Spoken Cafe — Restaurant in Lake View Township

I wanted to support local businesses. I stopped in and ordered from their specials, which was a pizza bagel. I ordered the pizza bagel for a breakfast sandwich (the cashier talked up their delicious pizza bagel) and another different breakfast sandwich. Many minutes later I would say approximately 4-5, a man came in and ordered. He also ordered a pizza bagel. He got his order and left even though I ordered first. He got the last pizza bagel. The staff waited until he left to tell me they were out and that I should pick another bagel. They never offered me the upcharge difference because the pizza bagel was more expensive until I had to ask. I was extremely upset because no one had informed me and I ordered a significant time before the other customer behind me. If they had offered the sandwich I didn’t want for a discount or had been nice I would have given a 3 star review (their sandwiches were very average for the amount they charge) but they were rude about the whole process explaining to me they run out product. Well don’t advertise it, have me buy it, sell it to the guy behind me, then not offer to give me my money back for the upcharge until I have to ask. This was over 1 year ago so I have had a lot of time to think about this moment that made my whole day bad and I am still angry about the way they handled it. They messed up, I didn’t get what I ordered and they still made me pay for it. They gave me the option to return it for a full refund but they had already made both sandwiches and I wanted to support small business. I should have returned the...

We stumbled in this place on a rainy day after getting off the metro. We weren't sure what to expect, but it was busy, so we took a chance, because a busy place typically equals a good place. We mostly wanted a snack lunch and some coffee, and we ended up with more than a snack and plenty of coffee! Now we entered around closing time, but that didn't change the employees, including the owners attitudes. We tried multiple items, one being the Turkey Reuben (A+ sandwich) and another one we customized (also A+ sandwich), and we had to try cookies-- the AMSTERDAM cookie, we would drive back to Chicago just for that cookie alone, but we also had the truffle stuffed chocolate chip, also would drive back to Chicago just for that cookie. Let me cut this short, its worth it. All of the food including the house-made pickles, the service, the atmosphere, its a place to be and a place to support! Also, the owner, who I did not catch his name, even though I think he was wearing a name tag, was the definition of hospitality for my family. He even sent home multiple extra cookies and bagels for us to have. To finalize, would go back to Spoken Cafe any...

The food is very, very good so it's worth it for that. The service leaves a LOT to be desired or the staff just have a special vendetta against me.

I used to go and place my order directly with the staff there. Until they yelled at me and told me to order online. So I started ordering online, now they ignore me when I go to pick-up my order.

Recently, someone cut me in the pick-up line, they noticed and served her anyway (not a big deal). When it was my turn, they ignored me again. I decided to go into the order line where they then yelled at me for not being in the pick-up line. If I'm not waiting 5-10m with my food sitting in front of me while the staff intentionally ignores me, I'm being yelled at. What's the point of online ordering?

I'm really not sure what it is about me, personally - I really don't want to make this about my identity, but literally no one else is treated the way I am. I'm really not sure if I should continue visiting this place.

Edit: not sure what Covid protocols have to do with toxic staff yelling at and belittling one customer in front of others, but the manager’s tone deaf response cemented my decision...