I ordered the chai, half expecting something thin and overly sweet. What arrived instead was a…read morewarm, fragrant testament to restraint--balanced spices, just enough milk, and a whisper of quiet joy. I sat back with K.W. in one of the window-side chairs, letting the mug steam gently into the late-morning light, and took in the interior. It's the kind of place that rewards attention: reclaimed wood, soft colors, seating that invites rather than insists. This was not an Instagram café--it was a Christian coffee shop. And I mean that as praise. I don't just mean it had a verse on the wall or worship music humming faintly behind the grinder. I mean the place carried a spirit of care. You could feel it in the details, the warmth of the baristas, and--most of all--in the baby shower happening quietly in the side room. From what I could tell, it was all women--close family friends of the expectant mother--gathered in soft tones, with gifts, cake, and affection flowing. There were balloons. Laughter. Maybe a tear or two, but the joyful kind. I thought about the holiness of childhood, the ridiculous courage of parenting, and the spiritual stubbornness it takes to keep loving in public. There are many ways to do Christianity poorly. But when it holds space for reflection, for the protection of the vulnerable--children, the poor, the disabled--it becomes something rare and tender. Guest House feels like one of those places where such values are quietly lived out, without announcement or ego. I'll be back. For the chai. For the ambience. But mostly to support a place that, in its own gentle way, remembers what a gift life is.

Be our guest and stay awhile…read more.. What once used to be By the Bean is now and has been for awhile Guest House Coffee and Pastries. This has been on my list for awhile now and with Emily and I heading to St. Louis to catch a flight to Colorado, it was the perfect time to get some caffeine before we embarked on a long day of traveling. We popped in a bit before lunch and were greeted by a friendly barista. He took our order fairly quickly and then we took a seat while we waited... and waited... and waited. There was 2 people ahead of us and it took about 10 minutes for our drinks to come out and a few minutes after that to get our baked goods. I got a peanut butter cookie and Emily got a lemon blueberry thingy. Sorry, I'm not great at knowing which is which when it comes to baked goodies. Once we got our goods, we made a beeline for the interstate. This is when I decided to try their cold brew and wow... it was the punch of bitterness that I love. Sometimes places pull back on the bitter but not at Guest House. After a few sips, I tried my peanut butter cookie and found it sorely lacking. I thought it was going to be soft but it was hard, crumbly and dry. I'm not sure if they can warm them up before serving them to you but if I could've had that, it may have helped a lot. I eventually ate most of it but really wish I had some milk to dip it in. I don't remember what Emily got but she seemed to really enjoy it. As for her lemon blueberry item, she said it was dry but that's normal for what it is. I tried a nibble and the flavor was definitely on point. It's not something I would've enjoyed but she seemed to really like it. As for the Guest House overall, I liked that they kept a lot of the decor from By the Bean. I was happy to see the doors that were previously there still there. If we weren't trying to get our stuff and get out ASAP, the wait time wouldn't have been a problem and with that in mind, I don't factor it into my score. We did leave wondering why there was one guy up front and what seemed like 2 employees in the back. But that's neither here nor there at this point. I would definitely come back to Guest House and maybe try to see if they would warm up their cookies before devouring them.

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.

My favorite latte in town - the best flavors, great ambiance, and best employees. They also have…read moreamazing toast and the cannolis on the weekends look amazing - they're still on my list to try. I also like the cold brew with cold foam. My favorite latte flavors are honey/lavender, caramel, and vanilla. I also love the punch card system they have for drinks.

Really cool spot with a coffee shop connected to a bike shop. Great ambience and enjoyed an…read moreOrangette Mont Blanc with cold foam. I gladly will come back next time I'm in town!

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.

The new business was opened and a group of us tried it. We all had coffee or tea and some got…read morecookies. The iced mocha coffee was disappointing and cost more than other places. Would not buy the iced coffee again! It's a nice setting though and glad there is a business in there again. Hopefully they will get things ironed out and do well, I sure hope so.

It was closed (likely due to COVID). bummer, looked nice. Do I have to give rating to let people…read moreknow that? I gave it 5 stars for promise of the future.

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

They brew Thirty-Thirty Coffee (local roaster out of Peoria, IL, VERY GOOD!). Friendly staff and…read morewelcoming, warm environment. They have weekly specials! They close during breaks. Be sure to check out the Academic Calendar! http://www.lincolnchristian.edu/

Great atmosphere and welcoming folks. I get a café mocha about 2-3 times a week. Summer hours…read morefluctuate since it is on the campus of Lincoln Christian University.

Drive-thru coffee shops are blooming on here recently…read more I suppose that having visited a few drive-thru coffeehouses, this opens the prior closed door on visiting them for my blog. I figured that the lack of being able to experience the vibe and feel for them shouldn't exclude them from my sampling as they can have their own style and their own uniqueness. On a trip to Bloomington with my dad to get lunch, I needed coffee. I slept all morning so trying to get one before we left was a no-go. I figured that since we are visiting Bloomington, I would just visit one that I still have on my list and Blooms Coffee Bar was my choice for today. I drove around the building to see if there was a walk-up window but no such luck. I pullled up to one window (there was one on each side) and the kind barista asked me to pull around to the other side as that's the proper side to order from. I zoomed on over and asked for a moment to look over the menu before deciding what sounded good. Shockingly, I didn't get my usual americano. I was in town for pigging out and decided to treat myself to the Salty Sweet. My dad said he had 3 cups of coffee already and wasn't in the mood for more. It wasn't busy so the lady said I didn't need to pull around to the other window I was just at to pick up my order. So THAT'S how they operate. The drink was made fairly quick and I dipped to the parking lot behind Bloom's to enjoy my drink as we waited for Flinger's to open at 11am. This drink was just the thing to start my day. It was a perfect balance of sweet and salty (which is how I mis-ordered the drink by saying the name backwards). I even went against my usual order style and got a medium instead of a large. I should've gotten the large cause it went down smooth and fast. I pulled around to the front of the building to try and snap a few photos but ended up pulling out too far so my phone's camera put in some work on getting some decent quick snaps for this blog. I am glad that I've started to add these drive-thru only places to my list as each one has been delicious so far. Take this as a lesson to not limit yourself based on silly notions and assumptions.

Our drinks were really bad. I threw out my drink after a few sips. It tasted like badly flavored…read moreice water. I got a Twilight. My husband said his was bad-the voltage. We will not be coming back here. I do not understand how they have such a high rating, we were extremely disappointed.

Cinnamon Muffin: Nothing to really write about here. 5/10…read moreGluten-free Doughnut: Had a characteristic gummy (?) texture to it. Taste was good though. 7/10 Chocolate Croissant: Instantly smiled when I put it in my mouth. Ask the cashier to warm it up for you. 9/10

Cool coffee joint. It's very casual and comfortable. They have various baked goods to choose from,…read morelots of coffee options, video gaming, and retro lounge chairs to relax in. It's a great place to work on paperwork, read, or to meet friends. There is quiet music in background that adds to the relaxing vibe. The barista is friendly and knowledgeable. They also serve beer, wine and cocktails. It's a great place to chill.

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!