The baristas at a local coffee shop told me I needed to try this place, so naturally I went immediately. The gumbo was absolutely fire. Full disclosure: I haven't had gumbo in a fat minute, so maybe don't trust my taste buds completely - but it was super flavorful, and I really loved the spices. I didn't realize it came with rice, and since I can't eat rice, I basically just soaked up as much of the broth and juices as possible. I'm still heartbroken because I know I missed out on the full experience. The meat pie was also sooo good. I'm usually hesitant about dishes without any greens, and I fully expected the ground beef to be dry because ground beef disappoints me more often than it should. Thankfully, I was wrong. The filling was juicy, the sauce was amazing, and everything was packed with flavor. If y'all need a little bite on the way to the airport, please stop here and get this mf gumbo. read more

Junebug Café - hand pie - beef - Cafes Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Biscuits? Banging. Beignets? Banging. Iced Coffee? Cold as hell. This small norleans style shop has some great eats. A taste of bourbon street... without the vomit and debauchery. read more

Finally, a proper beignet place in Chicago. Been missing it since Grand Lux closed down. Took months to get here and every bite is worth the trip. Service is amazing, quick and friendly. Coffee is impressive and lemonade fresh as it gets. Cute cute cute fun place to visit. Their beignet was too doughy and dense today- maybe didn't have time to let yeast rise properly. We are willing to try again. Remember to order properly if you order 2 for 6$ set you can add a third for 2$ but if you order 4 more they they charge for 3$ each. We wanted 6 today so next time will remember to order 2x3 for 6$ instead of set of 2 then 4 more on side. But the owner was super kind so we didn't mind one way or another. She let us try their sauces and they were both amazing. I think addition of chocolate sauce like Grand Lux used to have in their triple sauce set, may be a crow pleaser. read more

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Cute little local coffee shop. Seating area seems nice but a bit small so ordered to go. Staff was nice enough to give some recommendations when asked. Ordered a mocha latte which was more on the subtle side. The biscuit ended up being more like a roll which was underwhelming for something they considered a more popular item. The meat handpie was really good, great seasoning and portion size. Would probably come back to try the other drinks and food to get a better feel. read more

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The food and overall environment was amazing ! Our server was really friendly and efficient

Such a cute spot. Food was delish! Great service. No complaints. Tried the breakfast hand pie, gumbo, and cowboy fries. The remoulade sauce is amazing. Cold brew coffee was very good too. read more

Junebug Café - Hand pie and gumbo - Cafes Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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What a wonderful lunch spot to stumble upon in such a cute area. GET THE COWBOY FRYS PLEASE - they were perfect and next time we're adding more perfection with the brisket. Po boy was def something to write home about. Very very kind service - we'll be back! read more

Junebug Café - Breakfast Hand Pie - Cafes Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Last day in Chicago, and prior to boarding my plane I decided to get a breakfast sandwich. It was delicious. The best biscuit I have had in a long time. The service was great and I had my sandwich at a reasonable time. Also ordered the fries, and it was great. Nice little shop in portage park. read more

Absolutely delicious! All of the staff were very friendly and the service was speedy. Will definitely return! read more

Junebug Café - Fresh Lavender Lemonade Breakfast Hand Pie - Cafes Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Wow I cant believe how this place went down hill from there other location on Irving pk. Had the gumbo it was nothing but broth..... very disappointed read more

Junebug is awesome. Staff is welcoming and friendly. Reminds me of the food in New Orleans, only better. Though it was the last thing we ate, what demonstrates their cred is the beignets! Generously dusted with sugar, perfect with a well-made cup of coffee. Before dessert, we had the gumbo, the brisket poboy, and an order of fries. All parts of the meal were great. While a trifle difficult to find, due to minimal signage outside. This store front cafe is extraordinarily neat and clean. This is clearly a family business. Even the logo, which is a picture of the owner's grandmother. Junebug is worth the trip from wherever you are. read more

Went here for the first time since I had some free time and was in the area. The beignets and gumbo were fantastic! Will be back again! The owner was very nice and welcome as well! read more

Junebug Café - Beignets and a ice latte - Cafes Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I have been dying here, but I picked up a king cake and some beignets and a café LA and they were really good. I look forward to coming back. They sell gumbo by the gallon as part of the cater menu for a decent price and they also have Po boys. One of the owners I believe she said she's from Louisiana, so I appreciate the attention to detail with all of their decor and the menu creation read more

