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Noble Tree Coffee & Tea
Category: Food Coffee & Tea Coffee & Tea [Edit]
2444 N Clark St(at Arlington Pl)
Chicago, IL 60614
Neighborhood: Lincoln Park
(773) 248-1500
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 8 am - 8 pm
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$
- Parking:
- Street
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
256 reviews for Noble Tree Coffee & Tea
Review Highlights
"Plus, free wi-fi is always a draw."
(in 20 reviews)
"SWEET SWEET DELICIOUS HOOSIER MAMA PIE."
(in 7 reviews)
"There are three floors with ample amount of seating."
(in 28 reviews)
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256 reviews in English
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Review from Paula T.
Chicago, IL
12/13/2011
Yum, this place is great! It has a really small town, local coffee shop, college town vibe with the rustic, mismatched tables and chairs filling the upper/lower spaces and comfy oversized chairs snuggled next to tall bookshelves filled with a great hodge-podge of titles and subjects. It almost feels like the communal areas of some of my favorite European hostels; waiting for me coffee, I amost became nostalgic for my college backpacking days. When you walk into Noble, you almost wish you also brought your laptop or favorite novel, so you can join the other intelligent-urban-chic patrons.
On to the coffee -- It's Delicious. The girl who made mine (I wish I got her name) really knows her caramel lattes. Once I took my first sip, I pretty much gulped down the rest of the drink while riding the bus downtown. Perfectly sweet latte and caramel blend. I also tried their mini blueberry and apple muffins - both pretty delicious.
I pretty much live at Starbucks, but with this place in the neighborhood, I think I've found my new coffee spot. So good. -
Review from Brian C.
2/5/2012
During my last Noble Tree visit, the barista talked on her phone, in detail and for about 10 minutes about her friend's yeast infection.
This isn't a complaint though. This is why we carry earphones, correct? I'm actually using it to show one of Noble Tree's best qualities: it's an extraordinarily quiet cafe. If you hold a conversation, the chances are that you'll be the only conversation in the room and others, whether they want to or not, will helplessly hear what you're saying. This further encourages people to stay quiet or talk at a low level, which is good if you really need to crank out some work.
Some coffee shops are better suited for conversation (Bourgeois Pig) and others are more library-like. Noble Tree is the latter. -
Review from Karina C.
Chicago, IL
1/19/2012 1 photo
I've been here several times already in the past few years and I've always dug this place. The lighting on the second and third floor are the best when you just want to chill with a book.
Their coffee is pretty alright but their hot chocolate is delicious! Though I also enjoy the occasional coke or apple juice when I come here. And I personally don't think the prices are high, either.
I do feel a bit out of place since I don't take my laptop to coffee shops (I enjoy a book instead) but I suppose that would be true for any coffee shop I'd go to.
Some people here are complaining about only two free hours of wifi, but isn't that the norm at a lot of coffee shops? I don't get the big deal. But I do wish they would play some music or something because it's so quiet, you'd be able to hear my tummy rumbling. :P -
Review from Dhruv P.
12/29/2011 1 Check-in Here
I was expecting this place as cozy and inviting as Dollop... after all, its the same owner.
And really, I was enticed by Google offers to check it out. So I came. It's pretty cool... the first floor is cozy and comfortable. The 2nd floor has ample space and sunny. The 3rd floor is a disaster... it has all the potential of a great space (Sunlight, old furniture) but suffers from neglect (walls and overall furniture spatial was depressing).
The coffee is good, at least I wasn't disappointed.
The pie... meh. Yea, I'm spoiled with First Slice. Hands down the best pie in the city (IMHO) plus a social bent to it (but it doesn't take away from the rich and gooey and decadent taste).
The internet... slow! And yes, its a process to use it, but I'm used to it at dollop.
This place could haven been so much better. It has all the potential. Great bones, great old/vintage furniture, great coffee. But it isn't cozy or homely as Dollop... where I can go on a rainy or sunny (cold) day and spend hours in the quasi basement reading (and which feels like a second home).
