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Bourgeois Pig Cafe
Categories: Food Coffee & Tea Restaurants Delis Coffee & Tea, Delis [Edit]
738 W Fullerton Ave(between Burling St & Childrens Plz)
Chicago, IL 60614
Neighborhood: Lincoln Park
(773) 883-5282
- Nearest Transit:
-
Fullerton (Brown Line, Purple Line, Red Line)
- Hours:
Mon-Sat 7 am - 10 pm
Sun 8 am - 10 pm
- Attire:
- Casual
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Price Range:
-
$
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- Yes
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- Paid
- Good For:
- Lunch
- Alcohol:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Hipster, Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
415 reviews for Bourgeois Pig Cafe
Review Highlights
"I ordered the great gatsby and it was so delicious."
(in 25 reviews)
"The "Sun Also Rises" sandwich is my favorite."
(in 28 reviews)
"The food and baked goods are wonderful."
(in 23 reviews)
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415 reviews in English
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Review from Kristin H.
Oakland, CA
1/12/2012
So this place is a fun little haunt, tucked away from Depaul-ian Bro splendor right off the lincoln/halsted/fullerton clusterfuck. Step inside and it's like you've just bitten off a slice of old europe, a funky hybrid of a British library and a Prague cafe. Weird curiosities are chilling out on the walls, I want to say there's an ox yoke and a huge hacksaw hanging around like no big deal.
Bourgie Pig's banana-nutella shake: SHIT JUST GOT REAL. my boif swears by that monster accompanied by a little red velvet cupcake or a huge brownie brick. And the sandwiches rule. But a lady must watch her figure, so i stick to the marvelous assortment of fancy teas or an iced coffee, which is always well-cut and never too watery thank you very much.
The people who work here are always courteous, friendly, and prompt. I have a panic attack every time I think about stepping foot inside one of those Wicker Park Coffee Clubs manned by waxy douchebags who seem to want to make the process of ordering a bean-based drink as uncomfortable as possible. (i mean is it detrimental to the growth of your ironic moustache to SMILE at people occasionally?? we're all in the same boat here and my degree in industrial design hasn't worked out post-grad either, you don't need to look at me like i just said my favorite Lou Reed record is "Lou Reed Greatest Hits")
At Bourgie Pig there's no elitist bullshit and i actually feel welcome entering the place, which is also one of the better things about the People Who Come Here. Generally they're Depaul Psychology majors studying schizoaffective disorder in anxious silence, and people seem to respect each other's space. You can sit inside or out, the space has changed around a bit in the past few months and it's a little confusing, but I love upstairs on the red victorian sofas.
Hopefully the Pig will be around for years to come, it's a great place to hide from the oppressive greyness of the Chi. -
Review from Anna B.
1/27/2012
3 years ago I would have given this place 5 stars. Now? It gets 3 for the following reason:
THE BOURGEOIS PIG IS NOT A PUBLIC LIBRARY!!!
I tripped over multiple computer cords that were strung across the room. Wifi hobos were sitting solo at pretty much ever single table. I understand that it's a lovely studying environment, but the various students have turned it into an incredibly crowded and freaking loud study lounge. I was a paying customer (I got the chicken parm panini, which was FAB), and I just wanted to sit with my boyfriend and have a nice warm afternoon lunch. I went upstairs to find a table and every single available space was taken up by a macbook and a coed, of which none had a single BP product at her seat. I found this incredibly insulting, as this is a great business with wonderful food and drink. This isn't just some Starbucks where you can squat for hours and people will just have to find another Starbucks if they want a seat.
When I used to live in LP, this place hadn't caught on as much as a Study Central, so it was possible to sit and drink some tea and enjoy good company. Now it's so loud that you can't help but overhear some law students' thoughts on their recent group project, or as happened the last time I was there, a particularly cringe-worthy interview between some liberal arts major and the DePaul theatre school's admissions counselor. You can't relax there anymore.
I understand that the wifi is paid and BP is making their bones, but it's really really uncomfortable to walk into a place and think you're just interrupting everyone's studies when all you want is a sandwich. It certainly didn't give me any incentive to go back.
