I went through a period where I would buy various whole coffee beans at the grocery stores thinking that I would enjoy the variety. I made the switch to I Have a Bean last year and have stayed with them. They choose their beans very carefully from various areas bringing some wonderful roasts. The Coach also puts out great information for all sorts of things including best ways to brew a perfect cup of coffee. You simply can't go wrong with good beans and the right brew. When you add in their mission to help their employees, you have a perfect place to do business. read more

The best coffee in Chicagoland, the best coffee in Wheaton, the best coffee period. We moved from Wheaton and continue to get this very best coffee with the very best cause. Their subscription service is a great help for ensuring the freshest roasted beans in an ongoing fashion. read more

I ordered some of the Peru medium dark roast, ground for a French press. Even the BOX it came in smelled incredible. Tried my coffee the next morning and it was absolutely delicious. I'm so happy to support such an awesome company and hope people give them a try! I'm pretty sure I'm hooked! read more

I've tried a lot of high-end coffees. None have compared consistently to I Have A Bean. Starting with in-season beans that score in the top 1% in the world, they roast yours the same day you place an order. It's the freshest coffee you'll ever have! Whichever kind of roast you prefer, there are options available. I brought I Have A Bean coffee to work last week, and enjoyed the "Wow!" reactions. Great coffee, great mission. read more

The coffee is very good, but i also believe their success has gotten to their head. Last year i purchased a pound of thier columbian coffee for $18.5. This year they are charging $37. I know there is inflation, but doubling the price of this item in less than a year is a complete rip off. This is plain and simple ridiculous. I am sure I am not going to be the first person to make a comment about this absurd increase in price. read more

I Have a Bean (a/k/a Second Chance Coffee) has phenomenal coffee and an even better cause! The beans come from all over the place, Kenya, Ethiopa, Colombia, Guatemala... My church group had a little tour of the place recently. They showed us their Beanmaster 5000 (hehe), which is a roaster actually made by the owner himself. There is no other like it! He has a Computer Science/Engineering degree, and used it to create a roaster that is so easy to use, anyone can do it. Put in the beans, and push a button on the laptop. Why? Because normally it takes up to four years to learn how to perfectly roast coffee. Ex-felons don't have that kind of time or resources. They need to get back on their feet and rebuild their lives immediately and often have nowhere to turn. The owner has provided that for them and their families. Before you say, "they don't deserve that," look at your own self in the mirror and honestly say you don't have any past regrets, faults or flaws. I for one am not perfect, and I'm pretty sure you aren't either. ;) The ex-felons here have turned their lives to Christ and one of them that I know of is now giving back and serving in Prison Ministry. They were given a 2nd chance, and didn't take it for granted. I highly recommend going to their website and watching the video - so touching! www.ihaveabean.com So, back to the coffee. The tour guide said that their roaster floats the beans around, always suspended in the air, so that they never sit on the metal and burn. This keeps it from tasting bitter and nasty. Genius! I can only drink decaf, but it is delicious. No bitterness - so fresh. I am not a coffee drinker normally due to the caffeine, but I'd consider purchasing their decaf if I had a grinder and coffee machine. They also now sell teas, so that's another option for me! OH! And when you place an order online, they actually roast it that day. And you pick it up that same day. Now that's fresh! I also love that just about everything in their shop is repurposed. The furniture is from barn wood. They make shoulder bags from the canvas bean sacks that the coffee beans arrive in. They could totally sell them, but they don't. ;) The fact that they help ex-felons get back on their feet holds a special place in mine and my husband's hearts. This is actually the type of ministry that we are looking to get involved with. So, if I were to purchase coffee from anywhere, it would be from them. These people show God's love to those who most people don't/won't. 5 stars in my book! read more

I've been a customer for years. I used to regularly stop by the Childs Street location and choose my selections then. Now I order online to insure my choices are available. I still pick them up and they are still great. The work they do is a bonus. If the coffee wasn't excellent, I wouldn't buy it. read more

A good cup of coffee starts with the coffee bean! And I Have A Bean coffee company knows how to select exceptional beans from around the world. Next, it's how you roast it. The beans from IHAB are roasted to perfection. Each bean uniformly roasted. Third, it's how they ship it: roasted immediately after your order and shipped out, ensuring the customer receives the coffee as fresh as possible. I sound like I know what I'm talking about only because I am a customer of good coffee, and for too many years I settled for inferior coffee, roasting and delivery. Stick with this company!! read more

This is really great coffee on a mission. Im happy I found this brew through Paceline! Will definitely be on the lookout for more :)

I was looking for fresh roasted coffee for my espresso machine, and I Have A Bean is awesome. The coffee is delivered next day for almost nothing, the price is better than other roasters, they don't compromise quality, and have a nice selection of several fantastic coffees. Their service is friendly, fast, attentive. Highly recommend. read more