I ordered takeout because I was in a rush but it would've been nice to eat inside. I got the matcha latte with lavender syrup and I also tried the gumbo. The gumbo was really good and came with a side of rice. Considering gumbo isn't a food I would think of when I think about Chicago, I was pleasantly surprised at how good it was. The matcha latte was sweet and was exactly what I needed. My one regret was not trying the beignets. This is great for a quick bite, a lunch date, or somewhere to just hang out. The menu had a decent amount of food options and the drinks are very customizable. The interior of the cafe was decorated nicely and the staff offered great customer service. They were welcoming, knowledgeable, and quite helpful. I have a few spots I like to visit when I'm in town and this will be added to my rotation. read more

Junebug Café - Iced Matcha Latte - Cafes Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

10/10 local gem. Love the Nola vibes, coffee, and fresh beignets. Staff is super friendly and helpful as well! Highly recommend coming here read more

Junebug Café - Beignets - Cafes Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Wow how did I almost miss reviewing Junebug Cafe? I'd heard of Junebug for a few years because I'm not sure there's a lot of places in Chicago where you can get beignets. For whatever reason I didn't make it here until a couple months ago which was unfortunate for me since I could have been beignet-ing for a while. The beignets are delicious, as you might expect. They're also huge which makes me happy since I don't eat them often, and covered in powdered sugar which they should be. They also have the best deal in town, with beignets half off from 8-11 Monday through Friday... so you know when I'll be there. I've also had a breakfast hand pie, which was okay but maybe not my favorite, and a biscuit for the little one. The biscuit was good but the grill the inside of it so if you'd rather they didn't, you should make sure to mention it. The beverages I've had--peach iced tea and strawberry lemonade--were really good and this is a place that makes a delicious iced tea. I haven't even tried their chai yet--particularly their seasonal one--and chai is my go-to drink so I need to head back soon! I am looking forward to trying a po boy or muffuletta here; I don't think I've ever had a muffuletta so that will be a treat. The parking is street only, but I've been lucky when I stopped in. They have some seating indoors--maybe about a dozen tables (it's a small establishment), plus a few window seats. In the warm winter months they've had some outdoor tables as well. read more

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Junebug Café in Six Corners is a gem. It's a small, cozy spot with a warm Louisiana vibe, and the atmosphere makes you want to linger. The beignets are the real deal -- not the donut-style imposters you see at some Chicago restaurants. Anyone who actually knows what a proper beignet should be will appreciate how on point Junebug's are: light, airy, and authentically prepared. I also tried the meat pie and the gumbo, and both were very good -- flavorful, comforting, and clearly made with care. Between the food and the vibe, Junebug Café is absolutely worth checking out. read more

The meat pie with remoulade is what made this 5 stars, instead of 4... Everything I tried was tasty, but not blow-me-away good. The meat pie, however, was so good that I wanted another immediately (which is not like me). The service was also super-friendly, and the prices not exorbitant, as many breakfast places have become. The decor is nice (so sick of minimalism), and the music was well-chosen. I will absolutely be back! read more

Tiny place but big taste. Coffee and amazing Sandwiches, where locals will come with a book or paper to read and relax quietly. We got the shrimp po boy, biscuit and beignets. The po boy was excellent, big portions of shrimp with the most delicious crusty bread. Service was fast with an exceptionally friendly who took time to check-in with every seated patron. Great to have a Cajun inspired option up north. read more

Four of us went here on a Friday afternoon. It was a spur of the moment idea, as we did not plan to stop. They have a very nice menu of not only coffees, but food, too. They have appetizer type items as well as meals. Their meat pies were wonderful. And, so were the beignets. The coffee was fantastic. If we are back in the area, we'll definitely stop by again! read more

A nice upbeat local spot. The employees here are friendly and have great recommendations. The menu here is NOLA themed so all lot can catch the eye. I got a biscuit, egg, and cheese sandwich and it was great. I would've liked jelly with the sandwich, that would have put it over the top. The ice coffee was great. I got a splash of half and half and praline syrup. read more

Junebug Café - Cafes Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Had a biscuit with brisket and gravy, not a huge portion but adequate. Also delicious beignets . A good beverage assortment. Pleasant staff and NOLO art adds to the experience. Check them out. read more

