Healthy Restaurants in Chicago
Highest-protein meals at Chicago restaurants
The top match is Steak Frites* at True Food Kitchen — 78g protein and 1210 calories (Published by True Food Kitchen).
| Rank | Dish | Restaurant | Calories | Protein | Carbs | Fat | Protein / 100 cal | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Steak Frites* | True Food Kitchen | 1210 | 78 g | 24 g | 91 g | 6.4 g | Published by True Food Kitchen |
| 2 | Rancher's Hash* | True Food Kitchen | 1290 | 66 g | 70 g | 84 g | 5.1 g | Published by True Food Kitchen |
| 3 | Classic Cobb Wrap | Protein Bar & Kitchen | 1010 | 57 g | 74 g | 58 g | 5.6 g | Published by Protein Bar & Kitchen |
| 4 | Shawarma-Spiced Chicken Bowl | Ēma | 570 | 52 g | 56 g | 15 g | 9.1 g | Estimate |
| 5 | Bacon, Egg & Cheese Breakfast Burrito | Protein Bar & Kitchen | 590 | 49 g | 40 g | 28 g | 8.3 g | Published by Protein Bar & Kitchen |
| 6 | Double Quarter Pounder with Cheese | McDonald's | 740 | 48 g | 43 g | 42 g | 6.5 g | Published by McDonald's |
| 7 | Faroe Islands Salmon Bowl | Ēma | 610 | 43 g | 40 g | 31 g | 7.0 g | Estimate |
| 8 | Bacon Quarter Pounder with Cheese | McDonald's | 630 | 36 g | 43 g | 35 g | 5.7 g | Published by McDonald's |
| 9 | Asiago Bagel Stack - Sausage & Egg | Panera Bread | 810 | 33 g | 58 g | 50 g | 4.1 g | Published by Panera Bread |
| 10 | Steak & Wake on Ciabatta | Panera Bread | 520 | 32 g | 53 g | 20 g | 6.2 g | Published by Panera Bread |
Includes single-serving restaurant meals of at least 300 calories whose stated calories match their protein, carb and fat grams within 25%. Sides, drinks, add-ons, kids’ meals and family-size or multi-serving items are excluded. The table lists 10 meals from 5 brands, at most 2 per brand, each labeled by source.
Chicago's healthy-eating directory currently tracks 12 restaurants with published nutrition data, spanning national fast-casual chains and dedicated high-protein concepts.
For a leaner protein-to-calorie ratio, look at the grab-and-go counter items: Whole Foods Market's Hot Bar Rotisserie Chicken Breast delivers 35g of protein for 185 calories, and its Hot Bar Turkey Breast Slices carry 33g of protein for just 155 calories. Chick-fil-A's Grilled Chicken Nuggets (12 count) land in similar territory at 200 calories and 38g of protein, making it one of the more efficient picks among the chain options we list.
One ordering tip worth using across these menus: dressing and sauce swings calorie counts more than protein counts. True Food Kitchen's Chinese Chicken Salad drops from 700 calories to 490 calories in its no-dressing version, while protein holds essentially steady at 36-37g. If you're tracking macros, ask for dressing on the side or skip it, check whether a salad is listed with a no-dressing option, and let the protein number — not the plate size — decide what you order.
Editor's Top Protein Pick
True Food Kitchen's Steak Frites* is the highest-protein item we track here: 78g protein, 1210 calories.