Russell Crowe lunches at Batavia Library cafe

That really was Russell Crowe having lunch at the Batavia Library Tuesday afternoon.

The unscheduled visit caused a stir around 1:15 p.m. when a patron told a youth services librarian that “someone who looked like Russell Crowe” was on the patio outside of 10 South Coffeehouse. Word spread quickly among the staff, said the library's executive director George Scheetz, and he decided to check it out.

Crowe was riding a bicycle through town with two other people, Scheetz said. Crowe was enjoying a tuna salad and a skim latte from the coffeehouse, which is located in the library. The library, on Route 31 in the downtown, is near the Fox River Trail.

Crowe is in the Chicago area to film his role as Jor-El, Superman's biological father, in “Superman: Man of Steel.” The movie is filming this week and next in Sandwich and Plano.

Scheetz said that “in a mindless moment” he told Crowe that, growing up, he was a huge fan of DC Comics, including the “Superman” series. Library employee Michelle Martzel asked if they could take photos, and Crowe agreed to snapshots with her and Scheetz, as long as they were for personal use, not to promote the library. Scheetz has posted the photo on his personal Facebook page.

“He was as cordial and nice as anyone I've ever met,” Scheetz said.