Also: when they remodeled they took away the wall of loose tea, which I understand, but I miss being able to take my pick from the wall. That's just a nitpick, as they still have the variety, you just don't have to bring the jar to them anymore.
Overall, this place has great food, great atmosphere, and it's at a great location, but unless you are a DePaul student, or if you have a lot of feelings about Plato's Republic, I'd stay away. -
Review from Andrew H.
Chicago, IL
1/22/2012
OVERALL EXPERIENCE: BAD.
Now we may have simply gotten unlucky in our timing, but we had a fairly terrible experience at Bourgeois Pig Cafe yesterday. We arrived around noon. The place seemed fairly full, but I knew that there were multiple rooms in the joint and that some seating would probably open up by the time our food was ready.
We ordered. About 20 seconds after ordering, one of the other order takers starts telling everyone ordering that there is simply no seating and it'd have to be to go. This worried me because our order taker had failed to mention this prior to our ordering our food. No worries, I was sure something would open up. There were a couple of problems with this assumption. First, there are multiple rooms and there are a steady flow of people that snag tables first and then order, regardless of how long others have been waiting for a seat. They need a system for this. Two people cannot "guard" four different seating rooms waiting for a table to open up, nor should they have to. Second, people apparently camp here. Literally. No joke, there was at least one person fully passed out all over a table for four upstairs. I tried waking him even by making some noise next to him in an unsubtle manner, to no avail. The staff probably could have woke him up and opened the table up. Third, while we waited, the bench in the main waiting area shattered with someone sitting on it. He was fine, but my hopes of even grabbing a bench seat shattered with his plunge to the ground. There was no longer any seating for us. Then our food came out. We again walked around all the rooms to find no seats and asked for our food to go.
Transferring the coffee to the to go container made me realize how little coffee you get in their mugs. It's roughly $2.05 for a small coffee, which comes our to at most 8 oz. Now maybe it's a free refill if you dine in, but it just seemed a little nickle and dime, or perhaps I was just bitter after having to go beg to get my coffee transferred into a container I could carry out into the snow with my ever cooling food.
In their defense: there was apparently a baby shower. They were incredibly busy. One staff member was VERY apologetic and seemed sincere. This was appreciated. The food, even by the time we walked all the way home, was still pretty decent lukewarm.
BUT, they certainly could have done more. For example, the person taking our order could have filled us in about the whole no seating situation PRIOR to us ordering. This would have saved us the stress of hovering, shamelessly trying to wake up the passed out dude, and trying to snag a seat. We also could have decided to go elsewhere. They could have also given us something to actually show some remorse. Or, even better, they could actually have a semblance of a seating plan, such as forcing people to actually order BEFORE they can sit. This would help turnover a lot.
PRICE: High for what it is. We got a drip coffee, a soup/sandwich, a full sandwich, and a latte for $26. That puts it at $$, not $ as advertised on yelp. It's only under $10 if you just get a sandwich and a water, which I suspect nobody actually does. Considering that it's deli meat and some veggies requiring about 5 minutes of prep, I think it's a little steep.
FOOD: Pretty good, but not rave worthy. There are MANY other places pumping out better sandwiches at comparable prices, such as Panes. I had the sun also rises, dining partner had pilgrim's progress and cream of tomato soup. I personally thought the sun also rises was a little bland. Their hummus is okay, but honestly all you people can make better, more flavorful hummus at home. It was pretty devoid of seasoning. Their coffee was the standout; even the drip was thoroughly enjoyed.
I'll be back and hopefully I can bump them up some stars after a positive experience. Until then, I'll remember this place as that overly crowded antique deli where that guy fell through the bench and we had to walk out with our overpriced food into the snow place. -
Review from Ted C.
I loved the pig and it was a great place to come to when I was in high school because I felt like a cool sophisticate since I was the only one hip enough to be at a cool 'college' coffee place during the go-go days of the Starbuck's boom.
Wandering around LP a few weeks ago with my lady friend and walking down memory lane with a trip to my old high school I decided to show my lady friend the 'cool guy' coffee shop that I used to frequent.
