Bad Owl Coffee Roasters

Bad Owl Coffee Roasters Opens First Chicago Cafe in Bridgeport | Eater Chicago

"Originally conceived as a Harry Potter–style café when it opened in 2016, this Las Vegas–based mini-chain has chosen Chicago for its first location outside Nevada and blends playful, Instagram-friendly drinks with serious in-house roasting. Co-owners Yuzo Kono and Annie Bailey Cheng have dialed back overt Potter references (their butter beer latte was rebranded as ButterBrew) but retain a whimsical vibe through creative drink names and single-origin beans renamed Lucky Leviathan and Finicky Fox. The menu highlights include banana cold brew, a Biscoff cookie butter latte, a Second Breakfast latte (maple cinnamon, sea salt cream), and a vegan Oat-Chata (oat milk, cinnamon, vanilla, agave). Most food is made on-site with pastries from Turano Baking Company, and offerings include Avada Ricotta avocado toast (red pepper, cilantro drizzle) and Chimera Croissant sandwiches (arugula, prosciutto, egg, balsamic). The bright, sleek Morgan Street café currently seats about 12 indoors (30 total with planned indoor/outdoor seating), features round marble tables, hanging plants, and a large white coffee roaster prominently displayed and used during off hours so customers can watch the process. The owners plan to engage with the local arts community by displaying work from emerging artists, expect to join Bridgeport’s active coffee scene, and offer ordering via their website and third-party apps. Open 6:30 a.m.–3 p.m. Monday–Friday and 8 a.m.–3 p.m. Saturday–Sunday." - Naomi Waxman