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.

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.

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.

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.

What a delightful stop along Route 66 this has been - so good we've made it a point to return…read more Country Aire is a spotless spot with solid food and incredible desserts. It seems that the whole operation is a positive place to be as the staff are both very friendly but willing to suggest great places to visit in the area. The kitchen is on point with food coming out quickly and fresh. I had a club sandwich which includes bacon and that bacon could have starred in its own show - very flavorful and plenty of it. This wasn't your ordinary club sandwich. We also had a chicken salad sandwich which was first-rate as well. Very flavorful and plenty of chicken salad on the sandwich. Fortunately we planned ahead as I saved room for cheesecake which was, no exception, the best restaurant cheesecake I have ever had. We also had a slice of peach pie and it was outstanding. Apparently Lumi, who is the co-owner and pie queen, has won a bunch of awards for her pies and I would give her an award if I had one to give. Just a positive experience and we even got to see the new American Giant Lumi out front!

The food here is good overall. However the last 2 times I have eaten breakfast here I have not even…read morebeen offered a single refill on my coffee. This is unacceptable during normal breakfast hours. As a result I did not tip either time. If you can't refill my coffee then you did not do the basics let alone go above and beyond.

As diehard coffee drinkers from Seattle we were shocked at the tasty black coffee and peppermint…read moremocha while visiting the area. My mom said she loved the tuxedo (?) coffee - she's a frequent visitor but we were skeptical as we pulled up to the drive thru. I should have remembered that you often find little gems in the most unexpected places. We'll done We'll definitely be back on our next visit.

Such a sweet little corner store for coffee. Absolutely wonderful. Flavored coffee is delicious,…read moreand the avocado toast with an egg on top was perfect. Great and cozy stop!

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

A super bright and beautiful cafe for studying!…read more I went there earlier today for work. It was located in Heyworth (how cute the name of this little town is! lol). Since it was a little snowy today and it was so cold outside, the road in front of the cafe was frozen. I was struggling with walking inside as there was ice everywhere, but it really made my day when the baristas warmly greeted me and said they were sorry about the slippery road conditions! Also, their coffee was nice (I ordered an iced latte w/ oat milk) and I think it's medium-dark roasted (which is my favorite). The environment was super nice. They have a big windows at the front, where the sunlight comes in gently in the afternoon. The ceiling is pretty high, so you'll feel spacious and even de-stressed when working there. Not so many tables inside (only about five, each for four people), and rarely were people coming inside for a long time staying, thus it really is a hidden gem for me who is an introvert and loves privacy and silence when studying. Though their prices were a little high at least for coffee, I would regard it as reasonable since they don't make money by attracting a huge number of customers, but providing a decent environment for guests to chill'in. Love this cafe and wish they all the best! :)

Passing through on a road trip, usually stop at Starbucks but wanted to try something new. Have…read morenever had a smoother latte, staff was incredibly helpful and shop was I super cute and clean. Try the Carmel apple butter latte! You'll be glad you did!

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.

Review Visit: June 6th, 2016…read more If you visit the blog often, you will notice my trend for visiting coffeehouses and see that I tend to order Iced Caramel Lattes at most places. Black Maple was no different. A perfect blend of milk, espresso and caramel made this one place I would love to re-visit. It would've scored a perfect 5, but they are a walk-up/drive-thru only, so if it was a rainy day, it could possibly affect trying to get something from there. Also, they could've used some benches outside, but since it is located in the parking lot of a hotel, they are doing great with what they have. I don't frequent Canton, but I am going to always visit this place if I do.

We were really excited to try this place but very unimpressed. They didnt have anywhere hardly to…read moresit inside. When we ordered we asked how sweet drinks were and were told they weren't sweet. My husband ordered a vanilla latte which had hardly any flavor (including coffee flavor). I ordered a caramel macchiato which was SO sweet. We also ordered a bfest croissant. The croissant was panini style so smooshed and burnt. Sorry to say we will not be back. Hope others have a better experience then we did.