Doubt I'll be back, for one, its much further than dollop for me. But maybe if I lived around here, I could get used to it as there isn't anything around here that's like this place, wait, no, strike that, there is, and I would keep going there if I lived around here.... Bourgeois Pig. -
Review from John G.
Chicago, IL
2/6/2012
The place has been closed due to plumbing problems for a couple of weeks, and I just saw a big "for lease" sign :-(
Looks like the building needs major attention. They also had problems with air conditioning on the 3rd floor in summer, and then, since last fall, they would have the bathroom closed every once in a while.
I loved their pies, coffee was good, the service a little slow, temperature seldom right, but it was a really friendly place to hang out and do some work. Plus it had that "cool" feel to it, so I'll miss it. -
Review from Linda D.
12/5/2011 1 Check-in Here
Just give me a book and a blanket, and leave me hear all winter. Sigh.
Such a gorgeous coffee house that you totally wouldn't expect being in the middle of bustling Lincoln Park. Order at the bottom. Coffee, a bagel, a piece of Hoosier Mama pie. Doesn't really matter, because it's not what you drink/eat here that makes the place. It's being inside a warm, rickety old building with narrow staircases that reminds you of the summer you spent studying British Film at Cambridge University.
Free wi-fi, real mugs, silence if you want it. Great place to read, do some work or just daydream over a hot cuppa.Listed in: Lifeblood
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Review from Lauren G.
Chicago, IL
2/2/2012
this place was really cute. i got the mexican hot chocolate (obviously i'm obsessed) - we came here on a warm fall day and were able to sit out front on their patio in front of clark st. i loved the atmosphere and they gave you these nice big mugs full of delicious coffee/hot chocolate. check it out.
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Review from Eric S.
Chicago, IL
12/8/2011
The bad: worst internet set up EVER. You need to ask for a card, type in an access code, and then you only get 2 hours of internet. Whoever thought that this was a reasonable way to provide wifi in a coffee shop? Retarded.
The good: Hoosier Mama Pie. And love the ample seating with solid wood furniture. -
Review from Diane G.
11/17/2011
Used the google offer coupon of $5 for $10 worth of merchandise, so that made it worth it. But I don't think I'd intentionally come back. The Hoosier Pie everyone is raving about....was NOT that great. And for ~$4 I expect larger portions and better quality. The only cool thing was that the Bourbon Chess pie reminded me of "don tat"! (Chinese egg custard) The Harvest Latte was quite good, but draw a leaf on my coffee and I can't really be displeased. 1 star for the latte, 1 star for the awesome barista who helped me choose what to get (I can say nothing bad about the service, he was so nice!)
Decor has an antique, cottage feel, with hardwood floors, and old bookshelves. But for some reason the ambiance felt "cold" in spite of the "cozy" antics. As someone mentioned, it feels like you're on display. I think it has something to do with this being somewhat of a hipster place, which depending on who you are, may be a good or bad thing. I walked to the 2nd floor, and felt all eyes on me ("What are YOU doing here? I don't see you wearing recycled clothing or thick-framed glasses.") Personally, I'm getting annoyed of this hipster scene. I see enough of that in San Francisco, thank you very much. I also don't think your tables are any cooler b/c you bought them from your grandma's yard sale, or care that your chandelier is made of newspaper.
That being said, if you want to feel like you're studying in a haunted basement, by all means come here. It was freakishly quiet (like "omg is someone going to yell at me for zipping my backback open" quiet), so you won't have to worry about noise. Oh and last gripe---the so-called "free" internet only lasts for 2 hrs. Then you gotta bust out more bills. -
Review from Holly J.
Chicago, IL
10/16/2011
Noble tree is close-by. I'm on this kick where I really don't want to patron a Starbucks every day. Not because it's not "cool," but because I really don't like the taste of it anymore.
I stop in quite often as I really like the space. It's basically an old home with odds and ends...and a fair cup of coffee.
