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Argo Tea
Categories: Food Tea Rooms Food Coffee & Tea Tea Rooms, Coffee & Tea [Edit]
1596 Sherman Ave(between Davis St & Orrington Ave)
Evanston, IL 60201
(847) 864-6909
- Nearest Transit:
-
Davis (Purple Line)
Dempster (Purple Line)
- Price Range:
-
$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
Yvonne B. said: "Lucky duck M had the fortune of encountering the best tea of her life years ago in Hong Kong. Some of us go our entire lives without finding our true match. So, you can imagine her ardent search to find it again in the United States.…" read more »
72 reviews for Argo Tea
Review Highlights
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"...on getting tea at a tea house, then get the mate latte." In 6 reviews -
"However, my parent's green tea ginger twist was overly..." In 3 reviews -
"The bubble tea I have had there has been extremely good." In 9 reviews
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72 reviews in English
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Review from Nick S.
Chicago, IL
2/23/2012
Nice store!
I have never been to an Argo before. No I didn't have tea...I know, I know. I did have a mocha and a rasberry and apple turnover (it's one turnover) -- and they were delicious. By the time I walked back to work, the half mile, I drank most of my brew already.
Not as chocolaty or "grainy" as Sbux mocha, which is a good thing. Was very velvety.
I do like tea and plan on going back for tea, I just needed my coffee fix.
The signage is digital, the menu and such, and it's very trendy and clean looking. The products in the store looked nice, tea accessories and the likes, but I didn't look at prices.
I will be back for one of their trendy custom tea drinks and will update. -
Review from Liz S.
2/1/2012
Next time you are needing that afternoon coffee fix, you might want to check out Argo Tea. They have a delicious array of flavored teas, both hot and cold, as well as coffee if that's what you are craving. But I suggest trying a tea - you get so much flavor, and far less calories than one of those overly sweet specialty drinks at the coffee chains.
I went in for tea and a snack, and was pleased to find small sandwiches and sweets, just enough for a few bites but not too big as to spoil my dinner. I got the chicken cherry sandwich, and a tiny individual chocolate cake, and a Hibiscus Steamer. All were delicious. The Hibiscus Steamer is a blend of hibiscus tea, apple cider, a touch of caramel, and cane sugar (but it wasn't very sweet at all, which was good). It was all very satisfying and warming on a cold and rainy day, and the inviting environment was a nice place to relax and enjoy it.
They have such a variety of specialty drinks that it's overwhelming, everything from boba to chai to something like a mojito to carbonated iced tea - anything to cure that soda, coffee, cocktail, or hot chocolate craving you might have, but in tea form. They also sell loose teas to take home in cool, modern packaging.
Definitely worth a visit, and they are in several major cities so look for the Argo logo next time you need a little pick-me-up. I know I will!
P.S. Try the seasonal special they have going on right now: Valentea Passion. Healthy and delicious and very refreshing! -
Review from Matt S.
Saint Louis, MO
1/9/2012
Aww, I like this Argo Tea. And its location. Although at one of the Argos in the Loop, you can watch iced tea being bottled in the back room, which I thought was a lot of fun. But then again, I'm very easily entertained.
The last time I popped into the Evanston location, I had the hot Winter Spice tea (which, like most teas, smelled better than it tasted). It's an herbal blend of orange flower, chinese cinnamon, cocoa shells, orange peel, and almond. It smelled like snickerdoodles (yum!) but was pretty bland until I ventured over to their condiment bar and gave my drink a couple of generous pumps of pure cane syrup. Joking aside, I do like their condiment bars more than the ones at Starbucks. Is that even a legitimate thing to Yelp about?
Before my Yelping reaches a new low, I have to add that I really like the iced Green Tea Ginger Twist or the Tea Sparkle, which are both great refreshers in the summer, and the hot Masala Chai, Mango Mambo, and Ginger Peach black teas in the fall and winter (gotta get that caffeine coursing through my veins!). I've always preferred tea over coffee, so when I discovered Argo several years ago, it almost made me want to give up my Starbucks addiction. Almost. If they opened up more locations near my new home in Saint Louis, that'd probably happen. Are you listening, Argo? It's me, Tea Lover.