I have never been a big coffee fan and when I came here it was mostly to eat their sandwiches. My gf though obviously ordered their coffee but it was a bit confusing since we ordered in one half of the house and had to go to the other. The coffee bar are though is very small though and if more than 3 people are waiting for coffee it makes it very cramped. Other than that, I still love the attention they put into making everything-the Mexican hot chocolate is a slightly different twist on a classic with the addition of a little bit of cinnamon and if you can sit down upstairs or in the front area to spend a couple hours you should.Listed in: I'm a little bit country,…, Chicago Code
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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12/5/2007
I haven't stopped by here in a while but I remember their drinks and sandwiches being very good. I'm… Read more »
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Review from Janet X.
1/9/2012
WARNING: If you consume a whole Great Gatsby sandwich, you will find yourself immobile and unable to even get a refill on your coffee. You will find all other sandwiches underwhelming and disappointing. You will come back to the Pig every month, like a pilgrim paying respects.
You will even be able to forgive the Pig for the horrific system of getting your coffee next door, coming back through, and then finding a seat. You will enjoy this sandwich on a small table nestled next to a window, enjoying the scuff of the Oriental carpets and the delightfully Victorian-looking rooms. You will be reminded of way back when you in college, cramming for that last-minute paper, except now you have all the caffeine and sustenance without half the stress.
And you will be happy. Very, very happy. -
Review from Shang C.
1/28/2012
A cozy little place for a warm drink, although the layout is super awkward. We came in the middle of the snowstorm so there was seating everywhere, but it's really not clear that you go to one side for order in and one side for order out.
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Review from Rits M.
12/30/2011
ok so I have to admit, I came here cos I had a craving. I decided to meet M and she was at DePaul at the time. She recommended this place, and some others, I tried it based on its name and the fact that it had waffles.
I had been craving waffles for a month, but my waistline needed nothing more than broccoli soup and green beans. Mind over matter, I went to La Pig. I loved it.
The place itself looks like an old house thats been renovated. Both downstairs and upstairs have wooden tables and chairs, but upstairs has old victorian seating as well- a chaise, and chairs made of purple chintz. Never thought I would see that outside England. Love the kitsch artwork on the walls as well.
My waffle was AMAZING. I had nutella and honey on mine and it remained crisp till the end, even though I took 2 hours to eat it. And I ate the whole thing too. M had the italian sandwich, which was pretty good, but I would really recommend the waffle :) -
Review from Marius M.
Tarrytown, NY
12/16/2011
The best coffee I've tasted in the USA so far, and I'm now since 9 month in the USA. Also the environment with the furniture in youth stile gives you the feeling to be actually in Europe somewhere in France.
There is also a beautiful little garden outside you can sit and enjoy you food and beverages.
Everybody who has the chance to go to the bourgeois pig cafe in Chicago and doesn't visit it misses something! -
Review from Jess I.
10/17/2011
Classic happy coffee shop.
Old wood floors, upstairs seating, dark, smelly (good smelly, like, you know, coffee and stuff), great place to meet a friend to catch up. The chai is delicious.
I like the grungy feel. I don't like chains like Starbucks or Caribou. I feel like I have to wear nice clothes there and also spend 20 dollars on a fricken coffee. Here it is more relaxed and no one really cares what you're in there for. -
Review from mad i.
Chicago, IL
1/9/2012
Blech...why did I listen to Rachael Ray? Crummie sandwich and really crummie Italian soda....
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Review from Annie N.
11/8/2011
This is where magic happens --- no literally. The whole time I was there I felt like I could have been in Harry Potter or I could have written Harry Potter, too bad it had already been done. Thanks a lot JK Rowling.
This place had a very old European feel to it. The weird decor, the old mis matching furniture, the telephone booth (yes there was one), among many other random things made the upstairs very unique. I do hope, however, that they utilize their space better because I struggled to find a place to sit for a good 5 minutes.
More on the logistic, the place is actually 2 buildings combined. They are not linked whatsoever, so you have to exit one to enter another. If you're there for coffee, and strictly coffee, its the door on the right. Deli and sandwiches, please enter on the left (I told you, this is where magic happens). Both buildings have upstairs seating and some tables and chair downstairs.
