‘A cozy coffee spot’: Irene’s Café brings family baking tradition to Buffalo Grove
A new cafe rooted in family tradition is making its mark in Buffalo Grove’s Spoerlein Commons shopping center.
Irene's Café, at 1169 McHenry Road, is the vision of Jillian McDonald and her mother, Jeannie McDonald. The cafe had its official opening last week.
The cafe's name comes from Jillian's middle name — a tribute to her grandmother, also named Irene, who inspired her love of baking.
“I kind of grew up baking with my grandma,” said Jillian McDonald, who grew up in Long Grove and lives in Arlington Heights. “It's kind of an homage to her, considering the passion she gave to me of baking.”
The younger McDonald attended baking and pastry arts school before putting together the recipes that fill the cafe's menu. Several items trace directly back to her grandmother's influence, including the croissants, cinnamon rolls and the caramel apple toast.
“My mom had a sweet tooth,” Jeannie McDonald said. “She was a great baker. A great cook and definitely passed it on to me and passed it on to Jillian.”
The mother said her daughter always wanted to own her own restaurant or bakery — they even toyed with the idea of a food truck.
The menu features gourmet crepes, gourmet toast, coffees, pastries and acai bowls.
The most popular item is the Hangover Crepe — filled with hash browns, bacon, eggs and a choice of cheese. The crepe recipe is another specialty of Jillian McDonald’s grandmother.
The cafe also offers a “Not Your Mama's Chicken Salad” that Jeannie McDonald said has been so popular that customers have asked to buy it by the pint.
“It’s a cozy coffee spot with crepes and other goodies,” Jeannie McDonald said.
Lee Clark, a friend of the owners who attended the opening, called the food a standout.
“The Hangover Crepe is amazing,” Clark said, also recommending the Berry Blast Acai Bowl. “My kids love the peanut butter and jelly sandwich.”
The cafe was opened recently, with its official grand opening Friday. In its brief existence, the business has already worked to give back to the surrounding community.
The cafe sponsored culinary T-shirts for Buffalo Grove High School, and Jillian McDonald recently served as a judge at a District 214 culinary competition. A student from that district is set to complete an internship at the cafe this summer.
“These small businesses are the heart of Buffalo Grove. They're gathering places, and they're what gives Buffalo Grove its character,” Village President Eric Smith said.
Aquelah Allen, president of the Buffalo Grove Lincolnshire Chamber of Commerce, praised the new eatery and leadership team.
“Having a woman-owned business that understands the meaning of community is amazing,” she said.