The bakery items in the fridge were all in plastic containers that were covered in mold. All the ice cream buckets were uncovered and freezer burnt. Had to end up dumping out my coffee because I didn't know if the milk was expired or not based off the molding food items read more

I just love places like this. I feel like these spots are a dying breed that need to be saved! Super affordable, good coffee Plenty of seating Quirky, Cozy Space Don't come here if you are looking to get your coffee and food fast. But that's not what it's about here. It's a place that invites you to stay awhile. Definitely will be back. read more

Delicious iced mocha and muffin, great seating and service! AC and lots of options for drinks read more

Red Eyes Coffee - Seating & view - Cafes Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Great spot in a Coffee dessert. I saw the croissant sandwich photos and they definitely live up to the hype. I was able to get ham and bacon on a sandwich which really made my day complete. There's nothing better than a ham and bacon sandwich. I also tried the black coffee serve very hot in a cup too. You can't get a cup a lot of places you go nowadays, but here you can and that makes this place, great for me read more

Red Eyes Coffee - Counter display of oranges - Cafes Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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It makes me so happy to know places like this still exist! This place is the cafe version of a dive bar. Note: DO NOT come here if you are in a hurry! It will take a while to get your order. I came in on a rainy Sunday morning. There was one woman working who I believe is one of the owners. There was one person in line in front of me and it took a good 10 minutes to finish their order (it was rather complicated drink and food order) before we were even acknowledged. It was actually fairly quick to get our order of two basic cappuccinos. Coffee was pretty good. I opted not to get the breakfast sandwich I wanted because I only had a half hour. The menu is a sprawling affair. Written on little chalkboards and paper plastered around the place. There's breakfast, lunch, ice cream, pastries, a box of donuts from the grocery store labeled as "day-old" with a sell-by date two weeks ago. Probably other options I missed. Prices are very affordable. Seating is a menagerie of tables, chairs, and couches. It looks like a thrift store. Chairs are facing random angles. Some tables have no chairs. Everything is packed tight. You'll find a comfy nook if you want to stay and relax. I was expecting just another cafe but this place is special. I can't wait to come back and really enjoy the experience. read more

I had a great experience here. I was waiting for an alignment to get done to my car and this was conveniently across the street. I got a caramel macchiato and a breakfast bagel sandwich. Both were quite good - I had bacon on my sandwich but they also offer sausage. Next time I will try the Parmesan bagel. There is plenty of seating and it is a very homely and inviting atmosphere. Much more relaxed and much more peaceful than some of these chain stores. I actually forgot about my car while I was here... I will be back! read more

It's not fancy, it's not trendy, and I think that's why I love it. It's small and feels small and very locally owned. The food isn't fancy or great- Costco muffins- but that's kind of what makes it great. If they charged 8.00 for a coffee it would suck but they sell a breakfast sandwich for 4.50 and still have everything you could want. read more

Red Eyes Coffee - Counter - Cafes Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Pizza tasted delicious BUT it was freezing COLD so we had to reheat pizza in our oven and the delivery time was way off...late.

To everyone complaining about the slowness...the woman is in her like, sixties. Have some patience. Be glad she's still here. She's such a nice lady, too! This place is SO calm and SO relaxing, and it doesn't hurt that the drinks are good either. I always come here before I have big important adult stuff to do, or when I need to take it easy. Can't recommend this place enough :) read more

This place is the definition of what a neighborhood coffee spot is about. Very nice decor that give that home feel. The coffee is great without any after taste. They also do made to order breakfast sandwiches that's so good I had to order another one to go. read more

Adorable cafe with a cozy, relaxed atmosphere, a very kind owner, great coffee, and delicious made-to-order sandwiches. Some have pointed out that the food takes a bit longer, but that is because the owner takes the time to make each item individually, instead of shoving some pre-made sandwich into a microwave like you'd see at one of corporate behemoth coffee shops. A really great spot to spend a couple hours working, socializing, or just relaxing. read more

