Black Fodder Coffee — Restaurant in Chicago

I have been waiting to leave a review because I was hoping that this place would improve since opening day. I understand this place was just recently opened and I have visited multiple times hoping that things would get better as time passed but that hasn’t been the case. I had a goal to try everything on the menu but it always seemed like there was no consistency with their products. I would try the same drink 2-3 times and then move on to another new drink but the taste and quality of drinks were always random. There is a nice, tall, Hispanic gentleman working there that always has an amazing attitude and only he seems to be the only one that knows how to make any beverage. He always recommends how he’d make coffee for himself and so he makes his own creations which are NOT on the menu. Maybe there’s lack of training or who knows why there’s such inconsistency in taste and skills among the baristas. Not to mention the pastry section. It seems that the flavor for pastries are all the same no matter the cake I get. There can be a cake that is pistachio flavor and another that is vanilla but somehow they both taste similarly bland. They keep saying that there’s going to be a lunch menu but still no luck with that. This shop tends to be nearly empty all the time and it kinda makes sense to why that is I can only compare this shop to a library because it’s super quiet and very empty so you can definitely get some work done. Other than that, no syrups, no real food and no consistency in quality. Sorry to say but I don’t think I’ll be coming back or recommending this place even though I’m walking...

We live four blocks away. So far my wife has been a few times and has liked the coffee so far. Yesterday we bought a slice of the "high protein choco cake" and today brought it to a family gathering for a member of our fam who has celiac and can't eat normal birthday cake.

One of the absolutely worst things I have ever tasted in my life. Poor guy had 3 polite bites and pushed it away from him. I then tried it and couldn't believe it. For $10. Dreadful stuff.

Then there is the name. "Fodder" comes from Old English meaning "food" but in modern use it means grain you feed to farm animals like horses and cows. On military requisition forms they would have bullet points for "x lbs of butter, x lbs of bread, x lbs of fodder, etc". In this context, fodder worked its way in to the term "cannon fodder" which described the front line or expendable troops you sent running in to the opposition to take the brunt of cannon fine. Basically, the term is used for a person or thing that is easily expendable or exploitable. To call a restaurant "black fodder" is insane to me. It's clear the intended reference is to a coffee being a staple thats also black but the cultural context is hard to ignore.

I'm sure you guys are nice hardworking people but the cake and the name need...

Black fodder was an amazing caterer to my intimate event. At first I was worried it would be “too much” but they really are good at fitting their station to the vibe and the physical space. The coffee was delicious and my guests loved the tea blends they served. Everything they had was beautifully made (from the coffee carafes and china, to the succulents on the table and even their uniform) and most of all Maciej and his colleague were so good at hosting people.

They also communicated clearly before the event and went above and beyond to help me make the most of the small space by rearranging furniture and helping set up decor. The guests were treated like royalty and yet the atmosphere remained relaxed and welcoming.

Maciej has a great energy to him - he seems very kind and thoughtful and that put the guests at ease, especially those who didn’t know a lot about coffee perse. I was nervous about hosting my first event but he really supported me and made sure I knew they’d take care of everything. They also had music that was smooth and not intrusive. I think I’ll have them cater every event in my organization for the...