I Have a Bean is an amazing local business. They deliver fresh roasted coffee to my door every week. They offer a great variety of beans, all top quality. Their coffee is some of the best I've had. Customer service is awesome. And, on top of it all, they create jobs for formerly incarcerated people - individuals who are part of our community but who often struggle to find meaningful work. These are good people providing a great product with great service. read more

This is some seriously good coffee...both regular and decaf. The staff is very friendly and helpful. We get all of our coffee exclusively from I Have a Bean. read more

A few years ago I went on a mission to find my favorite coffee. I tried a lot of coffee that year and still wasn't satisfied. I was telling my friend from Wheaton about my mission and she told me to try I Have a Bean Coffee. I decide to give it a try and I'm so glad I did. I found my favorite coffee. Every since then, I have had coffee beans shipped to Dallas on a regular basis. If you haven't tried this coffee, give it a try. You won't regret it. read more

The coffee is amazing and the people are so kind who work there! I love that it is not only local, but it's also high quality with a wonderful mission behind it. read more

My favorite coffee. Very reasonably priced, especially considering the quality. I typically order online and am always surprised at how fast it comes. I've also been in the store a few times and always enjoy talking to the team for a bit. read more

Awesome service. Where else can you get freshly roasted coffee beans delivered to your door practically overnight? My coffee lovers drool when I bring them this coffee. And the mission is inspiring. read more

I really like the company itself and they values they stand up for. I tried their coffee at Wheaton's French Market. They were offering to give me a new cup if they could take a dispose of my current one. I wish I hadn't agreed. I found the medium roast I got to be watery and lacking full-flavor, and same for the light roast my fiance got. I'm a Starbucks lover, so it's hard for someone else to beat them for me. At least I'll know for next time. Again, great service and friendly employees at the market, just not my cup of tea. (err..coffee haha) read more

Delicious varieties of very fresh coffee. I love supporting this fantastic business structure. I Have A Bean is very active on our Wheaton community. They have been very generous supporters of The ALS Association in Chicago. I love Free Cup Friday! read more

We love our neighborhood coffee roaster!! Best coffee beans around and we enjoy stopping in a few times a week to grab a free cup of coffee. Do yourself a favor and check them out. read more

I had a great meal at Waterleaf Restaurant for Valentine's Day tonight-I had to ask "what company makes this coffee, it's delicious?"...... They told me "'I have a Bean', and it's local,"........ Guys, you have nailed the coffee experience as far as I'm concerned, will be visiting you very soon to buy your remarkable brew (-_-)....... read more

Love the coffee and wonderful people at I Have a Bean! Fresh roasted coffee- love the variety and expertise of the staff. Very friendly too. Highly recommend trying their beans !! read more

Unbelievable coffee AND an epic mission. Consider this as a personal or corporate gift idea, or just enjoy every cup and count your blessings that this organization is doing real and sustainable good in the world read more

"I have a Bean" has the best roasted coffee around. I first tried their coffee at the Wheaton Farmers Market a few years ago. They were handing out free samples. Unfortunately I like a little cream in my coffee but with the crowd and scant creamer I took it black. Well. It was delicious. No burnt or off flavors. And,...I am supposed to cut back on caffeine and they use a water process to decaffeinate as opposed to the chemical method using petroleum products. So delish all the way! Wait for the Guatemalan, my fave. read more

Oh, I Have A Bean...you have ruined me for other coffee. I used to feel fancy brewing Starbucks in my french press. No longer. This is my foremost reason for venturing to the French market, many Saturdays. I can't get enough of their iced coffee (when it's available, usually in warm weather only, though I could drink it all year.) And free coffee Fridays? Are the best. This is a must try! Find them on Facebook for updates, including those regarding free coffee. read more

One word describes this coffee: PERFECT! I'm pretty picky about my coffee and I really like(d) Intelligentsia but once I tried I Have A Bean, I was hooked! So I still have not ventured to the Roaster in Wheaton, but I came across this delicious brand of coffee at the Whole Foods on Huron and Dearborn. It really is something special. I love their Ethiopian coffee flavors but the others are delicious as well. There is something very smooth, creamy, and rich about their coffee beans. I do not think all Whole Foods locations still sell this coffee (the Schaumburg location stopped selling it), but I am happy to say that the Huron location, and hopefully others, still replenish their coffee supply and bring in various flavors. I definitely want to venture to the roasting location and will try do so once the weather gets better. Another plus, which the previous reviewer noted, is that they give second chances to to individuals who have a record, by providing them with jobs at the Roasting company. I loved this aspect of their company and I love their coffee. Please give them a try either by visiting their Wheaton location or grab a bag from a local Whole Foods. Try the Ethiopian flavors (I love the Ethiopian Natural Sidamo or the Ethiopia Yirgacheffe Gelana Abaya Natural; there is another one as well that is a feature bean - have not tried yet- so that is probably delicious as well)! You won't be disappointed! :) This really is my coffee....nothing else compares. So Whole Foods, if you stop selling this coffee, I mayyy stop being your local customer. Thanks! read more

