SO GOOD! I had never been to the area and was actually going to go to Cosi's for a quick bite, then I saw reviews for this place and checked it out. Soooo tasty. I had the breakfast burrito and mexican hot chocolate, both were honestly fantastic. I even bought a loaf of their 7-grain bread because it was so amazing. GOTTA check this place out!
(5)
Candice G.
Doesn't serve beer. Does serve great coffee in monster beer steins. I can dig it. I was hungry and didn't realize their menu was all vegetarian with several vegan options, otherwise I surely would've ordered more than just a vegan red velvet cupcake to eat. My cupcake was suuuper stale and the frosting didn't really tickle my fancy, but the cupcake base was still damn decent and we had no problem downing it in no time flat. Like, if it were a movie, it would star Nic Cage and Angelina Jolie because that ish was gone in 60 seconds. For beverage, I jumped right into my standard Chai Tea Latte while my partner got a beer stein of their house-roasted java. He lurved his and mine was spot-on fantastic and not too sweet like so many places make it. Inside, this joint is HUGE. And they have new product tasting tables on some Friday nights. They had a breakfast and deli menu and the counter girls were gorgeous, indie, and I could just tell they had brains to boot. If I were a college co-ed, this is def where I'd come to meet a real girl.
(4)
Christiana T.
I'm vegetarian and would visit my boyfriend who went to ISU (I live in Chicago) some weekends. He found this place online when I was coming to visit and we decided to check it out for breakfast. It was about a 10 minute walk from his place. It's a quaint shop that has a lot of vegetarian/vegan options. The food is decent but not the greatest. It is one of the few places in the area that has vegeterian/vegan options. The service is generally prompt and the staff is nice and helpful. My favorite part is while we would eat our breakfast, there are boardgames that you can play. It became our tradition to have breakfast here and play Scrabble. This place holds many memories. My boyfriend no longer attends ISU but we do know some people who still live in BloNo. If we are ever in the area, I know we will stop by once again.
(4)
K M.
My favorite coffee shop in Normal. Very friendly atmosphere, a nice place to hang out. The breakfast sandwich is grand, they use some in-house spicy tofu sausage stuff that is irreplaceable. Lovely business!
(5)
Chelsea W.
I go here a lot, but my reasons for going here versus Coffeehound or Fusion Brew are probably not what you'd expect. I like Coffeehouse because they have a big selection of food. The other coffee shops in town just have pastries or oatmeal. I like that Coffeehouse has both food and coffee, because that means I can hang out there for a long time, get my work done, and not starve. Big tables and space are also a huge plus for me with all the stuff I carry around. It's nice to be able to spread my books and laptop out. Be careful when you get a pastry, muffin, or anything else in that freezer. I got a stale muffin with mold on it one time. I told the girl up front about it just so she was aware but I didn't see anything done after I talked to her. Their coffee is decent. Drinks like the Thai (stuff that's not just your straight cup of coffee) have a lot of cream/milk in them.
(3)
Martin V.
The food is pretty good (vegetarian, but they have eggs), but the service is sloooow.
(3)
Nannette P.
When I found this place in college, I felt immediately at home, as it reminded me of my favorite coffeehouse Ivetta's (RIP). And also, I wasn't going to succumb myself to the dormitory cafeterias with powdered eggs and mashed potatoes when I could just as easily pay for some delicious oatmeal with blueberries or breakfast veggie burrito wraps. The coffeehouse is located right in the heart of "downtown" Normal, a huge space with lots of seating, booths and tables, and outdoor seating during the nicer months. It's a really great space, boasting the ability to use a huge booth to spread out and do homework, and not quiet enough to feel like you're in a library, yet not loud like you're at a noisy restaurant. It was my perfect space to go by myself for a nice meal or meet up with a girlfriend for a coffee break between classes. They have a delicious array of coffee drinks and espresso concoctions, pressed tea, and European bottled beverages. The food is primarily healthy, and is mainly vegetarian. I used to live off the blueberry oatmeal, burritos, and veggie burgers. I only wished my meal card could be used here! But, the prices are super cheap, even for a broke college kid. The best thing about the coffeehouse is that it attracts an array of people; from collegiate kids and teachers, to locals who appreciate the homemade, healthy alternative to other generic restaurant options in and around the area.
(5)
i love dogs S.
Simply the best. I'm pregnant in Japan right now and all I am craving is the C House spicy tofu sandwich, sausage breakfast sandwich, hummus and pita - and the list goes on. It is nothing short of torture to crave these things an ocean away. What I would give for a teleportation device right now. I might even consider trading my first born for the spicy tofu sandwich right now. Yes, I want it that bad. Damn these hormones!
(5)
Patrick M.
The thing I love about the Coffeehouse is that it is real. I've been there on a Monday and had the best veggie burrito of my life, and a few weeks later had a sub par one. It may sound strange, but having that balance is much better than going to a Panera and getting the exact same (pre-made) thing every time. The atmosphere is great (eavesdropping on pretentious intellectual wannabes ranting about one thing or another is fun!), the price for what you get is incredible and the location is perfect (sad to hear they are being forced out by the yuppy "uptown normal" movement!). I used to be a vegetarian and would go here often - but it has great food even if you are not! Don't let that scare you away.
(4)
Nora P.
Three stars for organic & fair trade and free internet. But what's with the plastic forks and swizzle sticks and scary plastic creamer containers and no raw sugar? It's like 'we're vegan and recycle so we're Green'. Doritos and coke aren't exactly Eco-friendly. But pretty good for Normal, Illinois, I suppose.
(3)
Annmarie G.
As a university student, I am forever grateful that this place exists. Here, I can study, eat, and get copious amounts of coffee all in one place - perfect for a long study session. Both the drink and the food menu are extensive, and you can order anything from breakfast to pastries to lunch items. The food is above average (although I've never had the baked goods so I can't really say anything about them), and you get a LOT of food for your money. The decor is very laid-back, giving it a homie feeling, which I love. If you are with a group of friends, you can either take one of large retro booths or one of the large heavy-duty tables. Or, if you are by yourself, you can take one of the small square tables. there are different types of furniture for all occasions. So why the three stars? Because, after visiting coffee shops in Champaign-Urbana that also serve food, I think that this place could do a little better. The coffee is good but nothing compared to CoffeeHound, the coffee shop down the street. And while I love the vibe of the place, I think some things could be updated or redecorated to make it better. Coffeehouse is a great place to go if you are looking for a low-key place to study or meet up with friends. It's not for everyone - I wouldn't take my grandma here -, but it is definitely a great place to try out if you have never been.
(3)
Max H.
Dirty, loud, and overpriced, and the tacky dumpster decor makes it intolerable. I live right behind it, but I'll walk a mile across campus to get a coffee before I come here again.
(1)
Cindy Z.
Average coffee, nice ambiance, cheap and somewhat inconsistent food. My choice spot for long study (cramming) sessions throughout high school. The baristas are really friendly. Their light/dark roast is pretty mediocre, but their flavor of the day (PB coffee!!) tends to be pretty good. The food is pretty simple, but I have gotten burnt pancakes multiple times here. It's a cute place with a lot of local art and local music on Friday/Saturday evenings.
(3)
Kelly S.
Disappointed. The place only had 4 other diners in it when I visited on a Friday night at 5:30. There was no one at the counter when I entered and it was at least 3 or so minutes until someone showed up from the back. I ordered the daily special mac & cheese which had grilled onions, mushrooms and zucchini. It came with garlic bread which was chewy and barely warm. The mac and cheese was on the mushy side and just had the veggies dumped in a pile on top. Pretty sad.
(2)
John P.
I am a huge fan of coffee, always looking to try new coffee places. Today i tried the flavor of the day, the Mexican dark roast and it was very average. I expected a better tasting coffee. I wont give up yet though. I will go back and try out additional things here and update my review if my opinion changes.
(3)
Katie H.
This place gets worse every time I go. The first time I went, I was excited to go to an all-vegetarian place in central Illinois, which is scarce as any vegetarian knows. Well, now they're even more scarce because The Coffeehouse has added meaty deli sandwiches to their menu. If you eat meat that probably doesn't bother you, but they're still advertised as a vegetarian establishment even though they are not. Another minus is that they're advertising a vegan sandwich made on honey wheat bread. Honey is an animal product, so the vegan sandwich isn't even vegan and that's vegan food making 101. But this is the same place that would not stop bringing me real butter with my vegan pancakes, so I guess I shouldn't be too surprised. Those two reasons are enough for me to question if any of the vegan food is vegan. The food gets worse over time, something is always dry, things are overcooked, portions are small. There are enough vegetarian/vegan options in B-N now that The Coffeehouse is pretty much only above a steakhouse on the list of food places i'd like to eat. I can even go to Biaggi's with my family and they will work out a nice vegan meal for me.
I just want to point out right off the bat, I've been a regular to the coffeehouse for at least 4 years. I have been a big supporter and have tipped on almost every order, but if not I always tip at least per visit. Today I wanted to mention that I will no longer be a patron of this place. Although I enjoyed the food, the coffee, and the crew, the owner is a horrible person and is the sole reason I will not come back. Out of nowhere and asked me if i ordered anything besides a water. I had told him I ordered a coffee and meal several hours ago. He then noted recognizing me as a regular and then walked off, no apology for being accused as a freeloader. I was incredibly embarrassed after all the business I gave them over the years and the recommendations I gave to friends and acquaintances. I am hoping that someone else will take over the establishment, because I will not come back until then.
(1)
James S.
The best thing about this place is the vegan chocolate cupcake. Other than that, the food is bland, the cashiers are awkward, and many people have said they have seen cockroaches. Use this quaint uptown location to sip coffee and work on your laptop.
(2)
Sam B.
I am only reviewing the Coffee house portion of this joint. I am far too carnivorous for the Deli. The Coffeehouse's Coffee is lovely and inexpensive compared to most coffee houses. You walk in and you have an option of the light roast, dark roast, or specialty. Everyday they have a different blend on the grind, so it is hard to give a description of the brew. I do recall, however, my favorite roast of theirs is the Ethiopian Blend. The coolest thing about this place is their roasting of their own coffee, so it is always fresh, local and you know you cant get it anywhere else. Exclusive! They have local shows, however, they do not have a liquor license. BYOB would be awesome here, but we all know how conservative Normal IL is I have fond memories drinking coffee, smoking cigarettes, and having some great conversations here on many a rainy afternoon when I went to ISU.
