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    Cafe Arbor Vitae

    4.6 (42 reviews)
    Open 7:30 am - 2:00 pm, 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM

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    Outside of this great cafe.
    Kathleen M.

    A shout out to Candice G. for her great review (complete with directions) which led me to today's stop on the Caffeine Cruise. By now all my friends and family know I have undertaken this mission and want to be part of it. I wanted to get together with my bud for her bday and she lives in Plainfield. Yelp gave me this suggestion when I searched for Coffee Chops near Plainfield, I love Yelp! First and foremost, this was a total hip hip hooray on the Caffeine Cruise, a smooth and delicious Vanilla Latte which tickled my taste buds and made me awake and happy! But remember, my friend had turned a year older; lunch was in order. I ordered the Egyptian Shawarma Chicken, mild spice, with the soup of the day, chicken vegetable. (My friend ordered a salad, I know, I love her anyway.) The soup and sandwich were divinely fresh, flavorful and unique. Everything was so delicious that it seemed criminal that they were also so reasonably priced! The staff here could not have been friendlier and more helpful. I felt like if I had asked them to balance my checkbook they would have done it and done it well! What terrific customer service. I was glad to see a little crowd gather here around lunch time. All around magnificent day - great conversation, exquisite food, smooth coffee and my friend turned a year older, not me! Cup - mug Cost - 3.90 for 16 ounces Preparation - hand crafted with pride

    a coffee pot with a sticker on it
    Jacqueline B.

    Popped in here with hopes of hanging out for a while with my laptop and enjoying a cold caffeinated beverage. Well, half of that happened... Let me explain. This cafe is located on Naperville's NIU campus. I would have never known it was here if it wasn't for Yelp. But I'm always looking for new coffee joints to hang out at so I decided to give it a try! Thanks to Candice G.'s directions I was able to find the place just fine. I walked into the empty cafe and ordered a blended latte drink. It was taking quite some time for the only guy working to whip this up. He completely apologized for the wait and said he wasn't ready and that he really needs to lock the door. Well now I'm confused... When he rang up the beverage I asked him what time they closed. He said they close everyday at 2pm, but reopen again at 5pm. AH HA. That explains why at 2:10 he was nowhere near ready for my service. All was forgiven and I packed up and left. Honestly, the blended coffee itself was just okay. Cute little shop though so I'll be back another time when they're open and ready for business. Updated review coming soon... Key takeaway: they're closed from 2-5pm!

    the entrance to the cafe
    Howard L.

    They have very freshly made high quality sandwiches here. They are a little pricy though and it was a bit slow on our carryout order of the Egyptian chicken shawarma wrap (delicious) and a roast beef and cheddar croissant. The Middle Eastern owner guy was gracious and friendly and offered us samples of their roasted garlic and cream of chicken soup (very good), as well as a free small cookie (I think it for our wait as the sandwiches were prepared by another). I added the 4th star basically for the touch there. Parking and location tip here for you as the Cafe is not visible - just enter the eastern entrance (there's a western one) on Diehl to the NU campus, and there are two marked parking Arbor Cafe spaces in the lot. The cafe is straight up the corridor as you enter the nearby rear entrance from the parking spots.

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    Review Highlights - Cafe Arbor Vitae

    We were at NIU for a convention and had the pleasure of enjoying homemade soup on our break.

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    European Deli & Subs - Tortilla wraps

    European Deli & Subs

    4.4(95 reviews)
    8.0 mi
    $$

    I came here today for the first time. I decided to go with the $10.99 plate. The gentleman in line…read morenext to me was very nice and he recommended the meatballs in a mushroom sauce. The meatballs were delicious, the sauce actually was very good and I don't even like mushrooms at all. The second item I got was the meat filled dumplings, and those were really good. They were actually a lot better than I thought they would be. The third item I tried was the smoked Polish sausage. I will be honest, this was not my favorite. It was not bad, but the flavor on it I did not like as much as other Polish places I've tried. I definitely want to go back and try their cabbage and noodles and pigs in a blanket. They also have desserts that I will have to try as well. They do sell sandwiches, Chicago style hotdogs, and have a small grocery store inside.

    This was a cool place to check out. Yes, the shop is tiny so the aisles are made for one person to…read moreget through. However, this place is kind of tucked away so it wasn't busy at all in the afternoon. The outside of the building just says Deli. If you like Polish food, you'll love it here. I read some people exaggerating about the wait times. It does not take long for them to help you. Like Jewel or Mariano's, they're not going to slice your meat in 10 seconds if that's what you're hoping for. Btw the staff was nice. I think the Karen's that complain about them being rude are not very cultured and only know American culture. I ordered the signature pastrami sandwich for $10.99 and it was a very generous portion size. She put a ton of meat in it. The pastrami wasn't tough, it was fresh and soft. Honestly, I had Katz's in NY and this was a really great pastrami sandwich. I also got a large cannoli and meat pierogis. The cannoli was delicious. The pierogis were good but I like to have softer skin. The meat filling was fine but the outside was a bit too tough. I've been to a number of Polish restaurants and they usually make the skins very soft to cut. I would rate these pierogis like a 4. Overall, it's about a 4.5. Prices were very cheap. I got everything for $20. I will definitely return to try more items.

