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    Basu

    4.6 (242 reviews)
    Closed Closed
    Updated 3 months ago

    Basu Photos

    BASU ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Classy
    Moderate noise

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    Chicken Pho
    Madeleine B.

    A little gem in the middle of Northbrook. We came here for a quick dinner on a weeknight, and it wasn't super busy. Not peak hours. You order at the front and they serve at your table. We got the Vietnamese iced coffee, garden spring rolls, and chicken pho. Incredible food!

    Christine L.

    Stopped by on a Saturday, it's located right by the Northbrook Metra station. We were able to find parking near the front entrance pretty easily. Ordering was pretty easy at the front, they give you a number and you bring it to the table if you're eating in. I was surprised at the number of options they had for drinks. My friend and I split two banh mis, the ginger chicken and the veggiecado. Surprisingly I actually liked the veggiecado better than the chicken as it was really bursting with flavor! Wish this place was closer as I'd definitely be back again.

    Crispy Pork Egg Roll
    Karyn M.

    This is a small, modern Vietnamese restaurant and coffee bar in downtown Northbrook, next to the Northbrook Metra Station. We parked in the lot, which was already quite full, and the restaurant was almost full as well when we stopped in on a Sunday afternoon. We ordered shrimp spring rolls, crispy pork egg roll, steak pho, pork noodle bowl and Vietnamese iced coffee. They brought out my coffee quickly. Made with Cafe du Monde, it was strong, sweet and delicious. The pork egg roll was crisp, hot, and nicely flavored with sweet chili dipping sauce. The shrimp spring rolls (2) were stuffed with lettuce, rice noodles and 2 shrimp with a delicious sauce. My beef pho was enormous, steamy and fragrant with lots of cilantro, sliced beef and soft rice noodles and accompanied by basil, sprouts and lime. There was an option to add jalapeños (I didn't) so it only needed a little splash of sriracha. My friend enjoyed a pork house noodle salad which included an egg roll. I tasted the pork and it was marinated in a sauce and tasted delicious. It was a nice, light, crisp and fresh option for lunch on a summer day. I liked my pho but I might try the noodle salad next time.

    Basu Viet Iced Coffee.
    Clark S.

    I became addicted to their Cold brew Vietnamese coffee. Bitter, but,not too sweet. Hit Just right. I stopped by every time I'm off work. There is not a week I wouldn't crave for one. I believe they only use gourmet coffee grounds from Vietnam. Also their phos and shrimp wraps are amazingly delicious.

    Honey Pork Bahn Mi
    Cheryl T.

    Great little Vietnamese cafe with modern decor that's located right next to the Northbrook Metra train stop. Inside it's very clean, quaint and quiet. You order up front and they will give you a number, then they will bring the food to your table pretty quickly. We ordered the Honey Pork Bahn Mi and the Beef Pho. I really enjoyed the Banh Mi sandwich because the French bread was just a soft crunch on the outside, and the pork was really juicy. My husband enjoyed the beef pho saying it was really tasty. Both portions were a pretty good size and what you would expect to pay for this type of food in the area. I brought half of my banh mi sandwich home and the kids fought over it. One warmed it up and then the older one subsequently stole and ate it, thus causing banh mi drama. Guess I'll be needing to drop in again here soon!

    Soy glazed chicken wings
    Alex L.

    We ordered carry-out from Basu for the first time back in April this year.  I had the beef pho.  It should be the signature dish of any Vietnamese eatery, and I had expected the beef to be tender.  However, I found the beef quite chewy.  I thought it was just a blip, and ordered beef pho again the second time we had the carry-out.  Unfortunately, the beef was still quite chewy.  So the third time that we had the carry-out, I ordered the ginger chicken pho instead.  Turned out to be a good decision.  The chicken pho was pretty good.  Ever since, when we ordered pho noodle soup, we would just order chicken instead of beef.  In addition to the pho, we always order our two favorite items there: crispy pork egg rolls and soy glazed wings, both are crispy and tasty. I must say that the staff are very friendly and the ordering process is efficient.  It usually takes only 10 minutes for the carry-out order to be ready.  I am curious to hear what other people would say about the beef.  Hopefully Basu would improve on the tenderness of the beef, and I could order the beef pho again.

    Sunny Side Beef Banh Mi
    Emily K.

    Basu is a hidden gem and we tell everyone locally about it. The viet coffee is delicious and we love the Pho and banh mi sandwiches. The staff is super friendly and kind. We usually come here with our son and it is very kid friendly. Bonus- you can watch the trains go by out the window so that's a big hit with our toddler ( and some adults too!) The food is super comforting and the quality is high and extremely consistent. Great for a weekday lunch or evening take out!

    Curry Chicken Rice Bowl (carry out)
    Peter S.

