Our favorite neighborhood coffee shop over the past year! You can’t go wrong with anything on their menu food/drink wise. Great staff and a great place to hang out!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Niko Faerber
What a wonderful neighborhood coffee shop! The bagel was made wonderfully.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Pari Shah
Recently, I visited Prequel Cafe for the second time. I live nearby and am a regular at Nettare, so I wanted to switch it up. I ordered an avocado toast online for pickup. When I arrived, there was no line, so I walked up to the counter and waited for someone to assist me. The girl at the register completely ignored me and didn’t even look up while I was standing right in front of her. I found it strange, but continued to wait patiently. Another employee behind her eventually stepped up and asked what I needed. I told her I had a pickup order. She retrieved it, but on her way back, she and the first girl began giggling. As she handed me my food, they continued laughing. I made eye contact and asked if something was funny since I was very confused and questioning if I had done something wrong. She looked embarrassed that she was confronted and said she was laughing because the other girl didn’t help me. I responded that I was also wondering why I was ignored. Still, I failed to understand which part about ignoring a customer was funny to both of them.
The interaction was unpleasant and came across as rude and unprofessional. I felt embarrassed by the way I was treated. It seemed clear they were making fun of me, even though all I did was pick up my food—and I still said thank you on my way out.
Please do better and treat your customers with respect. No one should walk away feeling disrespected or wondering if they did something wrong after a simple pickup order.
Remy Hendricks
Chill vibe, loved their espresso and pastries, everything felt fresh and cozy. Friendly staff too.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Gia G
This is such a great spot for breakfast and to get some work done! I am in love with their breakfast sandwich – it is such a delicious way to start the day. Every time I've gone here, the staff is super friendly and the atmosphere feels super conducive to getting work done or some reading in. Would highly recommend if you're looking for a nice place to grab a bite, want to catch up with friends, or get some to do's crossed off your work list!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Anjali Yadav
Best coffee shop in West Town!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
__
Prequel Cafe in Chicago is a total gem! The atmosphere is cozy and inviting, with a retro vibe that's super charming. The staff is friendly and welcoming, making you feel right at home. Whether you're grabbing coffee to go or lingering over breakfast, Prequel Cafe is a top-notch spot. Highly recommend!
*Rating:* 5/5 stars
*Ambiance:* Cozy, retro vibe with a warm atmosphere
*Service:* Friendly and welcoming staff
Can't wait to go back and try more of their menu items ¹ ²!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Emily Toops
The breakfast sandwich is tasty and unique- you don't often find corned beef in a breakfast sandwich. They also have incredible coffee.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Ihor Holinei
The interior is great, the coffee is just terrible
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 impressions matter.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 1
Harper Penn
The coffee here is rich and flavorful. Their latte is smooth and perfectly balanced. The sandwich is fresh and tasty too. Cozy place to relax and enjoy.
Anthony Leonard
Walking into Prequel Café feels like entering a space that respects time. The décor is minimalist yet warm concrete floors, soft lighting, and organized seating that naturally promotes a slower pace. Their pour‑over is delicate and surprisingly flavorful clean, crisp, and a reminder that a simple cup can still feel intentional. It’s a place inviting enough for conversation and focused enough for solo moments without ever feeling busy.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 4
Lali Lara
Ordered the Lavender Rose Matcha, and the breakfast sandwich without meat — YUM! Best matcha latte I have had in a while.. Only con: they don’t take cash.
Food: 5
Service: 5
julia shklovskaya
If this coffee shop isn’t pure joy, I don’t know what is! The drinks and snacks are high quality and the atmosphere and music are on point. The people who work here are awesome 😎 but
Our favorite neighborhood coffee shop over the past year! You can’t go wrong with anything on their menu food/drink wise. Great staff and a great place to hang out!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
What a wonderful neighborhood coffee shop! The bagel was made wonderfully.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recently, I visited Prequel Cafe for the second time. I live nearby and am a regular at Nettare, so I wanted to switch it up. I ordered an avocado toast online for pickup. When I arrived, there was no line, so I walked up to the counter and waited for someone to assist me. The girl at the register completely ignored me and didn’t even look up while I was standing right in front of her. I found it strange, but continued to wait patiently.
Another employee behind her eventually stepped up and asked what I needed. I told her I had a pickup order. She retrieved it, but on her way back, she and the first girl began giggling. As she handed me my food, they continued laughing. I made eye contact and asked if something was funny since I was very confused and questioning if I had done something wrong. She looked embarrassed that she was confronted and said she was laughing because the other girl didn’t help me. I responded that I was also wondering why I was ignored. Still, I failed to understand which part about ignoring a customer was funny to both of them.
The interaction was unpleasant and came across as rude and unprofessional. I felt embarrassed by the way I was treated. It seemed clear they were making fun of me, even though all I did was pick up my food—and I still said thank you on my way out.
Please do better and treat your customers with respect. No one should walk away feeling disrespected or wondering if they did something wrong after a simple pickup order.
Chill vibe, loved their espresso and pastries, everything felt fresh and cozy. Friendly staff too.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
This is such a great spot for breakfast and to get some work done! I am in love with their breakfast sandwich – it is such a delicious way to start the day. Every time I've gone here, the staff is super friendly and the atmosphere feels super conducive to getting work done or some reading in. Would highly recommend if you're looking for a nice place to grab a bite, want to catch up with friends, or get some to do's crossed off your work list!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Best coffee shop in West Town!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Prequel Cafe in Chicago is a total gem! The atmosphere is cozy and inviting, with a retro vibe that's super charming. The staff is friendly and welcoming, making you feel right at home. Whether you're grabbing coffee to go or lingering over breakfast, Prequel Cafe is a top-notch spot. Highly recommend!
*Rating:* 5/5 stars
*Ambiance:* Cozy, retro vibe with a warm atmosphere
*Service:* Friendly and welcoming staff
Can't wait to go back and try more of their menu items ¹ ²!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The breakfast sandwich is tasty and unique- you don't often find corned beef in a breakfast sandwich. They also have incredible coffee.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
The interior is great, the coffee is just terrible
Really like the brown sugar cardamom coffee!
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
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 impressions matter.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 1
The coffee here is rich and flavorful. Their latte is smooth and perfectly balanced. The sandwich is fresh and tasty too. Cozy place to relax and enjoy.
Walking into Prequel Café feels like entering a space that respects time. The décor is minimalist yet warm concrete floors, soft lighting, and organized seating that naturally promotes a slower pace. Their pour‑over is delicate and surprisingly flavorful clean, crisp, and a reminder that a simple cup can still feel intentional. It’s a place inviting enough for conversation and focused enough for solo moments without ever feeling busy.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 4
Ordered the Lavender Rose Matcha, and the breakfast sandwich without meat — YUM! Best matcha latte I have had in a while.. Only con: they don’t take cash.
Food: 5
Service: 5
If this coffee shop isn’t pure joy, I don’t know what is! The drinks and snacks are high quality and the atmosphere and music are on point. The people who work here are awesome 😎 but
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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