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    European Deli & Subs - Catering

    Catering

    European Deli & Subs
    European Deli & Subs - Fruit platter

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    Fruit platter

    J's Kitchen

    J's Kitchen

    4.2(154 reviews)
    1.4 mi
    $$
    Family-owned & operated
    Women-owned & operated

    J's Kitchen is in a strip mall which makes it easy to park and locate. They are small/locally owned…read moreand halal certified. I had a craving for wonton soup and thankfully J's has it. I ordered online for carry out and the platform was easy to navigate. Once my husband and I arrived at the resto we were greeted by a very kind staff member. Our food wasn't ready but within 5 mins of us being there it was good to go. We tried the wonton soup and chicken dumplings app. Both were on the bland side. Normally I'm used to wonton soup also having noodles and theirs does not. Flavors were OK, felt like both dishes were missing spices. Everything was cooked perfectly though. Maybe we ordered the wrong items from here and need to try others instead.

    It's not a pretty joint. There were boxes stacked near the…read moreentrance, the tables and chairs were pedestrian at best, and the decor wasn't (if you get my drift). In my experience, this signifies either the place was going to be a shithole to pass up, or it was a serious place to eat, then get out and go somewhere with an atmosphere. Happy to say J's (IMHO) is a serious place to eat. No-nonsense, direct and to the point. When I walked in, all those common chairs I mentioned were stacked upside down on the tables in the way that places do when they are closed. The taciturn fellow who worked there assured me they were indeed open, and explained they had just finish washing the floor. Please dont read any of this as negative-the best Chinese places I've ever been have looked like this-and if you've paid attention to the Travel/Food shows on the TeeVee, the joints in China itself are pretty much the same. On to the food, know this place is a Serious REAL-DEAL Chinese resto. I didn't notice if there were "Occidental" Chinese-type dishes on the carte, (primarily 'cos I wasn't looking for them). What I saw looked yum, and had a hard time making choices, even though I had read the menu multiple times and thought I know what I was going to order in advance. Confessionately, this is a chief feature for my tortured dining self-It's a wonder I even get fed in restaurants (especially the great ethnic ones), due to option anxiety. I zeroed in on "Street Noodles" for starters-wouldn't you? Then went to "Cold Beef Shank" for entreé. The Noodles were fab as was the Shank. The noodles were in a broth. with some hunks of bok choy and ground meat on top. Hearty, still light. The shank had a thin sauce complimenting but not obscuring the beefiness. One bugaboo: the Shank needed a bit of seasoning, and I wasn't going to use soy sauce, as I believed that would have marred the subtle flavors of the Beef. I asked for a salt shaker. It arrived, and I was a little taken back, 'cos it appeared it hadn't been washed in a while, and the salt inside was caked. It occurred to me this condition was present due to the non-use of said shaker. I don't think I've ever asked for a salt shaker in a Chinese resto. I pulled a toothpick out of my "Murse" and broke up the caked NaCl. Applying same to the pieces of Shank, the flavor bloomed and I was a happy boy. Bring some salt packets along when you visit "J's", maybe. The fellow who was waiter and cashier was a "western" fellow, whom I engaged and turned out to be quite an experienced foodie. some pleasant conversation indeed. Throwing 4 for this excellent establishment, with a few grains of salt separating it from 5...

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    J's Kitchen
    J's Kitchen
    J's Kitchen

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    Schmaltz Deli

    Schmaltz Deli

    4.0(956 reviews)
    1.2 mi
    $$

    Perfect chicken noodle soup and corn beef sandwich. Bagel chips to die for! Bagels and bakery items…read moreto go.