    Excellent food, nice atmosphere, and friendly service - I love this place! So, lemme say this first; I've had a LOT of Vietnamese food over the years. Bowls and bowls of phở and more bánh mì than I can remember, from many different restaurants in the United States. When I was in college, I lived in Chicago's West Argyle Street Historic District (a.k.a. "Little Saigon"), so I've had some of the best Vietnamese food within a few minutes of walking... Basu's food ranks in the top, in what I consider "contemporary cafe" style Vietnamese restaurants, which should appeal to a wide variety of palates (nothing is too spicy, strong, bitter, or sour). Their phở broth is super aromatic, their noodles are cooked perfectly, and I think they do a pretty good job with their meats & tofu. Their bun salads are very good, with tasty fresh ingredients, and I'm a fan of their rice bowls (in particular their crispy tofu curry rice bowl). Their bánh mì is really well made, with nice crispy bread and savory ingredients. No good Vietnamese lunch or dinner is complete without a sweet and complex Vietnamese coffee or tea, either! The Northbrook Basu is conveniently located right next to the Northbrook Metra train station, with parking lots behind it and to the east across the tracks. The dining area has a nice view of the station and sidewalk, has comfy seating, and very well lit. The staff keep the place nice and clean, along with the restrooms, and provide fast service. For carry-out orders, you can order ahead and there's a rack for convenient pick-up.

    Pork House Noodle Salad, comes with Crispy Pork Egg Roll
    Dave J.

    Nice spot next to the Northbrook Metra Station in beautiful downtown Northbrook. Simple menu. Pho, banh mi, rice bowls, noodle salad. Fresh ingredients. Prepared quickly.

    Beef Steak Pho
    Micah K.

    Having a taste for Pho, I decided to check this place out based on their reviews. I'm so glad I did! The Pho was delicious and exactly what I was hoping for but the real magic here is the Báhn Mi sandwiches. I ordered one to go to have for dinner later. However, I took a bite of it and lost all self control. The sandwich was absolutely perfect! I haven't had a Báhn Mi this perfect since San Francisco/San Jose. Knowing that it's only 20 minutes away from hopefully is amazing! The service was quick and smooth. The staff was very friendly and helpful. The restaurant is very clean, well lit, and inviting. There seemed to be a lot of local people who had also discovered the magic that is Basu. I've been back numerous times since then and plan to continue doing so. This place is amazing!

    Latte And Veggiecado Banh Mi
    Steve A.

    Great place to get a simple Vietnamese breakfast or a lunch. It's one of the best places in Northbrook. Basu is located right by the Metra station, so you can hop off and be here. Easy to understand menu because there's not a whole lot on it. There's coffee along with banh mi and others. Came at lunch and got some coffee and something to eat. It's about $4 for a Latte. They have non dairy milks including oat. Good stuff but would have liked to try a Vietnamese coffee. These are made with concentrated milk though. As for the food, it has the classic favorites. It's about $11 for a banh mi. There's a vegan one called the Veggiecado. It was a pretty filling one. This came with avocado, cilantro, cucumbers, onions, sweet chili sauce, tofu, and tomatoes. Has some very good Vietnamese beverages and some light but filling food. It's mostly authentic of the street food including banh mi and spring rolls. There's a few things for vegans and vegetarians.

    Garden Spring Roll
    Teena S.

    I have not had the chance to dine inside the restaurant and only did to go orders but I have to say I'm hooked! I haven't had Vietnamese food in so long and today I was craving some chicken pho. I usually don't eat the chicken but the chicken was actually really good. I can't wait to eat the rest in the morning :) Also, I got an eggroll and it was good too. The beef rice bowl was delicious as well. The honey pork sandwich without the veggies was really good!! I have to go back to try some more. It reminds me of my childhood! I can't wait to try the food when it's fresh and hot!

    Shrimp Spring Roll
    Kesha B.

    While out and about, we realized we were CRAVING banh mis, and wanted to find somewhere nearby to try. So we went to Yelp and read tons of great reviews about Basu and decided to drop by. While we didn't dine in, the staff was extremely kind, and the restaurant was pretty busy for lunch. The food came out pretty quickly for us to grab and take home. I decided to try the Honey Grilled Pork banh mi, and share the spring rolls. The Honey Grilled Pork banh mi was great in flavors, and the breading was a perfect texture. The only thing I wished there was more of was the vegetables. While usually it isn't a problem to have more meat than veggies, the sweetness of the pork took away from the sandwich and having a bit more veggies would've made a huge difference in flavor like a traditional banh mi. But overall, it is one of the better banh mi's I had had lately. The spring rolls were okay, nothing too exciting about them and the peanut sauce was a bit too watery compared to what I'm used to. But the flavors were there. All in all, we had a really pleasant experience and next time I'll have to dine in for the full effect.

