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Awake Cafe
Category: Food Coffee & Tea Coffee & Tea [Edit]
736 W Irving Park Rd(between Pine Grove Ave & Clarendon Ave)
Chicago, IL 60613
Neighborhoods: Uptown, Lakeview
(773) 529-4548
- Nearest Transit:
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Sheridan (Red Line)
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 7 am - 6 pm
Sat-Sun 8 am - 6 pm
- Price Range:
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$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
61 reviews for Awake Cafe
Review Highlights
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"Easy, reliable free wi-fi." In 7 reviews -
"...what a great selection of Intelligentsia press pot coffees." In 6 reviews -
"The staff are all very friendly and smiling." In 6 reviews
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61 reviews in English
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Review from Crystal G.
Chicago, IL
3/17/2011
I'm so confused by the 3-star reviews. Maybe I'm not as sensitive to the things people are pointing out or they don't bother me as much. The food service is slow because this isn't Starbucks or McDonald's. This is quality, make-AFTER-you-order-it food. I think the atmosphere here is laid-back and welcoming (unlike some coffee places that I won't name, but rhyme with shmimtelligentsia... great coffee, terrible atmosphere). For some reason I feel like I'm at a Brooklyn coffee shop when I'm here. It doesn't have a Chicago vibe to me - but in a good way.
I have ordered many things from here including my usual soy vanilla latte. Everything has been superb. My fiance is in love with the Turtle Latte, hold the caramel. They brew Intellegentsia, so you know you'll get a good cup of regular joe. The menu is extensive and they have come up with a lot of interesting espresso drinks that I must try. And get this - they have smoothies! Yessss!
I have had the breakfast burrito from the food menu and it was delicioso! The prices are reasonable and the food is all fresh as can be.
I will be definitely be visiting here often now that I'm in the 'hood and I suggest you give them a try too! Oh, and if you need a place to read or have a meeting, there is ALWAYS plenty of seating available! -
Review from Naomi J.
Chicago, IL
5/18/2012
This charming little cafe is tucked away on Irving Park and Clarendon. The space is delightful and welcoming. There is so much seating and you could come here and enjoy this place for any variety of occasions (breakfast, coffee with friends, studying, lunch date etc.)
However, the name is a little misleading. While the cafe is called "Awake" the staff seem to be asleep. Maybe I'm a little too used to Starbucks, but when I came in, ordered a coffee and bagel to go, I expected to be in and out within five minutes. Not the case. Also there was only one person working the register, and they were not even at the counter when I walked in. Hanging out back in the kitchen instead of being present to meet and greet customers is a big no-no in the food industry.
The place is very cute, and the food is pretty good, but if this is the normal customer experience, then I don't expect this place to last much longer. -
Review from Mi S.
Chicago, IL
Updated - 1/27/2012
Good: decor, lighting, wi-fi, tea selection, and location.
Bad: they insist on table service instead of having a counter to receive your order. But the table service is pointless and bad. I waited 15 minutes for them to put a nickel-sized dollop of chicken salad on toast. I had to re-request my drink, a fork, a napkin... You get the point.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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7/22/2011
Everything is great but the service. I don't entirely blame the baristas. I think it is the… Read more »
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Review from Adrienne G.
Chicago, IL
1/11/2012 14 Check-ins Here
This place just makes me laugh.
Overall, Awake is okay and it's one of those neighborhood spots that is a ilttle upscale in terms of food but a little off in terms of service. Sometimes I just wonder about why it takes 30 minutes to make a smoothie. But the people are nice, the food is tasty (I ran away from Zesty Bites and got a mint tea and cookie from here- it was pretty good!) and the atmosphere, when the schoolchildren and their parents aren't here is pretty chill. Plus it is a hop away from my boo's place. So I will be back for their tasty breakfast sammiches (get them on a croissant! you will thank me!) despite the silly amount of time it takes to prepare them, and awkward placement of their bathroom. The cookie espresso drink is super yummy too- though it is a sometimes drink, just like cookies are a sometimes food.
$10 minimum on credit card fees and free wi-fi (which gets slow if there's a crowd. It is free, hey.) -
Review from KC M.
