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Categories: Coffee & Tea, Bagels, Sandwiches [Edit]
Neighborhoods: Lincoln Square, RavenswoodWestern (Brown)
Mon-Fri. 7:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Sat. 8:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Sun. 8:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
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This is by far my favorite coffee shop in Lincoln Square. At first when I walked by and saw the sign the first thing that popped into my mind was, "That looks like a fantastic place, too bad it shares the same name of the 90's dance-party show on MTV" however it is SO far from being that obnoxious.
Everything I've had here (including the great customer service) is wonderful. What won me over is:
* the best vanilla latte (possible of my life)
* eclectic mix of music
* independently owned which kind of says "Damn the Man!" to the Starbucks a few stores down
* the staff always have friendly women who know all the regulars names and make conversation with you while you're placing your order
* they serve intelligentsia coffee
* they always have bananas that make the perfect snack when you don't want a pastry
* their veggie dream with cheddar cheese
* cupcakes from Southport Grocery, as well as treats from a variety of locally owned food businesses around Chicago
* their cranberry vinaigrette is delicious and not nearly as tart as I was expecting
* their condiment/cream bar is always well stocked with all sorts of options like every kind of milk, sugar water, honey, splenda, etc.
* free wifi with no time limit and you don't have to give them your contact information
* they have this cute little cupboard that sells stuff like handmade cards, cup holders, and aprons
There are only two problems with this place: 1) no decaf coffee 2) they are always busy which makes it hard to find a table; which means once I do have a good seat, I'm not going anywhere for a couple hours.
I like to get my coffee here. The workers are friendly, the coffee is good. I've had several of their tasty pastries, and a piece of quiche - it's all been delicious!
The Grind is a small space with free wifi, and because people like to stay a while on their laptops, finding an empty table might be tough, but they encourage sharing your table with strangers. I like that policy - it might even stimulate some small-talk that doesn't require keystrokes (I worry that the art of conversation suffers from all the technology meant to connect us). They also have an outdoor patio out back, which is nice for the warmer months.
Lincoln Square's most pleasant coffee shop. Safe harbor for reality refuseniks.
free wifi
lovely pocket garden in back shhh top secret
good coffee + eats
friendly staff
(the wifi works fine in the garden btw.)
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this coffee shop. It is 1/2 a block from a Starbuck's and kicks some serious ass. One of the best lattes I've had outside of Seattle. The food is really good too. It takes longer to get your order than at Starbucks but only because the staff takes the time to make things well. Nice that they have a back patio too for the warmer months. This is the kind of local neighborhood place that you hope will never go away.
Very friendly staff! Drinks and food are fresh & fantastic...a nice little getaway!
The Grind is way better than it needs to be, and for this, they've earned my deep affection. Most coffee shops serve food as an afterthought, with quality suffering accordingly. Not the Grind.
Aside from offering a wide variety of beverages, including smoothies, there's a menu of several delicious sandwiches as well. The Italian Med is served on hearty ciabatta bread, and the PB&B (banana) is made with natural peanut butter, not your regular gloop from a jar. Overall, a great spot on Lincoln Ave. in the middle of Lincoln Square.
The Grind fits perfectly with the neighborhood. It's cozy, laid back and delicious. I usually get my food/drinks to go because it can be stuffy and claustrophobic, but the new outdoor patio makes it much more inviting to stay. It's nestled in the back and super quiet.
Great food (never quick - beware), tasty coffee and good tea selection.
Maybe all of these five-star reviews have gone to the Grind's head. The staff has been getting increasingly more snobby over the past few months. One rather sad event occurred when I had friends visiting and took them to the Grind for an 11:30am, weekday brunch. There were maybe five people in the shop yet the staff acted annoyed and we actually got a few eye-rolls for ordering food. The simple sandwiches that we ordered took over 20 minutes to make and were not delivered with a smile. Needless to say, I was embarrassed for talking so highly of the place to my visitors and haven't stopped in for a morning coffee since.