(5)
Shana A.
Amazing food. So good. Service was terrible, absolutely terrible. If they could fix that I think they'd do a lot better.
(3)
Suzanne T.
I was already in a bad mood when we stopped there to eat after camping at Lake Bloomington for 2 nights and I was really in need of coffee and a hearty breakfast. I am not vegetarian, but gluten free. It always annoys me when people who are into dietary fads or exceptions are not aware of what "gluten free" means. It's fine that they did not have any gf pastries, but the counter girl--who seemed like she was asleep or on medication--really did not have a clue. It took me hunting her down 2x to get silverware and the drink my daughter ordered. The food was good, average. The pastries and pancakes were dry and unappetizing. I liked the Thai iced coffee I had. Since there's so little to choose from in Normal, I can see myself stopping in and giving it another try someday if I am in the area. I really liked the vibe of the place. I was just really, really annoyed by the airheaded service.
(2)
Trista T.
All Vegetarian, but will satisfy the whole group! They still have a full breakfast menu of pancakes, french toast, breakfast burritos and quesadillas, eggs in a nest, and so on. We saw some sinful pastries as well! Coffee and tea, obviously, and Mexican hot chocolate too!. Everything tasted fresh to me; I had the breakfast quesadilla. I will absolutely be back!
(5)
Jessica H.
This used to be my favorite restaurant :( Unfortunately, over the past few years the food has gone downhill. My biggest complaint is that they used to serve the BEST veggie burger in the country, but a few years ago they replaced it with a gross, orangish burger. Sometimes you can still get the old style veggie burger if you ask to substitute the 'sausage patty'. I did that a few times, but they used a very small patty and I ended up with mainly bun. I used to order the original veggie burger at least once a week, often twice! Please please please bring back the original veggie burger :) I did buy some of their veggie burger mix, but I don't know how to cook, so it just sat in my cupboard :( The specials can sound really good, but I am trying to learn my lesson and stop ordering them because I think they make the specials one day, and offer them the next day if they haven't run out. If I get special that was made that day, it's good, but I've had too many 'misses' to take that chance again. Also, service can be a big slow at lunch, but you should have plenty of time to eat and return to work if you have an hour lunch. Here's some good news. The Coffeehouse has a great vibe! It's a very chill and relax atmosphere. Although, I've noticed a lot of people just order drinks, and they really should give the food a try :) The Spicy Tofu Sandwich is yummy (although pretty small, could do w/ more tofu. A small side would be nice too, like a scoop of tabouli salad or something). My significant typically gets the Bean and Rice Burrito. He loves it when they crisp the tortilla. The Biscuit and Gravy is good--but also very rich so be prepared to save some as leftovers :) The Tofu Scrambler is a huge and delicious. Give the Coffeehouse a try :) And if you do, please do me a favor and help ask them to bring back their original veggie burger ;)
(5)
Bob C.
Funky and fun. Great food and nice staff
(5)
Kyle R.
Extremely average vegetarian food at a pretty good price (six to eight dollars for an entree). Don't expect anything mind-blowing and the fries need seasoning but you could do worse. If The Rock is closed for some reason you should go here.
(3)
Laura B.
The vegan baked goods are amazing! Love this place! Lots of space, great coffee and free WiFi.
All I can say is CoffeeHound down the road is we're you should go! Don't waste your time on this joke of a business! Very shady business ethics.
(1)
Courtney G.
We stopped here on the way back from Chicago. Everyone wanted lunch so I used my trusty Yelp app to find a decent place nearby. This place had good reviews, so I was pretty excited about it. Well, it ended up being WAY out of our way, so by the time we arrived I was praying it would be amazing. It unfortunately was not. I will say that the reviews for local places are done by people who live in the area, and this is a major college town so I'm sure the local students love it. It was exactly the type of place I remember from college, kind of hipster with an eclectic mix of people and decor. There were families, young kids with books studying and kids with skateboards at their tables - very interesting. It was a diner type of place, very casual kind of cafeteria feel. You ordered up front and your food was brought to your table. I guess I wasn't paying close attention when I was searching my Yelp app, but this place is completely vegetarian, which did not fare well with my fellow travelers. Since we did drive all the way there, we decided to give it a shot and hope for the best. I had the spicy tofu sandwich, which was pretty good but not as good as I expected after reading the reviews about it. My hubby had the taco salad with 'meatless' taco meat and he was not a fan (it didn't look appetizing anyways) and my parents had the pesto tomato and egg salad sandwich. They both enjoyed theirs, but it wasn't anything special. I hate to say it, but it would have been better for us to stop at the local Subway right off of the highway, and I'm usual all about trying new places. Maybe its a great spot for locals, but not for out of towners. However, the area is very cute.
(2)
Alex P.
Went specifically for the vegetarian fare. The veggie burger with bacon and cheese was alright. But the fries that came with it were weird. Like they were cooked in something sweet. My wife's patty melt looked okay. But the same problem with her fries. Ambiance was odd. Mostly people at laptops by themselves. Lots without any food or drink. Wasn't my kind of place.
(2)
Aron A.
Good atmosphere, hipster to the max, but a good place to chill. A couple disappointing factors that came I to play for my visit. 1-Small variety of coffee. 2-They do not offer pour over method coffee. 3-Coffee is served in a beer mug :( They live up to the 'deli' in their name, but not the 'coffeehouse'. For coffee go to coffee hound or garlic press.
(3)
Rusty D.
why this place isn't on the coffee and tea locations I don't' understand. The coffee is roasted here and the place is friendly, but funky. Sometimes the things don't work out so well that they cook. The wide range of coffee drinks make it a morning stop for me each morning. The pricing is below what most coffee places charge and the espresso is great. The baked goods are fresh each morning and the walls have local artist exhibits most of the time. Get this place on the coffee and tea list in addition to the vegan cooking.
(5)
Jesse W.
I just moved to town and I'm very excited to have a veggie/vegan place that's also a great coffee shop and really cheap. While I wouldn't say that anything I've eaten here has been truly amazing, it's all been pretty good and, as a vegan in Bloomingon, it's hard to beat the options and price tag (many meal-sized items under $5). As far as breakfast goes, the vegan pancakes are surprisingly good. Updating a previous reviewer's concerns, they still don't have vegan butter (a bit odd), but if you order them vegan they'll serve the pancakes sans butter without you having to make a special request (perhaps they learned from your review?). I also really enjoyed the tofu scramble. The vegan hash wasn't as good, but not bad. The potatoes were cooked very well, but the assortment of veggies seemed like an odd combination to me. The veggie bacon is OK, and I quite like their take on veggie sausage. For lunch I've tried the guajillo veggie burger and the spicy tofu sandwich. The veggie burger was pretty good. Again, not among my favorites ever, but pretty good. I'm not quite sure why the spicy tofu sandwich is dubbed "spicy" as I certainly couldn't detect a kick anywhere. Nevertheless, it was tasty enough, especially since it came served on very good homemade bread. The fries are "oven" fries - so far as I can tell fresh-cut and baked. The vegan red velvet cupcake is solid. Haven't tried the other vegan baked goods yet. They also serve ice cream and I hope they add a non-dairy option at some point. Finally, one reviewer remarked that he was confused and/or put off by the fact that many of the clientele were solo on their laptops. As per the name of the joint, the place is first and foremost a coffee shop. And a good one at that. It's a great place to go and work/study/read/chat for an hour or three and enjoy a cup of coffee and/or cheap, good, vegetarian breakfast or lunch along the way. I wouldn't go here expecting a traditional full service restaurant.
(5)
Dan E.
This place looks just like a coffee house you would expect to see on a Main St in the Midwest - I mean that in the most complimentary way. It's a cool, local place. That's one of the main reasons my wife and I stopped in. We were looking to grab some coffee and possibly some breakfast. She ordered a hot coffee and I went with an iced coffee. The prices here are beyond cheap. I paid a $1.25 for an iced coffee - I think that's the cheapest I've ever paid. But, the coffee wasn't very good. I think that's the most important part. So...we were standing by the counter reading the menu and then it finally dawned on me. This is a vegatarian/vegan place. Duh - for not realizing it sooner, but they don't really try to advertise it. Yes, I know tofu is the like the main food throughout the menu, but when you're not looking for it, it doesn't jump out at you. This was not what I was looking for. The place was very inviting and cool, the prices were great but it just wasn't the type of place I was looking for. Some of the baked items looked very good, though. Oh well - you can't win 'em all.
(2)
Andy M.
Many things and places have changed in downtown Normal bigger but not necessary for the better this place has remained a staple. the closest thing to a true independent Seattle coffee house you will find in the midwest. Normal has to find a way to Always preserve this business and resist a starbucks ever coming to downtown area. Same with Bloomington, This place is all vegetarian too which is cool unless you are a meatatarian.
(5)
Alison B.
Vegan friendly restaurants in Bloomington-Normal are certainly few so I appreciate the Coffeehouse & Deli's effort to offer vegan meal options and dessert. However diner beware as many of the options marked vegan are not necessarily so. For example, the vegan chocolate chip pancakes, the chocolate is not vegan and not marked as such on the menu. Also the vegan pancakes were served with dairy butter and not soy butter. I was told by a waitress that they do not offer vegan butter. The vegan cupcakes are delicious and so is the tofu sandwich. Just be sure to ask plenty of questions while ordering because their vegan options could use a major vegan makeover!
(2)
Elisabeth H.
I adore this place. Used to go to it all the time to hang out with friends. Their food is delicious and their coffees are incredible. They also make a damn good London Fog Latte, which is Earl Grey tea, milk, and vanilla syrup, for the uninitiated.
(5)
Chris R.
Not good. Poor service. Poor food
(1)
Austin A.
