Thanks for pointing out the price list. the prices are really reasonable in my opinion. a steal in fact. i just might buy 1 of everything.

While the prices may be reasonable, the pastries are unreasonably good.



We've been regulars at Bad Wolf since they opened, and one of the best parts about the place is the remarkable variety of pastries Johnathan has been offering. Every time we visit, there are 2 or 3 new options available, which means we always end up buying more than we planned on.

This morning I got to try the Paris-Brest Noisette for the first time, and it's joined his top tier for me (along with the kouign-amann and the canele). It's choux pastry that is sliced in half and stuffed with praline cream, kind of like a bagel with cream cheese. The pastry is soft and eggy and the hazeulnut cream is rich and creamy. What a combination!

Thank you all so much for your support and feedback!
You're really helping make this happen, and you definitely give me a reason to push myself for new items. Excited about holiday season coming up. Lots of plans.

I stopped in on Saturday morning, right at 7 am. I got one of everything that was available, which included the Paris-Brest Noisette, madeline, eclair with caramel sauce on top, little mushroom quiche, something else that tasted similar to the madeline but was shapped a little differently. I've got to say that the Paris-Brest Noisette with the hazelnut cream is AMAZING. That was my first bite of the day and I was in heaven. The kouign-amann was not yet ready, so after eating the Paris-Brest Noisette, i went running for 10 miles, and then came back for the kouign-amann. That was also incredible. Jonathan is such a sweet guy. I hope that business continues to build for him. This is a fantastic place.

buttercream wrote: The kouign-amann was not yet ready, so after eating the Paris-Brest Noisette, i went running for 10 miles, and then came back for the kouign-amann.

Banner quote.

Bad Wolf -- the Great Lake of coffee and pastry. But nicer. This place should have a line out the door always.

I went to Bad Wolf for the first time yesterday as part of a two-fer with lunch at the New England Seafood Company and a hope to get some pastries before we headed back to the Loop. It was a cultural payday excursion. . Alas, we were too late for any sweet pastries but got to try some brioche, little baby broccoli quiche and one of the best buttermilk biscuits I've ever had. I actually got some to go with my to go order of clam chowder from New England for my dinner and I honestly couldn't not believe how happy my mouth was. Everything was wonderful.

However, I went back this morning in order to try the sweet pastries and my mouth almost freaked out from the happiness that was the kouign amann. I mean...holy butter dough, kids. What a lovely, lovely creation. I haven't had something this special since the heyday of Natalina. I also had a paris brest noisette, which was also yummy and I'm saving a slice of the gateau for after dinner. I wish I'd bought more than 2 koiugn amann.

Jonathan was great and one of my favorite moments was when he gave his music list to the line and asked them what they wanted to listen to. Sly and the Family Stone while waiting for a perfect latte and amazing pastries -- in a pretty room with a Tardis on the wall -- on one of the most perfect fall mornings ever? Kind of a perfect life. At least today.

Not even close to my neighborhood and I guarantee I will come back again and again.

S

I stopped in yesterday morning around 10ish and picked up my first canele. I 've never eaten one before so I don't know how to gauge quality or authenticity, but this baby was really yummy. The exterior is slightly chewy from the caramelized sugar but yields to a soft airy interior. So good. I"m now dreaming about them and lamenting that Bad Wolf is closed on Sundays. Also picked up a couple kouign amann; one for me; one for a friend. I was seriously tempted to just eat the 2nd one and not let my friend know about it. Such sugary goodness. Also had my first cappuccino which was really smooth. No need to add sugar. Dreaming of Jonathan's pastries and great coffee....

whoa- my mistake- just realized Bad Wolf is not closed on Sundays. Just on Tuesdays. On my way.

Finally got over there today after battling traffic. Took me nearly 45 mins from Division and Damen and by the time we arrived (maybe 12:45) all that was left was the gateau Basque and one other, whose name escapes me, filled w/violet I believe. Opted for the gateau, which really was the finest rendition I've had. Better even than the one in SF @ Gerald Hirigoyen's Piperade. Will get there earlier next wkend to try more.