(Oh, and tea drinkers/snobs are without a doubt sexier than Starbucks drones. Truth.) -
Review from Kimberly J.
Evanston, IL
4/25/2012
I love love tea! At Argo, I love the Green Tea Ginger Twist (hot or iced); the Classic Chai (basically a chai latte); and the Hibiscus with Lemon as an iced tea. My husband loves the Carolina Honey (hot) or iced as the Carolina Breeze. The food items are very good, a few seeming to change every few months which keeps the variety interesting. The wait staff are very pleasant and helpful with product information. I've also been to the O'Hare stand, the location near Water Tower, and on Randolph, each equally fine.
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Review from Brian L.
Glenview, IL
3/18/2012
This place is awesome, I love the drinks they are really good it is one of the only places that does a tea latte right. This place is way better than Starbucks and it has a lot more variety I would recommend this place to anyone
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Review from Cindy P.
10/14/2011
Every tea bar should be like Argo Tea! They have wonderful service and beautiful teas! The simple fact that they are focused on health and "sustainabilitTea" is very commendable. If given the option of going to Starbucks, Coffee Bean, or even Pete's Coffee - Argo Tea will be my destination of choice for Tea!
With the cold winds and breeze of Evanston, it was deemed very appropriate to indulge in a nice cup of hot tea. I had their Ginger Peach tea with honey, mMmMm. I think I was coming down with something, but this really help soothed my throat and warmed me right up! The bf ordered their Sangria Tea - if you like fruity and flowery teas, it is the way to go. I highly recommend adding honey for extra sweetness!
I noticed their Pumpkin Chai Latte after I already placed my order. I love pumpkin. I love Chai. I love Argo Tea. I think I might return tomorrow for a cuppa! =DListed in: Excellent Evanston Eating!
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Review from Anahit G.
Chicago, IL
3/6/2012
I come here frequently to tutor due to the convenience of the location. The location, drinks and food are great but, the tables are small and this location is sometimes crowded/loud. Mornings are your best bet for a study session.
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Review from Kyle H.
8/15/2011 1 Check-in Here
Cute li'l Argo Tea on the corner with patio seating. It's very clean and modern on the inside, and there is some inside seating. Bathrooms are very clean and modern and they have an Xcelerator hand dryer- those are the best!
I like how this Argo has some of the Specialty Drinks pictured behind the ordering area, as I do find that Argo has so much to offer, it can sometimes be daunting knowing what to get. Service is very friendly here, and although Evanston is full of cute little indie coffee shops, Argo is a top option.Listed in: Evanston is not in Canada
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Review from Billy H.
Evanston, IL
3/2/2012
If your not feeling like a latte (or lactose intolerant) Argo is a real nice spot for it... Downtown Evanston, so parking is difficult and costly... Even more costly if you do not throw a few coins into the meter.
The only reason I would not suggest Argo, is if you are going to use the Internet, it is slow and will cost you money... Use the free and faster Internet at the other brothers cafe just a block south of here... They serve a great soy chai latte! -
Review from christine p.
Los Angeles, CA
9/25/2011
Yum!
Drinks are NOT the Starbucks over sugared, over priced, overly strong, unsteady drinks. They are well made and they aren't too strong and they are nice.
Oh and they opened up the space a little bit. If you don't want to go somewhere that's overcrowded, come here. Oh and everyone's nice.
I like it here. -
Review from Renita M.
3/30/2011
A cute little tea/coffee shop that's a great place to recharge. After trekking to Evanston in anticipation of an Elite event, I needed a place to a) use the facilities b) get a little pick-me-up and c) wait for my husband to arrive via El. Argo fit the bill perfectly, and I'm always happy to visit local/homegrown places instead of giant chains.
After attending to immediate needs, I stared at the menu board for awhile. It kept changing.
