Restaurant Review and Giveaway: Protein Bar

Catering manager Joanna, me and marketer extraordinaire Analisa

I'm so excited to share this restaurant review! When I joined my gym, it was in an almost-empty strip mall. Over the past few months, I've watched a few things get added, but nothing that really boiled my coffee. When I spied a new business setting up shop right next to the gym (and thus, across the street from my work), I couldn't help but take note. As soon as Protein Bar put up a little "coming soon" sign, I started e-mailing the owners asking when I could start eating.

Today was the day! After brisk workout, I walked right on over to Protein Bar and ate an amazing sampling of the best the joint has to offer. All I can say is that I'm really sad I don't work across the street anymore because they actually have food I want to eat and coffee worth walking over for. However, it's probably for the best, because I would never pack a lunch again.

I started with breakfast entrees: the pancake in a bowl oatmeal topped with bananas and the Santa Fe scramble.  The oatmeal was interesting because unlike McDonald's or Starbucks, the oats are cooked al dente, so you get a better texture.  The fruit also changes with what's available seasonally. The scramble was mighty tasty, and I thought would be something I'd love to eat after lifting at the gym. When I got home, Tim loved the leftover eggs because they were nice and spicy.

 

We moved on to lunch entrees, which featured some of my favorite dishes of the day. I had the spinach pesto quinoa along with a buffalo chicken bar-rito.  The burrito was clearly my favorite as I ate half of it in mere seconds.  The buffalo sauce is actually vegan, and the burrito was packed with the Super 6 Salad Mix. I like it because it was spicy, the chicken was filling, the quinoa was cooked perfectly and the salad mix was crunchy.  The pesto bowl was equally awesome, featuring a very cheesy sauce with fresh baby spinach. Best part? All of these dishes were between 280 and 550 calories, making it a very manageable option for a healthy breakfast or lunch.

I rounded out my breakfast with a protein shake that has changed my life.  Seriously.  It's healthy, protein-packed and caffeinated.  And chocolate. My life is complete, people.  There are tons of protein and shake options (and they all have really cute Chicago-themed names), but I went with the Millennium Perk. It featured chocolate protein powder, espresso protein, your choice of milk and house-made cocoa malt.  It was so creamy and rich, I would have never thought it was healthy and one of the lowest-calorie options on the menu.

I appreciate that this place offers a variety of flavors and comfort meals with a lower calorie profile. In addition to great food, I also like that they offer vegan and gluten-free options, since I'd like to be able to have a great meal with my friends who have dietary needs (Kim and Alissa, I'm looking at you).

Because I pink-puffy heart this place, I want to share it with all of you.  I have giftcards for a complimentary lunch as well as a blended drink of your choice.  To enter, leave a comment about your favorite healthy lunch. I'll use Random.org to select a winner on 6 p.m. Monday.