The roasters writing the coffee scene in Chicago: who they are, where they source from and where to drink it.
The roasters writing the coffee scene in Chicago. who they are, where they source from, and where to drink the result.
Intelligentsia Coffee in Chicago is the third-wave roaster founded 1995 by Doug Zell, with Black Cat espresso as its signature roast and a flagship cafe.
BeansEthiopia, Colombia, Kenya, Costa Rica, Guatemala
BrewsEspresso, Filter, Whole bean retail, Subscription
TipThe Direct Trade catalogue rotates by season; subscribe to the cupping-room newsletter for first access to new microlots.
Metric Coffee in Chicago is the West Town roaster from Xavier Alexander and Darko Arandjelovic, operating from a former blacksmith shop on Fulton since 2013.
BeansEthiopia, Brazil, Burundi, Honduras
BrewsEspresso, Filter, Whole bean retail
TipThe Fulton Street cuppings are open to the public Thursday 14:00; arrive 10 minutes early for a seat at the bar.
Sparrow Coffee in Chicago is the Naperville-born roaster's flagship cafe in the Fulton Market on Green Street, with espresso flights and Saturday public.
BeansEthiopia, Colombia, Honduras, Bolivia
BrewsEspresso, Filter, Whole bean retail
TipSaturday cupping at 11:00 is the value play: two coffees, a 45-minute talk through origin, free with a cafe purchase.
Big Shoulders Coffee in Chicago is the Noble Square neighbourhood roaster on Chicago Avenue, with single-origin pour-overs and a small Chicago Avenue cafe up.
BeansEthiopia, Colombia, Rwanda, El Salvador
BrewsEspresso, Filter, Whole bean retail, Subscription
TipThe Chicago Avenue cafe doubles as the cupping room; ask about the seasonal-roster bag before the website lists it.
Dark Matter Coffee's Star Lounge cafe on West Chicago Avenue serves the roaster's bold single-origin and signature blends in a long-running West Town space.
BeansMexico, Honduras, Ethiopia, Colombia
BrewsEspresso, Cold brew, Whole bean retail
TipThe Star Lord blend is the everyday espresso; Unicorn is the seasonal showpiece. Buy both bags and decide at home.
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