Chicago, IL
11/27/2011
Oh Awake, home of the brain strain inducing cup of coffee with your MIL, the awkward college entrance exam interview and the painstakingly obvious first date. I've never been privy to any of the aforementioned experiences at this lovely coffee house first hand, but I'm often subjected to their pithy dialogue by proxy.
You see while you may enjoy a cup of Intelligensia coffee at this snug little corner cafe you may also inadvertently indulge in a conversation that you don't really want to be a part of. The chairs, while cushy and uniquely shaped, don't lend to much privacy. Even if the place is desolate employees are on average just about as quiet as a bull in a china shop. Have a conversation on your cell phone about how wasted you were last night? Now's a great time. Think you should vacuum the counter with a dustbuster? By all means, go for it.
The coffee is good. The tea is better. Great actually. The scones are horrible but I digress. If you're looking to be inspired by some real life mundanity, this is your mecca. However if you're searching for an extremely quiet wifi spot to finish that research paper you may want to look for another coffee shop. Or just find a library. -
Review from Meghan K.
Chicago, IL
6/3/2011
I am all for giving the business the benefit of the doubt and chalking up a single bad experience to a fluke, but unfortunately I feel that the issues at Awake are systemic.
Having frequented the establishment many times and I can say that the service is always slow. I do not understand how it could take someone twenty minutes to make a sandwich, and another twenty to make a latte.
Another issue I have found is that of all the times I have gone to Awake, whether it was for coffee/tea or to grab a bite, the order has NEVER been correct. I do not know if it was a lack of communication between the person taking the order and the person making it, or if they simply blithely ignore the customer.
And what is with the prices? I can understand paying $8.50 for a cup of tea and cake if Queen Elizabeth made them, but not a snide teenager.
Essentially avoid this Yuppie haven of rude people and opt for someplace better. -
Review from Kristy K.
2/23/2011 1 Check-in Here
Eh, this place is okay. They have decent smoothies and coffee.... nothing to write home about. They are also very, very slow.
The past three times I have visited, the internet has been down and that has skewed my ratings a bit. I would have preferred to find that out before I purchased my coffee and muffin for the sole purpose of using the internet. -
Review from Emilia V.
11/8/2011
Every morning during our trip to Chicago, my friends and I would walk the half-block to Awake to grab coffee and get change to hop on the 146. The coffee isn't particularly noteworthy, but it really is an adorable local spot. It's pricey, but cozy. (Does that even suffice as a "but?") The baked goods aren't good though so don't bother.
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Review from Kyle O.
Chicago, IL
10/12/2011 2 Check-ins Here
I have a bit of a love-hate relationship with this little place. The food and coffee is pretty good and the place is really charming. The service however, is just terrible. It's not the employees fault, they are always more than friendly but there is never enough help. It always takes forever to get anything. So if you have plenty of time to spend a lazy morning or afternoon by all means this is your place, but stay away if you are on a schedule.
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Review from Sara C.
Chicago, IL
3/20/2011
Awake is a place that I really want to like, because it is walking distance to where I live and I would much rather support local neighborhood businesses rather than national conglomerates (aka Starbucks). Unfortunately, I am disappointed every time I go there.
Not only is the coffee mediocre and Starbucks prices, the service is EXTREMELY SLOW and the staff is VERY RUDE. During my last visit I noticed that people who ordered after me already received their drinks, so I very politely checked in with the woman behind the counter to see how my latte was coming along. She scowled at me and pointed over to a cup that was just sitting on the counter for who knows how long. Nobody even bothered to tell me it was ready. This was after I tipped her, mind you.
Another time, my fiance ordered a cookie that was in one of their jars on the counter, and he had to remind someone three times about it. There was no apology or acknowledgment of the neglect.
In summary, if you feel like grabbing a cup of over-priced, mediocre coffee that takes fifteen minutes to get, and be scowled at while you wait, then Awake is your place. -
Review from Christina M.
Chicago, IL
9/2/2011
Nice space, good sweets/breads, they are often out of things and their yappy employees are so loud you need to bring headphone
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Review from Colleen C.
Chicago, IL
8/20/2009
Oh, man.
