The city of Chicago boasts one of the largest and most diverse food scenes in the world. After all, this city is a complex melting pot of immigrants, diverse manufacturers, and culture. From Mexican, to Thai, Middle Eastern, Chinese, Greek, Italian, Polish, Vietnamese, African, and more: if you dream it, there’s probably a restaurant that serves it!
This blend of different people, their customs, and access to a variety of different foods is what gives each neighborhood their unique personality. Whether grabbing a quick bite to eat, taking the family out to dinner, or celebrating a life milestone, local restaurants are there when you need them.
Let’s dive into all the ways your team can support local Chicago restaurants, highlight partners to look into, and how Fooda can help make it happen.
Simply, supporting local restaurants is the act of frequenting them for their services.
Restaurants are the pillars that serve all aspects of our day-to-day life. They’re the unsung hero when we want to experiment with new cuisines, don’t have time to cook, or want to unwind and relax. Your support keeps them around and enables their growth too.
In a workplace environment, supporting local restaurants means choosing them for a team lunch, to cater an event, or host on-site as a lunch provider. When you dine at the establishments in your community, you’re putting funds directly into their businesses and can watch them grow as the neighborhood does.
As you know, local restaurants are the driving force of a neighborhood's culture and heritage. These places are where great moments and gatherings take place. For businesses, a great atmosphere and food make corporate events and team dinners truly memorable experiences.
These restaurants can’t do great work without support from customers like you. Your team has the buying power to help cultivate a vibrant and active neighborhood. Even just one team can help!
Taking the initiative and supporting local restaurants can make your business an example in your local community. This can inspire other businesses to take action, and more restaurants can benefit too!
Here are some of the ways buying locally directly enriches the community.
Frequenting family-owned and neighborhood restaurants can help forge lasting business relationships, and keep money within your local economy.
According to a recent poll, 33% of working Americans will buy lunch and 5% have lunch covered by their employer. When you coordinate a team meal to purchase from one restaurant, the monetary impact can be huge for that business.
Buying from small businesses contributes to stable jobs for chefs, waitstaff, and anyone working in the restaurant - further boosting the economy. When restaurants thrive, your neighborhood will see the benefits.
Going to local Chicago restaurants can also benefit the environment. When you choose places that source ingredients from local sources or farms, you’re helping reduce transportation emissions and supporting Illinois agriculture. Ultimately, buying from restaurants that follow earth-friendly, farm-to-table practices is a simple way to make a positive impact on local restaurants and the planet.
Additionally, organizing lunch from one provider can significantly reduce the transportation needed to get meals to you - deliveries managed by Fooda will help improve your business’s carbon footprint by reducing scope 1 emissions.
Many local restaurants selflessly reinvest their money back into the local community.
R&A Sourdough, a Fooda partner with locations in Ravenswood and River West, supported families who lost SNAP benefits during the recent government shutdown, and donated food for Thanksgiving.
When you support businesses like this, everyone wins and you help preserve what makes your neighborhood great. On top of that, they will have the resources to continue their charitable missions!
Fooda, the top workplace food program provider, has 2500+ restaurants partners across the country and 70% of them are independent local businesses. We connect businesses like yours to authentic eateries in your local community to execute corporate meals and events.
Whether by serving great food, or giving back through charitable acts, Fooda partners actively make their communities better.
Is your corporate team ready to support local restaurants in Chicago? The city boasts nearly 12,000 restaurants in 77 official neighborhoods - while we can’t list every restaurant here, we can certainly start. Let’s explore 35 local Fooda partners located in 10 neighborhoods across the city of Chicago who provide Popup, delivery, and office catering options!
Address: 5101 W North Ave, Chicago, IL 60639
This restaurant serves Chicago’s West Side with Belizean and Caribbean comfort food: including oxtail, jerk chicken, plantains, panades, and more!
Address: 1206 N Central Ave, Chicago, IL 60651
This takeout restaurant serves all plant-based soul food plates, including vegan ribs, vegan meat loaf, burgers, mac & cheese, and beans & rice. Check out their catering menu for your next event here!
Address: 1131 W Bryn Mawr Ave, Chicago, IL 60660
Located by the Bryn Mawr Red Line Stop, this Senegalese restaurant offers lamb, chicken, and fish curries, dibi, mafe, yassa, and other West African favorites to Chicago.
Address: 1553 W Devon Ave, Chicago, IL 60660
A local staple, this Japanese sushi restaurant and bar serves a variety of classic dishes, such as sushi rolls and nigiri sets, donburi, sashimi, ramen, and more.
Address: 1552 N Kedzie Ave, Chicago, IL 60651
This casual cantina serves authentic Columbian Food for all dietary needs, including empanadas, carimañolas, arepas, salad bowls, and much more. Dive into their catering menu here!
Address: 1607 E 55th St, Chicago, IL 60615
This local gem serves beloved Thai dishes including curries, salads, fried rice, noodles, boba teas, and more. Check out their catering menu, and plan your next corporate event with them!