I have to say that the menu is a wee bit confusing. For instance, chai was not listed under the prices. I guess it qualified as a latte, but that was under "coffee" and not "tea." Maybe I'm just not quite urbanite enough. But I was sure they did chai, so I just ordered that and went with it. The staff was friendly, offered a sample and didn't make me feel dumb, which I appreciated. And the menu did seem to have a nice variety of tea based drinks, plus some tasty looking baked goods and savory treats.
The chai itself was really good, and VERY hot at first so I had to wait for it to cool down a bit. That allowed me to sit in the comfy chair by the window, contemplate my day and people-watch out the window.
I rarely get to Evanston (or Chicago), but I know that should I find myself faced with the choice of the Siren or the Argo, I will definitely go to Argo. -
Review from Carlee W.
Chicago, IL
8/7/2011 1 Check-in Here
I actually walk out of my way to get coffee from Argo, as odd as it sounds, because they do a better job than Peet's.
I've never had a bad drink at this location, and the tea mongers behind the counter are very nice.
I highly recommend the coffee, but if you insist on getting tea at a tea house, then get the mate latte. For reals, it's heavenly. -
Review from Sarah S.
11/16/2010
I love this little tea shop! The location is perfect in downtown Evanston and there is a lot of comfortable seating inside. I went here yesterday before dinner for a drink with a friend. We walked in and the great smells instantly hit us. The workers were extremely knowledgeable about their teas. I heard them explaining in great depth everything to the lady in front of us. While seated I heard a gentleman ask what would be a great relaxing tea and the employees had some good suggestions for that, as well.
My friend ordered a chai tea which was hot but not so scolding hot, perfect temperature, great flavor. I ordered a brownie which was HUGE and they offered to heat up for me. I was saving it for later so I declined but I took their advice when I ate it later at home and heated it up. It was so tasty and gooey, a little crispy on the outside and super soft on the inside. Highly recommended!
I've come in warmer months as well when it's nice to grab a drink and sit outside to chat with friends. I've had their hot chocolate with mint which was much better then Starbucks or Caribou or other chain coffee shops. And yes, they do have fresh coffee beans you can scoop as well as tea you can scoop. :) -
Review from Kkubetry K.
Chicago, IL
3/10/2012
Amazing tea and coffee. Great location!
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Review from Amy W.
5/2/2011
I seriously looove Argo -- especially their mate latte, chai tea, coconut bubble tea (which isn't really traditional "bubble tea" because they have coconut jelly instead of tapioca... but it's still good!), and the cinnamon green tea. If you're in serious need of caffeine, they also have coffee here. They brew Illy Coffee and it's pretty much just as good as Starbucks, in my opinion at least. I have a student member card and I love getting my free tenth drink every other month or so; it always comes as a pleasant surprise! Their food is pretty good as well, a bit on the pricey side, but typical for coffeeshop food. I particularly like the goat cheese quiche (I pretty much love all things goat cheese).
The location of this store is great, in the heart of downtown Evanston and just steps away from anything else you might need. I love sitting outside when the weather is good, enjoying good conversation or a good book. My only complaint is that the interior feels a bit cramped sometimes, especially the tables and chairs that are around the bathrooms. Half of the time I come here prepared with my books and computer to hunker down and study, only to find that there aren't any seats left. -
Review from Phillip C.
Schaumburg, IL
11/16/2010 1 Check-in Here
Nice little tea/coffee joint at the corner. Decided to stop by on the way to an event and I'll be back for sure. They have a great selection of tea and also offer coffee drinks. I tried their brownie from their spread of paninis, salads, pastries, and it was pretty damn good. Crunchy and chewy top with a gooey center.
The tea baristas were super friendly and gladly offered recommendations. They even let you try samples before you make up your mind. I tried the chai tea... I love chai and it was pretty good here. I thought it was also nice that they listed the calorie count on the menu for every item.
Sitting in a comfy leather couch chair with some good chai... very relaxing. Plus they offer free wifi... for 2 hours... with purchase. -
Review from Allison S.
Ames, IA
11/9/2011
Love this tea shop! I picked up Earl Grey Creme and Camomile, and love them both! Great place to buy loose leaf teas, and they have plenty of accessories for making tea too.
