"JOIN" US EVERY THURSDAY

From September 10 - November 26th

PICK UP A MEAL. “GATHER” FRIENDS & FAMILY. DINE & DIALOGUE!

With so much being taken away from us right now it helps to remember that learning is one thing that we can participate in anywhere, anytime with anyone, and no one can ever take those moments away from us.

LEARN MORE & DOWNLOAD WEEKLY MENU

Attend our 8th Annual Party with Purpose Gala

Buy Tickets

Our Mission

Curt’s Café improves outcomes for young adults living in at-risk situations through work and life skills training.

Be a part of it

What's so good about 3%?

It is the recidivism rate at Curt's Cafe! Which means that since opening in 2012 only 3% of our students have returned to prison. State and National rates are both above 80%. We are so proud of our students and the futures they are building after completing our program.

THANK YOU for checking in.

Both cafes are open for food, drink, treats and creative catering!

All orders will be prepared for carry-out and you are welcome to dine at our outdoor tables at both cafes.

Our cafe hours, beginning August 17th will be:
Tuesday thru Saturday 8:00 – 3:00PM (kitchen closes at 2:30) for both Evanston and Highland Park.

In Evanston, please call 847-868-8385 for more info and check out our current kitchen menu here.

In Highland Park, please call 847-748-8086 for more info and check out our current kitchen menu here.

Being open for 5 days instead of 6 will allow us to focus all our efforts on workforce training and cafe sales in a more efficient and productive way. We hope to see you soon! Thank you for all your continued support.

CATERING

Take a peek at our Catering Menus

Café Menus

Breakfast, Baked Goods, Coffee, Soup, Salad, Sandwiches, Kids Menu and more

Thank You to Our Sponsors

David and Lizzie Graham

Allie Payne, licensed Realtor at Compass

Oakton Community College

Koi of Evanston

Yancey Hughes Photography

Group Theater Tix

Hall’s Rental

Curt's Team

We are dedicated to providing quality training to underserved young adults and providing quality food service.

Rick Marsh

Board President

Patti Anderson

Board Member

V.P. Commercial Banking, Huntington Bank

Nina Kavin

Advisory Board Evanston

Co-founder of Dear Evanston, which addresses equity, inclusion, and youth gun violence in Evanston through storytelling and bridge-building activities.

Dana Pearl

Board Member

Retired Human Resources Consultant specializing in EEO issues, including sexual harassment awareness and pregnancy, race, national origins, religious and other forms of discrimination.

Meet Our Team

The Big Dream

Came True Because Of You!
The Highland Park Café officially opened October 29, 2019

Curt’s Café Highland Park

Two years ago, a team from the organization, Open Communities, took on the goal of making social change in their community. Their desired method was to open a Curt’s Café in Highland Park (CC3). We hope CC3 will become the location of our next cafe, increasing the number of young adults Curt’s Café serves. The amazing and committed professionals at Open Communities have already worked for a full year introducing the idea to the community. WE OPENED THE CAFÉ ON OCTOBER 29TH WITH RAVE REVIEWS. WE LOVE OUR NEWEST COMMUNITY AND FEEL WELCOMED AND RIGHT AT HOME!

THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO DONATED TO THE OPENING AND ALSO FOR BELIEVING IN OUR STUDENTS AND OUR NEW COMMUNITY. If you would like to donate specifically to our Highland Park Café please write that in the memo section of the donation.

Learn More

What's New?

Everything about our food and our events, our mission, our students, poetry, social justice resources, culinary tips & healthy recipes

Update of Hours and Service at our Cafés

As information continues to filter into our living rooms, we all continue to make choices almost on a day to day basis. Curt’s Café is doing its best to react to all the latest information while keeping the safety of our Students, Staff and Community at the forefront of decision making.
read more

Mar 25, 2020

OUR SOUTH LOCATION HAS CLOSED

As of June 1, Curt’s Café consolidated its two Evanston locations and will be operating longer hours and serving more young adults at the North Location at 2922 Central Street. Currently, the Café is open until 3:30 PM and by adding late afternoon/early evening hours, more young women (most of whom are attending high school) will be able to attend the program.
read more

Jun 05, 2019

Curt’s Student Experiential Trip to Saugatuck

Here is what one Curt’s student had to say that captured the day in words,

All day, it was a feeling of being free, out in the fresh air, out of the city. We weren’t judged, hated upon or looked at and feeling uncomfortable. Just pure joy.

EVANSTON Hours

2922 Central Street | Evanston | (847) 868-8385

Tue - Fri

7:30am - 4pm

Sat

7:30am - 3:30pm

Sun & Mon

closed.

HIGHLAND PARK HOURS

1766 2ND STREET | HIGHLAND PARK | (847) 748-8086

Tue - Fri

8:00am - 4pm

Sat

8:00am - 3pm

Sun & Mon

closed.

DO YOU NEED HELP GETTING A JOB?

Curts Café is a workforce training program that offers learning opportunities in Workforce Development, Life Skills Support, and Experiential Opportunities.