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Dining

The sign on the outside says coffee bar. What's inside will surprise you

Emily Tran
Emily Tran
Emily Tran
Reporter · Chicago, IL

Emily Tran, an arts enthusiast, graduated from Columbia College Chicago and has spent the last six years covering the vibrant arts scene in Chicago for local blogs and magazines. Her articles explore the intersection of culture and community.

More from Emily →
Reporter · Thursday, October 29, 2026 at 9:49 PM · 1 min read
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The sign on the outside says coffee bar. What's inside will surprise you — Elgin Dining news

This week s Food Guy segment is really about expectations, and if you have three minutes, please watch video in the player above. I will just say that two-thirds in, you might encounter a plot twist. There s a place called Tiny s Coffee Bar. You would expect a place like that to serve lattes and espresso — which they do. But did you expect a place with Coffee Bar in its name to act like a full-service diner? With caramelized pineapple French toast and beef brisket hash and thick-cut bacon and biscuits with gravy? That is my definition of a great restaurant: One that exceeds your expectation. So, what if I told you Tiny s Coffee Bar also has a smoker in its back, which they put to use smoking ribs, beef brisket, and salmon? And what if I told you the beef brisket is crisped up and topped on a bowl of ramen? What if I told you a place with coffee bar in its name serves Japanese-style fried chicken karaage? And that they stock 300 bottles of alcohol and serve cra

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