Intelligensia Coffee & Tea

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cboen

Joined 6 years ago

A MUST visit. My friends and I found the place accidentally while we were walking around the neighborhood. The baristas were very knowledgeable. My favorite was an iced cappuccino with added homemade simple syrup. The place itself was very cozy and filled with locals. It felt like a home away from home. Grazie mille.

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nausea01

Joined 7 years ago

Good coffee.. My cousin and I visited with my young daughter. We both agreed the coffee was good. The atmosphere is what one would expect with a good coffee house. Plenty of filled seating - a testament to the shop's success - but the big tables with six or seven chairs were being used by individuals. When we sat down at the opposite end of one of the large tables the person on the other end seemed put out as though he needed the entire table.

The staff was young and friendly, although the service was a bit overwhelming when five of them clustered around the cash register, each taking their turn asking "have you been helped" and "what can I get for you" even though I was only one of two standing in line.

I would not call Intelligentsia "kid friendly" as there are no changing tables in the restrooms and the crowd that was gathered the day we went seemed like mostly younger and older singles and couples sans children. It was hard not to feel like we were imposing on the other patrons who were busy surfing the web, reading, or doing crossword puzzles.

The coffee, along with the vibrant neighborhood, was worth the trip and I would recommend it to anyone who loves coffee and visting unique and out of the way coffee shops.

Peace.

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motcollins

Joined 7 years ago

Perfect cup of coffee!!!. perfect cup of coffee or coffee drink everytime!!!

every staff member takes special care and time to create a perfect beverage!!!

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rw_from_ne

Joined 11 years ago

Best coffee definitely, best coffeeSHOP, debatable. If you're voting for best COFFEE as is the actual COFFEE (bean/roast/brewed product) it's no question, especially when it comes to straight 'spro, traditional cappas and cups of varietals. Metropolis might be right behind on espresso, but Intelly still has the lead.

If you're voting for best COFFEEHOUSE, then you might give the nod to someplace else. The folks who go to Intelly seek it out to enjoy the best coffee available, not necessarily to engage in conversation with others. It's about the coffee tasting experience, not being seen or posing.

And if your taste is for large lattes, especially flavored lattes, then why bother voting on anything related to coffee. Stick to Starbucks or Caribou.

Also, Intelly has the most responsible policies toward coffee grower compensation in the industry, fairer than even Fair Trade. So you're not only drinking the best product around, you're helping to encourage a culture of sustainable great coffee in the countries where they buy their beans. Not a bad deal.

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handico

Joined 8 years ago

Great hang out.. super experience, class organization, I like hanging out for several hours at a time

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spnakr007

Joined 8 years ago

Simply the best.. It is one of the best coffee shop in the COUNTRY! We are lucky to have Intelligentsia here in Chicago.

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0325

Joined 8 years ago

Wonderful Coffee. Wonderful coffee! We have never had better coffee, and the service was teriffic!

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margogo

Joined 8 years ago

Quality coffee and tea - and try the scones!. I love the coffee, and I can't help but notice that the folks there take great pains to keep it fresh and tasting great. They really are serious about quality control!! Obviously they apply this to other things they do - their tea is also high quality, and when my boss tried the scones at their Jackson/Dearborn store downtown, she raved about them for days! Seems this attention to detail is finally getting them noticed - it was great to see them featured on the Food channel for their latte art.

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catlover11381

Joined 8 years ago

Excellent Coffee. Recently was introduced to this coffee and truly impressed I am. If I resided in Chicago, I'd be there EVERYDAY. But, instead, I can order it as often as I like and have it delivered to my doorstep. Awesome stuff!

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dianelea

Joined 8 years ago

Admirer from afar.... Intelligentsia rocks!! I stock up when I travel to Chicago, and have it shipped all the way out here to New Mexico the rest of the year - they are really that good. The in-store staff is knowledgeable, helpful and friendly and the shipping staff is just as outstanding. It is always a pleasure to deal with these folks - almost as much a pleasure as drinking their coffee!!!