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Review from Colleen C.
Chicago, IL
6/28/2008
If I had a dime for every Argo Tea I've seen in the last few months...
Well I'd have a buck or two, I guess. ;)
Despite popular belief (and I had a convo about this AT this Argo Tea just this past Friday) Argo IS NOT a chain. Even though it's not started sprawling out 'n about in the burbs, it's still homegrown Chicago...for now.
Having said that...I just can't seem to get on board with the sparkly teas. They just rub me the wrong way. I need to stop ordering them thinking they'll make me happy. ::::note to self: just because it sparkles doesn't mean you'll love it like you love champagne, end note.::::
I do however dig their coffee, and the outside seating at this location is perfect for people watching, studying, etc.
Viva Argo, they are on a roll.Listed in: The Argo Tea Chronicles
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Review from Keiko S.
7/13/2007 1 photo
I'm a big tea lover...I drink at least two cups a day, usually green or black. So this spacious, fancy cafe excites me with its wide range of teas, some of them I've never heard of before. Sure, they're pretty overpriced, but I can't resist trying out the different leaves. My next target is the chocolate tea. Their sugar free lattes aren't bad, either.
Friendly staff, clean and bright interior, and the outside patio offers a comfortable setting to sit and relax. -
Review from Corey R.
Chicago, IL
10/12/2006
To be honest, my expectations were low when I entered Argo Tea's newest location in Evanston. It's within a couple of blocks of all the places that it's just like: Starbucks, Einsteins, Cosi, Peet's, plus a couple of indy coffee shops. Also, it's got the name "Tea" in it, which automatically makes me think of Moby, which automatically makes me think it's going to suck. But, I had a gift card for 10 clams that I won at work, and lord knows I'm not above free coffee.
Well, wouldn't you know it, it didn't suck! I decided to get a cup of their regular coffee, to see how it stood up to the others. Also, tea is pointless. The coffee is very good. I'm not going to say great, but it's nice. I find Starbucks often makes their coffee too strong. I like strong coffee, but there's a point, people. Starbucks does it just to do it, I think. But Argo's was strong enough without being overpowering. On the coffee alone, though, the rating would have been 3 stars.
The fourth star, you ask? Well, my friend, that was for the rugguleh. They had about 4 or 5 different varieties from which to choose. I went with the apricot walnut. It was terrific. Dense, moist, fresh and just fantastic. And that pushed Argo up to 4 stars in my book.
Also if you like tea, they have a bunch of it. -
Review from Chris W.
Chicago, IL
2/23/2010
This Argo is a very nice spot. Parking however is awful. I wish there were more sofas and things to bum around on, but it's become a bit of a comfortable spot for myself and a friend. I recommend it if you're planning on having a small quiet conversation.
The most important thing I have to say in this review IS:
Strawberry smootea - best one out of them all. I've tried ALL OF THEM now.
Chai with soy and gingerbread is the best hot drink I've ever had in my whole entire life. Get it. Enjoy it. Especially now in the winter.
And of course if you go frequently get one of their frequent buyers cards and save up for a free drink!Listed in: Date Night, Tea Time
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Review from Tina B.
9/13/2008
I really like that I can easily go to the bathroom here. It seems like I end up peeing at this Argo Tea every time I come to Evanston. It's become something of a tradition...
And of course then I do buy something... usually.
After having almost all of Argo's teas, I have only found two that I like - but I really, really like both of them. This is how I order a Mojitea, the minty lime one. Mojitea, sparkling, plus an extra cup of plain sparkling water, and maybe (depending on if the cashier already seems annoyed or not...) an extra empty cup. Then I do some hocus pocus, Chem 101 looking actions to mix it all up to create two drinks instead of just the one - because it's way too sweet and concentrated for me. At first I just started asking them to dump half of it out and fill it up with more water, and then I thought "Wait, that's stupid.." So I do it this way to have more tea for my buck.