Coffee was good - $2.75 for a medium, and they asked for a $3 min for credit card (maybe it was just because I was ordering it on the Deli side - rookie mistake). So I grabbed a pecan shortbread to go with it. I then had to walk over to the other side and pick up my coffee, kinda annoying, but now I've learned my lesson. I think you can bring your own mug, and they'd give you a discount - not sure but I'll try it soon. They also had tons of sandwiches ranging from 8-10 bucks, a bit pricey I think, but I didn't try any, so so comment there.
The name itself confused me. This place is not at all what I think when I think of Bourgeois Pigs. Maybe I have a very wrong image of bourgeois, but this place gives me a vibe of the intellectual and rather pretentious so-called "scholars" class ... Ahh whatever, who am I to judge the appearance of a coffee shop? Nevertheless the hipster level of their employees made me giggle (secretly of course). So here is where the hipsters go to in Lincoln Park?
I got my coffee, and my cookie, and I found myself a quite corner next to a fire stove and a window. It was a cold rainy night outside, but super cozy and warm inside. I was perfectly happy working on my paper here (.... well until a student group meeting of 8 decided to grab some tables next to me, but it's not the cafe's fault).
Will for sure come back often.Listed in: Drink Coffee, Do Stupid Things…
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Review from Kunal N.
Near North Side, Chicago, IL
1/2/2012
Barista gave me attitude, then
gets my order wrong with a db bearded smile. Just went with it. Otherwise average drink quality. Not enough sitting room. Bathrooms sucks. Fast Internet but paid only. Daytime parking in surrounding neighborhood streetside until 5 - 7 pm depending on location. -
Review from Bonita G.
Chicago, IL
1/28/2012
This coffee shop has a very cozy ambiance. The coffee and tea were delicious. We tried the hunny rooibos tea and it smelled aromatic and sweet. The only bad thing I found was that wifi was only for 60 mins and there are only a few outlets where I can charge my laptop. I went there expecting to be a comfortable place to study but it turned out to be more of a place to chill and have a cup of coffee or sandwich.
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Review from Tony S.
Chicago, IL
12/31/2011
This place is a few stops up on the brown line from school, so I go there a lot. I spent a little time trying espresso in different places, and since a number of local shops serve Metropolis (because it's the best), to some degree all Red Line espressos taste similar. The Pig is set up with a great machine, so their espresso is nice and thick, full, and sweet. Great drink My favorite part about the shop is their attention to espresso variations and styles, with great prices. Large selection of loose leaf tea, and their mixes of espresso based drinks are done very carefully and with taste.
The atmosphere in the drink side of the shop is warm and comfortable with old mismatched wood furniture. I've become pretty comfortable studying there. Name is a bit pretentious, and there are some artsy DePaul kids there generally, but still a great shop ;) -
Review from Katy G.
Chicago, IL
10/7/2011
This place is adorable and delicious!!
What a wonderful lunch spot. I had The Sun Also Rises and my friend had The Great Gatsby. Both were very good. But more appealing is the charming little house and idea behind this whole cafe. It's very vintage-y and antique-y. Really cozy and adorable. I love the literary names for the food. It's almost fun to read the menu and connect why each sandwich is named whatever novel its named after. The cafe is adorable too.
If your looking for a really quaint and cozy spot for lunch with a friend, this is perfect! -
Review from Liam R.
Chicago, IL
12/27/2011 1 Check-in Here
Only had sandwiches which we ordered on seamless for ten dollars off. We picked them up so they we a little soggy when we got home
I had the muffalatta sandwich which tasted great once I warned it up. It wasnt too filling but had alot of meat and flavorful sauceI give the place four stars for taste and three for presentation but it may be better if I ate there. I will be back of I am craving a good sandwich and I am in the area -
Review from Robin M.
9/23/2011
I'm not quite sure what to think of this place, overall...
I had a sandwich on my first visit called the Hobbit: a triple layer BLT with avocado. It was expensive but one of the better sandwiches I have had in quite some time. in fact, it was crazy delicious and absolutely huge. Two meals easy. I wanted coffee with it but in order to get it I had to go out one door and into the "bakery" type section. They don't bring it to you. I also saw some salads that come out and looked very good. The service was really good that day.
