Hero Coffee Bar

The search for the classic cappuccino continues. I was excited to try Hero after spending time researching coffee bars. I look at the menus but the most telling are the pictures. I’m searching for that perfect cappuccino like you find in Italy. Sadly, the picture is what inexperienced. I picked it up and looked at it and asked if it was correct, and they said it looked foamy, and they would make it again. The picture in my review is the second drink. I gave up at that point. The employee taking orders was friendly. I don’t know if I was there on an off day or if the pictures on google, etc. are not reflective of what you get when you go to that location. I was hoping for the creamy foam with some steamed milk. I received what reminded of me the the type of beverage you receive if you are using a machine (like at the train station, etc.)

Love the brand. The bagel are good! But the wait time for your food is pretty long for only bagels (10/15min).

I don’t recommend the hot matcha latte as it’s very sweetened (and you cannot change it). So it’s only my personal preferences!

It was packed but we found place to seat (good turnover in a coffee because not too many laptops on a Saturday hahah).

There are a lot of people working here and the bartenders are nice.

I love coffee and espresso, and like to try new cafes when I can. Unfortunately, Hero hasn’t hit the mark and hasn’t after multiple visits.

When I order a latte or cappuccino I expect to either taste the espresso or flavor/syrup. All of Hero’s espresso drinks are very much milk forward. I don’t know if they use less espresso or less flavoring than other shops or if it’s a combo of both, but man are their drinks weak.

The staff is great as is the food, vibe and atmosphere. It’s a nice shop, I just wish they made better drinks.

This is maybe my favorite coffee & bagel spot in Chicago, and I've truly done a lot of searching. The coffee is fantastic, and the rotating seasonal menu is always a fun surprise. The bagels are toasted to perfection and the addition of cream cheese to bagel sandwiches was a subtle bonus that I didn't expect, but now I'm pretty reluctant to give up.

Most importantly, the folks working at Hero are kind and friendly, and genuinely make you feel welcome. I can't recommend this spot enough!

The food is pretty good, but over-priced for what it is. Also, I actively avoid this place (even though I live right next door) because the music is SO loud. I don't see how anyone could work or study here.

Coffee and bagels are fantastic. Love that you can order ahead on Ritual. But the music is so loud that you can't even think, work, or have a conversation.

I have been visiting Hero for over a year. They actually got me through the hardest times last year. Anyway!!
The quality of their coffee is great the beans are well roasted and has a very smooth and velvety flavor. My favorite is oat latte hot. No sweetener no flavors. Just freaking amazing. Every here is kind and willing to help with pretty much anything. Just this week I found something that will stop me from getting pasties here which by the way are good but back to the issue. The pastries are now cover with clear cling plastic. My personal opinion and do be all angry at me. It was just not ok in my book. One the plastic will leach chemicals into the pastry two now the pastry is holding humidity and will make the top mushy. The more business try to keep their item "clean" the more they contaminate food. Enough with the paper cups lining (plastic) with a hot drink more chemicals and same with the lids. I just prefer my good not to sit too long or be reheated in any plastic. Other than that is a great coffe shop and will continue to enjoy my oat lattes. The bagel sandwiches are such a delight.

Love the ‘matcha madness’ (iced matcha with raspberry syrup), top contender for my favourite matcha in the city! Love the atmosphere of this place and the staff are lovely (sometimes slow if you’re in a rush..) I think sometimes they should turn the music down though! Will come back time and time again!

This place is rad! Their cold brew is top notch and served in cute glass jars. It's nice and balanced, not too strong or weak. I also got their Smooth Criminal breakfast sandwich which is egg, bacon, fig, goat cheese, and Sriracha. I got mine sans bacon and it was still sooooo good. The staff was lovely and nice as well. And they were playing Toro Y Moi. Go here.

Both the coffee and the food we had were quite good. The staff was friendly and helpful. The only issue was the front door which allowed a blast of cold air in, especially on those front four tables. I have been to other places that have the same problem, and in some cases they have installed a heater right above the front door which shoots a blast of warm air whenever the front door opens.

Since my initial post Hero has mitigated the front door issue that I mentioned. We have been there about four or five times in the last several weeks and everything has been consistently very good.