I love their specialty coffees. Great food, great people and fair prices. If your ever in up town Normal (ISU) and need to kill an hour or two. Stop in here and grab a bite, get a drink, and meet some new people. If ISU were to have a nucleus this coffee shop is probably it. Good energy is what you will find here if your into that kind of thing.
(5)
Rebecca K.
Somewhere along the line the hiring guidelines seemed to shift from "cute, friendly hippie chick" to "bitchy hipster," and it's finally gotten to the point where I think twice about going here. The women running the register are rarely as friendly as the ones I met when I first started coming here (2003ish), and some of them are just plain rude - won't look at you, won't take a break from the conversation they're having with another employee, speaking as few words to you as possible, none of which are "thank you." The Coffeehouse really does serve the kind of food I want if I'm stuck near campus for a long time, so it's unlikely my business will shift to other restaurants for the most part. But I will make a point to bring enough to eat with me on long days, so I don't have to burden the Coffeehouse employees with my unreasonable requests for, you know, food.
(2)
Paul B.
To be fair, we didn't try their food, except a cookie, which was a non-vegan, non-gf, non-specific oatmeal raisin, though it was raisin-free... We did try the espresso, I got a breve, and my wife got a latte. Both were mediocre at best; mine was bitter. Another reviewer mentioned "coffee by the pitcher"; I suppose that says it all.
(2)
Ryan K.
Love this place! Great place to meet up with a friend or to study at. They always have a variety of different coffee flavors. I love the Vermont Maple Syrup and Chocolate Mint and for 99 cents a cup, you really can't complain. The quality is hard to beat. As for the vegetarian/vegan meals, I have not tried them, but I'm sure they are good. The desserts are exceptional and decently-priced. Stop in here, you won't regret it.
(5)
Megan A.
This has been one of my favorite places since the Fall 2006 semester I spent at ISU. Every time I was in town I made it a point to stop in after I was no longer here. Now that I have moved back to town I am so looking forward to the hours I will be spending here editing my novel, admiring the art, and sipping my much adored mexican mochas or hot tea. I tend to always order the spicy tofu sandwich and rice to eat, but everything i have ever tried off of friends plates was delicious as well. It's very possible that I will become a regular here again and be there nearly every day for breakfast or lunch. I've always enjoyed the atmosphere of the place as well. The customers and employees are always friendly and smiling, which is a nice change from some other places I have been!
(5)
Becky S.
Used to love me the Coffeehouse in Normal back when I was in college. I loved the vibe here- the wide variety of people, the artwork on the walls, the music. Yet another place in BNorm that I spent many hours studying and hanging out. Great coffee and vegetarian-friendly food. Just such a unique, hip, quirky, cool coffee shop.
(4)
Lauren W.
Really good coffee and specialty coffee
(4)
Kelz M.
So I said that Kelly's Bakery and Cafe is the only place I'll eat at when I'm in Blo-No... I was wrong. There IS one other place and this is it. The Coffeehouse is practically an institution (as much as one can be in McLean County, anyway) and what they offer is good. First, this is a true coffee house as coffee houses were originally intended to be. Yes, it's plain. Yes, the furniture is mismatched. It's supposed to be that way. The food is more than just decent, too - and this is coming from a meat eater. When I'm there, I usually have the hummous platter. Delicious. And they don't skimp on anything so big, big kudos to the folks at The Coffeehouse for providing good servings of good food at reasonable prices. I haven't tried the deli so I can't really review the quality of what goes on in there but, if I ever do, I'll add an update. For now, though, good stuff, cozy atmosphere and free wi-fi? Four solid stars from me.
(4)
Leanne M.
Totally a hidden gem for vegetarians in Southern IL. This place looks like a little normal coffeehouse (no pun intended), I even KNEW it was vegetarian before going there and I still thought I was in the wrong place when we arrived. Here's my big tip: Ask for a menu and just sit down. There's more than just the bagels and coffee up front. We tried the vegan french toast and tofu scram breakfast. Both delightful and very affordable. "The Coffeehouse" in Normal, IL. Yay for generic names and exceeding expectations!
(4)
Phoebe W.
The Coffeehouse was one of my favorite places to study, mainly because the library doesn't have Thai iced coffee and cheap food. It's also one of the few places in BloNo that have a vegetarian friendly menu. I miss their pumpkin bars with cream cheese frosting, quesadillas, burritos, soups, sandwiches, breakfast stuff... you pretty much can't go wrong. My only complaint is the quiche, which had too many onions for my taste.
(4)
Brandy B.
I really like this place. Its a pretty great place to go and read, write, study, or just hang out.
(4)
Dave M.
I stopped in here for coffee and sandwiches for the road. The coffee drinks were excellent and the sandwiches well prepared and very tasty. The wait is a little longer than some of the chain sandwich shops, but it's very much worth it. High quality stuff here!
(4)
Van M.
Things to know about the Coffehouse: - All vegetarian food - Free wireless internet - Good place to meet up with friends - Good place to wait for a train - Can park in the lot behind the building and enter in rear
(4)
Erin L.
I feel right at home here. No fancy decor like Starbucks. Comfortable seats and couches. It's like being at home but you're able to order food and coffee. All of the food is amazing and vegetarian or vegan. They even have vegan cookies and desserts. Their menu is as unique as it is good. Everything from Chili omelets to a Mediterranean plate with hummus, veggies and pita bread. Although I have moved back to Chicago, if I ever pass through Blormal I will be sure to visit again!!
(5)
Chef B.
if you're a vegetarian or vegan, this is more in your wheelhouse. While i like the coffeehouse's environment, I don't think their coffee is anything special. But i'm glad there's a hippie-ish place in uptown with plenty of space to spread out, study, read, whatever. From a food perspective, it's a match for some, not for me.
(2)
Thom Z.
Holy god! Christ is the food good. It is. Ok, maybe it's not "crucifix good," but it's good. This food has tided me over for about two years now. It's all vegetarian with a good selection of vegan food, as well. I've had quite a few items from their menu. Every "burger," the Mediterranean plate, all of the breakfast items and their coffee everyday for months on end! The coffee is ALWAYS flavorful, wild and delicious. It's never burnt, weak or distasteful. It's always amazing! The staff is super friendly, although they sometimes seems self absorbed and very exclusive, they generally treat their patrons with respect and discretion. My best advice is to try out the breakfast burrito in the mornings and the barbecue bacon burger in the evening. Don't forget to check out the poetry slam on the first Tuesday of each month.
(5)
Aj S.
The food is sub par. The service sucks. Waited 15 minutes for a toasted bagel with cream cheese, at which point I had to remind the staff I was waiting because they were talking about some concert or something. They then went and got it started, but of course they burnt it and my poor 4 year old was scratching the top of his mouth trying to eat the cream cheese covered brick. Staff acts too cool. Set up and decor of the place is weird. It's very dated. Truly soured what was a fun day at the childrens museum. Hop in your car and drive to Kelly's or literally anywhere else instead.
(1)
Rama D.
Being vegetarian, I guess it is surprising that I haven't tried this place sooner... The place is about as plain looking on the inside as it is on the outside. But it has a lot of different seating options depending on your mood and the type of group you're with. So I've only been the one time, but I was really quite happy with my panini. The greek salad that my companion had was VERY good. The prices were quite reasonable, at least compared to the nearby Cosi... Too bad neither of us was all that hungry :) Anyway, I expect I'll be there more often, particularly as the summer warms up and the sidewalk cafe becomes more attractive.
(5)
Regina C.
A nice vegan option of breakfast, service was meh, nothing stood out as amazing, but in a town of limited options, it's nice.
(2)
Caro O.
This has been a favorite for about 12 years now. I started coming here when I was in high school and throughout college. It's still a fave for me when I work remotely, I'll go grab lunch and work here for the afternoon. The decor isn't that great, but I have never been disappointed with anything on the menu. Quiche is great, pizza bread used to be a favorite, the hummus and mediterranean plates are great, salads are fresh and ingredients are great tasting. I hear they have a farm that is local so that they get all of their stuff organic from there. I have tasted about everything here from breakfast pancakes to egg salad to burritos to a patty melt - they are all great! My sister has to get a pumpkin bar from here every time she is in town. The ginger cookies are a fave too! Everything here is vegetarian and there are some vegan items too. The "meat" patties that they use on there burgers really do taste great, and are a lot better than many others I have tryed. Needless to say, I have been here a lot and think it's a great pick for breakfast, lunch, or dinner! (P.S. They serve breakfast all day until their kitchen closes at 7 pm!)
(5)
Meghan B.
Yes, yes, yes. As other reviewers note, everything is vegan or vegetarian, which alone is solace. Add to that the nice range of the menu (a page for breakfast, a page or two of sandwiches, burgers, etc), the cheap prices, and the excellent food, and I'm planning to make this a regular stop. Casual, diner-like vibe. No pretenses. And oh my gosh, I can order a vegetarian bacon cheeseburger. Yuuuuhhhmmmmm. A little deli is attached, with bulk spices, grains, and the like, as well as a great selection of their awesome, local, non-corporate coffee. I say yes.
(5)
Asaf O.
I liked this place. It is a slow to get your food which is why I did not give it 5 stars. It is no frills but you can sit and play on your laptop, read or chat with other students and no one is running you out. They have some unique things that are really pretty good. It is not a place that caters to pampered princesses but it is a good no frill place for a group of common joes to go and grab a bite and shoot the breeze.
(4)
Allan M.
