Metropolis Coffee Company — Restaurant in Lake View Township

Good coffee got this place 3 stars. I enter the coffee shop and went at the counter started ordering, cashier was wearing a mask which was making him/her inaudible, not only once but I wasn’t able to hear her 5 times in an approximately3 min conversation which was slightly irritating. Secondly his/her standing position was absurd, leaning on the counter top with elbow support. And she didn’t even greet me nor she smiled at me once, i got the feeling of an arrogant owner. Coming from laguna beach, CA. Service here in chicago sucks. I ordered a croissant and a coffee usually croissants are warm, they’re kept warm. My croissant was cold and they didn’t even warm it up and served without napkins. Thirdly: the outdoor seating. Outdoor seating is not clean there is alot of dust on the tables and chairs. Lots of garbage on the ground near the outdoor seating area. I know i might sound like a lunatic here, but laguna beach has best patios and outdoor seatings, I understand chicago is cold. But today was 65-70 degrees F. Which was quite warm, the weather was perfect for outdoor seating. This last point might be irrelevant or they’re just to careless about their outdoor seating. I don’t if people in chicago like to sit outdoors in summers, but summers deserve outdoor seating. If the keep it clean whoever wants to sit will sit. It’s hard to be perfect, but it never hurts to try. I liked the coffee tho, but the croissant, service and outdoor seating sucked. Let’s have a look at their restrooms. Okay the restroom is clean and tidy, but the lock wasn’t working. Inside ambiance is amazing. I like it. I got videos of everything you guys can check it out. I also got the standing position of...

If you live in Chicago, you very well know where all the "hotspots" are. This also includes where you can get a great cup of coffee from a local mom and pop shop.

Enter Metropolis Coffee Company.

When I was house hunting I knew I wanted to stay in the neighborhood of Edgewater. One great feature of where I live is this coffeehouse. It's been voted many times as the most popular coffee in the city and they even get customers from all over the country.You know they sell the best coffee when other local coffeehouses sell Metropolis Coffee as well. Even some of the hotels downtown offer this coffee for their guests. This place attracts students from the nearby university, parents with their toddlers, the mobile office worker, and groups of friends catching up. It's the ultimate example of the neighborhood coffeehouse.Metropolis is known to roast and brew their own coffee,which means you can get a freshly roasted cup of coffee each time. The baristas are friendly and know their stuff. Taking a bag or two home is available for those last minute visitors you want to impress.The coffeehouse is cozy,warm, and always decorated with local art that you can also purchase. Pastries and other delights are available to accompany that hot cup of java. And of course, free Wifi.When the weather is nice, you can take that coffee to go and walk just a few feet towards the lake. Metropolis coffee in hand walking along Lake Michigan is truly paradise!So if you happen to be venturing on the Northside of Chicago, this is the place to be. Good coffee, good atmosphere and best of all, it's local. It's truly the anchor of this neighborhood and a good representative of what Chicago coffeehouses...

I come by nearly every day I am able. The coffee is, without question, the very best in the city, and I have been to dozens over the years, ordering double espesso, taken without milk or sugar. I am especially a fan of Metropolis' rotating "alternative" espressos, and the baristas here take the time and attention to do things properly, which is a true rarity.

If there is a problem dialing-in the espresso, which sometimes happens depending on weather or other factors, the workers have never rushed to serve me a mediocre cup (as most places do) but instead apologize for the delay and do it right. That is why I come to Metropolis. You would be shocked to know the various ways that other, even well-regarded places, have messed up.

Of course, the atmosphere is lovely, the art and merchandise is top-notch, the bathrooms clean, the pastries delightful (including pies, I think, from Hoosier Pie Company), but as far as coffee goes, this place gets all the fundamentals correct. The Red Line espresso blend is a consistent old friend, but the single-origin coffees really shine in their complexity and charm. Unlike many roasters, Metropolis does not burn their beans, typically roasting to a light-medium. (I would prefer occasional selections roasted even lighter.)

There are other good roasters in Chicago, of course, but none has as fine a cafe as Metropolis, with such attentive baristas. The cafe is the only reason I have not purchased my own proper espresso machine: why would I try to do it myself, when the lovely Metropolis cafe, with their expert baristas, and the attentive, ever-present owner, can do it so...