Hero Coffee and Bagel Bar — Restaurant in Lake View Township

My experience at this establishment has lead me to believe that God has abandoned us. I have been going to church every Sunday since I could remember. I've always thought that if bared my soul to God and prayed everyday things like this would not happen to me. But I was wrong. The coffee here is great and the staff is amazing! I had a lovely conversation with a staff member about our shared taste in bagel seasonings. All was well until I tried to leave. As I walked towards the door to catch my bus a woman blocked my path. She was of short stature with short blue/green hair and big eye paint that was sharp. She asked me what I ordered and i told her then tried to leave. Again... I had a bus to catch. She stepped in front of me again and asked if my order was correct. I told her it was but she insisted that I check. I peered into my bag to find a Smooth Criminal (the sandwich I ordered) all was well. I had my Nitro cold brew and the sandwich I ordered all in hand. No mistakes. Exactly as I ordered. I told the small woman "Everything is fine, I have everything I need". She looked up at me with piercing eyes and in a serious tone replied "take a bite then." I tried to explain that I have a bus to catch and if I miss it I'll be late for work but she just kept saying "take a bite, take a bite, take a bite if you're so sure" I began to wonder if this witch had somehow tainted my bagel sandwich. But that's impossible because she entered the store as I was trying to leave. She could not have gotten her hands on my sandwich or my drink. I even watched the handsome barista make my drink so I know it could not have been tainted. I told the woman that I did not have time for this and I'd be eating my sandwich on the bus. As I do everyday. But she didn't like that and began screaming "BITE IT. TASTE IT. BE SURE IT IS ALRIGHT" I grew fearful of what she might do if I didn't abide by her demands. So I said a prayer thanking God for my morning sustenance and I took a bite. The woman asked me how my sandwich was and I told her as I'm telling you. All was fine. My Smooth Criminal tasted as it does every time I get it. Just as I ordered. Perfectly made. I began to wrap my sandwich back up for transport but the woman began to yell once more this time thrashing her body around. "no... NO... NOOOO.... NONONONONONONO NO! THIS CANT BE" I don't totally remember her exact working after that as I feared for my life. But it was something along the lines of "if it's not wrong then why am I here" And this made no sense to me. I see my bus coming down the street so I quickly wrap up my sandwich and I try to make a run for it. But the deranged scoundrel of a woman grabs the sandwich from my hands and rips it to bits on the floor. She then crouches to the ground and shovels the bits of MY sandwich into her mouth and moans "MMM MMMMMMM" over and over with growing intensity. I back away. Drink spilled on the floor, no breakfast in hand. But I'm alive and I guess thats Gods reward for being so good over the years. One of the baristas behind the counter offers to remake my order. But I couldn't bare to be there any longer. And my bus was just pulling in. So I turned and I ran. The woman stood up and slid through the mess she had made to chase after me. But I was in track in high school. And I still got it baby. Perhaps I'll find a new cafe to get my morning fix. I tried to go back but the flashbacks were overwhelming. I fear one day that monster will return. And she might kill me. Maybe i'm being dramatic... But I won't be returning...

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...

I used to love coming here, but in the last year, I’ve taken a step back because the quality of the coffee has significantly diminished. I ordered a cold brew with oat milk and vanilla, and it was $8.36. The coffee was sour, there was little milk, and the vanilla was non-existent—barely an essence of vanilla. That's nearly $2 more than neighboring shops with equal or better quality for the exact same thing. Took a few sips then tossed it.

I have tried to do work here, but as many other reviews have mentioned, the music is WAY too loud. I also felt uncomfortable being the only Black person in the shop and hearing several songs dropping the n-word among what appeared to be an all-white staff (at the time, though it has since changed as of my visit on 05/31/24).

I hope whoever oversees these reviews will truly address these issues because I think it’s a great shop in a great location. I have enjoyed the bagel sandwiches and doughnut options on...