This place was seriously, one of the best things about downtown Normal, and something I seriously miss, as I'm taking a break from Illinois State University(and stuck 21/2 hours away from here, via either car or train, dammit!). Loved this place so much(even despite being a non-vegetarian/'meatatarian'), that I can't think of ONE Chicago coffeehouse coming anywhere close to replicating the greatness of their pastries/desserts. I'll reserve judgement on how theirs compares to Medici's pastries/desserts, since I've heard so much about Medici's pastries/desserts from online reviews and ones on yelp, but've unfortunately, have never made it there quite yet(helps though that Medici's is opening a location in Normal, as I rarely ever can make it to Hyde Park). That aside, in addition to pastries, their regular breakfast and lunch kitchen menu is great. The pancakes they serve here are quite decent, plus they have other food items that are pretty damn decent, too(and similar to the other yelper who mentioned this, I also once ran down here to get food, before I took Amtrak up to Chicago, and to spare myself the hell of eating overpriced, crappy train food). And as everyone else has said, it's an excellent and very cozy place to study. I'm seriously jealous of all the people lucky enough to be moving in to Illinois State University this week for the Fall 2007 semester, and have the luxury of coming here any time of day they want. :( Only flaw I can think of this place is that I wish their kitchen closed at 9pm, instead of 8pm, but this won't stop me from coming here for the ambiance of this place. Besides, this place is so awesome, that I don't bother with going to overpriced Cosi often, or even going all the way to Veterans Pkwy. for Starbucks(never mind that I know Bone Student Center is finally getting one, and that I pray that ISU students resist that overrated chain as much as possible and continue to come here, as I know which place I'd rather patronize). Giving them 41/2 stars(or 5 stars, since yelp doesn't allow half-star reviews, to reflect how much I loved going here).
(5)
Paul V.
I can't believe the good reviews this place is getting I just went today and it was awful! First, i asked for a simple glass of water and the waitress told me to go get it myself from the water jug. I walked over to the jug and noticed it was empty. I asked again and was, again, directed to the water jug. After realizing it was empty they went and filled it up instead of just giving me a cup of water. After finally getting some lukewarm water from the jug I sat down and waited for a good 30-45 minutes for my food that would have taken me 5 minutes to make. When it was finally brought out the waitress (if you can even call her that) said "I hope you don't need knives because we only have plastic ones and you have to get them yourself." Seriously? It's a fucking restaurant get some real silverware and bring it out to your customers. I got a flavorless omelette with flavorless home fries and soy bacon that looked and tasted like beggin' strips. It was utterly disgusting. The decor was a disaster as well. The wall I was facing had dozens of nails sticking out of it as if they were going to hang something there but were just too lazy to do it. Overall this was one of the worst dining experiences I've ever had.
(1)
Stephanie V.
What's not to love about the coffeehouse!? I'm not just saying that because I used to work here...and it was the best job I ever had. This place is so unique and one of a kind, its really a shame that it was bought out by the town of Normal...BUMMER!
(5)
William W.
The Coffeehouse is one of the best places in town to go, book in hand, and spend several hours reading & drinking coffee. It feels relaxed and communal - the seating is relatively comfortable, with little nooks here & there for groups. The artwork on the walls is generally good, and always interesting. It's usually pretty quiet. Usually. Unless there's a live show, in which case it's pretty cool in other ways. When I was a student at IWU (and a grad student at ISU), I spent many hours here studying. The coffee is great, and everything is reasonably priced. There's tons of seating, and the desserts are outstanding. I love their blueberry muffins, and my wife swears by the vegan chocolate chip cookies. Meal-wise, it's hit or miss. Sometimes the food is pretty good, and sometimes it's kinda bad. Sadly, I've had more unpleasant food here than I've had pleasant food. My advice is to either stick with the specials - or go with a sandwich. Or eat somewhere else and come here for dessert and coffee. :) Still, as a coffeeshop - it's excellent. (Also - it has a deli attached to it that I quite simply had no idea existed until 2 years ago. You can get some great vegetarian stuff, like veggie-burger mix, and some excellent coffee.)
(4)
Joseph W.
My girlfriend had the veggie bacon cheeseburger while I ran down to Cosi to get my favorite salad. She offered me a bite and couldn't keep me away from it. This was really one of the best veggie burgers I've ever had. Get the bacon, it was great! The fries were just alright!
(4)
Adrian W.
One of the best places in Blo-No to sit down and catch up with friends, read a chapter or seven, eat some delicious snacks (i'm always a sucker for their chocolate chip cookies) or just people watch. I caught a performance here but luckily CoffeeHouse just stuck with what they do best and that's a quiet, arty place to go on downtime. hopefully students and Blo-No residents will realize that this is a better place to hang out at for a cup instead of Starbucks.
(5)
Rachel D.
I grew up going here, it's a great place to just hang out or to spend a while eating a meal. The atmosphere is relaxed and the booths are large and comfortable. The rest of the seating is at various mismatched chairs and tables. I've only had a handful of meals here, but everything I've had has been tasty. The grilled cheese with tomato is good, but a little oily/greasy. Everything at the Coffeehouse is vegeterian and many things are vegan as well. The coffeecake muffin is my favorite baked good here. The top is crumbly and slightly crunchy (in a good way), the inside is moist, and it's not too heavy on the cinnamon. Yum! The only beverage I've had here that I didn't like was the black currant tea. It was very bitter and definitely not my thing. I usually get the Chai, the iced tea, the hot chocolate, or one of the boxed teas. There is sometimes a music/poetry/etc event happening here, but you have to check the door for posters to know when. There is free WiFi here and there are several outlets, which is definitely a plus when you've got a laptop.
(4)
Emily C.
Yes - I drove 4 hours to get here on a Wed night Yes - I am drawn to impulsive behaviors and YES - this was well worth the drive, to me. They had some of the most delicious and rich Chocolate Vegan Cake and Chocolate Chip Cookies (of which I bought extra for sustinance of the long trip home). They also had a scrumptious grilled tofu sandwich and breakfast scramble. They sell some handmade candles, have a really ecclectic feel with mismatched tables that are super long. They could use a few boardgames for customers, that would make this 5 star.
(4)
tessa c.
i get cravings for their coffee sometimes still even though it's 2 and a half hours away! and their poetry slams are amazing and they booked alvin lau to come here! this is why you should love this place :) it's true the food isn't spectacular. stick to the hummus plate, the muffins, and the burritos. everything else avoid. now the coffee always saved my butt!
(4)
K S.
Years back... this was the place to go. Now it's just a major disapointment. The food is terrible and the service is worse. The counter girls seem very disinterested in helping anyone. You can see the cooks in the background... there was a guy cooking with long hair hanging in his face. No ponytail. No hairnet. I've seen roaches crawling up the legs of the tables. The place use to be a really cool place to eat, chill with friends, listen to music or poetry readings and drink endless cups of coffee. Now it's depressing to see what's become of one of BloNo's only cool places to go.
(2)
Becky B.
This is a great college coffeehouse. I had blueberry pancakes that were delicious, and the coffee was great. Not to mention this place is super cheap! I will definitely go back when I'm visiting.
(5)
Ryan S.
Pretty decent vegetarian food, and the staff is very nice. On the negative side, it takes FOREVER to get your food (at LEAST 15 minutes for a breakfast burrito?) and you may be overwhelmed by the scent of patchouli due to all the hippy-types that hang out there.
(3)
Martha Z.
Getting seating for 9 people on a Sunday morning during brunch hours, great. Aside from that, the coffeehouse was pretty awful. The breakfast burrito was ok. The staff didn't seem to have a clue as to what was going on. Our food took forever and came out cold. You clean up after yourself and the bins for the dirty plates and utensils was so full it was overflowing everywhere. Maybe I'm just bitter, all I want for breakfast is a giant plate of meats, and that is just something I won't find at this coffeehouse.
(2)
Jenna M.
The ambiance is all that matters, and the place is great for group meetings or just chilling on Wi-Fi and caffeine. They have lots of organic, vegan, and vegetarian dishes. Odd stuff like fat free french fries as well. Prices are just like any other Midwestern coffeeshop - $1.25 or so for a small coffee. They don't have as much alternative entertainment as I would like... In fact, their artists are so sporadic that I never caught one show there in 22+ years in Bloomington. Nonetheless, convenient to ISU and one of the only sit-and-chill coffeehouses in town (ie, not a Starbucks).
(4)
Coco C.
It's a coffeehouse - named "Coffeehouse"!!! Though the owners get one star in creativity (not even "The Last Drop"? "Central Perk"?), I will give them an extra three because of a tasty veggie sandwich I had here years ago when I was waiting for the train.
(4)
Lauren N.
The Coffeehouse has become a dear place in my heart, and I often find myself there more than twice a week. It's hands down the best place in town to bring your homework and spread out on a table with a pot of coffee. Cheap coffee, cheaper refills. The quality of the food is unpredictable, and depending on who is working, your order will either be flawless or just wrong. The vegan chocolate cake is decidedly the best (well, and only) vegan cake you can get in Normal. It is quite good, but also quite expensive. I love the hummus plate and accompanying pitas. (The Coffeehouse's baked goods are the pride and joy of the establishment.) Sometimes you'll be treated to some in-house entertainment. The best I saw was a trio of darling old men playing Brazilian jazz, but again, inconsistency abounds with the entertainment, and you might find yourself there on a Friday night for three hours listening to Blink-182 covers because you'd feel bad for leaving. Overall, a great place, perhaps mainly by default (there are no other 100% vegetarian restaurants in Normal), but still charming.
(4)
Tara T.
Very great atmosphere for alternative college students. A place to get your homework done while drinking pretty decent coffee. Coffee is cheap, different roast options which always nice! The food is not bad! But I would agree at times, inconsistent. I always get the breakfast burrito or spicy hummus! Both very good options. I don't know, a place on campus to get breakfast all the time is great in my book, and always nice to have a place that offers vegan/vegetarian options! Don't want to be sad in your apartment that is falling apart? Bring some friends and get some coffee you dingus.
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : No Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : No Waiter Service : No Caters : No
Andy B.
SO GOOD! I had never been to the area and was actually going to go to Cosi's for a quick bite, then I saw reviews for this place and checked it out. Soooo tasty. I had the breakfast burrito and mexican hot chocolate, both were honestly fantastic. I even bought a loaf of their 7-grain bread because it was so amazing. GOTTA check this place out!
(5)Candice G.
