Coffee Chicago

2008-10-19T16:41:00.000-07:00

As I walked into Coffee Chicago, the first thing I noticed was the veritable army of computers and their owners. 14 of the 15 people in the place (including the girl behind the counter) were deeply engrossed in the laptop in front of them. Interestingly enough, none of them were seated together; they were all in conversation with their electronic companions. When I got to the counter, the girl greeted me politely and waited patiently while I looked over the menu. I asked for a hot drink suggestion and in response received a couple of ums and a statement of where the hot drinks were on the menu. I took a coffee (the “Chicago Blend”) and a lemon-cranberry muffin. Although the muffin was a little tough, chock-full of preservatives, the coffee was some of the best drip coffee I’d had in a long time. Their sparse selection of pastries is ordered out, though from where, the girl didn’t know. However, they do have ice cream and the green tea flavor I sampled was scrumptious. A self-serve water cooler with cups sits reassuringly next to the counter. The atmosphere is comfortable; clean, but not so clean you’re afraid to touch anything. The free WiFi and cheap coffee refills make it a worthwhile hang-out. The local lite-rock radio station serenades patrons while they sip, but not too loud so it's easy to ignore. For someone living or working in the neighborhood, Coffee Chicago is an excellent place to work, chat, or chill, but is probably not worth the trip if you aren’t already there for another reason.

I give it an "Only if you're in the neighborhood."

The Facts
Hours: 7:30am - 9pm (9:30 on Fridays)
Price of coffee: $1.70

Location: 5256 N. Broadway

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The Bourgeois Pig

2008-10-07T20:07:00.000-07:00

The Bourgeois Pig sits just a block from the Fullerton Red Line stop. With a hanging hog welcoming visitors, the first thing you notice is the seating. They squeeze plenty of chairs into a limited amount of space. A patio and three more rooms upstairs provide even more seating, and they need it too. Being steps from the DePaul campus, the Pig is a popular hangout for students and at its busiest times, can get a little crowded. The staff is friendly, but quite professional, and they expect you to know what you want as soon as you get to the counter, which can be a little difficult with the epic drink selection they offer. Their kitchen can crank out some quality fare as well, offering sandwiches, soups, quiches, and omelets. Almost all of the baked goods are made in-house (the muffins are excellent) and the drinks are made with the utmost attention to detail. I enjoyed a thai iced coffee and a day-old chocolate chip scone (1/2 off!) and my wife tried an italian soda and a blueberry muffin. The scone was excellent for being a day old and the muffin was great as well! The soda might have been better with cream, but the coffee was a perfect blend of espresso, honey, and cream. It even came in a cup made from corn (100% biodegradable), as they have the emphasis on organic and fair-trade items that you would expect from an urban student hang-out. The prices are a bit steep, but no more than you would pay at an average chain coffee shop. Next to the counter, there is a self serve water cooler. This is one of the most important features of any cafe, but I'll say more about that another time. The decor can be best described as 19th century "shabby-chic." The odd assortment of music is unobtrusive, allowing people to study or talk in peace and the work of local artists dots the walls, complete with price information.

The name of the establishment says it all, albeit ironically.

I would give it a "Worth the Trip."

The Facts

Hours: 7am - 11pm (8am on Sundays)

Price of coffee: $1.75

Location: 738 W. Fullerton Pkwy.

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Eating Up the EL

Coffee Chicago

The Bourgeois Pig