I just can't like this place. There's a reason why I've been walking by it day after day after day...and never stopping in. (I mean hello, I'm a caffeine hound...f'real). Bad vibes? I dunno. Something.
The good:
-Great space, sunken "garden" apartment feel, but with ample light.
-Lots of booths/tables, lots of outlets.
-Intelligentsia offerings.
-great soundtrack
The bad:
-STICKY floors.
-inattentive staff (I'm the only one here, hello!?)
-No cream for coffee (CARDINAL sin, straight up). No skim is not a sub.
-sparse food menu, and day-oldish looking baked goods.
-spotty wi-fi.
I love supporting coffee shops in my hood (RIP Fix Cafe), but this one just doesn't sit so right with me. Where's the love? I cannot feel it. I'll give it another shot, but cream would be most helpful in my coffee adventure, next time. -
Review from Johnny T.
10/27/2009
Awww, I liked it. You see, after trading side-eyes with my arch-enemy coffee girl at the coffee shop down the street, my party moved our business to Awake (not because of my side eye war; anyways, I won). From the moment I stepped in, I liked it. It's bright, airy and comfortably uncomfortable. You won't find worn out dusty couches here. You'll find communal wood tables, benches, hard wood floors and right angles. I liked that.
I was going to order a mocha when I noticed they were offering apple caramel latte-things. I got that. It came in a large mug (even though I ordered a small) and it was full of rich caramel flavor that complimented, rather than overpowered, the apple. I was able to concentrate on work, had plenty of room to spread all my isht about the table and I enjoyed refreshing caffeine. These are plusses. And the barista was cool. Yeah, we didn't engage in BFF pinky-hugs, but we didn't declare WoW-like battle lines (like I have with Grumpella McGrumperson at the other coffee place).
Perhaps the fifth star will come once Awake does away with the pesky fruit fly who terrorized my party. It's, like, 45 degrees and rainy. How do these things still live??Listed in: Java Jive, Goin' Uptown
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Review from Kate P.
7/15/2009
Ok, so it has become a battle between the two coffee shops in my neighborhood. Dollop and Awake. After being a loyal Dollop fan for so long, I decided to check out Awake. Here are the pluses and minuses.
Dollop vs Awake
The first round is the type of coffee and teas they serve, Metropolis vs Intelligentsia. In this battle Dollop wins with their Metropolis coffee and teas. They make a mean chai and it tastes like chai should, not watered down like they serve at Awake. Being a picky chai drinker, anything less than stellar, isn't good at all.
The second round is food. Dollop serves sandwiches now but they seem to disappear fast, and once they're gone, they're gone. Awake has a full menu of sandwiches that are made to order and served with a small side of grapes. In this round, Awake wins. I thoroughly enjoyed their chipotle turkey sandwich on multigrain bread I devoured here.
Third round is atmosphere. This is a tough one because I like the comfy couches they have at Dollop. It's great for reading and socializing. However, if you're looking for a more quiet atmosphere where you can work that has nice tables and chairs, Awake would be the place you're looking for. It's very quiet, almost too quiet at times, and I noticed that when my friend and I were talking, some of the other patrons were looking at us weird. Hello, it is a coffee shop, socializing is acceptable. This round is a toss up. If I'm looking to hang out with friends, I'll go to Dollop. If I need to concentrate and work on my writings, I'll go to Awake.
And the final round is customer service. I have come to know all the employees at Dollop and they know me. So, I'm kind of biased here because they are my friends. However, I didn't meet the barista from hell, that a few other reviewers have mentioned in their Awake reviews.
When I went here, I had a very polite and kind man take my order. I was impressed when he brought it out to me and it was right. So, I have to admit that the customer service here at Awake, the one time I went, was pretty good. If I go back and get the barista from hell, that might be a different story all together.
All in all, a solid 3 star review. It wasn't spectacular, but it was good. I will be back here next time I need to concentrate. Thanks Awake!Listed in: Whole Latte Love!
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Review from Sasha R.