Doesn't serve beer. Does serve great coffee in monster beer steins. I can dig it. I was hungry and didn't realize their menu was all vegetarian with several vegan options, otherwise I surely would've ordered more than just a vegan red velvet cupcake to eat. My cupcake was suuuper stale and the frosting didn't really tickle my fancy, but the cupcake base was still damn decent and we had no problem downing it in no time flat. Like, if it were a movie, it would star Nic Cage and Angelina Jolie because that ish was gone in 60 seconds. For beverage, I jumped right into my standard Chai Tea Latte while my partner got a beer stein of their house-roasted java. He lurved his and mine was spot-on fantastic and not too sweet like so many places make it. Inside, this joint is HUGE. And they have new product tasting tables on some Friday nights. They had a breakfast and deli menu and the counter girls were gorgeous, indie, and I could just tell they had brains to boot. If I were a college co-ed, this is def where I'd come to meet a real girl.
(4)Christiana T.
I'm vegetarian and would visit my boyfriend who went to ISU (I live in Chicago) some weekends. He found this place online when I was coming to visit and we decided to check it out for breakfast. It was about a 10 minute walk from his place. It's a quaint shop that has a lot of vegetarian/vegan options. The food is decent but not the greatest. It is one of the few places in the area that has vegeterian/vegan options. The service is generally prompt and the staff is nice and helpful. My favorite part is while we would eat our breakfast, there are boardgames that you can play. It became our tradition to have breakfast here and play Scrabble. This place holds many memories. My boyfriend no longer attends ISU but we do know some people who still live in BloNo. If we are ever in the area, I know we will stop by once again.
(4)K M.
My favorite coffee shop in Normal. Very friendly atmosphere, a nice place to hang out. The breakfast sandwich is grand, they use some in-house spicy tofu sausage stuff that is irreplaceable. Lovely business!
(5)Chelsea W.
I go here a lot, but my reasons for going here versus Coffeehound or Fusion Brew are probably not what you'd expect. I like Coffeehouse because they have a big selection of food. The other coffee shops in town just have pastries or oatmeal. I like that Coffeehouse has both food and coffee, because that means I can hang out there for a long time, get my work done, and not starve. Big tables and space are also a huge plus for me with all the stuff I carry around. It's nice to be able to spread my books and laptop out. Be careful when you get a pastry, muffin, or anything else in that freezer. I got a stale muffin with mold on it one time. I told the girl up front about it just so she was aware but I didn't see anything done after I talked to her. Their coffee is decent. Drinks like the Thai (stuff that's not just your straight cup of coffee) have a lot of cream/milk in them.
(3)Martin V.
The food is pretty good (vegetarian, but they have eggs), but the service is sloooow.
(3)Nannette P.
When I found this place in college, I felt immediately at home, as it reminded me of my favorite coffeehouse Ivetta's (RIP). And also, I wasn't going to succumb myself to the dormitory cafeterias with powdered eggs and mashed potatoes when I could just as easily pay for some delicious oatmeal with blueberries or breakfast veggie burrito wraps. The coffeehouse is located right in the heart of "downtown" Normal, a huge space with lots of seating, booths and tables, and outdoor seating during the nicer months. It's a really great space, boasting the ability to use a huge booth to spread out and do homework, and not quiet enough to feel like you're in a library, yet not loud like you're at a noisy restaurant. It was my perfect space to go by myself for a nice meal or meet up with a girlfriend for a coffee break between classes. They have a delicious array of coffee drinks and espresso concoctions, pressed tea, and European bottled beverages. The food is primarily healthy, and is mainly vegetarian. I used to live off the blueberry oatmeal, burritos, and veggie burgers. I only wished my meal card could be used here! But, the prices are super cheap, even for a broke college kid. The best thing about the coffeehouse is that it attracts an array of people; from collegiate kids and teachers, to locals who appreciate the homemade, healthy alternative to other generic restaurant options in and around the area.
(5)i love dogs S.
Simply the best. I'm pregnant in Japan right now and all I am craving is the C House spicy tofu sandwich, sausage breakfast sandwich, hummus and pita - and the list goes on. It is nothing short of torture to crave these things an ocean away. What I would give for a teleportation device right now. I might even consider trading my first born for the spicy tofu sandwich right now. Yes, I want it that bad. Damn these hormones!
(5)Patrick M.
The thing I love about the Coffeehouse is that it is real. I've been there on a Monday and had the best veggie burrito of my life, and a few weeks later had a sub par one. It may sound strange, but having that balance is much better than going to a Panera and getting the exact same (pre-made) thing every time. The atmosphere is great (eavesdropping on pretentious intellectual wannabes ranting about one thing or another is fun!), the price for what you get is incredible and the location is perfect (sad to hear they are being forced out by the yuppy "uptown normal" movement!). I used to be a vegetarian and would go here often - but it has great food even if you are not! Don't let that scare you away.
(4)Nora P.
Three stars for organic & fair trade and free internet. But what's with the plastic forks and swizzle sticks and scary plastic creamer containers and no raw sugar? It's like 'we're vegan and recycle so we're Green'. Doritos and coke aren't exactly Eco-friendly. But pretty good for Normal, Illinois, I suppose.
(3)Annmarie G.
As a university student, I am forever grateful that this place exists. Here, I can study, eat, and get copious amounts of coffee all in one place - perfect for a long study session. Both the drink and the food menu are extensive, and you can order anything from breakfast to pastries to lunch items. The food is above average (although I've never had the baked goods so I can't really say anything about them), and you get a LOT of food for your money. The decor is very laid-back, giving it a homie feeling, which I love. If you are with a group of friends, you can either take one of large retro booths or one of the large heavy-duty tables. Or, if you are by yourself, you can take one of the small square tables. there are different types of furniture for all occasions. So why the three stars? Because, after visiting coffee shops in Champaign-Urbana that also serve food, I think that this place could do a little better. The coffee is good but nothing compared to CoffeeHound, the coffee shop down the street. And while I love the vibe of the place, I think some things could be updated or redecorated to make it better. Coffeehouse is a great place to go if you are looking for a low-key place to study or meet up with friends. It's not for everyone - I wouldn't take my grandma here -, but it is definitely a great place to try out if you have never been.
(3)Max H.
Dirty, loud, and overpriced, and the tacky dumpster decor makes it intolerable. I live right behind it, but I'll walk a mile across campus to get a coffee before I come here again.
(1)Cindy Z.
Average coffee, nice ambiance, cheap and somewhat inconsistent food. My choice spot for long study (cramming) sessions throughout high school. The baristas are really friendly. Their light/dark roast is pretty mediocre, but their flavor of the day (PB coffee!!) tends to be pretty good. The food is pretty simple, but I have gotten burnt pancakes multiple times here. It's a cute place with a lot of local art and local music on Friday/Saturday evenings.
(3)Kelly S.
Disappointed. The place only had 4 other diners in it when I visited on a Friday night at 5:30. There was no one at the counter when I entered and it was at least 3 or so minutes until someone showed up from the back. I ordered the daily special mac & cheese which had grilled onions, mushrooms and zucchini. It came with garlic bread which was chewy and barely warm. The mac and cheese was on the mushy side and just had the veggies dumped in a pile on top. Pretty sad.
(2)John P.
I am a huge fan of coffee, always looking to try new coffee places. Today i tried the flavor of the day, the Mexican dark roast and it was very average. I expected a better tasting coffee. I wont give up yet though. I will go back and try out additional things here and update my review if my opinion changes.
(3)Katie H.
This place gets worse every time I go. The first time I went, I was excited to go to an all-vegetarian place in central Illinois, which is scarce as any vegetarian knows. Well, now they're even more scarce because The Coffeehouse has added meaty deli sandwiches to their menu. If you eat meat that probably doesn't bother you, but they're still advertised as a vegetarian establishment even though they are not. Another minus is that they're advertising a vegan sandwich made on honey wheat bread. Honey is an animal product, so the vegan sandwich isn't even vegan and that's vegan food making 101. But this is the same place that would not stop bringing me real butter with my vegan pancakes, so I guess I shouldn't be too surprised. Those two reasons are enough for me to question if any of the vegan food is vegan. The food gets worse over time, something is always dry, things are overcooked, portions are small. There are enough vegetarian/vegan options in B-N now that The Coffeehouse is pretty much only above a steakhouse on the list of food places i'd like to eat. I can even go to Biaggi's with my family and they will work out a nice vegan meal for me.
(1)Morgan H.
I have mixed feelings about this place. On the one hand, I love how much seating there is and the ample natural light. I'm impressed with their wide selection of vegetarian and vegan dishes (although I haven't tried any). The art displays are also cool and add an interesting touch. The music is audible but not overwhelmingly loud, and on my last visit Modest Mouse was played exclusively, which is totally a matter of personal taste but I enjoyed it a lot. That being said, the coffee is nothing to write home about. I had a café mocha about eight months ago that was downright awful. However, I had a vanilla latte more recently which was vastly better but still not great. The prices are quite affordable in my opinion, which makes a big difference if you're cool with average coffee. I wouldn't necessarily recommend it, but overall it's all right.
(2)Kevin B.
I just want to point out right off the bat, I've been a regular to the coffeehouse for at least 4 years. I have been a big supporter and have tipped on almost every order, but if not I always tip at least per visit. Today I wanted to mention that I will no longer be a patron of this place. Although I enjoyed the food, the coffee, and the crew, the owner is a horrible person and is the sole reason I will not come back. Out of nowhere and asked me if i ordered anything besides a water. I had told him I ordered a coffee and meal several hours ago. He then noted recognizing me as a regular and then walked off, no apology for being accused as a freeloader. I was incredibly embarrassed after all the business I gave them over the years and the recommendations I gave to friends and acquaintances. I am hoping that someone else will take over the establishment, because I will not come back until then.
(1)James S.
The best thing about this place is the vegan chocolate cupcake. Other than that, the food is bland, the cashiers are awkward, and many people have said they have seen cockroaches. Use this quaint uptown location to sip coffee and work on your laptop.
(2)Sam B.
