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.

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 husband and I love to explore little towns in Illinois. El Paso was adorable. This coffee shop…read moreoutshines any I have ever been to. The ambience was A+++, the avocado toast was so yummy and my vanilla ice coffee was perfection. The service is warm, friendly, and fast. I will come back.

Java Café is such a cozy little spot in a quaint town. I had the veggie avocado toast and it was…read morefresh and flavorful. The veggies are served raw per the kitchen and it worked well, though I do wish there had been a little more avocado. Still, it was delicious and satisfying. I paired it with the rooibos hibiscus tea which was light and refreshing. They also have self serve water and a clean up yourself setup which keeps the vibe laid back. Food is served during breakfast hours only, but they do keep a grab and go refrigerated case stocked with premade items if you stop by later. Staff were friendly and kind, and the atmosphere is extremely inviting with plenty of nooks to settle into. One of the highlights is a painted chess table that adds to the artsy charm and is perfect for a photo. They also have a shaded outdoor patio if you want to sit outside. Definitely worth stopping in if you are in the area and looking for good food, tea, and a comfortable place to relax.

Who knew vikings could brew up some delicious coffee…read more On a day trip to Bloomington, Emily and I picked a random coffeehouse off my list of ones I have yet to try and we landed on Viking Brews. We both didn't look it up beforehand so we had no idea what we were getting ourselves into. As we pulled up, I was surprised to see that there was an attached Viking Liquors and there was a gaming parlor inside as well as a spot for ice cream. I was starving for both food and coffee, as was Emily. But we had birthday lunch plans so I grabbed my usual Americano and decided to get a bagel to hold me over until we got to the restaurant. Emily grabbed a latte concoction that she made up based on the menu offerings. We took a seat at one of the couple tables available and waited a few minutes for our drinks and my bagel. I kid you not........ this was the best bagel I've ever had. Most of the time, a bagel will be dense and tough to pull apart while eating. Not this one. It was light and fluffy and full of flavor despite being a plain one. They use these for their sandwiches and it really makes me want to come back and try one out. As for the coffee, the americano was really good. Nothing to really highlight besides it being about what I prefer from one. Emily was really happy with her latte and I gave it a sip and it was indeed really tasty. The baristas that were working all had to be in high school but had stellar customer service. I asked them for a few of the stickers they put on their cups and they kindly hooked us up. All in all, Viking Brews would be my go-to spot for americanos if I lived in the area but sadly do not. It was a great start to a day full of shenanigans and lost cellphones. Stay caffeinated, my friends.

From the owner: Products: Americano, Coffee, Cold Brew, Espresso Shots,…read moreFrappes, Hot Latte, Iced Latte, Latte, Hot Chocolate, Hot Coffee, Iced Coffee, Bagels, Pastries, Sandwiches, Fountain Drinks, Tea.

Sally Sue Peruvian light roast has been the only coffee I bought for 3 years . It's positively…read moredelicious and I recommend it wholeheartedly

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.

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!

I was pleasantly surprised, this coffee was good!! BMI is a small airport and im so glad they have…read moresomething like this instead of a starbucks. I got the vanilla late iced with oat milk :)

Great little coffee shop. I expected a Keurig or instant Folgers in a little airport like this, but…read moreit wound up being such a pleasant surprise. Good coffee, great selection, and good snacks. The barista was also way more pleasant than I expected at 5:30am. Love this airport.

Barista (good looking quiet guy with longer hair) was wonderful. He was very knowledgeable of their…read moreselection of drinks and pastries. Enjoyed the cookie I had as well as my drink. Ambiance was good, but looking at their website showed a significant use of Artificial Intelligence. Personally, I don't like supporting companies that take away jobs from creative digital designers and give them to soul-less robots. Also was told by a friend that they have Al generated Tee Shirts and other merchandise... minus one star for AI use Barista and food: 10/10 Al use: 0/10

Coffee (ordered the matrix) is amazing! The atmosphere and specifically the bathrooms are ABOVE the…read morelevel. The bathrooms were not only immaculate but they literally had everything you would ever need in a bathroom situation, including baby wipes!!! So accommodating! This place, it's atmosphere and its cleanliness is at the level or should I say above the level. Anyone who says otherwise is a curmudgeon!

One of the best coffee places in town and they have two locations. We always pickup a bag of Red…read moreDog when we stop in as it's our favorite to brew at home. Tried this pistachio raspberry pastry today and probably one of the best things I've ever eaten!

What a cute local coffee shop! I just admit, when I am home I rarely go out for coffee, but when I…read moredo- I am going to find a local small business. I was suggested the Coffee Hound by a local while I was in town for an IEA event, and I was pleased with my purchase. I appreciated the open support of the LGBTQ community in the signage, and the service was very friendly. I went with an ice vanilla latte- my starter beverage everywhere- and it was great. If you like your coffee sweet, I'd ask for some extra syrup- but it was perfect for me. The next time I'm back in Normal I'll stop in here again for sure!