Gotta B Crepes’ name originates from the meet-cute of the crepe shop’s owners: Ryan and Kathia Jones. The now married couple met working at a crepe restaurant in Chicago in 2005, but had no idea their future together would also involve crepes.
Three years after the two got married, the restaurant that the Joneses met at closed down. When one of the last customers came into the restaurant, she saw how hard Kathia was working and asked if she was the owner. Kathia responded that, although she was just an employee, she had been thinking about opening up a restaurant with her husband.
The lady encouraged her to continue with crepes: “Your restaurant has gotta be crepes!”
On the summer solstice in 2010, the couple began making crepes with a pancake griddle on their front porch. Since then, Gotta B Crepes has become a staple at the weekly Evanston farmers’ market.
Ryan emphasized the positive energy and community that comes from having a stand at the Saturday markets.
“You always run into people and meet new people, it’s just such a happy place. You get to experience a shared culture,” Ryan said.
Having pop-ups so close to Northwestern, Ryan said he enjoys getting to watch students grow.
“We get freshmen coming through and it’s a nice way to start out their college career and then seniors come through for the final hurrah,” Ryan said. “It becomes this nice tradition.”
Ryan’s first experience with crepes was in Cancun, Mexico, when he decided to try a cherry crepe before starting his job at the restaurant where he would eventually meet his wife. He said he was immensely disappointed.
“I was like what am I doing? Why am I going to school to make crepes and they don’t even taste good.”
Luckily, his second time trying a crepe, a ham and cheese flavored one at the Mall of America, was “spectacular.”
Ryan said his favorite crepe from Gotta B Crepes is “whichever one I’m eating,” but said the ham and cheddar will always be a go-to.