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Category: Coffee & Tea
Neighborhood: Rogers ParkMorse (Red)
Mon-Fri. 6:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Sat. 7:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Sun. 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
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Ruth is still as charming and friendly as ever and the mochas are still perfectly balanced.
I popped in here this afternoon (after a year living back in England) and Ruth still remembered me! That proves just how customer minded she is.
Still one of the best coffee houses I've been to in this city.
Oh my gosh, this place is great! It's my local coffee shop, luckily.
Its boasts a comfortable and…
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I only spent about 15 minutes in here as I just had to kill some time. It has been years and years since I have spent really any time in this neighborhood and I am glad to see that it is coming along nicely so this place is a great addition.
The place is not that big but it is a very comfortable place to sit and relax for a while. The decor is not at all overwhelming, but more welcoming. The staff was great: super friendly and they serve up some good coffee. What more can I even ask for? The next time I am in the area, I will be back.
I dont have anything more to offer than the other reviewers, other than the fact that I feel great about patronizing a place that employs locals, gives good friendly service, the products are always above board and they pay their staff a fair wage and allows your tips to go to local charitable organizations.
Given the choice for coffee, teas, noshes, or chilling at a coffee shop, this place is always my first choice.
I made a afford to stop in for a coffee and bagel, before I went in for to see an apartment I'm the neighborhood. I read so many reviews on common cup. I needed to know if it's as good as they said it is.
I order the house coffee (black, no cream or sugar, I think you know if coffee taste good when you try it black.) bagel was great. The people work their are great and helpful. They told me where I can toast my bagel at. Most places would not do that. I ask how to long in to the wifi and told me the passcode. I made the mistake on the passcode. I ask again and said I sorry I must have it wrong. They told me, their where wrong and gave me the correct passcode. I was surprise that they made the mistake and not me. I think it was me and not them.
I really love this place. This is my old neighborhood and grow up her for 18 years. And soon going to move back. I'm glad that there is a place to go in the morning to relax and take it easy. I would go here again and again.
One thing i was hoping to do is meet Ruth the owner. The people at the place said she was on vacation until Sept 9. It was ok, but would been great to seen her.
I'm only a block away and I've seen it all the time, just n ever wandered in. Boyfriend isn't much of a coffee drinker so we never thought of hitting it up. The other day I was on my own & needed a caffeine fix so... I decided to go on an adventure... book & journal in hand I head over for a snack and some iced coffee :] Yay, I'm a fan!
Good coffee, nice atmosphere, good people. The baristas can be a little distracted (i.e. chatty with each other) at times, but the owner is fantastic. She was so nice, and gave me recommendations on some of their ground coffee I bought. She was very knowledgeable and friendly.
I already told Mary W. I agree completely that the barista DEIGNS to serve you and its like come on you serve coffee enjoy yourself!
Maybe I'm a little snobbish about coffee shops because I am a barista, but I certainly thought that they had some excellent food options its a little cramped so its more to go, but it is a cute place and I had some delicious lattes to pick me up a few times because I was rehearsing for a show off the Morse stop.
A Note to the Common Cup Baristas:
Make a mean latte DON'T be a meanie!
The Common Cup has meant much to me as a third-year resident of Rogers Park where coffee shops are few, but growing in number. A safe public place to relax or work is not easy to come by in Roger's Park unless you walk to Loyola Park Beach.
For two years, I lived above the cafe at 6930 N. Greenview Ave, and for anyone who has spent a hot summer in steaming oven-like studio apartment would welcome the opportunity to sit in a cool cafe with very friendly staff and a good cup of joe.
Since I most often drink only a poor man's latte, I can only rate the coffee and the baristas so much. I was, however, recommended to try a cortado (espresso with steamed milk), which I ordered again later because it was so delicious.
Also, intimate live music on Friday evenings that you don't have to stay out late for.
I moved to the Rogers Park neighborhood this past August. My boyfriend has lived here for a few years now. While walking around and becoming more familiar with the area, we stumbled upon The Common Cup. I am a firm believer in supporting the community you live in and I was pleased to see that Common Cup has the same belief. Their "tip jar" is donated to a different local organization each month. I was also happy to see that they serve Intellegentsia coffee and tea, another local company.
