South Loop coffee shop/Starbucks too expensive

I work at McCormick Place and usually will pick up Starbucks on Roosevelt before going into work. First off I'd much rather patron a local coffee shop, and secondly Starbucks has gotten so expensive. Yes I do love the gingerbread latte but paying almost $4 for one is not a good way to start the morning. Any other ideas?

There's a Caribou coffee at 8th and Wabash (SW corner). I would think their prices and quality are comparable to Starbuck's but you might want to give it a try (and if you get there early enough in the morning you might even find parking on the street.)

There's an independent coffee shop in Printer's Row: Gourmand, 728 S Dearborn. Is that too far out of your way?

A bit, but it's always nice to go to an independent coffee shop...Starbucks is seriously too expensive.

Where are you coming from? There are at least three cafes on 18th Street in Pilsen that you could try if that's on your way (Mi Cafetal, Jumping Bean, Kristoffer's).

The increasing cost of Starbucks (and teasing from co-workers) has led me to make my own coffee at home and invest in a good thermos.

I figure that I can get good beans mail order from the SF Bay Coffee Co. for $4.50-5.50/lb freight paid. A lb of coffee makes about $40-50 in purchased coffee at Starbucks. The initial investment is $15-20 for a decent gringer, $40-75 for a coffee maker, and $30-40 for a good thermos.

And this does not include the cost of gas for the drive to Starbucks.

There's Cafe Society in the Vietnam Vets' Art Museum, 18th and Indiana... I have no idea how their coffee is or what the prices are but it's fairly near McCPlace and might be worth checking out.

Antonius

There is a Torrefazzione Italia at 30 North LaSalle Street where you can get a great espresso or coffee and a torte or biscotti. Usually not crowded, good art for sale on the walls. One of my favorite places, though I don't get there often. However, owned by Starbucks (Torrefazione was a banner of Seattle's Best, which Starbucks acquired from AFC Enterprises in 2003).

However I see that the Torrefazione and Seattle's Best web sites have been taken down. Not sure if the store is still there. That would be too bad.

alriemer

Antonius wrote:There's Cafe Society in the Vietnam Vets' Art Museum, 18th and Indiana... I have no idea how their coffee is or what the prices are but it's fairly near McCPlace and might be worth checking out.

Antonius

a coworker of mine says the coffee (straight coffee) is pretty mediocre -- grocery store starbucks beans -- but that the cappuccino is decent.

in the most surreal bit about that place, last time we were there the TV was showing an instructional video on how to use a cappuccino maker -- but not the one they had (which looked to be at least 5 years old). the instructional video was in, I think, italian, and the staff is all hispanic.

-ed

gleam wrote:in the most surreal bit about that place, last time we were there the TV was showing an instructional video on how to use a cappuccino maker -- but not the one they had (which looked to be at least 5 years old). the instructional video was in, I think, italian, and the staff is all hispanic.

-ed

Wow... It is an odd place...

A

If you go to Gourmand, I hope you're a smoker or have a high tolerance for it. Tried to pop in there for an hour or so to kill before a meeting last week, and found they have an imaginary no-smoking section (a few front tables) with no policing of people bringing ashtrays to those tables. They know their audience, obviously -- nicotine-addicted Columbia students -- but I left after two minutes. Wound up at the nearby Starbucks by default, which of course has higher prices and charges for wi-fi access.
>>Brent

Amata wrote:Where are you coming from? There are at least three cafes on 18th Street in Pilsen that you could try if that's on your way (Mi Cafetal, Jumping Bean, Kristoffer's).

Kristoffer's is GREAT for the free wifi. Jumping Bean is open a wee bit later which helps me out. and the writer/artist clientele is ever-so-inspiring as well.

I refuse to purchase any damned thing from Starbucks, the second greatest American born multi-national evil right up behind Walmart.

Great these are all good suggestions. I think I may ask for a coffee maker for my b-day (not until April, but hey better late than never) and take the thermos. I did get a bunch of Starbucks cards for the holidays though so that's been nice.
I'm a big tea drinker too and got a nice mug in Chinatown and some great tea so I've been enjoying that...

FoodGirl Robyn wrote:Great these are all good suggestions. I think I may ask for a coffee maker for my b-day (not until April, but hey better late than never) and take the thermos. I did get a bunch of Starbucks cards for the holidays though so that's been nice.
I'm a big tea drinker too and got a nice mug in Chinatown and some great tea so I've been enjoying that...

hmm, a coffee maker sounds like a pretty good gift...like better than say...a chia pet. but then who am i kidding, no one would actually get you one of those as a gift! you'd have to be crazy!

Hint Attention Whore - get Food Girl a coffeemaker for her b-day...she'd like one that makes good foam and has a timer...Krups makes nice ones...

...and if you remember a certain AW's b-day present from his gorgeous gf was a fully-paid trip to MIAMI and a lobster dinner!

Would anyone like a Homer Simpson Chia Pet?

Hmmm ... if you are indeed a two-some, then you are one of the few couples who post. Often it is one or the other, but very rarely both. We have only one Mother-and-Son combination.

If you care to sometime, you may want to add to this thread on the Chowist Mating Game. If anything, it will provide a lot of us some hope.

Thanks!