The next visit was for breakfast so I went to the other side. I wanted a muffin but the only one they had that were not day old's were a buttermilk raspberry. Seemed odd to me that there were so few to choose from in the morning! The muffin was very moist but I didn't care for it at all. The latte I got sort of grew on me as time went on, but wasn't unforgettable. The brownies looked amazing but I didn't want one for breakfast. And I thought the service was fine but not great. So not that impressed overall.
I say if you want a sandwich, get on over there -- I'd make a special trip for that BLT. If not, I'd head elsewhere for a latte. Either way I'd get it to go. -
Review from Paulina M.
Chicago, IL
10/23/2011
There are plenty of reviews for this place already, but I'll nevertheless throw in my several cents. I'm sort of split on this place, but it's good ultimately. When I came, I was immediately charmed by the ambiance. Oldsy looking, very much reminiscent of Noble Tree which I love. They apparently just purchased or rented the place next door, so there was a lot of room for me to settle in and work. (And, no, annoying people who think others only go to cafes to show off. It's just much more entertaining to work in a nice atmosphere than on the couch.) The menu was ginormous, I counted 5 blackboards filled w/tiny print. The food portions were huge (my half quiche half sandwich looked like full sandwich and full quiche), and it was pretty good too (not ridiculously amazing or anything, but good).
There were 3 problems that kept this from being a 5.
1) The first was the pain in the buttness of having to order and take food from one area, but pick up my coffee from next door. ( Apparently the rented next door area cannot be torn to just make this whole thing one space. To their credit, they will bring it to your table if you feel like waiting)
2) They were out of chocolate for mochas!! That's not ok for a cafe. They have all these things to choose from, and they're out of the most important part of most espresso drinks? At least they had plenty of other choices.
3) Their internet was 2 hr limit. I obviously get why, but at this point, most cafes are unlimited, so you're behind the pack if you don't.
I will probably be back but I'm not fully set on it. I wish Yelp reviews were out of 10 stars. The place deserves a solid 7, but I rounded up b/c the servers were very sweet. -
Review from Shauna S.
Chicago, IL
12/29/2011
Great variety of food (Vegetarian included), but even as a meat LOVER, I enjoy the Secret Garden vegetarian sandwich. Bourgeois Pig also has great coffee, but limited space to sit around unless the patio is open. The atmosphere is cozy and unique but I am not so much a design critic-- I am all about food, and this place is very tasty! You will definitely find something you like-- if not everything!!
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Review from Holly J.
Chicago, IL
Updated - 10/24/2011
Just writing to update. This place is still great!
For all of those complaining about the time it takes to get a coffee beverage...please take yourself, your double-wide stroller, your parents from out of town and your pocket poodle to one of the many, many chain coffee joints round the city. There...you will find a stark array of delivered (not fresh) pastry, sub-par mass produced (yet suited to your urgent need to get out fast) coffee and absolutely no atmosphere.
Also, I never really thought of this cafe as the grab and go variety anyhow. Normally people sit around and chat (what cafe patronage is all about). So why the rush for the drink? I understand your time is valuable but honestly take a breather. Relax. People wait because the line is long...and that normally means you're gonna get a very worthy concoction. Yelp...I love ya but some people continue to amaze me with their complaints. As if we've all of a sudden become a time obsessed culture. Always on the go...can't even wait five minutes for a great cup o' coffee. Sad.Listed in: Neverending List Of Worthy…
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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10/16/2011
Woohoo! As good as it gets! Yelp, really?
I do suppose that's a somewhat accurate description… Read more »
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Review from S. K.
Chicago, IL
10/15/2011
How can you not love a place called Bourgeois Pig?? It's just not possible. Tons and tons of seating. Espresso beverages are perfect. Didn't have a sandwich but they looked great coming out.
A large group of us took over the entire 2nd floor back room for a long, boisterous philosophy discussion. Slowly the other settlers left but there are plenty of other semi-isolated rooms around plus on the other side (2 buildings semi-joined). But beware that the Bourgeois Pig are friendly to groups like us!! :) -
Review from Firas A.
