this place... I really really do... I've been there 4 times. Before today, my issues lied only with the employees - lethargic/bored, have NO CLUE what they're doing at the registers, and on one visit their internet was down therefore they couldn't enter the credit on my app, refused to accomodate or suggest an alternative since it was THEIR issue, so I walked out. Poor management and poor LOCAL customer service. I wrote in via the website about my disappointing experience and received an extremely nice email back, taking accountability for the issue and addressing every single point I made (instead of a generic, auto-generated email). So I decided to give it one last shot. And it will, indeed, be my last - this time because of the food. I ordered the pesto spinach bowl, and brought it back to work (2 mins away). It was not even close to warm, with very, very dry chicken. There really isn't any sauce - which is fine - but with dry chicken it was tough to swallow. The 16oz bowl was about 3/4 full, and it cost about $6 (one of the cheapest things on the menu). Also disappointed because their breakfast looked delicious, but apparently Schaumburg's hours changed to opening at 11am so they no longer serve breakfast. Really no reason for me to go back then. I would give 5 stars for the corporate customer service, but the location and food deserves a 2 at best.
(2)Alexandra N.
I would like to aplogize to all of you that have received poor customer service at this location in the past. My name is Alexandra and I am the new GM of the Schaumburg Protein Bar. I will be taking full control of the store by mid-May, but I will be there every day until then. I completely agree with your comments about the rude employees that don't seem capable of engaging with customers. I have already tried to turn around the crews attitude, especially when in the FOH dealing with people. I pride myself on customer service and I hope in the months to come you will all feel much more comfortable and welcome. If any of you would like to give is another chance I would love to meet you and offer you a meal on me. Just ask for me when you come in! I look forward to the changes to come and to regaining your business!
(5)megan l.
My husband got me hooked on protein bar and this location keeps me happy! The food selection is great and the service is quick and friendly. My current fav is the guac-n-roll baritto, it's awesome. I will definitely continue to go here for a quick lunch/dinner and will recommend the restaurant to others.
(5)Steve E.
I had the veggie chili with quinoa. It was very good for being a vegetarian dish. I would come back here again.
(5)Taylor Z.
I'm extremely disappointed with the customer service here. I've been at this location now 2 times. And the first time the guy working the counter knew nothing about the type of protein they put in the drinks (I'm sensitive to dairy) but left with a good shake. I just went for my second time and it was exactly 8:02pm and I was reading the menu and the girl who was working was EXTREMELY rude. And yelled from across the desk saying "um hi were closed...bye" um can you be more rude?! If your closed, LOCK YOUR DOORS. And they close at 8pm so it was a matter of 2 minutes. And I get it, I work in customer service if your business is closed you want to leave but 2 minutes?! That's ridiculous and even if it was that big of a deal it would have been nice to have a better approach. I will NEVER go back there. Bad experience plus I'm a health nut... There shakes aren't that healthy anyways!
(1)Lalo B.
I've been back to Protein Bar four times since my last review and have not seen the one employee with the bad attitude but more importantly the rest of the team has made me forget the last bad experience. I'm currently hooked on a combination of Pier-Nut Butter & Jelly and the smile of the beautiful brunette with tattoos. I would definitely visit more often if I worked closer instead of the current wasn't 10 mile round trip. I'll hold off on the 5 stars until I visit more often to confirm the consistency of the improved service. The food and drinks have ALWAYS been consistently good and well worth a try if you haven't been here yet.
(4)Renee B.
I was very skeptical at first. But was so surprised how filling, tasty, and healthy The food selections were. The place is vibrant fun energetic. We got there at 11:30 the restaurant was empty by noon the line out the door. If you're looking for some healthy food choices this is the place to go.
(5)Gary D.
Healthy fast food finally!!!! Great flavors and a variety of choices. True healthy selections. If I had to point out the downside it would be the prices. I understand really healthy food costs more to prepare than the cheap garbage most fast food places serve up, but it was over $24 for a bar-ito and a salad. I would not be able to afford this more than once a month for lunch at those prices.
(4)Tom B.
Absolutely awesome place. Great menu of tasty items with all the nutritional data posted on the menu. I'm 47 years old and bit of of a foodie, but after a recent health situation I'm super aware how and what I'm eating. I have been on the lookout for place like Protein Bar for last few months and these guys have it all. Tasty, healthy diverse menu items, excellent service, cool staff, reasonable prices, all served up in an upscale contemporary atmosphere. I'm glad to see that they are expending because of the increased convenience of finding healthy fast food. At a societal level, obese unhealthy Americans really need something like this and I think Protein Bar is going to find a huge market. Even those who don't consider themselves health conscious eaters may become converts ounce they they taste the food and try the smoothies, etc. This food for everyone, not just health freaks. Health freaks like Vegans and the Gluten Free set will like it too though because they mark the menu items that comply with their diets. Anyway, try this place out its GREAT.
(5)Simir S.
This place is good, good tasting healthy food.
(5)Priya S.
This place is horrible. I walked in ten minutes before closing and the workers in the back made it so obvious they didn't want to cook. In fact one person blurted it out loud. And then the food was beyond disgusting. I came with three friends and none of us liked our food. Even the shakes were horrible. I don't recommend it to anyone at all. Muscle maker grill is way better for post meals.
(1)Nick B.
Boring food and aloof staff. Nothing is brining me back here. Only reason they didn't get 1 star is that it was healthy and with fresh ingredients. If they brought in a happier staff and added spices they'd have a hit!
(2)Kris S.
The food is great - but they really need to work on customer service. I had 3 bad experiences in a row now. Although the food is good it's not worth the headaches
(1)Pat D.
Seems like it took an eternity for Schaumburg to get a place like this...you leave feeling satisfied and without guilt...I ordered the breakfast bowl and it was delicious...Final verdict; fast service with good for you food !!!
(5)Ethan M.
I was looking forward to Protein Bar opening as I live in Lakeview but work in the Schaumburg area and there isn't much that's healthy over there. I was really disappointed. I ordered the quinoa black bean bowl with kale on the side and a smoothie. The smoothie was good- but small. They didn't put the kale on the side but rather put it in the bowl. No bid deal but the bowl had almost no kale in it and I swear I have never seen black beans look brown?! I'm used to Native Foods in Chicago where the portions are larger and kale is steamed. It seems to me Protein Bar talks a great game but isn't really serious about healthy portions and I just felt they are cutting corners
(2)Jessica K.
Stopped by a few weeks ago, excited to eat out and have gluten free options! The parking lot is a pretty silly layout. There's a small amount of spaces in front and a ton in back. It was snowing and really cold that night so the thought of walking did not have me thrilled. Not a deterrent to try this place though. It was pretty empty when we arrived. Tons of delicious sounding options. Got the buffalo chicken/quinoa bowl. It was really flavorful. Maybe a touch too much pepper. My mom got some kind of pesto bowl (so good!) Overall, the ambience is a little cold, but the good food selection makes up for it. Saw a lot of people in gym gear stopping in for something healthy after their workout. Not the best food I've had, but I will be back to try more GF options!
(3)Nicole G.
Love the food. Love the employees. Even corporate was super helpful when I had a question about the menu. Definitely will be eating here all the time!
(5)Gary R.
I just had a terrific lunch courtesy of Protein Bar! Not a new concept, provide folks with a healthy fast food. But, they pull it off brilliantly with a nice menu selection as well as juice/smoothie choices that will knock your socks off. I ordered the black bean protein bowl and I wasn't disappointed. The servers were super-nice and ready to help. I hope I get to visit Chicago again soon.
(4)Aaron D.
Really love this place. Great food, drinks, and service overall. While the food is more expensive, you have to remember that you are not purchasing processed, mystery meat food that was prepared in some other state two weeks ago just to be reheated for you. This is real food, filling, and tasty - I am willing to pay a little more for that. Come here and enjoy!
(5)Benjamin L.
Great place! Everytime I'm here the service rocks and the food is excellent. Yes, it's a bit pricey, but you get what you pay for and It's worth it. The protein shakes are made very well everytime too. A lot of seating, both indoor and outdoor. A+
(5)AM E.
YUM! What a great place to go from your typical fast food locations. The menu selections are varied and filling and this includes their smoothies. Even their soda, is naturale. Every time I have gone in there, they have a fast, efficient, and courteous. You CAN'T go wrong here.
(5)Joe B.
Its hard to find a fast food place that doesnt sell food or beverages loaded with sugar and garbage. This is that place that doesnt. Ingredients that you can feel comfortable consuming. I wish there were more locations. I'd go a lot more often if I lived closer. Build one in ELgin!
(4)Nicole W.
Protein Bar is a welcome respite in the burbs with heavy caloric fast casual options. Don't get me wrong - I enjoy a Chipotle burrito as much as the next person, but I have pants to button. Thus, I'm quite thankful for PB's tasty and healthy eats. Is it pricey? Yes. The portion sizes are moderate, but the offerings are fresh and the ambiance is straight forward. You won't find crazy creativity here, in the food or decor...and I'm completely fine with that. Some of my favorite eats at Protein Bar include... Wrigley Peeled Smoothie - deeeelicious Chicken chili quinoa bowl - always go for the avocado and Greek yogurt topper! Baja salad - flavorful with a substantial kick I've also sampled the "Green Monster" from the small but solid kid's menu. If that packed quinoa bowl inspires my almost 2 year old to eat fresh spinach and pesto, surely it will appeal to others. Viva el Protein Bar!
(4)Laura N.
Quinoa. Qwin-wah. Quah-no-ah. Keen-wah. Quinoa. However you prounounce it (hint: "keen-wah" is correct), there's plenty of it here! Although I was wary of Protein Bar at first, it's become one of my semi-favorite nearby-ish spots to go to if I'm feeling like splurging a little bit on portions of delicious quinoa or a veggie juice. In the few times I've been here, I've tried: - Greenberry Juice - The Sears Sucker smoothie - Pesto Quinoa Bowl - Denver Scramble DRINKS: Protein Bar's smoothies are all fruits and proteins (mixed with choice of milk). I asked for some veggies (spinach) and they had no problem putting it in. However, the smoothie was terrible -- way too watery. Not getting one of those again. On the other hand, the raw juices are packed with veggies -- the Greenberry juice is amazing. It was so good, that I went back again a couple days later just to get more. FOOD: The Denver Scramble was OK. Not that wonderful. It lacked flavor, and was way too simple for what I paid for it. Yet... the pesto bowl was phenomenal! It was so good, in fact, that I found a recipe and ended up making my own at home. (Oops... probably not good for business if I make it at home instead of going out, but thats how much it impressed me!) The only problem with all of these foods? They're not filling. You drop $10-20 on some hit or miss food that doesn't fill you up. Yes, it's packed with protein; yes, it's healthy; yes, it's yummy; but, you might still find yourself going to the Buger King drive-thru afterwards to grab some fries to fill up the empty space in your stomach. Not that I would know, or anything...
