The Knight and The Bible…read more On a drive up to Chicago to catch a vacation flight, we stopped at The Cup and The Scone to get us caffeinated for the rest of the drive. We got there about 30 minutes before close and the barista was super nice as we ordered our drinks. Emily got a caramel latte and I got the.. you guessed it... an iced americano. We also grabbed a blueberry-lemon, cranberry-orange, and birthday cake scone. While we stood there as the barista was making our drinks, we chatted her up a bit and we were able to get a few free stickers from her. She said they don't use them all too much and was happy to give us two each. Once we got our drinks, we took off to the upper part of the coffeehouse and promised we wouldn't be too long since they were closing soon. Before we headed upstairs, I took some photos with the suit of armor that is by the counter. When we got upstairs, I was surprised to see another suit of armor, so I took a photo with that one, too. The Cup and The Scone specializes in a lot of gluten-free products and a small bit of religion. I don't know if their entire menu is gluten-free but as someone who's mom is gluten sensitive (and I will probably be at some point), the care about GI issues is great. As for the religious stuff, if you don't see the occasion bible strewn about the place, you'd honestly never know. But, their website seems to support helping people and I think that also is super great as this world is getting rough and scary. Any who, Emily and I really enjoyed our drinks. The americano hit all the right notes and Emily was delighted with her latte. We were split on the scones. I really liked the birthday cake while she really liked the cranberry-orange while we both thought the blueberry-lemon was just alright. We held true to our promise and dipped out before 2pm and hit the road. If I find myself in Pontiac for some reason in the future, The Cup and The Scone will definitely be my spot to get some americanos.

I was initially drawn to this spot by the big knight in shining armor that I saw on Yelp (I'm a big…read morechess fan) and then pleasantly surprised at how cool this place is. The decor really makes this spot, with lots of fun themed signs throughout the restaurant. This definitely gives it a different and more fun vibe than the average coffee house and the upstairs loft is cozy to hangout in as well. The coffee flavors and preparation are quite good here -- flavorful, and made with high quality ingredients. I also enjoyed the mini scones, with a nice texture that was soft but a little more firm than a muffin. Overall, definitely worth a visit if you're in Pontiac. Great vibe and delicious food.

I absolutely loved the avocado toast here. The avocado to toast ratio was perfect and they…read moresprinkled a slightly spicy tangy powder on top that made it extra delicious. They topped it with some pumpkin seeds as well. I asked for no egg and it was still so satisfying. The cafe itself is cozy and welcoming with a cute exterior seat that makes a perfect little stop on a road trip. Inside there are comfortable chairs by a fireplace that give it such a homey feel. They also have a to go fridge with ready to heat items which is very convenient. The staff was friendly and kind which made the visit even better. Definitely worth stopping in if you are passing through.

Nestled in the heart of Gridley, Illinois, Common Grounds Cafe & Pie Shop at 102 Gridley Rd . is a…read moreculinary pit stop that transforms humble small-town charm into a flavor-packed adventure. Owned by Katrina and Kyle Reinhard, this cozy café--housed in a revamped gas station with a drive-thru--delivers bold twists on comfort food, artisan coffee, and pies that could rival any big-city bakery.  Pie Odyssey The pie case here is a treasure trove of creativity. Dive into the Key Lime Pie--a tangy, velvety masterpiece hailed by Chicago restaurateurs as "the best they've ever had". The Coconut Cream Pie floats on a cloud of whipped topping, while the Chocolate Cream Pie is a decadent, cocoa-rich dream. Don't miss the Kuchen, a German family recipe with a buttery crust and custardy filling that tastes like German heritage. ( their rotating selection promises surprises.)  Drinks with a Dare Their coffee game is strong, thanks to Gobena Coffee--roasted locally and supporting global orphan care. The Banana Cream Latte is a creamy, whimsical sip, while the Strawberry Piña Colada Smoothie tastes like a tropical vacation in a cup. Adventurers can try seasonal concoctions like the "Winter Wonderland Steamer" or a spicy chai latte.  Savory Quests Breakfast kicks off with a hearty Steak Bagel, layered with juicy beef and a perfectly fried egg. For lunch, the Buffalo Chicken Flatbread packs a punch with smoky heat balanced by cool ranch drizzle. The Beef & Cheddar on Ciabatta is a melty, savory triumph, and the Country Ham Quiche (likely a typo for "quiche") features flaky crust and robust ham chunks--a nod to their farm-fresh ingredients.  Vibe & Verve Once a gas station stop, now a rustic-chic hub with leather armchairs and a fireplace, Common Grounds blends small-town warmth with gourmet flair. The Community Room hosts everything from pie tastings to bridal showers, and the staff's friendliness is legendary. Just brace for prices that lean urban. Final Bite Common Grounds is a detour worth taking. Come for the pies, stay for the caramel-smoked macchiatos, and leave planning your next visit. As one reviewer raved: "You don't need a big city for big flavors". Rating:  5/5 stars -- where every bite feels like a discovery.

