Cravings on Main

I went here to try something different for lunch. A few coworkers have been and its walking distance from my job. The woman on the register was not friendly or willing to describe the menu. The menu on the broad does not have a descriptions of the food, just titles. I asked what’s popular and she was no help. I picked up the printed menu, which I realized had the descriptions. I like chicken and I like curry so I decided to try the curry chicken salad… YUCK!!! The texture of the dressing gross, the chunks of apple, celery, walnuts were huge. There was hardly any chicken. I ate the fruit salad that came with it and took 2 bites of the banana bread. I threw the rest away. I also threw away $ 8.00. I won’t be back.

OK, let me be fair: If you want some relatively fresh, pretty standard, overpriced lunch fare that is quick and downtown, you might go to this place. But if you are the type who wants to ask a question or make a request, beware. Fellow vegans: Skip this place.
The management here left me dissatisfied with both the food and the service. I am vegan in the meekest way possible. I just wanted something simple for lunch. I went out of my way to go to this place because they have vegetarian stuff on the menu and the prices are high, which to me signals a place that thinks it can charge more because of the quality of the food, service, or both.
I asked one question, which is what on the menu was vegan or could be made vegan. That’s all. They hadn’t trained the frontline worker, so that person didn’t know, which I don’t blame her for. She had to get a manager. The manager was rude to me, like I’d done something wrong. She asserted that I would get the veggie pita, asked me rapid fire one word questions in this hostile way that was almost shaming, and ultimately gave me an overpriced sandwich that wasn’t vegan and didn’t include the side I paid for because it wasn’t vegan.
The whole experience was bad, and if the attitude had been different, I could have become a regular. I’m newly working on West Main and was hoping to find a go-​to place. Instead I’m never going back.

The best salads with the largest menu. Great place for a fast lunch while at work and perfect location downtown. I always get the Cajun chicken salad and it’s to die for.

Cravings on Main regularly caters lunches for our office. They offer large salads with fresh ingredients. They also feature delicious desserts, including humongous cookies.

You would think that the food would be better than average, considering the relatively high prices, but the food here is just OK… not bad, but nothing to write home about.
The service, on the other hand, is THE WORST SERVICE I’ve ever experienced in Rochester. The woman taking the orders is incredibly rude and has almost contemptuous responses to any questions asked about the menu.
The high prices coupled with the blood boiling bad service pushed me to find another breakfast spot. I HIGHLY recommend walking less than a block to the Busy Bee Restaurant. The contrast couldn’t be any starker. The workers at this restaurant are some of the kindest people I’ve had the chance to interface with in Rochester, and the prices are so low that I almost feel guilty after paying… almost, lol.
Case in point: their «Breakfast Special» comes with 2 eggs, hasbrowns, and wheat toast for around $ 3.00! Save your money AND your nerves by skipping Cravings and going to Busy Bee Restaurant.

The food is not bad. They have the usual lunch fare, and breakfast/​lunch hours.
The prices are bit steep for what they serve, but they make a brisk business.
The service has always been friendly.
Yet, I rarely order from here, and I work very close to this place. I don’t know, I feel that the food is not that interesting, not to go out kind of way, and a short walk/​drive around here there are many more interesting options.
The times I go is when I forgot to bring lunch, and the weather is really bad, or like today, I forgot to bring breakfast and I needed something quick.

I didn’t venture over to this little lunch spot until I started working within walking distance of the place. Cravings is small, it’s pricey, and the menu is a little overwhelming. But the food is fresh and you really can’t find better salads, desserts, or hidden cheap eat gems like this anywhere else in downtown Rochester. The owners of the place are a couple, and they infuse the restaurant with their personalities and love (their story is on the wall). I gave Cravings three chances, before it claimed my foodie heart, and I became a regular.
On my first visit, I tried only the cheesecake brownie. The top half is an extra rich, extra creamy and thin layer of chocolate-​marbled vanilla cheesecake. The bottom half is one of the best brownies that I ever had. It’s really chocolatey and moist, cutting the tart taste of the cream cheese in the cheesecake. The thing is amazing, and it’s gone too soon. I figured that I should return for more substantial food.
On to my second visit, I dropped over $ 8 on the Harvest salad (normally $ 7.25) because I added two ounces of deli turkey to the salad ($ 1.25). Old me would question why the salad was so expensive. But before that day, I never tried cinnamon balsamic vinaigrette. The salad is incredible. It is made up of romaine and field greens, apple, craisins, walnuts, red seedless grapes and crumbled bleu cheese. The piece de resistance, the cinnamon balsamic vinaigrette, is the most unique dressing that I have ever eaten. It pairs perfect with the apples and blue cheese. All of the fruit was crisp and fresh. There was a beautiful balance of greens and fruit to walnuts and crumbled bleu cheese. Most importantly, they give you a lot of it. I finished happy, but feeling light in the wallet. TIP: THEY HAVE A «PINCHED MENU»: half the price, half the size. but like I said, they give you so much that this could be the way for you to go.
That takes me to my third visit. I had the luxury of waiting while a woman was showing off pictures of her newborn baby. That let me look at the extensive menu without any pressure. It also brought me to my first love in the elementary school cafeteria and my latest love for lunchtime – the Taco in a Bag. It’s priced under $ 4. It comes in a convenient to-​go container, stabilizing a doritos (or option for fritos) bag, crushed up and topped with taco meat (spiced really well), sour cream, salsa, cheese, and lettuce.
I’ve since returned many times. The banana bread is superb. Their soups are hearty and full of soul. Cravings is worth the trek a tiny bit outside the heart of Downtown and worth spending a little more for a great lunch.

I’d give a higher score if ate more than one thing here but the white chicken chili is really great. If you work on the west side of downtown, go there and eat it.

I live around the block from Cravings, but the weekday lunch-​only schedule typically prevents me from ever going there. A few months ago, however, I capitalized on the rare free afternoon and was pleasantly surprised. I tried the Monte Cristo, a sandwich that should never be consumed by anyone who has plans of doing anything remotely active or productive for the remainder of the day. Fluffy french toast, ham, swiss cheese, softly grilled and doused in maple syrup. Fresh and crisp french fries. A remarkably low price tag. Cravings is a family-​owned and run sandwich shop that definitely warrants a stop one day if you’re looking for a different, downtown, cheap lunch option.
Warning: seating is sparse. Probably better for takeaway…

I eat here many times when I am visiting my client. Order your lunch at the register for takeaway, or sit at one of the few tables. I’ve had several of the sandwiches, and have enjoyed all of them.
They make their own homemade potato chips, which are very popular. I’m not a big fan of kettle style chips myself, but those I’ve ate with liked them.
Mikey is the owner, and she is very friendly, and always seems present. Joe works the register and is quite a character.
If you are working downtown and want a cheap fast lunch, this is definately the place to go.

My go-​to lunch destination. I’ve been eating at Cravings for 5 years now, and have never had a bad meal. Not one. Great sandwiches, great specials, lots of variety. The Metro Chicken Grilled Sandwich is my fave.

Good sandwiches, and sandwiches are important.