I started to panic early on in quarantine that I wouldn't be able to get coffee, but Perkolator put my worries at ease with my coffee bean subscription. (Free area delivery!) I finally came to visit after they reopened for a breakfast sandwich and coffee. Everyone is masked, they converted to a walk up window, and the process is seamless. Obviously the food (all of it) and coffee is excellent too. read more

Wonderful atmosphere and the record shop attached is so cute! I haven't tried any food here, but their coffee is great. The staff was pleasant and courteous. Perfect location right on Irving park with lovely outdoor and indoor seating. I'll be back soon! *added* Everything I have had here is amazing! The atmosphere is like no other. There is an attached books and records store and I was literally like a kid in a candy store. It was beautiful and I was able to find a vintage book I'd been wanting to read for a while. There coffee is great and they have many milk options for those of us with allergies. I had Almond milk on both of my visits, but they also have hemp, coconut, whole milk, 2%, and soy. I've had there iced mocha and an unsweet cappuccino with cinnamon. Both were excellent. My friend ordered food both times and from what I tasted it was great! The baristas are so friendly and the one I spoke to on both occasions (I think the other barista called him Stephen) remembered my friend and I even though are visits were a whole month apart. So thankful to Perkolator for my great experience and for making this big city feel a little more like home. read more

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We had 2 breakfast sandwiches and coffee for my wife's birthday. Staff were very warm and the food (Jalapeño Popper Bagel) was great.

Love this place, it's right down the street from my house and I have gone here for years. Their grilled cheese is amazing and they have always been very friendly! I hope it opens back up soon! read more

Good coffee, food and atmosphere. I recommend this place. I prefer the local coffee shops vs. the big commercial companies.

Wonderful spot for coffee and quick bite! Had a toasted bagel with jalapenos, felt like I was in NY. Amazing freaking fresh bagel. Rich in flavor. read more

Perkolator - Cafes Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I've been a fan of Perkolator for a long time, so I should've written this review much sooner. Perkolator goes above and beyond for a local coffee shop, especially in Chicago. Their customer service is unlike anything I've experienced. They always are super welcoming and happy to accommodate anything you might need. Typically, when I'm working remotely, coffee shops arent as thrilled to see me. BUT the staff at Perkolator have gone out of their way before to ensure that im comfortable and able to get work done. This is refreshing to see! The enviornment is cozy, comfortable and feels like a space where you can hang out with friends or get a big project done. Unique vibes and comfortable seating! Let's talk about the food for a minute. While it may be a coffee shop, the food is something you dont want to miss. Seriously. Rarely at coffee shops am I greeted with so many delicious food options for both breakfast or lunch. The breakfast burrito and the Mediterranean veggie wrap are two of my favorites. The drinks are great, they have an array of options fit for anyone. Love their seasonal choices. Their frozen drinks are great for a summer day. Overall, I love that perkolator is in the neighborhood! Go visit ASAP! read more

As a person who drinks her coffee black, freshly roasted beans make a huge difference. I use the pour-over method which makes every cup my best cup. Kudos to the staff too. Always helpful and happy to help. read more

GREAT FOR A DATE! Cafe (with light food fare) that doubles as a record and book store! Ambiance is great (music and decór) and staff is nice. Great place that can motivate conversation and can have a bite or something nice to sip on. QUIET PLACE TO EAT AND STUDY? Sure! I love this place! I love having places to study that serve healthy options and aren't too quiet. This place was perfect!! I love that it is also a book and record store! I'm a Dj working on my Masters and this place was perfect! It is also family friendly, they have toys available to kids (mainly for small children, however older kids came in and began playing with them as well lol). The Customer Service was friendly or at least pleasant every time I visited. I was so happy with my overall experience that it is one of my fav places to visit! read more

Great food, coffee and atmosphere. During covi I ordered the iced coffee for delivery. Delicious. I look forward to going back when it re-opens. Not to be missed. read more

