Chicago Public Schools spent $832,013 in 2015-16 at Alonti Cafe & Catering. That's the equivalent of 800 wraps. | Alonti Cafe
Chicago Public Schools spent $832,013 in 2015-16 at Alonti Cafe & Catering. That's the equivalent of 800 wraps. | Alonti Cafe
In March, Chance the Rapper donated $1 million to Chicago Public Schools (CPS).
Seeing that CPS has a $6 billion annual budget, we asked the question: on what does a school district this large spend $1 million, precisely?
It turns out, lots of things.
We previously reported on the more than $4 million CPS spent on teacher travel, including trips for Simeon’s basketball team to Dubai and San Francisco.
And how Morgan Park High School couldn't find $3,000 to buy rings for its state championship basketball team-- but managed to find thousands more to buy Italian beef and fried chicken for teachers and administrators.
This installment: more lunch.
According to vendor spending data published by CPS, in 2015 and 2016 the district spent $1.26 million at restaurants, including $832,013 at Alonti Cafe, a “fast casual” restaurant located at 401 S. La Salle St. in Chicago’s Loop.
It’s a (perhaps convenient) four blocks south of CPS Central Offices at 42 W. Madison St.
Alonti specializes in corporate lunch deliveries of sandwiches and wraps delivered on platters of six for $60. Salad bowls run $7.50 each.
CPS spent enough to buy 800 sandwiches or 1,066 salads per week over two years.
Other popular lunch spots: Panera Bread ($158,551), Beggar’s Pizza ($44,484), Falco’s Pizza ($26,676) and Corner Bakery ($15,778).
CPS employees spent $101,661 at the trendy West Loop Wishbone restaurant, owned by major Rahm Emanuel supporter Joel Nickson. Emanuel is a "regular" at Wishbone who "doesn't even ask for a menu," according to Time Out Chicago.
They also spent $1,369 at Ann Sather, the Swedish Wrigleyville bistro owned by South Sider turned North Side Alderman Tom Tunney.
Top CPS Restaurant Vendors, 2015-16
| Vendor | Amount | |
| 1 | Alonti Cafe & Catering | $832,013 |
| 2 | Panera Bread | $158,551 |
| 3 | Wishbone Restaurant | $101,661 |
| 4 | Beggars Pizza | $44,484 |
| 5 | Levy Food Service | $29,399 |
| 6 | Falco's Pizza | $26,676 |
| 7 | Ain't She Sweet Cafe | $24,452 |
| 8 | Corner Bakery | $15,778 |
| 9 | Gomez Restaurant | $10,130 |
| 10 | Le Catedral Cafe | $7,600 |
| 11 | Starship Restaurant | $4,965 |
| 12 | McDonald's | $2,000 |
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