Brü Chicago — Restaurant in West Chicago Township

I am giving it one star for a few reasons. I was so excited to come across this place ! I was intrigued by the menu, and when I walked in, I loved the esthetics. I was looking for somewhere to enjoy a treat, relax and read. This seemed like the perfect place. It’s very cozy and fun looking inside.The energy was so off in the place, it had a very dead vibe. I ignored it and went right up to the counter to order and started talking to the guy working. I came very excited and cheerful and sweet, and he was just blah. I asked how long they had been here, and he said he honestly didn’t know. Ok, he may have been new, but I don’t think that was the case, but I may be wrong. He answered with no personality or tried to engage in conversation. He asked me what I wanted, and I said I would please like the Matcha chocolate strawberry thing, he said what? Like he had no idea so I repeated it and used cone this time instead of thing. It’s the only item with those ingredients so Maybe he’s new or just didn’t hear me, but I don’t think that was it. So then asked me if I wanted anything else, I said no thank you. Paid, and that was it. No personality or customer service at all. Didn’t tell me it would be ready in a few minutes, nothing at all. I had also mentioned it was my first time there and just got nothing from this person. So I waited and tried finding a spot. I felt like I waited forever, and I was the only one in there who had ordered, it was slow. So I finally get it by it being called out, and this woman also had no personality. Very dead energy and very weird vibes. There was also a back room, I had found and wanted to look at. A guy was standing in the there, and I had been polite asking if this space was opened. He said no unless you’re with the private party. I said o no, I was just looking around it’s my first time here. This room looks awesome, may I peak really quick, and he said yes, but his vibe was off and he said ugh, I just washed the floors. I could see that, and understand there was a private event happening soon, so I was trying to be respectful and understanding, I literally took 3 small steps from where I was already standing and he freaked out, even after saying I could. Thought it was so odd and off putting. So, I sit down to eat my treat and this is definitely the MAJOR REASON FOR THIS REVIEW. Thankfully I am not allergic to nuts, but this is a SERIOUS ISSUE! So as I stated I ordered the Matcha Chocolate Strawberry rice cone. No where in the list of ingredients did it mention almond slices. So I was very shocked to bite into my treat and get pieces of almond. Which I personally didn’t care for being mixed in with the flavors. I didn’t like them, but most importantly I was unaware of them. The person didn’t ask me if I have a nut allergy or mention it was part of that item, and the menu didn’t specify that either. So please fix that because if I was allergic to nuts, that would’ve been bad. Also, for the $ amount of the item ,l the strawberries were sliced so thin, and not many of them, you didn’t get to really taste them, and you basically are left with the rice cone mostly. So more strawberries & thicker would perfect the treat. Lastly, I got there just before 7pm, they say they close at 8pm. I got my treat at 7:04 pm and basically right after I received me treat, they yell out they were closing. I double checked the time and it had an hour left. That was disappointing. I stayed and ate my treat and there were others inside as well still. No thanks for coming on the way out Overall, the experience was awful for my first time there. This is a long review, but I have spent 18 years in the service industry, and have loved every moment of what I do. Customer service is a top priority, it is a reflection of your business and what makes or breaks a place. So that’s heavily disappointing especially because the place is so well done design wise. The menu discrepancy is HUGELY IMPORTANT. I truly mean this review with the best intentions to help make aware of things that could be improved to help your...

The cafe is beautiful, large and the food is an extensive variation of food and beverages. The first time I came with a friend, my coffee was forgotten twice over 25ish minutes. I went back and forth about 5 times. I know it was forgotten because I went over and the staff believed there were no more orders. Maybe a lost ticket. Didn’t bother me too much. Someone tried to give me a banana for it, nice, maybe if you are to offer at all, allow to give coffee instead next time ( I’m not assuming this is a customer facing issue) Then I went back a few times for for some tea lattes. No issue. Then, one day, I come back for two sandwhiches. A swarm of people were there that came in after us. The two women in front of us took really long to order, adding little things here and there, changing their minds, didn’t know what they wanted. Maybe the front register person can usher them along or let them know they can look and come back immediately after they make up their minds or Maybe have 1 person come quickly to take the next peoples orders. Those customers took a very long time, as if they were talking from a stream of consciousness with no awareness of environment, not exaggerating. Anyway, this isn’t to judge them but just to point out that customer ordering with no bru control caused a backup, in my opinion. After that, the sandwhiches took a long time and a side of fruit was forgotten, Not a big deal but I could tell there are some issues with the flow of things. Maybe 1 person short in the kitchen. Bru needs to streamline things and keep them at a healthy, fast pace when the customers are coming. I don’t think this is about individual workers, I think it’s a system thing. Like maybe 1 more person to float around and help with random things... make coffee, pack that bag, give me the bread, refill the such and such. The people who work here are very very nice and need to convey to customers a sense of order. Otherwise, customers will harass them. I waited around for my sandwhich in front of the coffee makers for about 10 minutes after sitting and waiting for a while 1) other customers don’t need to be exposed to that conflict 2) poor workers. just needs to go faster. Maybe too many options? Honestly, I like it and the space is so big, many people just come and want everything. Help everyone out and streamline things so the kitchen moves faster. Again, not the workers, just...

Definitely a cute spot and was ready to make this place regular study spot! There is plenty of seating and a room in the back if you’re looking for quieter vibes. My reason for a low review and not returning is that a staff member proceeded to turn off the lights in the back room which was filled with paying customers working/studying claiming “we are not a library”. She left us in a very dimly lit room. Ok ma’am, I can take my $20 order somewhere else next time, because libraries are free. Us trying to support local businesses 🤦🏾‍♀️

Reply to below: Our thought process was that it was better for “your theme” and our workflow to be in the back room away from the business of the cafe counter and people who are stopping by to chat and have coffee. The back room has no windows and barely any light for anyone who may need to read something. Not a novel idea to study at coffee shops. Regardless, staff could have let the people in back know about the situation instead of turning off the light with no warning or explanation. Many of us were first (and now last time visitors). People outside my group who were also sitting in the back were also confused. As for your Starbucks comment, they actually stay well lit within their shops. I am also not a disrespectful person, so no I would play my own music out loud there nor did I at your...