What an amazing time! The Breakfast Pie (Louisiana Hand Pie) was absolutely delicious, and their Matcha was the perfect accompaniment. The service was incredibly friendly and welcoming - I felt right at home! The decor, with its New Orleans vibes and charming masks, creates such a cozy and inviting atmosphere. Loved every moment of my visit! read more

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We only came for their beignets but will definitely be returning to try their Po boys, gumbo and Muffeletta. The girl the took our order was very inviting and very quiet. A nice smile and a good morning is really all that's necessary, but received neither. The inside is small, and the decor is simple with a few Mardi Gras type decorations. In my opinion, if you're going to go for New Orleans route, you have to go all out party type theme, too get that authentic Mardi Gras feel. It's honestly not that big of a deal but just something I noticed. We arrived early on a Sunday with no one dining in. I wonder if it's gets just after lunch time. The beignets are fairly prices at 2 for $5, and were pretty tasty. You get these perfect rectangular and dense beignets. I prefer mine if a little bit more airy but these were still pretty delicious. I will definitely be trying soon to get some more. read more

Junebug Café - Beignets - Cafes Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Good Food, Good Service, Love the ambiance! Their Beignets were heavenly! The bread was so fluffy and delicious and the fried shrimp were amazing :) read more

Junebug Café - Shrimp Bayou Po' Boy - Cafes Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

In this cold a yummy gumbo hits the spot! Such a cute little spot with delicious food. Highly recommend! read more

Junebug Café - New Orleans - Style Gumbo with biscuit - Cafes Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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The muffuletta was good and served with Cajun fries which were perfectly crisp and seasoned well. The service was prompt and friendly and the crew was helpful. The place is clean and the family friendly, with colorful Mardi Gras decor. read more

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After coming back from a recent trip to New Orleans, we were craving beignets and decided to give Junebug Cafe a try. We wanted to love this place, but unfortunately the beignets fell short for us. Thankfully, the rest of the food was good and worth the trip out to Portage Park. The person who took our order was very kind and patient. The service was above and beyond, and it's obvious that they take pride in their food. Inside the restaurant, there are also multiple tables available to eat in, the decor is very nice and matches the vibe of the space. Like I said, the beignets were probably our least favorite thing we ate. They were large and covered in powdered sugar, but the actual beignet resembled more like bread. It even tasted a bit like sourdough and was just a bit too dense for us. While we wouldn't get this again, we'd definitely get the other items we ordered again. The meat pie was really good. The exterior was fried and crunchy, while the inside was meaty and flavorful. It was also very moist. The sauce compliments the flavors of the meat pie, and I also recommend trying it with the Louisiana Crystal that they have on the tables. The two drinks we got, lavender lemonade and iced cafe au lait, were really good. The lemonade was tart, sweet, and had a clear lavender flavor. The cafe au lait was strong, sweet, and creamy. We loved the drinks. I'd definitely come back to Junebug Cafe for the drinks and to try their other menu items. In the future, I'm looking forward to trying the biscuits, poboys, and gumbo. read more

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Neighborhood gem!!! I love junebug, although they moved a few more blocks from me, but I'll take the extra steps lol New space is very nice! Cozy and intimate but a lot of space for privacy. Service is quick and friendly! Meat pies are tasty, gumbo is super comforting, beignets are a fluffy sweet pillows for your sweet tooth. I need to go back and try the new items like the debris poboy. I loved the debris back in NOLA! Fav seasonal latte was the tiramisu! read more

Junebug Café - Tiramisu latte, Meat Pie, Junebug Gumbo (Cup 8oz) - Cafes Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

We ordered the meat pie and Brisket ona' Biscuit. Both were fresh and bursting with flavors - the leftover remoulade came home with me, I'll find something to spread it on! Great service that only comes with that community rooted, family owned business vibe. It's a must if you live in the hood or are visiting portage park. read more

Junebug Café is an endearing establishment that straddles the line between restaurant and coffee shop. It offers a simple but delightful menu of breakfast and lunch items and some good coffee. It is mostly relaxed but has an ambiance that allows for both casual and to go dining; you can pop in for a cup of joe or serve yourself a more leisurely meal with friends. Everything is made to order, fresh and hot. The establishment feels cottagey and like an Instagram-ready work of art at the same time. So, how's the coffee? Actually, I think it's pretty good. The only thing is, it has a bit too much acidity for my taste. But that's not really a comment on the quality. The next logical question is, what style of coffee did I have? I had an iced coffee, and it was made with Dark Matter coffee, a quintessential Chi-town brew. And once again, both the staff and the cafe itself were just wonderful, so warm, clean, and welcoming. I've observed that they sometimes run out of food and have delays in fulfilling orders. So, it's best to go with some extra time. Let me just put it this way: Any small problems notwithstanding, I would have no qualms about telling people to go to Junebug Café. read more

