What do the 1693 Siege of Vienna and River Forest have in common? You’ll find out at Black Fodder Coffee. The cafe opened its doors in February at 349 Ashland Ave.
When the owners, Forest Parkers Maciej and Monika Wolfart, started their mobile coffee catering business more than seven years ago, they were looking for a name that combined a desire to share their love of coffee and their Polish identity.
Black fodder is how coffee arrived in Europe, so the story goes. Polish nobleman, diplomat and spy Jerzy Franciszek Kulczycki help end the Siege of Vienna. He took payment in the form of what was thought to be camel food, sacks of black beans left behind by the retreating Ottoman Turk army. Kulczycki promptly opened a cafe and became not only a hero, but a beloved figure in Vienna.
On the other hand, the Wolfarts got their start with a request to serve coffee at a wedding.
“We established ourselves in that little niche,” Maciej Wolfart said. “We found the need for quality beverages and also a good selection. Normally companies only serve espresso. Our mobile cart is like a mini cafe. People kept saying, where can I get more? They liked the coffee, so they want to come to our cafe. And we were like, maybe it’s time to do that.”
In fact, their first catering customers, Matthew and Iliana Gearhart, were at the opening, excited to see the owners, who have become friends, take this next step.
“Maciej has introduced us to what good coffee tastes like,” Matthew Gearhart said.
“Their eye for detail is amazing,” said Iliana Gearhart.
The café building, which was formerly River Forest Kitchen, has been transformed into an inviting, open, light-filled space with warm wood touches and a color palette reminiscent of coffee and cream.
Making the choice of which coffee beans to brew was an important one.
“Right now we have four different roasters. Some of them are local. Magnifico is Chicago-based, really amazing. And then Onyx is another one. And then JVC.” Maciej Wolfart said. “We did a lot of talking, a lot of tasting, a lot of drinking espresso, just to make sure that we really have the quality.”
But it’s more than good coffee that Black Fodder is offering.
The muffins, truffles and cakes in the bakery case are all gluten-free and sugar-free. That feat is accomplished by Monika Wolfart in the on-site kitchen. The two have been following a keto diet for years.
“The philosophy behind it was that we don’t want to serve our customers, our guests, anything that we, personally, wouldn’t eat or drink,” said Monika Wolfart as translated from Polish by her husband. “We are excited to show these foods are actually delicious.”
Low carb waffles, lunch items and keto bread will join the menu soon.
Black Fodder Coffee’s gluten-free
muffins | Risé Sanders – Weir
The location, nestled in residential River Forest, has generated plenty of interest from neighbors.
“To have a coffee shop in this community is going to be great!” River Forest Trustee Erika Bachner said. “And the hours, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. will help build community.”
Claudia Moreno, another neighbor, said, “I’m so thrilled they are open. I say Chef’s Kiss to the gluten-free and sugar-free pastries. This is going to be a hotspot, especially the patio out front in the summer.”
That’s the goal.
“The food is important. The coffee is important, but ultimately, we want to create community,” Maciej Wolfart said. “It’s not just a coffee shop where you can get a caffeine fix, but where you truly feel welcome. We want this place to be a place that you want to come to again and again.”
Get in the Know
Website: blackfodder.co
Address: 349 Ashland Ave, River Forest
Hours: Daily 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.