Calling all Sanrio fans: The Hello Kitty Cafe Chicago is now open for business!
America’s largest Hello Kitty Cafe held its grand opening over the summer. As students return back to school, the wait times have fluctuated.
Patrons can expect a minimal or no wait time if they visit the cafe Monday-Thursday. However, wait times have continued to be long for weekend visitors. Wait times range between 30 minutes to 2 hours for entry on Friday-Sunday, and once inside, guests are allotted 45 minutes to experience the Hello Kitty Chicago Cafe.
“The lines are really long,” said Eileen Byrne, a second year psychology major. Bryrne describes herself as a casual fan of Hello Kitty, “ I know about Hello Kitty from when I was a child.”
Located in the Loop, Hello Kitty Cafe Chicago security guards reported that the line for entry reaches behind the building nearly every weekend since their grand opening in June.
Hello Kitty Cafe Chicago cashiers noted that they serve a consistent, large volume of guests daily due to its tourist hot-spot location.
On weekends, patronage doubles and wait times increase as more guests are eager to experience this Chicago-exclusive experience.
As visitors enter the cafe, they are greeted with a wide assortment of Sanrio character themed sweets to choose from! Guests can order delicious, handcrafted beverages, such as the specialty apple pie vanilla latte or a signature melon soda float. The entire building is Sanrio themed with Hello Kitty and her friends, the walls covered with a Hello Kitty and coffee pattern wallpaper.
Sanrio lovers can also chow down on some Chicago cafe novelty confections, such as the Hello Kitty layered chocolate mousse cake and Hello Kitty bow waffles.
After ordering, guests will pick up their drink through a Hello Kitty shaped pick-up counter. Staff give patrons a number, and ask to see it before handing the drink over, ensuring order-accuracy.
Guests can enjoy their treats in either their indoor cafe lounge or their outdoor seating area, right across from the Chicago Riverwalk.
Inside the cafe, there is Chicago wall-art displaying iconic landmarks such as the John Hancock building, Willis Tower, the Bean, and Navy Pier. Additionally, Sanrio character designed lighting decorates the ceiling and the iconic Hello Kitty bow is spotted continuously throughout the cafe and retail area.
Hello Kitty fans can take a picture with a statue of her waving and holding a latte, and then peruse their retail section offering merchandise with exclusive Hello Kitty Cafe Chicago designs. The retail store sells products like keychains, plushies, apparel, home decor and bags. There’s also various toy and blind item vending machines that adults and children alike can enjoy!
Yesenia Carpintero, a criminal justice major, is, “I’m not crazy about Sanrio, but “the characters are cute though!”
Carpintero has seen the Hello Kitty Cafe all over social media like TikTok and Instagram.
At Hello Kitty Cafe Chicago, there is a novel experience for every guest, regardless of age, gender, or background. Three young-adult women from New Orleans planned their visit to Chicago with their main agenda being to visit the cafe. A group of male tourists from Spain happened to be walking along the Riverwalk and decided to pop in. A family native to Chicago came to celebrate their 6 year-old daughter’s birthday.
Hello Kitty Cafe Chicago is open everyday from 10am-8pm. Entry to the Hello Kitty Cafe Chicago does not require a reservation, and is first come first-served.
In addition to the cafe and retail store, Hello Kitty Cafe Chicago offers a luxurious Afternoon Tea Service, a 90 minute experience held in The Bow Room, available by reservation only. This $100 per person tea service includes unlimited tea and a prefixed menu of tea sandwiches, empanadas, macarons, cookies, and other pastries that are not for sale at the Hello Kitty Cafe.
The Afternoon Tea Service is only available Wednesday-Sunday at two designated seating times, 12:00pm and 3:00pm.
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