Now this is a cool concept. Let's back up. I meet a couple of friends on Sunday mornings at coffee…read moreshops and cafes. No chains, just stand alone locations. Each place has a theme, or a charm all its own and Grind N Gears Cafe is one of the latter. When you pull up you immediately recognize the place as a former body shop or service station. Not a as station, but a body shop. They have their own small parking lot in front with special motorcycle parking on the sides of the lot. It's a small place. When you walk inside there is a runner leading up to the counter with their case of delicious looking eats and a platform above with an old Indian motorcycle perched looking over the place. To the right of the counter are some toys for the kids, including a kids motorcycle and other funs toys to keep the kiddos busy while their parents enjoy a magically concocted coffee drink by the shops artisans. There are comfy little sitting areas composed of oversized furniture from your parents basement. The front has a few racks of leather jackets that feels like your at The Alley's northern location. They do have some hats and apparel for their own shop and I almost bought a hat. On the left side, they have another seating area, but it looks more like a table in a cozy kitchen than a sitting room. It's quaint no matter where you look or sit. Lastly, their drinks and food are quite good. With all the stand alone coffee places popping up, Grinds N Gears is one of the cooler places and I don't mean hipster.

Service isn't the best, but the coffee seems okay, maybe a little better than average…read more Nice concept, but they should put bike people can touch even if they're from the scrapyard. That would automatically make it cooler here.

This bakery has some of the most legitimately delicious bread I've ever had, and it's become a…read moremandatory stop whenever I find myself in Niles. No matter how many times I visit, I always end up finding something new that catches my eye. Between the incredible selection of breads, pastries, and drinks, it's nearly impossible to leave empty-handed. One of the things I love most about this place is the variety of bread flavors they offer. Whether you're in the mood for something sweet, savory, classic, or unique, there always seems to be a fresh batch coming out of the oven. The bread always tastes incredibly fresh, whether you're eating it immediately there or in the car or saving some for breakfast the next morning. The drinks deserve recognition too. They're consistently good, surprisingly affordable, and pair perfectly with whatever baked goods you decide to bring home. My go to drink here is the jasmine milk tea with 50% sugar and light ice. It's rare to find a place where the quality is this high while the prices remain so reasonable. I've tried a variety of their drinks over the years, and they've yet to disappoint. I was so happy they finally opened an 85 Degrees bakery here in the Midwest because I would always visit this place when I visit the West Coast. If you're a bread lover, this bakery is absolutely worth the trip. The combination of fresh-baked bread, flavorful drinks, affordable prices, and an endless selection of goodies keeps me coming back time and time again. It's one of those places that makes you start planning your next visit before you've even finished what you bought from this one.

We initially were going to a different bakery/cafe but when we realized it was in H-Mart, we wanted…read moreto go somewhere that was more comfortable. We were meeting our daughter and this was a convenient location. 85 C was in the same parking lot as H-Mart so we changed our plans. They are laid out like other Korean Bakeries. They have a very nice selection of sweet and savory pastries, bubble teas, coffees, milk teas, regular teas and more. I simply had an iced tea. At our table we also had one bubble tea and one latte. My partner and daughter also had pastries. I don't eat them but was told they were very good. They don't have a whole lot of seats but we were fortunate to get a table right away. We didn't feel rushed at all even though they were busy. I'd say this is a fine place to for an afternoon visit.

From the moment I walked in, I knew this place was special. The atmosphere was warm and…read moreinviting--perfect for a girls' brunch, a coffee date, or a slow morning to yourself. The lattes were exceptional; I tried both the hot and iced caramel and loved every sip. The food was equally impressive. The Dubai Chocolate Crêpe with pistachios was light and delicate while still feeling incredibly indulgent. The avocado toast with pickled onions was packed with flavor, and adding a balsamic drizzle made it absolutely unforgettable. After spending three weeks in Chicago and visiting more coffee shops than I can count, this was easily my favorite. In fact, it was the only café that impressed me enough to come back a second time--and I'd gladly return again.

I came here with a friend to catch up and it was the perfect location to do it! We wanted a cafe…read morethat we could hang out at and not worry about it closing on us. This coffee lounge is open late and has amazing coffee, food, and pastries. Everyone who works there is very friendly and helpful when we weren't sure what to get. I highly recommend this place to catch up with a friend or bring the family. Looks posh, but still kid friendly.