Address: 1164 E 55th St, Chicago, IL 60615
Serving the University of Chicago neighborhood, this Latin American and Asian Fusion restaurant offers a unique spin on breakfast staples, sandwiches, salads, bao, chifa, and more.
Check out their catering menu here.
Address: 2511 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL 60614
This casual local favorite serves Lincoln Park with staples like fried rice, noodles, General Tso’s and Orange Chicken, a variety of dim sum, and more! They’re known for large portions and low prices, making it a great option for an office Popup or delivery.
Address: 2273 N Lincoln Ave Chicago, IL 60614
This mission-driven restaurant serves an assortment of sub sandwiches, sides, and dog treats while fighting hunger in the city of Chicago. Learn more about their mission and catering options on their website.
Address: 500 W Diversey Pkwy, Chicago, IL 60614
This restaurant serves Middle Eastern classics, such as falafel, shawarma, combo platters, vegan options, kunafa, and more. Discover how their catering options can make your next corporate event a hit!
Address: 2468 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60614
Perfect for lunch or dinner, this takeout Pasta eatery offers build your own italian pasta bowls, salads, and desserts. Plus, they offer catering too!
Address: 1538 N Clybourn Ave a105, Chicago, IL 60610
Called “Tec” by the regulars, Tecalitlan has served authentic Mexican fare including tacos, elote, tortas, burritos, and fajitas for over 50 years! Dive into their catering options here, and plan an unforgettable event!
Address: 2619 W Lawrence Ave, Chicago, IL 60625
This popular local restaurant offers the Lincoln Square community a variety of vibrant Columbian dishes: such as skewers, fried plantains, picadas, arepas, and empanadas.
Address: 4825 N Western Ave Unit B, Chicago, IL 60625
This upscale Thai eatery offers crowd-favorites, including soups, salads, noodles, rice dishes, curries, and a variety of puff pastries! Check out their catering menu here and plan your next lunch for when you see them in the Fooda app.
Address: 2604 W Lawrence Ave, Chicago, IL 60625
Serving breakfast, tacos, burritos, tortas, quesadillas, gordita, sopes, and much more, this local restaurant showcases traditional Mexican food!
Address: 3332 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL 60657
Focussing on hot and spicy Thai dishes, this eatery prepares authentic curries, soups, noodles, salads, and specialty entrees made to order.
Address: 2766 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60647
This fusion restaurant wows patrons with their innovative take on classic asian flavors. Their menu is diverse, offering rice bowls, noodles, soups, curries, asian tacos, and much more!
Address: 2957 W Diversey Ave, Chicago, IL 60647
This fast-casual restaurant serves Asian-American comfort and street food: such as handmade dumplings and noodles, pastries, egg tarts, and more. Look through their catering here, and start planning your next team meal!
Address: 3517 N Spaulding Ave, Chicago, IL 60618
This Mexican Ghost Kitchen prepares tacos, burritos, and sides with flavors authentic to Zacatecas, Mexico. Plus, they offer a variety of catering options too!
Address: 850 W Superior St, Chicago, IL 60642
Offering individually packaged meals and party trays, this Greek catering restaurant has options including falafel, gyros, grilled meats, sides, desserts, and more. Discover their catering menu here.
Address: 10 restaurants across Chicagoland
This collective serves Chicagoland through 10 restaurants, including Avec, Bar Avec, Big Star, Dove’s Luncheonette, Publican Quality Bread, Publican Quality Meats, The Publican, and The Violet Hour. Plus, their drop-off catering packages can help you execute a can’t miss event!
Address: 846 W Superior St, Chicago, IL 60642
A digital restaurant and ghost kitchen, Sizl offers a variety of Ukrainian and Slavic-style breakfast and lunch fare: including borscht, dumplings, pierogi, crepes, and more. Check out their catering experience here - they deliver to every corner of the city!
Address: 850 W Superior St Chicago, IL 60642
Health-centered take-out eatery is reinventing fast food with nutrition-packed grain and salad bowls, and vegetarian and vegan options. Their catering capabilities can help you plan the perfect event for your team.
Address: 850 W Superior St Chicago, IL 60642
Serving fresh pholourie, dhalpuri, roti, salads, sandwiches, and so much more, this casual eatery brings delicious Trinidadian food and Caribbean flavors to Chicago!
Address: 23 E Jackson Blvd Chicago, IL 60604
Providing breakfast and lunchtime staples, such as build it yourself salads and bowls, this beloved coffeehouse and grab & go market is a go-to option for many Chicagoans during a busy workday. Read more about catering with Beatrix here!
Address: 15 W Washington St, Chicago, IL, 60602
Located in Washington Food Hall, Bhoomi makes lunchtime a treat by offering an innovative take on Indian food, including must-try kebabs, burgers, rotis, and tikka masala!