The staff is wonderful. They are very helpful and friendly. I asked about local produce markets and they suggested a few in the area.
For a change of scene, I will occasionally do grad-work or work there, instead of at home.
I hope I am lucky enough to "stumble" upon some more local places like The Common Cup.
This is my favorite neighborhood coffee shop by far. Excellent espresso (you really can't go wrong with Intelligentsia even if it is the snobbiest coffee brand name of all time), delicious fresh baked goods, and really good soup. The staff is friendly and the environment is warm and welcoming if you just want to sit and hang out for awhile. Plus the lady who owns and operates this place is super cool and I am happy to support her business.
The delicious apple pie will not only make me come back for more, it will lure me in on those days when I am miles away. I will travel for some good ole fashion apple pie--that is no lie folks! As a matter of fact I heart many of their treats--I drool over the bakery display (I smile as I type this because tis too true!) and defy anyone not to.
The coffee is also very tasty and you get it in a mug--nice. They are not a flashy or chi-chi place. As a matter of fact the entire place looks like it is filled with classroom decor. The space is rather large, so if you are looking for a place to have a study group--this would not be a bad option. I had a lovely afternoon here once with a good friend & it felt very open, yet comfy. Not a bad place to host a book club either. The staff are very friendly & will answer any questions you have.
Another perk is that it is right off the redline--so if you live in the area stop in by. There is plenty of street parking--just bring quarters for the meters.
They have really good coffee drinks. I really like their soups and sandwiches a lot. I love that they are so close to my house.
What I don't love? Wanting my two shot Americano half-decaf and being told that because the portfilter pulls two shots at a time and they will only be using one of each, I have to pay for 4 shots. WTF? That is, without a doubt, the most absurd thing I have ever heard. I don't get coffee drinks there any more. And yeah, I know, only wusses drink decaf, but some of us can't have that much caffeine. But still love the taste of coffee.
I still go there, but really? Not unless someone I am hanging out with wants to go there. Until the half-decaf fiasco, I was making a point of going there a least once a week. Frack it. I get my free pound a week from Starbucks and have my Pavoni they gave me for 15 years of dedicated service. And if I feel like leaving the house for coffee I would rather walk the extra 6-7 blocks to the Starbucks. I know Dan and the gang at the Roger Park Starbucks won't make me pay for shots I'm not consuming.
Love, love, LOVED the latte I had at Common Cup! This place is on par with Metropolis in terms of creamy, well brewed lattes, but ranks much higher in terms of foam art. Yes, the barista took his sweet, sweet time creating a lovely heart circled by foam dots on the top of my very yummy drink.
And, the best part? The tips are donated to a local charity!
The coffee and Americano are outstanding. The baristas rawk and are the friendliest around and made me feel at home.
I love the bagels, brownies and scones...consistently above average. The atmosphere is pleasant (music, various customers, and decor).
I can't wait to head back!
First off I LOVE the Common Cup as an establishment... the coffee is great but the FOOD is amazing!
On Thursday night beginning tomorrow, January 15th from 6-7 I will be teaching an all levels Hatha yoga class at The Common Cup. The first class is free (tomorrow night) and the following 8 weeks each class will be $8 for a single or $50 for the 8 week session. 10% of all proceeds will go to the Common Cups tip jar which all gets donated to a non-profit charity.
In addition, they have chair massage on Thursday nights from 4-8 pm.
So come out and join us for some movement, breath awareness, relaxation, and fun!!!
I used to go here a lot before I got internet in my place. The baristas are always sweet and polite, and it's always a great community feel when you get to sit for awhile.
Breakfast sandwiches ain't bad either.
I get the feeling that if you're a regular at the Common Cup, you get the royal treatment. When I walked in for the first time, I definitely got the feeling that the barista was annoyed at having to show me where to find the menu, even after I told her I'd never been there before.
Still, it was nice to have a relatively quiet place to sit and study for a couple of hours... until some group wandered in for a meeting that they had scheduled in the side room and basically kicked out everyone who was in there.
I guess I should take the hints and leave the Common Cup for the people who've already made it their place, because it certainly didn't feel like they cared much about anyone else.