Great coffee shop in portage park. Nice atmosphere. Friendly staff. Tasty sandwiches. Way better than a trip to Dunkin! Their dark roast coffee is on the lighter tasting side. Chai Latte was good. There's a record and book store in there too. Pretty spot. Worth checking out if you're in the area. read more

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The mango smoothie and donuts are a must! I love going to perkolator, it has such a great vibe and all the staff are personable. It's also connected to a bookstore and it's so fun to look around when your drink/food is getting ready. Also, the tip jars are themed after debates (ex Batman vs Superman) so you put your tip in the jar you agree with. My companion really enjoys the emphasis provided on local art and businesses. She greatly enjoys talking to Joe (the owner) he honestly makes you feel like you're a valued customer. read more

My new favorite place. The breakfast sandwiches are fabulous. Relaxing, upbeat. Flawless.

Babes I ordered the jalapeño popper bagel sandwich and my partner the breakfast burrito. The breakfast burrito comes in a kind of a tomato wrap and I'm not too fond of burritos but mannnnn this was the best combination to put together. This burrito had textures in it that melted together; avocado salsa, and pico de Gallo I believe and then these bits of bacon just beautifully combined together WOW! Now I save the best for last. I melted into my seat on first bite of this bagel sandwich. The jalapeño cream cheese rushed into my mouth with a piece of perfectly made eggs with bits of jalapeños and bits of bacon. Oh and not like that wasn't enough they topped it with some American cheese (maybe sharp cheddar)... baby how did they come up with this? like they created it for the Gods! I looked around to find whoever was responsible for all this goodness as I wanted to kiss the heavenly hands of whoever made this but they were busy so I left quietly. The End! read more

I would give this 3.5 stars. Decor is super cute and seems like a chill antiquey spot to relax, do your work, color, play children's games in the corner or write a Yelp review. Pretty decently priced parking along the street. The woman behind the counter is okay, but not overly friendly with me. The pastries look okay, but not amazing. Most of the wall art is on sale from Etsy. Definite homey vibe/ grandmas kitchen. Plenty of seating. The Peppermint Patty medium iced for $4.75... Well, I can barely taste the mint, maybe the mocha. Not blown away, but I'm hoping it serves my purpose to drive back to the loop. Side note: I am noticing there is a new cashier working and she is super friendly and accommodating with all the guests. Maybe she could give a spirit lift to her co-worker. read more

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This is an amazing place. Would you walk in you take a step back in time. Seating is unique. The staff is friendly. The liquid and food options are good. There's also a record room and bookshelves for you to peruse while you are there. They even have small tables and chairs for kids to sit on. read more

Perkolator - Cafes Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

It's happened. I'm officially a hipster; can hipsters be plus size? Do they usually surround themselves in this much color? Can they be dorky and clumsy? I'm not sure, but in any case, those are all me, and yet I feel like a hipster (in the best way) in this artsy coffee shop/cafe. Perkolator is like my version of hipster heaven. Or maybe espresso nirvana? So yes, atmosphere is everything. First off, great tunes played over a great sound system or speakers. I love the vividly colored & wallpapered walls adorned with local artists' work for sale, and the bright, open feel of the dining area, and the creaky wood floors. I love that there are games and toys for kids to play with and board games for adults (sorry, no adult toys, this ain't that kind of place). I love the friendly and patient baristas and staff as well, always inviting. And before I get into the menu, if all that wasn't enough atmosphere, this just put Perkaltor over the top for me: they've opened an adjoining (dare I say Sci-fi) retro lounge area in the space next door filled with vinyl records and books to peruse! If playing with old clunky typewriters, turntables and telephones are your thing, you will most certainly appreciate the decor and retro lighting. Oh, did I mention the Ray-gun? There's a ray-gun, people!! And Star Trek posters, and a huge spaceman Martian and spaceship painted on one wall. If they had comic books, I'm quite certain the Big Bang Theory characters would hang out here. I may be mixing genres, but I just don't care. Enough-- on to the menu. Think breakfast sandwiches (which recently got a nod on Chicagoist, check it out), pastries and also bistro lunch options such as soups, greens, grilled cheese, paninis, and so on. Btw, these are some of the best scones ever. I suggest you seriously check out the pastry case. As for coffee drinks, I believe they have their own Perkolator brand in a variety of blends, in addition to sometimes featuring guest roasters (past ones have been Intelligentsia, Dark Matter, Metropolis, etc). Can we talk about dairy & non dairy options for a minute? They have got them all. Does your local barista offer HEMP milk? No? Well they should. I'm all about options and that's one you don't often see. (P.S. I tried it in my latte and enjoyed it.) They have all the usual suspects of dairy, plus, soy, almond, macadamia, coconut and hemp milk. This makes me happy. Not into coffee? There's also cold and hot teas, Italian sodas, milk, and possibly regular soda (I've never noticed)? Trust me when I say, this little place is a winner. Quaint, charming, retro, roomy, interesting, tasty. What more do you need? Wi-fi, maybe? Shut up, hipster. Duh, they have that, too. read more

