Bad Butter
★ 4.4 · 109 reviews Chicago Opened April 2026
The lockdown sourdough project that turned into a queue
Daniel Koester started baking sourdough at home during the 2020 lockdown and spent the next three years selling preorder-only pastry out of the Emily Hotel. In April 2026 he finally opened a shop of his own, in the former Mable's Table space on West Cortland Street.
The croissants and Danishes are the draw, alongside plain artisan loaves, with coffee and eventually sandwiches planned on his own bread. Three years of preorders built a following, and it still shows up as a line most mornings.
Good to know
- Expect a queue at weekends. Popular items sell out well before closing.
What guests say
Reviews by Google-
Andrea Collignon 59 reviews · Local Guide 25 July 2026
Absolutely worth the hype and the line. I bought several things and nothing was even mediocre. My favorites were the harissa monkey bread with labneh, the pain Suisse, and the milk chocolate cookie. So good.
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Daniel Rivera 135 reviews · Local Guide 20 July 2026
This was by far my favorite stop during my day trip to Chicago. Although I did arrive pretty late and most of the pastries were sold out, I did manage to get some great pastries. Cinnamon Knots. Amazing. Almond Croissant. Bomb. The Kouign Amanns. Fantastic. The service was quick and the employees were very nice. The ambiance of the bakery was great as well. It has a lively, upbeat energy that perfectly fits the neighborhood. Even arriving late in the day, the space felt welcoming, vibrant, and full of character.
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Seema 183 reviews · Local Guide July 2026
my favorite bakery! Expect a line/wait of up to an hour or more. They're open until 2pm or sold out, but are typically sold out by 10 am, so plan to come early. That being said, the wait/line was worth it! The line moved at a decent pace as well. The pastries here are so delicious, not a single one disappointed. Amazing bakery, truly. They have a variety of pastries, perfect for any palete. Loved the salsa monkey bread, the mustard pretzel croissant, the chocolate croissant, the banana bread, and the cinnamon knot. Overall 10/10! The caramel miso latte was also really good! Writing about this is making my mouth water lol I also love how everything is freshly baked right there, and how you can actually see the bakers making the pastries through the window.
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John de Souza 487 reviews · Local Guide 28 June 2026
Bad Butter—with a name like that, I had to visit. I came straight from the airport and stopped by at 10 a.m., only to watch the person in front of me buy the last pastry. Fortunately, they were still serving coffee, so I ordered one to ease my disappointment. The coffee was so good that I decided to return the next morning. This time, I arrived at 9 a.m., joined the line, and bought more pastries than I probably should have. I walked to the park next door and indulged in them with another coffee. The pastries were amazing, and the coffee was every bit as good as I remembered. It was definitely worth both trips.
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Amy Lim 19 reviews · Local Guide 21 June 2026
Totally worth the early morning commute and wait. Each pastry is beautifully crafted and full of crispy buttery goodness. I would love 10 of the strawberry danish please. It is so light, delicate and fresh. Coffee lovers have to get their latte. The bean taste incredible and the bitterness pairs so well with the pastries!
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