Argo certainly smacks of "chain", even though they are a relatively small Chicago outfit. It's clean and shiny and corporate looking. This one is no exception, and the vibe here is much more that of a high end tea pot store than a place to really lounge and relax.
The toilet works - a absolute must for a drink place really.Listed in: The Air Up There - The North…
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Review from Pam S.
6/24/2007 5 photos
This tea house is so sexy... I love everything about it. From the LARGE variety of teas, to the innovative drinks they have on the menu.. to the cute tea-related merchandise (check out that glass tea pot, woot woot). I tried the tea sparkle - tea mixed with soda water and any fruity flavor of your choice. It was a refreshing way to have my tea on a sweltering summer day.
The staff are chill, knowledgeable and helpful. I bought some persimmon white tea and mate home with me to New York after chatting with the dude for a bit. He gave great advice and even gave me a small sample.
Open a store in NYC please? -
Review from Kitty L.
11/3/2006
I love this place!
I am the world's biggest coffee shop (or in this case, tea shop) fan! The decor is super modern and cozy with the use of warm, light greenish colors...not like the dark brown of starbucks.
There is tons of choices of tea - and my favorite is the tea with frothy milk, which is like a warm, unsweetened bubble tea (without the bubbles)!
The food selection kicks starbucks' any day. Quiche, zucchini bread, sandwiches...plus free wifi?
My idea of a perfect oasis in my crazy busy life. -
Review from andrew z.
Evanston, IL
11/17/2007
I went here with some co-workers, it's right down the block from the office. We have free (but terrible) coffee at the office, so if I am looking for a warm caffeine drink, I don't really need to leave the building.
But Argo Tea might encourage me to get out of the office more.
I did something completely out of character for me, i ordered a soy chai tea. what?! who drinks those things? Apparently I do, because it was so yummy! -
Review from Katie P.
Chicago, IL
6/26/2008
Let me start by saying I hate the *idea* of Argo Tea...for the same reason I hate the *idea* of Starbucks...I don't need a tea factory to make my day and I would never really hang out in one.
Having said that, it's time for me to discuss one particular drink they have at Argo Tea that I think is SUPER...the Iced Ginger Green Tea Something Something. What an awesome drink on a day when the humidity alone will curl any hair (I'm serious...I've never had to deal with this problem before.)
Are the drinks overpriced? Yes. Is the space fairly comfortable? This particular one, as Argo Teas go, definitely is with a nice little patio space and a fairly long bar at the window so you can people watch. Is the help good? Yes. Today my Tea-rista was very friendly. All good reasons to stop in if you're parched and only a sparkling iced green tea with ginger slush on the bottom will help.
Minus one star for being Argo Tea. -
Review from Dee W.
4/29/2007
I always get their mojitea here - a great combo of a mojito and tea - a little limey and a little minty and the perfect summer refreshment - it is a little pricey here but it's nice to have a full choice of teas and service is always super friendly here.
They even have bubble tea here (which I still prefer Joy Yees boba though)
And the food here is a great selection - I had one of their quiches and that was just a great selection to go wtih the tea that I had picked out for that treat. -
Review from Allen R.
Chicago, IL
8/5/2007
This place has what seems like 25 different kinds of tea ready for you to drink either plain or from a menu of high-calorie Starbucks-like specialty drinks full of whipped cream, fruit, lard (just kidding), etc. Additionally, there is an ample selection of pastries, quiches, and sandwiches to choose from as well.
Four stars instead of five because there is insufficient seating in this teahouse for the bustling Evanston crowd. Located in the heart of the city's business district, you would have expected them to fork out the dough (or would 'green' make a better pun?) for a bigger property. -
Review from Aaron B.
Chicago, IL
2/7/2009
I love Espresso and a glass of water. It is my combo when ever going to a coffee, or tea, shop. They had great espresso, a double shot, and yet my glass of water was a plastic cup. I may have just gotten the to-go version but that wouldn't make sense since my espresso was in a porcelain cup.