I visited here in 2013, and had a bit of a forgettable experience. What possessed me come here again recently is a bit of mystery. It definitely was not for the stellar service, gleaming decor or amazing coffee. It was because I was going to brunch in the area with my wife and another couple. The other couple had limited time to eat brunch, so we met up before the brunch restaurant opened for some coffee. First, service is terrible. There was only one person work long there at the time we arrived. When we entered l, she was fiddling with a coffeemaker and didn't acknowledge us. We waited a few minutes and politely said "excuse me" a few times. We got no reaction from the woman working behind the counter. Then after waiting, she finally acknowledged us. We then each order. I ordered a cold Double Red Eyes and a cherry danish. Without me asking she heated the danish us in an old microwave. Then one of my friends ordered a latte, but instead she got a hot coffee. She stated her order of latte twice, but woman repeat back "coffee" to her two time, and then poured the coffee. My friend thought it was pointless to send the drink back. Also, the the hot coffee my friend got came in a single cup and without a sleeve. It was so hot it was hard to hold. We couldn't find any sleeves. It also took a long time to complete our simple order. Second, the coffee and danish were just ok. My cold double red eye was decent, and had a lot of caffeine. However, microwaving the danish ruined it. I didn't want it heated up, but I wanted it fresh and flakey. Instead I got it warm and chewy. It had almost no taste. Third, the decor was dingy and old. We took our coffee to go, but the atmosphere was dark and it was clear the place had not been spruced up in a long time. On the positive side, the price was somewhat reasonable. For four coffees, two of which were espresso drinks, and the danish it was less that $15.00. In sum, you can and should skip this coffee shop, you would be better off going to Starbucks down the street on Lincoln or one of the other good independent coffee shops of North Center or Lincoln Square. read more

Red Eyes Coffee - Double Red Eye - Cafes Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

One poor old woman having to do EVERY SINGLE order that comes through the door. Not sure if she was the owner, worker or a family member of the business but wow-- not a way to run a business. She desperately seemed like she needed help as a line was quick to form, over, and over again. The quality of the drinks suffered because of that. The place lacked cleanliness as well and for that reason alone I will not be returning to this place. read more

I got a coffee there and stayed for a call. The coffee is ok. Seems like a nice place for locals. read more

Red Eyes Coffee - a patio with chairs and tables - Cafes Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I was surprised at how much space is inside this place! I didn't spend much time inside because it was beautiful outside and they have a nice patio area. The older couple that run the place are very kind. I ordered an iced chai, and a black and white cookie. Both items were delicious! The black and white cookie might have been the best one I've had yet. I think I found my new go to coffee shop! read more

Red Eyes Coffee - Iced chai with a black and white cookie. - Cafes Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I had some time to kill before an appointment near by, so I decided to stop in and grab a tea. This is a super cute coffee shop with a nice selection of pastries and coffees and teas. It's very quiet to relax, but there is also plenty of room for groups. I think it would be great for a book club meeting. The hours don't seem clear, as the owners decided to leave several hours before the scheduled closing time. They may have had an emergency, so perhaps it was just a rare early closing. I'd definitely check out if I'm in the area again! read more

A calm and relaxed coffee shop with delicious breakfast sandwiches and great coffee. Unpretentious and comfortable. Fast WiFi and quiet make it a perfect spot for reading, working, games, or catching up with someone. Highly recommended! read more

Great little place with great prices. I really enjoy coming here. It is slow pace and nothing fancy but the vibe makes up for it. Much better than the big places. read more

I came to Red Eyes Coffee to work for a few hours before meeting with a client. I love trying independent coffee shops and hadn't ever been here before, but I will definitely be back! The music was quiet enough that I could concentrate on my work. They also had a bunch of tables to work at in addition to couches/chairs for reading which I really loved. The service was great - I got a decaf white mocha and a blueberry muffin. The mocha was ready quickly and they warmed the muffin for me without my having to ask. The other great factor was that their wifi was really fast. This may have been a reflection on the fact that I came at 3pm on a Wednesday so there weren't many people there, but in any case I appreciated it. read more