Coffeehouses have become so jejune to me, maybe I'm just expecting too much out of something I frequent as much as a priest goes to the little boys room. They all seem cookie-cutter-like and banal in their distinctions, as few of them as each has. So when I go to a new place, I try to say, "Okay, what's different or special about this place?" And often times, my findings aren't pivotal enough to making it a new hot spot for me, only an alternative at best. Well, slap me twice and call me Sue, because The Common Cup actually has substance.
The joint itself has the usual coffeehouse decor, plenty of seating and a few cushy arm chairs to lounge in. There's a bookshelf with some reading material, if you're one of those types. But who wants to read when there is free wifi? Only the pretentious type, that's who! There's also original art on the walls to soak in.
Now for coffee and treats, they feature your typical repertoire of finds like coffees, teas, cookies, pies, and sandwiches -- all of which I've sampled have been tasty and fairly priced. The coffee and teas are intelligentsia, which most people, myself included, adore. They also have ice cream which is a nice treat, but I've yet to try in lieu of the freezing point temperatures.
But all that stuff is cliche coffeehouse. Where Common Cup diversifies itself from the rest is the exceedingly friendly and personable staff and a tip jar that gets donated to charities. You mean I can drink my fancy pants coffee drink and know a small part is helping other people? Get out, I mean, no joke? Now I can feel good about supporting my caffeine addiction and spending large sums of money for that sweet caffeine high I cannot function without! Even better is the nice staff who are always peachy of my easily diagnosable dependence of espresso drinks.
Well played Common Cup, well played. I just hope they have 911 on speed dial if I fall into some caffeine induced comatose.
Great place, better than Starbucks in my opinion! I went there today with my boyfriend. We were around the Loyola area and I read about it on Yelp so I thought it would be cool to check out. We ate the soup (it was like a chedder chicken soup, spicy too) and it was delicioussss! Better than the soups i've eaten in Panera. Definately will get it again the next time.
Nice place, close to the beach and has free wifi! It's probably nicer in the summer time. Can't wait to go again :)
On my first visit, I made a serious study of this place. I was there long enough for a midafternoon drink, a light dinner, dessert, and an evening drink. During that whole time the barista Michelle was there by herself, thanks to a no-show colleague, but never lost her smile and her cheerful ebullience as she rushed from customer to customer and task to task. Not all the staff are so pleasant and dedicated (some are outright indifferent), but frankly I'm in love with her a little bit, so I keep coming back.
Plus I really like it here otherwise. That hot first time, I wanted a refreshing iced tea, maybe something minty or slightly fruity, and they had exactly what I had in mind (Moroccan mint). I spent most of the afternoon in the back room, where it is quieter, but I got kicked out at 5 pm for a class. They host cultural and community events many nights of the week. The front room is kind of hectic and not the best spot from which to get some work done, but oh well.
I've tried several of their soups, and they're all good. My favorite is the cheesy chicken enchilada, followed by the black bean. They have delicious-looking pies that I haven't tried yet. Their biggest prize is some sort of unique 1930's ice-cream mixing machine that they use to cook up their version of a DQ Blizzard. I ordered one with malted milk balls and asked for a touch of chocolate syrup in it, and Michelle the wonder-barista winked conspiratorially and said, "Excellent choice." They're also great with plain fruit mixed in, both the ice cream and frozen yogurt versions (sweet, old school frozen yogurt not the new-wave stuff).
Iced mochas are my cool-me-down/feeling-desserty drink of choice, and the mochas here seem to achieve the right balance of coffee and chocolate flavor, at least for my taste. Also, this place is more comfortable and welcoming than Charmers, although Common Cup is a farther walk from my apartment, which might work against it in winter. But I'll still come, because this place is a perfect addition to the neighborhood and deserves our business.
A nice little cozy neighborhood place, right around the corner from my apartment. Well, not cozy like there are armchairs everywhere, cozy like lots of little tables all over the place. The pie here is good, the coffee strong (sometimes a little TOO strong, but that's usually the way Intelligentsia hits me) and there are stroopwafels and Dutch mints at the front counter. They also have some food options and do catering! Plus ice cream and frozen yogurt!