I am only reviewing the Coffee house portion of this joint. I am far too carnivorous for the Deli. The Coffeehouse's Coffee is lovely and inexpensive compared to most coffee houses. You walk in and you have an option of the light roast, dark roast, or specialty. Everyday they have a different blend on the grind, so it is hard to give a description of the brew. I do recall, however, my favorite roast of theirs is the Ethiopian Blend. The coolest thing about this place is their roasting of their own coffee, so it is always fresh, local and you know you cant get it anywhere else. Exclusive! They have local shows, however, they do not have a liquor license. BYOB would be awesome here, but we all know how conservative Normal IL is I have fond memories drinking coffee, smoking cigarettes, and having some great conversations here on many a rainy afternoon when I went to ISU.
(5)Shana A.
Amazing food. So good. Service was terrible, absolutely terrible. If they could fix that I think they'd do a lot better.
(3)Suzanne T.
I was already in a bad mood when we stopped there to eat after camping at Lake Bloomington for 2 nights and I was really in need of coffee and a hearty breakfast. I am not vegetarian, but gluten free. It always annoys me when people who are into dietary fads or exceptions are not aware of what "gluten free" means. It's fine that they did not have any gf pastries, but the counter girl--who seemed like she was asleep or on medication--really did not have a clue. It took me hunting her down 2x to get silverware and the drink my daughter ordered. The food was good, average. The pastries and pancakes were dry and unappetizing. I liked the Thai iced coffee I had. Since there's so little to choose from in Normal, I can see myself stopping in and giving it another try someday if I am in the area. I really liked the vibe of the place. I was just really, really annoyed by the airheaded service.
(2)Trista T.
All Vegetarian, but will satisfy the whole group! They still have a full breakfast menu of pancakes, french toast, breakfast burritos and quesadillas, eggs in a nest, and so on. We saw some sinful pastries as well! Coffee and tea, obviously, and Mexican hot chocolate too!. Everything tasted fresh to me; I had the breakfast quesadilla. I will absolutely be back!
(5)Jessica H.
This used to be my favorite restaurant :( Unfortunately, over the past few years the food has gone downhill. My biggest complaint is that they used to serve the BEST veggie burger in the country, but a few years ago they replaced it with a gross, orangish burger. Sometimes you can still get the old style veggie burger if you ask to substitute the 'sausage patty'. I did that a few times, but they used a very small patty and I ended up with mainly bun. I used to order the original veggie burger at least once a week, often twice! Please please please bring back the original veggie burger :) I did buy some of their veggie burger mix, but I don't know how to cook, so it just sat in my cupboard :( The specials can sound really good, but I am trying to learn my lesson and stop ordering them because I think they make the specials one day, and offer them the next day if they haven't run out. If I get special that was made that day, it's good, but I've had too many 'misses' to take that chance again. Also, service can be a big slow at lunch, but you should have plenty of time to eat and return to work if you have an hour lunch. Here's some good news. The Coffeehouse has a great vibe! It's a very chill and relax atmosphere. Although, I've noticed a lot of people just order drinks, and they really should give the food a try :) The Spicy Tofu Sandwich is yummy (although pretty small, could do w/ more tofu. A small side would be nice too, like a scoop of tabouli salad or something). My significant typically gets the Bean and Rice Burrito. He loves it when they crisp the tortilla. The Biscuit and Gravy is good--but also very rich so be prepared to save some as leftovers :) The Tofu Scrambler is a huge and delicious. Give the Coffeehouse a try :) And if you do, please do me a favor and help ask them to bring back their original veggie burger ;)
(5)Bob C.
Funky and fun. Great food and nice staff
(5)Kyle R.
Extremely average vegetarian food at a pretty good price (six to eight dollars for an entree). Don't expect anything mind-blowing and the fries need seasoning but you could do worse. If The Rock is closed for some reason you should go here.
(3)Laura B.
The vegan baked goods are amazing! Love this place! Lots of space, great coffee and free WiFi.
(5)Victoria P.
Vegetarian? Vegan? Not a foreign idea here in the middle of the cornfields of illinois! Coffeehouse has a great selection of vegan and vegetarian friendly dishes for breakfast, lunch, or wherever you have a craving for hot coffee and a huge plate of hummus (only 5 dollars btw). Downside: unpredictable music that seems to get louder right in the middle of your conversations. However, the friendly café atmosphere with large takes and mismatched chairs outweighs the music issue. Vegetarian not you're thing? Grab a meaty sub from reggie's next door and settle back in over at the coffeehouse with a cold or hot blended drink and one of their magazines. And don't forget their free wifi! I love to bring my laptop and work with a pitcher ($2.50) of coffee and one of their homemade pastries. They boast vegan chocolate cake and super most pumpkin and zucchini cookies, and their scones are not to be missed.
(3)B P.
All I can say is CoffeeHound down the road is we're you should go! Don't waste your time on this joke of a business! Very shady business ethics.
(1)Courtney G.
We stopped here on the way back from Chicago. Everyone wanted lunch so I used my trusty Yelp app to find a decent place nearby. This place had good reviews, so I was pretty excited about it. Well, it ended up being WAY out of our way, so by the time we arrived I was praying it would be amazing. It unfortunately was not. I will say that the reviews for local places are done by people who live in the area, and this is a major college town so I'm sure the local students love it. It was exactly the type of place I remember from college, kind of hipster with an eclectic mix of people and decor. There were families, young kids with books studying and kids with skateboards at their tables - very interesting. It was a diner type of place, very casual kind of cafeteria feel. You ordered up front and your food was brought to your table. I guess I wasn't paying close attention when I was searching my Yelp app, but this place is completely vegetarian, which did not fare well with my fellow travelers. Since we did drive all the way there, we decided to give it a shot and hope for the best. I had the spicy tofu sandwich, which was pretty good but not as good as I expected after reading the reviews about it. My hubby had the taco salad with 'meatless' taco meat and he was not a fan (it didn't look appetizing anyways) and my parents had the pesto tomato and egg salad sandwich. They both enjoyed theirs, but it wasn't anything special. I hate to say it, but it would have been better for us to stop at the local Subway right off of the highway, and I'm usual all about trying new places. Maybe its a great spot for locals, but not for out of towners. However, the area is very cute.
(2)Alex P.
Went specifically for the vegetarian fare. The veggie burger with bacon and cheese was alright. But the fries that came with it were weird. Like they were cooked in something sweet. My wife's patty melt looked okay. But the same problem with her fries. Ambiance was odd. Mostly people at laptops by themselves. Lots without any food or drink. Wasn't my kind of place.
(2)Aron A.
Good atmosphere, hipster to the max, but a good place to chill. A couple disappointing factors that came I to play for my visit. 1-Small variety of coffee. 2-They do not offer pour over method coffee. 3-Coffee is served in a beer mug :( They live up to the 'deli' in their name, but not the 'coffeehouse'. For coffee go to coffee hound or garlic press.
(3)Rusty D.
why this place isn't on the coffee and tea locations I don't' understand. The coffee is roasted here and the place is friendly, but funky. Sometimes the things don't work out so well that they cook. The wide range of coffee drinks make it a morning stop for me each morning. The pricing is below what most coffee places charge and the espresso is great. The baked goods are fresh each morning and the walls have local artist exhibits most of the time. Get this place on the coffee and tea list in addition to the vegan cooking.
(5)Jesse W.
I just moved to town and I'm very excited to have a veggie/vegan place that's also a great coffee shop and really cheap. While I wouldn't say that anything I've eaten here has been truly amazing, it's all been pretty good and, as a vegan in Bloomingon, it's hard to beat the options and price tag (many meal-sized items under $5). As far as breakfast goes, the vegan pancakes are surprisingly good. Updating a previous reviewer's concerns, they still don't have vegan butter (a bit odd), but if you order them vegan they'll serve the pancakes sans butter without you having to make a special request (perhaps they learned from your review?). I also really enjoyed the tofu scramble. The vegan hash wasn't as good, but not bad. The potatoes were cooked very well, but the assortment of veggies seemed like an odd combination to me. The veggie bacon is OK, and I quite like their take on veggie sausage. For lunch I've tried the guajillo veggie burger and the spicy tofu sandwich. The veggie burger was pretty good. Again, not among my favorites ever, but pretty good. I'm not quite sure why the spicy tofu sandwich is dubbed "spicy" as I certainly couldn't detect a kick anywhere. Nevertheless, it was tasty enough, especially since it came served on very good homemade bread. The fries are "oven" fries - so far as I can tell fresh-cut and baked. The vegan red velvet cupcake is solid. Haven't tried the other vegan baked goods yet. They also serve ice cream and I hope they add a non-dairy option at some point. Finally, one reviewer remarked that he was confused and/or put off by the fact that many of the clientele were solo on their laptops. As per the name of the joint, the place is first and foremost a coffee shop. And a good one at that. It's a great place to go and work/study/read/chat for an hour or three and enjoy a cup of coffee and/or cheap, good, vegetarian breakfast or lunch along the way. I wouldn't go here expecting a traditional full service restaurant.
(5)Dan E.
This place looks just like a coffee house you would expect to see on a Main St in the Midwest - I mean that in the most complimentary way. It's a cool, local place. That's one of the main reasons my wife and I stopped in. We were looking to grab some coffee and possibly some breakfast. She ordered a hot coffee and I went with an iced coffee. The prices here are beyond cheap. I paid a $1.25 for an iced coffee - I think that's the cheapest I've ever paid. But, the coffee wasn't very good. I think that's the most important part. So...we were standing by the counter reading the menu and then it finally dawned on me. This is a vegatarian/vegan place. Duh - for not realizing it sooner, but they don't really try to advertise it. Yes, I know tofu is the like the main food throughout the menu, but when you're not looking for it, it doesn't jump out at you. This was not what I was looking for. The place was very inviting and cool, the prices were great but it just wasn't the type of place I was looking for. Some of the baked items looked very good, though. Oh well - you can't win 'em all.
(2)Andy M.
Many things and places have changed in downtown Normal bigger but not necessary for the better this place has remained a staple. the closest thing to a true independent Seattle coffee house you will find in the midwest. Normal has to find a way to Always preserve this business and resist a starbucks ever coming to downtown area. Same with Bloomington, This place is all vegetarian too which is cool unless you are a meatatarian.
(5)Alison B.
