Chicago’s Logan Square is now home to one of Intelligentsia’s newest cafes. A low bar with stools sits in the middle of the shop, with sparse white, angular booths at the windows. The back wall is covered with a birds-eye drawing of the neighborhood. The shelves are stocked with magazines. The diner style counter seating is something I really like, and there are a few cafes with similar layouts in New York. It’s a nice compromise between table service and the limited staffing mandated by the typical cafes’ slim margins.
I was only in for a few minutes during a recent business trip, which was just long enough to try their Ethiopia Yirgacheffe brewed as an espresso. After 10 minutes of dialing in, I was glad I waited – perfect shot, sweet and juicy. Wish I had more time to linger with a drip coffee. Following the trend at other locations, their tea menu is given equal weight on the menu and is worth it if you need a break from coffee.
One thing I’m curious about: what’s the neighborhood like? I wasn’t there long enough to explore like I usually do. Hit the comments and let other readers know what’s good in the neighborhood!
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1 comment
hannah says:
Sep 16, 2014
logan square is quickly becoming my favorite neighborhood in chicago. if you’re in on a sunday morning/afternoon, the logan square farmer’s market is excellent. gaslight coffee, not far from this intelligentsia, is fantastic, as is ipsento coffee. irazu costa rican restaurant is wonderful. the chicago diner is a great stop for both vegans and their carnivore friends. city lit books is one of the few independent non-used bookstores in the city, with a single location and tons of great readings / events. galerie f is a must for art. the comfort station puts on great events. scofflaw, billy sunday, and longman and eagle are great spots for craft cocktails, while revolution brewing makes some great beers. no shortage of spots for libations, so others to check out include the double urban tavern, the emporium, and the whistler. i could easily go on, but the area is DEFINITELY worth exploring beyond ls’s intelligentsia.