Espresso Explorations

When I think about Chicago, a lot of different things come to mind. The music, the night life, the art; there is always something new to experience. Out of everything I have experienced here, the thing that has been a constant in my explorations has been finding new coffee shops. I’m quite an addict when it comes to coffee, not just for the caffeine, but for the chill study or hangout environment that can be found in local coffee shops, such as the ones I featured in my project. Dollop has been my most regular spot to visit, but I have found many other great hangouts at Intelligentsia, Filter, Big Shoulders, and The Wormhole. To get all these pictures, my friend Andy and I went on what we called an “espresso exploration,” in which we travelled to these five different coffee shops, and I drank 10 shots of espresso in two hours. If that’s not an adventure, I don’t know what is.

Stop One; Dollop, Soy Latte.

Dollop Coffee, South Loop.  If you’re ever looking for a good place to study in between classes, or really any time at all, Dollop is the place. Open since 2005 with five locations, the Loop spot opening most recently in August, Dollop is one of many well loved local coffee shops in the Chicago area. The striking black and gold window treatments of the Dollop logo often stop passersby in their tracks, and once inside the clean cut design creates an aesthetically pleasing place to grab a quick up to go, or sit and hang out for awhile. Coffee novices and critics alike all stop in at Dollop most commonly on their way into school or work, for businesses meetings or study breaks, and plenty of tourists stop by too. Dollop brews Metropolis coffee, a Chicago-based company and also gets a lot of their pastries from local bakeries. My order: Black coffee or a soy latte with a delicious vegan donut.

Stop Two: Intelligentsia, Double Shot.

Intellegentsia, South Loop. Taking the coffeebar style of many European cafes, Intellegentsia is built with a very bar like aesthetic with a lot of individual seating. Owners Doug and Emily set out 20 years ago to change people’s minds in how they think about coffee. To have it be “revered yet democratic, accessible and approachable.” The baristas there know and love their craft, so you can expect your coffee to be brewed with perfection. Though the South Loop location is often very busy, during the slower periods of the day, it can be a great place to get some work done. My order: Black coffee or a soy latte.

Stop Three: Filter, Double Shot.

Filter Cafe, Wicker Park. Filter is a great space for getting any kind of studying or work done. It's a large shop with lots of seating, both at tables and couches which is nice if you're looking to spread out or be comfortable. Filter roasts their own beans in store, which fits in well with the notorious "hipster" vibes of the neighborhood. The coffee is great and the service is good, overall it's just a fun coffee shop to hang out at. My order: an almond milk latte.

Stop Four: The Wormhole, Double Shot.

The Wormhole, Wicker Park. The Wormhole is the coffee shop everyone was even raving about when I was back in Minnesota, and it was no different when I got to Chicago, and people really weren’t lying. This geeky, coffee cove located in Wicker Park serves some damn good coffee. And when I say geeky, I mean with one swift look around the room, you can see Star Wars, Ghostbusters, and Gameboy trinkets and posters alike. Unfortunately with the deliciousness of the drinks, comes quite a lengthy wait, but I promise you it’s worth it. My order: Honey Bear Latte with almond milk. 

Stop Five: Big Shoulders, Quad Shot.

Big Shoulders Coffee, Lakeview: Roasted in-house, Big Shoulders offers a plethora of coffees, but the best is just a steaming cup of hot, black coffee. Right off the blue line, it is great for a quick stop on the go, but the chill environment can also be great for a nice study date. A special touch at Big Shoulders is with a purchase of beans to take home, you get a complimentary cup of coffee. A sweet little treat, from a sweet little coffee shop. My order: Black coffee.

Every day I am constantly keeping caffeinated, usually starting at the break of dawn before work. The amount of coffee I consume is slightly ridiculous; it isn’t uncommon that I could have upwards of eight shots of espresso in the first few hours of being awake.  Though I make a lot of my coffee at home, I obviously love to spend a lot of time exploring new coffee shops until I find the perfect study spot where I can keep myself caffeinated and concentrated. Chicago is filled to the brim with aesthetically pleasing coffee hang outs, and I am excited to continue experiencing every new shop one cup of coffee at a time.  My order: My daily dose.