Beard Papa’s opens in Chicago after eight years away - Eater Chicago

"Long lines formed in late August in Bucktown when Beard Papa’s resumed selling Japanese cream puffs in Chicago. After an eight-year hiatus, demand for these delicate and adorable delights was high. Ownership says it sold more than 2,000 cream puffs on day one. These puffs aren’t massive Wisconsin State Fair-style submissions or traditional French profiteroles, but rather, a precious creation unique to the brand that has become a global hit with 250 stores in Japan and 300 worldwide. Chicagoans last saw Beard Papa’s in 2012 before it closed its sole city location at Block 37 in the Pedway in the Loop. But it left an impression on Hassan Jaffrani, the co-owner of local Mediterranean fast-casual chain I Dream of Falafel (IDOF). He also believes Beard Papa’s will remain popular even during cold winter temperatures." - Naomi Waxman