Chicago, IL
12/12/2009
Like everyone else, I really like the atmosphere of Awake Cafe. It's pretty and serene without being too quiet or stuffy. I would disagree with those that say their menu is lacking. Many cafes don't have much beyond coffee, tea, and muffins. Awake has a great sandwich menu. Unfortunately they are just a little stingy on the serving sizes. If they could just give a little more or knock down the prices a little bit, I'd be much more willing to frequent.
If for nothing else, I am thankful that Awake's caprese-like sandwich inspired me to buy a huge chunk of fresh mozzarella, basil, and nice, crusty bread to make my own. Bigger, better, and cheaper. -
Review from Rachel F.
Chicago, IL
Updated - 4/18/2010
Oh, Awake. I like your coffee. I like that you have plenty of table space on a Sunday afternoon when I'd have to sit on someone's lap if I wanted to sit at a Lakeview Caribou. I like your newly-minted laidback vibe.
But Awake . . . the roaches. Why? I know you're spraying, since they're always dead, but this isn't just once. I tried to pretend it wasn't happening, but once every few weeks for nearly a year now? And roaches as big as a silver dollar?
Really now.
The worst part is that I'll probably keep coming back . . . but please, please sweep the corners?Listed in: Coffee Shops For Dissertating
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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6/9/2009
Just a few weeks ago, and Awake would have gotten only 3 stars from me. Even now, and it's hanging… Read more »
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Review from M G.
Jupiter, FL
10/1/2009
It's the little place that couldn't.
Go here if you want want to feel a little uncomfortable, but you're not exactly sure why. That's the way I felt every time I visited Awake Cafe. It tries really hard to be a good coffee shop, but it just can't.
I don't feel comfortable having to walk behind the counter to go to the bathroom. The idea that everyone in the place can hear you peeing if the music isn't loud enough really disturbs me.
Awake also feels like an office, but with a coffee grinder and a perky college student serving up mediocre drinks and a lame sound track.
go somewhere else if you want to feel comfortable and not feel like you're at the office.
i only gave this Awake Cafe two stars because the wi-fi connection was good... but if i think about that, the fast connection is probably because there was no one else in the place, and the neighbors are too dumb to hop on and torrent the crap out of it. -
Review from Julia W.
Chicago, IL
5/9/2009
With the adorable, cozy decor, free wi-fi, convenient location and now the live music on saturdays for the summer, I really really wanted to like Awake. Unfortunately, they failed my cafe chai test. Man o' man did they f-a-i-l!
Stopped in here this evening to grab a quick drink. It was about 7:10 when hubby and I ordered our two drinks. I ordered an ice chai, he had just a regular cup of tea---both 'to go'.
The place is pretty empty, so we sit to wait for our drinks and enjoy the live music. And we wait....and wait...and wait....
Twenty minutes later, drinks in hand (finally!) we leave to make our way home. I take a sip of my ice chai. One, while there are little bits of ice inside the cup, the chai itself is lukewarm. Ech ;p
Two, it tastes like watery milk with a hint of cinnamon and spice.
Seriously? This passes for chai? I try a few more sips, but finally give up and throw it in the garbage. I'm out 3.50 and feeling wasteful with my chai craving still unfulfilled. (((shakes head in dismay)))
Two stars for the overall cuteness of the space and for the potential should they hire someone who knows how to make a decent drink. -
Review from Jason R.
Brooklyn, NY
1/21/2009
I have to say...I think this may be another casualty of this tucked away location. It takes ALOT to make a new coffee shop survive in Chicago--they really have to offer something the others don't. And, with Dollop around the corner there's really no reason to go here.
Moreover, during my recent visit to this coffee shop I asked the barista, "Do you have a dark roast?"...to which she replied, "I don't know what you mean. We only have regular and decaf." On top of that the coffee was overpriced and nothing special. And when it comes to a coffee shop, they have to put the COFFEE first...not the fancy drinks.
There is good coffee all over this city and it's the tiny things that make a small business coffee shop succeed over the chains--I give Awake about 9 months. -
Review from Laura C.
