The absolute BEST breakfast sandwich I've ever had in my life. We walked a couple miles in the cold and missed it the first time, I'm SO glad we went back to find it. The moment you walk in the doors you're greeted by the friendliest coffee shop employee I've ever met in my life. The ambiance is perfect with insanely good choice in music, no harsh lighting, and plenty of seating. The provided WiFi just tops it off. I had no idea what I wanted and staff were awesome at getting me something amazing. I'm not sure what the iced coffee I had is (I told them to pick one for me), but as someone who spends a ton of time looking for that perfect coffee this one beat them all. The bagel breakfast sandwich was extraordinary on a jalapeño cheddar bagel that was fresh and flavorful. The cheese, egg, bacon, and cream cheese all went together perfectly. I'm so sad I've missed this place in my previous Chicago trips, it'll be my new go to every time I'm in town. read more

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extremely trendy coffee place -- and their drinks aren't bad either! I especially loved that they had a lot of seating at this location despite being pretty compact. they also had a bookshelf filled with games and free wifi, so it's nice to know they welcome guests for a longer sit-in. my boyfriend got an iced dirty chai and I got an iced hazelnut latte with oat milk, which came out to a little under $15. pretty reasonable prices for the add-ins we had, and the strength of the coffee was pretty decent. they also gave us a punch card for free drinks, which is greatly appreciated! would definitely come back to try their bagels, as they have a pretty extensive menu for them. read more

Hero Coffee and Bagel Bar - Bagels Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Stopped by to get my morning coffee after an early flight in. This was a great choice. Great vibe, friendly staff and the summer menu had a creative option I was willing to try. Ordered the Heatwave latte hot and it was incredible. Robust tasting coffee, smooth, and the bit of cayenne pepper was perfection. There was a longer wait for bagels so did not order one. Despite how busy it was the coffee was ready in under 5 minutes. We well worth it and I will be back for more coffee and to try the bagels which looked incredible. read more

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Was visiting Chicago for a couple days and was looking to get my bagel fix - I found the spot! I stumbled upon Hero coffee on yelp and decided to check it out. There was merch and black coffee already out front and the atmosphere was lovely and colorful. With a wide array of signature bagel sandwiches, I chose the bulls-eye and it was 10/10, full but still light. I also tried a seasonal drink (lolla inspired doechi!!) - matcha latte with espresso, vanilla, and honey drizzle. Awesome vibes from the workers, super friendly and helpful! read more

Hero Coffee and Bagel Bar - Bullfrog (doechi special) - matcha with vanilla, honey drizzle, espresso on top - Bagels Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Super inviting place with good vibes and fast service. We got a variety of bagel sandwiches and coffees and loved all of it. Everything came out hot and fresh with glorious cheese pulls. We agreed that the everything bagel was A+ due to the fact it was not spilling over the top with seasonings and taking over the other ingredients. Likewise, I was weary about having cream cheese on the sandwiches but moving forward I might start adding that to every breakfast sandwich - it was delicious! The Sausage, egg, and cheese was the crowd favorite today. Worth a stop if you are in the neighborhood! read more

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This review is specifically for their matcha. HERO is cute and trendy, and it's really cool to see their seasonal drink rotations. I saw a matcha and strawberry milk drink, and I really wanted to try it, hoping that it wouldn't be super disappointing, knowing that good matcha drinks in Chicago are really rare. However, both my drink and my friend's regular matcha latte came out sandy, with the matcha flavor really dull. I would not come back for matcha, as this is one of the worst I've had, with it being a combination of both poor quality matcha powder and poor whisking. The description of the matcha was misleading, as they claimed they used "ceremonial grade" matcha (although ceremonial now can mean anything) but it didn't have the smooth, rich taste of a good quality matcha. For $7 a drink, I definitely was expecting better. read more

I stopped by Hero Coffee and Bagel Bar for breakfast and a coffee right when I arrived in Chicago. Unfortunately, my experience was extremely disappointing. I ordered a large iced caramel latte, and the drink tasted like 99% milk. The coffee flavor was so faint and the caramel flavor was non-existent. I also ordered the hero bagel, and it was pretty bad. The avocado was not yet ready to eat, and super hard/inedible in some parts. It was also bland and lacked salt or just flavor in general. Service was standard. The ambiance was just ok - not cozy at all for a coffee place. For over $20, I regret not picking another place in the area. read more

Hero Coffee and Bagel Bar - Iced caramel latte - Bagels Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