The blueberry pie is packed with blueberries, sans gelatinous glop that often ruins pie. Crumbly top crust, buttery bottom crust. De-LISH.
The cheesey enchilada soup is a bowl of queso dip featuring chicken and beans and vegetables. Thick and comforting and tasty. I felt sinful eating it with a spoon all by myself instead of splitting it with 3 friends with chips!
Generous tea portions...I like it strong, and that's what they do here. The jasmine green picks me up.
I have found the staff to be sweet or smarmy, but always with a sense of humor. I'm a bit smarmy myself, time to time.
Fresh muffins, fresh cookies. Coffee card for reduced/free drinks.
Yes and yes to Common Cup.
Alright, alright, I'll bump it up to four stars. They've been consistently awesome lately, and I can't publicly overlook that. They must've picked back up from a slump or sumthin.
I just wish I could eat their baked goods, because they look fabulous.
Several months ago, I wrote a glowing review of the Common Cup giving the establishment five stars.… Read more »
Opens early!! I was there was 6am and the barrista delivered a hot coffee and bagel with ham, cheese and egg within minutes of walking in the door. What I like about this place is the music they play here. Always something from an obscure artist or old tv show that is no longer running. People come in and they are treated like old friends even though they are just common acquaintances...would return here but rarely in the neighborhood...comfortable seating in the back and adjoining room. Free-wi-fi.
I absolutely still love this place and it seems to just get better. I stopped in here the other day for a much-needed cup of coffee at an ungodly hour of the morning...one of those hours that no person EVER should have to witness personally.
The service couldn't be more friendly, their variety of baked-goods (including discounted day-olds that still looked ...and tasted...delicious...chocolate muffin...ahhhhhh) is getting better, and their continued commitment to local charities and supporting local businesses just makes me happy.
But let me rave about the coffee. Delicious. I'm not kidding. I've considered making this an out-of-the-way destination for myself with much more regularity. I like hanging out there, it's comfortable, and if the coffee is actually that good, I have to ask myself why I don't darken their door more often.
Well done, Common Cup. Well done.
I've known about the Common Cup for awhile and just haven't been able to make it in. I went for the… Read more »
"The Common Cup"? No, no, no! They have it all wrong, that's not the right name! This place SHOULD be called "The Yum-Yum Flippin Fantastic And All Around Crazy Good Beverages and Other Delectables Shop". Although I can see where it might pose a problem in terms of signage and business cards, but who cares!
The name The Common Cup conjures up images of plain coffee and bran muffins, but in reality, the place offers so much more - and I am not just talking about the menu! The girls working there are SO nice and friendly, and I love the idea of the tip jar money going to a charity! How cool is that!
But back to the menu - this is just some of the things The Common Cup offers:
coffee of the day, espresso, cappuccino, lattes, mocha's,con panna, cafe au lait, hot cocoa, chai, milk steamers, iced coffee, 12 varieties of hot tea, iced tea, blended iced coffee drinks, scones, muffins, cookies, danish, croissants, bagels, homemade pies, soup, yogurt parfaits, fresh fruit, juices, organic chocolate milk, sandwiches,salads AND breakfast sandwiches !!! Holy bejeezus. I was totally unprepared for the selection offered me but finally decided on a coffee (WONDERFULLY brewed, btw) and a tomato florentine soup, which was very tomatoey and a perfect sized lunch with the accompanying multi-grain bread.
I am so glad this place is so convenient to my work and that they open as early as 6am. This is a great local business and I am happy to support them over a Starbucks or Dunkin Donuts anyday.
Now, do you see why they need to change that name!!
I would give The Common Cup a 5 Star Rating but every time I walk in there, the barista seems annoyed and in a bad mood. And there is something about the seating area that just doesnt want me to stay there and enjoy my coffee AT the store.
First, I wouldn't have known about this place until being on yelp. When I walked in, i was greeted wtih smiles not only by the staff, but by customers!
Enough coffee choices to get the work done, but the Common Cup doesn't try to be more flashy (or like starbucks). Only complaint was that the breakfast sandwich I ordered was a little on the pricey side, but it was pretty good!
