Coffee + WiFi in Wicker Park/Bucktown?

I'm looking for a coffee shop with free wifi in wicker park or bucktown. Alliance is out as their wifi is ungodly slow (I can't run my kaplan program on it without a timeout every 30 seconds). Letizia's is out as well as you have to pay for their wifi. Any suggestions?

I'm really looking for solid espresso + maybe decent pastries/sandwiches and a little bit of area I can spread out.

Thanks in advance!

I believe Sweet Cakes on Damen (next to Dodo) has Wifi. Also their "Egg" is really delicious. You've probably read about it, a hard-boiled egg baked inside a corn muffin, really good and really filling. Their coffee is quite good too.

I don't use WiFi so this is not speaking from actually having used it, so I'd call first.

Sweet Cakes
935 N. Damen
Chicago, IL 60622
(773) 772-5771

Blend on Division across the street from Alliance has free wifi. You just need to ask for the password.

Blend
1725 W Division St
Chicago, IL 60622
773-489-4494

Humboldt Pie, a few blocks west of your target, has good coffee, decent sandwiches and free wi-fi.

1001 N. California
http://www.humboldtpie.com/

jpschust wrote:I'm looking for a coffee shop with free wifi in wicker park or bucktown. Alliance is out as their wifi is ungodly slow (I can't run my kaplan program on it without a timeout every 30 seconds). Letizia's is out as well as you have to pay for their wifi. Any suggestions?

I'm really looking for solid espresso + maybe decent pastries/sandwiches and a little bit of area I can spread out.

Thanks in advance!

If you don't mind a little smoke - it's usually not that bad and I have allergies - Marshall McGearty's has free wifi and a full coffee bar and bar.

JohnnyConatus

Cafe Ballou is a lovely little place on Western just south of Augusta. It's got a very European feel to it. I've always enjoyed their sandwiches and tea, but I can't comment on the coffee. Christine, the owner, is an absolute delight.

Cafe Ballou
939 N. Western Ave.
Chicago, IL 60622
773-342-2909

Swim cafe on Chicago and Noble, and Mercury Cafe by Chicago and Ashland. Both free Wifi. Mercury Cafe is low-fi/grungy vibe, Swim is higher end. They are both friendly places and people.

emdub wrote:Swim cafe on Chicago and Noble, and Mercury Cafe by Chicago and Ashland. Both free Wifi. Mercury Cafe is low-fi/grungy vibe, Swim is higher end. They are both friendly places and people.

Mercury's wifi is not so hot. I second Cafe Ballou - it's very quaint and quiet to work in and also has an affable owner.

If you want to go all the way down to Grand and Ogden, Sip has excellent wifi and coffee.

well the only two places that came to mind for me were ballou and humboldt pie, which both have already been mentioned. (neither in bucktown/wicker park though either)...

i like Cafe Ballou... it's very euro feeling. personally i have never cared for the breakfast sandwiches i've gotten there but i like the place... and i think i just haven't found what i like food-wise. i've only had lattes there, of which were pretty decent..

i also really like humboldt pie. despite the pizza parlor name it functions more like a coffee shop inside. i like it... i've had their margarhita pizza and really, really liked it. spicy italian sandwich is good, though not that "traditional" by chicago standards (a pretzel roll!)... i haven't had their coffee, I tend to drink chai more these days. their chai was "eh" ..

i heard blend might be closing (despite its newness)...

have you tried Janik's Subs on Division? they have good coffee (don't know about their espresso much), and again despite the name is coffeeshop-esque.. i didn't care much for the breakfast sandwich i had there, mainly the $6-7 price turned me off though. but their wifi is free.. and the other day when i walked by, there was a "free coffee" sign outside... i think maybe they have it on certain days (was it friday? don't recall).

never been to swim for breakfast/coffee, only lunch. it was fine but a little slow on getting things.. i'd go back though

Lovely, on Milwaukee just north of Thomas, is great -- free refills on coffee and free wi-fi. Their food selection is currently limited to pastries and baked good (which are amazingly tasty), but I was told that they're hoping to start serving food soon.

Swim Cafe has some excellent food, but I've never been a fan of their coffee (though they do have free refills, too).

Sip has free refills and good coffee, but I feel that their food is a little lacking.