Latest reviews about Intelligentsia - Chicago, IL

stephencelis says "Great espresso experience" about Intelligentsia - Chicago, IL

stephencelis — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 06:01:08 GMT

Black Cat is tough to beat (though I do love Metropolis' Red Line), and a free shot with a pound of beans is tougher. Intelly, you encourage my bad habit!

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feng says "Love Intelligentsia coffee" about Intelligentsia - Chicago, IL

feng — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 17:23:56 GMT

I first started going to Intelligentsia when they were on Broadway in Lakeview. I had tasted their coffee at Hackney's in Printer's Row. I went to the Intelligentsia store and told them that I loved the coffee I had at Hackney's. They looked up the blend they make for that restaurant and mixed a bag of beans for me according to that exact recipe. Brilliant. I continued to buy that recipe for myself and as gifts for out of towners.

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justchecking07 says "It's the regular coffee, not just the espresso, that I love" about Intelligentsia - Chicago, IL

justchecking07 — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 18:20:27 GMT

Intelligentsia has the best coffee in the city - I am not a huge espresso fan as I don't think there is much difference in flavor between the various chains. However, as far as regular coffees go, Intelligentsia has the most flavorful and broadest selection I have ever seen. YUM!!

BTW - expect to wait a little for regular coffee because of the fact they make it with 'clover' machines - these are $12,000 machines that simulate a french press but get the coffee made in something less than a minute. I'll take totally fresh coffee and wait a little for it rather than drip coffee that has been made for an hour or more like at some cafes.

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gremdrvr says "Intelligentsia is now a waste of my time." about Intelligentsia - Chicago, IL

gremdrvr — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 23:56:09 GMT

I've always been a loyal Intelligentsia customer, but they have made entirely too many irritating changes in the past few months. The prices have gone up several times. They shrank the sizes. They eliminated the "frequent buyer" card (e.g. buy 12, get one free). Then, they eliminated drip coffee. Their new Clover coffee machines make a great cup, but I really don't have time to wait 10 minutes in line for a cup of coffee. Last time I ordered, my boyfriend got his latte in 2 minutes, while I waited over 10-15 for a simple cup of black coffee!!

Yes, the new coffee is good--but for those of us who want immediate gratification, its best to find another place. Intelligentsia is now way to expensive & their "improvements" have lead to a steep decline in service.

I love to support independent businesses, but only when they attempt to earn it. I don't support businesses that make such boneheaded decisions that alienate loyal clientele....

alaskanexile says "good coffee, even better bakery items" about Intelligentsia - Chicago, IL

alaskanexile — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 20:16:58 GMT

Don't get me wrong- the coffee here is as decent as anywhere; but the bakery items are far superior to any of the other chain coffee shops. starbucks, ok; Caribou: awful; but Intelligentsia has food items that seperate it from the pack. And since we in chicago are socially concious: the employees actually LIKE working there and get great benefits- unlike some of the others which are smoke and mirror'ed.

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renodsgnr says "You've gotta try it!" about Intelligentsia - Chicago, IL

renodsgnr — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 11:54:55 GMT

If you have not stepped foot into an Intelligentsia yet, stop what you're doing and google them to find out the're exact locations in Chicago. Make every effort to walk into a location and enjoy one of their cups of coffee. These guys and gals really know what the're doing and what the're talking about. They are true baristas and have a true LOVE and respect for coffee and the coffee drinking experience. Nothing comes in comparison. You'll drop your Starbucks in a heartbeat!...

mamasitayau says "love the lattes" about Intelligentsia - Chicago, IL

mamasitayau — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 13:03:13 GMT

this place has the best coffee in chicago. the lattes are what i go for. they still believe in the punch card. the place is energetic and comfortable. i go there to read a paper and sip my coffee....

shamrockbear says "Great coffee good people!" about Intelligentsia - Chicago, IL

shamrockbear — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 16:11:00 GMT

Well I fancy my self a coffee lover. Starbucks double roasts there coffee which gives it a burnt flavor which makes for horrible drip coffee only good for espresso. Intelligentsia makes a fantastic coffee roasted just right good flavor wide selection and made here in Chicago. One day while working I stopped at their main factory here in Chicago on Hubbard St (not open to the public). I have to say it was a clean place and friendly employees. It was quite interesting the way they make the coffee to actually see the process was fun. Highly recommended local brewer and take that one Seattle, Chicago has got better coffee. Note to Intelligentsia you should sell coffee at the factory for wholesale prices that would be a good idea....

jackieuhgogo says "such good lattes!" about Intelligentsia - Chicago, IL

jackieuhgogo — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 22:17:56 GMT

There's a ton of places to get coffee in my neighborhood, but I usually come to Intelligensia because the coffee is great, and the service is wonderful. The people who work there are so kind. My only cons are that 1) this place can get packed! some of the customers are the snobby type, and I don't like standing around with them. And 2) you can't leave a tip on a credit card! I hardly ever have cash, and it makes me feel like a jerk when I can't tip!
My favorite though, is that they pour their lattes carefully so it leaves a little design on top. It's little touches like this that make me not want to go anywhere else.

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shanesofwrath says "Friends don't let friends drink Starbucks" about Intelligentsia - Chicago, IL

shanesofwrath — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 23:40:01 GMT

I frequent the location near Division/Paulina that is part of Alliance Bakery. Walking by you wouldn't even know Intelligensia is served here if you miss the small logo on the window. You buy the coffee in Alliance Bakery and can go next door to a huge room with comfy sofas and chairs. I work from home, and this place is my office away from home.

In the summer months I work away in the outdoor seating area on my Macbook, provided it isn't too sunny. The seats are intentionally close together, so you may run into interesting people wanting to borrow your pen. People love to bring their dogs here too.

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tyche says "Coffee like no where else in Chi-town" about Intelligentsia - Chicago, IL

tyche — Tue, 08 May 2007 19:12:44 GMT

Love their coffee so much that my friends and I do the mile long hike to Intelligentsia once a week. I can't decide which one item on their list is my favorite. I enjoy em all... Even their teas are fantastic - Iron Godess of Mercy is my fav among the tea they carry. In the summer, Admiral Byrd's freeze is the best way to chill out.

I am also very partial to the zucchini bread they serve and the Black Cat Brownies... yummm!!!

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kevin says "Best espresso in Chicago" about Intelligentsia - Chicago, IL

kevin — Mon, 07 May 2007 00:44:03 GMT

My favorite way to start the day is stopping in at Intelligentsia for a latte or mocha on my way to work. I get off the Blue line 'L' at Jackson, maybe drop off some mail at the gorgeous Mies Van der Rohe designed post office, and then head to Intelligentsia in the Monadnock building. I grab my coffee, occasionally running into an old friend or colleague, then stroll down to the Brown like station at State and Van Buren. I wait for my train, hop on, then off at the Merchandise Mart stop and walk a block to the office, sipping my coffee the whole time. Now this little ritual, as relaxing and tasty as it is, adds about 25 minutes to my commute, so I only attempt it once a week or so. But the coffees at Intelligentsia are that good and the bustle of this great metropolis in the morning make the detour worth it.

Intelligentsia has 3 cafe locations in Chicago. They also import and roast their own coffee beans from all over the world. Many other cafes use Intelligentsia beans, so...

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