Red Eyes Coffee - Medium decaf white mocha and a blueberry muffin - Cafes Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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To begin with, I'm a huge fan of the neighborhood. If I were to have put down real roots in Chicago (wife, kids, house, all that stuff), North Center was a contender. It has its own unique appeal, Brown Line access, quiet, tree-lined streets, grocery, parks, shopping, restaurants, festivals, bars, and Red Eyes Coffee. Yep, I could have been very happy here. But, I got the heck out of dodge. But, before I left, I had the chance to enjoy a pleasant afternoon at REC. A means by which I judge any coffee shop is by their... sweets. Yes, coffee's important but fattys can't live off coffee alone. Give me some sugar (I *am* your neighbor). For research's sake, I ordered the blueberry banana bread and the double chocolate chip cookie. The bread was tremendous. Moist, packed with fruit and complete with a slightly hard (sorta caramelized) crust that I love on breads (banana, pumpkin, zucchini), this was a winner. I only wish I had a bigger piece. Not because the piece I received was small but because I'm a fatty. The cookie, too, was packed with ingredients, thick and nicely-sized. It didn't rewrite the playbook but it brought no shame to the cookie name. I suppose I needed something to wash down my goodies, so I also had the ginger bread chai tea. Now this may have been my sugar overload. Know that the large cups come in those giant coffee mugs that shared top billing on F*R*I*E*N*D*S with La Hair. As I sipped on my cup, sat on my slightly wobbly chair and gazed around at the purposefully mismatched furniture, I had no doubt that someone out there would be there for me when the rain starts to pour. REC has a wonderfully warm, homey vibe that's accentuated by the nice baristas, chill clientele and window on to Lincoln Avenue. I found my Chicago coffee shop home eight years too late. read more

We were in the area, and dropped in here for some Intelligentsia coffee. We did not buy anything else on this visit. They have a cozy, comfortable, and inviting setting and I could have been comfortable here for hours (if I had that kind of time to hang here). It would also be hard for me to give less than 4 stars to any place that serves Intelligentsia, as it usually indicates a quality place. read more

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I had to change the oil in my car and I saw that there was a place that sells coffee and I entered. I found it super comfortable I felt at home. Super detailed the place and while I was drinking my coffee I saw that I had a printing machine and soon I did everything in one place. Very convenient. There's where children play. Super cute the place! read more

Red Eyes Coffee - The entrance - Cafes Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

This is a newfound fave! It's such a cute little cafe. There's a lot of space (although a little tight), but the ambience is great for working. There's a ton of food options as well. The couple the run this place are also so sweet! read more

This place has a ton of potential. As for the coffee and food it is great. The actual seating area could use some love because it is packed to the gills with stuff. Fake plants, desks, a random table with an umbrella, so many tables you can barely get around to find a seat.. Clutter is a huge pet peeve of mine because it just seems chaotic to me. I do love the windows and found a nice table by an open window with my back to the rest of the crap so was able to get some work done. I do wish they would just get rid of some of the furniture and update some of the appliances/cups etc, my water came in a glass that used to be a clear green but is now scuffed with age and has a nice black burn spot on the bottom... All in all it was a pretty good experience though I doubt I'll be back. read more

Cute little cafe in walking distance of home...hooray! Pros: Awesome outdoor seating, they even have electric outlets outside for laptop usage. Free wi-fi that's quick and easily accessible. Empty. You will have no trouble finding a quiet table with an outlet and relative privacy. Staff was really nice and attentive. Cons: My iced mocha was bad. I mean sour and waaaay too chocolatety. Bummer. Limited food selection. I ordered a piece of spinach and swiss quiche with a spinach side salad. The quiche was burnt and the salad was just greens with a syrupy raspberry dressing. Not worth $6.50. Loud children, which is not their fault, but they have fro-yo so these things happen, several times during my visit at least. I will be back, just won't order a coffee based beverage! read more