(4)Linda C.
Had lunch with the ladies today, that was one delicious wrap. The menu is interesting and loved all the nutritional information. I'm definitely a fan and will be heading back. Chris at the counter was very knowledgeable on the ingredients and suggested options and alternatives if there was something we did LOVE in our meal. Thank you Protein bar this was a great, healthy place to meet and talk with friends!
(5)David M.
Solid food and always fast service. Only giving 4 stars because the prices are a little high. $11 for a salad, but I keep coming back. Keep up the good work!
(4)Jonathan F.
Great food, but they close way too early, like 7 or 8PM. I'd give 5 stars if I could stop there after my way out of xsport fitness at night. But alas, they aren't open. Edit: the manager reached out to me personally to provide additional solutions for picking up food outside of hours, so I'm increasing my rating by one star for their great customer service.
(4)Ashley P.
If it's here, it's good for you! I love their approach to HEALTHY fast food! They have loads of yummy & very healthy quinoa options and a special "6 mix" that has a super amount of nutritious flavor packed into each meal marked with this. I have tried both the Chicken Pesto wrap, and the Newport salad, both of which were tasty, and amazingly nutritious! You won't find many "empty" calories here! No no no, they are nutrient dense, and GOOD for you! I love it! It makes making healthy smart choices easy! Some choices are a bit spendy, but when you pay for cheapie crap, you get cheapie crap... you want a $1 menu? Yeah it's going to be filled with horrible processed junk like from other nasty fast food places. I like knowing the food choices I make here are GOOD for my body, and great healthy choices! I seriously will be coming back here time & time again, especially for that Newport salad... those apple pieces add a festively yummy & sweet crunch. Ok. I am craving it now. SO GOOD! I am so thrilled they brought a Protein Bar to Schaumburg! Let's all start making healthier choices, that don't sacrifice flavor or nutrients! Feel confident you're doing your body AND your taste buds good when you come here.... I love everything they are about! The interior is nice, clean, spacious and tastefully done... They do wraps, bowls, breakfast, a DELISH Chilli, salads, blended healthy drinks, and more... Pop by and give your body the best fighting chance and eat yourself healthy!
(4)Nic Z.
I used to work downtown with a bunch of people who were obsessed with Protein Bar. I still remember the first time they invited me (Do I want a protein bar for lunch? Are you all nuts?) but they swore by it - and I realized it's a restaurant, and my coworkers were not all Mr. Olympia contestants undercover - and tried it out. Then it opened in Schaumburg, and I was in the area and very excited to try it again. I cook and eat healthy stuff 90% of the time, so I thought this would be a nice way to break up the super-healthy (ha ha) Christmas week. #1 The menu in-store is different from what is online. I'm picky - and know I'm picky - so I wanted to make this a very quick stop, as someone else was kind enough to drive me there. Studying up on the web version did not help me. #2 Price / food ratio = huh? You know the jokes about bird food? This was even a joke to me. Cliffnotes: I am right there with Nicholas S. --- $10 and....where's my food? Is this a sauce container? That can't be my actual meal... right?
(2)Kim B.
Must. Eat. Protein. Contrary to the name, the cuisine at Protein Bar is not especially meat-centric. Sure, the menu items have insane amounts of protein (the super original bar-rito has a whopping 48 grams of it) but it's from a combination of chicken, quinoa and beans. I found the "bar-rito" to be pretty tasty -- and very filling -- but the yogurt sauce made it extremely watery and difficult to eat without spilling everywhere. The Baja salad was decent but definitely not worth the money, considering I could make one at home. Or customize the same salad at Chipotle.. Overall, kudos to Protein Bar for bringing healthy back to the suburbs. Next time I'm lazy and looking for a non-fast food option for dinner, I'll definitely be back.
(3)Seleen T.
I had the Buffalo Salad and it was great. It does make you full for the most part and it's only 300 calories. The only concern i do have is that most of the items are overpriced. Soup costs 7$ which i personally think is way too expensive for that small of a serving. The shakes are really good too. The service is really fast and the staff is very friendly. This is a great location to have Protein bar since it's right behind Xsport. The Spinach Pesto bowl is also something good to order from here as well. Fresh foods and good quality.
(4)Lisa W.
Protein Bar has some amazing veggie friendly dishes. It is a nice "fast food" alternative that is both healthy and delicious. Their smoothies are amazing. The Wrigley Peeled is my favorite. The quinoa bowls are decadent, flavorful and healthy. They have a punch card as well to reward frequent visitors to their restaurant. You get a free meal or smoothie once your card is full. The staff is always very friendly and happy.....must be the wheatgrass. :)
(5)Danyell P.
The service is excellent and the people are nice. Convenient location and it's near the mall too.
(5)Joe P.
I had many recommendations from a few close friends to give this place a try. I definitely was not disappointed. I've been here a few times and I can't get over ordering the same thing because it is so delicious. I've gotten the vegan quinoa chili three times in a row...maybe I'm just boring...This is one of the best chilis I've ever had. It is very flavorful and I like to add a little sriracha to it to kick up the spice. Every time I've left the Protein Bar I've been satisfyingly full. On my last adventure here I also ordered the Wrigley Field? smoothie which was awesome-it did have peanut butter in it so you can't really mess that up! I was a little dumbfounded when asked all the options for the smoothie so just be prepared to pick different types of protein, milk, and possible "boosts" (boosts cost more $). Overall I've really enjoyed this and look forward to possibly, someday, ordering something other than the chili.
(4)Gary D.
Healthy fast food finally!!!! Great flavors and a variety of choices. True healthy selections. If I had to point out the downside it would be the prices. I understand really healthy food costs more to prepare than the cheap garbage most fast food places serve up, but it was over $24 for a bar-ito and a salad. I would not be able to afford this more than once a month for lunch at those prices.
(4)Mary M.
I guess I'm pretty dumb, but I did not realize this place had food until I looked at the menu one day online. The food here is great. If you do not like quinoa, then really a salad is your only other option. Lucky for me, I love quinoa. My favorite burrito is the original burrito. The original burrito does not contain lettuce, which is great for my extremely picky boyfriend. The first time I came here, I got the black bean bowl. It was not what I expected at all but it was still good. I'm pretty sure they gave me kidney beans instead of black beans, and overall it tasted very similar to chili. The actual chili on the menu is good too, but only as a side. You will not be full from just having the chili. A burrito, on the other hand, is very filling. Lastly, I have only gotten 1 smoothie from this place because it was the first one I tried, and absolutely loved it. It is called Pier-nut Butter & Jelly. So delicious! Overall, I recommend this place to friends who want to eat a bit healthier. The prices are more than Subway or any average lunch place, but I think it's totally worth it.
(5)Chris R.
The smoothies are really good, but food is OK. I had eggs with spinach and thought it was interesting that they just put the spinach on top and didnt cook it with the eggs. I wish it came with a piece of bread of something...just didnt feel complete :( Its kind of expensive too. Another time I had a burrito and it was fine, but nothing i would go back to. I think my biggest criticism is the food doesnt keep me full. I find myself hungry after an hour or two.
(3)Tiffany P.
If you're looking for something that is both healthy and delicious, you've found your holy grail. I had one of their bar-ittos and it was very good. I've also had their smoothies and their equally as delicious.
(5)Renee B.
I was very skeptical at first. But was so surprised how filling, tasty, and healthy The food selections were. The place is vibrant fun energetic. We got there at 11:30 the restaurant was empty by noon the line out the door. If you're looking for some healthy food choices this is the place to go.
(5)Tom B.
Absolutely awesome place. Great menu of tasty items with all the nutritional data posted on the menu. I'm 47 years old and bit of of a foodie, but after a recent health situation I'm super aware how and what I'm eating. I have been on the lookout for place like Protein Bar for last few months and these guys have it all. Tasty, healthy diverse menu items, excellent service, cool staff, reasonable prices, all served up in an upscale contemporary atmosphere. I'm glad to see that they are expending because of the increased convenience of finding healthy fast food. At a societal level, obese unhealthy Americans really need something like this and I think Protein Bar is going to find a huge market. Even those who don't consider themselves health conscious eaters may become converts ounce they they taste the food and try the smoothies, etc. This food for everyone, not just health freaks. Health freaks like Vegans and the Gluten Free set will like it too though because they mark the menu items that comply with their diets. Anyway, try this place out its GREAT.
(5)Simir S.
This place is good, good tasting healthy food.
(5)Priya S.
This place is horrible. I walked in ten minutes before closing and the workers in the back made it so obvious they didn't want to cook. In fact one person blurted it out loud. And then the food was beyond disgusting. I came with three friends and none of us liked our food. Even the shakes were horrible. I don't recommend it to anyone at all. Muscle maker grill is way better for post meals.
(1)Nick B.
Boring food and aloof staff. Nothing is brining me back here. Only reason they didn't get 1 star is that it was healthy and with fresh ingredients. If they brought in a happier staff and added spices they'd have a hit!
(2)Kris S.
The food is great - but they really need to work on customer service. I had 3 bad experiences in a row now. Although the food is good it's not worth the headaches
(1)Pat D.
Seems like it took an eternity for Schaumburg to get a place like this...you leave feeling satisfied and without guilt...I ordered the breakfast bowl and it was delicious...Final verdict; fast service with good for you food !!!
(5)Sarah S.
I'm loving all these healthy options that are coming to Schaumburg! I went to Protein Bar today for their grand opening and was surprised to be handed a coupon for a free lunch! I had no idea any promotion would be going on...and the only way I knew they opened today at 11 was because I was stalking their website to find out. I figure most people were not in the know as it didn't get very busy during their grand opening hour while I was there. Staff was all very friendly when we walked in with people stationed every few feet ready to help explain the food & give recommendations. When we got up to the cashier, placing my order was seamless. It seemed to be all new staff on the registers as they were having issues finding buttons but they had another staff on hand that helped them with this. This was my first time to any Protein Bar though I know they are a chain with locations throughout Chicagoland. I tried the Spinach & Pesto Bowl which has all natural chicken with organic quinoa, spinach, basil pesto, and shredded parmesan cheese. I enjoyed this quite a bit. The flavors went together well, it tasted great especially for "healthy food". The portion was quite big, completely filled me up and at just 371 calories and $6.49, I think it will be in my regular lunch rotation. There are many other options that sound delicious, too. Pop options! I must say I'm super happy that there are THREE Diet Pop options. That makes me a very happy camper. And the Diet Root Beer tasted soooo~ good! Crazy aftertaste that was almost better than the pop itself. Love their fountain drink options. Protein Bar has a nice dining area with tables & booths which made for a comfy experience for my dining partner and I. Plus they gave us a coupon for a free blended drink the next time we come in. Finally, they have a nice little punch card for food & drinks...Buy any 8, get 1 free! Nice!
