02/16/09

good sandwiches, rude staff

by pushahead

i've had a few sandwiches and wraps here before. they are generally pretty tasty except for the soggy tuna sandwich i recently had. the coffee is decently priced. the only thing that i don't like about it is the stank attitude all the hipsters that work there have. you sling espresso not cure cancer, get over yourself.

• Pros: close to blue line, veggie friendly options
• Cons: pretentious staff

11/16/08

Love the Gallery Cafe In Bucktown and Wicker Park

by wdkamper

Great local spot in a land of chains, i love going to the Gallery Cafe. Lots of locals. Roasted Coffee. Great wraps and sandwiches named after great artist (really interesting and tasty). I really like this place. We hang out there all day working on our computers. They recently catered my company lunch and did a super job. Support you local coffee house..

09/15/08

HIDDEN POTENTIAL NEEDS HELP- Confessions of a Coffeeshop Girl

by norway21

I am a coffeeshop girl! I grew up in one, worked in several, and now I live close to the Gallery Cafe. Coffeeshops are supposed to be places where people come together- places that spawn good conversation, where people can come read, work, catch up, feel at ease, and drink of the substance that is the lifeline for so many globally- coffee. Being new to this neighborhood, I have been hanging here trying to feel out the ?hood and meet people. Because I live so close to the cafe, I really want this to be a second home. The truth is that this cafe has SO much potential, but it?s not enough for me.

That being said...

THE GOOD: The Gallery Cafe is painted with bold orange and pale yellow walls. The selection of sandwiches and scones is fresh and fab. They make decent espresso drinks. While I was very excited that they roast their own beans, their coffee is very dark, heavy, almost smoky and sooty tasting.

THE BAD: To make matters worse, the machine that roasts the beans permanently makes that corner of Wood St smell like burnt trash. I live close and it's hard to have the windows open for too long because the smell is actually really bad.

THE UGLY: While the espresso and food are basically pretty great and fair priced, by biggest problem with this cafe is their entire staff. They are not nice, they are not personable, they do not even remotely make me feel slightly appreciated. They don't smile, they don't thank you, they just kind of serve you like it's just their job- even the owner. Sadly, I wish they were hiring, because I would just like to come make the business a better place to be. I'm tired of seeing intimidated person after person walk in here and get so blankly served. It makes my coffee-loving heart cry a little. I want this coffeeshop to be home to all sorts of social groups. If, however, you?re a super scene kid who loves acting snobby, this may be your cafe! Thanks for reading folks. That's all she wrote. :)

• Pros: Good Sandwiches, Scones and Espresso, Great Location, Free Wifi
• Cons: Sterile Service, Lackluster Staff, Impersonal, Burnt Drip Brew Coffee

This colorful Wicker Park sandwich shop is great for a quick, casual lunch on the cheap.

by Contributor

In Short
Bright walls and original art enliven this compact, diner-like space, where locals order from the menu board, grab seats in comfortable vinyl booths, and pick their food up at the counter when it's ready. Named after great artists, sandwiches are toasted to melty perfection. The Da Vinci (steamed egg with bacon, cheese, tomato and sprouts served on a bagel), is a tasty, portable meal. Other options include refreshing fruit smoothies and milkshakes.

• Pros: InexpensiveMeal on the go
• Cons: Street parkingNoisy