I wanted to like it. I did. But after a few visits, it's just not for me…read more The first trip, I tried the Matari Tea: Green tea, Himalayan pink salt, milk, and spices, topped with roasted pistachios. Sounds good, right? Alas, it could not have been blander. I couldn't taste any "spices" or even the hint of salt. The profile was that of very watered-down tea mixed with milk, and a ton of pistachios floating on top. Like, barely crushed pistachios. Huge pieces, covering the top of the drink, bobbed around like tiny icebergs, and even they somehow had a toned-down flavor. The drink was definitely a swing and a miss. Fast forward two weeks, and I tried Matari again. This time with a simple cortado. I sat at the table right by the door, and the espresso was pretty good. Solid body, not too bitter. It was on the pricy side ($7+), but I was ok with that. But then, I'm hanging out, sipping my coffee, and I catch a burst of perfume-like scent. I'm shocked, but whatever, I figured someone in heavy perfume walked by, no big deal. A few minutes later, wham, I'm hit in the nose with another burst of perfume. Then, I see it. A slight haze around me. So, not a heavily perfumed woman after all, but an automated air-freshener. After further inspection, I see the unit plugged in on the ground right behind my chair, which sprays up and out on a timer. That's right, an air freshener right next to a table where people consume food and beverages, shooting a mist into the air that slowly rains down onto my head and table, and into my coffee. I ended up tossing the last few sips of my cortado, as I could taste the scented whatever-it-was in my cup. I'd have gone to the counter and asked for a new one, but I was so over my visit by then, I just opted to get out. The staff aren't very friendly. Not rude, but they don't give off a welcoming aura, and I didn't feel like trying to explain the issue. Lastly, can we talk about their little "your order is up" beepers? We've all seen them. The little electronic things that blink and make a noise when your order is ready, so you can go snag it from the counter. When I think of a coffee shop, I think quiet and peaceful, or perhaps a bit louder, with bustling people and well-paired music. At Matari, it's an insane BEEP BEEP BEEP that goes off every few minutes when an order is up. I get it, you don't want to bring the food out to your customers. But does it really need to feel like an airport Chili's? It's a bummer, because Matari is beautiful inside. It's clean, it's chic, and its location is at a notable crossroads in Skokie with plenty of parking, leaving it extremely convenient. They've even got an easy-to-use website, which so many coffee shops simply do not have. There aren't a lot of coffee shops in this particular part of town, which is why I so, so very much wanted to love Matari. But subpar drinks? Air freshener spray intrusions? Frequent and obnoxious beeping? I tried. I'm sorry. I just can't.

Even though it's on the expensive side , the mouse fruit cakes were absolutely outstanding!…read more Had the hazelnut, mango , raspberry mouse fruit cake and the pistachio tiramisu cup. By far the raspberry mouse was the best one! Maradi coffee is a bit in the expensive side but the service is outstanding and the food delicious. The place was packed so we couldn't eat there but it looked very cozy. A must in the neighborhood.

the food was delicious. i got the bubble waffle and the watermelon juice. the tables and overall…read moreaesthetic is so cute here. they also give games to play as well. the service was a little slow but we came during a rush. the watermelon juice tasted exactly like a watermelon on a summer day but it wasnt red like i expected. still very delicious

Stopped by here for some coffee. Their coffee is not bad. I got the salted cream coffee. Their Viet…read morecoffee mix is good, perfect balance of sweet and that coffee taste and aroma. The salted cream was nice too. I also ordered their bánh mì. There's only one option, and it's a cold cut sandwich. I had no idea what took them so long to make my sandwich. I mean toasting the bread shouldn't take more than like 2-3 mins. But we waited for almost 10 mins for the sandwich, half way I had to ask if they forgot about my order and they said they're making it. It just blew my mind that it would take that long for a COLD CUT sandwich. Wild.

Delicious treats for any pistachio fan! My husband and I really enjoyed both things we got and it's…read morereally nice inside very fancy!

Dripping in chocolate and good company Sweet endings done…read moreright at Pistachio Café in Morton Grove My friend and I stopped in for a post-dinner treat and it did not disappoint! We shared waffle sticks -- one loaded with Kinder Bueno and the other drenched in Nutella -- both absolutely dripping in chocolatey goodness. Paired with almond milk cappuccinos that were smooth, creamy, and perfectly balanced, it was the ultimate cozy combo. We wished we had the stomach to try more from their menu, but honestly, this duo hit the spot and then some. The perfect way to wrap up the night, it was sweet, rich, and totally worth every bite.

Been passing by this coffee shop a lot and finally had the chance to go. Apple Maps had the wrong…read morebusiness hours listed but the owner still opened up the door for us 20 mins after closing and even insisted on making us coffees to go. To top it all off the coffee was amazing! Definitely will be coming back!!

Cafe 44 is a cafe that in the Morton Grove 'hood, offering various cold and hot drinks and…read morepastries. We came here for a caffeine fix, ordering the following: +Turkish Coffee +Latte with almond milk +a Pistachio Latte +and, a Spanish Latte We also tried their mini bird's nests, a few filled with chocolate, and another few filled with pistachio - these were actually pretty tasty! Unfortunately, the coffee was not brewed well and was extremely weak; they looked aesthetically pleasing, though, with the latte art and/or the toppings. Staff were friendly; once you order, your items will be ready for you on the side counter. The space is bright, and they have a handful of seating inside - the place is popular, so you may have to wait a few for a table. Street parking is available off of Waukegan. +weak coffee +stick with the mini bird's nests +street parking available

I just recently discovered this place. I work in Lincolnwood. It has a great ambiance to talk with…read morefriends, co-workers, or just chill by yourself and sip on coffee. More than enough seating and outlets to do work. My go-to drink is the iced café latte with whole milk. The coffee quality is far superior to Starbucks. Also, I love the gauva empanada with cream cheese! Also its good to know you are supporting a local business. Happy to know 5% of their proceeds go to charity. Overall highly recommend!

Such a warm and cozy cafe. Grab something to go or stay awhile, this place is IT. They have…read morecoffees, teas, and specialty lattes. I went with an iced peppermint tea and it was very refreshing. I also tried the guava and cream cheese pastry and my goodness this was insanely delicious. The pastry dough is crispy, flakey and fluffy. The guava jam and cream cheese was sweet and not overly sweet. I stopped in on a weekend morning and throughout my time here there was a constant flow of customers coming and going. Staff members were able to keep up with the influx of weekend customers. Within 5 minutes of placing my order my items were ready to be picked up at the front counter.