    Spicy Wings

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    4 years ago

    Such a cute spot in Northbrook, everyone here is so friendly ! Not only is the coffee good , but so is their food! Highly

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    6 years ago

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    6 years ago

    This is an awesome addition to Northbrook! Everything we have had there is excellent and the prices and service is spot on.

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    6 years ago

    Basu is the best! The pho is delicious and they have the BEST vietnamese iced coffee I've ever had. Tran and Steve are always so friendly!

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    3 years ago

    the sunny side beef bahn mi is my new comfort food!! such a cute sit down spot to grab a coffee too.

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    5 years ago

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    6 years ago

    Stupid good pho. Outstanding wings. Excellent peanut sauce for the spring rolls. Seriously good. Highly recommend. Coffee is excellent too!

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    4 years ago

    I got to the restaurant at 7:15 and they said dine in is closed. They are open till 8pm but will not let u dine in.

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    4 years ago

    Food was really fresh and tasted great. Both employees were super friendly and the coffee was also amazing. Couldn't recommend more!

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    Page 5 of 7

    Basu Reviews in Other Languages

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    The Wild Roaster

    The Wild Roaster

    4.4(89 reviews)
    1.8 mi
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    This place is awesome! What a little hidden gem tucked inside the Lake Cook Metra station…read more Authentically one of the smoothest drinking lattes I've ever had, AND one of the best croissants I've had outside of France. All served with love from the friendliest folks you'll meet. With all due respect to Seattle's finest, why would you drink liquid cigarette ash and frozen pastries from Starbucks when you could go here for literally the same cost? Please do yourself this simple favor.

    I've been in the station connected to this spot more times then I can count, but I'm usually later…read morein the day and always miss my shot. Today Is new years eve and I was nearby on errands when I saw people inside finally! Yes, it's coffee time. First of all, this place is an oasis. Way too cute and perfect to be connected to the grime and cold of the metra station. If your waiting for a train, do yourself a favor and come in here! Better smells, better temperature, better people. Find me waiting for my trains in here whenever they're open. The professionalism here is on full display, you can tell from the obvious thought in the decor, the look of the coffee machines being used, and the excellent and friendly service. I just had a quick mocha today, I needed to warm up and this drink improved my mood right away. Made in front of me (before paying... that's respect) by a sweet lady who also hooked me up with a punch card, it was very nice. Not overly rich from the chocolate and just the right temperature. I see they make they're own pastries and have some fancy cold options for summer! I can't wait to come back and try more. I'll definitely be filling up that punch card in the coming months!

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    Tous Les Jours

    Tous Les Jours

    4.1(384 reviews)
    3.5 mi
    $$

    Even though Tous Les Jours is a chain, the quality of the baked goods and drinks is fantastic!…read moreThere are so many delicious pastries to choose from, and everything looked fresh and beautifully made. The customer service was also great and everyone was friendly and welcoming. I got the strawberry matcha, and it was honestly so good. It wasn't overly sweet, and I could taste both the strawberry and matcha without either flavor overpowering the other. I also tried the milk bread with custard inside, and it was absolutely delicious. The bread was soft and fluffy, and the custard filling was the perfect addition. The prices are reasonable for the quality and portion sizes, too. Definitely a great spot to grab a pastry and a drink, and I'll be coming back to try more!

    I rarely leave negative reviews, but my experience here was disappointing…read more My family and I stopped by on Saturday shortly before closing. As employees were already putting away the bread, I politely asked if I could grab a piece before everything was picked up. I was told that the bread was being moved to the front and that someone would assist me there. While I waited, two other groups entered after me. They heard the same information and ended up being helped before I was, despite the employees knowing that I had been waiting first. I politely asked twice for assistance and was told to continue waiting while the other groups were served. What made the situation more frustrating was that the customers ahead of me were taking a long time deciding what they wanted. I had already put on a plastic glove and was prepared to select my own bread, but I was told that wasn't necessary because an employee would help me. While waiting, I witnessed one of the teenagers from a group point directly at the bread, and another teenager pushed their hand into it. This happened in front of the employees, and no one addressed the situation or reminded them not to touch the food. As someone who was trying to follow proper sanitation practices, I found this very concerning. Not only did this happened once but 2,3 times infront of them. Yet nothing was addressed. After being ignored, waiting while others were served ahead of me, and seeing unsanitary behavior go unaddressed, I decided to leave without making a purchase. I was disappointed by both the customer service and the lack of attention to food handling standards.

