Hanabusa Cafe — Restaurant in Chicago

I had an unusual experience picking up my order via Toast today. My pickup time was 11:45am but I arrived a little after 12. When I came in I stood by the door looking for the area where to pickup orders. A lady asked me and I said I had an an order for pickup. She said "I'll help you when I'm done here" then she turned around proceeded with what she was doing, making a drink or something. With her response, it made me feel that I was disturbing her or interrupting her activity. I noticed that the cashier counter was empty and there were 2 people by the counter seeminging doing nothing (while the other lady was still working on something else) So I decided to go to the counter since they were there, they could help me. I said that I was picking up an order and I looked around and saw what might have been my order (which it was). Anyway, the counter guy asked me something that I didn't really understand. I just gave my name, which is what you usually do when picking up an order. He said "no, what was your order". Okay so I said, pancake and 2 drinks... it didn't look like there were any other orders sitting in the counter so that was really weird. Finally, they gave me order and then the lady repeated, yes I will help you. I am not sure why I had to wait for her to finish her work when these 2 other people were free to give me my order. The 2 drink were in a tray and I walked from my office to pick up the order. The lady asked if I would like a bag and I said yes. She also said to make sure I "confirm". So I fiddled with my phone to find where I should be confirming. I didn't find it in my text nor in the Toast app and I communicated this. The lady then said, ok that is fine, if you are busy and can't find it, I just want to let you know. I then proceed to get the drinks but it was still in the tray. She said again "I can give you a plastic bag if you want me to". In my mind, yes I did say I'd like a plastic bag. But I had to repeat it again, I verbally said "Please give me a plastic bag". This was such an exhausting experience. Maybe there is not a lot of pick-up orders here, they don't seem to know what to do. So this is my feedback. Also, the taro red bean just tasted like milk, no taro.

---Previous Review----The place is small and unassuming. You order first before you sit. At 3:45pm the place was 80% full and it took some time before I got my order and that was fine. The Kumquat Lemon Tea drink was tasty and refreshing and I love the portion size. The pancake was indeed squiggly and was regular flavored. It tasted eggy and almost runny. I would have preferred it to be more solid and cooked. The “taro” is more like a cream sauce as opposed to flavored in the pancake. The fruits were fresh. Overall I would come back again but would not if there is a line. And I would give further instructions about making it done as opposed...

REPLY TO THE OWNER: My review was based on my experience living in Japan for many years and experienced the best fluffy pancakes in the country. Of course there are places which are similar to yours in terms of quality but I think you know this already. This is not an opinion, it is just a fact. It is like trying to compare the food in China town vs. the real best thing in Asia, everything falls short but how many people know the differences? I dropped another star because you failed to recognize the facts or chose to ignore it. I understand how important it is to have good ratings for your business which is why it is even more important to accept good criticism and improve rather than posting comments basically saying we agree to disagree. All of my reviews are fair and subjective, you should take a look at my profile. I won't give you a bad review because I had to wait 45 mins or some of the serving staff doesn't speak English. By the way, syrups by definition just means a sugary liquid, I never said it is bought off the shelve. However you obtain the Taro flavor is your own choosing. The best fluffy pancakes in Japan has ingredients and flavors infused inside of the pancakes, not just poured over, and I think you know that already.

ORIGINAL REVIEW: Compared to the real thing in Japan, especially flippers on Omotesando, the fluffy pancakes here fall short. When we lived in Japan, we frequented these pancake shops because it is one of those guilt free snacks you can get during the day because the pancakes are so light and flavorful. The pancakes here are similar in terms of the appearance, but not the taste and lightness, it feels like they are undercooked, even the whip creme on top is heavy. The flavor variation, such as the taro pancakes we ordered, was simply a taro flavor syrup poured on top. Nothing special. The Bulgogi bowl on the other hand was quite good, plenty of meat for the size of the bowl. Drinks are ok, flavor soda water with a bit...

Hanabusa Cafe serves up some of the best pancakes around—they're super soft and fluffy. One thing to note is that they take a bit of time to prepare. But trust me, the wait is worth it. Each pancake is made with care and attention to ensure that perfect fluffy texture that they’re known for. Served fresh and hot, they practically melt in your mouth with every bite.

Their mango cheese tea is a true standout on their menu. It’s a unique blend that combines the sweetness of mango topped with a layer of creamy cheese foam, creating a flavor combination that’s unlike anything you’ve ever tasted before. Each sip is a delightful balance of fruity and creamy goodness, making it a must-try.

The atmosphere is lively, but the downside is that you might have to wait in line for a while before you can snag a table. It’s not uncommon to see a queue forming outside, especially on weekends or during brunch hours.

One thing to keep in mind is that if you go later in the day, there's a chance they might run out of the cheese tea. It's a popular drink, and they only make a limited amount each day. So, if you have your heart set on trying it, it's best to go earlier to make sure you don't miss out. It can be a bit disappointing if you're really looking forward to it and they don't have any left.

Also, they could use more options for lactose-free drinks—I wish they had a better selection.

Just a heads up, they don’t take orders over the phone. I once tried calling to place an order, but they kept me on hold for 20 minutes, so I had to hang up. If you’re planning to order, it’s better to do it in person at the cafe.

Overall, though, it's a great spot for delicious pancakes and tasty tea, just be prepared...