This company is well known & admired for hiring & training ex-cons who have become born-again Christians. Add to that fact the amazingly delicious coffee and the super-friendly sales staff, and you'll keep coming back, or order by phone. I used to only purchase their beans at the Wheaton Saturday French Market, or whenever I would see their booth at a Christian conference or big event. Now I know to drop by their shop in Wheaton. read more

I Have a Bean has incredible coffee. I received a gift box last year and have been a huge fan ever since. I have been in search of a great cup of coffee to enjoy at home and have always been disappointed...until I Have a Bean. I don't know how anyone can beat fresh roasted coffee beans sent right to your door. There is also a nice variety to choose from. My personal favorite is the Mexico Chiapas. A wonderful aroma and a very smooth taste. This company has a great mission too! read more

Best coffee I've ever had, and I've had a few! Outstanding service from all. Everyone there has been helpful in coffee selection and Pete took quite a bit of time with me discussing which type of brewer to use, how to get it ground and even how to clean the machine. I can't say enough about the coffee or the people at I Have a Bean! read more

Coffee is the best, not gonna find a better bean! Seriously test me on this! Pete and his staff bend over backwards for their customers. If you're new to the coffee world,just ask for a tour and some consultation. I was new to the coffee world and they helped me very much understand the quality of a great bean! Espresso drinkers know good coffee and I Have A Bean will not let you down! Salute from the Westside of Chicago. read more

This is a hidden Gem! Some of the best coffee I & my son (who is a coffee snob) have ever had! He loved the Java beans & I bought several different pods, that r recyclable. Luckily I live near by & now have to ship him beans to Dallas the people there are very helpful and friendly also. Will definitely spread the word on this excellent coffee. read more

I really enjoy I Have a Bean coffee! They deliver quickly and they grind your beans fresh for you when you order. All of their varieties I have tried are unique and delicious. read more

Their coffee is excellent- freshly roasted and mailed the same day! Although I didn't care for one of the 4 pounds of beans I ordered online, after speaking with Duke at I Have a Bean, he understood my discontent and sent me 2 pounds of beans that he saw I had ordered in the past as replacements for free. So great to see a company that truly wants customers to be happy with their purchases and will make it right when they are not. Thank you Duke and I Have a Bean! -A very happy customer. read more

We love this coffee, and now are completely ruined for any other coffee. I love getting it from the French Market in the summer, and I even send it to business associates as a "thank you" from time to time. Great coffee, wonderful customer service, and I love supporting small business! It is a win all around! read more

I first saw their coffee at Whole Foods and discovered that they roast daily in Wheaton. You can order online by 10am and pick up freshly roasted coffee that day! I got a sample pack that had three smaller sized packs of coffee, which is great for trying the different varieties side by side. It is clear they take their coffee seriously (and support a great cause). A hidden gem in the 'burbs. Note, this is just a roasting facility where you can pick up beans. read more

Great coffee and a great mission! Whether you live local in Wheaton, or anywhere FedEx will deliver, I Have A Bean coffee is a must have!

I by this coffee at the Wheaton French Market on Saturday mornings. Although I enjoy the coffee I think the young man that always wears the ties is very rude and disrespectful to those that work for/with him. If I had to guess I would say he was the owners son because of the way he acts. He may have the get up and go but nice he is not. read more

I work in retail and 'I Have a Bean' was one of my vendors. This small company is so wonderful and professional. The reps are so friendly and are very easy to work with. They choose only the best beans and as a result the coffee is very good , also the idea behind the parent company 'Second Chance Coffee" is awesome! The only drawback to them is the price at some retail locations BUT remember they roast in very small amounts to ensure you get the best coffee and flavor. Totally worth it though! read more

I was never a coffee snob until I tasted this coffee! Amazing coffee and a great staff that is very helpful and informative. Add to this the mission of the organization... needless to say, I don't drink any other coffee now. read more

I used to live a couple blocks from I Have a Bean--one of the best businesses I have ever come across. I moved out of the area, but I still order my coffee from I have a Bean on a regular basis. They have a great roast, quick online ordering, timely processing and very friendly customer service. The icing on the cake is their mission. You can't go wrong ordering good, quality coffee from here. Tip: order your coffee online and pick up at the store where you can chat briefly with a staff member and perhaps taste a cup of coffee they are testing out. read more

It's mission statement alone is enough to want to buy from them, but the product is fantastic. Love their booth at Wheaton's Saturday French Market. My morning is always better with a cup of their joe in my hand. read more