Junebug Café - Cafes Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I was looking for some late afternoon coffee on my way home from work and figured it would be a good place to check out. I've had their other location bookmarked for months. Great to have one on the Northwest side that is a little closer to my place. I ordered coffee, a meat pie, and potato salad to go. The coffee was good. The meat in the meat pie was seasoned well. I would order the coffee and meat pie again. The potato salad wasn't bad, but not a must have for me. I look forward to trying other food items in the future. read more

Junebug Café - Cafes Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Tried the gumbo last night. It was decent, but not memorable. The chicken was tender, but the broth was too salty. It was just an okay dish. Wouldn't order it again. read more

Junebug Café - Cafes Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

A belated post - a month ago (mid November on a Tuesday) I was in the Portage Park area solo around brunch time and was craving a chill place for some quiet time, but also some unique drink and food - Junebug Café was absolutely perfect for this. This café is quiet, cozy, and intimate. I enjoyed an amazing seasonal Spiced Maple Latte and a seriously delicious (and filling!) southern-style buttermilk biscuit sandwich with cheddar, green onion, bacon, and egg, sitting near the door to people watch and see the snow flakes (maybe the first of the season in the area). First off, this is a lovely area with several options - there's a Culver's and Eggsperience Irving Park (with free parking) is straight across the street (which I was *seriously* debating on) - but being solo I ultimately decided on a southern-style unique little café for the taste and quiet time. It met my needs and expectations, for sure. All around, excellent experience. The girls working were so sweet and friendly, and the food and coffee was excellent and actually a really good value. I marked this as a place to come again specifically for coffee and the beignets (which I really wanted, but couldn't manage alone!) This seems like the perfect chill café place for solo or couple-time. read more

Junebug Café - Spiced Maple Latte and Ma's Biscuit - Cafes Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I tried the new "Junebug" on Milwaukee Ave. Everything was top-notch, the food, ambiance, and staff. I wanted to order the "Biscuits & Gravy" but they were out so I went with the Meat Pir and a cup of Gumbo and good coffee. The Meat Pie was cooked perfectly nice and crispy with a delicious filling with just the right spices and heat. The Gumbo was good with just the right amount of spices. The people are very nice and helpful with the menu items, T will go back and try something new. They close at 3 PM except on Saturday. read more

The food at Junebug is amazing. My personal go to is the poutine which has incredible well-rounded flavor. It's also a very filling meal. Service is great, everyone is kind and helpful. Ambiance is very hole in the wall cafe, so not going to be something you feel the need to put on social media but who actually cares when the food is that incredible. read more

Junebug Café - Cajun Poutine Fries with an egg added on top. - Cafes Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

What a wonderful little place! Arrived in desperation for caffeine and stayed longer than I expected. I tried the tiramisu latte (it's a special) which was really good. I was recommended to try the shrimp po'boy and a choice of a side (I chose the fries--a great choice!) and that was pretty good. Of course I had to try the beignets as well which were thick and filling with lots of powdered sugar mmm! The service was really one of the best parts of the experience. I love a New Orleans vibe. Along with the WiFi of course. I'd go back for sure. read more

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Great experience!!! Tried a medley of take out items to sample and they were all delicious. Such friendly staff too! Crave-worthy standouts included the gumbo and breakfast hand pie followed closely by the brisket biscuit with egg and beignets. Can't wait to go back! read more

Kind and attentive service Cajun fries and breakfast pie were great Muffuletta was solid maybe could use a vinaigrette Drinks were solid Small but cute space Decent price Would come here again read more

Junebug Café - Breakfast pie Muffuletta Cajun fries - Cafes Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

The customer service at Junebug is top-tier. I love how efficient they are while remaining personable and upbeat. They serve Dark Matter coffee, and my latest try was their iced coffee. While a tad pricy, it is delicious. I think their fresh beignets are great and very fairly priced. read more

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