Base Community Cafe — Restaurant in Chicago

I've been coming to this café for years because it always felt like a welcoming, creative space, the kind of place that supports artists and community events. Sadly, my most recent visit completely changed that feeling.

I stopped in to post a flyer for my upcoming Painting workshop; I politely asked the barista if flyers needed approval, and she said no, I could post it. When I grabbed a nearby chair to reach the bulletin board, the manager rushed over, snatched the chair away, and started scolding me in front of customers. Instead of simply asking me to be careful, he demanded to know what I was posting, told me to take it down and crumpled my flyer in my face, and told me I can't post it because it "wasn't local." Then, in front of everyone, he questioned whether I was even a customer and demanded my phone number to "look me up in the system."

It was shocking, humiliating, and completely uncalled for -- especially from a business that promotes itself as community-based. There was no kindness, no conversation, and no respect. What should have been a small, supportive interaction with a local artist turned into something that felt discriminatory and dismissive.

For a café that claims to represent Bridgeport's community, this kind of treatment sends a message that not everyone belongs, that some people's presence or creative work is questioned rather than welcomed. Community spaces should build bridges, not barriers.

I'm sharing this because artists and neighbors deserve to feel safe and supported in local spaces ; especially the ones we've helped build through our time, money, and energy. I won't be returning, but I hope this encourages reflection and accountability from management. No one should be made to feel small for trying...

Welp, now that I came here to write this review, I'm not shocked nor surprised to see most of the poor reviews are either about the owner, Paul, or the "male" staff member. As a remote worker, I've supported this cafe numerous times over the past couple years. I've periodically noticed rudeness displayed to customers from those two, but 'minded my business'.

Well today, it happened to me. I shared with the owner, Paul, that his worker (bald Asian guy), was dismissive when I asked him for assistance with connecting to WI-FI. It was a simple "you should be aware of how your staff is speaking to customers, but not a big deal" situation, however, he wasn't trying to hear it and said he's going to side with his staff (as if I asked him to pick sides) and then proceeded to review the security camera, even though I told him he wouldn't be able to pick up anything, because we weren't being confrontational.

During our conversation, he suggested a couple times that I am "free to leave if you don't feel safe here", as if I said I didn't. One thing I don't do is argue with fools, so I left and will be taking my dollars to an establishment that cares about how customers are impacted.

This is our reminder to start reading reviews of businesses before we...

Base Cafe checks all the boxes for me. Great coffee, great food, very kind service, and reasonably priced. I like that they support multiple local coffee roasters, using a different roaster based on which is best suited for espresso, cold brew, or drip. Their food specials are also on point. Soups are always super flavorful, the Char Siu they offer on special hits the spot every time. They always remember my order, and even if I have to wait a little longer for my food when they are busy, I know it's because everything is fresh and made to order. Good things are worth the wait!

This place supports the neighborhood in all the ways a business should; employing locals, offering their cafe as a warming location for houseless folks when temps dip, they have an open mic night, and when my coworkers and I were waiting for our restaurant to complete construction the Base team allowed us to work out of their cafe for several weeks. 5...