The Understudy Coffee and Books — Restaurant in Lake View Township

Normally an extrovert, I find myself quite comfortable in spaces filled with strangers, and yet the moment I step into The Understudy Coffee and Books, I feel myself shrink back to the socially anxious pre-teen I once was in high school. Why you may ask? Well, let us think back onto who I was back then, an outgoing chunky Asian girl desperate to be liked but dreaming to stand out. A show choir kid who loved anime and books but hadn't written anything in years. Queer but afraid she wasn't queer enough to wear the label proudly. I had forgotten about this girl, over the years. In adult life, I've found confidence in straight spaces, not quite pretending to be someone I wasn't but also not being daring enough to be audacious with who I was. Stepping into The Understudy, I glance at the wall of community flyers- trans pop-up closets, starving artist movers, and LGBTQ parent adoption- and I observe the baristas with their unique style and friendly faces. And I am confronted with a feeling of both an intimidation of coolness and a lurching desire to belong. I go to order my oat milk latte and my credit card is declined, I feel my face burn with embarrassment as I am about to turn around, go home to where the coffee is free and the kitchen is closed. The young man with the round glasses and curly mullet smiles at me, and says "Don't worry about it. I got you." And I look at him, "Really?" He's nods, and I shyly thank him and walk away. Community is where you don't have to worry if you belong, you already do, the voice in your head that says you don't is the only thing keeping you from walking into that door way. As I sat on the velvet green couch, enjoying my delicious drink, I marvel at the books written by local writers, play recommendations given by local performers, and flyers advertising local shows. I watch friends catch up over coffee, people enjoying books and croissants alike. And I still feel a quiet buzz-one that tells me maybe safety can feel scary sometimes if you've never known what it felt like to be in a space where you can be yourself. And safe community spaces like The Understudy Coffee is definitely a place where you can both feel the excitement of a city and the love of a...

Gonna start with the positives. Came to this place a couple month ago for a coffee date with my wife because of the cute ambiance. They have decent book collections on one side. However, the drinks are mediocre at best. We got cold brew and ice americano. Both are weak and felt very watered down (aka ice melted half way through. They serve Metric, so I know it’s not the beans cuz I had way stronger coffee at other shops that serves metric). Was considering giving them another try just in case it was just one occasion, cuz so many people in the neighborhood rave about them.

Second bad experience came last night. Went to see a show they put on. 10min behind schedule, but was told by a staff they don’t do late entries”. Well this very much rubs me the wrong way, given the fact no such information was provided online when purchasing a ticket. This not only feels gate-keeping and pretentious for such a small venue, but the fact the show was about a pop punk icon and her discography, and here they are doing the least punk rock thing, by keeping things rigid, and abiding by western construct of time. I find the irony hilarious.

Long story short, if you wanna go do work at this place, cuz you find the ambience appealing and don’t care for the coffee, good for you. If you are looking to find something real and kickass underneath all that facade, please go elsewhere. Cause This place IS the Great Gatsby y’all, if you catch my drift.

Left a 2 star. Just in case, my two time off-putting experience was somehow biased...

Hello everyone! I recently discovered an amazing coffee shop in Chicago that I simply have to recommend. While they don't roast their own beans, they definitely offer some of the highest-quality ones around (Metric). Plus, they have some seriously cool accessories and swag that are perfect for any coffee lover. It's a fantastic spot to work, read, or simply relax with a delicious cup of joe.

The atmosphere of this coffee shop is just perfect. It's cozy and inviting, and ideal for young people looking to unwind or get some work done. The lighting is spot on, and the music they play sets a great tone for the day. The staff are also incredibly friendly and knowledgeable, making the experience even better.

When it comes to the coffee itself, I ordered a pour-over and was blown away by the rich and bold flavor. It was brewed to perfection and left me wanting more. I even ended up purchasing a bag of beans to take home and make my own cup of coffee, and they were absolutely fantastic. Also they have very cool accessories and swag - they've got everything from trendy mugs to cool t-shirts, so you won't want to leave without snagging a little something.

Overall, if you're on the hunt for a great cup of coffee in a relaxed and inviting atmosphere, this coffee shop in Chicago is the perfect spot. With high-quality beans, friendly staff, and some seriously cool accessories, it's sure to become your...