Cozy little town java juicer with a drive thru, I found a pleasantly decorated space and friendly…read morestaff serving the usual menu of caffeine, sugar, and tasty looking treats. My latte was very well balanced, bitter against the syrup, a smash hit ideal for the humidity and roadtrip. I was happy with the price too but hope these talented ladies start making some syrups in house soon to fit the classy desserts and foods.

Well, I found myself in good ol Fairbury, IL. A business I was at recommended this place. It's a…read moretiny little old school trailer looking thing. You just drive right up and order. I honestly think it's so cool. And the girl working was SO nice and friendly. I had never been here and she was super patient and helpful. The drink I ended up with was an iced toffee nut latte (never had this in my life). It was fiiiiire!! If you ever happen to be in the middle of Illinois - make a stop!

This is a great place to meet people and hang out. They have wine, beer and food in addition to…read morecoffee. They support local artist by hosting Gallery 105. Robyn and Randy, the friendly owner-operators, bring grace and a sophisticated hospitality to a rural Central Illinois town. Hummingbird Coffee House is among are the best of what Central Illinois has to offer. Best of all, they received an economic development grant from the State of Illinois in November 2025 and will be expanding their footprint soon, contributing even more great things to the area. Recommendations: Emancipation Brewing beer with their toasted turkey panini - yum!

Stopped in on a whim and was happy I did, very nice and friendly service the place was clean and…read morethe food and coffee was excellent definitely a must stop for a morning pick me up

Came on a Saturday during the farmers market. The shop was very crowded and the line was super…read morelong- all the way to the bathroom. Took about 40-45 mins to finally get our coffee after walking in but the baristas were all super kind and apologized for the wait despite it being out of their control and them working diligently. They have a wide assortment of pastries that look absolutely delicious and of course, coffee, with syrup options (they use the 1883 brand), and a seasonal menu. We got the vanilla and the caramel latte, and both were the perfect amount of sweet and had good flavor. Would absolutely recommend!

PUMPKINQUEST 2025 CONTINUES! I am in search of the most yummy sessonal goodies in the area…read more Todays travels took us to historic downtown Bloomington to a favorite watering hole, The Coffee Hound on Main Street. Famous for their amazing coffee,teas and homemade baked goods, today's search was for the ellusive Pumpkin Spice Latte with real Pumpkin! (Don't be fooled by chain restaurants who advertise pumpkin spice but have spice but no pumpkin. Shame on you, giant chain restaurants!) I ordered an iced pumpkin spice latte with an extra shot of espresso. It was a perfect blend of espresso, pumpkin, spices and cream! Very refreshing after a day of errands and just what I needed for the mid-afternoon slump. I eyed the pumpkin cake but will have to try that next time as too full from lunch. My friend got a loaded hot chocolate which he pronounced, "yummy!" The Staff as always, friendly and helpful. I love the ambiance of this location with the origial artwork and downtown charm. If you are looking for a nice spot to spend a little time during your busy day; stop and smell the coffee. I highly recommend The Coffee Hound, you will not be disappointed! Kate the Artist