(5)Whitney N.
I'm kind of confused. I went to Protein Bar in the city near Roosevelt last week for my first time and ordered the Pier Nut Butter and Jelly smoothie and I loved it. Today I went to this location and ordered the same thing and it had absolutely no flavor to it... I don't know what they did differently but I'm pretty disappointed.
(1)Jeremy S.
Just had the black bean quinoa bowl and one of the cold pressed raw juices. I am traveling through Chicago on business and have stopped at various Protein Bar locations before. Always a treat. Delicious food that actually makes you feel better after eating it than you did before. Imagine that! Wish there was a location that was local to me.
(5)Rocky B.
I finally find a place I can always come to. Not only is the menu healthy but it tastes good. This is a repeat for me. Everything here is good here in my opinion. Their bbq bar-ritos is awesome. Southwest salad is good but it also had a little kick to it that tingles the tongue. Their drinks are amazing. I'm going to keep coming here until I try all the drinks. I just tried the Hi-5 raw juice south acai'd and they are bomb. The buffalo quinoa bowl is really good. It's life buffalo wings sauce over quinoa. The bowl is kinda small but ill still get it again. The vegan salad is ok. I still have yet to try a salad I like but so far, the quinoa bowls have been my fav
(5)Jim n.
Some interesting and fresh menu items. I had the "green city vegan" wrap which was very flavorful. I tried the black bean quinoa bowl with tofu on today's visit and it was good as well. I wish they had fresh brewed idea tea instead of just bottled.
(4)Leon T.
I really don't understand people who go on yelp and just complain, especially about this place. I think if people don't like protein bar then they didn't realize what protein bar is all about and got frustrated with some of the ingredients that a lot of people not into nutrition and health would not recognize or appreciate. As far as staff complaints go. Ask yourself if you are always the happiest bubbliest person 24/7. Seriously even though people are in the service industry doesn't mean they won't have a bad day or come across short sometimes. Anyway, Protein bar offers healthy options for people concerned about what they put in their bodies. Not only healthy but tasty too. I love the Spinach pesto chicken quinoa bowl. That paired with a millenium perk gives me all the protein and energy I need. This place is a body builder or any other fitness enthusiasts dream come true. Wish there were more of them around. People have always been super nice to me and service has always been quick.. Give it a try.
(5)Debra L.
Yes, indeed I'm a fan. I walked in to meet some pals and the first thing I noticed was that fruity juicy smell, like walking into Jamba Juice. The decor is clean, modern, and comfortable. They have a nice selection of fresh juices and healthy smoothies. What's not to like? The food menu isn't huge, but it's fresh and healthy. I had the Green City Vegan Bar-ito. Of course it was healthy and so filling. It was actually enough for two Bar-itos, but I pigged out. If you're a junk food junkie this might not be the place for you. If you like healthy, clean food that's served fast, check them out. Oh, and the staff was really nice!
(4)Mel W.
I love this place! Went in today twice because it was so good! Its so wonderful to finally have a place that you can eat at that truly cares about their ingredients. I had the Buffalo quinoa bowl for lunch, it's perfect! My brother got their quac and roll, which was also amazing. I highly recommend this place.
(5)Fritzie H.
I'm a big fan of Protein Bar. I visit the loop locations quite frequently so I was excited to find out there was a PB close to my job. I was slightly turned off by the negative reviews but decided to give it a shot anyway. I went in three weeks ago for the first time and was instantly greeted by a girl that was sweeping. As I walked up to the counter I was greeted by the cashier and the workers behind the counter. Was I at the right place? I went with the Vegan Quinoa Chili and the Comiskey Cocoa shake. Extra points to the cashier for pointing out that the malt powder wasn't vegan so they customized it for me. The chili was slightly bland but the shake was delicious. I had a craving for something sweet so I went in two days later at around 11:30AM. It was empty again except for two people in line ahead of me. I guess I beat the lunch rush. Yay! The morning staff was not as welcoming as the evening staff. The cashier acted as if I was bothering him while I placed my order. I asked if they had soy yogurt and he rudely replied no followed by "is that it?" several times while I was still ordering. I don't know what was that guy's problem. There was no one behind me in line and they had five employees in the back so it's not like he had to run back and prepare my meal. I might pop in after work again some day but I won't ever come back for lunch. There are far more choices in the area to get a quick bite without the sass.
(3)Christine M.
I'm giving this place a 3 star because of the AWFUL costumer service. I hate to throw every employee there under the bus but the past two times I have gone I've left actually upset. The first time I felt stupid was when I walked in at 9:30 am and the music was blasting. All I wanted was a juice. Little did I know they changed their hours... They made me feel SO DUMB and made awful comments. Then tonight I went to get dinner and the one girl had so much attitude the guy behind me even made a comment. I love the food, which is why I go ALL the time, but this protein bar needs to drop some staff. It makes the company look bad... Just saying.
(3)Frank M.
Had the Baja salad, it was better than expected. Great flavor with a cilantro lime dressing. Fresh avocado and spinach are a winner for me. I would go back for sure. One thing I find confusing and it isn't just at this restaurant, what is the point of a person behind the counter that bags your food if they don't put other things in there like napkins or utensils? I know that was a run on sentence but you get the point!
(4)Julie Y.
I really like this place! I always feel pretty healthy when I eat here. The juice is great and the burritos are good. I always get the avocado burrito with the buffalo sauce on the side!
(4)Michael P.
Healthy alternative to typical fast food at an affordable price. Quality of food is good and nice serving sizes. I will definitely be back for more.
(4)Jessica R.
This place has a nice bright atmosphere. I felt the menu was somewhat limited and it was a bit pricey. However, a more pricey meal is to be expected when you have delicious food using quality ingredients. The burritos are amazing!!!
(4)Rita A.
Love this new joint, conveniently located close to my gym for post workout meal. The prices are $6-11 for items. I have been here four times and i have enjoyed salads and quinoa bowls along with their kids menu. The good- the wholesome goodness they put into the meals. I love the healthy mixes they have and the location. The bad-the kids quesadillas had tomatoes in them-which is not listed on the menu; I think this was a mistake. So of course we had to take them apart and pick out every tomato-DON"t make mistakes with Kids food-okay! The chicken....what chicken. Every time I go there, I barely get 3oz of chicken, where's the meat! The employees are tired and at time bothered overly tattooed loafs that don't even keep the dinning area clean. Advice, step it up with good customer service and cleanliness, because some of those gorillas from the gym are gonna get roid rage if they can't find their meat in their meals.
(4)Matthew A.
This place is awesome! I have been able to try a few different menu items at this restaurant and they are all delicious. A couple shout outs go to the Millennium Perk, Chili, and the Spinach and Pesto quinoa bowl. Protein Bar can get a bit expensive so I am unable to dine here to frequently, however, the quantity and quality of what you get is well worth the price in my book. The staff as well as service is exceptional because you do not have to wait for long to receive your order from behind the counter. Overall, if you are looking for an extremely healthy meal and don't mind spending a little bit of money, this is the place to go.
(5)Bridget L.
I want to like this place... I really really do... I've been there 4 times. Before today, my issues lied only with the employees - lethargic/bored, have NO CLUE what they're doing at the registers, and on one visit their internet was down therefore they couldn't enter the credit on my app, refused to accomodate or suggest an alternative since it was THEIR issue, so I walked out. Poor management and poor LOCAL customer service. I wrote in via the website about my disappointing experience and received an extremely nice email back, taking accountability for the issue and addressing every single point I made (instead of a generic, auto-generated email). So I decided to give it one last shot. And it will, indeed, be my last - this time because of the food. I ordered the pesto spinach bowl, and brought it back to work (2 mins away). It was not even close to warm, with very, very dry chicken. There really isn't any sauce - which is fine - but with dry chicken it was tough to swallow. The 16oz bowl was about 3/4 full, and it cost about $6 (one of the cheapest things on the menu). Also disappointed because their breakfast looked delicious, but apparently Schaumburg's hours changed to opening at 11am so they no longer serve breakfast. Really no reason for me to go back then. I would give 5 stars for the corporate customer service, but the location and food deserves a 2 at best.
(2)Alexandra N.
I would like to aplogize to all of you that have received poor customer service at this location in the past. My name is Alexandra and I am the new GM of the Schaumburg Protein Bar. I will be taking full control of the store by mid-May, but I will be there every day until then. I completely agree with your comments about the rude employees that don't seem capable of engaging with customers. I have already tried to turn around the crews attitude, especially when in the FOH dealing with people. I pride myself on customer service and I hope in the months to come you will all feel much more comfortable and welcome. If any of you would like to give is another chance I would love to meet you and offer you a meal on me. Just ask for me when you come in! I look forward to the changes to come and to regaining your business!
(5)megan l.
My husband got me hooked on protein bar and this location keeps me happy! The food selection is great and the service is quick and friendly. My current fav is the guac-n-roll baritto, it's awesome. I will definitely continue to go here for a quick lunch/dinner and will recommend the restaurant to others.
(5)Steve E.
I had the veggie chili with quinoa. It was very good for being a vegetarian dish. I would come back here again.
(5)Taylor Z.
I'm extremely disappointed with the customer service here. I've been at this location now 2 times. And the first time the guy working the counter knew nothing about the type of protein they put in the drinks (I'm sensitive to dairy) but left with a good shake. I just went for my second time and it was exactly 8:02pm and I was reading the menu and the girl who was working was EXTREMELY rude. And yelled from across the desk saying "um hi were closed...bye" um can you be more rude?! If your closed, LOCK YOUR DOORS. And they close at 8pm so it was a matter of 2 minutes. And I get it, I work in customer service if your business is closed you want to leave but 2 minutes?! That's ridiculous and even if it was that big of a deal it would have been nice to have a better approach. I will NEVER go back there. Bad experience plus I'm a health nut... There shakes aren't that healthy anyways!
(1)Lalo B.
I've been back to Protein Bar four times since my last review and have not seen the one employee with the bad attitude but more importantly the rest of the team has made me forget the last bad experience. I'm currently hooked on a combination of Pier-Nut Butter & Jelly and the smile of the beautiful brunette with tattoos. I would definitely visit more often if I worked closer instead of the current wasn't 10 mile round trip. I'll hold off on the 5 stars until I visit more often to confirm the consistency of the improved service. The food and drinks have ALWAYS been consistently good and well worth a try if you haven't been here yet.