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We decided to come in for lunch on a rainy day. Order soup & sandwich was disappointed with the soup it was watered down it had no flavor & was suppose to be a bisque we were looking forward to the soup since it was cold & dreary out. The sandwich was good. For me first impressions are a must, so I don't think I will return but if by chance I do no soup for me. My husband did enjoy his coffee & turkey wrap. Good ambience subtle music. read more

Perkolator - Cubabkski sandwich is good Tomato bisque was watery & tasteless - Cafes Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I love Perkolator. Coffee drinks are all fantastic and the food options are very tasty. I love the Med wrap and the blue cheese side. Cookies, banana bread, and scones are great as well! read more

Perkolator - Sputnik store connected to Perkolator has great books and records to peruse. - Cafes Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I have found my morning hide-out. Yes, that's me, sipping a cup of coffee (or chai) in the quiet of the morning. Enjoying a delicious pastry or breakfast sandwich during one of the few free hours I have to myself in a usually hectic 24hr day. I have found a kid-friendly snack spot. Yes, that's me and my preschool son, enjoying an afterschool pastry, milk (him), tea (me), where we sit and talk while he works on a puzzle (one of the many toys they have available to keep busy little hands busy. I have found a no-attitude, independently owned coffee shop. Where the staff is friendly and the owner so enthusiastic--all of them just ready to make your day a pleasant one. Retro/bright decor, table seating, comfy couch seating, large windows that let in lots of natural light. So happy they opened in the neighborhood. read more

I like 'em. I like 'em a lot. The fabulous coffee and cozy atmosphere are honestly just the icing on the cake compared to the welcoming and friendly customer service! The staff at the Perkolator are absolutely darling. Tis the season for a pumpkin spiced latte, so a pumpkin spiced latte is what I enjoyed! What can I say? It's my go-to in October/November. After I placed my order I sat down at a table to set up my computer and connect to WiFi while my beverage was being prepared. I was expecting to hear my name or order called out, but instead the barista brought my latte right over to where I was sitting - what service! That immediately set the tone for my couple hour stay. Such a great atmosphere to hang out and get a little peace and quiet. Or in my case, pop open my computer and get some work done. Regardless, great local caffeine fix! Plus, free wifi :) read more

Love this place!! Great coffee drinks and teas- sure- but also delicious food for breakfast and lunch. Comfortable atmosphere and service.

I've been to countless coffee shops and this is by far my favorite. Mostly because they make my favorite latte ever- the macadamia nut latte.. freaking macadamia nut.. so gooood. It's just a very cute spot too. The interior design is just so unique! Also being vegan... they have the best dairy alternatives and quite a selection of foods that are vegan.. at least the pastries for sure. read more