What a charming place! When you walk in, there is a tiny gift shop area which is mostly no cards in…read morevarious teapots and then the dining area. It's a big open room and the date we were there it was slow so we didn't have to contend with much noise. Each table is set with flowers and pretty napkins as well as a little saying plaque. We were greeted promptly by a friendly waitress who took our drink order. They have a terrific variety of teas both hot and iced and my spiced iced chai was scrumptious. My entree was the fruity turkey sandwich which was nice turkey lunch meat, Swiss cheese, Craisins and a nice mix of greens with a yummy fruit spread. The bread was nice and soft and it was a generous portion. I got a side salad with it which was a splendid assortment of different greens and beautifully cut zucchini. The Italian vinaigrette was underwhelming though, next time, I'll try a different dressing. The soup of the day was this decadent creamy potato concoction with bacon on top which my dining companion had oh, she let me taste it oh, it was a meal all to itself! But she didn't quit there, she also got their pulled pork sandwich oh, she has gluten allergies so it came on gluten free bread and because the bread was small slices, the kitchen actually brought her out what amounted to almost two sandwiches. She liked it! They offered about eight different things for dessert and I tried the pecan pie. It was different from what I was expecting, chopped pecans and cream layer of some sort. It wasn't really to my taste. I should mention that the plates are served beautifully and each of us had a fruit skewer that just added to the whole thing. They have an area off the main dining room where a group of about 12 could sit with some privacy although it's near the kitchen so not the same Ambiance as the main dining room. It's a shame to see the negative reviews, that was certainly not our experience today.

I try as many tea rooms as I can during my travel for work and this one is one of the best!…read more Cute décor, great soup and sandwich options, yummy desserts, and a really nice tea list that is served hot or iced. Good service and lots of tea-themed gifts in the gift shop area. Well worth a visit and I am looking forward to my next trip through the area.

Great food, great service, fair prices, feels like you are at home in the space. Still waiting for…read morethe store to open next door,

Amazing!!! I was stranded when I-57 closed, so got off at mile marker 293, which is right next to…read moreBeans & Barley Brews. These are truly amazing people, going way out of their way on kindness, hospitality, and service. And they go above and beyond to meet my hopes on selection for my snacking needs. And great wifi on top of this. Highly recommended!

My husband and I love to explore little towns in Illinois. El Paso was adorable. This coffee shop…read moreoutshines any I have ever been to. The ambience was A+++, the avocado toast was so yummy and my vanilla ice coffee was perfection. The service is warm, friendly, and fast. I will come back.

Java Café is such a cozy little spot in a quaint town. I had the veggie avocado toast and it was…read morefresh and flavorful. The veggies are served raw per the kitchen and it worked well, though I do wish there had been a little more avocado. Still, it was delicious and satisfying. I paired it with the rooibos hibiscus tea which was light and refreshing. They also have self serve water and a clean up yourself setup which keeps the vibe laid back. Food is served during breakfast hours only, but they do keep a grab and go refrigerated case stocked with premade items if you stop by later. Staff were friendly and kind, and the atmosphere is extremely inviting with plenty of nooks to settle into. One of the highlights is a painted chess table that adds to the artsy charm and is perfect for a photo. They also have a shaded outdoor patio if you want to sit outside. Definitely worth stopping in if you are in the area and looking for good food, tea, and a comfortable place to relax.

What a lovely store in Fairbury! We stopped by to try out their sweet treats tonight. I tried…read more"berry the tractor" ( chocolate covered strawberry) which was so tasty.

DO NOT GO IF YOU HAVE CELIAC…read more I was at their ice cream service counter and asked what flavors I could have as I have celiac disease and can't have wheat. The girl went and looked and told me several flavors that were gluten free including one with oreo cookies on top. Those aren't gluten free and when I told her that, she made no notes or anything to mark that down. The ice cream was mediocre at best and had large ice crystals in it.