What a fun local spot! We have been coming here every time we visit the city for years. It has changed in decor and ambience a bit but the flavors and commitment to the community remains solid! The menu and ordering counter are just as you walk in, and there are a few tables but it is a rather narrow spot. They have a bar for seating along the window which is a favorite spot. Their coffee is great and they have a ton of offerings. They also serve vegan donuts which are amazing! Fresh and light which is a fun pairing with various beverages. Their bagel sandwiches are a favorite of my husband so he got a Hippie Bagel Sandwich which was loaded and had the right chew (according to him). I just loved the coffee and enjoyed every last drop. I had one of their seasonal specials which seemed to be pairings of Girl Scout cookie flavors! Fun! Definitely worth checking out if you have never been, and we will return for sure! read more

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I go to Roosevelt University and on this day it was my very first snow. I was so excited to walk around in my new snow boots and see what it was like. I walked to Hero coffee and it looked so beautiful tucked back in the alleyway as snow danced before its windows. I went inside and was warmly greeted by the staff. No one was particularly thrilled about the weather until I stated it was my first snow. It was really cool that people perked up for my excitement. That was cool of the staff, they didn't have to do that. I ordered a small decaf seasonal latte. I loved it! I love that it wasn't too sweet, it wasn't really sweet at all. But the flavor! The flavors were so nice and I had the best time sipping on it as I made my way back through the snow to class. This will definitely be a memory that will stay with me. read more

Hero Coffee and Bagel Bar - Location of this is so whimsical in the snow. - Bagels Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Good small coffee place on Dearborn in South Loop. Hero Coffee Bar is a locally owned shop that has variety on the menu. It's not a big menu, but there's still quite a big though. Classic coffees to choose from. There's also pastries and sandwiches. Came in the morning and it wasn't that busy. It's a small place so it just looks busy if there's a few people in here. There's only a few tables and some seats by the window. Get some of the common coffee types here. Prices aren't that bad for a place like this. It's about $3 for an Americano. Several non dairy milks are available including almond and oat. Also there's food. It's about $8 for a bagel sandwich. Good and healthy. It has the Fig Nut Of Your Imagination. This has almond butter and organic fig nut preserves. Even though it's a small place, it has plenty to get to drink and eat. It has many coffees to choose from. There's also the bagel sandwiches that are okay for vegans and vegetarians. read more

Hero Coffee and Bagel Bar - Americano And The Fig Of Your Imagination - Bagels Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

While in town for a wedding and staying in the loop, my husband and I walked from our hotel to Hero Coffee and bagel bar. It was a Saturday morning so they were quite busy, but the line moved quickly and we managed to get a seat inside. I went with a more traditional breakfast bagel sandwich - an everything bagel with egg, cheese, and sausage. My husband was a little bit more adventurous with his choice, but I can't remember specifically which one he ordered. The bagels were soft and chewy and they definitely did not skimp on the filling. We also both ordered coffee beverages. My iced latte was phenomenal - not too sweet and the perfect amount of caffeine. I would definitely recommend this spot if you find yourself in the area. read more

Small coffee shop in the South Loop. I heard Hero Coffee Bar had a cute alley way look but it was the other location. Womp womp. We tried three drinks. I first tried the Brown Sugar Latte and Pumpkin Pie Latte. The flavors on both were a little weak for my taste. I saw that the Peach Cobbler Chai comes with a brulee top on it so I ordered it. They didn't ask how I wanted it so I assumed it came hot, seeing as it has a brulee top.... They made it iced for me so it was just a regular iced chai with a little peach flavor in it. I wish they asked, because for the price, I rather have the extra brulee on top. We also ordered two bagel sandwiches. They are decent and are good if you're hungry. Not my favorite but not the worst either. Drinks are made very quickly and I do appreciate that! I'm not sure I would go back to try again though. read more

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Had to go more than once while I was near this place because was so good. The bagels are amazing and the service was just extremely good and everyone seemed to be enjoying what they were doing. Just overall great vibes, good music playing inside, and the vegan donuts are incredible. Coffee was obviously amazing too read more

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A cute coffee spot tucked away in downtown Chicago! I ordered their seasonal strawberry matcha which was so good. It was a bit too much on the sweet side for me, but I tried my boyfriend's cold brew and that was great as well! Our drinks came out pretty quickly despite there being a long wait. It definitely gets a little claustrophobic with how crowded it gets in the little alley. read more

Hero Coffee and Bagel Bar - Bagels Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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The person who took my order was both super helpful and super complimentary! Very great start to a rainy morning. I ordered the cheddar herb bagel with cream cheese, and it was toasted to perfection. Great option to enjoy on the L train to Riot Fest! Thank you! read more

I've been coming to this location since September, 3 times a week. And I have never been disappointed. Dany, Hayden, Beau, and Alyssa take care of me every morning. When I see them in, i immediately feel happy and taken care of! Their bagels, smack everytime. Super delicious with amazing choices!! Their lattes are actually to die for. I really recommend the Teddy Graham flavour. It's sweet, and compliments the espresso really well. This crew does an outstanding job at customer care, and pushing through the morning rush. I see them all of the time, busting their butts off cleaning, taking orders, handing out beverages, and handing out their bagel orders. Stunning employees here! read more