The coffee here gets the job done, but it isn't stellar. Pretty average cup o' mud. The brownie I ordered was a bit on the dry side, and overpriced. The atmosphere is a bit off, perhaps even bordeline seedy. But that could be attributable to the neighborhood it's in.
The outdoor patio with a cutesy wooden fence around it is nice. They also have a selection of paperbacks to peruse while you slurp your joe, and the indoor tables appear to be marble-topped. Classy touch.
I'd say 4 and a half stars to be completely fair! They serve Intelligentsia...and have giant brownies!
Stopped here one night after work to have a quick snack and some coffee. I was impressed because even the decaf was hot and fresh (a lot of the time the decaf just sits for hours and hours cuz only senior citizens drink it, and yes, i'm old and drink decaf...)
Free wi-fi, hot coffee, a good assortment of baked goodies (we split a giant brownie!)
The ambience was good, I'll definitely be back!
So I somehow ended up going from sunrise until almost 7pm without drinking my usual 3-5 cups of coffee. I was feeling weak, almost ill in my need for caffeine. I was near crawling the rest of the way home when I saw it.....The Common Cup. Hooray for The Common Cup!
I am currently sipping on a small cup of their Persephone and Alchemy blend at home with a nip of Kahlua to really set it off. It is a fine tasting brew and the very friendly, down to earth gal behind the counter filled it to the brim just the way I like it. Thank you Common Cup for being there for me when I needed you most. Love, X
I love having this place in my neighborhood. They have awesome staff, they've all been extremely friendly. The coffee is great, baked goods are fresh and baked in house. I've even stopped by one day for lunch and had a wonderful half sandwich and soup. Really awesome place!
Now living elsewhere, I miss the Common Cup. Maybe it's sad that I can't move on after moving over 2000 miles away, but this little joint was one of my main neighborhood haunts, and with all the Starbucks out there today, it's hard for a coffee shop to live up to that rep.
The coffee they serve is Intelligentsia; a company centered around direct trade, regional flavors, freshness and baristas who actually know how to pull a shot not just push a button. AKA coffee worth enjoying.
The baristas are authentic. By that I mean none of that over-the-top corporate junk that is totally insincere and makes you feel like you're interacting with an imported Stepford resident. Instead it is solid, thoughtful customer service.
Like any quality coffee shop they also serve up treats and snacks, all forms of community art, a community meeting room, help to nonprofits, a hand full of cafe tables and free wifi.
I miss you Common Cup!
I love the Common Cup! It's a short walk from our house. The staff is always very friendly and accommodating. I love steamed soy milk and Earl Grey tea and it is a fraction of the price of Starbucks or any other major coffee shop chain. Their pastries, quiche, and other foodstuffs are always good. I have brought my laptop to work in the coffee shop and also get things to do. A fab addition to Rogers Park and I hope they never leave!
Finally, a new independent coffeehouse in Rogers Park! Located just down the block from the Morse Red Line stop, The Common Cup just opened in May of 2007 and features Intelligentsia coffee, Red Hen Bread baked goods and customized frozen treats (think Cold Stone Creamery in a blender).
According to an email I got from the 49th Ward Alderman, owners Ruth and John Hoekwater plan on creating a community-friendly environment that will feature local artists and musicians, as well as a gathering place for groups such as knitting circles and book clubs.
I am a self-professed Metropolis devotee but I have to admit that the latte I had at The Common Cup was surprisingly good. My husband, who is a bit of a beverage connoisseur, thought it was one of the best lattes he's had in the city. And the chocolate chip cookie was so good that we were lucky our daughter shared any of it with us at all.
The two baristas behind the counter were friendly and maybe just a tad shy compared to the boisterous enthusiasm I'm used to at Metropolis. Hopefully, given time they will learn to know their patrons by name and to enjoy concocting delicious beverages and promoting a neighborly environment amongst their regulars and visitors.
One interesting feature that I think is worth noting about the Common Cup (which my husband and I have already agreed to refer to as just "the Common") is their tip jar. It's a normal looking tip jar, sure enough, but the contents of that tip jar are donated to a different non-profit in the neighborhood every month. What a great way to give back to your community!