I headed over to Bad Wolf this morning to try to out those badass pastries and was informed that they were broken into last night. Jonathan then told me that there has recently been a rash of coffee shop break-ins in the area. Understandably, he only had a couple of madeleines available to sample at that time. The coffee and madeleine that I had were great, but I'll definitely have to get back soon to try some of the other pastries.

Terrible. Sucks for a new business to go through this, particularly one owned and run by such a terrific person.

Wonder what it is with coffee places. I remember a year or 2 ago going to Asado on Irving and finding a place with smashed windows and beans dumped into the gutter. Some asshole hates cafes, because I can't imagine there's much money in robbing these places.

If I learned anything from watching Breaking Bad*, it's that neo-nazis hired by Schultz probably are responsible for all of these crimes.












*I might not have learned anything from Breaking Bad.

Stopped in Sunday morning pre-picnic set-up--full of customers, a slightly smaller selection of pastries than I found a few weeks ago but the gooseberry mini tart I tried was as delicious as anything I've had there. Glad to see no damage done and business is good.

I stopped by Saturday afternoon; I knew I would be lucky to find anything available at that time of day. Fortunately there were a couple of slices of pizza left. Tried one with some peppers and onions. Very good. Buttery crust and great balance. Kid tested and approved. Jonathan also provided my son with a delicious cup of chocolate milk. Love this place.

Hey everybody, thank you for being so supportive after the break in. I really appreciate it. Sorry I couldn't go to the picnic and hang out with all of you.

I heard there was some Bad Ass stuff at the picnic. Notice I said "heard " since, apparently, it disappeared. Fast. I'm sure there are a lot of us who hope you can make it next year.

boudreaulicious wrote:I heard there was some Bad Ass stuff at the picnic. Notice I said "heard " since, apparently, it disappeared. Fast. I'm sure there are a lot of us who hope you can make it next year.

Did you mean to say Bad Ass instead of Bad Wolf? If so, I think it is awesome, but it would be way awesomer if it was just a typo.

Teresa wrote:

boudreaulicious wrote:I heard there was some Bad Ass stuff at the picnic. Notice I said "heard " since, apparently, it disappeared. Fast. I'm sure there are a lot of us who hope you can make it next year.

Did you mean to say Bad Ass instead of Bad Wolf? If so, I think it is awesome, but it would be way awesomer if it was just a typo.

Haven't you heard? Bad ASS is the new Bad Wolf. Yup totally a typo. Still feeling the effects of Mark's Tepache. I think it permanently scrambled something.

Oohhh Jonathan makes a cheesecake now. This ain't no Philadelphia cream cheese cheesecake either. So savory and soo tasty. Love seeing new stuff, keep 'em coming!

Had a cortado, an apple turnover (?), and some sort of lemon cream puff. Delicious.

Alas, a ten year old swiped my kouign amann when I got home. Grrrrr.

This is why I love LTH. I would never have known about this place. Thank you.

disagree wrote:a cortado, an apple turnover (?), and some sort of lemon cream puff. Delicious.

Alas, a ten year old swiped my kouign amann when I got home. Grrrrr.

i feel your pain. my 3 year old wouldn't share his canele until he had one tiny speck left. i guess i only have myself to blame.

Out of curiosity, if one were to try just one pastry at Bad Wolf Coffee, which should it be? Is there an overwhelming favorite? It sounds like everything is excellent!

Everything is excellent but I'd say the canele is his most impressive. It comes out at 10AM on Saturdays and Sundays. If that time doesn't work for you I'd say go for a kouign amann. They're pretty much always available (until they sell out).

Great, thanks!

Had what is becoming my Saturday morning habit--regular coffee and a canele and mini-quiche--this one with cauliflower and nigella seeds. Such a wonderful way to start the day...

Feeling a little cranky and in slight pain Saturday, had minor foot work and it threw my back out, two minutes of conversation with Jonathan and a bite of lemon curd filled salammbos my disposition did a complete 180! Jonathan is as nice of a fellow as his pastries are delicious.

Bad Wolf Coffee, count me a fan!

Hey everyone! Just in case any of you are interested, I will be participating in the wbez chef battle event this year at Kendall college. Come root for me!
More information here:
http://www.wbez.org/chicago-chef-battle ... ion-108704

Jonathan, I hope to be there to help root for you!