Chicago, IL
1/23/2012
Let me clear about something from the start: I didn't actually order anything from here, I am only judging the environment.
I walked in and my first thought was "Oh. My. God." You see, I've seen hipsters on TV, but never real life, in person hipsters. Quite honestly, the atmosphere can't be described as anything but "annoying". Everything is meant to create that counter-culture/hipster/unique environment, which, despite their best efforts to be "unique", ends up just like every other hipster place in the world. Old photos of random people with funky mustaches from the 1800s and paintings of Lincoln and Washington watch you as you watch the ironic beards that hang from the faces of the smug, annoying workers there. There are Macbooks all over the place with tons of stickers on them that attest to that particular hipster's 30 most important causes that you've probably never heard of because you're too brainwashed by "the media, man". All the while, French words and phrases are all over the place, trying to get you to actually believe you're in Paris (never mind that the atmosphere is more cliche Parisian than anything in Paris).
Overall, if you're a hipster and love hipster places, you will love this place. If you're like the rest of the world and are annoyed by hipsters' undeserved sense of smugness, self-importance, and ironic bushy beards, you will probably hyperventilate as soon as you walk in. Enjoy! -
Review from Tram L.
Madison, WI
10/28/2011
A lovely place!
Haven't been to a good cafe lately as I just can't find this kind of place. I'm not a huge fan of coffee. So a good cafe' is a place that I can enjoy myself, have my own space or a different place where I can meet my friend. I have never been interested in places like Starbucks or Caribou or Peet's. To me those are just soulless. That's why I'm just excited to discover a place like Bourgeois Pig, even though where I came from (cafe is a culture in my home country), this is not something new at all.
The only downside is the limited hours for wifi. I meant REALLY? 2 hours? -
Review from Tim R.
Updated - 8/19/2011 1 Check-in Here
I'm probably going to be moving out of the neighborhood quite soon, so thought I'd try visiting this place in person rather than getting delivery again. I happened to need to visit FedEx next door, and, getting breakfast delivered would just be wrong.
It's cute. Lots of outdoor tables, and apparently they've just expanded/re-arranged the place so one half of the building is more food-focused, and the other is more coffee / pastries. This just means you order food and coffee in one side, and then take your receipt next door and give it to the barista, who makes your drink.
The coffee is outrageously good. I didn't pay attention to whether they roast their own beans, or whose they use, but it's rich, malty and sweet.
The breakfast burrito was outstanding -- I went for the bacon option. A herbed tortilla was filled with so much goodness: as far as I could tell, egg, bacon, cheese, avocado, tomato, red onion, some green veggie or other, and probably more, and grilled to crispy perfection. Served with a token apple slice and strawberry, for those essential vitamins... ha.
I've never eaten or drunk anything from here which wasn't the pinnacle of deliciousness, and I'm now glad to have visited in person and seen the cute little rustic mugs the coffee comes in. Even when I do leave the neighborhood, this place is travel-worthy. I might remain a regular.Listed in: Listomania
2 Previous Reviews: Show all »
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7/30/2011
They're three for three so far: The Sun Also Rises, The Great Gatsby, and The Hobbit are three… Read more »
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Review from Brian C.
8/1/2011
The gist of this review is this: don't go here if you need to study. Go here if you're trying to act as if you're studying.
As I see it, there are a handful of cafe categories. For example, you've got your study cafes (Noble Tree), socializing cafes (Filter), pretentious cafes (Intelligentsia and Cafe Neo), and utilitarian cafes (Starbucks).
Beourgeois Pig is a socializing cafe masquerading as a study cafe. You go there thinking you'll get some work done, but after about 10 minutes, you'll likely end up surrendering to the overwhelming amount of chatter. The combination of generous fire-code people-capacity limits and undergrads on talkative study dates makes things especially tough on concentration.
On the up-side they've got a decent porch and the feel of an 19th century French bookstore. On the down-side they've got no wifi (as of summer 2011) and you're guaranteed to bump elbows with patrons just about anywhere you sit. -
Review from Ann S.