(4)Nate G.
Overall poor experience. I took my wife here as we were excited to have a "healthy" high protein option in the area (note artificial sweeteners are used; Splenda). While waiting in line, the manager was very rude to a customer whose order was not to their liking. They ended up walking out. Not a good first impression. As I got to the counter, I explained my gluten allergy and asked if malt could be removed from my order. A worker rudely expressed that he would try his best to remove it. I immediately asked for them to remove my order as I would not gamble with possibly gluten/wheat in my shake. Both the manager and employee came to me after a brief dialogue I expressed how rude they were, not only to me but the customer prior. Manager walked away. I'm glad people have had good experiences in this place, but I will certainly never be back.
(1)David S.
I loved the modern atmosphere and the focus on "healthy" food. There were only a couple of vegan choices and they were pretty calorie heavy "500-600" calories each. I, however, had two raw juices Beetbox (Apple, cucumber, beet, carrot, ginger) which had a good spicy and sweet flavor and the Greenberry (Kale, lime, apple, strawberry, cilantro) first time of kale and strawberry, which was absolutely amazing.
(4)Melissa Y.
I ordered the spinach and pesto quinoa bowl the first time I ever went to protein bar. I. Fell. In. Love. Now it's all I order! Well, anything with quinoa and pesto on it haha. Also I love the pier-nut butter and jelly drink! Love how you can add boosts to them. There's wifi in the place so you can eat healthy while you study!
(5)Ethan M.
I was looking forward to Protein Bar opening as I live in Lakeview but work in the Schaumburg area and there isn't much that's healthy over there. I was really disappointed. I ordered the quinoa black bean bowl with kale on the side and a smoothie. The smoothie was good- but small. They didn't put the kale on the side but rather put it in the bowl. No bid deal but the bowl had almost no kale in it and I swear I have never seen black beans look brown?! I'm used to Native Foods in Chicago where the portions are larger and kale is steamed. It seems to me Protein Bar talks a great game but isn't really serious about healthy portions and I just felt they are cutting corners
(2)Nicole G.
Love the food. Love the employees. Even corporate was super helpful when I had a question about the menu. Definitely will be eating here all the time!
(5)Jessica K.
Stopped by a few weeks ago, excited to eat out and have gluten free options! The parking lot is a pretty silly layout. There's a small amount of spaces in front and a ton in back. It was snowing and really cold that night so the thought of walking did not have me thrilled. Not a deterrent to try this place though. It was pretty empty when we arrived. Tons of delicious sounding options. Got the buffalo chicken/quinoa bowl. It was really flavorful. Maybe a touch too much pepper. My mom got some kind of pesto bowl (so good!) Overall, the ambience is a little cold, but the good food selection makes up for it. Saw a lot of people in gym gear stopping in for something healthy after their workout. Not the best food I've had, but I will be back to try more GF options!
(3)Sam P.
Either today was an anomaly, or Protein Bar is having trouble attracting and retaining bright employees. I stopped in for a smoothie for my son, and the guy who took our order was so low energy, I had to lean in and ask him several times to repeat himself, just during the process of placing one simple order. When he asked me questions that pertain to a regular smoothie rather than a child's smoothie, I clarified 3 times that I wanted to order from the kids menu. Low and behold, he gives me the total for my order, and has rung up an adult smoothie. It took two more employees to help straighten out the transaction, quite a long while waiting there without an apology or an acknowledgement at all. I'm hoping this won't become the norm.
(3)Monica J.
Cons Good food but if you substitute avocado for chicken, you will still be charged. You would think it would be an even exchange but definitely not... Pros: The location is super cute and conveniently located.
(2)Gary R.
I just had a terrific lunch courtesy of Protein Bar! Not a new concept, provide folks with a healthy fast food. But, they pull it off brilliantly with a nice menu selection as well as juice/smoothie choices that will knock your socks off. I ordered the black bean protein bowl and I wasn't disappointed. The servers were super-nice and ready to help. I hope I get to visit Chicago again soon.
(4)Aaron D.
Really love this place. Great food, drinks, and service overall. While the food is more expensive, you have to remember that you are not purchasing processed, mystery meat food that was prepared in some other state two weeks ago just to be reheated for you. This is real food, filling, and tasty - I am willing to pay a little more for that. Come here and enjoy!
(5)Benjamin L.
Great place! Everytime I'm here the service rocks and the food is excellent. Yes, it's a bit pricey, but you get what you pay for and It's worth it. The protein shakes are made very well everytime too. A lot of seating, both indoor and outdoor. A+
(5)Kim B.
Must. Eat. Protein. Contrary to the name, the cuisine at Protein Bar is not especially meat-centric. Sure, the menu items have insane amounts of protein (the super original bar-rito has a whopping 48 grams of it) but it's from a combination of chicken, quinoa and beans. I found the "bar-rito" to be pretty tasty -- and very filling -- but the yogurt sauce made it extremely watery and difficult to eat without spilling everywhere. The Baja salad was decent but definitely not worth the money, considering I could make one at home. Or customize the same salad at Chipotle.. Overall, kudos to Protein Bar for bringing healthy back to the suburbs. Next time I'm lazy and looking for a non-fast food option for dinner, I'll definitely be back.
(3)Seleen T.
I had the Buffalo Salad and it was great. It does make you full for the most part and it's only 300 calories. The only concern i do have is that most of the items are overpriced. Soup costs 7$ which i personally think is way too expensive for that small of a serving. The shakes are really good too. The service is really fast and the staff is very friendly. This is a great location to have Protein bar since it's right behind Xsport. The Spinach Pesto bowl is also something good to order from here as well. Fresh foods and good quality.
(4)Jonathan F.
Great food, but they close way too early, like 7 or 8PM. I'd give 5 stars if I could stop there after my way out of xsport fitness at night. But alas, they aren't open. Edit: the manager reached out to me personally to provide additional solutions for picking up food outside of hours, so I'm increasing my rating by one star for their great customer service.
(4)Christine R.
I frequent Protein Bars in Chicago quite a bit and have had a 4 star experience at each. I ordered the chicken chili and strictly judging the food here (the employees were pleasant and very, very quick).... The chili was very watered down, and no exaggerations - I counted one morsel of chicken...ONE. This was more like a chili broth actually. Very disappointed.
(1)AM E.
YUM! What a great place to go from your typical fast food locations. The menu selections are varied and filling and this includes their smoothies. Even their soda, is naturale. Every time I have gone in there, they have a fast, efficient, and courteous. You CAN'T go wrong here.
(5)Joe B.
Its hard to find a fast food place that doesnt sell food or beverages loaded with sugar and garbage. This is that place that doesnt. Ingredients that you can feel comfortable consuming. I wish there were more locations. I'd go a lot more often if I lived closer. Build one in ELgin!
(4)Nicole W.
Protein Bar is a welcome respite in the burbs with heavy caloric fast casual options. Don't get me wrong - I enjoy a Chipotle burrito as much as the next person, but I have pants to button. Thus, I'm quite thankful for PB's tasty and healthy eats. Is it pricey? Yes. The portion sizes are moderate, but the offerings are fresh and the ambiance is straight forward. You won't find crazy creativity here, in the food or decor...and I'm completely fine with that. Some of my favorite eats at Protein Bar include... Wrigley Peeled Smoothie - deeeelicious Chicken chili quinoa bowl - always go for the avocado and Greek yogurt topper! Baja salad - flavorful with a substantial kick I've also sampled the "Green Monster" from the small but solid kid's menu. If that packed quinoa bowl inspires my almost 2 year old to eat fresh spinach and pesto, surely it will appeal to others. Viva el Protein Bar!
(4)Laura N.
Quinoa. Qwin-wah. Quah-no-ah. Keen-wah. Quinoa. However you prounounce it (hint: "keen-wah" is correct), there's plenty of it here! Although I was wary of Protein Bar at first, it's become one of my semi-favorite nearby-ish spots to go to if I'm feeling like splurging a little bit on portions of delicious quinoa or a veggie juice. In the few times I've been here, I've tried: - Greenberry Juice - The Sears Sucker smoothie - Pesto Quinoa Bowl - Denver Scramble DRINKS: Protein Bar's smoothies are all fruits and proteins (mixed with choice of milk). I asked for some veggies (spinach) and they had no problem putting it in. However, the smoothie was terrible -- way too watery. Not getting one of those again. On the other hand, the raw juices are packed with veggies -- the Greenberry juice is amazing. It was so good, that I went back again a couple days later just to get more. FOOD: The Denver Scramble was OK. Not that wonderful. It lacked flavor, and was way too simple for what I paid for it. Yet... the pesto bowl was phenomenal! It was so good, in fact, that I found a recipe and ended up making my own at home. (Oops... probably not good for business if I make it at home instead of going out, but thats how much it impressed me!) The only problem with all of these foods? They're not filling. You drop $10-20 on some hit or miss food that doesn't fill you up. Yes, it's packed with protein; yes, it's healthy; yes, it's yummy; but, you might still find yourself going to the Buger King drive-thru afterwards to grab some fries to fill up the empty space in your stomach. Not that I would know, or anything...
(4)Linda C.
Had lunch with the ladies today, that was one delicious wrap. The menu is interesting and loved all the nutritional information. I'm definitely a fan and will be heading back. Chris at the counter was very knowledgeable on the ingredients and suggested options and alternatives if there was something we did LOVE in our meal. Thank you Protein bar this was a great, healthy place to meet and talk with friends!
(5)David M.
Solid food and always fast service. Only giving 4 stars because the prices are a little high. $11 for a salad, but I keep coming back. Keep up the good work!
(4)Ashley P.
If it's here, it's good for you! I love their approach to HEALTHY fast food! They have loads of yummy & very healthy quinoa options and a special "6 mix" that has a super amount of nutritious flavor packed into each meal marked with this. I have tried both the Chicken Pesto wrap, and the Newport salad, both of which were tasty, and amazingly nutritious! You won't find many "empty" calories here! No no no, they are nutrient dense, and GOOD for you! I love it! It makes making healthy smart choices easy! Some choices are a bit spendy, but when you pay for cheapie crap, you get cheapie crap... you want a $1 menu? Yeah it's going to be filled with horrible processed junk like from other nasty fast food places. I like knowing the food choices I make here are GOOD for my body, and great healthy choices! I seriously will be coming back here time & time again, especially for that Newport salad... those apple pieces add a festively yummy & sweet crunch. Ok. I am craving it now. SO GOOD! I am so thrilled they brought a Protein Bar to Schaumburg! Let's all start making healthier choices, that don't sacrifice flavor or nutrients! Feel confident you're doing your body AND your taste buds good when you come here.... I love everything they are about! The interior is nice, clean, spacious and tastefully done... They do wraps, bowls, breakfast, a DELISH Chilli, salads, blended healthy drinks, and more... Pop by and give your body the best fighting chance and eat yourself healthy!