It's not my favorite coffee in town. It's bitter and often tastes burnt. Somehow I get this flavor profile from independent coffee shops sometimes. Not sure what it is but it's offputting.
I still patron this shop more often than not but at $4 plus tip... I may have to start rethinking my routine.
Staff is friendly, each time I've been there that is.
All in all this coffee shop is merely OK just as stated in the rating. I've had better, I've had far worse. Hoosier Mama Pie Company supplies them with sweet treats so that's an obvious plus.
This review is futile. This shop doesn't exacly elicit passion from my caffeine-laced taste buds but it sure beats McDonalds in a blind taste test (I think).Listed in: Neverending List Of Worthy…
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Review from Rachel M.
Chicago, IL
10/17/2011
I'm convinced that every coffee shop has to have its issues, otherwise people with laptops would never leave.
So these are the issues here: noisy, weird seating, the fact that they have maybe three pieces of pie for sale at any given point. It's open late, so that is a plus. -
Review from Jerry M.
Chicago, IL
Updated - 7/19/2011
I used to love this place.
*Sigh*
But now I'm not so sure. They keep changing around the inside, the patio has been under construction during the best time to sit outside in Chicago during summer.
And the final straw was the last time I was there. I asked for a medium green tea latte. The barrista just stared at me and said she didn't know how to make it. I responded that I've been there dozens of times and everyone else knew how to make it and it's even on the menu. I even had to point it out to her and she expressed surprise that it was there and kept saying she didn't know how to make it.
If you're charging over $4 to make what is essentially tea with steamed milk, please train your employees what's on the menu and how to make it. And to do it with a smile.
And to add insult to injury, I was given it in a smaller cup than I had in the past, and I asked if it was a medium, and the barrista just looked at me for a few seconds, and quickly said yes. A little too quickly for my comfort. Hmmm.... I think I may have been too snooty with her when she didn't know what a green tea latte was. Or she really is that dumb.
I'll still be back though. *Sigh*. It still beats Stbux and Caribou.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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8/2/2009
When you gotta get homework done in the summer, and you need WiFi - nothing can beat sitting out on… Read more »
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Review from Christine V.
Chicago, IL
7/13/2011
I can only speak for the atmosphere and the tea because I'm not a coffee drinker. BUT, I'll go ahead and say it: I'd much rather go to the little Caribou Coffee across the street. Noble Tree is super dirty. The temperature is out of whack (the top floors seem to get REALLY hot in the summer and fall). The service is quite bad. They've served me a cold Chai latte (not iced, just cold-- why?).
Noble Tree can be a good place to sit and work or read for a while because there's so much seating. However, the music on the lower floors can be way too loud to concentrate, and then there's the temperature issue upstairs. I prefer to drink local, but at Noble Tree it's not worth it. -
Review from Inna B.
Chicago, IL
11/17/2011
This is one of the only coffee shops in Lakeview where I can actually get some work done. The music is usually not too loud & there has always been plenty of room to spread out when I've come on a week night. Oh, and the coffee is good too!
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Review from Harriet C.
Chicago, IL
12/13/2011
To the people complaining about only getting 2 hours of wifi: Do you really think it's fair that you should be allowed to sit there for 4 hours when you've only spent $2 on one cup of coffee? This isn't your living room; it's a business, and as such you are supposed to pay for services.
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Review from Nick P.
Chicago, IL
7/26/2011
Great place to come, hang out and enjoy some good coffee. Only catch - you have to buy something to get 2 hours of wifi. So, the wifi is technically "free."
Coffee quality is fantastic and depending upon where you are in the place, you can usually find a very nice, quiet spot to work. -
Review from Matthew M.
Chicago, IL
8/1/2011
I've been coming to this place for over two years since I moved to the neighborhood, and it's everything I look for in a coffee shop: solid coffee, cluttered yet roomy interior, great snacks, some random semi-obscure album playing on the speakers.