7/19/2011
Tucked away into a "garden" unit retail space, Awake could be my new home away from home. Spacious layout of tables, couches and lounging areas make the free wi-fi ever so inviting. With the sunlight streaming in through the windows, smiling baristas and a fresh cup of coffee, I could spend all day here. There are pastries and sandwiches to nosh on, as well as fresh bread delivered daily. I have yet to try the edibles, but I will be back soon enough.
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Review from StephM P.
Chicago, IL
10/22/2010
I love this place.
My boyfriend lives right around the corner and we stop by all the time. I'm more of a smoothie person than a coffee person, but I know from word of mouth and experience that either which way is yummy.
They also have great food... much better than your usual muffin.
The environment of the place is also really warm and cute which I like a lot more than the standard Starbucks style coffee house.
Totally unique. Very awesome. -
Review from Matt M.
Chicago, IL
7/23/2009
+ The coffee was very good. I am used to drinking Starbucks crappy brew so this was a nice departure from the norm.
+ The sandwich I had was amazing. Prosciutto, black olives and bunch of other good stuff with a side of grapes. I want another one.
- I was not a fan of the TVs playing. I don't get why there would be TVs in a coffee shop... It really detracts from the whole experience. -
Review from Lauren B.
Chicago, IL
12/12/2010
The first time I came here I got the same, strange vibe as some of the previous posters. I ordered a drink with milk, only to discover they were out of milk. The guy behind the counter turned to the barista and said "she ordered a drink with milk? That's inconvenient" as if I was not standing a foot away. In the meantime someone else ran across the street and bought some milk. The drink was ok in the end, nothing special.
I've been back a few times since and had much better experiences. I haven't tried the sandwiches but they sound good. Breakfast options are good. Nothing special, but fills a void since there aren't many coffee shops in the immediate area and is good option if you want to go out fpr breakfast but not get a full brunch. -
Review from brint c.
Chicago, IL
2/12/2009
The Fix, which previously occupied this little cubby-hole of a location, had a lot more personality and served a social function. With Awake, I can't say I'm impressed, but I may be jaded due to my love for The Fix... where I had a fantastic summer.
The new owners walled-off the enormous back nooks and moved all the furniture into the front. So, it's crowded. Plenty of places to sit and work, but nowhere to stand and socialize. Perhaps in a nod to the schizophrenic color schemes of The Fix, each wall is a different shade of... coffee.
The vibe wasn't friendly. With the exception of one very cool barista in a backwards ball cap, it feels like they're trying to make it a "corporate" coffee experience, when there's no reason to at all. The other employees seemed desperately afraid for their jobs.
Another unique note worth mentioning. Order a sandwich or wrap, and as a side, you get what appears to be a shot glass containing four grapes. Not a bad idea. But make it a double-shot. -
Review from Anthony F.
Chicago, IL
5/3/2009
I recommend Awake Cafe if you are looking for a fun atmosphere to hang out. The atmosphere is funky, independent coffee shop that reminds me of coffee shops from my college days. They offer free Wifi, but you have to ask them for the password at the register.
On the downside, I found that the staff is not always attentive or efficient, like other reviewers have mentioned. They are very friendly and service oriented once you get their attention. However, when they get slammed, they have a tough time getting out of the weeds. I also wish they had a bold blend of coffee and not just one blend available for fresh brew.
Honestly, though, those concerns are minimal when you look at the big picture. If you'd like to support a small, locally-owned business and you have time to hang out, I recommend Awake Cafe. If you are in a rush, I think it's probably best to go somewhere else. -
Review from Amanda M.
Chicago, IL
10/2/2010 10 Check-ins Here
I love this place, the staff has always been very friendly to me and the drinks are always to my liking.
Being as I live across the street, I rarely go in to sit down. The seating is usually occupied by people working on things on their computers and I've even seen a few interviews going on. I feel there is room for improvement with the seating, but not a big concern.
The ladies who make my drinks are not very consistent when it comes to the end result of my drink, however I've never had a bad end result. The food takes a bit of time for it to actually come out, and I've been there multiple times where they are always out of something I ask for.
All in all, I do enjoy this place, the atmosphere is cozy and friendly and I've always received better service than Dollop. Ugh.
P.S.
PLEASE allow tipping on credit cards. I NEVER carry cash and am not allowed to tip =/ -
Review from Kriss S.