Oak Park, IL
9/12/2011
I have been a fan of this place for awhile now; gotta love independent coffee shops. I am always thrilled with the Jamaican Latte and the Hamlet sandie, BUT, was I surprised to find when I visited last week that their space has doubled.
I know!
You gotta check it out. -
Review from Kristin M.
Chicago, IL
6/4/2011
As a hair-pulling, gut-growing, desk-attached grad student, I have spent many a wasteful hour perusing Chicago's coffee shops in search for the Great One. Some have had delicious food, but are heinously packed; at others you can regularly find a seat, but the coffee might as well be labeled "yesterday's news". Thankfully, I was introduced to the Bourgeois Pig at the beginning of this year-- and have not traversed Chicago's coffee shops since.
The Bourgeois Pig (besides being difficult to spell) has a decor that makes you feel as though you're sitting in the Hogwarts Library studying for Potions but without the fear of Snape. (Anything HP related is fine by me.) Excellent food (the Good Earth salad is my go-to choice), easily accessed wireless, and nooks and crannies to hide away for studying. I have spent (and will be spending today) many, many hours there writing papers, and the fact that I can at any point get up and grab some Moose Tracks ice cream keeps me going. Further, the staff is awesome-- helpful and kind, and ready with another internet card at hand whenever I wearily step up to the counter for the third time that day.
Go here. It's delicious/fast/spacious/awesome. -
Review from Emily C.
7/31/2011
I really like studying here, especially in the winter. The ambiance really carries the Bourgeois Pig. The front room is bright, sunny, and cheery. The upstairs looks like the library of an old house, and is very cozy.
The only bad thing I've found about BP is that it can get REALLY crowded. Sometimes it's hard to find a seat or a power outlet, and it's often too loud to study. Upstairs is usually pretty quiet, but one loud conversation can ruin everything.
Pro tips: They sell day-old muffins for half price. The berry ones are delicious - fluffy on the inside with a hardened sugar crust. The coffee and lattes are consistently pleasant, and they have a shockingly wide array of loose leaf teas. -
Review from Laila C.
10/6/2011 1 Check-in Here
BIG sandwiches made by hipsters. I'd definitely come back to sit outside and people watch.
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Review from Dhruv P.
I love this place. Great sandwiches, great tea selection, great ambiance (especially in the mornings upstairs when reading is a quiet affair).
In the early part of the aughts, I heard of this cafe (this was before Yelp... I must of found out about it in some newspaper) and decided to check it out on a weeknight. I was young and in college and took the number 8 bus up to this spot. I think i got disorientated with he six way intersection, but I eventually found it and recall that I enjoyed it. But it was out of my way so I promptly forgot about it.
That is until a couple of years ago when my friend suggested it. Of course, I didn't know yet that I had been there before, so it took me some time to realize why things looked familiar. But since then, I've been here many times and a few times, I've been early enough that the hungover people haven't woken up from their slumber to terrorize the neighborhoods. In those brief moments, reading in the quiet is a grateful experience.
Now I remember it, and I'm going to remember it forever (hopefully) after I write this review on yelp. Really, how did people remember where they had gone before the internet???Listed in: Vegetarian Friendly Fare
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Review from Emily B.
7/26/2011
Ordered delivery via GrubHub and I was kind of disappointed about the inconsistencies between what is described on the menu, and what gets delivered to your door.
There was one sandwich described as a French classic delicacy. It was two pieces of white bread with one piece of ham and one Kraft single on it essentially.
The salad we ordered was decent, but could be made at home. The dressing (a vinaigrette) was atrocious, however. Maybe you just need to eat there?? -
Review from annie p.
Lincolnwood, IL
9/7/2011
Adorable cafe, outdoor seating is just beautiful for this time of year.
The sun also rises is a classic sandwich, lots of fresh alfalfa turkey hummus and oh yum the bread, it's a perfect combination.
The decor is very quaint, old fashioned, and cozy. There seemed to be a lot of students when I went, so it was nice and quiet. I will be back! -
Review from Eduardo M.
Chicago, IL
6/20/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Pig. Piggy pig pig. Boo-gie pig!