The Grind is my favorite coffee shop in Lincoln Square! The food, especially the quiche, is really… Read more »
The outdoor patio is a welcome upgrade. This really helps if you are with a larger group. I eat breakfast, lunch and dinner here. The med and falafel sandwiches are excellent and come with a mixed greens salad.
The breakfast sandwiches are large. The staff are friendly and will answer any questions you have about the food. They make good suggestions, too.
The hot soy chai is excellent. They never make their soy drinks wrong.... (never burnt,...) like so many other places.
The artists represented on the exposed brick walls are usually excellent.
It can be difficult to get a table but if you are patient (10-15 minute wait) you will be OK.
This isn't a place to go if you are in a big hurry... but it is healthy comfort food and it feels good to support this local business vs. going to a chain store.
Lincoln Square wouldn't be the same without The Grind.
Still my favorite coffee shop in town and as a major bonus they now carry GLUTEN FREE bread for their sandwiches and they have a few gluten free desserts too! I am so excited. And as I talked about before -- the iced coffee is phenomenal. This place is amazing.
First of all, I'm ALWAYS on a hunt for cold-brewed iced coffee and The Grind makes it! I'm not sure… Read more »
So I found The Grind by checking Yelp of course! And, my fellow Yelpers did not let me down. :)
Very cool cafe. I was greeted as soon as I came in the door, which is always a plus. I ordered the tuna salad and an iced classic black tea. Both of which are delicious! and healthy! :)
There's a really lovely and quiet patio out back, which I was enjoying until it started to rain a little bit. But luckily, I was able to share a table with a very, nice stranger. All in all, I really like The Grind a bunch and will certainly go back!
As a matter of fact, I'm writing this review while sitting here! Ha!
The grind is an awesome little coffee shop in Lincoln Square. I used to live in Lincoln Square and I will say I totally miss this place. The coffee is really good, the shakes are awesome and the tea is yummy.
The pastries/sandwiches they make are totally awesome. They are very attentive to your order if you request something (ie: no egg) for whatever reason.
Just be ready to share a table with a stranger this a common thing at The Grind.
God I wish this place was bigger. Srsly. The food is AH-mazing (channel oprah for the correct pronunciation of that). I love the caprese sandwich, the quiche, the salads, the baked goods... ok what DON'T I love here? really, nothing. The coffee is brewed to perfection, the baristas know their shit, they have a great tea selection, and you can always get Izze too.
I can't say anything bad about this place. Its awesome. AND free wifi! You just might have to wrestle for a table, especially one by an outlet. But people are usually pretty nice about it.
This is one of my most favorite coffee shops in the city. It really is near perfect. The staff is always super sweet. The coffee is awesome (light and dark roasts offered). Food is pretty good too with quiche a regular offering. A nice little selection of pastries including Southport Grocery cupcakes. The inside of the shop is adorable with exposed brick walls and lots of cutesy artwork for sale. It does get crowded so seating can be a prob.
Unique. Friendly. Good quality drinks. Loose leaf tea (no generic tea bags here). Great food options, especially for such a small place. Fun music. This is my favorite coffee shop in Chicago... reminds me of the indie shop I worked in during college in Michigan. And thank God for free wifi (not through AT&T). I spent many an hour and many a dollar here creating my business plan before I had internet at home. It's small, but customers are friendly and willing to share tables.
Oh, I want to love the Grind. I really, really do. They have good coffee and tasty noms. They have free wi-fi. They're in the middle of the square.
What makes me not love it? The space. Cramped, crowded, and there's never anywhere to sit. As someone who goes to coffee shops to get work done, I just can't put the Grind on my list. It's a fine place to grab a to-go cup of coffee, but as a study haven, I just can't dig it.
Very small and it tends to be crowded. I'm a fan of going to a coffee shop to have a seat and take a load off but it's hard to find a seat here.
The espresso though is awesome and they have a huge selection of tea (the few I tried were also awesome). The baked stuff I've tried have been good. My friend really enjoys their cupcakes.