Perkolator - Cafes Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

The kids have run amok on this place. Coming here on a Sunday afternoon for a nice relaxing coffee is not an easy task. The shorties are all over the place, books and toys are loitering all over the floor, parents are scolding their kids for being crazy, daddy's coffee just spilled on the floor because little Johnny thinks he is Darth Vader and his older brother apparently stands in his way of universal domination. In spite of all the madness, Perkolator could not be a better neighborhood coffee shop. In fact it's quite impressive for the local hood. The coffee has a nice range of options. You can go hardcore with an Americano, Sweet cold drinks like the Mocha Perk, or a satisfying Hot Chocolate or Caramel Latte. The latter order was mine which was quite lovely. In addition they have several bakery items including a blueberry scone. A little bit of crunch and not too sweet, much like a typical European treat. The decor really stands out. Colorful walls littered with paintings from local artists. The paintings ranged from very mundane black and white to vicious explosions of color that reminded me of graffiti. This month It appears to be a feature of Polish American artists. Their is an adjoining room to the shop that is a record store. It's not very big but a nice collection of records, books, and comics populate this room. In the back Is another seating area for enjoying a book and coffee. The record shop idea seems to be a winner as I saw multiple people buying several items. Overall it might be hard to get some quiet time and get some work done here because of the "family" environment. But if you live in the hood and especially have a family you should feel right at home. Despite my lack of a family, I love what they are trying to do and am proud it is in the neighborhood! Peace! read more

The owner is one of the coolest most down-to-earth audiophiles with a knack for customer service. The house blend is speKtacular, you have to try their percolator coffee from their PerKolator brand blend. Order a large drink, grab a cup of water, take a seat at one of their homey tables and chairs, and take in the atmosphere. What a great addition to Portage Park/Irving & Austin area. I've reserved for a group of ten here once (to just hang and do homework) and they were the kindest people who accommodated us so quickly, they even wheeled a beverage station over to us. Last week, they ended their White Mocha Pumpkin Latte, which was amazing. It's hard to not grab a Cubanski, which is the standard cuban sammy - pickle, french bread, mustard, ham, etc, BUT you have to have it with their blue cheese cole slaw. If you like blue cheese but don't like cole slaw, you'll enjoy this dish. tip: try to find parking on a side street if you're planning to stay a while. There are lots of apartment buildings in the area, so godspeed. read more

It's good to see another indie coffee shop in the area. Since Regulus closed, they needed something for the area. I am so glad Perkolator has come along! This place is fantastic. GREAT coffee and a wide variety of tasty baker treats, along with breakfast sandwiches, lunch and soup! The vibe in this place is so wonderful. Especially the decor, colors and choices of music. I am glad to see it is also has such a diverse group of people. Not as hipster/trendy feeling like some of the Chicago coffee shops. It is good to see friends and family congregate together over coffee, instead of their being on their phones! read more

When I plan to stay for more than just a couple minutes to hour to grab my drink I choose this place. Best interior, spent the last week two times more than 1 hour here in one of the lounge chairs to study. Love that they stay open till 3pm I also enjoy the relaxing music. Great place. Friendly staff, no wait line. Place is clean slick and span. Got my order right and coffee tasted just how I wanted. Awesome place. Always nice staff good service, coffee and food and a great place to go and chill. Would definitely come again and order something for breakfast that includes coffee. read more

I still love this place! Got to stop by on a Monday with no dog, so actually got to hang out, have a chai tea and grilled cheese panini. Excellent! They are so friendly, it was warm and cozy and I could browse books for hours! Try the blue cheese cole slaw, so flavorful! I love stopping by on my dog walk, but thought hanging out takes the cake. Thanks for being in my neighborhood! read more

Sometimes you stumble across a place in your new neighborhood that makes you glad you moved there. That's how I feel about Perkolator. I went in for the first time and said under my breath "what a little peach!" Incredible coffee. Knowledgeable and catering staff. Delicious eats. Cool and chill space. What more do you want? I'm gonna peel through the menu and try everything... so far my recco is the Mochanut! Mocha and Coconut ... together ... as one. Heaven called and it wants its espresso drink back. read more

