DISCLAIMER:
This article contains:
Pro's and Others of top listed coffee shops in Chicago according to Yelp, Foursquare, and coffee connoisseurs... So they are all exceptional coffee place listed here..
This article does NOT contain:
My favorite coffee spot ... yet
Therefore...
In an attempt to find THE ONE PERFECT COFFEE SHOP, or the two or three perfect coffee shops, I am visiting a coffee shop a day, getting to know the people behind the coffee, the process behind the flavor and space, and the reasons why I think you should go.
So Flashing back,
Pro's and Others of top listed coffee shops in Chicago according to Yelp, Foursquare, and coffee connoisseurs... So they are all exceptional coffee place listed here..
This article does NOT contain:
My favorite coffee spot ... yet
Therefore...
In an attempt to find THE ONE PERFECT COFFEE SHOP, or the two or three perfect coffee shops, I am visiting a coffee shop a day, getting to know the people behind the coffee, the process behind the flavor and space, and the reasons why I think you should go.
So Flashing back,
La Colombe Workshop
955 W Randolph
Best Seller
Cortado
Pros
Todd Carmichael they say is a "mad scientist genius" how often do you get that!!? He goes around risky parts of the world sleeps in rents with riffles in the adventurous spirit for quality coffee
They have a TV show Dangerous Grounds inspired by them and vice versa
Alicia, the bartender has this crazy sweet smile, guys watch out
Brad, made my coffee even after he realized I did not have my wallet... No "attitude" among the bartenders here at all
Their teacups and saucers are soooo pretty
Others
Maybe more outlets
Overflow Coffee Bar
1550 S State
Recommend
The Speziato
(means spicy in Italiano)
Nutella Mocha
Pros
High Quality Coffee
Gives the Southloop a Coffee Culture
(no need to travel to the Northside if you're in the area, Educates the south part of downtown and Chicago what coffee should taste like)
"Coffee so good dare you to try it without cream and sugar" - Brandon
Outlets well situated
Film Screenings, Live Jazz and others
New outdoor seating
Couches comfy and promoted posture
(you'll see what I mean if you visit and bring your laptop here)
Brandon and Amanda Neely
(You can't help but love them. They give off that genuine, good people vibe, very positive aura)
State Bus #29 #62 Stops right in front
I bumped into Tim from Ipsento, he was dropping off coffee
(no need to travel to the Northside if you're in the area, Educates the south part of downtown and Chicago what coffee should taste like)
"Coffee so good dare you to try it without cream and sugar" - Brandon
Outlets well situated
Film Screenings, Live Jazz and others
New outdoor seating
Couches comfy and promoted posture
(you'll see what I mean if you visit and bring your laptop here)
Brandon and Amanda Neely
(You can't help but love them. They give off that genuine, good people vibe, very positive aura)
State Bus #29 #62 Stops right in front
I bumped into Tim from Ipsento, he was dropping off coffee
(Ipsento coffee all the way in this part of town)
They serve food, ahh I spent 8 hours straight here
They promote volunteerism
Cute coffee mugs for sale
Local Artists can promote their art
Others
Downtown but not in actual loop
Can get a bit dark towards the interior of the shop - so just secure a spot by the window it isn't hard
They serve food, ahh I spent 8 hours straight here
They promote volunteerism
Cute coffee mugs for sale
Local Artists can promote their art
Others
Downtown but not in actual loop
Can get a bit dark towards the interior of the shop - so just secure a spot by the window it isn't hard
Not the typical coffee shop look
Gaslight Coffee Roasters
2385 N Milwaukee
Recommend
Brazil Single Origin Shot
Pros
Eclectic Interior
Corner Spot makes it cozy
Miro, guy behind the counter real sweet
Long Line often
Outlets, adequate
Breakfast with Duck Egg
Gourmet Sandwiches
All around coffee shop feel - gossip, study, brunch, or just coffee
Others
Can get crowded
Cold certain hours of the day - if you're sensitive to it, leave or tell them right a way to crank up heat
Individualistic vibe amongst goers... hmm this is more of a personal observation
Dollop
345 E Ohio
Recommend
Vanilla Lavender Latte
Mexican Mocha
(Sugar and Spice combo - ask Clinton)
Pros
Sunlight - Vit D
Extension cords
Outlets
Common table well designed
Something to be said about Clinton - charming, funny, good at coffee
They have food, and...