Aside from the plastic cup, wasteful, the interior is right at Evanston's fountain square so it is great for people watching since all of the chairs face the windows and have excellent views of the street, there is wifi and lastly how can I not give a good review to the place that is the winter staging area for the great Evanston Critical Mass?! -
Review from Drennen M.
Chicago, IL
10/25/2006
This is the Starbucks of tea. There are some rather good tea drinks (the Mate Latte being a favorite among my friends and me, along with the Earl Grey Vanilla something-or-another), but it's too small for studying in. The staff wasn't surly, but you could tell they would rather have been doing a million other things.
Basically, if you want good tea, go to one of the independent places scattered all over Evanston (my personal favorite is Cafe Ambrosia, about a block east of Argo on Orrington) - they're usually cheaper, the staff is nicer, and the tea/coffee drinks won't be made from a pre-mixed oh-so-commercial syrup. -
Review from Scott S.
Chicago, IL
10/18/2009
Argo Tea is a wonderful Starbuckland alternative, with a couple of drinks that are made with - well, it must be heroin or something, because I crave them to pieces. Nothing better for me than a sparkling Mojitea - what a cup of bubbly, minty bliss.
This particular branch is quite nice - great people watching, friendly staff, indoor and outdoor seating, and an overall great attitude. Oh, and did I mention that they have MOJITEA? ;-)
I've said more about Argo Tea in general in other reviews; I don't want to repeat myself. The salient difference here is the quality of this particular branch; they truly deserve all 4 stars, unlike some of their other branches. If you make it up to Evanston, go and find out for yourself. -
Review from Tani S.
12/28/2009
Similar to other reviewers...I think this is a delightful alternative to Starbucks and Tully's (sorry visiting from the West Coast) but it definitely doesn't beat what tea purists (my mum, dad, husband) can get at Peete's.
I really enjoyed the red velvet drink (raspberry syrup/white chocolate/red tea combination) since it beat my normal white chocolate mocha... However, my parent's green tea ginger twist was overly sweet.
If you're paying so much per drink (~$3) one would hope that it would be freshly brewed as opposed to pre-mixed... :( The treats in the case looked quite good and although the apple turnover we bought was really yummy the pistachio almond biscotti was really stale...
I think the next time we're visiting, we'll be hitting the Peete's up the street instead. -
Review from Shivani G.
Brookline, MA
6/21/2009
Argo tea is underwhelming. A true tea shop shouldn't be the nexus of fancy named teas and pre-made, already sweetened potions. Tea is not an instant drink and its taste is truly in the palate of its consumer. Argo seems to have just blown up the offerings of your local Starbucks and tired to make you feel more zen in the process. I don't feel Zen, I feel jipped that I can't watch my tea being brewed for me or have the simple joy of enjoying it sans sweetner.
This is one chain I am hoping *won't* expand. You can remain a Midwestern experiment and allow the rest of the country to enjoy tea the old-fashioned way, tea bag and all. -
Review from Albert L.
Chicago, IL
8/12/2007 2 photos
FIVE stars for this Chicago-based tea house! It's about time we're known for something other than hot dogs and deep-dish pizzas!
Kudos for a good job on the store experience. Dark wood flooring are complemented by nicely spaced tables, a comfy couch and two pairs of leather chairs. There's also a nice custom display for loose leaf teas. It can get crowded easily, but there is also a small outdoor seating section.
The menu is creative. Blending almond, milk and tea together for their signature Mate Latte and mint and lime juice for a refreshing MojiTea. The selection of Smootea's also looked good with mango, strawberry and peach flavors.
The staff are super-friendly and take time with your order. First timers need not feel intimidated. -
Review from bloopie s.
Chicago, IL
7/30/2008
I feel as though Argo "Tea" suffers from an identity crisis. Its name implies that it is tea, yet it also serves coffee? I don't have anything against coffee and I definitely enjoy a freshly brewed cup or a latte every now and then (meaning every other day), but when i walk into an establishment with "Tea" in it's name, I expect a certain loyalty towards the leafy lusciousness, rather than its beany competitor. I think that Argo "Tea" just needs some confidence that it can sustain its business with just the leaf.
anyway, there's really nothing wrong with their tea, but it's also nothing spectacular. maybe i'll give it another shot when i'm back in the chicago area, but i'm going to be walking in skepteacal. -
Review from Colleen R.
