Perkolator — Restaurant in Jefferson Township

My experience today at perkolator is one that unfortunately has lost my interest in this cafe. According to the cashier, the system had issues swiping transactions. The lady in front of me was standing for 5 minutes, trying multiple times to get her transaction through. Once I got to the cashier, I told the lady I’ll pay in cash. She took my order, an ice matcha and chai latte, and took my name. She put it into the system and I handed her a $20 bill. She gave me $5 and something cents back and threw out the receipt. The two people behind me got their order before I did. Finally the barista across the room yelled something about a transaction and looked at me. Please keep in mind it was pretty loud so I wasn’t sure if she called me or not. I go up to the barista to confirm if this is my other. She said yes, I thanked her and left (the barista acknowledged). I walk out of the cafe and a customer runs after me telling me that the workers said I forgot something. I was confused because I had my two drinks. The barista and cashier confronts me that my transaction didn’t go through. I tell them what transaction, I paid cash. The cashier declined that and exchanged some words with the barista. I told the cashier I gave her $20 bill and she gave me $5 bill and something cents back. She still didn’t believe me, honestly at that point it seemed like she was embarrassed to prove that she was wrong. She said “sorry” finally, still uncertain and that’s all. I walked out pissed from here. What do they mean I didn’t pay if they take orders/payment first before making a drink? They lack customer service values. The fact that they made it seem like I stole out of their cafe makes me sick, just because they don’t have their business skills put together!! I’m always for supporting local businesses but this is a big...

Just as sure as the fresh java is toasty and roasty, and the staff never fails to please, Perkolator ranks as one of the best coffeeshops in Chicago, city or suburbs. Owners Joseph and Melissa Basilone have succeeded in creating a comfortable, welcome environment: flooded with light, festooned with plants and adorned with photos and art that rotate regularly and spotlight local talent. The music doesn’t blast you out; smart, white bags of house coffee blends line the shelves; the weathered hardwood floors and cheery conversation beckon you back. I’ve done some of my most productive writing on deadline and for books here and Perkolator remains high atop the go-to list where other coffeeshops have fallen by the caffeinated wayside. What else to say? The bakery snacks are yummy (you can get a banana instead if that fits your diet). The WiFi zooms along, fast and reliable. And the charm is undeniable. I fill up journals regularly and there’s always a Percolator sticker donning the next one. It’s a cute, smiling coffeepot straight from a ‘50s cartoon. People ask about it. I tell them about the shop instead.

Will I be back at Perkolator? Maybe, as you’re reading this,...

I come here quite frequently and all the products are excellent in quality, but what disappoints me is the service time. I know that service is quite slow, so I always order ahead online when I’m getting any food. However, even when I order at least 15 minutes ahead of time the food is still not ready when I arrive and I still have to wait maybe another 10-15 minutes when I’m in store. I know this is a small business, so I was hesitant to post this review, but I do think there is much improvement to be done after my wait today. I ordered online as I usually do, and when I arrived as usual they told me it wasn’t ready. I had a meeting to get to so after about 10 minutes of waiting I followed up (another customer was as well and asking for a refund) and they apologized and said they would check on it. It turned out that as I was waiting, the order was ready about five minutes prior and sitting in a bag on the counter with no one having called it out. I ended up being late to my meeting even though I had accounted for their slow service in my ordering ahead. I really like this business, so I hope their...