It's not particularly clean (but it's not, you know... filthy or anything). It's not foo-foo. The baristas can be aloof. But honestly, if I wanted any of those things I'd go to Starbucks. When I want a quiet place to read/study/work and a strong cup of coffee and I don't want to be bothered by any stroller-pushing moms or other annoying Lincoln Park staples, I come here. If that's not your thing, you probably won't like this place.
Also, I would like to note that the still-free wifi has recently been downgraded to 90 minutes, whereas it used to be a two-hour deal. Those 30 minutes make a bigger difference than you would think. -
Review from Gabby R.
Chicago, IL
10/16/2011
after going to noble tree about 5 times, I finally decided I'm not going back.
only 2 hours of wifi
never find a table
SO HOT upstairs, like sweating hot
coffee isn't great
my 2 stars go to the nice, friendly barista (baristo?) there. -
Review from Jennifer B.
Chicago, IL
3/13/2011
With great independent coffee shops, while the coffee is of upmost importance, so is the vibe, right?
I tried to chat up the Noble Tree staff (actually just kind of asking, "What do you recommend") and they were NOT having it. They seemed like they didn't want to be there, didn't care about coffee drinks, and didn't want to....well, work. That's cool if you're working somewhere that isn't supposed to produce charm, but this is Noble Tree Coffee! Charm + coffee, damnit!
Maybe I'm being too tough. The coffee is good, and it's in a great location. I'll just try to keep the chit-chat to a minimum with the peeps there. -
Review from Lorrie M.
2/23/2011 1 Check-in Here
Seriously coffee with a great atmosphere close to Lincoln Park. We came here after browsing the zoo, yes sometimes ... it makes you sleepy, what can I say?
It was unexpected because I think we walked passed this place twice without really knowing, the sign isn't super evident of where this location is. Once inside, you feel instantly more cozy than you had right before you came in, because everything is at odd angles and there are chairs and tables everywhere.
The baristas are friendly, their pastries are tempting, and they make a mean espresso! -
Review from Andrew S.
Deerfield, IL
3/19/2011 1 Check-in Here
Went here to study with a friend. A nice place to study and get good coffee. With three floors of tables and chairs, you'll be able to find a place to sit and read, talk, or study.
The wifi is only for two hour blocks after a purchase. FYI.
Oh, and ICE CREAM! -
Review from Monica S.
Binghamton, NY
3/17/2011
I've been in here a couple times- okay you caught me, so mainly to take advantage of the free wifi, BUT regardless I've sat in here for quite a while.
The coffee is absolutely delicious, Metropolitan so you know it's good. BUT, the minimum credit card purchase is a little inconvenient, AND the internet code that only works for two hours is also a little inconvenient (although you can purchase something to get another).
The coffee is good, the decor of the shop is cute, comfy, flea-market ish, a great atmosphere to work or read in, so it gets 4 stars even though a couple things irked me a little. I went back and will return again I'm sure. -
Review from Maureen S.
Chicago, IL
3/7/2011
Here's an idea. Let's put coffee in a carafe and let it sit there alllllllllll day. Then, we'll buy a whole damn house on a commercial street and fill it with the ugliest looking furniture we can find and put next to nothing on the walls, hire some really smug and pissy folks, and call it a day. Why does Hoosier Mama grace this place with their presence?
Internet cafe DONE -
Review from Em D.
Chicago, IL
3/10/2011
Let me say that the owners were onto a smart business idea by creating a warm and dreamy space that induces sleep, and then selling coffee to the customers.
I like this place because it has a relaxing atmosphere, although sometimes I think it is taking relaxation to the extreme. So Noble Tree has three floors of seating area, where each floor is quieter than the next. The whispering is at a minimum and the seating at the tables can be very comfortable. This means that I have often had to resort to ordering a second/third cup of the dark roast to save myself the embarrassment of passing out in a public place. However, most patrons are awake and seated with their laptops, mostly updating their personal blogs or drafting their first novels, from the looks of it. This place is definitely a romantic setting for such creative writing, although the lighting could be a little dark if you are not seated next to the floor lamp.
I really enjoy their dark roast and I appreciate the 2 hours of free wireless internet for every purchase.