The Grand Opening is scheduled for Wednesday, June 13th from 7:30-9:00 am, but I wouldn't wait until then to make your first visit. In fact, I'm going back first thing tomorrow morning!
P.S. They're closed on Sundays, which is a bummer for us coffee lovers, but it's probably a good idea for the staff to all get a day of rest once a week. Hopefully that'll mean they'll be extra nice on Mondays!
Hands down, the best dirty chai in the city. Though - I have to admit I only order in the AM and have had only one barista ever make them for me. I usually go on the same day(s) so I know what to expect. Ruth, who owns the shop with her husband, always asks if I want to prep my bagel in the store before I leave - which to me is a wonderful endorsement of how thoughtful they are. I also really admire that they have a tip jar that collects money for area non profits. So, I'm assuming that the owners actually pay their employees a living wage, or at least I hope that's the case.
******Update 9-26-07********
Get a coffe card here if you are a regular visitor. 10th cup is free AND the 5th cup is 1/2 off.
*******************************
Common Cup is a much needed addition to Morse Ave and, with the many ice cream choices, just in time for the summer. Intelligentsia is sold by the cup or pound. A decent selection of baked goods (bagels, pastries, etc) are available as are soups of the day. Prices are average, maybe a little bit less on many items when compared to major chains.
I like that they are fully stocked with china in order to cut back on waste for the drink-/eat-in crowd. There is a also a stand-alone water dispenser, bathrooms, a few comfy chairs and about 8 tables. An "overflow" room has seating for about 30 and can be used for special events (a church service is held there on Sundays).
Local artists have their work on the walls available for purchase, and artwork will be changed every 6 weeks or so.
If living in or visiting Rogers Park, be sure to grab a coffee from CC--we want it to stay!
(earned that 5th star, 6-27-07)
I've been in a 5-star mood lately and fortunately I can keep the trend going with The Common Cup. I live in Rogers Park only a couple blocks away and it was heavenly to have only a 5 minute walk to this place vs. having to walk to Metropolis or get on a train and head up to Evanston to get my work on.
In fact I'm sitting here right now enjoying a cup of piping hot tea and fast wifi. Watching people come in and out giving this place business and making it successful almost gives me the chills because it's NOT Starbucks. Like the new Stella on Devon, someone had the guts to open this place up with a proverbial f-you to anyone who said this neighborhood was down and out and couldn't be successful.
As for the environs themselves, they've done a nice job of keeping things simple and tasteful and not too cliche. Lot of marble and wood, they keep good music on but not too loud so you can enjoy your own stuff if you want, and they have a nice selection of baked goods. My only complaint is besides a few pieces of rather suspicious looking fruit, there isn't much healthy stuff snack-wise. They've got a small fridge - they could easily do some yogurt, some bagged organic veggies, whatever. Just no more muffins and bagels made for the giant-set!
The common cup is a great addition to the neighborhood. The staff, owners are very friendly and love to chat. The coffee is very good. I especially like their mocha's.
It's true what they say about donating money to a local charity every month. It's a nice way for residents to be more connected to the neighborhood.
The common is a CLEAN, reason for capital letters is that is immaculate. I asked to use the washroom I have never seen a restaurant so clean you can smell how clean it is.I mean they don't use any sprays and smells clean. Goes to tell you how clean the owner likes to keep this dainty little coffee shop.
I mean if you want to mean a girl friend for lunch is the place to be,I mean the L station is only a block away. Is a developing area and I have been in the area for a while and believe me is has dramatically changed from bad to best. I love the change in my neighbor hood i take the 155 all the time with stops right if front of this restaurant always wonder what it was like now i am not able to forget my experience.
I Definitely recommend to all my wonderful fellow neighbors . I really think beats starbucks, i mean have a bagle soup,sandwich or even ice cream yum!.owners are wonderful couple easy to talk to very open nice. I wont stop comming .
Neighborhood: Rogers Park
Category: Coffee & Tea
Neighborhood: Rogers Park
Category: Desserts
Neighborhood: Edgewater
Category: Coffee & Tea
Neighborhood: Edgewater
Category: Coffee & Tea
Neighborhood: Rogers Park
Category: Nightlife
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