Fat Bean Bistro and Coffee Bar

One would think a suburb as big as Naperville would have more places to choose from to grab a cup-​o-​joe, but alas, we’re mostly stuck with the Bucks and the Bou. As such, I’m always on the lookout for independent coffee shops, so I’ve been looking forward to giving Fat Bean a try. Can’t say I’m all that excited. My latte was fine, a few sandwiches/​salads/​pastries to choose from, big cushy chairs, and free wifi… all positives. Pretty empty on a Sunday afternoon, but still had to wait about 5 minutes before ordering while the one barista helped a couple drive-​thru customers. Ambiance leaves something to be desired: sparse décor, walls with a local photographer’s work interspersed with posters advertising different smoothies and such, high ceilings make it a bit echoey, a pop/​alternative satellite radio station playing with the occasional rock song distracting me from my journalling (maybe I just need to improve my focus?), tiny vases of not very pretty fake flowers on the tables, and the lighting is a bit unnatural feeling. I tried sitting outside for a bit, but the one table (of two total) that was available was broken and wobbly. I wonder if the overall feel ofthe place would be better in the evenings, but I won’t find out since they close at 5−6pm (2pm on Sunday). Overall I’m underwhelmed, though I might return, just as an alternative to the usual chain coffee joint.

Down home, good old fashioned place to snag some coffee on the go or sit and chat for a bit.
I am coffee deprived, this much I know. My furniture has not come yet and I was slow on the upkeep and left a very valuable pot back at the old place in order to boil up water and brew some old fashioned. Thus brings me to spending way more than I’d like and forcing me to realize that I need to submit my papers to be on Intervention because this addiction is seriously getting out of control.
Again, we’re back to the whole no coffee thing. It’s 11:00am, I still haven’t had a pot yet and I ventured out trying desperately to avoid the Starbucks around the corner from my house because in some crazy stupor and being another start of the day without coffee I left it behind… you can see where this is going. Seeing the sign for Fat Bean I immediately swirved into the entrance and walked into the shop. Cute, that is what i want to call it. it’s very cute inside and comfortable, almost like you’re in a friend’s front room. There’s velvet seats and the warm purple drapes ooze relaxation.
I ordered the standard Americano because I’m an easy kind of gal. The barista brewed up the drink without a blink in her eye and told me the price. Let’s just say, it was cheaper than McStarbucks! I paid the dues and darn near walked out without getting the $ 3 change. Thankfully there are some good people working that are nice enough to deal with a coffee deprived space cadet and return the money rather than stick in their pocket for an extra tip.
No coffee makes Morgan a spacey girl, but no more after sipping the piping hot drink. It was lovely and stuck with me. I especially enjoyed all of the little baked goodies… all of which included Rugelach! Hello friend, you have found a new customer.

I love their Americano! The Espresso is deliciously rich and dark with a hint of sweetness! I crave one every morning. While I am not a huge fan of sweets, their selection of cakes looks amazingly fresh and moist. I will definitely tell my husband to go there when the sugar cravings hit. The staff is great.

LOVE LOVE LOVE this place!
The staff is awsome, the atmosphere is classy yet comfortable– the coffee is fantastic (and organic!)
Gotta like a place that has couches so comfy!
Highly recommend!

this place is the most comfy coffee shop u could ever go to. i mean like there’s couches that u sink into and the coffee is amazing! i mean AMAZING!!! although it may be overpriced its worth it. i mean my friend and i rode our skateboards there at 6 am and waited until it opened. thats how good it is. the best part is that i could even walk there.

I’m always appreciative of a place where young musicians can get a chance to play. I pretty much only came when either I was playing or a friend was. The coffee is pretty good. I know people got mad when they added a cover charge when they have live music, but they’ve gotta make money somehow. And you can redeem your cover charge entry ticket for a drink.

Two of my friends that I was with at Fat Bean asked me how long it would be before I «Yelped» the experience. It is for that very reason I am writing this sooner than later.. .
A friend of a friend was playing with his band at Fat Bean in an effort to raise money for a college fund. «The Bean,» as I find myself continuously calling it, was nice enough to donate 20% of the food and beverage proceeds to this cause.
The space itself is nice. Very open and spacious. The front section of the lounge/​eating area has nice comfy over-​sized sofa/​chair seating. The only reason we didn’t sit there had to do with the fact that the speakers would literally be right in front of us and we didn’t want to go deaf. The Bean also had several additional tables situated directly in back and to the side of the over-​sized sofa and chairs. It kind of reminded me of «Central Perk» from «Friends.»
Everyone I encountered was very nice and patient which is a good thing as it took me awhile to figure out what I wanted.
I did have to dock The Bean by one star for poor lighting by the restroom and icky facilities.
Overall, band or no band, I would absolutely go back to — and recommend — The Bean just to hang out and relax with friends.