Prequel Cafe — Restaurant in West Chicago Township

I have been a regular visitor to Prequel for the past two years and have loved the atmosphere, coffee quality, and decor - such great art taste. However, since about April 2025 I noticed the entire barista / staff turned over and since then I’ve had multiple incorrect orders.

I went once and ordered two lattes for here and they were provided iced and to-go, however my friend and I wanted hot (and for here to sit and not waste to go cups). We didn’t say hot but the barista assumed iced (I would have rather she just asked what temperature we want as the customer), but I understand an honest mistake. However, when I asked about if we could get hot (it was a chilly spring day) I was met back with a lot of passive aggression that made me feel bad about being there and not having said “hot”. The next time I went, I NOTICED this same barista giving me a dirty look and motioning to her coworker to look. My friend ordered a latte and then received a hot coffee… but did not bother going up to them to tell them the order was wrong because we felt uncomfortable. I went one final time and my friend and I ordered a latte and a cortado. Something went wrong and we received the cortado (no one claimed it from the counter) ~6 min before the iced latte. Shortly after the iced latte came out, they announced another cortado, for us. This same barista proceeded to bring it over to us and tell us we took someone else’s cortado and be very passive aggressive and made us feel very uncomfortable, even though clearly they just accidentally made two cortados but somehow blamed us? This barista was the woman with orange glasses.

The service here has really really gone down hill. The last 3/4 times I’ve ordered there was something incorrect with the order and when bringing it up to correct it I was made to feel like I made a mistake - not the people working. I don’t typically leave reviews and I really used to LOVE this place, but I can’t recommend it anymore. I don’t know if it’s solely a front of house or management issue but I’ve only left here recently disappointed I spent the amount I did on the coffee and angry with the service. I’m sad to give this review...

Located in the former location of the beloved Atomix Cafe rises the quaint, bright, clean lines of Prequel. Walking in you take a whiff of its unique smell and are greeted warmly by the staff. There are plants in the corners and others draping off the ceiling. They contrast sharply with the white walls and minimalist art. The decor is every bit what I call "Modern Dental". Clean white surfaces, sharp lines, and overall airy and bright. The menu is small, but each drink is high quality and tasty. They have the full range of espresso drinks, coffee, cold brew, and kombucha. Their baked goods taste fresh and are worth a purchase. The sit down experience is on par with other coffee shops in the area. If you get a drip coffee they offer refills and the wifi is reliable and fast. One aspect that is missing at the time of this review is seating diversity. Your options are a table. And that's it. Yes there is bar space, but it is not clear if customers can sit there. It looking like they are expanding the seating but I'm not sure. The seats though are quite comfortable and it is a nice space to work or meet someone. The biggest negative of prequel is the noise. It is an echo chamber in the literal sense of the word. Noise bounces off every hard edge and corner of the building. It definitely can throw off a "chill vibe" but the place is still new every time I come they are adding new things, so it could be temporary. Overall though, Prequel adds tremendous value to the neighborhood. The coffee is good and the staff are nice. I love going here and the experience gets better and better every time!

Edit: I have changed my review to 5 stars. They have added a lot and this place is...

Today was my first visit to Prequel Café, and unfortunately, it was a letdown. I placed my order online and waited inside for my sandwich. After noticing one sitting behind the counter, I politely asked if it might be mine, but the barista just replied, “I’m sure it will be right up,” without even asking my name. Ten minutes later, her coworker finally handed me the same sandwich—by then completely cold. Neither of them acknowledged the delay, offered an apology, or even a smile.

As someone who works in hospitality, I found this disappointing. A $13 breakfast sandwich should at least be served warm, and a simple acknowledgment of the mistake would have gone a long way. I’m sure the food is good when fresh, but with so many options in the city, first...