Three stars because sometimes there is a funny smell on the 2nd floor. Also, I frequent coffee shops to work, and this is not the best place for efficient work, unless you are a bit of a JK Rowling and are working on a new series of magical books that will captivate humanity. -
Review from Liz G.
12/1/2010 2 Check-ins Here
Noble Tree is a great spot to grab a coffee and get some work done or just sit and stare at your MacBook. The 3 levels of the house are cozy in the winter and the porch is sunny in the summer. As my brother observes, 'so many cafes and bars in chicago would make amazing apartments'. Noble tree is one of those places. Sitting upstairs, leafing through one of the books from the shelf, you could almost imagine that you were home. Assuming you had a lot of friends and they were all over :)
Now it's time to talk about the real reason we all come here, pie. Noble Tree serves Hoosier Mama pies and they are delicious. Be nice to the baristas and they will let you know when the pies come in so you can be sure to get your favorite. Recently tried the pear, I highly recommend it. -
Review from shoaib a.
Arlington, VA
3/7/2011 1 Check-in Here
The bottom line: Decent cup of joe in some really good space.
This coffee shop sits in a three story row house and offers plenty of space and outlets to those wanting to get work done. I love the idea of having multiple levels for people to hang out and enjoy their drink. The coffee isn't the best but it's not bad either. Their sandwich options could use some work but I like the fact that they serve ice cream.
Great place to hang! -
Review from Jason M.
Chicago, IL
1/28/2011
People who complain about this place because it is "old" are the very reason there is a McDonalds and Starbucks on every corner.
If you're a prissy person then maybe this spot won't be for you, otherwise Noble Tree is great. -
Review from Thomas H.
Chicago, IL
7/15/2011
On the one hand I like a lot of the barista's there, but there are some who seem to think customer service is beneath them.
The espresso is usually very good, although it is not consistently so. Anyone with food allergies or on the gluten free diet should avoid this place like the plague. The terry cloth towel they use to clean the portafilter is always filthy and likely was the source of an accidental gluten exposure I experienced.
Support them if you hate Starbucks, but don't expect a consistent product or customer service experience. -
Review from rebecca g.
Chicago, IL
1/14/2011
Love the vibe here--funky, bohemian, vintage library-esque place you can lose yourself in for hours with a book and a huge cup of tea. I must say those narrow stairs are a bit tricky to climb with a drink in tow, but that's all part of the charm :)
My only suggestion is that they expand their menu! Not a lot of fancy drink options, and though I love their Hoosier Mama pies, it would be marvelous to have more meal-like options, soups, etc. -
Review from Matt R.
Chicago, IL
10/18/2010
I almost don't want to rate this place high for fear of alerting people to its wonderfulness. That said, a good atmosphere for studying. 3 floors of seating (can be a bit tight at times but usually a seat will be open somewhere). wifi and the usual coffee and treats. Discounted refills by a staff who appear distant but are super helpful. Amazing drawings, diagrams, and random book pages plaster the walls, letting you know that your intellectual curiosity is safe here from the meat-market bars nearby.
Just keep in mind that this is more a place to study, and if you want to chat with a friend you might get dirty stares on the second and third floor. -
Review from Tia S.
Chicago, IL
11/26/2010
This. Place. Is. Amazing.
I'd heard raving reviews from friends, and most yelpers have good things to say, so I figured I'd check it out for myself. I had a bagel and cream cheese and a Mexican hot cocoa. The bagel was great (I haven't been able to find a good poppy seed bagel around here!) and the Mexican hot cocoa was even better. It was warm but not too hot and SO TASTY. The cinnamon in it was perfect. They even made one of those fancy little patterns on the surface of the hot cocoa with cream...
I ended up staying on the bottom floor, but only because I was too lazy to go to another floor. And the first floor was fine on its own anyways. Pretty quiet, a great place to get work done.
To sum things up, I know I'll be back here a LOT in the future.
