Fox & Obel Market: User Reviews

Everything from the cafe and market is always good. So are the pastries. However, on this particular day I was interested in the perfect red velvet cupcake. I still haven't found it. The red velvet is better than sugar bliss, but still not great. F & O needs to keep working on that perfect balance of vinegar and cocoa that red velvet must have.

Ambiance:

Food:

Service:

Value:

Report This Review

Roughly 3 years ago, I went to Fox & Obel for the first time, when I moved into a condo literally across the street on McClurg Ct. I was amazed not only by the selection of the specialty grocery store, but also by the sandwiches & breakfast options in the cafe.

I've since moved out of the neighborhood, and spent some time out of Chicago, but I am back now and confess that I am seriously disappointed in this place today, compared to what it once was. Of the previous 3 times which I have been in there for brunch on weekends, 2 of those times there were no forks available to use for dining. The first time this happened, I was forced to use a plastic fork in order to eat my $13 omelette. This time around, I asked the gentleman who brought my food whether there were any forks, since I did not want to resort to this typically fast-food option of using a plastic fork. To my dismay, however, he returned with a plastic fork, at which was the precise point I decided to write this review (something I never do).

Thus, it seems that Fox & Obel has exchanged its stripes in order to increase its foot traffic, and unfortunately seems to have sacrificed everything that made it good in the process. Well I certainly hope the out-of-towners & suburbanites who frequent this place on their way back from Navy Pier enjoy it, because they seem to have overtaken this place & become its main focus.

Ambiance:

Food:

Service:

Value:

Report This Review

This place is hopping in the AM. We stopped in around 11am for a quick bite before seeing a movie and enjoyed the breakfast panini which was delicious. The scrambled egg was thin and layered, ham was lean flavorful and not overly salty. The cheese could have been a little more plentiful. The bread was good, full bodied and not so grilled that you cut your mouth. The roasted potatoes with onions could have been a little more tender but had a good flavor.

It's pretty quick if you can score a bar table in front which eliminates the wait for a table. The service is efficient and courteous.
Not the greatest value but I'd rather pay a bit more and get good quality rather than a grand slam breakfast....

Ambiance:

Food:

Service:

Value:

Report This Review

As a chef, I can truely recommend Fox and Obel as the best Deli and gourmet market/food cafe in the city easily... Yes it isnt cheap but much tastier then a corner bakery/panera bread, etc, to get high quality food that is truely created in passion you have to pay. Look at how busy this place is at all times, they must be doing something right, stop on in and you will taste the difference!

Report This Review

Awesome sandwiches, but the salad was a total ripoff. Good food if you want to pay too much money for it.

Report This Review

Way over priced for what you're getting. It is also so crowded you can barely get through the place. They must be breaking the fire code with as many people as they jam in that place. Nothing to eat tastes like anything special. You have to stand in line to order your meal(like you're back in a high school cafeteria) and then you have to get your own silverware. Then you have to fight tooth and nail to find an empty table before your meal comes. Can you say OVERPRICED and OVER RATED

Report This Review

This place charges restaurant prices even though they aren't a full service restaurant. The soups and desserts are good, but everything else is overpriced.

Report This Review

I shop here as often as possible. The prices are high but the quality of product and knowledge of the staff makes it acceptable. The sushi is fresh and delicious, the prepared foods are wonderful rare tuna, filet, side dishes(especially the potatoe with carmalized onion)are all great. The Italian tuna in oil is wonderful. Just be careful in the cheese department --- some are skyhigh in price but the staff is helpful(willing to discuss the various selections and offer samples) and selection is large. All this with free when validated parking.

Report This Review

This place is fantastic...there is no other place in the city that has higher quality or more choices.

Report This Review