Portage Grounds — Restaurant in Jefferson Township

A couple of comments here... The staff was great, the location clean and pleasant, but the only thing I really have to complain about, and is really the entire purpose to leaving this review, is that the coffee was terrible. Now, it's not that they used some moldy coffee or that they bought some Bargain Bin coffee and try to pass it off as their own, but what it was is this flavor I've noticed taking over coffee the past decade or two. I don't know if it is some kind of artificial selection that's taking place and is making a certain type of Bean over run the genome of coffee... Or if it is just a particular type of Bean or what, but I first noticed it in the cheaper coffee my parents buy when I visited their house maybe 15 years ago... then began noticing this flavor creeping into many "better quality" brands throughout the 2000's into the teens...

I can't describe the flavor I'm referring to, but it's more acidic, and has a lighter color to the bean and the brew...

Sorry for the rant there, but this is so.ething which has irked me for a long time. And it appears to be taking over. There aren't too many bean producers out there who don't have this flavor creeping in.

Thank...

Neighborhood coffee shop that I wanted to like better than I did. Call it a high three star. Was celebrating its 6th anniversary when I visited. Converted restaurant of some sort at edge of a parking lot. Three small tables and one large one inside, plus another half dozen on a patio. Four easy chairs and a couch inside as well. Two of the walls are floor to ceiling glass - one facing east so let it blinding sun on the Sunday morning I was there. I hid at the one shadowed table. Concrete floor, walls painted grey, white ceilling. A few bits of wood and brick. Lots of neighborhood fliers on the north-facing glass. Alt rock a bit too loud. Lots of outlets. Wifi with posted password. Lots of walk-in traffic picking up coffees, plus people hanging on patio. Clearly a neighborhood meeting / chatting place. Good selection of loose leaf Rishi teas, though not a chai. The chai latte is Rishi syrup which I know from past experience is too sweet for me. Substantial pastry case but completely filled...

Authentic and Exceptional Coffee in Chicago

As a coffee lover and someone who brews specialty imported coffee at home, I can confidently say this coffee shop is a true gem in Chicago. The espresso here tastes exactly as it should: authentic, perfectly balanced in body, aroma, and flavor. The color is spot on, just as a proper espresso should look—none of that burnt or bland taste you find elsewhere.

This is the only place in the city where the coffee truly tastes like real coffee. No unnecessary bitterness, no "waste-like" flavor—it’s fresh and crafted to perfection. Every cup speaks of quality and freshness, which, for me, is priceless.

The atmosphere is another highlight: small and cozy, yet with a warm vibe that makes you want to linger and savor every moment. If you’re a true coffee enthusiast, this is a must-visit spot. Here, coffee isn’t just a drink; it’s an experience. Highly...