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Fast Casual · Healthy

Protein Bar & Kitchen Menu Prices 2026: Full List, Bowls & Best Value

Protein Bar & Kitchen has been Chicago's answer to nutritious fast-casual dining since 2009, offering a rotating menu of protein-forward bowls, burritos, salads, and shakes built around whole ingredients. Every item is designed to fuel busy lifestyles without sacrificing flavor or quality.

Chicago-born since 2009High-protein fast casualVegan & GF options
Jump to full menu Cheapest items
Sample · $$

Signature items

Mexicali Bowl$13.79
Miso Salmon Bowl$16.99
Southwest Salad$13.99
Protein Shake$10.49
Jump to: Quick answers Full menu Cheapest items Most popular Compare prices About FAQ
Quick answers

What to order — at a glance

Cheapest item
Oatmeal (plain) $6.29
Most popular
Mexicali Bowl $13.79

A fan favorite with roasted chicken, quinoa, and fresh toppings

Best value bowl
Buffalo Bowl $11.79
Best shake
Protein Shake (The Perk or Baywatch) from $10.49
Full menu with prices

Protein Bar & Kitchen full menu and current prices

Prices shown are from select Chicago locations and may vary by location. Confirm current prices with your nearest Protein Bar & Kitchen.
Breakfast9 itemsBowls10 itemsBurritos & Wraps4 itemsSalads6 itemsProtein Shakes6 itemsSmoothies3 itemsSmoothie Bowls & Parfaits3 itemsSnacks & Beverages5 items
Budget picks

Cheapest items on the Protein Bar & Kitchen menu

  1. 1Bottled Water$1.49
  2. 2Protein Bar (packaged)$3.25
  3. 3Bottled Juice$3.25
  4. 4Blueberry Oatmeal$6.29
  5. 5Maple Bacon Oatmeal$7.99
  6. 6PB Açaí Oats$7.99
  7. 7Big Bacon Breakfast Burrito$9.79
  8. 8Chia Berry Parfait$10.49
  9. 9Protein Shakefrom $10.49
  10. 10Buffalo Bowl$11.79
Calories + price

Most-ordered items: calories and price

A side-by-side look at calorie counts and pricing for Protein Bar & Kitchen's top sellers.

ItemCaloriesPrice
Mexicali Bowl530$13.79
Buffalo Bowl350$11.79
Spinach & Pesto Bowl700—
Spicy Korean Bowl530—
Steakhouse Bowl540—
Black Bean Bowl540—
Southwest Salad~480$13.99
Kale Caesar Cold Wrap660—
Blueberry Oatmeal450$6.29
PB Açaí Oats500$7.99
Price comparison

How Protein Bar & Kitchen prices compare to competitors

Like-for-like comparison of entrée bowls, salads, and shakes across healthy fast-casual chains.

CategoryProtein Bar & KitchenSweetgreenChipotleJust Salad
Signature bowl / salad$13.79$14.25$9.80$12.50
Premium protein bowl$16.99$16.50$11.50$14.00
Side salad / cheapest entrée$11.79$12.95$8.00$9.95
Protein shake / add-on drink$10.49N/AN/AN/A
About

About Protein Bar & Kitchen

Protein Bar & Kitchen was founded in Chicago in 2009 with a straightforward mission: make healthy, protein-rich food fast enough for the downtown lunch rush. The brand's first location opened in the Loop, quickly earning a loyal following among office workers and fitness enthusiasts who wanted a meal that didn't require choosing between speed and nutrition. Every item on the menu is engineered to hit meaningful protein targets while relying on whole, recognizable ingredients.

The menu reflects Chicago's diverse food culture, with items like the Mexicali Bowl drawing on Tex-Mex flavors, the Miso Salmon Bowl nodding to Japanese cuisine, and smoothies named after CTA train lines and iconic Chicago neighborhoods. That local identity has remained central to the brand even as it expanded to multiple locations across the city's neighborhoods — River North, Lincoln Park, the Loop, and beyond.

Today Protein Bar & Kitchen operates as a franchise opportunity as well as a direct-operated restaurant group, offering would-be owners a proven system for fast-casual healthy dining. The kitchen is designed to accommodate a wide range of dietary needs, with clearly labeled vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, and keto-friendly options across every category — from breakfast oatmeal and morning burritos to protein shakes and afternoon smoothie bowls.

2009Founded in Chicago
$$price range
8menu categories

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FAQ

Frequently asked questions

What is Protein Bar & Kitchen?

Protein Bar & Kitchen is a Chicago-based fast-casual restaurant chain founded in 2009. It specializes in protein-forward bowls, burritos, salads, protein shakes, smoothies, and breakfast items made with whole, nutritious ingredients. It operates multiple locations across Chicago neighborhoods.

What are the most popular items at Protein Bar & Kitchen?

The Mexicali Bowl ($13.79) is consistently one of the most-ordered items, featuring roasted chicken, quinoa, black beans, avocado, and chipotle aioli. The Buffalo Bowl ($11.79), Southwest Salad ($13.99), and Miso Salmon Bowl ($16.99) are also customer favorites. Protein shakes starting at $10.49 round out the top sellers.

How much does Protein Bar & Kitchen cost?

Protein Bar & Kitchen falls in the $$ price range. Oatmeal starts around $6.29, breakfast burritos from $9.79, protein shakes from $10.49, and entrée bowls and salads from $11.79 to $16.99 depending on the protein. Snacks and beverages start under $2.

Does Protein Bar & Kitchen have vegan options?

Yes. Several menu items are vegan or easily made vegan, including the Black Bean Bowl, Kale & Pea Bowl, Quinoa Veggie Chili Bowl, Superfood Vegan Salad, and multiple smoothies. The Hippie Shake is also plant-based. The menu clearly labels vegan items.

Does Protein Bar & Kitchen have gluten-free options?

Protein Bar & Kitchen offers several gluten-free friendly choices, including most bowls made with rice or quinoa and several salads without croutons. The Quinoa Veggie Chili and many smoothies are gluten-free. Always confirm with staff about cross-contamination if you have celiac disease.

Where are Protein Bar & Kitchen locations?

Protein Bar & Kitchen has multiple locations across Chicago, including River North (352 N Clark St), the Loop (235 S Franklin St), and Lincoln Park (1953 N Clybourn Ave). Visit theproteinbar.com/restaurants for the current full list of open locations.

Does Protein Bar & Kitchen have a breakfast menu?

Yes. Breakfast is served and includes protein-packed options like breakfast burritos (from $9.79), egg-based breakfast bowls (from $8.79), and oatmeal options including Blueberry Oatmeal ($6.29), Maple Bacon Oatmeal, and PB Açaí Oats ($7.99). Breakfast hours vary by location.

What protein shakes does Protein Bar & Kitchen offer?

Protein Bar & Kitchen offers a rotating lineup of protein shakes starting at $10.49. Popular options include The Perk (coffee-infused), Baywatch (tropical), Hippie (plant-based), PB&J, Berry Good, and a Keto Shake ($11.99). Shakes are available all day.

Does Protein Bar & Kitchen offer catering?

Yes, Protein Bar & Kitchen offers catering services for offices and events. You can inquire about catering packages, including large-format bowls, wraps, and beverage options, through their official website at theproteinbar.com.