Why haven't I written a review of this place yet? I've been here many a time, and I only live a couple of blocks away. I was first introduced to the Pig by a co-worker when I first came to Chi-town, and perhaps, years later it was a subconscious motivator in choosing my humble abode.
It's always had a spot in my heart as a throw-back style coffee house, the kind I remember from back in college, where you could go get coffee and relax in one of many different styles of chairs or sofas. The vibe of this place is great - and their sandwiches are really good too. -
Review from Amber M.
Chicago, IL
4/30/2011
I love the food-- it has cute literary names-- like the Hobbit and the Sun Also Rises-- and tastes great. The space is good for studying--good size tables, a few couches, interesting decorations for starring off into space at, wifi free with purchase.
That being said, the atmosphere drives me insane. it is bourgeois-- loud and full voices trying to sound intelligent. Forcing you to listen to every word as they share their blatant misreading of Heidegger or Foucault. In all of my visits I have yet to hear an actually intelligent conversation. And yes, there has been more than a dozen visits--the sandwiches are that good.
I have tried headphones. I think I need to upgrade to those Bose super sound blockers. -
Review from Steve T.
Chicago, IL
11/6/2011 1 photo
Nice ambiance and food; the staff are kind and helpful.
The cafe is now split and you must carry your coffee across the rooms.
The food is tasty and made from good ingredients. The portions are pretty large for the price. -
Review from Charles J.
Lockport, IL
5/17/2011
I started going to The Pig during my DePaul undergraduate days in the mid 90's and it was a small basic cafe at that time. Since then they have opened upstairs, a second entrance has been added and the food as stayed about the same buy this past visit I noticed the service went down.
As many people have stated there was only one person at the counter during my latest visit, and that indivuidual has to make the drinks, handle food orders and really stretch themselves with an ever growing crowd in a small cafe where the line can stretch to the first door and its not clear who is next in line.
I know every critic known to man says how great the place is and it has the ambiance that Starbucks lays awake at night and wishes it had but the service has to get better (like it used to be), that beautiful building and good coffee and sandwiches will only keep people coming so long, its Lincoln Park, people's time is as valuable as the service (or lack there of), that they receieve. -
Review from Lorrie M.
2/23/2011 1 Check-in Here
Pretty interesting location overall, since it was more or less a house and it was an old house at that. It's small inside but there is an upstairs portion and an outdoors portion when the weather is nice.
You order at the counter and become overwhelmed by the choices available for sandwiches, soups and salads and cramp your way into a table and wait for the goodies. This place is more like an antique shop than anything but I guess that's cute.
They have free wi-fi and most people seem to just want to hang out here. The juices here are pretty good so if you're in the area this is definitely a good stop to grab some grub. Sandwiches are good sized! -
Review from Claire C.
Chicago, IL
9/26/2011
Simply put- Bourgeois Pig Cafe has some great sandwiches. I have only ordered for delivery so I can't speak to the cafe itself but it sure looks cute from the outside! I got The Great Gatsby and loved it almost as much as I loved the name.
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Review from A.J. M.
Chicago, IL
10/13/2011
I really wish I lived closer to this place. I'd be there more often and I would probably rate it much higher. The Pilgrim's Progress was a delicious sandwich, and I would probably get it again, but I'd like to try out other options. The atmosphere is extremely charming, and it doesn't take a genius to figure that out.
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Review from Liz P.
9/27/2011
This place was f-ing awesome. The sandwiches are named after books which yes, is pretty hipster-y, but still charming. As for those sandwiches, the selection is huge and awesome. It took my friend and I about ten minutes to order because it's hard as hell to decide. We split the creamy tomato bisque and holy Jesus, it's the best tomato bisque I've had, EVER. The Sun Also Rises (which is a great book, btw) was delicious....kind of wish I had gotten a whole sandwich instead of half. I cannot wait to come back here, and bring everyone I know here. I almost feel silly giving it five stars when I've only been here once but trust me, it was that good. I consider myself a sandwich aficionado and this place is almost in first place for my fave sandwich place in the city (Pane's is still number one in my heart).
