The Avondale Coffee Club — Restaurant in West Chicago Township

Owners seem totally disengaged from this place. Staff are extremely friendly and try to make up for it, but it's pretty obvious if you're a regular. There's often times only 1-2 people working, visibly stressed trying to get orders finished. Used to frequent the Evanston location and the difference is night and day for staffing, so I'm not sure what's up with that. That said: everyone I've talked with there is very kind and does a good job of making people feel welcome.

Atmosphere is fine, though there's a few busted light fixtures, and things like the furniture and decoration generally seem "worn down" a bit. The back patio in particular could use a refresh.

Coffee is great (I'd probably place them above 4LW, but below Metric personally). Pour overs are pricey, but generally what you'd expect if you're "in the scene"

Food seems like an afterthought, no outright issues with the pastries etc, but it's the same stuff you find at other spots like Gaslight. Dark Matter on Belmont is probably more the place to go if you're looking for a quick snack.

MAJOR ISSUES with the bathroom, pretty insane to ask people to throw human waste in the trash bin because "your pipes can't handle toilet paper." Completely insane. Don't bother trying to hang around too long with...

I'm not writing this just to be negative; I never write reviews. I'm writing this in hopes that this will influence the future of this business. $30 for two people to have maybe 2 donuts and an average coffee is too much and neither are spectacular. I end up spending at least twice as much at this "coffee for everyday folk" place than I would at other coffee shops in the city (and not just small mom n pop shops). I've had inedible baked goods from the glass case that I'm guessing were just sitting too long or touching things of a different variety but ended up tasting very funny. The lattes are hit and miss depending on who's working and for what I pay that just isn't acceptable. The prices don't reflect the area or the "everyday...

my first visit was phenomenal the barista was kind and welcoming and overall, my partner and i had a great time sitting and sipping. the second time around wasn’t the best unfortunately, we come back and see a different barista, i ordered a pour over that intrigued me and this barista felt the need to immediately warn me that the drink “doesn't come with cream and sugar” when i didn’t even ask for any, which kinda rubbed me the wrong way because i felt their approach wasn’t the way to go about it and just left a sour taste. as a fellow barista, it’s never our place to tell a guest how they can/ can’t enjoy their coffee. personally i would suggest them trying it first and see if they like it that way, but never keep it...