Chicago, IL
Updated - 6/23/2009
I was in this neighborhood recently and stuck for a coffee fix. Not wanting to frequent the OTHER abysmal options around the area, I decided to give Awake another shot.
The coffee HAS improved, however the screaming banshee of an owner (the gaunt and skinny woman who looks like she'll one day be alone and bitter in a nursing home yelling at her children because they don't visit her more then twice a year) was too much as she ran around with no idea how to run her own shop while shouting at anything that moved.
They won't get any more chances from me...1 Previous Review: Show all »
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2/17/2009
The employees seem a bit snappy and have no knowledge of their roasts. The food looks prepackaged… Read more »
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Review from Kati T.
Chicago, IL
10/18/2009
I'll start off by saying I like the idea and I like their set-up. The place is cute and comfy and they come up big in the way of selection.
However, the food is pretty average and the place seemed understaffed when we were there. I'm sure I'll be back again, so hopefully I'll be able to update this review with a star or two. -
Review from Aleny G.
Chicago, IL
1/29/2010 1 photo
I really like this place. You don't feel like you're on Irving Park/Clarendon-ish.
You walk in and feel like you're somewhere European-ish a bit. Can't quite put my finger on the vibe but it's not Dunkin', Starbucks, or any other cafe I've sat in in the city.
-Agua Preta- must try this Brazilian presspot. Let's just say I walked to BB&B on Broadway and Surf from there and had energy to spare.
-Caspian Sandwich- another must try. (egg white, spinach, onion, feta on a bagel)
-Girl behind the counter wasn't the most knowledgeable which took away from the cozy feel.
-Free wi-fi and a computer you can check stuff at that is also free.
-Plenty of room to get work done; you can chat with a friend or bring your laptop and spread out what you need.
Must return! -
Review from M R.
Chicago, IL
1/14/2009
I am so excited to have this in my neighborhood (within walking distance). Slim pickings otherwise.
It is CLEAN ! That is a huge plus. Music is at a very lovely level. The Americano was wonderful and pipping hot. I love the decor and the service. Please be a success and stay open, my master's degree is counting on it. -
Review from Lynn F.
Chicago, IL
4/11/2009
I went in here for the first time earlier this week, and left with the desire to go back soon! The decor is comfy but well put together. And it's CLEAN! I met someone here to conduct some business, and the lighting and noise level were just perfect. We could see the materials we were looking at, and easily hear each other.
The staff were very helpful. A friendly woman offered me help selecting a tea, even though I had a cold and couldn't taste or smell anything. She could have steeped her sock in a cup of hot water and I wouldn't have known the difference. A modest selection of loose teas--enough to choose from without being overwhelmed. $2.15 for a very large cup of tea. Seems reasonable to me!
Just wish that I had known when I went in at 7:30 PM that they'd be closing a half hour later. I looked for their hours when I entered but didn't see any. Would have gotten the small tea, rather than having to abandon most of the large one! -
Review from Dan T.
Chicago, IL
5/31/2009
It is great cozy place. Comfy seating, a good and healthy (and some not healthy) selection of food yet all I tried so far quite yummy.
The staff are all very friendly and smiling. -
Review from Gail M.
Chicago, IL
Updated - 6/22/2011
The staff hasn't gotten any friendlier or acquired any basic courtesy.
The service hasn't gotten any faster (seriously, half an hour for a simple sandwich and do NOT politely ask to have your glass of water when you're paying--one of the scowlmistresses will hiss, "I'll bring it out all together!" like you're bothering her).
And the food has gotten even more bland and banal, when it's not outright stale.
I keep trying every six months or so, but this place is hopeless. Gotta be a management issue.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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6/9/2010
The good -- great location and hours, decent lighting for working/reading and pretty okay coffee --… Read more »
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Review from Robert C.
Chicago, IL
10/16/2009
The employees are friendly and fast and play terrific music. The coffee and tea are always hot, and the bagels and muffins are tasty. The WiFi has never let me down, but if it did, the world wouldn't end. The French students from the school down the road provide an ambience I haven't found at other coffee shops I've been to. And so far there aren't any customers who make loud phone calls and pretend they own the place. Hell, even the bathroom is nice.