    If you're craving an authentic Jewish deli experience in the western suburbs, Schmaltz Delicatessen…read morein Lisle is a must-visit. Known for their classic New York-style sandwiches, house-cooked corned beef and pastrami, and traditional deli staples like matzo ball soup, latkes, knishes, and fresh bagels, this place truly delivers the full deli experience. Their bagels are traditional NYC style -- boiled, topped, proofed, and baked fresh daily. My husband and I tried the Asiago cheese, spicy pepperoni, and onion bagels, and they were all delicious. Inside the deli you'll also find a huge selection of freshly baked goods including: * Rugelach * Cherry & Strawberry Carnegie-style creamy cheesecakes * Colossal chocolate eclairs * 5-layer carrot cake & chocolate blackout cake * Classic black & white cookies They make 16 different bagels daily along with pastries, and more. You can also grab house-made soups, their popular egg salad, bagel chips, and other deli favorites to-go. The best Matza-ball soup I have ever had! I ordered the #37 Stuffed Grilled Cheese from their creative sandwich menu -- made with sharp cheddar, Schmacon, mayo, two crispy latkes, all stuffed inside challah bread. Wow. From the moment you walk in, owners Mark and Tonia make you feel like you're visiting friends. You can tell many guests are regulars, and anyone new is welcomed with the same warm smile. Our server Paul was AMAZING and helped guide us through the menu. Schmaltz has earned recognition from Chicago Tribune dining lists and West Suburban Living's "Best of the West 2025." Drive-thru available Private party/event room Seasonal outdoor patio seating They also have a wall of photos from guests who travel near and far to visit, which really shows how special this place has become to the community. If you haven't been here yet, definitely add it to your foodie list.

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    Schmaltz Deli - Interior dining area

    Interior dining area

    Schmaltz Deli - Best Matza ball soup!

    Best Matza ball soup!

    Schmaltz Deli - Fresh bakery inside

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    Fresh bakery inside

    Jason's Deli - Chicken Panini (Manager's Special) Cup Fire Roasted Tortilla Soup

    Jason's Deli

    4.0(219 reviews)
    0.2 mi
    $$

    My husband and I stopped into Jake's Deli for lunch and had such a great experience. I enjoyed the…read moresalad bar with added chicken and paired it with a cup of wild rice soup -- and wow, the soup was absolutely delicious! Perfectly comforting and full of flavor. My husband ordered the Beefeater sandwich and really enjoyed it -- hearty, fresh, and exactly what you want from a classic deli favorite. The service truly stood out. The cashier was so friendly and welcoming, and I believe the manager (she had a ponytail and was wearing a black polo) was working next to her and was equally kind. The cashier even asked if we were rewards members. I couldn't remember if I still was, so she kindly looked us up and sure enough -- I was! We even had a free drink on my account, which was such a nice surprise. Great food, friendly service, and little extra touches that make you want to come back. We'll definitely be visiting again!

    Place your order and pay at their counter. You are given a number to place on your table. They will…read morebring the food out to your table. Potatoes are huge with lots of cheese on top. Got the CB ranch potato and my husband got the Pollo Mexicano potato. Definitely could have shared one potato, since we got sandwiches too. The Chipotle chicken and avocado panini with tortillas chips was really good. Had a side of salsa and guacamole that comes with the tortillas. I didn't realize the bread was telera bread, which is a bit thicker. Still very good and could only eat half of the sandwich and half of the potato. My husband ate his potato and didn't touch his sandwich. Had gone to the front counter and asked for containers. Also there is a worker that goes around to clean your table and take your bowls, plates, and silverware. Next time will have to try their salad bar. Also they have free soft serve ice cream you can have on a cone.

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    Jason's Deli - Muffalata, jalapeño chips and gumbo

    Muffalata, jalapeño chips and gumbo

    Jason's Deli - Menu

    Menu

    Jason's Deli - New York Yankee

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    New York Yankee

    Nature's Best Cafe

    Nature's Best Cafe

    4.7(271 reviews)
    3.6 mi
    $$

    BEST PEOPLE, Food & place EvEr! I cannot tell you what a…read moreblessing they have been over all the years. We need to support small individual places. Family owned companies hold such an important place in our lives and deserve far more than we give them regularly. Please remember this on small business Saturday and going forward.

    Checked out this kind of hidden cafe. It certainly is one of the not as known places in Naperville…read more Nature's Best Cafe is kind of hidden amongst strip malls and offices. A lot of healthy and great tasting food for those who find it. The prices aren't that bad for this kind of stuff. Basic looking cafe with a good size seating area. It's actually bigger than it looks. The menu may not be that big but it still has plenty of choices for various diets and preferences. All of it's freshly made. It's about $7 for a smoothie. Got the colorful one called the Green Machine. This is made with almond milk, bananas, ginger, and spinach. It's about $9 for a salad, pretty big ones. Last time I got the Southwestern Salad. This has avocados, black beans, cilantro, corn, and salsa, and comes with a chipotle vinaigrette. Among the other options are pizzas if you can believe it. They make these a lot healthier with not as much junk on top. Great food that's full of flavor. It's closed Sundays. There's plenty to get for vegans and vegetarians.

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    Nature's Best Cafe
    Nature's Best Cafe - Quiche (veggie) breakfast only $9, and tall Latte.

    Quiche (veggie) breakfast only $9, and tall Latte.

    Nature's Best Cafe - It is a model of kitchen.

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    It is a model of kitchen.

    Cafe Arbor Vitae - coffee - Updated May 2026

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