Food is Delish - good to spend all day here
Couch & armchairs for comfort
well groomed crowd
ethnically balanced environment
Background Music is futuristic lounge like
Others
Stools not for people with big butts - so use their benches
Parking can be a challenge
Line to restroom can get busy
Bad Wolf Coffee
3422 N. Lincoln
Recommend
Caneles (at 10AM - worth making trip and waiting for)
Cortado
Pros
THE date place at 10AM - if you want to make a good first impression or strong second, take them here and continue reading
Stand up bar only- great for meeting new people and creating conversation
Art on walls are colorful and hip
Jonathan
(He will say making pastries is a piece of cake, but these are well balanced products that i have not tasted anywhere else... So yah there Jonathan, I think you are exceptional at what you do!)
Fun
(Ask for an order of each pastry and each coffee when you're with friends)
Others
He sells out ... always
Stand up bar only - Not for studying or working
KnockBox Cafe
1001 N California
Recommend
Dirty Wade
(Off Menu)
Chai
Their Backstory, hail Jonah, owner and ask him how he started
Huge
Table placement allows for personal space - Perfect for gossip and study simultaneously
Ceiling is one of a kind - architecture nugget
(the bronze, tin make cannot be found anywhere else)
Electronic bus schedule
Food!!!
Alt. (non-coffee) beverage menu: Check fridge
Good color scheme
Large windows up front - sunlight
Corner spot on intersection, cozy architectonics
Positive aura
Open to hiring if you are funny and real
Up and Coming neighborhood
Parking good
Intelligent-looking and sounding Customer base
WiFi password is validation for observant people
(you only will get this one if you actually visit and use wifi)
Others
I don't know... Oh they could benefit from outlets in middle section
45 min transit from downtown
1001 N California
Recommend
Dirty Wade
(Off Menu)
Chai
Pros
This job is getting harder and harder... I tell you!
Chai Owners, Chai Rulers, the lords of ChaiTheir Backstory, hail Jonah, owner and ask him how he started
Huge
Table placement allows for personal space - Perfect for gossip and study simultaneously
Ceiling is one of a kind - architecture nugget
(the bronze, tin make cannot be found anywhere else)
Electronic bus schedule
Food!!!
Alt. (non-coffee) beverage menu: Check fridge
Good color scheme
Large windows up front - sunlight
Corner spot on intersection, cozy architectonics
Positive aura
Open to hiring if you are funny and real
Up and Coming neighborhood
Parking good
Intelligent-looking and sounding Customer base
WiFi password is validation for observant people
(you only will get this one if you actually visit and use wifi)
Others
I don't know... Oh they could benefit from outlets in middle section
45 min transit from downtown
Buzz: Killer Espresso
1644 N Damen
Recommend
Espresso
Sidamo
Aricha
Pros
Ahh so many...
State of the art roasting equipment
Kurtis, brutally precise with roasting process
"Best" selected coffee; esteemed from East Africa
high quality only - they go all out for a true cup
Fosters a Coffee farming awareness (see related article)
Interior design heaven
2nd floor with skylights
Outlets galore
Drop lights are conducive to eyes
Coffee cherry trees!
Tim, a gentleman behind the counter
Stefan, owner, has an erudite taste for coffee...
(If you spot him, it is worth asking him to illustrate for you a thing or two while you wait for your coffee)
Quasar Coffee Roasters; Soon to bring their coffee to other places
Return in May, they have the Sidamo coming up
Breakdown of accents/flavors explained in Menu
(Im told with eyes wide it is the coffee to fly in for!)