P.S. Try the club sandwich (to DIE for with the apricot stuff) and the iced chai latte. -
Review from Lynn N.
Chicago, IL
6/19/2011
I'm surprised how many people complained about this place being dirty. I never noticed... but then again, I'm dirty like that. Whatever, the dustiness gives it that vintage character. All I know is that I love their coffee and, speaking of dirty, their dirty chai lattes. Add that to the fact that the music is always chill, and when you need a break from reading or doing work, there's always interesting decor to stare at or people to watch, if you're into that kinda thing.
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Review from Alex B.
Chicago, IL
12/16/2010
Noble Tree is a good coffee shop. There's more studying and reading going on here than conversing, so most of the patrons are hunched over their MacBooks for hours--especially if they've scored a coveted spot near an outlet. There's a lot of seating because the cafe spans three floors (and the higher up you go, the quieter it seems to get). It's the type of place with old couches and mismatched chairs and tables, so whether you're partial to a comfier, upholstered experience or want to try your luck with one of the wobbly tables, there should be something to suit you here.
The coffee is tasty. The employees are nice. The pastries and especially the pies (the pies!) are fulfilling. They unfortunately don't have much "real" food (I think there are some pre-made sandwiches but I've never tried them), but this has never kept me away because there are so many lunch options nearby. -
Review from Yukari T.
Chicago, IL
9/12/2010
I like it. The tri-level homey feel is a nice change from the other coffee shops out there. My friend recommended this place to me and I've been stopping by a lot to use the free wifi since I have yet to get internet installed at my place. Ask for a little wifi code card when you make your order and you're good to go for two hours. I'm no coffee connoisseur so I don't know if the coffee is good or not but it's not bad. Everything has been good, including the baked goodies (cookies, croissants). I'm holding out for the day when they have a Hoosier Mama pie that I want to really try. That place has been in my bookmarks for a while and they supply Noble Tree's pies.
I'll probably upgrade to a five star in time. I know it'll be my go to place when I'm feeling claustrophobic at home. -
Review from Jess E.
San Diego, CA
1/30/2011
LOVE their dark roast coffee. Possibly addicted as I have actual cravings for their coffee in particular.
This is a great place to get some work done in the winter and a nice spot to start the morning on the patio in the warmer months. I just can't bring myself to switch back to Starbucks or Caribou when Noble Tree is close by. The coffee is much, much better and I always prefer to support local businesses!
Docking a point for getting rid of their former bakery that used to provide the fan-fricking-tastic cinnamon rolls. Scones just don't do it for me, sorry. -
Review from Stacey A.
9/30/2010
I find that I work better when I'm not at my house. So lately, I've been trying out coffee shops.
The thing about Noble Tree is that it's very very quiet. So if you are going to memorize something or you're one of those people that needs to work in near-silence, this works in your favor.
If you're me, and you're fidgety and you move your chair and cough and maybe drop things out of your bag or drop your laptop or your phone makes a noise or WHATEVER, you feel like the biggest asshole in the world for disturbing the peace.
Likewise, if you're working and some too-cute-for-human-words couple is playing Connect Four or whatever and laughing and generally being adorable, THERE IS NO OTHER EMOTION YOU CAN HAVE BUT ANNOYANCE at those people. Because their laughing and general adorableness has sliced clean through the perfect near-silence of Noble Tree and will proceed to roll around in your brain until some other sound annoys you. It's a terrible cycle, and I'd like to apologize to the adorable Connect-Four playing couple who were the recipients of my many death-glares. They didn't deserve it and I am sorry.
Also, I don't know what the deal with the internet here is. According to the internet there is free WiFi but when you get there and set up your computer, you have to log on to a weird network that reminds me of airport internet. So with this weird network, you get two hours for free. I don't know if you just keep re-registering when those two hours are up or what, but that was annoying, as was the little "counter" window that I had to keep open on my computer to remind me how much time I had left of free internet usage.
However, this is not JUST a review full of bitching!
No, there are positive things about Noble Tree!