Vegan friendly restaurants in Bloomington-Normal are certainly few so I appreciate the Coffeehouse & Deli's effort to offer vegan meal options and dessert. However diner beware as many of the options marked vegan are not necessarily so. For example, the vegan chocolate chip pancakes, the chocolate is not vegan and not marked as such on the menu. Also the vegan pancakes were served with dairy butter and not soy butter. I was told by a waitress that they do not offer vegan butter. The vegan cupcakes are delicious and so is the tofu sandwich. Just be sure to ask plenty of questions while ordering because their vegan options could use a major vegan makeover!
(2)Elisabeth H.
I adore this place. Used to go to it all the time to hang out with friends. Their food is delicious and their coffees are incredible. They also make a damn good London Fog Latte, which is Earl Grey tea, milk, and vanilla syrup, for the uninitiated.
(5)Chris R.
Not good. Poor service. Poor food
(1)Austin A.
I love their specialty coffees. Great food, great people and fair prices. If your ever in up town Normal (ISU) and need to kill an hour or two. Stop in here and grab a bite, get a drink, and meet some new people. If ISU were to have a nucleus this coffee shop is probably it. Good energy is what you will find here if your into that kind of thing.
(5)Rebecca K.
Somewhere along the line the hiring guidelines seemed to shift from "cute, friendly hippie chick" to "bitchy hipster," and it's finally gotten to the point where I think twice about going here. The women running the register are rarely as friendly as the ones I met when I first started coming here (2003ish), and some of them are just plain rude - won't look at you, won't take a break from the conversation they're having with another employee, speaking as few words to you as possible, none of which are "thank you." The Coffeehouse really does serve the kind of food I want if I'm stuck near campus for a long time, so it's unlikely my business will shift to other restaurants for the most part. But I will make a point to bring enough to eat with me on long days, so I don't have to burden the Coffeehouse employees with my unreasonable requests for, you know, food.
(2)Paul B.
To be fair, we didn't try their food, except a cookie, which was a non-vegan, non-gf, non-specific oatmeal raisin, though it was raisin-free... We did try the espresso, I got a breve, and my wife got a latte. Both were mediocre at best; mine was bitter. Another reviewer mentioned "coffee by the pitcher"; I suppose that says it all.
(2)Ryan K.
Love this place! Great place to meet up with a friend or to study at. They always have a variety of different coffee flavors. I love the Vermont Maple Syrup and Chocolate Mint and for 99 cents a cup, you really can't complain. The quality is hard to beat. As for the vegetarian/vegan meals, I have not tried them, but I'm sure they are good. The desserts are exceptional and decently-priced. Stop in here, you won't regret it.
(5)Megan A.
This has been one of my favorite places since the Fall 2006 semester I spent at ISU. Every time I was in town I made it a point to stop in after I was no longer here. Now that I have moved back to town I am so looking forward to the hours I will be spending here editing my novel, admiring the art, and sipping my much adored mexican mochas or hot tea. I tend to always order the spicy tofu sandwich and rice to eat, but everything i have ever tried off of friends plates was delicious as well. It's very possible that I will become a regular here again and be there nearly every day for breakfast or lunch. I've always enjoyed the atmosphere of the place as well. The customers and employees are always friendly and smiling, which is a nice change from some other places I have been!
(5)Becky S.
Used to love me the Coffeehouse in Normal back when I was in college. I loved the vibe here- the wide variety of people, the artwork on the walls, the music. Yet another place in BNorm that I spent many hours studying and hanging out. Great coffee and vegetarian-friendly food. Just such a unique, hip, quirky, cool coffee shop.
(4)Lauren W.
Really good coffee and specialty coffee
(4)Kelz M.
So I said that Kelly's Bakery and Cafe is the only place I'll eat at when I'm in Blo-No... I was wrong. There IS one other place and this is it. The Coffeehouse is practically an institution (as much as one can be in McLean County, anyway) and what they offer is good. First, this is a true coffee house as coffee houses were originally intended to be. Yes, it's plain. Yes, the furniture is mismatched. It's supposed to be that way. The food is more than just decent, too - and this is coming from a meat eater. When I'm there, I usually have the hummous platter. Delicious. And they don't skimp on anything so big, big kudos to the folks at The Coffeehouse for providing good servings of good food at reasonable prices. I haven't tried the deli so I can't really review the quality of what goes on in there but, if I ever do, I'll add an update. For now, though, good stuff, cozy atmosphere and free wi-fi? Four solid stars from me.
(4)Leanne M.
Totally a hidden gem for vegetarians in Southern IL. This place looks like a little normal coffeehouse (no pun intended), I even KNEW it was vegetarian before going there and I still thought I was in the wrong place when we arrived. Here's my big tip: Ask for a menu and just sit down. There's more than just the bagels and coffee up front. We tried the vegan french toast and tofu scram breakfast. Both delightful and very affordable. "The Coffeehouse" in Normal, IL. Yay for generic names and exceeding expectations!
(4)Phoebe W.
The Coffeehouse was one of my favorite places to study, mainly because the library doesn't have Thai iced coffee and cheap food. It's also one of the few places in BloNo that have a vegetarian friendly menu. I miss their pumpkin bars with cream cheese frosting, quesadillas, burritos, soups, sandwiches, breakfast stuff... you pretty much can't go wrong. My only complaint is the quiche, which had too many onions for my taste.
(4)Brandy B.
I really like this place. Its a pretty great place to go and read, write, study, or just hang out.
(4)Dave M.
I stopped in here for coffee and sandwiches for the road. The coffee drinks were excellent and the sandwiches well prepared and very tasty. The wait is a little longer than some of the chain sandwich shops, but it's very much worth it. High quality stuff here!
(4)Van M.
Things to know about the Coffehouse: - All vegetarian food - Free wireless internet - Good place to meet up with friends - Good place to wait for a train - Can park in the lot behind the building and enter in rear
(4)Erin L.
I feel right at home here. No fancy decor like Starbucks. Comfortable seats and couches. It's like being at home but you're able to order food and coffee. All of the food is amazing and vegetarian or vegan. They even have vegan cookies and desserts. Their menu is as unique as it is good. Everything from Chili omelets to a Mediterranean plate with hummus, veggies and pita bread. Although I have moved back to Chicago, if I ever pass through Blormal I will be sure to visit again!!
(5)Chef B.
if you're a vegetarian or vegan, this is more in your wheelhouse. While i like the coffeehouse's environment, I don't think their coffee is anything special. But i'm glad there's a hippie-ish place in uptown with plenty of space to spread out, study, read, whatever. From a food perspective, it's a match for some, not for me.
(2)Thom Z.
Holy god! Christ is the food good. It is. Ok, maybe it's not "crucifix good," but it's good. This food has tided me over for about two years now. It's all vegetarian with a good selection of vegan food, as well. I've had quite a few items from their menu. Every "burger," the Mediterranean plate, all of the breakfast items and their coffee everyday for months on end! The coffee is ALWAYS flavorful, wild and delicious. It's never burnt, weak or distasteful. It's always amazing! The staff is super friendly, although they sometimes seems self absorbed and very exclusive, they generally treat their patrons with respect and discretion. My best advice is to try out the breakfast burrito in the mornings and the barbecue bacon burger in the evening. Don't forget to check out the poetry slam on the first Tuesday of each month.
(5)Aj S.
The food is sub par. The service sucks. Waited 15 minutes for a toasted bagel with cream cheese, at which point I had to remind the staff I was waiting because they were talking about some concert or something. They then went and got it started, but of course they burnt it and my poor 4 year old was scratching the top of his mouth trying to eat the cream cheese covered brick. Staff acts too cool. Set up and decor of the place is weird. It's very dated. Truly soured what was a fun day at the childrens museum. Hop in your car and drive to Kelly's or literally anywhere else instead.
(1)Rama D.
Being vegetarian, I guess it is surprising that I haven't tried this place sooner... The place is about as plain looking on the inside as it is on the outside. But it has a lot of different seating options depending on your mood and the type of group you're with. So I've only been the one time, but I was really quite happy with my panini. The greek salad that my companion had was VERY good. The prices were quite reasonable, at least compared to the nearby Cosi... Too bad neither of us was all that hungry :) Anyway, I expect I'll be there more often, particularly as the summer warms up and the sidewalk cafe becomes more attractive.
(5)Regina C.
A nice vegan option of breakfast, service was meh, nothing stood out as amazing, but in a town of limited options, it's nice.
(2)Caro O.
This has been a favorite for about 12 years now. I started coming here when I was in high school and throughout college. It's still a fave for me when I work remotely, I'll go grab lunch and work here for the afternoon. The decor isn't that great, but I have never been disappointed with anything on the menu. Quiche is great, pizza bread used to be a favorite, the hummus and mediterranean plates are great, salads are fresh and ingredients are great tasting. I hear they have a farm that is local so that they get all of their stuff organic from there. I have tasted about everything here from breakfast pancakes to egg salad to burritos to a patty melt - they are all great! My sister has to get a pumpkin bar from here every time she is in town. The ginger cookies are a fave too! Everything here is vegetarian and there are some vegan items too. The "meat" patties that they use on there burgers really do taste great, and are a lot better than many others I have tryed. Needless to say, I have been here a lot and think it's a great pick for breakfast, lunch, or dinner! (P.S. They serve breakfast all day until their kitchen closes at 7 pm!)
(5)Meghan B.
Yes, yes, yes. As other reviewers note, everything is vegan or vegetarian, which alone is solace. Add to that the nice range of the menu (a page for breakfast, a page or two of sandwiches, burgers, etc), the cheap prices, and the excellent food, and I'm planning to make this a regular stop. Casual, diner-like vibe. No pretenses. And oh my gosh, I can order a vegetarian bacon cheeseburger. Yuuuuhhhmmmmm. A little deli is attached, with bulk spices, grains, and the like, as well as a great selection of their awesome, local, non-corporate coffee. I say yes.
(5)Asaf O.
I liked this place. It is a slow to get your food which is why I did not give it 5 stars. It is no frills but you can sit and play on your laptop, read or chat with other students and no one is running you out. They have some unique things that are really pretty good. It is not a place that caters to pampered princesses but it is a good no frill place for a group of common joes to go and grab a bite and shoot the breeze.