My coworker and I met up here to work one morning (yes, we work out of the office a lot, if you've read some of my other reviews). Anyway - t was my first time here and I was pleasantly surprised.
It's a bit small, so like others have noted, you may not have a table, but really, if thats the worst thing about this place, I'm happy. I'm still on the decaf binge, and I wanted a cold refreshing drink since it was nicely warm out. Unfortunately they can't do any of their iced coffee drinks in decaf (which is pretty common, so I had a back up). Their smoothies?! AMAZING. I was so impressed, to the point where I've been craving them.
And they have free wifi. Somebody else there had a salad and it looked REALLY good as well. I'd like to try their food, but their smoothies will keep me coming back.
Admittedly, I'm biased as this is where I met my wife. Still, I'm an enormous fan of this spot. They make excellent coffee, and the baked goods are usually pretty solid.
The space isn't the most inviting, but there is usually a decent place to sit and chat with others. It's not the most ideal for doing homework, but it is usually quiet enough to be bearable.
The Grind!
I live in the Square, work at the Starbuck's and when I get off my shift I stop here. On my breaks, I get ham and egg bagel sammies here, because they are so delicious. You need to get a ham and egg bagel sandwich. Oh! The yogurt is so good too!
I take all my friends here.
The coffee is great, the espresso is supreme.
The food is tasty and vegetarian friendly.
The Spinach Pie is the best street food.!
The owner is awesome.
The baristas are friendly, interesting and talented.
What free wi-fi? Yes, I said it, free wi-fi!
I go to this place to study, talk with people, have lunch, or get an Italian soda.
This place is a staple in the square.
One thing though, I want in on your kick ball team!
They brew Intelligentsia coffee which means if you like your drip bold, this is your kind of coffee shop.
For non coffee people this place has a big smoothie and tea menu.
Aside from the traditional coffee pastry choices, The Grind also serves hot foods like gigantic quiches and sandwiches.
Their food is.. big. Big cookies. Big everything.
This place is kind of small so it's not a coffee shop for groups.If your claustrophobic you might want to order your drink to go.
It's right by the Davis Theater, so if your trying to kill time or find a place to talk about what you just watched.. stop by.
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I've only been here once, but I had a good experience. There were three very friendly employees working, I had a delicious cafe au lait, and I got a bunch of work done (despite the slightly cramped atmosphere).
If you are claustrophobic, The Grind probably isn't for you. I wore some earplugs and I think this is a good strategy for those who get easily distracted (like myself) because there will probably be people really close to you having conversations.
I like that sharing tables is expected--it should be everywhere. We learn how to share when we are little and then it seems like we forget as we get older. Also, there's nothing more annoying than making the trip to a coffee shop to do work and not having anywhere to sit because individual people are taking up tables that seat 2-4 people.
small indie coffee spot. yes it has some kitsch as people crunch on laptops. Tea selection is loose leaf, moderate variety. Food is decent.
service friendly but bohemian slow. More attentive than redeye near north center.
small place. not that comfortable.
good Lincoln Square location. I'd go again but wouldn't make a special trip.
http://Meetup.com walking group sometimes departs from here.
This place is great! The greatest part is that it has free-wifi! They have some yummy looking sandwiches and pastries, however I have never tried. I like that they are eco-friendly and if you are staying you get a real cup and saucer instead of a disposable cup.
Their delightful sidewalk sandwich board had been enchanting me for months with its cheerful messages.
Finally-I walked by, I had time and I was thirsty.
Cozy and crowded - you will probably share a table with a stranger in their exposed brick lounge. You will look around and see hallmarks of any good community spot -
local art adorning the walls, crowded bulletin boards, handwritten menus, a friendly staff, and open and nice patrons.
Funky lights hang down in the main room, and you must walk through the exposed kitchen to relieve yourself in their closet-esque bathroom.
Oh yeah, the food and drink? Delicious. Intelligentsia coffee (a locally roasted favorite), vegan treats, quiches, salads, smoothies. You will have no trouble spending the afternoon here.