Others
Uhmm...
Pastries only - Food places next door - Coffee-centric
Parking in this neighborhood requires vigilance - so take CTA
Metropolis
1039 W GranvilleRecommend
The Justin
(off menu, and something you have to charm Justin for and maybe he'll make it for you, this is a "shoulder-to-cry-on" coffee, the "come home to grandma" coffee, or "love on a rainy Sunday" coffee it feels that good!)
Brazil 320
Cappuccino
Pros
Top Notch Coffee!
They know how to be really good to their loyal customers
You can watch them measure everything
Justin, one of the few caffeine chemists whom I say really knows his craft
Tony, owner, nice and easy to approach guy
Easy to connect internet
Parking not bad
Two blocks from Red Line
Others
This place is popular so it could benefit from another room added
A variety of people come (quiet lovers vs talkers,) prepare to sit next to either
Could use more outlets
Big Shoulders
1105 W Chicago
Recommend
Chemex
Marshmallow Latte
Pros
Sunlight - good for disposition and eyes
Background Music is like Sunday afternoon at Uncle's house in Panama
Marshamallow latte so good you could pee in your pants
Coffee has a kick in it's aftertaste, nothing older than 7 day roast
Door left open - fresh air feels good
Few feet from Blue Line with e-schedule
Medium noise = Gossip-Study Balance
Tim, owner, cultivated culinary/business background
Coffee available at most groceries
Others
Door left open - could get nippy, and if you have seasonal allergies ask to close it, I'm sure they'll agree
Only pastries for solid food
Could use more a wee more outlets
Saugatuck
3344 N Halsted
Recommend
Regular Coffee
Dirty Chai - Add Toasted Coconut
Pros
Coffee without acidic after taste
Has interesting entrepreneurial backstory
Provides extension cords and chargers for most cell devices
Quinoa porridge with steamed milk!
Pastries moist
Surprises coming up to entire coffee house soon
Others
Could use more tables or space as it can gets full
On quieter end - not for gossiping
Time limit - will undergo changes soon
Ipsento
2035 N. Western
Recommend
Signature Ipsento Latte
Geisha
Pros
Top on YELP and Trip Advisor
GOOOOD Coffee
Ipsento
2035 N. Western
Recommend
Signature Ipsento Latte
Geisha
Pros
Top on YELP and Trip Advisor
GOOOOD Coffee
Green Tea - very fresh aroma
No longer than 8 day roasted coffee served
Several balances of coffee flavor (Natural, Honey and Washed beans)
Farm to Cup - Fosters direct relationships with the coffee farmers
Tim, owner, meticulous about the coffee cherry picking process
They serve food
Good looking staff
Others
Good looking staff - Distracting
On the Quieter End - Can't Gossip
Could use a few more outlets
Asado
1651 W. Chicago
Recommend
Estate
Off Menu Ice Coffee with Carbonation
Pros
Roasted Orgasm!
Bathroom is conducive
USB ports on their outlets
Quiet so like you own the place
Has an electronic updated bus schedule by the entrance
Roasting parties where you see Kevin, co-owner roast the coffee
Nothing older than 10 day coffee served
Pricey coffee = Quality coffee
Trumaine, behind bar is super charming
Jeff, co-owner, is an exemplary entrepreneur
Others
If you don't like quiet, it's on the quieter end
Not a place to have cup after cup, because Coffee is potent
Wish they served real food cause I could see myself staying here all day
No longer than 8 day roasted coffee served
Several balances of coffee flavor (Natural, Honey and Washed beans)
Farm to Cup - Fosters direct relationships with the coffee farmers
Tim, owner, meticulous about the coffee cherry picking process
They serve food
Good looking staff
Others
Good looking staff - Distracting
On the Quieter End - Can't Gossip
Could use a few more outlets
Asado
1651 W. Chicago
Recommend
Estate
Off Menu Ice Coffee with Carbonation
Pros
Roasted Orgasm!
