Coffee Chicago
Category: Coffee & Tea [Edit]
Neighborhood: Edgewater5256 N Broadway St
Chicago, IL 60640 (773) 784-1305
- Nearest Transit:
Berwyn (Red)
- Price Range: $
- Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
- Parking: Street
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
- Outdoor Seating: Yes
- Wi-Fi: Free
118 reviews
Neighborhood: Uptown
"I love this coffee shop. You can't go wrong with comfy couches, FREE wifi, tasty coffee and smoothies. Most other places in Chicago have…" read more »
22 Reviews for Coffee Chicago
Thank God for a coffee place with ample room, free wi-fi (as long as you register online first), and management who will actually let you plug in your laptop. Their coffee is smooth, not too bitter, and their ice cream is exquisitely sweet. The calzones are meaty and tangy, but I personally recommend the Navy bean soup with toast: I don't know what flavors they put in it, but OMG I am *so* in heaven when I have that soup with butter!
BTW, they are also famous for their Friday night open mic (which starts around 7pm); bring your favorite poem, prose, song, etc., and whatever donation you can afford--it's usually two or three dollars. Be sure to call in advance to see if the open mic is still happening; it's been a while since I last visited.
I wasn't too fond of the caramel latte I got here, can't quite make out the reason why, but it has to be either they let the espresso drip more than they should have and caused it to be bitter, or they didn't put enough caramel syrup, the coffee was just bitter. However I really liked the chocolate croissant, yum! I also saw a bunch of people getting ice cream here, I guess they have a pretty good reputation for it, maybe next time I will stick with that! They also have free wi-fi, why go to another cafe and pay for it right?
ooh Coffee Chicago I am so sorry! I cant believe I disregarded you so hastily for so long! I cant even count how many times I have driven by and not stopped to try you. I dont even have a good excuse either, I mean, your exterior is very cute and tidy - ahhh, I dont know what I was thinking.
Well I am sorry. I really like you, OK? Can we make up for lost time?
I was so impressed that you had actual iced coffee, and not that " lets-pour-hot-coffee-over-ice-and-make-a-nas ty-lukewarm-concoction" deal that some places have. Perfectly brewed and ice cold. If I had any complaint it is that a "large" coffee is in reality more of an undersized medium, but I can let that slide. How much caffeine does a girl need, right! ;)
The tiny lemon cookie was a perfect size to calm a sugar craving, and I like how it was very flakey, like a soft shortbread. I was surprised to see the ice cream though. I might have to try that on a hotter summer day. Coffee and ice cream? Sign me up!
Nice menu selection with decent prices, a very cheery and nice barista and I scored a parking spot right outside the front door. Oh and your tile floor is AWESOME. Love it!
It takes a big person to admit they were wrong. I have been so wrong to you, Coffee Chicago. I cant wait to come back and try some other lovely coffee drinks! You are such a gem!
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Free wi-fi, and pretty decent muffins and croissants. I like the fruit smoothies, and the mocha is quite good too. Can't beat the location for a lazy breakfast. They have an ice cream bar I've never tried.
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I have to agree with Greta P's review. I stopped by Coffee Chicago after a business meeting because it looked very nice from the outside street. As I approached the counter the girls working there barely looked at me and continued talking - one girl was texting on her phone. I stood there two minutes and had to "clear my throat" for one to come over. She could not have been more passively RUDE and COLD. She did not even say thank you when I paid and when she handed me my drink, it was not even half full. I said something and she was very snotty - "that is just the foam". I waited for the foam to settle and sure enough, less than half full.
I told her it was not acceptable and wanted my money back and she just stood there glaring at me. I had to ask two more times before she begrudingly did so. Then -- get this!!!!! -- the other girl told me to leave and never come back!!!!!! Fine by me!
In this weakening economy, there is absolutely no excuse for such poor service - I hope Coffee Chicago goes out of business and a store that treats its customers right replaces it.
What a fabulous place for a cup of coffee!
First of all, I have to agree with one reviewer about the baristas. They're all Eastern European, young, pretty as hell, and nice as can be. I'm a heterosexual woman engaged to be married in the fall, so I'm not out to cruise baristas. Still, they hot. If you're into that kind of thing, get your next latte at Chicago Coffee.