If you are enjoying the day in Lincoln Square, there are many coffee shops to choose from - and this is one of the best.
And they have free Wi-fi - beat that, Starbucks.
I like the Grind because I like the look of the Grind and I like the feel of the Grind, but the Grind is both too granola and too twig-up-your ass for me to do more than grab-and-go. It's dark and nature-y like a log cabin made of brick, and that is a plus, actually. I like this comfortable atmosphere, but I always have to abandon it because it's the customers who make me feel like this is THEIR Grind.
Still, if you're not as sensitive as I... Bright things are inside. I like the art and the artsy feel the nice baristas give off. The big board when you walk in tells you right where to head. I like not being confused or made to feel like an outsider, especially in a place as insular as the Grind. The vegan chocolate chip cookies (which are made by a local woman and which I haven't seen for awhile) are AWESOME and I like this because I'm not a vegan. But... prices are steep, people are "shooosh"y (even half-glaring at you simply for ordering above library decibels) and the seating is crowded and on top of one another. If I feel like something different that supports my local businesses, I go to the Grind. If not, I head up to Dunkin' Donuts on Lawrence, spend $0.99 and work outside at Welles Park or at the Sulzer Library. At least when someone shooshes me there it's deserved.
I love it. This is exactly what you want out of a neighborhood coffee shop. Cool, unique and NICE people who openly accept the role of being a center for other people to interact, sell art, be online, loiter, or whatever.. and they are ok with that because they know that the secret to success for the local NSB (non-starbucks) coffee spot is to allow everything to happen and eventually people will buy a cup of coffee and probably something to eat. Executed perfectly. Oh and the sesame bagel egg sammich with the organic ham is delicious.
Coffee shops don't get much better than this.
Their coffee was exemplary. Their space, though limited, is comfortable and with a reasonable amount of background noise.
I can honestly say that I'd go here in a heartbeat for any reason (homework OR to chill with friends).
Maybe I'm biased because of my affinity for punny names, but the Grind delivers.
Went in here to grab a quick coffee after dinner around 9:00 pm. The coffee at La Bocca Della Verita just wasn't that good and I needed something better. I was happy to see The Grind serves intelligentsia coffee. And they serve it with a friendly smile. The space is pretty small but has a cozy, relaxing vibe to it. If you are not a coffee fan then you're in luck because The Grind has a great selection of tea as well. A solid choice for caffeine in Lincoln Square. It seems like from other yelpers that the food might be even better then the coffee. I almost wish I would of had dinner here.
I think my biggest gripe with The Grind is that it's just not comfortable. I'm not even referring to the crowding issues noted by so many other people. I take classes at Old Town School of Folk Music so I'm usually at The Grind at about 7 pm on Thursday nights and I've never failed to find an open table. The problem is that the closely packed wooden tables with uncomfortable chairs just sort of feel like a library to me. It's not a place that makes me want to hang out for a few hours and read.
The coffee is great but the food is a bit of a mixed bag. I've had a caprese sandwich that was pretty good (though overpriced, in my opinion) but the brownies I've gotten have been mediocre. I will say that the staff has always been very nice.
The prior reviewer states "The Grind is way better than it needs to be." That is an absolutely true statement. I live less than one block away, and have a Starbucks and another indie coffee joint just as close, but I will settle for nothing less than the Grind. It's everything you want in your neighborhood coffee shop - friendly, independent as hell, cheap, cozy, has a quiet patio out back, and even has really good food. Bagels are from the NY Bagel deli. Their salads are delicious. They've also got spinach pies from a Middle Eastern place on Foster. Your for-here mug gets a free refill. They have San Pelligrino in glass bottles and plenty of power outlets.
Whatever. All these are great features, but the place just plain feels right. For someone like me who seeks a relationship with their coffee shop, the Grind fits the bill like no place else.