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    Matari Coffee - Iced tea

    Matari Coffee

    4.1(97 reviews)
    7.0 mi

    I would give Matari 4.5 out of 5 stars, so I'm rounding to 5 based on service and ambiance! I heard…read moreabout their fruit mousse cakes online, so we knew we had to stop by to check it out. The cafe is immaculate and service was very friendly. The person who took our order was patient as he explained the different pastries in the case. I wish they had signs explaining what each pastry was so I could have decided while waiting in line. We ended up sharing an iced pistachio latte (delicious and 10/10!), the pistachio cheesecake (10/10!), and the strawberry mousse cake (7/10 - a subtle sweetness, great texture, but needed more cake or crust inside as it was mostly whipped cream and the shell). The mousse cake was $12.00, which felt steep considering it was mostly whipped cream, even though it was obviously beautiful. We would definitely come back for the coffee and to try more menu items! Check this place out!

    I wanted to like it. I did. But after a few visits, it's just not for me…read more The first trip, I tried the Matari Tea: Green tea, Himalayan pink salt, milk, and spices, topped with roasted pistachios. Sounds good, right? Alas, it could not have been blander. I couldn't taste any "spices" or even the hint of salt. The profile was that of very watered-down tea mixed with milk, and a ton of pistachios floating on top. Like, barely crushed pistachios. Huge pieces, covering the top of the drink, bobbed around like tiny icebergs, and even they somehow had a toned-down flavor. The drink was definitely a swing and a miss. Fast forward two weeks, and I tried Matari again. This time with a simple cortado. I sat at the table right by the door, and the espresso was pretty good. Solid body, not too bitter. It was on the pricy side ($7+), but I was ok with that. But then, I'm hanging out, sipping my coffee, and I catch a burst of perfume-like scent. I'm shocked, but whatever, I figured someone in heavy perfume walked by, no big deal. A few minutes later, wham, I'm hit in the nose with another burst of perfume. Then, I see it. A slight haze around me. So, not a heavily perfumed woman after all, but an automated air-freshener. After further inspection, I see the unit plugged in on the ground right behind my chair, which sprays up and out on a timer. That's right, an air freshener right next to a table where people consume food and beverages, shooting a mist into the air that slowly rains down onto my head and table, and into my coffee. I ended up tossing the last few sips of my cortado, as I could taste the scented whatever-it-was in my cup. I'd have gone to the counter and asked for a new one, but I was so over my visit by then, I just opted to get out. The staff aren't very friendly. Not rude, but they don't give off a welcoming aura, and I didn't feel like trying to explain the issue. Lastly, can we talk about their little "your order is up" beepers? We've all seen them. The little electronic things that blink and make a noise when your order is ready, so you can go snag it from the counter. When I think of a coffee shop, I think quiet and peaceful, or perhaps a bit louder, with bustling people and well-paired music. At Matari, it's an insane BEEP BEEP BEEP that goes off every few minutes when an order is up. I get it, you don't want to bring the food out to your customers. But does it really need to feel like an airport Chili's? It's a bummer, because Matari is beautiful inside. It's clean, it's chic, and its location is at a notable crossroads in Skokie with plenty of parking, leaving it extremely convenient. They've even got an easy-to-use website, which so many coffee shops simply do not have. There aren't a lot of coffee shops in this particular part of town, which is why I so, so very much wanted to love Matari. But subpar drinks? Air freshener spray intrusions? Frequent and obnoxious beeping? I tried. I'm sorry. I just can't.

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    Bakery

    Candy Cloud - Lemonberry Slush Float with Oatly Icecream (left) and Peanut Butter Cup shake (right). So good.

    Candy Cloud

    4.1(54 reviews)
    1.7 mi

    I love a good bubble tea and was excited to find one so close to the Target I always frequent. The…read moreinterior was very minimal and modern. There were quite a few people hanging out inside. I did a mobile order and it was ready within a few minutes. There are so many options! I opted to try the green tea and was excited to see there was a lavender flavor option and of course I added pearls. I LOVE the tab on top - that's a first I've seen at any bubble tea place. The tea wasn't the best I've ever had and I'm not sure if it's because of the lavender flavor but that is my assumption since I never had it in a bubble tea before. I think all the fruit options are a much better way to go. I'm looking forward to coming back and trying more menu items and even their savory food items.

    Candy Cloud was such a pleasant surprise. If you enjoy bubble tea, dirty drinks or unique drinks,…read morethen you'll love Candy Cloud. Who would have thought that Dr.Pepper and Ube would go so well together? The Dr. Pepper Ube with boba was my favorite. The Ube flavor was there but not overpowering and the boba here consistently is soft with a great chewiness to it. I also really enjoyed milk tea with Dr.Pepper and boba. There's a really nice end note of Dr.Pepper. Not only are the drinks themselves unique and fun but also the can they come in. It's a clear plastic can where they seal it with the metal top of a pop can. You pull the tab back creating that satisfying pop sound with the fizz. Besides the many set drinks they have you can customize your drink however you'd like. You can even create a layered shake or have it blended.

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    Basu - coffee - Updated September 2026

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