Red Eyes Coffee - Cafes Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Very simple - rock solid food and coffee. Convenient location. You can't beat it. I'm a sucker for a breakfast sandwich. I got a sausage/egg/cheese bagel and it was HUGE and delicious. Good coffee too. Amazing way to start a day! read more

Red Eyes Coffee is a small but unique spot. They are set up like a traditional coffee shop and have a wide variety of beans, coffee drinks, teas and pastries. What I really liked about the hour we spent there were two things. First, the service was outstanding. There was only one person working the counter, but it was late in the afternoon when we arrived so it was not crowded. Secondly, their seating area consists of couches, relaxing and comfortable chairs and tables. They do offer wi-fi and there were a few people around who were on their laptops working or playing. And, let's not forget the coffee was good too. Fun, comfortable and relaxing. This is a great place to decompress after a long day. read more

wonderful neighborhood coffee shop. amazing and satisfying breakfast sandwiches & REALLY affordable coffee. would definitely recommend!!

I usually come here for a cup of strawberry yogurt with honey oat topping and sit by the window. The place is very pleasant compared to the contempory coffee place. They have a selection of sandwiches and cookies. The outside tables are a content arrangement for privacy and comfort. There is a couch and living room setting that feels to personal and crammy for me but if you have homework or can take a nap in public thats the area to sit in to the way far right inside. To the way far left is the band set up area for musicians to perform. I like the place because its a long stretch from fads and fashion and its quiet. read more

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There's a cute older couple working here who were very friendly. I had an iced latte and a breakfast sandwich, both were yummy! It's a no frills type of spot but they do still have milk substitutes here in case you don't want dairy. I enjoyed a spot on the patio, my favorite part was when they closed for the day but didn't kick me off the patio, they gave me a lock and chain and told me to lock up the table and chair when I'm done. Love that. I'll be back for sure! read more

A nice environment for a good Saturday or Sunday evening to work on your school work or work work. They have pastry, ice creams and coffee.

This lovely neighborhood place has become my default coffee joint when I'm looking to study or do some work for awhile. (They also fixed the front door since my last review!) Also, whenever I want to enjoy some coffee outside, it's my go-to place - they even have outlets at a couple outdoor tables! This is definitely not a fancy or pretentious place, so if you're looking for latte art or fancy pastries, you'll be better off elsewhere. If you're in a rush and looking to pick up a quick, in-and-out espresso drink, this is also probably not your place. The owners are a sweet, older couple, and they take their time preparing drinks from the menu, which is fairly extensive for such a small place. They have several sandwich options, as well as several breakfast pastries, quiche, and yummy desserts (I count 5 kinds of cheesecake as I sit here writing). I usually come and get a double espresso and a pastry and sit for a few hours doing work on their wi-fi network, which has been reliable every time I've been here. They also recently added a PrintWIthMe.com printer. Pages are $1 each so I doubt I'll be using it often, but it's nice in a bind. If you're looking for a coffee shop where you can work, study, read, or just hang out for a few hours without any pressure and like supporting small, local businesses, this might be up your alley! read more

This is a really comfy place with a large menu and ample tables. I recently visited and realized I had dropped my keys at some point t before arriving. The owner was super kind and helped me look, offering me a cup of tea. read more

I've only been here 2x but I knew on my first visit that I would soon become a regular. This place is cozy, spacious and relaxing. The owners are very welcoming and friendly, albeit a little slow. I do not mind and neither does anyone else that has come in here. I've only ordered their regular coffee black and their sandwiches which are all delicious. There are plenty of spaces and types of seating to suit anyone's needs. There is free wifi which works very well on my laptop. When I use my iPhone I have to constantly reconnect when I idle -- I don't know if it's a mobile or iPhone specific thing. They serve a wide variety of foods and drinks -- such as fresh fruit smoothies, all types of caffeinated beverages -- speciality teas, coffees, lattes and stuff; cakes, muffins, cookies, biscotti, cheesecake, pie; sandwiches, quiches, ice cream + banana splits and more. If you are in the area I would definitely recommend you drop in, grab s coffee and pastry and people watch. Types of people this place is perfect for: 2 friends catching up over drinks, families + kids, people needing a quiet place to study/work/read, people who love to people watch (there's outdoor seating), small groups who want to hang out and people who want to grab a cup of coffee and support a small business. read more