I have no complaints about Awake Cafe, and as a frequent customer, I hope they have no complaints about me. -
Review from Dane K.
4/12/2009
"...What he said"
..the first time i went here the power was out (for the most part, a few lights were on..). she told me she could only serve coffee but offered no other explanation. i asked "no chai?" ..and she made one. i got a coffee too... apparently the coffee was not fresh (probably required power) but there was no mention of that. adding up my total became complicated with no register, and I ended up getting my total rounded UP (not down, as it should have been given the weird circumstances). felt pretty ripped off when everything i got was that lousey.
gave them a redemption shot, and the second time around was just as strange. we got two breakfast wraps to go... they were nasty. and expensive. with two drinks and two wraps it was over $16 or 17.
unfortunately for me i live across the street and can see them right out the window, yet have little desire to go back... i'm more than willing to brave the extra two blocks in the cold wind to go to dollop or starbucks.
update: it seems they just set up their sidewalk patio. perhaps a slightly redeeming factor. only issue i foresee is this block of Irving is incredibly windy due to the wind tunnel that park place tower and the lake seems to bestow on everything surrounding..
update2 5/7/09: ...they put out coupons in those local flyer things they mail for a free drink when you spend $4. i went in to use one and before i finished ordering she told me "you need to spend $4 for that"... uhh, ok. but then she pointed out the coupon was valid 7am-10am and it was 10:20am. annoying. so i went back a few days later to redeem it. the other girl was taking my order, i ordered a bagel and cream cheese first and two drinks. the mean girl from my previous visits was in the kitchen making my bagel when she saw the european girl reading my coupon trying to figure it out. she literally stopped making my bagel, stopped what she was doing in the kitchen, came "marching" to the register, and without asking or looking what I had ordered rudely announced "you need to spend $4 to use that" ... I replied "uhh, Ok, i probably spent $10 without the coupon" ... I mean seriously, get over yourself girl. If your establishment is too cheap to accept a coupon, don't publish it. Meanwhile the european girl finished ringing up my order, made two completely different drinks, and my bagel with cream cheese still wasn't ready. i don't know what took so long, because they don't even put cream cheese on the bagel, they hand you a single size serving of philadelphia cream cheese to go (lame). there was one type of bagel to choose from, and they offered me a choice of cream cheeses then realized they only had "light" ... (and although the 'other' girl was really nice, my chai this time tasted like warm milk).
i'm not going back anymore. ordering anything is a chore. their selection while seemingly vast always comes down to a series of odd choices where in the end they realize they only have one option to offer... but more importantly there's one really, really rude employee and she's enough to ruin the experience for me.Listed in: Dining Outdoors - Chicago
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Review from Brian J.
Chicago, IL
4/7/2009
I've only been here once but was victim to their strange shenanigans on two occasions. The first time SO went in the morning to find they were without power (not their fault!). They were able to make my SO a 3/4 filled Chai Latte for him but unable to make me a Cafe au Lait. I guess it was a warm milk shortage. The owner, though, did have no problem charging full price for 3/4 of a chai and offered up a pretty bad cup of plain coffee. This was shrugged off given the odd power situation (everyone else had power but them... maybe it was their fault?)
On my visit, I was greeted upon entry by the owner with the following, "Are you paying with cash?" -- not quite the typical "good morning" I'm used to... but hey, no problem! She went on to tell me "I have no change and I'll have to go run and get change if you pay with cash." She was frantic. I told her I could pay cash or credit, I didn't care. I ordered the same drink order as above with the addition of 2 breakfast "burritos" that were described by the owner as as "egg and veggies in a wrap. You can get spinach, red pepper or [something else - I can't remember]. I asked for a spinach and a red pepper. Owner was the only one working at the time and, after 5 minutes back in the kitchen, she returned to tell me there was only spinach remaining. I said no problem. She started heating the wraps and then came back up front and started making drinks. She made the wraps and another customer entered and waited an for a whiel while the owner was making my drink order. The owner then took her order for a large coffee drink "to go". She told the woman, upon inspection, that she had no large cups. She offered her a large "for here cup" if she stayed, but if it was going to remain to go drink, she could only offer a smaller size. Interesting offer.