What a delightful place! Found this cozy cafe on a sunny Sunday afternoon. Not crowded, very peaceful place to enjoy an ice coffee. Most people were quietly working on their laptops or reading. I had the French Melt Sandwich: Brie, almonds and cranberries melted onto a croissant. Probably not the healthiest thing, but undeniably insanely delicious. With the side salad, it was a perfect weekend lunch. I also liked the whimsical art from Laura George that was featured during my visit. I'll be back!
A really cute place and a great cuppa.
We blew in out of the wind and snow one night before a movie and I'm so glad we did. The lady behind the counter was super nice, the coffee was terrific and it's a great coffeeshop atmosphere. I prefer this kind of place over Starbucks any day of the week!
I only wish it was my hood and I could visit more. Alas, I will stop in pre-movie from now on.
This was my secondary writing location while in Chicago. I enjoyed a good spinach pie lunch (which they offer in both vegetarian and vegan varieties) one time and some pretty good hummus another. There is wi-fi, a cozy atmosphere, and some Italian soda varieties -- all pluses.
So why just an okay review? My server was a flake. He forgot my drink entirely, he needed me to repeat my order more than once, and he wasn't exactly welcoming when I came in the door. What's more the tables are crammed so close together here that it can be a bit claustrophobic (even though there isn't all that much seating to begin with).
Good food and drink options, but definitely second to nearby Cafeneo, at least, for me.
This place is always packed! There is never a time when I swing by that there are not a ton of people in there. Maybe because it is on the smallish side, or perhaps it is due to the free wi-fi, or rather than they serve up a mean cup of coffee (it is really good!). For as crowded as it gets, it is rather quiet inside--due to people burying themselves in their laptops--makes for a nice place to work, read, or write reviews :-)
One last thing--the food is delicious as well.
The grind is a small, urban style cafe, located along Lincoln Ave near the L tracks. I would say their coffee is pretty strong and quite tasty. I also enjoy the large assortments of bagels, sweets and treats in the cafes display case. If you enjoy chilling out and people watching walkers by, then the grind is a good spot. The only draw back is the cafe is a bit small, so finding a table can sometimes be a chore. All in all, good place.
Best, most craveable croissants in Chicago. They'll warm one up for you (props for service).
Unfortunately, still no place to sit and EAT!
Ahhh... how much would i genuinely adore to give this place more stars? I am in love with the… Read more »
I reviewed this place a while back with so-so enthusiasm. My problem with it was the staff. They were a little snooty.
But after many more visits, and a seemingly new and improved staff over the past year, I am here to say that I have changed my tune.
I love the Grind. I love the food. I love the tea and I love the vibe. And I love it so much that I am willing to get myself in the table-hunt situation just to hang there (very small and you have to strategize to get a table). This place makes me very happy and all warm-fuzzied inside. I wish they could expand so more people could share it!
i am a freelancer. that means, coffee shops are my life-force. i wake up, i grab my laptop, i hop on… Read more »
I wish it were smaller! I love a good cup as much as the next bloke, but I want caffeine to keep me on the m o v e! Wi-Fi is for work in my world, but y'all just keep carmming in there. Scares the Cheerio crowd a few doors South (see related review).
Quick grab of b'fast, or a strong Cafe to Go, and I am out the door! Maybe, if time allows, I CHECK THE ART, which always makes me feel young.
I come here with my boyfriend every so often for a cup of coffee and onion bagel. I haven't gone much outside of that except for a soy latte and the blue smoothie. The space is rather small and can get crowded quickly as well as a little hot, but they have a small outdoor patio for nice days. The staff is very polite and friendly. They serve Intelligentsia coffee, have what looks like a great selection of sandwiches and treats (w/ plenty of vegetarian options), and local art for purchase covers the walls. Overall, when I'm in the area I find it to be a nice stop for a decent cup.
Neighborhood: Lincoln Square
Category: Coffee & Tea
Neighborhood: Lincoln Square
Category: Coffee & Tea
Neighborhood: Lincoln Square
Category: Desserts
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Category: Coffee & Tea
Neighborhood: West Loop
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