(4)Nic Z.
I used to work downtown with a bunch of people who were obsessed with Protein Bar. I still remember the first time they invited me (Do I want a protein bar for lunch? Are you all nuts?) but they swore by it - and I realized it's a restaurant, and my coworkers were not all Mr. Olympia contestants undercover - and tried it out. Then it opened in Schaumburg, and I was in the area and very excited to try it again. I cook and eat healthy stuff 90% of the time, so I thought this would be a nice way to break up the super-healthy (ha ha) Christmas week. #1 The menu in-store is different from what is online. I'm picky - and know I'm picky - so I wanted to make this a very quick stop, as someone else was kind enough to drive me there. Studying up on the web version did not help me. #2 Price / food ratio = huh? You know the jokes about bird food? This was even a joke to me. Cliffnotes: I am right there with Nicholas S. --- $10 and....where's my food? Is this a sauce container? That can't be my actual meal... right?
(2)Sam P.
Either today was an anomaly, or Protein Bar is having trouble attracting and retaining bright employees. I stopped in for a smoothie for my son, and the guy who took our order was so low energy, I had to lean in and ask him several times to repeat himself, just during the process of placing one simple order. When he asked me questions that pertain to a regular smoothie rather than a child's smoothie, I clarified 3 times that I wanted to order from the kids menu. Low and behold, he gives me the total for my order, and has rung up an adult smoothie. It took two more employees to help straighten out the transaction, quite a long while waiting there without an apology or an acknowledgement at all. I'm hoping this won't become the norm.
(3)Monica J.
Cons Good food but if you substitute avocado for chicken, you will still be charged. You would think it would be an even exchange but definitely not... Pros: The location is super cute and conveniently located.
(2)Danielle S.
If you like quinoa, you will love this place. Almost everything has quinoa in it! They have a variety - bar-ritos, smoothies, bowls, breakfast, chili, salads and juices. Everything is high in protein (duh) and pretty healthy. It wasn't very crowded, everything was clean, and the service was very fast. The smoothies remind me of Jamba Juice. I ordered the Wrigley Peeled (basically tastes like a chocolate covered banana). It was really good, but pretty pricey for the size (almost $5 for a small). My friend ordered the chili, and it was about $7 for a small bowl - yikes! It's a good place to come for a treat or if you are really needing something super healthy, but I'm not sure I would want to spend the moolah and come here every day!
(4)John G.
Expensive fast food with what's hopefully a relatively healthy option. Stopped in here for the first time after realizing this wasn't just a healthshake hangout, but actually sold real food as well! The experience was hit and miss with a little more on the negative. I ordered an original bar-rito along with a small chicken chili. The burrito was a fairly big disappointment. It features a blended mix of quinoa, beans, and chicken wrapped in a decent tortilla. The chicken was shredded and somewhat absent, what was there was a mess of dry, flavorless meat which was combined with even more flavorless "house made seasoned black beans." It seems they were flavored with bean, since they certainly didn't stand out. The burrito also contains salsa and cheddar cheese, both of which are lost in the dry and tasteless flavors of the bean, meat, quinoa combination dotted with small invasions of cilantro. I know they're trying to capture a healthier market, and I can even get passed the leading flavor of the quinoa (which I actually don't mind) but for god sakes, you have to at least try to season your food with something, and the burrito has quite a list of healthy options like peppers or lime that could have added some actual flavor to the dish. On the flip side, the chicken chili was surprisingly good. It pleasantly packed a little more heat than I was expecting and the dry shredded chicken which had so clearly stuck out in the burrito made a much tastier appearance here dressed in its tomato-bound brethren. The chili was a little on the sweet side, which I don't prefer, but overall not a bad combination. The only real disappointment with the chili was the small "snack" size which, already in a smaller-than-average container, also comes half full. I'm assuming this is to save calories? but it feels more like a cop-out. If you're looking for vegan/vegetarian where unfortunately many places already don't go out of their way to provide a correctly tasty meal, this might not be a terrible option, but compared to everything else around for lunch it definitely comes up short on flavor... And high on price, almost $15 for a small burrito and a half cup of chili does smack a tiny bit of highway robbery.
(3)Bruno P.
I usually come here every week at least once. Not only the food is healthy and fast but it also tastes delicious. The staff is super friendly and offer good suggestions of asked. Overall my favorite place when it comes to grab and go.
(5)Megan M.
I hate to have to give them a 4 star review, but there's one employee there who's attitude is so negative and opposite of what the Protein Bar stands for, that I drive away if I see him from my car. Outside of him, everything about this place makes me happy. It's encouraging to see a menu full of healthy choices, organic, non-GMO with reasonable prices attached. They even sell Kombucha! I've had quite a few selections from the menu, the quinoa pesto chicken bowl being my favorite afternoon/dinner choice. All the other employees are a pleasure, especially Kevin, who covers some shifts (but us from another location) Give it a try- you may be surprised to find that it really is healthy fast food!
(4)Karina S.
This IS the place to be if you're trying to live a healthy lifestyle. It offers anything/everything you need to feel amazing both physically and emotionally :-)
(5)Jordan C.
My first visit was enjoyable but not what I expected by any means as Protein Bar offers more than just protein shakes. That being said, if Jamba Juice and Chipotle ever had a baby, Protein Bar would be it. Atmosphere The atmosphere was very casual and fairly typical to any smaller chain restaurant with plenty of seating and open space. It was fairly slow during my visit so the noise level was reasonable and the staff was very friendly when ordering. The lay out was a tad funky but easy to follow. The menu posted on the wall was very easy to follow and informative as nutrition facts were listed next to each item. Food I ordered the Red Line protein shake (Strawberry and banana) which wasn't the greatest tasting. It actually had little flavor which was disappointing. The pricing is fair with most of the shakes. You're also offered a free boost to any shake/smoothie. You can even chose the "hangover cure" boost for those considering a place to eat the morning after an adventurous night. I also ordered the Southwest Salad which, had good flavor but could use more of a zest and kick to it. Pricing on the salads are extremely high compared to the rest of the menu. The salads are served in large portions which helps you come to terms with the price you're paying for it. Overall All in all, this is a great place for health conscious people who need a quick meal. In my mind, I classify Protein Bar as a "health conscious chipotle" and will definitely return to try the other items on the menu.
(3)Nicholas S.
New place! So this is what you get for $9.30!!? Smoothies are watered down, but chili is hearty. Tasty dinner, but MEAGER. - Nicholas visited: 12/16/2013, 5:30pm
(1)Mary S.
What a waste of money and time. When you order a quinoa bowl with extra chicken you expect quinoa in your bowl and not a bowl of chili with 1 1/2 pieces of chicken. I have order the same thing every time I have been in there so I know what I ordered, thanks manager for telling what I was supposed to order. I called and the manager did offer a credit the next time I am in which gives them a 2 star rating, it really does not help if I am only in the area every 2-3 months on top of the fact she tried to make me feel stupid for her employees error of entering in when I know what I ordered. $11 for a crappy bowl of chili with only one piece of chicken, eh I could make my own at home with farm fresh Amish chicken and pay about $6 and eat for a week. They don't even provide fresh squeezed juice anymore which was one of the benefits of stopping there.
(2)Dee M.
Love protein bar. I've had the burritos, bowls and shakes. I'm always satisfied when I leave there. The service is always excellent and it's always so clean inside. My favorite ingredients in fast food form? Oh yeahh. Love their drink selection too, coconut water, natural sodas, kombucha...Just wish they weren't getting rid of their punch cards in October.
(5)Rita A.
Love this new joint, conveniently located close to my gym for post workout meal. The prices are $6-11 for items. I have been here four times and i have enjoyed salads and quinoa bowls along with their kids menu. The good- the wholesome goodness they put into the meals. I love the healthy mixes they have and the location. The bad-the kids quesadillas had tomatoes in them-which is not listed on the menu; I think this was a mistake. So of course we had to take them apart and pick out every tomato-DON"t make mistakes with Kids food-okay! The chicken....what chicken. Every time I go there, I barely get 3oz of chicken, where's the meat! The employees are tired and at time bothered overly tattooed loafs that don't even keep the dinning area clean. Advice, step it up with good customer service and cleanliness, because some of those gorillas from the gym are gonna get roid rage if they can't find their meat in their meals.
(4)Matthew A.
This place is awesome! I have been able to try a few different menu items at this restaurant and they are all delicious. A couple shout outs go to the Millennium Perk, Chili, and the Spinach and Pesto quinoa bowl. Protein Bar can get a bit expensive so I am unable to dine here to frequently, however, the quantity and quality of what you get is well worth the price in my book. The staff as well as service is exceptional because you do not have to wait for long to receive your order from behind the counter. Overall, if you are looking for an extremely healthy meal and don't mind spending a little bit of money, this is the place to go.
(5)Bridget L.
I want to like this place... I really really do... I've been there 4 times. Before today, my issues lied only with the employees - lethargic/bored, have NO CLUE what they're doing at the registers, and on one visit their internet was down therefore they couldn't enter the credit on my app, refused to accomodate or suggest an alternative since it was THEIR issue, so I walked out. Poor management and poor LOCAL customer service. I wrote in via the website about my disappointing experience and received an extremely nice email back, taking accountability for the issue and addressing every single point I made (instead of a generic, auto-generated email). So I decided to give it one last shot. And it will, indeed, be my last - this time because of the food. I ordered the pesto spinach bowl, and brought it back to work (2 mins away). It was not even close to warm, with very, very dry chicken. There really isn't any sauce - which is fine - but with dry chicken it was tough to swallow. The 16oz bowl was about 3/4 full, and it cost about $6 (one of the cheapest things on the menu). Also disappointed because their breakfast looked delicious, but apparently Schaumburg's hours changed to opening at 11am so they no longer serve breakfast. Really no reason for me to go back then. I would give 5 stars for the corporate customer service, but the location and food deserves a 2 at best.
(2)Alexandra N.
I would like to aplogize to all of you that have received poor customer service at this location in the past. My name is Alexandra and I am the new GM of the Schaumburg Protein Bar. I will be taking full control of the store by mid-May, but I will be there every day until then. I completely agree with your comments about the rude employees that don't seem capable of engaging with customers. I have already tried to turn around the crews attitude, especially when in the FOH dealing with people. I pride myself on customer service and I hope in the months to come you will all feel much more comfortable and welcome. If any of you would like to give is another chance I would love to meet you and offer you a meal on me. Just ask for me when you come in! I look forward to the changes to come and to regaining your business!
