Our Team
Meet Sara Funk, Co-Owner of Mud & Char
My journey with food, wellness, and community began long before Mud & Char ever opened its doors. I was born in Lebanon during the war, and my family eventually moved to Canada before settling in the United States. We landed in Seattle — the coffeehouse capital — where I fell in love with coffee culture, communal tables, and the rustic, welcoming spaces that made people want to linger.
In college, my passion for health and wellness deepened. I earned degrees in Chemistry and Biology from Central Washington University, and even as nutrition trends came and went, I kept researching, experimenting, and creating flavors at home. Breakfast quickly became my favorite meal of the day — because how you start your morning is so foundational to how the rest of your day unfolds.
After I moved to Chicago and met my then-boyfriend (now husband), I gained more experience managing a market and deli, all while carrying a vision in my heart. In 2016, along with family, conceived the idea of a coffee shop while pregnant with my second and by 2018, while pregnant with my third child, I finally brought that vision to life and opened Mud & Char. Since then, life has only grown fuller: I am now a proud mom of five (including twins!) and a wife to an entrepreneur and attorney.
I work with Josh, my brother-in-law, who helps with operations. He has grown alongside the business, greeting regulars, controlling inventory and stepping into more managerial roles. This place could not have survived all these years without him. We have more family behind the scenes helping with the finances and admin work. We have a fantastic group of leaders that we are lucky to call our team! Each and every single one has brought so much knowledge and expertise to our place. Every ingredient has gotten its light to shine to serve our customers the very best and we are incredibly blessed to have a team like we do to make it all happen. Again, can't do it without all hands on deck!
From the beginning, my goal for Mud & Char was simple: to give people exactly what they want, made fresh to order. Our custom breakfast sandwiches, lox bagels, and wraps can be built just the way you like them. We partner with local vendors like Tugboat Coffee and Benjamin Tea, and we’re proud to be the only café in the area serving cold brew on tap with argon gas — a unique process that adds natural sweetness and caramel notes.
Alongside breakfast, we offer in-house specialties like overnight oats, chia pudding, and seasonal snacks, plus smoothies made with real ingredients (no syrups) that can be boosted with collagen or protein. As we continue to grow, we’re expanding into lunch, a kids’ menu, and catering, while staying committed to collaboration and community connection.
Mud & Char has now been serving Downers Grove for seven years, and we are deeply grateful for the love and support this community has shown us. We love partnering with local organizations to bring people together around food, wellness, and meaningful connection.
We can’t wait to welcome you in and serve you something made just the way you like it.