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The most delicious seasonal strawberry matcha! They also have really good bagel sandwiches. They have several locations and love them all read more

Hero Coffee and Bagel Bar - Bagels Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

One of the best bagels I've had in Chicago! Sandwich was a good and interesting balance of flavors, easy to pack to take to the lake! read more

Hero Coffee and Bagel Bar - Usual Suspect - Bagels Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I might be biased but I'm not the biggest lover of bagels. The bagel I got was pretty good though. I loved the music and the atmosphere. The place had nothing but good vibes and good service. We came with a party of seven and our bagels took a while to be made but maybe it's because of how big our party was. I would probably not expect to sit inside if you have a large party we got lucky and got seats. The place is very small inside, but they do have a lot of cute artwork on the walls. read more

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This place is amazing! The staff were very friendly and helpful when discussing menu items. I wanted an iced chai and asked for a recommendation for a syrup to add. The barista recommended teddy graham. This is one of the best iced chai lattes i have EVER had. Not to mention the bagel sandwiches!! Cooked to order and delicious! read more

Hero Coffee and Bagel Bar - The "Usual Suspect" on a jalapeño cheddar bagel - Bagels Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Visited in July 2023. The wait time was non existent, I showed up at the perfect time! 5/5 there. The actual coffee was average - I ordered an iced latte with extra espresso and was not blown away by the taste - 3/5. It was made so quick so props to them! The vegan chocolate donut was good, I'd order it again. 4/5 read more

Hero Coffee and Bagel Bar - Iced Latte and Vegan Chocolate Donut - Bagels Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Stopped in right after flight, such a great spot!! The coffee was delicious, I got an americano with vanilla syrup. The espresso was great. I got a standard bacon/egg/cheese on a jalapeno bagel... so so so good! What a soft bagel! They are doing something right. Service was nice and fast, its a tiny cute space. There is cute seating outside. Perfect for visiting or everyday! read more

Hero Coffee and Bagel Bar - Bagels Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

A bustling cafe in South Loop with a decently sized seating area (ideal for small groups of 2-3 or individuals) and large assortment of drink and food options. It has a great social vibe and ambience with a few bar seats, flatscreen TV screens throughout, music playing loudly, and a selection of free boardgames to play. There's a LOT of stimuli and noise overall, so it's not an ideal place to do work/studying that requires focus, though it's nice to get some light work and reading done. For coffee, I just got a medium roast "fast coffee" which was quite good-- the flavors were bold, diverse, and delectable. I definitely would want to come back to try their creative latte options and bagels. Overall, the prices are pretty fair especially for the area (one of the cheaper cafes for both drinks and food in the Loop). I came at around 11:30am on a Saturday and stayed until closing (2pm)-- it was not super busy when I arrived and I was able to get a table easily. By around 12pm, it got a lot busier with longer lines and waits... so come earlier if you want to snag a seat before peak times. I was a big fan of their music playlist the entire time I stayed: mostly chill R&B and rap playing (think: Jhene Aiko, Ice Spice, SZA, Doja Cat, Steve Lacy, etc.) -- Price (relative to peers): 5/5 Coffee: 4.5/5 Ambience: 4.5/5 Suitability for Work/Study: 2/5 Overall Value: 4.5/5 read more

Hero Coffee and Bagel Bar - Bagels Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Came here on a Friday morning as a party of two. We walked in, were greeted, orders taken, and sat down at a table by the bar. The ambiance was fast casual. Something to note was that there were so many employees. We must have missed the rush because they were having a great time chit chatting and hanging out.We ordered two spring seasonal drinks: an iced Treefoil Cookie Latte and an iced Thin Mint Matcha. I would say both drinks lacked flavor. They were great for what we needed them for, caffeine, but the flavors weren't there. read more

Hero Coffee and Bagel Bar - Treefoil Cookie Latte 6/10 & Thin Mint Matcha 6/10 - Bagels Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Hero is our go to saturday breakfast spot. Their coffee is delicious and their bagel sandwiches are so flavorful and delicious. The jalapeno bagels are our favorite and i usually go for the veg one. My husband loves the festy and the headliner. 10/10 worth checking out! read more

Everything bagel with cream cheese 5/5; toasted nicely, was beautifully soft and chewy Matcha latte with almond milk (iced) and sweetener 3.5/5; not super matcha-y and the main flavor profile is milk and sweetener but this could be because I did get it sweetened though I do think it could stand to have more matcha powder added read more