(5)megan l.
My husband got me hooked on protein bar and this location keeps me happy! The food selection is great and the service is quick and friendly. My current fav is the guac-n-roll baritto, it's awesome. I will definitely continue to go here for a quick lunch/dinner and will recommend the restaurant to others.
(5)Steve E.
I had the veggie chili with quinoa. It was very good for being a vegetarian dish. I would come back here again.
(5)Gary R.
I just had a terrific lunch courtesy of Protein Bar! Not a new concept, provide folks with a healthy fast food. But, they pull it off brilliantly with a nice menu selection as well as juice/smoothie choices that will knock your socks off. I ordered the black bean protein bowl and I wasn't disappointed. The servers were super-nice and ready to help. I hope I get to visit Chicago again soon.
(4)Aaron D.
Really love this place. Great food, drinks, and service overall. While the food is more expensive, you have to remember that you are not purchasing processed, mystery meat food that was prepared in some other state two weeks ago just to be reheated for you. This is real food, filling, and tasty - I am willing to pay a little more for that. Come here and enjoy!
(5)Benjamin L.
Great place! Everytime I'm here the service rocks and the food is excellent. Yes, it's a bit pricey, but you get what you pay for and It's worth it. The protein shakes are made very well everytime too. A lot of seating, both indoor and outdoor. A+
(5)AM E.
YUM! What a great place to go from your typical fast food locations. The menu selections are varied and filling and this includes their smoothies. Even their soda, is naturale. Every time I have gone in there, they have a fast, efficient, and courteous. You CAN'T go wrong here.
(5)Joe B.
Its hard to find a fast food place that doesnt sell food or beverages loaded with sugar and garbage. This is that place that doesnt. Ingredients that you can feel comfortable consuming. I wish there were more locations. I'd go a lot more often if I lived closer. Build one in ELgin!
(4)Taylor Z.
I'm extremely disappointed with the customer service here. I've been at this location now 2 times. And the first time the guy working the counter knew nothing about the type of protein they put in the drinks (I'm sensitive to dairy) but left with a good shake. I just went for my second time and it was exactly 8:02pm and I was reading the menu and the girl who was working was EXTREMELY rude. And yelled from across the desk saying "um hi were closed...bye" um can you be more rude?! If your closed, LOCK YOUR DOORS. And they close at 8pm so it was a matter of 2 minutes. And I get it, I work in customer service if your business is closed you want to leave but 2 minutes?! That's ridiculous and even if it was that big of a deal it would have been nice to have a better approach. I will NEVER go back there. Bad experience plus I'm a health nut... There shakes aren't that healthy anyways!
(1)Lalo B.
I've been back to Protein Bar four times since my last review and have not seen the one employee with the bad attitude but more importantly the rest of the team has made me forget the last bad experience. I'm currently hooked on a combination of Pier-Nut Butter & Jelly and the smile of the beautiful brunette with tattoos. I would definitely visit more often if I worked closer instead of the current wasn't 10 mile round trip. I'll hold off on the 5 stars until I visit more often to confirm the consistency of the improved service. The food and drinks have ALWAYS been consistently good and well worth a try if you haven't been here yet.
(4)Nate G.
Overall poor experience. I took my wife here as we were excited to have a "healthy" high protein option in the area (note artificial sweeteners are used; Splenda). While waiting in line, the manager was very rude to a customer whose order was not to their liking. They ended up walking out. Not a good first impression. As I got to the counter, I explained my gluten allergy and asked if malt could be removed from my order. A worker rudely expressed that he would try his best to remove it. I immediately asked for them to remove my order as I would not gamble with possibly gluten/wheat in my shake. Both the manager and employee came to me after a brief dialogue I expressed how rude they were, not only to me but the customer prior. Manager walked away. I'm glad people have had good experiences in this place, but I will certainly never be back.
(1)David S.
I loved the modern atmosphere and the focus on "healthy" food. There were only a couple of vegan choices and they were pretty calorie heavy "500-600" calories each. I, however, had two raw juices Beetbox (Apple, cucumber, beet, carrot, ginger) which had a good spicy and sweet flavor and the Greenberry (Kale, lime, apple, strawberry, cilantro) first time of kale and strawberry, which was absolutely amazing.
(4)Tom B.
Absolutely awesome place. Great menu of tasty items with all the nutritional data posted on the menu. I'm 47 years old and bit of of a foodie, but after a recent health situation I'm super aware how and what I'm eating. I have been on the lookout for place like Protein Bar for last few months and these guys have it all. Tasty, healthy diverse menu items, excellent service, cool staff, reasonable prices, all served up in an upscale contemporary atmosphere. I'm glad to see that they are expending because of the increased convenience of finding healthy fast food. At a societal level, obese unhealthy Americans really need something like this and I think Protein Bar is going to find a huge market. Even those who don't consider themselves health conscious eaters may become converts ounce they they taste the food and try the smoothies, etc. This food for everyone, not just health freaks. Health freaks like Vegans and the Gluten Free set will like it too though because they mark the menu items that comply with their diets. Anyway, try this place out its GREAT.
(5)Simir S.
This place is good, good tasting healthy food.
(5)Priya S.
This place is horrible. I walked in ten minutes before closing and the workers in the back made it so obvious they didn't want to cook. In fact one person blurted it out loud. And then the food was beyond disgusting. I came with three friends and none of us liked our food. Even the shakes were horrible. I don't recommend it to anyone at all. Muscle maker grill is way better for post meals.
(1)Nick B.
Boring food and aloof staff. Nothing is brining me back here. Only reason they didn't get 1 star is that it was healthy and with fresh ingredients. If they brought in a happier staff and added spices they'd have a hit!
(2)Kris S.
The food is great - but they really need to work on customer service. I had 3 bad experiences in a row now. Although the food is good it's not worth the headaches
(1)Pat D.
Seems like it took an eternity for Schaumburg to get a place like this...you leave feeling satisfied and without guilt...I ordered the breakfast bowl and it was delicious...Final verdict; fast service with good for you food !!!
(5)Mary M.
I guess I'm pretty dumb, but I did not realize this place had food until I looked at the menu one day online. The food here is great. If you do not like quinoa, then really a salad is your only other option. Lucky for me, I love quinoa. My favorite burrito is the original burrito. The original burrito does not contain lettuce, which is great for my extremely picky boyfriend. The first time I came here, I got the black bean bowl. It was not what I expected at all but it was still good. I'm pretty sure they gave me kidney beans instead of black beans, and overall it tasted very similar to chili. The actual chili on the menu is good too, but only as a side. You will not be full from just having the chili. A burrito, on the other hand, is very filling. Lastly, I have only gotten 1 smoothie from this place because it was the first one I tried, and absolutely loved it. It is called Pier-nut Butter & Jelly. So delicious! Overall, I recommend this place to friends who want to eat a bit healthier. The prices are more than Subway or any average lunch place, but I think it's totally worth it.
(5)Chris R.
The smoothies are really good, but food is OK. I had eggs with spinach and thought it was interesting that they just put the spinach on top and didnt cook it with the eggs. I wish it came with a piece of bread of something...just didnt feel complete :( Its kind of expensive too. Another time I had a burrito and it was fine, but nothing i would go back to. I think my biggest criticism is the food doesnt keep me full. I find myself hungry after an hour or two.
(3)Tiffany P.
If you're looking for something that is both healthy and delicious, you've found your holy grail. I had one of their bar-ittos and it was very good. I've also had their smoothies and their equally as delicious.
(5)Renee B.
I was very skeptical at first. But was so surprised how filling, tasty, and healthy The food selections were. The place is vibrant fun energetic. We got there at 11:30 the restaurant was empty by noon the line out the door. If you're looking for some healthy food choices this is the place to go.
(5)Gary D.
Healthy fast food finally!!!! Great flavors and a variety of choices. True healthy selections. If I had to point out the downside it would be the prices. I understand really healthy food costs more to prepare than the cheap garbage most fast food places serve up, but it was over $24 for a bar-ito and a salad. I would not be able to afford this more than once a month for lunch at those prices.
(4)Nicole W.
Protein Bar is a welcome respite in the burbs with heavy caloric fast casual options. Don't get me wrong - I enjoy a Chipotle burrito as much as the next person, but I have pants to button. Thus, I'm quite thankful for PB's tasty and healthy eats. Is it pricey? Yes. The portion sizes are moderate, but the offerings are fresh and the ambiance is straight forward. You won't find crazy creativity here, in the food or decor...and I'm completely fine with that. Some of my favorite eats at Protein Bar include... Wrigley Peeled Smoothie - deeeelicious Chicken chili quinoa bowl - always go for the avocado and Greek yogurt topper! Baja salad - flavorful with a substantial kick I've also sampled the "Green Monster" from the small but solid kid's menu. If that packed quinoa bowl inspires my almost 2 year old to eat fresh spinach and pesto, surely it will appeal to others. Viva el Protein Bar!
(4)Laura N.
Quinoa. Qwin-wah. Quah-no-ah. Keen-wah. Quinoa. However you prounounce it (hint: "keen-wah" is correct), there's plenty of it here! Although I was wary of Protein Bar at first, it's become one of my semi-favorite nearby-ish spots to go to if I'm feeling like splurging a little bit on portions of delicious quinoa or a veggie juice. In the few times I've been here, I've tried: - Greenberry Juice - The Sears Sucker smoothie - Pesto Quinoa Bowl - Denver Scramble DRINKS: Protein Bar's smoothies are all fruits and proteins (mixed with choice of milk). I asked for some veggies (spinach) and they had no problem putting it in. However, the smoothie was terrible -- way too watery. Not getting one of those again. On the other hand, the raw juices are packed with veggies -- the Greenberry juice is amazing. It was so good, that I went back again a couple days later just to get more. FOOD: The Denver Scramble was OK. Not that wonderful. It lacked flavor, and was way too simple for what I paid for it. Yet... the pesto bowl was phenomenal! It was so good, in fact, that I found a recipe and ended up making my own at home. (Oops... probably not good for business if I make it at home instead of going out, but thats how much it impressed me!) The only problem with all of these foods? They're not filling. You drop $10-20 on some hit or miss food that doesn't fill you up. Yes, it's packed with protein; yes, it's healthy; yes, it's yummy; but, you might still find yourself going to the Buger King drive-thru afterwards to grab some fries to fill up the empty space in your stomach. Not that I would know, or anything...
