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.

Ok, first off the owner, Dino is super nice. The products are pretty good and they have Tadough's…read moreDonuts. However, there will be a group of about 4 old guys there every day eating donuts and drinking coffee. if you get a donut, they will give you a death stare. Overall a solid gas station.

This is my go-to gas station when I'm traveling! Super friendly staff and the owner is so nice!…read moreSuper clean place and I've never had any problems with the gas! Great place :)

How sweet it is!…read more Let's preface this blog post by saying that The Sweet Bean is set to close on May 13th. Not only did I recently hear about this place for the first time but in the same breath I heard they were closing. So, I knew it was a high priority to check it out. It just so happens that my girlfriend also loves coffee and sweet treats, so we booked it there the first chance we got. I'm not too familiar with the inner workings of how Pekin is laid out so I never would've stumbled upon this place without either being told about it or finding it on Yelp/Google/other sources of information. Thank gosh for GPS We arrived in the later part of the morning once we woke up and got moving for the day. We both were in need of some coffee and something to put in our bellies. Upon entering, we were greeted by a friendly person behind the counter who ended up being the owner. She asked us what the photo taking out front was about and I briefly mentioned how I like to try out local coffee places. She said they only have the basic coffee choices as they are more of a bakery and I said that as long as you serve coffee, that is good enough for me. Emily got a flavored cold brew and a giant turtle cookie and I got a plain cold brew and a dark chocolate cherry... scone? I'm not 100% sure it was a scone. I just pointed at what I wanted and she told me what it was but was too distracted by all the delicious-looking treats in the display case to remember what she said. The total for two 16 ounce drinks and two baked goods was only $13. That is a really good deal, imo. We snagged a table and sat there, sipping our coffees and trying each other's snack. Emily was jealous of my treat and I was a bit jealous of her treat. They were both super delicious and I am glad we got them heated up as I think that really make their homemade deliciousness POP. I couldn't get over how thick and chewy my treat was. It tasted exactly like how it sounds but cranked to an 11. The cold brew was just that. Long-steeped coffee over ice. I don't think I've ever had a cold brew that wasn't just that and that is perfectly fine in my book While we were checking out, we noticed some stickers for sale. I tried to buy 2 but was told I had to use venmo to pay for the stickers as they were being sold by an independent seller. We ended up grabbing 5 for $15 once I worked out how to pay the person directly. This might be the first time I've seen something sold in a store that wasn't able to be rung up at the register. I didn't get a photo of the 5 we bought but you can rest assure they are mostly coffee-themed. I am truly sad this place is closing up it's doors. You can see on their FB page the reasons why so I won't go into that here. Make sure you pop in while you can before the oven is turned off for good.

Love this new little place in town! Fresh homemade muffins - love the banana nut, wow. Haven't…read moretried anything else yet but the coffee is great too. Comes from a coffee place in Peoria that roasts their own they said. Really good. Beats Starbucks any day

Great food and service too. We asked to be seated outside. Our server recognized that the salad…read moredidn't serve with Parmesan on the side so she helped swap it out right away. The sourdough was indeed very good, soft on the inside, crunchy out. Butter was whipped and light. We thought the pizza was going to be small but it was enough to feed the kids and me. The salad was actually really good, unique sprouts and flavors but not too overwhelming. The shaved parm was a very good balance. The bakery had good options. We tried the orange spice cinnamon roll, which was just OK in my opinion. The cream part was a bit overwhelming but we have a pretty light palate. Overall, highly recommend this place.

We stopped in to grab a dark rye sea salt chocolate cookie! They are always so good! The pastries,…read morebreads, and cookies are all delicious here!

Nice workers. Nice ambiance. Coffee was amazing. Lil slow service, however overall I would…read morerecommend.

I am in love with this place! We went for their Dubai chocolate strawberries and also got a bunch…read moreof other treats while we were there! It was a little on the pricier side but I feel like it was SO worth it! I will definitely be coming back!

Stopped in on a Sunday afternoon to find a very busy afternoon going on. The place had almost all…read morethe tables and chairs filled with customers enjoying their drinks. The girl behind the counter was friendly and polite and took my order. I ordered a hot mocha latte with macadamia milk. I gave her my name and she said they'd call me when it was ready. I found one of the few open seats, a low sitting leather chair that was quite comfortable tyvm, and did a little people watching until they called my name. There was now a small line to the order line and I was pretty convinced I had made a good choice in coming here. In a matter of minutes later my name was called and my drink was ready. My latte was very good and the mocha made it even better. If you're in the area be sure to drop in and check them out.

The coffee is good, but the vibe is always weird. For a while they were selling monocle chocolate,…read moretheir own brand. Then they stopped. When I asked about it they said "we never sold chocolate, i don't know what you're talking about" (The chocolate was back today) Today it was asking about their canned coffee because the fridge was empty (they have a shandy coffee/lemonade that is killer) They looked at me like I was an alien for wanting to buy a product they've had in cans in the past. They assured me they still have it to make but don't have it in cans sell. When I asked if they knew when it would be back the barista was frustrated and repeated that they had it to make. Ok fine, but I'm driving an hour home and liked the cans? Just a weird thing like it's a pain in the ass that i know what products they have and am interested in them. The Huckleberry Sage latte was great, the Barista was great for suggesting it iced. I'd have it again. I'm just giving up on expecting clear answers about what they carry.

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.

Asked my Peoria native friend for recommendations around town and this was his number one spot- and…read moreI can see why! Zion was the perfect cafe to spend a few hours working while fueling up with some caffeine and breakfast. They had plenty of tables/bar space, and even an extra upstairs area with more seating. I tried their special banana butterscotch latte and it was incredible. Also tried the classic avocado toast. I was surprised to have two slices that were loaded with avocado mash! If I'm being picky it was a tad too salty, but the sourdough toast was delicious. I'm looking forward to trying the crunchy at my next visit. I'll absolutely be back next time I'm in the area!

STILL my number 1 of ever, after hundreds of shops working coffee by cold brew, espresso,…read moresparkling, and more between Philadelphia, St Paul, Miami, Denver, and San Diego, Zion remains the crowned! I am in love with their wildly wacky tonics, most recently this spring pomplemousse! The tea cake latte is fine too but I miss the old vibrant mixes that were more adventurous. There's a wholesome obnoxious vibe between pure white walls, dirty disco and thumping music, a polite and talented barista troupe, posh and perfect menu both alcoholic and food. Avo toast will convert the most hardened of appetites! I've never tried a cocktail yet a bit intoxicated with their methods for putting together java and espresso. I wish they offered discounts for personal cups, a more inviting and fair rewards program, and the bright big space suddenly becomes a small noisy circus on busy weekends but overall this is the ideal. Peoria should be proud!