To be honest, the decor is a little cold for me. The tiled floor and the smallish tables are not conducive to warm, fuzzy, coffeehouse feelings. But if you want to actually sit down in a coffee shop (like, for awhile) then you have to let go of your desire for teeny-weeny, super-cozy coffeehouses. Because the tinier and more intimate, the less likely you'll be to get a seat and keep it. At Chicago Coffee, you'll find a seat and you can stay all afternoon.
The pastries are fine. The flaxseed muffin is *fabulous.* The tea selection is vast. The WiFi is free and the location is great. I like Pause very much (it's just over a block or two) but I have a soft spot for Chicago Coffee. It's like Pause's less popular little sister -- and it's cheaper, too.
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This place has everything I look for in a coffee shop: free wi-fi, fast service, comfy seating, good drinks, and yummy snacks. Prices are also reasonable. I came on a Saturday afternoon and ordered a scone, and a skim mocha. The scone was fresh and delicious, and the drink was a perfect balance of sweet (but not too sweet) and espresso flavours. The two girls working were friendly and helpful; they made my drink quickly. The shop has lots of small tables and plenty of outlets. There are also some non-standard coffee shop things, like ice cream! I highly recommend this place.
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When I lived in the neighborhood, Coffee Chicago was a regular hangout of mine. Of course, when I lived in the neighborhood all I could afford was a crappy studio apartment in a building with a real flophouse feel so I spent as little time as possible in the apartment itself.
I owe places like Coffee Chicago some serious gratitude for getting me through that year. Coffee Chicago is a perfectly pleasant place to pass a morning, afternoon, or evening. The coffee is good as are the croissants. There are enough people in and out to break your reverie but it's also quiet enough for studying and/or reading. A lot of CTA workers and some cops. Also, plenty of foot traffic from the red line stop across the street so plenty to look at if you're in the mood for people watching.
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This place is way better than it used to be, and I now consider it to be on my active roster of coffee shacks. The staff now appear to listen to you and attempt to give a damn about having you return at some point in the future.
The coffee itself is alright, not bad at all, but nothing special. And they get bonus points for having a lot of different baked stuff and an ice cream case.
The thing I really don't like about this place is the super-small tables that cannot accommodate a book and a laptop upon their surface. If you happen to be sharing a table with someone, you might want to put drinks on the window ledge, lest beverage contents make an acquaintance with computer hardware or printed page.
However, the wifi is free and there is a really nice outdoor seating area for when it's nice out.
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I discovered this place while hunting for free wifi in my new neighborhood. What I found was not only free wireless (suck it, Starbucks!) but great coffee (again, booyah to Starbucks), both to be enjoyed in a relaxing environment. There are plenty of small tables inside, as well as an outdoor seating area. The drink selection is fabulous - I can't wait to try some of the exotic and scrumptious sounding smoothies and coffees. Food-wise, you can choose from pastries and ice cream. I noticed that a lot of people were chatting with the barista and other patrons, giving it a friendly community feel. Very happy that this nice little hangout is just minutes from my apartment.
**Edit 5/24/08** One caveat: I have found their music selection to be a little weird. Sometimes they're bumpin' this toothache-inducing soft rock "adult lite" radio that I just can't tolerate when I'm trying to write or study. But I'm sure that if you asked the barista to turn down the volume, she would.
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I don't drink coffee, I'll state that right now, but this place makes an awesome smoothie. My favorite (and only one I get) Is Strawberry and Passion fruit. Its amazing. Always consistent, which is a plus.
They also do Italian soda! Which is always good...I don't think a lot of people either know about it, or are into it.
Give it a try sometime!
They have great pastries as well, and everything I've ever had was super fresh.
Service is always good, and generally friendly.
Also- Free Wi Fi!
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Chicago Coffee is great, primarily for one thing: free wifi. This little perk has become pretty scarce in the Chicago coffee shop scene, and I'm happy to spend my money at a place that keeps it free.