Bathroom is conducive
USB ports on their outlets
Quiet so like you own the place
Has an electronic updated bus schedule by the entrance
Roasting parties where you see Kevin, co-owner roast the coffee
Nothing older than 10 day coffee served
Pricey coffee = Quality coffee
Trumaine, behind bar is super charming
Jeff, co-owner, is an exemplary entrepreneur
Others
If you don't like quiet, it's on the quieter end
Not a place to have cup after cup, because Coffee is potent
Wish they served real food cause I could see myself staying here all day
The Star Lounge Cafe
Recommend
Drip Coffee
Pros
Specialty Coffees have cayenne pepper
2nd floor for quiet
1st floor for conversation
Christopher the barista is a gentleman
Outdoor seating in back for summer
Cool graphics on their coffee - inspires creativity
Parking free and easy
Others
Coffee is so so
Downstairs crowded
Medium to hard to find outlets
Medium to hard to find personal tables downstairs
Filter Cafe
1373 N Milwaukee
Recommend
Drip Coffee
Pros
Huge
Area with lots of natural sun light
Medium quiet with groovy back music
Assortment of seating preferences (couches, tables, bean bags?)
Eclectic homey interior
Outlets everywhere
Jocelyn Amber, real cool barista
Smoothies with apple juice versus dairy
Spider-Man mugs - assorted mugs
Good looking lifeforms of all genders here
Good looking lifeforms of all genders here
Others
Coffee so so
Cash only
Some areas dark
Parking whimsical
FAVORITES
Black Coffee: Asado
Drip: Ipsento
Latte: Ipsento & Big Shoulders
Cappuccino: Metropolis
Coffee: Saugatuck
Chemex: Metropolis
Espresso: Buzz Killer Espresso
High End Coffee: Buzz Killer Espresso
Ice Coffee: Asado
Spicy Coffee: Star Lounge
Hidden Menu: Metropolis & Knockbox
Chai: Knockbox
Tea: Ipsento
Food: Ipsento, Knockbox, Filter
Smoothies: Filter
Plosh Atmosphere: Buzz Killer Espresso
Sexy Servers: Ipsento
Sexy Customers: Filter
Spacious: Filter
For Gossip: Filter, Star Lounge 1st flr
For Quiet: Asado, Saugatuck, Star Lounge 2nd flr, Buzz Killer Espresso
For Both: Knockbox
For Personal Space: Buzz Killer Espresso
Bathroom: Asado
Backstory: Knockbox
Business Concept: Buzz Killer Espresso
Recipe Presentation: Metropolis
Consistency: Ipsento
FAVORITES
Black Coffee: Asado
Drip: Ipsento
Latte: Ipsento & Big Shoulders
Cappuccino: Metropolis
Coffee: Saugatuck
Chemex: Metropolis
Espresso: Buzz Killer Espresso
High End Coffee: Buzz Killer Espresso
Ice Coffee: Asado
Spicy Coffee: Star Lounge
Hidden Menu: Metropolis & Knockbox
Chai: Knockbox
Tea: Ipsento
Food: Ipsento, Knockbox, Filter
Smoothies: Filter
Plosh Atmosphere: Buzz Killer Espresso
Sexy Servers: Ipsento
Sexy Customers: Filter
Spacious: Filter
For Gossip: Filter, Star Lounge 1st flr
For Quiet: Asado, Saugatuck, Star Lounge 2nd flr, Buzz Killer Espresso
For Both: Knockbox
For Personal Space: Buzz Killer Espresso
Bathroom: Asado
Backstory: Knockbox
Business Concept: Buzz Killer Espresso
Recipe Presentation: Metropolis
Consistency: Ipsento
NEXT ON THE LIST:
Sip
Sip
Bridgeport *
Wormhole (cereal inspired drinks) *
Dollop (Evanston)
Jackaloupe
Caffe Streets
Efebinas
