Hand Picked Coffee Shops in Chicago

Original Article found on my world blog, http://www.shanadagnytravel.blogspot.com

This article contains:
Pro's and Others of top listed coffee shops in Chicago according to Yelp, Foursquare, and coffee connoisseurs in Chicago... So they are all exceptional coffee place listed here...

This article does NOT contain:
My favorite coffee spot ... yet

Therefore...
In an attempt to find THE ONE PERFECT COFFEE SHOP, or the two or three perfect coffee shops, I am visiting a coffee shop a day, getting to know the people behind the coffee, the process behind the flavor and space, and the reasons why I think you should go.

So Flashing back,


Gaslight Coffee Roasters
2385 N Milwaukee

Recommend
Brazil Single Origin Shot

Pros
Eclectic Interior
Corner Spot makes it cozy
Miro, guy behind the counter real sweet
Long Line often
Outlets, adequate
Breakfast with Duck Egg
Gourmet Sandwiches
All around coffee shop feel - gossip, study, brunch, or just coffee

Others
Can get crowded
Individualistic vibe amongst goers... hmm this is more of a personal observation






Dollop
345 E Ohio

Recommend
Vanilla Lavender Latte
Mexican Mocha
(Sugar and Spice combo - ask Clinton)

Pros
Sunlight - Vit D
Extension cords
Outlets
Common table well designed
Something to be said about Clinton - charming, funny, good at coffee
They have food, and...
Food is Delish - good to spend all day here
Couch & armchairs for comfort
well groomed crowd
ethnically balanced environment
Background Music is futuristic lounge like

Others
Stools not for people with big butts - so use their benches
Parking can be a challenge
Line to restroom can get busy



Bad Wolf Coffee
3422 N. Lincoln

Recommend
Caneles (at 10AM - worth making trip and waiting for)
Cortado

Pros
THE date place at 10AM - if you want to make a good first impression or strong second, take them here and continue reading
Stand up bar only- great for meeting new people and creating conversation
Art on walls are colorful and hip
Jonathan
(He will say making pastries is a piece of cake, but these are well balanced products that i have not tasted anywhere else... So yah there Jonathan, I think you are exceptional at what you do!)
Fun
(Ask for an order of each pastry and each coffee when you're with friends)

Others
He sells out ... always
Stand up bar only - Not for studying or working




KnockBox Cafe
1001 N California

Recommend

Dirty Wade
(Off Menu)
Chai

Pros
This job is getting harder and harder... I tell you!

Chai Owners, Chai Rulers, the lords of Chai
Their Backstory, hail Jonah, owner and ask him how he started
Huge
Table placement allows for personal space - Perfect for gossip and study simultaneously
Ceiling is one of a kind - architecture nugget
(the bronze, tin make cannot be found anywhere else)
Electronic bus schedule
Food!!!
Alt. (non-coffee) beverage menu: Check fridge
Good color scheme
Large windows up front - sunlight
Corner spot on intersection, cozy architectonics
Positive aura
Open to hiring if you are funny and real
Up and Coming neighborhood
Parking good
Intelligent-looking and sounding Customer base
WiFi password is validation for observant people
(you only will get this one if you actually visit and use wifi)

Others

I don't know... Oh they could benefit from outlets in middle section
45 min transit from downtown






Buzz: Killer Espresso
1644 N Damen

Recommend

Espresso
Sidamo
Aricha

Pros

Ahh so many...
State of the art roasting equipment
Kurtis, brutally precise with roasting process
"Best" selected coffee; esteemed from East Africa
high quality only - they go all out for a true cup
Fosters a Coffee farming awareness (see related article)
Interior design heaven
2nd floor with skylights
Outlets galore
Drop lights are conducive to eyes
Coffee cherry trees!
Tim, a gentleman behind the counter
Stefan, owner, has an erudite taste for coffee...
(If you spot him, it is worth asking him to illustrate for you a thing or two while you wait for your coffee)
Quasar Coffee Roasters; Soon to bring their coffee to other places
Return in May, they have the Sidamo coming up
Breakdown of accents/flavors explained in Menu
(Im told with eyes wide it is the coffee to fly in for!)

Others

Uhmm...
Pastries only - Food places next door - Coffee-centric
Parking in this neighborhood requires vigilance - so take CTA




Metropolis
1039 W Granville

Recommend

The Justin
(off menu, and something you have to charm Justin for and maybe he'll make it for you, this is a "shoulder-to-cry-on" coffee, the "come home to grandma" coffee, or "love on a rainy Sunday" coffee it feels that good!)
Brazil 320
Cappuccino

Pros

Top Notch Coffee!
They know how to be really good to their loyal customers
You can watch them measure everything
Justin, one of the few caffeine chemists whom I say really knows his craft
Tony, owner, nice and easy to approach guy
Easy to connect internet
Parking not bad
Two blocks from Red Line

Others

This place is popular so it could benefit from another room added
A variety of people come (quiet lovers vs talkers,) prepare to sit next to either
Could use more outlets












Big Shoulders
1105 W Chicago


Recommend

Chemex
Marshmallow Latte

Pros

Sunlight - good for disposition and eyes
Background Music is like Sunday afternoon at Uncle's house in Panama
Marshamallow latte so good you could pee in your pants
Coffee has a kick in it's aftertaste, nothing older than 7 day roast
Door left open - fresh air feels good
Few feet from Blue Line with e-schedule
Medium noise = Gossip-Study Balance
Tim, owner, cultivated culinary/business background
Coffee available at most groceries

Others

Door left open - could get nippy, and if you have seasonal allergies ask to close it, I'm sure they'll agree

Only pastries for solid food
Could use more a wee more outlets







Saugatuck
3344 N Halsted

Recommend

Regular Coffee
Dirty Chai - Add Toasted Coconut

Pros

Coffee without acidic after taste
Has interesting entrepreneurial backstory
Provides extension cords and chargers for most cell devices
Quinoa porridge with steamed milk!
Pastries moist
Surprises coming up to entire coffee house soon

Others

Could use more tables or space as it can gets full
On quieter end - not for gossiping
Time limit - will undergo changes soon





Ipsento
2035 N. Western

Recommend

Signature Ipsento Latte
Geisha

Pros

Top on YELP and Trip Advisor
GOOOOD Coffee
Green Tea - very fresh aroma
No longer than 8 day roasted coffee served
Several balances of coffee flavor (Natural, Honey and Washed beans)
Farm to Cup - Fosters direct relationships with the coffee farmers
Tim, owner, meticulous about the coffee cherry picking process
They serve food
Good looking staff

Others

Good looking staff - Distracting
On the Quieter End - Can't Gossip
Could use a few more outlets




Asado
1651 W. Chicago

Recommend

Estate
Off Menu Ice Coffee with Carbonation
Pros

Roasted Orgasm!
Bathroom is conducive
USB ports on their outlets
Quiet so like you own the place
Has an electronic updated bus schedule by the entrance
Roasting parties where you see Kevin, co-owner roast the coffee
Nothing older than 10 day coffee served
Pricey coffee = Quality coffee
Trumaine, behind bar is super charming
Jeff, co-owner, is an exemplary entrepreneur

Others

If you don't like quiet, it's on the quieter end
Not a place to have cup after cup, because Coffee is potent
Wish they served real food cause I could see myself staying here all day

Wow--great work shanadagny! Welcome to the board and for contributing such an informative post. Looking forward to further updates.