(4)Linda C.
Had lunch with the ladies today, that was one delicious wrap. The menu is interesting and loved all the nutritional information. I'm definitely a fan and will be heading back. Chris at the counter was very knowledgeable on the ingredients and suggested options and alternatives if there was something we did LOVE in our meal. Thank you Protein bar this was a great, healthy place to meet and talk with friends!
(5)David M.
Solid food and always fast service. Only giving 4 stars because the prices are a little high. $11 for a salad, but I keep coming back. Keep up the good work!
(4)Sam P.
Either today was an anomaly, or Protein Bar is having trouble attracting and retaining bright employees. I stopped in for a smoothie for my son, and the guy who took our order was so low energy, I had to lean in and ask him several times to repeat himself, just during the process of placing one simple order. When he asked me questions that pertain to a regular smoothie rather than a child's smoothie, I clarified 3 times that I wanted to order from the kids menu. Low and behold, he gives me the total for my order, and has rung up an adult smoothie. It took two more employees to help straighten out the transaction, quite a long while waiting there without an apology or an acknowledgement at all. I'm hoping this won't become the norm.
(3)Monica J.
Cons Good food but if you substitute avocado for chicken, you will still be charged. You would think it would be an even exchange but definitely not... Pros: The location is super cute and conveniently located.
(2)Kim B.
Must. Eat. Protein. Contrary to the name, the cuisine at Protein Bar is not especially meat-centric. Sure, the menu items have insane amounts of protein (the super original bar-rito has a whopping 48 grams of it) but it's from a combination of chicken, quinoa and beans. I found the "bar-rito" to be pretty tasty -- and very filling -- but the yogurt sauce made it extremely watery and difficult to eat without spilling everywhere. The Baja salad was decent but definitely not worth the money, considering I could make one at home. Or customize the same salad at Chipotle.. Overall, kudos to Protein Bar for bringing healthy back to the suburbs. Next time I'm lazy and looking for a non-fast food option for dinner, I'll definitely be back.
(3)Seleen T.
I had the Buffalo Salad and it was great. It does make you full for the most part and it's only 300 calories. The only concern i do have is that most of the items are overpriced. Soup costs 7$ which i personally think is way too expensive for that small of a serving. The shakes are really good too. The service is really fast and the staff is very friendly. This is a great location to have Protein bar since it's right behind Xsport. The Spinach Pesto bowl is also something good to order from here as well. Fresh foods and good quality.
(4)Nic Z.
I used to work downtown with a bunch of people who were obsessed with Protein Bar. I still remember the first time they invited me (Do I want a protein bar for lunch? Are you all nuts?) but they swore by it - and I realized it's a restaurant, and my coworkers were not all Mr. Olympia contestants undercover - and tried it out. Then it opened in Schaumburg, and I was in the area and very excited to try it again. I cook and eat healthy stuff 90% of the time, so I thought this would be a nice way to break up the super-healthy (ha ha) Christmas week. #1 The menu in-store is different from what is online. I'm picky - and know I'm picky - so I wanted to make this a very quick stop, as someone else was kind enough to drive me there. Studying up on the web version did not help me. #2 Price / food ratio = huh? You know the jokes about bird food? This was even a joke to me. Cliffnotes: I am right there with Nicholas S. --- $10 and....where's my food? Is this a sauce container? That can't be my actual meal... right?
(2)Whitney N.
I'm kind of confused. I went to Protein Bar in the city near Roosevelt last week for my first time and ordered the Pier Nut Butter and Jelly smoothie and I loved it. Today I went to this location and ordered the same thing and it had absolutely no flavor to it... I don't know what they did differently but I'm pretty disappointed.
(1)Jeremy S.
Just had the black bean quinoa bowl and one of the cold pressed raw juices. I am traveling through Chicago on business and have stopped at various Protein Bar locations before. Always a treat. Delicious food that actually makes you feel better after eating it than you did before. Imagine that! Wish there was a location that was local to me.
(5)Jim n.
Some interesting and fresh menu items. I had the "green city vegan" wrap which was very flavorful. I tried the black bean quinoa bowl with tofu on today's visit and it was good as well. I wish they had fresh brewed idea tea instead of just bottled.
(4)Sarah S.
I'm loving all these healthy options that are coming to Schaumburg! I went to Protein Bar today for their grand opening and was surprised to be handed a coupon for a free lunch! I had no idea any promotion would be going on...and the only way I knew they opened today at 11 was because I was stalking their website to find out. I figure most people were not in the know as it didn't get very busy during their grand opening hour while I was there. Staff was all very friendly when we walked in with people stationed every few feet ready to help explain the food & give recommendations. When we got up to the cashier, placing my order was seamless. It seemed to be all new staff on the registers as they were having issues finding buttons but they had another staff on hand that helped them with this. This was my first time to any Protein Bar though I know they are a chain with locations throughout Chicagoland. I tried the Spinach & Pesto Bowl which has all natural chicken with organic quinoa, spinach, basil pesto, and shredded parmesan cheese. I enjoyed this quite a bit. The flavors went together well, it tasted great especially for "healthy food". The portion was quite big, completely filled me up and at just 371 calories and $6.49, I think it will be in my regular lunch rotation. There are many other options that sound delicious, too. Pop options! I must say I'm super happy that there are THREE Diet Pop options. That makes me a very happy camper. And the Diet Root Beer tasted soooo~ good! Crazy aftertaste that was almost better than the pop itself. Love their fountain drink options. Protein Bar has a nice dining area with tables & booths which made for a comfy experience for my dining partner and I. Plus they gave us a coupon for a free blended drink the next time we come in. Finally, they have a nice little punch card for food & drinks...Buy any 8, get 1 free! Nice!
(5)Rocky B.
I finally find a place I can always come to. Not only is the menu healthy but it tastes good. This is a repeat for me. Everything here is good here in my opinion. Their bbq bar-ritos is awesome. Southwest salad is good but it also had a little kick to it that tingles the tongue. Their drinks are amazing. I'm going to keep coming here until I try all the drinks. I just tried the Hi-5 raw juice south acai'd and they are bomb. The buffalo quinoa bowl is really good. It's life buffalo wings sauce over quinoa. The bowl is kinda small but ill still get it again. The vegan salad is ok. I still have yet to try a salad I like but so far, the quinoa bowls have been my fav
(5)Lisa W.
Protein Bar has some amazing veggie friendly dishes. It is a nice "fast food" alternative that is both healthy and delicious. Their smoothies are amazing. The Wrigley Peeled is my favorite. The quinoa bowls are decadent, flavorful and healthy. They have a punch card as well to reward frequent visitors to their restaurant. You get a free meal or smoothie once your card is full. The staff is always very friendly and happy.....must be the wheatgrass. :)
(5)Danyell P.
The service is excellent and the people are nice. Convenient location and it's near the mall too.
(5)Jonathan F.
Great food, but they close way too early, like 7 or 8PM. I'd give 5 stars if I could stop there after my way out of xsport fitness at night. But alas, they aren't open. Edit: the manager reached out to me personally to provide additional solutions for picking up food outside of hours, so I'm increasing my rating by one star for their great customer service.
(4)Joe P.
I had many recommendations from a few close friends to give this place a try. I definitely was not disappointed. I've been here a few times and I can't get over ordering the same thing because it is so delicious. I've gotten the vegan quinoa chili three times in a row...maybe I'm just boring...This is one of the best chilis I've ever had. It is very flavorful and I like to add a little sriracha to it to kick up the spice. Every time I've left the Protein Bar I've been satisfyingly full. On my last adventure here I also ordered the Wrigley Field? smoothie which was awesome-it did have peanut butter in it so you can't really mess that up! I was a little dumbfounded when asked all the options for the smoothie so just be prepared to pick different types of protein, milk, and possible "boosts" (boosts cost more $). Overall I've really enjoyed this and look forward to possibly, someday, ordering something other than the chili.
(4)Christine R.
I frequent Protein Bars in Chicago quite a bit and have had a 4 star experience at each. I ordered the chicken chili and strictly judging the food here (the employees were pleasant and very, very quick).... The chili was very watered down, and no exaggerations - I counted one morsel of chicken...ONE. This was more like a chili broth actually. Very disappointed.
(1)Ashley P.
If it's here, it's good for you! I love their approach to HEALTHY fast food! They have loads of yummy & very healthy quinoa options and a special "6 mix" that has a super amount of nutritious flavor packed into each meal marked with this. I have tried both the Chicken Pesto wrap, and the Newport salad, both of which were tasty, and amazingly nutritious! You won't find many "empty" calories here! No no no, they are nutrient dense, and GOOD for you! I love it! It makes making healthy smart choices easy! Some choices are a bit spendy, but when you pay for cheapie crap, you get cheapie crap... you want a $1 menu? Yeah it's going to be filled with horrible processed junk like from other nasty fast food places. I like knowing the food choices I make here are GOOD for my body, and great healthy choices! I seriously will be coming back here time & time again, especially for that Newport salad... those apple pieces add a festively yummy & sweet crunch. Ok. I am craving it now. SO GOOD! I am so thrilled they brought a Protein Bar to Schaumburg! Let's all start making healthier choices, that don't sacrifice flavor or nutrients! Feel confident you're doing your body AND your taste buds good when you come here.... I love everything they are about! The interior is nice, clean, spacious and tastefully done... They do wraps, bowls, breakfast, a DELISH Chilli, salads, blended healthy drinks, and more... Pop by and give your body the best fighting chance and eat yourself healthy!
(4)Julie Y.
I really like this place! I always feel pretty healthy when I eat here. The juice is great and the burritos are good. I always get the avocado burrito with the buffalo sauce on the side!
(4)Michael P.
Healthy alternative to typical fast food at an affordable price. Quality of food is good and nice serving sizes. I will definitely be back for more.
(4)Nicholas S.
New place! So this is what you get for $9.30!!? Smoothies are watered down, but chili is hearty. Tasty dinner, but MEAGER. - Nicholas visited: 12/16/2013, 5:30pm
(1)Mary S.
What a waste of money and time. When you order a quinoa bowl with extra chicken you expect quinoa in your bowl and not a bowl of chili with 1 1/2 pieces of chicken. I have order the same thing every time I have been in there so I know what I ordered, thanks manager for telling what I was supposed to order. I called and the manager did offer a credit the next time I am in which gives them a 2 star rating, it really does not help if I am only in the area every 2-3 months on top of the fact she tried to make me feel stupid for her employees error of entering in when I know what I ordered. $11 for a crappy bowl of chili with only one piece of chicken, eh I could make my own at home with farm fresh Amish chicken and pay about $6 and eat for a week. They don't even provide fresh squeezed juice anymore which was one of the benefits of stopping there.
