Colectivo Coffee Evanston — Restaurant in Evanston Township

Best beans you can get without schlepping down to Loyola. Union shop, which is a big plus in my book. Half the staff are cool and the other half think they're cool, which is standard for a north shore coffee place. Just wish they didn't use Solo cups for takeaway. I mostly buy beans and only get something premade if I have time to sit and drink it there.

Update: over the last year or so, things have really deteriorated here. Prices have gone up, as with everywhere. But the quality of coffee and baked goods is now pretty low compared to other local or small-chain places. Also, the hostility of the employees has gone through the roof. One barista simply refuses to speak to customers. I've encountered them a few times and it's always the same. Today I purchased a bag of beans and a pastry. Usually they'll ask if you want your beans ground. But I knew not to expect that with this employee because, again, they don't speak to customers. I use the app and it's never clear when it's time to scan in, because they seem to have to enter something on their screen first. I asked and, of course, instead of saying, "okay, now" or something, she just tapped impatiently on the scanner. The price came up (she didn't announce it, natch), I paid (and tipped generously, because I'm an idiot) and said thank you. No reply. Another employee standing nearby handed me my pastry and thanked me, looking a bit embarrassed on behalf of her coworker. As I was leaving, I noted that the app hadn't in fact scanned correctly or registered my points. Did I dare go back and mention it, risking the wrath of the Silent One? Nope. Instead I just walked out and won't be walking back in. A shame. But other good places in town now--Coralie, Reprise, Pour--no need to subject myself to this kind of rudeness. The teens and undergrads still flock there, so I'm sure Colectivo won't miss...

I experienced a very disturbing situation at this coffee shop. I love to patronize local businesses when I travel since my daughter is a Northwestern student, I have been looking for a place in the area, and this one had pretty good reviews, so I thought I would try. After today’s experience, I will not be back, and the situation left me feeling so icky that I thought it necessary to share. There was a table of a few young ladies studying with items they purchased from the shop. A third young woman walked in with a small bag from another coffee shop, and he immediately said that she should not bring in outside food and drink. First, with this being a small local business, I understand where he was coming from, and to have said it once and left it alone would have been appropriate. However, he continued to make an issue of it by coming to this table repeatedly and even grabbing a sign and pointedly reading it in front of them. His actions were unnecessary, and I was extremely uncomfortable watching this unfold and could see how uncomfortable the girls at the table were. The scene he made was uncalled for. He was so loud that almost everyone in the shop turned to see what was going on. It makes me wonder what his true...

I was so super happy when I found the Colectivo in Lincoln Park, that I went there at least 3 times a week in the summer to study or just chill. The coffee isn’t to die for but the staff cared about how it was prepared, which made all the difference.The Lincoln Pk location has the best vibe...Evanston not so much and I live in Evanston, which sucks. Most of the staff are friendly and accommodating. However, managers with curt attitudes, poorly executed food preparation and NO diversity in staffing sends a clear message that Evanston’s location is sub par. They have gotten rid of popular food items, and almost always have a line with only one register open. Their excuse, home office changeover. Well it would seem the changeover has a team that has chosen to turn what was once a great regional coffee spot, into a regional chain that, per the usual puts profit over customer service and authenticity.... on its way to Starbuckstown 🤮Thank goodness Evanston has so may coffee shops to choose from. Colectivo lost this once...