Red Eyes Coffee - View of the counter. - Cafes Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Run by a very sweet couple and great staff. Ample seating, great location anywhere you sit, inside or out. Coffees and Teas. Sandwiches, pastries, cookies and ice cream too. Want to say (A to Z) apples to zucchini, but of course that's way to much. They do have a lot of choices. read more

All things considered this place isn't bad. It's not terribly expensive and the food and drinks are all as tasty as can be expected. Granted, the service is a little slow and any more than two people in front of you in line is just unbearable. But what really knocks this place down in my book is the patronage and ambiance. The place is what one might expect if Sylvia Plath and Georgia O'Keefe joined forces to buy a coffee shop and then furnished it completely from an IKEA catalog. I suppose this just isn't my type of joint as the majority of patrons are the types who own dozens of scented candles and are members of Hyacinth of the Month clubs. Not a bad café, just not one in which a strapping 26 year-old bachelor would enjoy spending much time. This is a good place to go if... you are scouting coffee house locations for a Lifetime movie of the week. read more

Perhaps I was too quick to judge... I've been to Red Eyes five times in the last four weeks, and every single time I've had to request they reset their wifi router. I've seen other customers beat me to it. Today I watched six patrons get up, take their drinks and leave once it became clear the wifi was having problems and wasn't responding to a reset. She had a customer get on the phone with the wifi provider (HotPoint) who after having him troubleshoot it, asked him to tell her it was just that their system was overloaded and backed up. Then it was my turn to grab my drink, pack up, and head elsewhere. Red Eyes has one of two problems at the moment, if not both: crappy wifi and management that doesn't seem to care enough to get a new provider. It is absolutely costing them business. read more

I am on a bit of a cafe jag these days. I work long hours on the weekends; can barely stay up past eleven pm; and no longer indulge in anything smokable, snortable, or injectable. How I became a fine upstanding citizen is indeed somewhat of mystery, but I digress. Alas, caffeine is about the strongest substamce I am imbibing these days. I LOVES me my tea and crumpets and have decided to visit as many independent cafes as possible this year to really get the flavor of the local coffeeshop scene. Red Eyes is a sweet little space on the cusp of North Center and LIncoln Square. They have a nicely varied menu and the desserts looked scrumptious. Ice cream lovers will appreciate the range of scoops available, and the specialty drinks were awesome. I had a cup of tea and sat by the window to people watch and just soak up the atmosphere. The counter staff was superfriendly, but I didn't really like the boring tea selections and the wooden chairs were murder on my crappy back. I will definitely come back when I am ready to order up a big slice of something yummy and fluffy, or sip a soy steamer. read more

I find this place a little bit weird. Every time I'm in there, I get a strange vibe, whether it's from the owner or the other employee. Both, by the way, are very slow at making espresso - we're talking 5 minutes for a 2 shot latte. Product is pretty good - they serve Illy's mostly - but their drip tends to be scaldingly hot. Overall decent, but there's something going on here that I can't quite put a finger on. read more

Red Eyes has never been crowded when I've gone in. I just hope the 18 other coffee shops in the area don't run it out of business. If you're alone and want peace it's the perfect happy medium between Julius Meinl to the north, crowded and frightening for solo diners, and Starbucks on Irving Park to the south, sterile and too many capri pants. Nothing needs to change about this place except maybe the quiche, it could be more flavorful. But even this doesn't deter me from my weekly visits re: their smoothies are awesome. I've had their original "turtle" drink (coffee, peanut butter, chocolate) and it was very, very, good as well. i'm interested to try their homemade lime soda. The decor is a little corny but what did you expect with the blinking Christmas lights out front? Embrace it and soon you will be singing along to Cat Stevens and sculpting pottery at the studio next door. read more