What a great business! The line was extremely long due to lollapalooza weekend. So happy we waited. This staff kept checking on the line and gave out free drinks. Our food was AMAZING! Coming from someone who grew up in the north east, I know a fantastic bagel. Cute shop inside also. Totally recommend. read more

I checked out their Monroe location first, but there was no seating, so I wanted to try this location. Honestly, not really my kind of coffee shop. It was super crowded, the line was long, no easy spot to charge your phone, and the coffee options were pretty limited. The coffee menu is also limited, and the coffee itself is weak (I like my Vietnamese coffee so maybe everything compared to that is relatively weak) Plus, the WiFi kept cutting out. Not sure what the hype is about--maybe the bagels are amazing, but I didn't try them. Just not for me. read more

Small little coffee spot with a cute patio. Tasty iced latte made with one of their own syrups

Best coffee place i've ever been to, they be making that shi with love. Idk what they do back there to the bagel sandwiches but they need to continue doing it. 10/10 would sell my most priced calico critter to get just a sip of the iced latte and a crumb of bagel. Yes it's that serious read more

Hero Coffee and Bagel Bar - Latte - Bagels Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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A must stop for any coffee fan. Nestled in an ally on Jackson st between State and Michigan is a fun little coffee shop. It feels like your in a little world when you walk up to the small shop. Inside the staff is top notch remind you of that Midwest Chat you've heard about. The coffee itself is delightful. If you get the chance visit this location. read more

Hero Coffee and Bagel Bar - Front of Hero Coffee - Bagels Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Had a Veggie, an Egg Bagel,Americano,Elderberry Hibiscus tea , and a vegan chocolate glazed donut. Prices were reasonable. Everything was tasty, but the dough was dense. We're from LA where bagels are fluffy and crisp, but I've noticed dough is thicker and denser in Chicago restaurants. You really need to go for the vibe. The lights, music, friendly service make it a place to reset. read more

Stopped by on a Tuesday morning and had a yummy americano with a breakfast bagel! The sandwich options are endless and the bagels are delicious! Fresh and fluffy. Would definitely return to try the other bagel sandwiches and coffee options! Dog friendly outside. read more

Hero Coffee and Bagel Bar - Bagels Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

If you want chain-coffee shop quality coffee, this is the place for you. You can even pay extra for it. Let me explain. When you steam milk for a latte, you want tiny micro bubbles, resulting in a silky, pourable foam and a creamy mouthfeel. Skilled baristas know how to do this. They also know how to pour microfoam so it gently combines with the espresso. At Hero, what you get instead is a latte with airy froth on top. Sometimes, you take off the lid and its all airy froth with the espresso lost down on the bottom. More often, you get a cup of hot milk with a layer of airy froth on the top. (They call it a "topper" but a proper latte does not have a topper.) Occasionally, someone sorta gets it right and serves me a latte with microfoam, but there's never any latte art and everything comes in a paper cup. After sending my coffee back three times in the last week, I've given up. If I want Starbucks, I'll just go to Starbucks. read more

Ordered iced matcha with almond milk and it's slightly sweetened. I think this is great and smooth tasting. read more

Hero Coffee and Bagel Bar - Iced sm matcha with almond milk. - Bagels Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Ordered the smooth criminal bagel and listened to the 2012 remastered version of smooth criminal by MJ. It was an ethereal experience. Fig spread and sriracha?!!! It's a match made in heaven. I'm so sad I don't live here. Going to have to come back the next time I'm in Chicago. read more

$9 for a very average breakfast sandwich (sausage, egg, cheese). Must be loop prices. Bagel wasn't good either. I would not buy food from here again. I didn't have the coffee but I'm not interested in trying it after that sandwich. read more

Loved this coffee shop! We like to stop by different cities and visit a local coffee shop on our Saturday/Sunday mornings, and this spot was awesome. The Latte and Iced Coffee both came out excellent (their beans/roast was really nice, strong and pleasant). Then we also got 1 hot bagel sandwich (the Festy) and one toasted bagel sandwich with cool ingredients (the Hippie). They were both very good, and the Festy was impressive. I would highly recommend this coffee bar, and will very likely come back next time I am in Chicago. read more

Hero Coffee and Bagel Bar - The Hippie (Bagel Sandwich) - Bagels Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I love this coffee shop..good breakfast bagels and their coffee is strong and psychedelic lol. But seriously never had a bad cup of Joe at this spot. I'm pregnant right now and still manage to get a cold brew 1x a month and they are so delicious. Can't wait to get real Coffee on a regular from this place. read more

We were super bummed to learn their kitchen was closed but we got some coffees to go and headed to Gotham Bagels (highly recommended!) for breakfast. Our coffees were made quick and tasted very fresh, none of that burned flavor coffee can sometimes have. I had an Americano and my daughter had an iced latte. Both were yummy and just what we needed in the am. read more