Perkolator is unique, and its uniqueness is surprising, because it's also so unassuming about it. It's a normal coffee shop, but also has a small sandwich menu, so unlike some places, you can have lunch here. And you can do well, too - the pepper and egg sandwich is very good, my favorite of that kind of sandwich. But it's also a used book and used vinyl store. Now, there are a lot of coffee shops with books hanging around, or maybe music hanging around. But here that stuff is all in an adjoining storefront. I'm sure this happens somewhere else, but this is the only coffee shop I've been to which can arguably stand on its own as a small used book store. And up front, there's a small area for kids. It's modest - a low table with some puzzles and crayons and some other things - but *it exists*, and it's right up front next to large windows. I've seen other coffee shops where arguably there's something for kids to do, but this little area actually works really well. So here's what you get: a coffee shop, that also has some food, that is also a used book store, that is also a used vinyl store, where you can actually take your 2 year old and keep him occupied for a couple of hours on a Saturday morning when you want to get out of the house but don't really want to _do_ anything. On top of all that, the owner doesn't put on any airs. He's a really friendly guy, with a friendly staff, and he doesn't present all of this as some kind of weird hipster haven (which I'm fine with! but that's just not the aesthetic here.) All of the above might make it sound otherwise, but it's really not. This is simply the kind of place every neighborhood should have, and somehow, this is the only neighborhood that does. read more

Wished I had one of this closer to home! Awesome place to grab a nice warm tea, coffee or chocolate and relax, read a book or magazine, stare at nothing, chat with friends, etc. couches and ottoman to feel like at home! They offer vegetable milk such as almond and soy. As a recommendation if the owner reads this, I would also make rice milk available. They have yummy brownies and I also saw muffins. I think they also offer lunch snacks, such a sandwich or panninis. Anyway, we will be back soon! read more

Perkolator - Pic after we ate the brownie and finished the drinks sitting in the couch - Cafes Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Fantastic and friendly staff along with a warm and cozy feel make this a fantastic place to grab a great coffee or pastry. The cranberry muffin warmed up is a must try. The pricing is more than reasonable and I go out of my way just to grab coffee here. read more

Had the panini with turkey... SO SO GOOD !! The chocolate scone was delish !! You can't go wrong with either of these choices, honestly so yummy. Can't wait to try a breakfast sandwich... 4 star because they forgot my scone, and I had to drive back. * read more

Fun little coffee shop. Browse records and books while waiting. Fun vintage feel. Records are available to listen too.

Visited the coffee shop today for the first time, and the atmosphere and coffee were amazing. I loved how they sell books and records at an affordable price. Also, I'm a huge mocha lover, so I was so impressed by the fact that they had different flavors of chocolate (such as dark and white chocolate). The service was great as well. The workers were very welcoming. Overall I recommend this place! read more

Delicious breakfast sandwhich on what tasted like a potato roll. great iced coffee as well. Place is very cute, especially the lounge area. Lots of plants, art and great light! read more

I walked in because I saw they had a wonderful menu selection and I was hoping to grab and sandwich and some coffee. Come to find they didn't serve after 1 pm which was totally ok but as I was leaving a man said "haha oh well their loss" just because I preferred to have protein over just bread. Well dude listen up you should've been more respectful to customers, you're lucky I didn't come back to teach you lesson. Wouldn't recommend probably good food but just rude people. read more

Love this quaint and cute neighborhood coffee shop . The staff is super friendly all the time and it really makes my day . It's a bit out of my way so I usually run in to get a pick-me-up while I'm doing errands and their coffee drinks always hit the spot ! Check the Perkolator out ! read more

I love the comfort and friendly service. Another plus, it's right by the neighborhood. Beside, I love supporting local business! read more

Perkolator - Latte and marble cookies - Cafes Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Great people, amazing coffee!! The space is nice and cozy and they even have local artists work up on the walls.. I purchase my beans here from and my lattes at home come out amazing!! I hear good things about their sandwiches so I still have yet to try them and they also have homemade soups! Great lil spot to add to this awesome Portage Park neighborhood! read more

Perkolator - The Cortado - espresso and just the right amount of steamed milk.. Good stuff!! - Cafes Near Me - Chicago, Illinois