Meanwhile, the owner let out a yelp (!) and ran into the back repeating over and over again that she had burned my breakfast. By now, my cafe au lait was lukewarm so I started drinking it. SO's chai was quickly cooling. And I was starving! She couldn't salvage the burned wrap, so she started heating another one for me and told me it would just be a minute. It was 15 additional minutes. No discount, no refill, not even an real apology for it taking 30 minutes to provide what is offered "to go".
The worst surprise was at home -- we could barely stomach these wraps filled with gloppy egg white (I was promised eggs! Eggs have yolks!) and little else. Not very good. At all.
Don't get me wrong -- the owner was very friendly (after the odd first impression) and I REALLY wanted to like this place because of it. But after two bizarre "Awake" experiences as well as some of the reviews I've read, things just don't look like they've gotten off on the right foot.
If nothing else, as a coffee shop, I'd work on having enough cups on hand for... coffee. -
Review from Erica I.
Chicago, IL
5/15/2009
I always see this little cafe while I wait for my bus in the morning. So I decided to finally try it. I came here before work and got a small Palamino (cinnamon, white chocolate, and vanilla latte) and it was SO good! A perfect amount of cinnamon chocolate creamy taste. The rest of their menu looked pretty good too, so I am excited to go back and try other stuff. Inside looked very stylish and comfy, and there was even a little bar to sit at and watch tv while you sip your drink. Prices were pretty average. I'll be back here soon for sure.
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Review from Jessica N.
Baltimore, MD
9/3/2009
Awake scores high on all of the things I look for in a coffee shop:
Very comfy plush leather seats. Large tables, which are excellent for spreading out or for working in groups or pairs. Easy, reliable free wi-fi. Quite background music that makes the atmosphere feel like a coffee shop rather than a library, but not so loud as to be distracting. Most of the people here seem to be working on lap tops, like me. It has a quite, productive feel to it. Over all, a great place to get out of the house and get some work done. There are also some couches for folks who want to chat over a cup of Joe. Although the space is small, it never seems too crowded. There is also a nice row of tables outside on the sidewalk in the warm months. There is a silent TV on in the corners, in case you, like me, enjoy looking up from your work to check the score of the game or the latest news headlines.
I don't come to coffee shops for the coffee, I come to work on my dissertation. I think of the coffee as the rent I pay to sit in their shop all day. Having said that, the selection seems good, and the coffees, lattes and Chai Teas I have ordered have not disappointed. If you are going to spend hours on end in a coffee shop, it is important to have food as well as coffee available. I have not tried most of their menu, but they serve paninis, salads, flat bread pizzas, and baked goods as well as soups, wraps, and sandwiches. The service I have experienced has been very friendly and prompt.
I also like the look and feel of the room. It is a nice, clean, independent coffee shop that isn't falling over itself to be uber cool or indy. Not that I don't also like those types of places, but Awake has it going on in its own way and doesn't need to be anything other than it is: a great place to get some work done. -
Review from Ben E.
8/30/2009
While Awake's atmosphere is good, and the service is very friendly, I really wasn't impressed by the food (small, overpriced sandwiches on mediocre bread). What really killed this place, however, was the owner/manager. She berated her employees in a loud voice, complaining about trivial issues that could've easily been addressed in a better manner. Then she got in a conversation with a server in which she was pretty clearly talking trash about the barista, while said barista was only about ten feet away. I got out of there as soon as I could and I'll never be back. Dollop is far, far better in every way.
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Review from erin k.
Chicago, IL
4/21/2009
Wow, what a great selection of Intelligentsia press pot coffees! Unfortunately I was just going for a walk and looking for a cup to keep my hands warm, so I opted for the drip, but great stuff just the same. They've got an interesting selection of sandwiches and baked goods - no theme necessarily, but just a little bit of this and that so I imagine very few people couldn't find something that called to them. Service was very sweet - the nice girl at the counter asked if I had time to wait for a fresh pot of coffee. (She could have just given me the dredges and sent me on my way.)
