Red Cup Cafe & Deli — Restaurant in Chesterton

I have been coming here for several years every once in a while, but after yesterday I am not sure I will ever return. I entered the cafe to find one customer in line ahead of me, though she had already placed her order but continued to chat with (what I assume was) the owner. They continued their casual conversation for at least 5 minutes before I was even acknowledged. Granted, I wasn’t in that much of a hurry so I was patient. I proceeded to wait and eventually got my order in. I then stood to the side and watched one of the other workers attempt to build my sandwich—a simple 2 ingredient sandwich, ham and swiss— which somehow she managed to mess up entirely, adding all sorts of different ingredients. Ten minutes had passed since she started the sandwich and then she finally realized she had made it wrong. I have worked in the food/restaurant industry for over 10 years, and I have never seen anyone move so slowly in a restaurant setting. Additionally, something that really stood out to me was that she had put gloves on, but then continued to touch everything around her — dirty rags, door handles, cleaner spray bottles, pens, etc— and then touch several different sandwiches, mine especially, (squishing them down and just handling them more than necessary) without changing out the pair of gloves. She also kept leaning over into them, letting her hello kitty sweatshirt touch the sandwiches on the prep line. I waited 30 mins for a sandwich that shouldn’t take longer than 15 mins to make start to finish. The sandwich came with chips and it looked like they gave me the bottom of the bag. I finally tried the sandwich, which I barely had an appetite for by the time I got it after watching her touch it so much without washing hands or changing gloves, and it wasn’t even good. The ham tasted old. I didn’t even finish it. Not worth the $14 I paid. Needless to say, I will not be back, and I am very sad to say it because I always loved coming here. The environment was always nice and they’ve always played great music. If I had to give advice, I would say train your employees better about sanitation. I seriously couldn’t believe how slow they were moving either. Do...

Cute and eclectic as you enter this restaurant. Unfortunately new owner runs like a home hobby of only a one counter staff, serving overpriced coffee and bagels I could have at home. Honestly, too long of a wait for overpriced basics. I eat out for what i dont have at home. And the shakes are way overpriced, are you kidding? I don't even pay these prices when I'm downtown Chicago. So please hire in a staff with these prices to expedite our wait. Or lower the prices, pick one. Bring in some quality not basic. UPDATE: We came to visit the European Market as we do ofter and thought to try Red Cup yet again.... Okay its been a long time, we strolled in to give this establishment another chance. We ordered 4 different smoothies for the entire family. Mine tasted like absolutely syrup out of a bottle😝 definitely was not natural it tasted like somebody added a ton of sweetener to it. It was so sweet I couldn't take more than three sips. We have children and even the children said they'res was too sweet and would not finish them. Prices still high and we all threw out each smoothi. On our walk back to the European Market. 🙄😓😤😝 we enjoyed Island Nutrition smoothie booth across the way, wow so fresh! Mind you, all of my reviews in my history log are positive, i usually find a positive...

Whether this was the proprietor’s intention or not, it feels as though the Red Cup was plucked off a Seattle street corner and placed right smack in the heart of Chesterton. The ambiance is equal parts warm, inviting, lively, and hip, rife with upbeat conversations against the background noise of espresso machines and assorted equipment hard at work, and is without a doubt the best place in town to wait out the rain, or recharge on a sunny day.

And with an ample beverage selection, from the classics such as a pumpkin spice latte, to exotic green tea frappes, complemented by a breakfast and lunch menu consisting of mouth watering quiches of the Swiss caramelized onion and bacon mushroom variety, you’ll find yourself hard pressed having to order only one item.

Plus I was fortunate enough to chat with the owner in passing, and I must say Laura gives off the impression of being someone who’s all round cool, not just to work for, but in general. She pointed me in the direction of some must see attractions while in town and then went back to debating the best hiking trails with her staff.

*btw I arrived post lunch rush, hence the less than full display cases...