I just have to rave about my great time at Mindy's! The entire experience from beginning to end was fantastic. I'm visiting town for the weekend from San Fransisco and some girlfriends suggested that we check out Hot Chocolate. We were unable to secure a reservation for the evening (not surprised as it was a Saturday night) but we decided to try our luck at walking in. Holy cow! The line of people waiting for tables extended out the door. The waiting area is quite small and inconveniently located directly in front of the to-go counter, but the rest of the restaurant is cozy and inviting with dim lighting, string lights, hip music, and candles.
The hostess quoted us 45 minutes for a table. I expressed that I'm visiting from out of town and we have all been eager to give the restaurant a try and she assured us the the wait was worth it, even pulling us over a few times to point out all of the different desserts we should try and sharing her favorites. They squeezed us in 15 minutes early at the end of their communal table. Score! Once seated, we got to work on the menu.
We ordered the Old Fashioned, Mexican, and Black & Tan hot chocolates. All were served with a delicious homemade marshmallow and were hits amongst the three of us except for the Black & Tan (1/3 hot fudge and 2/3 hot chocolate)... a bit to sweet for all of our liking. Our server was busy but still very attentive and just a delight. She backed up the suggestions for dessert and we ordered the bread pudding, chocolate cake, and cookie plate. All perfect compliments to our hot chocolate! The bread pudding was sweet and not too soggy (like others I've encountered) and the chocolate cake was beautifully served with cream poured over the top. The cookie plate was perfect for dunking into our hot chocolates and included one of each cookie offered in-house. Delicious!
On our way out, the hostess thanked us and wished me a safe trip back home (even remembering my name among all the chaos). I have worked in the service industry for over 12 years and I can appreciate great customer service and a staff who genuinely cares. Thank you Tiara (our hostess), Dana (our server), and Chef Mindy and team for a great experience. I will be back during my next trip back to...
Read moreETA June 9, 2024: since my birthday is on a Monday and Mindy's won't be open, made the hour trek into the city to treat myself. First time we have had to wait in line but it was a gorgeous breezy afternoon and the line moved fast. I'm very excited to try the giardinara cream cheese and Papi Chow. I also grabbed a bunch of other stuff like a cinnamon roll, key lime and passion fruit tart, and other stuff I cannot remember but I know will be delicious cuz everything from this place is. I'm so blessed I got to have an iced hot chocolate- rich and creamy - today! Happy birthday to me and thank you to the lovely individual at the counter who had the prettiest pink nails, a beaming smile and poured my chocolates today!
September 2022 we learned about the existence of Mindy's Bakery. We live near the Wisconsin border and don't go to Chicago often. Plus their usual Thursday thru Sunday, 6am to 3pm schedule never seemed to afford my fam the opportunity to visit. June 2023 was my birthday month and someone was blessing me because Mindy's decided to open on Wednesdays and my fam was going to be in the city for a wrestling show on a Wednesday. We finally made it, after 9 months of wanting to go. AND we got a parking spot right across the street?!? It was everything I hoped and dreamed about. Do yourself a favor and get an iced hot chocolate. If you get the marshmallow - which you should - beware the sugar getting everywhere but also be prepared to not care at all cuz the drink is so rich and flavorful. My goodness. We also had and enjoyed a brownie bar, Stromboli, dark chocolate & pecan banana bread, strawberry & kiwi tart and the things my bro and I looked forward to the most: Bo's Buckyeye Bars made from 2 of our favorite things - dark chocolate and peanut butter. They even threw in an extra one for us. Staff was so nice. Ma also ordered a coffee which she kept saying she didn't even have to add anything to it cuz it was already sweet and tasty. This place is fantastic and I'm jealous of everyone in proximity. Thank you so much to all involved in creating the treats and for being such an awesome part of the community. Really hoping we get to visit again 🙏🏼 Great...
Read morePretty good bakery, but can they manage a Target?
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day 2 follow up.
I traveled back to the bakery eventhough I was hurt, old, tired, and my wife acts like a child. I bit my wife before I bite into the muffins. Both were great. 5 stars. Could of been 6 stars if the bakery was in the tokyo dome.
Also heard the worst MMA fighter in UFC history recommends this place so there is that.
3 month+ follow up
The staff are so friendly and kind. Their new manager, I think his name was Scott Colton, gave me a free muffin and said I reminded him of his son, Max. Bakery is consistently great.
1 year follow up:
Bakery continues to deliver. Angry punk looking dude came in yelling something about the windows being real glass but manager Scott and his son Max led the angry baffoon out of the restaurant. Great handling of the situation and putting the chokehold on making sure anything gets out of order.
Try the blueberry muffins. Probably the best in the world if I may say so myself.
Breaking news updated review
So the bakery which has been the pure fascination of my life for little over a year now always delivers on ...some sort of new experience. Today I walked in and this skinhead guy with a frown and tattoos all over met me at the register. When I asked for my usual blueberry muffin ( which again are pure heaven at the bakery) he just continued to frown and almost seem like he lunged at me. Proceeded to say that he's tired of people ordering the blueberry varient and said I should go cry him a river and come back another day. It was enough for me to lower the review stars right away! Thankfully...and as usual...Scott and his son Max came by and saved the day. Apparently this new guy was just hired after being terminated from his old position. Still adjusting / learning to be pleasant type of deal. I totally understand the situation and will continue to make my appearances at this wonderful bakery. You could say...
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