The coffee shop itself is a refurbed-to-death three-flat. With fireplaces. Plural. And awesome art and it's just generally a cozy place full of books and cushy chairs and tables and so on. AND FIREPLACES.
The staff is helpful, adorable, and hilarious. Whoever hired these guys was a smart cookie.
THERE IS PIE.
SWEET SWEET DELICIOUS HOOSIER MAMA PIE.
AND METROPOLIS COFFEE.
So basically, these guys need to make it a smidge louder in there (just so it's not awkward if there are any sounds above a whisper) and figure out the internet situation. And turn on the fireplaces, if that's at all possible.Listed in: PLUG THE COFFEE INTO MY VEINS
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Review from Christian K.
Chicago, IL
6/2/2011
Not a fan. I arrived this morning at 7 am. They had just opened. It was my first time off the recommendation of a friend. Another place I frequent was closed, so I thought I'd give this a try.
Initial impression was positive. Funky Seattle like cafe on three floors of a sort if brownstone row house. So great concept with tons of character.
That is where it ended. The guy behind the counter disinterested at best, if not cold and rude. People talk about pastries. What pastries? There were none other than a bagel with a side of cream cheese which you have to cut and toast yourself. The coffee was, fine, okay, but nothing to write home about. Not exceptional. The guy pulled a mediocre shot.
I go up stairs. On closer look, the place is gross. Dust everywhere. Run your finger over the mantle on the second floor fireplace! I had wanted to settle into an inviting leather chair, but it was covered in crumbs. And keep in mind it is just after they had opened. Had no one cleaned the night before? Had no one ever cleaned? The outlets are also not covered with a panel. Hmm, thinking that is a violation of some city safety code.
All in all, cute concept. But why bother patronizing a place where they are not all that polite, and the place was dirty enough that I wanted to keep my bag on the chair next to me? -
Review from Sean I.
Chicago, IL
11/10/2011
Excellent americano (metropolitan coffee). Also, they get their pastries from Southport Grocery (which is amazing). In particular, I recommend the vegan gluten-free blueberry muffin...AMAZING!
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Review from James C.
Urbana, IL
12/28/2010
Kind of stumbled onto Noble Tree randomly. Figured we'd go here instead of Caribou. In short, I wish this place existed in my neck of the woods.
Looks like they have a good selection of coffees and teas and though they're not super inexpensive, one must remember it is in Lincoln Park.
At the same time, the macchiato tasted good and I'd imagine the other drinks are good as well. As such, I didn't mind paying a little extra.
Not much of a person who puts a ton of emphasis on the decor of a place, but I have to say that the ambiance was pretty welcoming/retro. It was kind of cool that they'd turned what used to be a house into a coffee shop. It was pretty cool that they left a lot of the crown moldings, etc. intact especially since I grew up in a turn of the century house.
Anyway, if I lived in Lincoln Park, I'd probably be a frequent visitor. -
Review from Robert S.
4/15/2010
An average of four and a half stars? Really. Hm.
That's interesting because I think this is one of the dingiest, tired, pathetic excuses for a coffee "house" existing in Chicago right now. These places are usually fun to visit, and I love that they're trying to make a go of it in Lincoln Park.
But the Chads and Trixies of Lincoln Park deserve better than this. I love rustic places, but folks, when I write that this place is a hole in the wall, it really DOES have a hole in the wall...and in the floor boards...and in a couple of the stairs.
Quaint doesn't mean cobwebs in nearly every nook and cranny. Cozy doesn't mean furniture that's falling apart. Charm doesn't mean crap decorative art adorning the walls...walls that more than likely have cracks. Ceilings that show signs of repair and begging for a coat of paint. In fact, this whole dusty, rundown building needs a scrubbing, a renovation and a good airing out to rid the rooms of the musty odors wafting around on non-air conditioned days when the third floor is stifling.
Any business can have nice employees and sell coffee, which this establishment does well. I just prefer to enjoy both without the worry of getting a piece of lead paint falling in my mug or stumbling into a hole in the floor (see submitted photo).