(2)Dee M.
Love protein bar. I've had the burritos, bowls and shakes. I'm always satisfied when I leave there. The service is always excellent and it's always so clean inside. My favorite ingredients in fast food form? Oh yeahh. Love their drink selection too, coconut water, natural sodas, kombucha...Just wish they weren't getting rid of their punch cards in October.
(5)Melissa Y.
I ordered the spinach and pesto quinoa bowl the first time I ever went to protein bar. I. Fell. In. Love. Now it's all I order! Well, anything with quinoa and pesto on it haha. Also I love the pier-nut butter and jelly drink! Love how you can add boosts to them. There's wifi in the place so you can eat healthy while you study!
(5)Leon T.
I really don't understand people who go on yelp and just complain, especially about this place. I think if people don't like protein bar then they didn't realize what protein bar is all about and got frustrated with some of the ingredients that a lot of people not into nutrition and health would not recognize or appreciate. As far as staff complaints go. Ask yourself if you are always the happiest bubbliest person 24/7. Seriously even though people are in the service industry doesn't mean they won't have a bad day or come across short sometimes. Anyway, Protein bar offers healthy options for people concerned about what they put in their bodies. Not only healthy but tasty too. I love the Spinach pesto chicken quinoa bowl. That paired with a millenium perk gives me all the protein and energy I need. This place is a body builder or any other fitness enthusiasts dream come true. Wish there were more of them around. People have always been super nice to me and service has always been quick.. Give it a try.
(5)Debra L.
Yes, indeed I'm a fan. I walked in to meet some pals and the first thing I noticed was that fruity juicy smell, like walking into Jamba Juice. The decor is clean, modern, and comfortable. They have a nice selection of fresh juices and healthy smoothies. What's not to like? The food menu isn't huge, but it's fresh and healthy. I had the Green City Vegan Bar-ito. Of course it was healthy and so filling. It was actually enough for two Bar-itos, but I pigged out. If you're a junk food junkie this might not be the place for you. If you like healthy, clean food that's served fast, check them out. Oh, and the staff was really nice!
(4)Fritzie H.
I'm a big fan of Protein Bar. I visit the loop locations quite frequently so I was excited to find out there was a PB close to my job. I was slightly turned off by the negative reviews but decided to give it a shot anyway. I went in three weeks ago for the first time and was instantly greeted by a girl that was sweeping. As I walked up to the counter I was greeted by the cashier and the workers behind the counter. Was I at the right place? I went with the Vegan Quinoa Chili and the Comiskey Cocoa shake. Extra points to the cashier for pointing out that the malt powder wasn't vegan so they customized it for me. The chili was slightly bland but the shake was delicious. I had a craving for something sweet so I went in two days later at around 11:30AM. It was empty again except for two people in line ahead of me. I guess I beat the lunch rush. Yay! The morning staff was not as welcoming as the evening staff. The cashier acted as if I was bothering him while I placed my order. I asked if they had soy yogurt and he rudely replied no followed by "is that it?" several times while I was still ordering. I don't know what was that guy's problem. There was no one behind me in line and they had five employees in the back so it's not like he had to run back and prepare my meal. I might pop in after work again some day but I won't ever come back for lunch. There are far more choices in the area to get a quick bite without the sass.
(3)Christine M.
I'm giving this place a 3 star because of the AWFUL costumer service. I hate to throw every employee there under the bus but the past two times I have gone I've left actually upset. The first time I felt stupid was when I walked in at 9:30 am and the music was blasting. All I wanted was a juice. Little did I know they changed their hours... They made me feel SO DUMB and made awful comments. Then tonight I went to get dinner and the one girl had so much attitude the guy behind me even made a comment. I love the food, which is why I go ALL the time, but this protein bar needs to drop some staff. It makes the company look bad... Just saying.
(3)Frank M.
Had the Baja salad, it was better than expected. Great flavor with a cilantro lime dressing. Fresh avocado and spinach are a winner for me. I would go back for sure. One thing I find confusing and it isn't just at this restaurant, what is the point of a person behind the counter that bags your food if they don't put other things in there like napkins or utensils? I know that was a run on sentence but you get the point!
(4)Danielle S.
If you like quinoa, you will love this place. Almost everything has quinoa in it! They have a variety - bar-ritos, smoothies, bowls, breakfast, chili, salads and juices. Everything is high in protein (duh) and pretty healthy. It wasn't very crowded, everything was clean, and the service was very fast. The smoothies remind me of Jamba Juice. I ordered the Wrigley Peeled (basically tastes like a chocolate covered banana). It was really good, but pretty pricey for the size (almost $5 for a small). My friend ordered the chili, and it was about $7 for a small bowl - yikes! It's a good place to come for a treat or if you are really needing something super healthy, but I'm not sure I would want to spend the moolah and come here every day!
(4)John G.
Expensive fast food with what's hopefully a relatively healthy option. Stopped in here for the first time after realizing this wasn't just a healthshake hangout, but actually sold real food as well! The experience was hit and miss with a little more on the negative. I ordered an original bar-rito along with a small chicken chili. The burrito was a fairly big disappointment. It features a blended mix of quinoa, beans, and chicken wrapped in a decent tortilla. The chicken was shredded and somewhat absent, what was there was a mess of dry, flavorless meat which was combined with even more flavorless "house made seasoned black beans." It seems they were flavored with bean, since they certainly didn't stand out. The burrito also contains salsa and cheddar cheese, both of which are lost in the dry and tasteless flavors of the bean, meat, quinoa combination dotted with small invasions of cilantro. I know they're trying to capture a healthier market, and I can even get passed the leading flavor of the quinoa (which I actually don't mind) but for god sakes, you have to at least try to season your food with something, and the burrito has quite a list of healthy options like peppers or lime that could have added some actual flavor to the dish. On the flip side, the chicken chili was surprisingly good. It pleasantly packed a little more heat than I was expecting and the dry shredded chicken which had so clearly stuck out in the burrito made a much tastier appearance here dressed in its tomato-bound brethren. The chili was a little on the sweet side, which I don't prefer, but overall not a bad combination. The only real disappointment with the chili was the small "snack" size which, already in a smaller-than-average container, also comes half full. I'm assuming this is to save calories? but it feels more like a cop-out. If you're looking for vegan/vegetarian where unfortunately many places already don't go out of their way to provide a correctly tasty meal, this might not be a terrible option, but compared to everything else around for lunch it definitely comes up short on flavor... And high on price, almost $15 for a small burrito and a half cup of chili does smack a tiny bit of highway robbery.
(3)Bruno P.
I usually come here every week at least once. Not only the food is healthy and fast but it also tastes delicious. The staff is super friendly and offer good suggestions of asked. Overall my favorite place when it comes to grab and go.
(5)Megan M.
I hate to have to give them a 4 star review, but there's one employee there who's attitude is so negative and opposite of what the Protein Bar stands for, that I drive away if I see him from my car. Outside of him, everything about this place makes me happy. It's encouraging to see a menu full of healthy choices, organic, non-GMO with reasonable prices attached. They even sell Kombucha! I've had quite a few selections from the menu, the quinoa pesto chicken bowl being my favorite afternoon/dinner choice. All the other employees are a pleasure, especially Kevin, who covers some shifts (but us from another location) Give it a try- you may be surprised to find that it really is healthy fast food!
(4)Karina S.
This IS the place to be if you're trying to live a healthy lifestyle. It offers anything/everything you need to feel amazing both physically and emotionally :-)
(5)Jessica R.
This place has a nice bright atmosphere. I felt the menu was somewhat limited and it was a bit pricey. However, a more pricey meal is to be expected when you have delicious food using quality ingredients. The burritos are amazing!!!
(4)Mel W.
I love this place! Went in today twice because it was so good! Its so wonderful to finally have a place that you can eat at that truly cares about their ingredients. I had the Buffalo quinoa bowl for lunch, it's perfect! My brother got their quac and roll, which was also amazing. I highly recommend this place.
(5)Jordan C.
My first visit was enjoyable but not what I expected by any means as Protein Bar offers more than just protein shakes. That being said, if Jamba Juice and Chipotle ever had a baby, Protein Bar would be it. Atmosphere The atmosphere was very casual and fairly typical to any smaller chain restaurant with plenty of seating and open space. It was fairly slow during my visit so the noise level was reasonable and the staff was very friendly when ordering. The lay out was a tad funky but easy to follow. The menu posted on the wall was very easy to follow and informative as nutrition facts were listed next to each item. Food I ordered the Red Line protein shake (Strawberry and banana) which wasn't the greatest tasting. It actually had little flavor which was disappointing. The pricing is fair with most of the shakes. You're also offered a free boost to any shake/smoothie. You can even chose the "hangover cure" boost for those considering a place to eat the morning after an adventurous night. I also ordered the Southwest Salad which, had good flavor but could use more of a zest and kick to it. Pricing on the salads are extremely high compared to the rest of the menu. The salads are served in large portions which helps you come to terms with the price you're paying for it. Overall All in all, this is a great place for health conscious people who need a quick meal. In my mind, I classify Protein Bar as a "health conscious chipotle" and will definitely return to try the other items on the menu.
(3)Ethan M.
I was looking forward to Protein Bar opening as I live in Lakeview but work in the Schaumburg area and there isn't much that's healthy over there. I was really disappointed. I ordered the quinoa black bean bowl with kale on the side and a smoothie. The smoothie was good- but small. They didn't put the kale on the side but rather put it in the bowl. No bid deal but the bowl had almost no kale in it and I swear I have never seen black beans look brown?! I'm used to Native Foods in Chicago where the portions are larger and kale is steamed. It seems to me Protein Bar talks a great game but isn't really serious about healthy portions and I just felt they are cutting corners
(2)Jessica K.
Stopped by a few weeks ago, excited to eat out and have gluten free options! The parking lot is a pretty silly layout. There's a small amount of spaces in front and a ton in back. It was snowing and really cold that night so the thought of walking did not have me thrilled. Not a deterrent to try this place though. It was pretty empty when we arrived. Tons of delicious sounding options. Got the buffalo chicken/quinoa bowl. It was really flavorful. Maybe a touch too much pepper. My mom got some kind of pesto bowl (so good!) Overall, the ambience is a little cold, but the good food selection makes up for it. Saw a lot of people in gym gear stopping in for something healthy after their workout. Not the best food I've had, but I will be back to try more GF options!
(3)Nicole G.
Love the food. Love the employees. Even corporate was super helpful when I had a question about the menu. Definitely will be eating here all the time!
(5)