If there is anything to know about me it is that I am an absolute sucker for coffee. Coffee shops, coffee mugs, coffee machines, coffee aromas– you name it, I’ll love it. So much that I even studied it for a quarter my first year of college. My first distinct memory of drinking coffee was with my late grandmother in my home country, Bosnia. I was fairly young watching her make traditional Turkish coffee on the stove. I remember asking her if I could have some too and she looked at me in disbelief and said, “Djeca ne smiju piti kafu, narašče ti rep.” Translation: “Kids aren’t allowed to drink coffee, they’ll grow a tail.” Oh to live another day with my grandmother by my side, telling me all these folklore legends. She poured me a glass of warm milk and the minimalist drop of coffee and told me that anymore coffee would make my mother so mad. From drinking coffee with my milk to drinking coffee as black as the night sky, I could not imagine my life without it. Its smell reminds me of home, its taste reminds me of family, and its sight reminds me of every friendship, relationship, partnership, and bonding its ever created.
Coffee Shop Chronicles is my little memoire of my favorite coffee places near my area. My favorite shops are all over the world, but this blog is for the one’s right at home. Easy to get to, easy to find– so if you’re a coffeeshop fanatic (whether for the tea, aesthetic, or coffee), this blog is for you.
Due to COVID restrictions, most of these shops are currently closed or only accepting to-go orders. Save this blog for brighter days when we can enjoy the company of one another over a cup!
1. BACKLOT COFFEE – EVANSTON, IL ($-$$)
Of all places, Backlot Coffee in Evanston has been my favorite spot for years now. With its newly remodeled space, it’s a cozy area for students to work, drink, and socialize. I’ve spent numerous hours here working, taking pictures, and enjoying their iconic Rose Cardamum Latte. It’s absolutely my favorite thing on their menu, and if you enjoy your coffees more on the floral side, I highly recommend it.
2. PHILZ COFFEE- LINCOLN PARK, CHICAGO ($-$$)
With an array of options, Philz coffee is the place to sip and chat. Its energy is upbeat in the subtlest way and is cozy enough to feel like you’re at home. Their staff is remarkably sweet & their coffees are nicely organized by tastebud. Their menu offers different varieties of coffees based on strength, along with their creative drinks that could match anyone’s liking. My favorite iced coffee from Philz would have to be their Iced Coffee Rosé (sensing a theme here with my preferences?) and their medium balanced Philtered Soul for the chillier days.
3. COLECTIVO COFFEE- EVANSTON, IL ($$)
https://colectivocoffee.com/menu/drinks
Leaning more towards the rustic side, Colectivo Coffee in Evanston is a cute, little shop that is plastered with artwork and designs fit for the entertainment of a wandering eye. As a small corner shop with a lot of personality, Colectivo also has a variety of featured drinks that could accommodate to different, peculiar tastes. With a fairly simple and straightforward menu, the quality of their coffees are among the best in my opinion. With iced coffees on draft, my favorite smooth and creamy cold brew is their Draft Oat Milk Latte. For something cozier, I like their year-round Mocha Mexicana.
3. FLORIOLE CAFE + BAKERY – LINCOLN PARK, CHICAGO ($$-$$$)
https://floriole.square.site/s/order
Located just 15 minutes from DePaul University’s Lincoln Park Campus, Floriole is a quaint, sophisticated coffee shop that fits the aesthetic of modern rustic mixed with industrial. Double-floored and simplistic, this coffee shop pleases a plethora of elegance and poise. Though I have not tried their meals, their coffee-partner sides proved to be delicious every time. Their quality hot coffees with your choice of milk satisfies caffeinated cravings.
4. DOLLOP COFFEE CO. – CHICAGO, IL
Dollop Coffee Co. is one of those places you pass on the street and can’t just walk by without stopping in. Their huge sign caught my eye one day, and I decided to give it a try and I’ve loved it ever since. With their “Coffee is Key” logo plastered on their uniquely eye-catching cups, their freshly prepared, blended, and ground coffees leaves an aroma-mark for miles. Dollop roasts its own grounds that you can purchase for your own at-home experience. If you’re a coffee-shop sitter like me though, their menu consists of three different sizing options of coffees and teas that work for you day-to-day. My favorite hot drink is their plain black coffee with oak milk and creamer. More on the simpler side, but the quality of their own coffee is what makes it great.
5. PEET’S COFFEE- EVANSTON ($)
https://locations.peets.com/ll/US/IL/Evanston/1622-Chicago-Avenue
Similar to Philz, Peet’s coffee has a very “homey” feel that makes you want to sit back, relax, and enjoy the swarm of college students typing away at their laptops and people fiddling through newspapers while enjoying their warm (or cold) cups of Joe. All frantic aside, it is a very cozy place that is relaxed in nature. Spacious and well-lit for anyone looking to sit down and disconnect from the world around them, if need be. Their seasonal beverages are perfect is you’re looking to enjoy time-cultured coffee, but I am particularly fond of their Havana Cappuccino (lightly sweetened) with oat milk.
An honorable mention to my Top 5 in this post is Off the Wall in Park Ridge! It’s a small, edgy right next to the train tracks in downtown Park Ridge that has outdoor and indoor seating. While I am personally not a fan of their coffees, it’s a great place to socialize and chat. Not the best place to study because of all the traffic and train signals, so try that at your own risk! It depends on the time of day you go.
That’s it for my top 5! I’ve been to many different places here and out of state that mentioning all of them would make this blog ten pages long. Some of my personal out of state favorites include Mothership, Leone Cafe, Makers & Finders, The Madhouse, & Sambalattee in Las Vegas, Nevada! Coffee Project New York & Intelligentsia in New York City also go on the list! With COVID-19 impacting all of our lives, these shops are currently not doing dine-in seating (in IL). However, most do allow you to order and take out! I am patiently waiting for the day when I can explore more coffee shops and enjoy the feel of coffee exploration.
Mel's Vision 