Chicago, IL
2/19/2009
It took me a long time to discover Argo Tea, despite its prominent location at Sherman and Davis in downtown Evanston. Every time I've walked by, it's always seemed crowded. But I'd gotten tired of the same old places, so I decided to give it a try.
What a pleasant surprise! This place feels like a chain, even though they only have a handful of locations, all in the Chicagoland area. But it's got a little more personality than Starbucks, with lots of bright colors everywhere and a whole wall of teas from which to choose. The relatively mellow atmosphere, too, makes Argo a place to which I'll definitely return. -
Review from Julia C.
1/26/2008
I really enjoy Argo. I like the Hibiscus Steamer over a latte any day.
This is a really great location, only a block away from the Davis CTA and Metra stops. I stopped in here so many times on my way to work.
The staff is always quite friendly. I always look forward to going to Argo. -
Review from Lesley A.
3/8/2009
Note: My ratings are in regards to comparing each Argo Tea location. My goal is to visit them all!
This is the first Argo Tea I've ever been to and it's remained my favorite out of all of the locations, and I've been to almost all of them.
I remember when this place first opened up and their special was the iced mango mate latte. Luckily I came with a friend who kept an eye on me, or else I could have easily seen myself blowing $40 alone on that drink. Too bad it was a special and not a regular menu item :-(.
Otherwise, I'm still addicted to the white chocolate frostea special of January, and red velvet (all with soy milk). Note though that red velvet uses a red tea, which is naturally caffeine free.
I like coming here to read/study. It has a good combination of background noise, ample windows so you can study and take breaks by people watching, subtle music in the background (usually indie) and clean facilities. -
Review from Matt R.
8/20/2009
These guys make some awesome chai and some bad ass bubble tea combinations. Really, I personally like the bubble tea options. The cashiers are always friendly, they make some cool foods (the quiche is good!), and are considerably cheaper in price than starbucks.
Meanwhile they have like a mini-gift shop in that they have plenty of tea things in the place. Literally, it is for tea enthusiasts (the teakettles, etc). I don't understand why someone wrote they had an issue with the tea selections and being able to buy the tea that they are also making you, I think their offerings are a good testament to any tea shop.
They have plenty of locations as well.
I would absolutely suggest everyone go in at least once, to check out all the offerings. -
Review from Kate S.
Chicago, IL
10/17/2008
Let me preface this by saying I am not a tea drinker. I don't like hot tea (unless it has copious amounts of honey and whiskey in it and I'm dying of a cold), because I don't like the texture of hot water. Yes, I'm weird. I also very rarely like iced tea unless it doesn't really taste like tea and it's really cold.
However, Argo Tea was a pleasant surprise. I went here last week with my roommate and our friend at 8:30am before our first class of the day. I had never been here before, and thought it would be much larger inside than it actually is (it's quite cozy, but not claustrophobic small...it's a nice size). I couldn't decide between a pomegranate iced tea concoction and the mojitea, and after speaking with the cashier I decided on the latter. She then asks me if I wanted sparkling or flat water, and I kind of stuttered and looked at her blankly because I was quite confused. She told me to try it sparkling so I did.
The drink was delicious. It was VERY sweet, almost too sweet, as my teeth kind of hurt, but it was really good and as the ice started to melt it helped even out the sweetness. It had the perfect amount of tea-taste, and it was minty and limey goodness. I will definitely come back and have another mojitea, but I will take another Yelpers advice and order it with a side of sparkling water and an extra cup to dilute it a bit. I would also like to try the pomegranate drink I didn't order, and some of their other delicious sounding iced teas. Perhaps I'll learn to like tea if I come here enough (which I hope, because I always hear how good tea is supposed to be for you). They also sell rare teas for you to make at home.
Definitely check this place out. And it isn't too pricey - about the same, if not a little less, than Starbucks.