Address: 150 N Riverside Plaza, Chicago, IL 60606
This fan-favorite counter-serve restaurant focuses on sustainable seafood and vegetarian options. Great for lunch, you can customize your own grain bowls, salads, tacos, and more. Additionally, they offer catering packages too!
Address: 185 N Franklin St, Chicago, IL 60606
This pick-up or delivery restaurant is a great lunch option! Located in the heart of the Loop, they serve a large variety of burgers, coffee, bubble teas, vegetarian options, and more.
Address: 15 W Washington St, Chicago, IL, 60602
Family owned and run, this cafe serves can’t-miss Puerto Rican fare: including rice bowls, sandwiches, tamafongo, empanadas, and more, from Washington Food Hall. Discover how their catering options can transform your next corporate event!
Address: 219 W Washington St, Chicago, IL 60606
A lunchtime staple, this casual eatery offers build-your-own Greek plates, wraps, and salads including chicken, lamb, steak, and falafel. Even more, their catering options can accommodate any sized team!
Address: 225 S Canal St, Chicago, IL 60606
Located in Union Station, this longtime Chicago establishment has served some of the best BBQ in the city. Their menu offers favorites like hickory smoked ribs, chicken wings, brisket, fried seafood, and more. Check out their catering menu here!
Address: 1141 S Jefferson St, Chicago, IL 60607
Serving Chicago since 1942, Manny’s offers deli favorites like bagels and lox, meat and cheese sandwiches, and other classic cafeteria fare - they’re one of the most famous delis in the city. Read more about their catering options here!
Address: 2333 W North Ave, Chicago, IL 60647
Known for their fresh take on Asian favorites, this local fusion spot serves up Vietnamese banh mi, Korean chicken wings, Japanese onigiri and more! Plus, they offer a spread of drink options too.
Address: 1560 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60622
Specializing in modern spins on classic Indian cuisine, Kama Bistro offers fusion tacos, ravioli, shrimp and grits, and curry. Dive into their catering packages here!
Address: 1570 N Damen Chicago, IL 60622
Operating for nearly 30 years, this Mexican restaurant and food truck serves Chicago and the suburbs must-have tamales, tacos, tortas, burritos, quesadillas, and more. Plus, they offer catering too!
This list is just the tip of the iceberg! If you’re ready to incorporate restaurants like these into your next lunch or catered event, partnering with Fooda is the fastest and easiest way to do so.
Fooda connects businesses like yours with local restaurants, making it easy to delight your team.
Whether you want to coordinate a team lunch, or introduce a rotation of daily restaurant Popups in your workplace or cafeteria, Fooda can help you create the perfect corporate food service program for your company.
We’ve streamlined the entire process - making it a breeze to have the best restaurants in your community on-site.
Hosting restaurants on-site can improve the daily experience for your team and give local restaurants another revenue stream.
As experts in coordination and planning, Fooda executes flawless corporate dining Popup events by having restaurants prepare food offsite and bring it to your workplace to serve at lunch. Work with us to determine where in your office works best, the number of employees participating, which restaurants you want in your rotation, and we’ll find a way to achieve your vision.
Your team can support a variety of local Chicago eateries, while combating food fatigue and boosting employee morale!
If your building doesn’t have a cafeteria, or if you simply want meals delivered or catered, we can help keep everything on track.
Through the Fooda App, your team can place consolidated orders from multiple restaurants and a dedicated Fooda team member will deliver the meals on time, every time. No need to worry about logistics with the restaurant or drivers - we do the heavy lifting!
It’s more than just enjoying great food - supporting small businesses keeps money in your neighborhood, supports sustainability, and invests in charitable acts. This is what makes Chicago’s food scene vibrant and flavor-filled!
Hungry yet? (I know I am). If you’re ready to transform everyday lunch and catered events for your team, Fooda can help. Talk to a Fooda expert today and support local restaurants in Chicago today!
Yes! Fooda is always looking to expand its network of local restaurant partners. If there's a specific Chicago restaurant you'd love to see in your workplace rotation, reach out to your Fooda account manager with the restaurant's details. While Fooda can't guarantee every restaurant will join the network, they actively work to onboard new local partners based on client requests and restaurant interest in workplace dining programs.
Fooda programs are flexible and can accommodate teams of various sizes, from small offices to large corporate campuses. The specific minimum depends on whether you're interested in Popups, delivery, or catering services. Contact a Fooda expert to discuss your team size and dining preferences, they'll help design a program that works for your budget and headcount.
Getting started with Fooda is typically a quick process. After your initial consultation with a Fooda expert, implementation usually takes 2-4 weeks depending on your program type and needs. During this time, Fooda will work with you to assess your space, build a restaurant rotation tailored to your team's preferences, set up ordering logistics, and coordinate the launch. For simpler delivery or catering programs, you can often get up and running even faster. Once everything's configured, your team can start supporting local Chicago restaurants and enjoying daily meal options right away.