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i love this place! they have ten times as many syrup flavors as starbucks. would you like a butterscotch latte? a chocolate biscotti mocha? a malted ball muffin or a blueberry chocolate biscotti? between the unique pastries and endless syrup selection... and the free wifi... i can't imagine going anywhere else. i'ts a really chill place, i go in here and play scrabble for hours. the barista even let me use her cell phone when i lost mine. it's just the place to unwind and enjoy being lazy.
tomorrow i'm going in for breakfast. i'm getting a double tall iced butterscoth latte and an almond crossaint. jealous? :)
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Coffee Chicago is a great place to get some work done. The free wifi is good, the outlets are plentiful, and being able to sit by the large windows lets me feel connected to the outdoors while still being connected to a power source. There is also an nice outdoor seating area that you can take advantage of.
There is a relatively large variety of muffins, bagels, pastries and desserts (including a nice selection of ice cream), as well as some savory fare that includes soup and calzones. The coffee is good and the atmosphere is casual and relaxed.
Coffee Chicago is situated on the southwest corner of Broadway and Berwyn, about a block from the Berwyn el stop on the red line. Metered street parking is available, and I'm usually able to find a spot without too much trouble. Being on a busy intersection, there is usually a steady stream of business, but I've never had any trouble getting a table.
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I went here with a couple of friends and the barista was incredibly rude!!! We waited a while as she ignored us and flirted with the customer ahead of us. Then she rushed us through with an abundance of attitude and didn't even give my friend what she asked for. Next time, I'll skip it.
Great coffee, more tea than you can shake a stick at, lots of room to sit and take a load off. People working on their computers. Others reading the Onion and snickering quietly. And of course if you have ready any of my other reviews, as the poster boy of soy milk I have to note that they have soy milk for coffee.
They have ice cream as well, and it looks really good too. Who cares if it's 30 degrees outside. You just walked from the Berwyn El, popped into Pier 1 Imports, hoofed it back over to Jewel for that last minute thing, and then jumped in here. Cookies n Cream still tastes good after a hard day's work.
My only gripe is they don't have soy ice cream. But they're still gastronomy forward by having soy milk for my coffee and they do have two fruity sorbet flavors (mango & raspberry) so I'll let them off the enormous proverbial hook for that one. Even though it should be a really, really obvious faux pas to anyone stocking soy products of any kind.
Another good thing, cops like to hang out here. So I know I won't get mugged, at least while I'm still in the shop.
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I didn't used to be a big fan of the place, but it's grown on me. Especially now that the wifi is free. The place is got a great neighborhood feel. There's a couple of regulars that hang here and a good, worn-in feel to the place that makes it comfortable. The espresso and lattes are good, but not great. I've always had good service, and the pastry selection is decent.
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Great little coffee joint. I buy the Chicago Blend beans for home here. The cafe is small and they have all types of coffee muffin/munchies to go with your cup of joe or whatever. It's all good here. Street parking is easy to find as they are right on Broadway. Outdoor seating in the warmer months, lots of free indie rags to read while you're sipping...
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You'll find me studying here on a fairly regular basis - especially in the two weeks before exams!
I dig this joint - the coffee is good, the staff is friendly, and they don't mind if you stay there for hours and read.
The ice cream selection is extensive - and it's all Edy's. Yum!
In the summer, there's a cute little outdoor patio where you can sip your coffee, read, and watch the world go by. Lovely!
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I used to love visiting Coffee Chicago's Lakeview shops before they closed down years ago, I believe the Edgewater location is the last survivor of the Coffee Chicago "chain". They have been fortunate in that there are no competing Starbucks shops within short walking distance. This shop has a great independent coffee shop atmosphere, nice outdoor seating in the spring & summer. Coffee is good too.
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Good coffeeshop vibe - and ice cream too! Lots of tables and a cool outdoor area in the summer.
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This place has been here for years. The iced mocha is coffee-ish and chocolately and definitely has enough caffeine in it to give you a boost. They have interesting icecream flavors like lychee, marion berry, green tea....the selection varies i think. hot chocolate, italian sodas, lattes...its all good here. Outdoor seating too.
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