(4)Allan M.
This place was seriously, one of the best things about downtown Normal, and something I seriously miss, as I'm taking a break from Illinois State University(and stuck 21/2 hours away from here, via either car or train, dammit!). Loved this place so much(even despite being a non-vegetarian/'meatatarian'), that I can't think of ONE Chicago coffeehouse coming anywhere close to replicating the greatness of their pastries/desserts. I'll reserve judgement on how theirs compares to Medici's pastries/desserts, since I've heard so much about Medici's pastries/desserts from online reviews and ones on yelp, but've unfortunately, have never made it there quite yet(helps though that Medici's is opening a location in Normal, as I rarely ever can make it to Hyde Park). That aside, in addition to pastries, their regular breakfast and lunch kitchen menu is great. The pancakes they serve here are quite decent, plus they have other food items that are pretty damn decent, too(and similar to the other yelper who mentioned this, I also once ran down here to get food, before I took Amtrak up to Chicago, and to spare myself the hell of eating overpriced, crappy train food). And as everyone else has said, it's an excellent and very cozy place to study. I'm seriously jealous of all the people lucky enough to be moving in to Illinois State University this week for the Fall 2007 semester, and have the luxury of coming here any time of day they want. :( Only flaw I can think of this place is that I wish their kitchen closed at 9pm, instead of 8pm, but this won't stop me from coming here for the ambiance of this place. Besides, this place is so awesome, that I don't bother with going to overpriced Cosi often, or even going all the way to Veterans Pkwy. for Starbucks(never mind that I know Bone Student Center is finally getting one, and that I pray that ISU students resist that overrated chain as much as possible and continue to come here, as I know which place I'd rather patronize). Giving them 41/2 stars(or 5 stars, since yelp doesn't allow half-star reviews, to reflect how much I loved going here).
(5)Paul V.
I can't believe the good reviews this place is getting I just went today and it was awful! First, i asked for a simple glass of water and the waitress told me to go get it myself from the water jug. I walked over to the jug and noticed it was empty. I asked again and was, again, directed to the water jug. After realizing it was empty they went and filled it up instead of just giving me a cup of water. After finally getting some lukewarm water from the jug I sat down and waited for a good 30-45 minutes for my food that would have taken me 5 minutes to make. When it was finally brought out the waitress (if you can even call her that) said "I hope you don't need knives because we only have plastic ones and you have to get them yourself." Seriously? It's a fucking restaurant get some real silverware and bring it out to your customers. I got a flavorless omelette with flavorless home fries and soy bacon that looked and tasted like beggin' strips. It was utterly disgusting. The decor was a disaster as well. The wall I was facing had dozens of nails sticking out of it as if they were going to hang something there but were just too lazy to do it. Overall this was one of the worst dining experiences I've ever had.
(1)Stephanie V.
What's not to love about the coffeehouse!? I'm not just saying that because I used to work here...and it was the best job I ever had. This place is so unique and one of a kind, its really a shame that it was bought out by the town of Normal...BUMMER!
(5)William W.
The Coffeehouse is one of the best places in town to go, book in hand, and spend several hours reading & drinking coffee. It feels relaxed and communal - the seating is relatively comfortable, with little nooks here & there for groups. The artwork on the walls is generally good, and always interesting. It's usually pretty quiet. Usually. Unless there's a live show, in which case it's pretty cool in other ways. When I was a student at IWU (and a grad student at ISU), I spent many hours here studying. The coffee is great, and everything is reasonably priced. There's tons of seating, and the desserts are outstanding. I love their blueberry muffins, and my wife swears by the vegan chocolate chip cookies. Meal-wise, it's hit or miss. Sometimes the food is pretty good, and sometimes it's kinda bad. Sadly, I've had more unpleasant food here than I've had pleasant food. My advice is to either stick with the specials - or go with a sandwich. Or eat somewhere else and come here for dessert and coffee. :) Still, as a coffeeshop - it's excellent. (Also - it has a deli attached to it that I quite simply had no idea existed until 2 years ago. You can get some great vegetarian stuff, like veggie-burger mix, and some excellent coffee.)
(4)Joseph W.
My girlfriend had the veggie bacon cheeseburger while I ran down to Cosi to get my favorite salad. She offered me a bite and couldn't keep me away from it. This was really one of the best veggie burgers I've ever had. Get the bacon, it was great! The fries were just alright!
(4)Adrian W.
One of the best places in Blo-No to sit down and catch up with friends, read a chapter or seven, eat some delicious snacks (i'm always a sucker for their chocolate chip cookies) or just people watch. I caught a performance here but luckily CoffeeHouse just stuck with what they do best and that's a quiet, arty place to go on downtime. hopefully students and Blo-No residents will realize that this is a better place to hang out at for a cup instead of Starbucks.
(5)Rachel D.
I grew up going here, it's a great place to just hang out or to spend a while eating a meal. The atmosphere is relaxed and the booths are large and comfortable. The rest of the seating is at various mismatched chairs and tables. I've only had a handful of meals here, but everything I've had has been tasty. The grilled cheese with tomato is good, but a little oily/greasy. Everything at the Coffeehouse is vegeterian and many things are vegan as well. The coffeecake muffin is my favorite baked good here. The top is crumbly and slightly crunchy (in a good way), the inside is moist, and it's not too heavy on the cinnamon. Yum! The only beverage I've had here that I didn't like was the black currant tea. It was very bitter and definitely not my thing. I usually get the Chai, the iced tea, the hot chocolate, or one of the boxed teas. There is sometimes a music/poetry/etc event happening here, but you have to check the door for posters to know when. There is free WiFi here and there are several outlets, which is definitely a plus when you've got a laptop.
(4)Emily C.
Yes - I drove 4 hours to get here on a Wed night Yes - I am drawn to impulsive behaviors and YES - this was well worth the drive, to me. They had some of the most delicious and rich Chocolate Vegan Cake and Chocolate Chip Cookies (of which I bought extra for sustinance of the long trip home). They also had a scrumptious grilled tofu sandwich and breakfast scramble. They sell some handmade candles, have a really ecclectic feel with mismatched tables that are super long. They could use a few boardgames for customers, that would make this 5 star.
(4)tessa c.
i get cravings for their coffee sometimes still even though it's 2 and a half hours away! and their poetry slams are amazing and they booked alvin lau to come here! this is why you should love this place :) it's true the food isn't spectacular. stick to the hummus plate, the muffins, and the burritos. everything else avoid. now the coffee always saved my butt!
(4)K S.
Years back... this was the place to go. Now it's just a major disapointment. The food is terrible and the service is worse. The counter girls seem very disinterested in helping anyone. You can see the cooks in the background... there was a guy cooking with long hair hanging in his face. No ponytail. No hairnet. I've seen roaches crawling up the legs of the tables. The place use to be a really cool place to eat, chill with friends, listen to music or poetry readings and drink endless cups of coffee. Now it's depressing to see what's become of one of BloNo's only cool places to go.
(2)Becky B.
This is a great college coffeehouse. I had blueberry pancakes that were delicious, and the coffee was great. Not to mention this place is super cheap! I will definitely go back when I'm visiting.
(5)Ryan S.
Pretty decent vegetarian food, and the staff is very nice. On the negative side, it takes FOREVER to get your food (at LEAST 15 minutes for a breakfast burrito?) and you may be overwhelmed by the scent of patchouli due to all the hippy-types that hang out there.
(3)Martha Z.
Getting seating for 9 people on a Sunday morning during brunch hours, great. Aside from that, the coffeehouse was pretty awful. The breakfast burrito was ok. The staff didn't seem to have a clue as to what was going on. Our food took forever and came out cold. You clean up after yourself and the bins for the dirty plates and utensils was so full it was overflowing everywhere. Maybe I'm just bitter, all I want for breakfast is a giant plate of meats, and that is just something I won't find at this coffeehouse.
(2)Jenna M.
The ambiance is all that matters, and the place is great for group meetings or just chilling on Wi-Fi and caffeine. They have lots of organic, vegan, and vegetarian dishes. Odd stuff like fat free french fries as well. Prices are just like any other Midwestern coffeeshop - $1.25 or so for a small coffee. They don't have as much alternative entertainment as I would like... In fact, their artists are so sporadic that I never caught one show there in 22+ years in Bloomington. Nonetheless, convenient to ISU and one of the only sit-and-chill coffeehouses in town (ie, not a Starbucks).
(4)Coco C.
It's a coffeehouse - named "Coffeehouse"!!! Though the owners get one star in creativity (not even "The Last Drop"? "Central Perk"?), I will give them an extra three because of a tasty veggie sandwich I had here years ago when I was waiting for the train.
(4)Lauren N.
The Coffeehouse has become a dear place in my heart, and I often find myself there more than twice a week. It's hands down the best place in town to bring your homework and spread out on a table with a pot of coffee. Cheap coffee, cheaper refills. The quality of the food is unpredictable, and depending on who is working, your order will either be flawless or just wrong. The vegan chocolate cake is decidedly the best (well, and only) vegan cake you can get in Normal. It is quite good, but also quite expensive. I love the hummus plate and accompanying pitas. (The Coffeehouse's baked goods are the pride and joy of the establishment.) Sometimes you'll be treated to some in-house entertainment. The best I saw was a trio of darling old men playing Brazilian jazz, but again, inconsistency abounds with the entertainment, and you might find yourself there on a Friday night for three hours listening to Blink-182 covers because you'd feel bad for leaving. Overall, a great place, perhaps mainly by default (there are no other 100% vegetarian restaurants in Normal), but still charming.
(4)Tara T.
Very great atmosphere for alternative college students. A place to get your homework done while drinking pretty decent coffee. Coffee is cheap, different roast options which always nice! The food is not bad! But I would agree at times, inconsistent. I always get the breakfast burrito or spicy hummus! Both very good options. I don't know, a place on campus to get breakfast all the time is great in my book, and always nice to have a place that offers vegan/vegetarian options! Don't want to be sad in your apartment that is falling apart? Bring some friends and get some coffee you dingus.
(4)