J Bean Coffee
7221 W Forest Preserve Dr, Norridge, IL, 60706
J Bean Coffee Menu
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Visit below restaurant in Norridge for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Norridge for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Norridge for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
7221 W Forest Preserve Dr
Norridge, IL, 60706 - Phone (708) 583-2245
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :7:00 am - 10:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Breakfast, Brunch, Dessert
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : No
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Quiet
Alcohol : No
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : No
Caters : No
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
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Juliet K.
Great place! The owner is one of the last true Barista artists. If you want a heart, or olive branch or teddy bear drawn on the top of your perfectly crafted espresso drink, this is the place. They even have soy milk. A gem in the commercialized corner of Harlem and Irving.good food. Good coffee. Good gelato. And about 30 different flavors of syrup.
(5)Aja G.
Passed some time here while wondering how my car managed to collect so many nails and require new tires. The place was pretty standard, free WiFi, tables, couches, a TV, but what is interesting is the people here. In my 40 minutes stay I saw a: Man have a loud conversation on speaker phone Man practice playing a wooden recorder Woman paint her nails. All strange things to be doing in public, right? I was so baffled I and sipped my $4 , straight from the carton chi tea. Go for the people watching!
(3)Konrad C.
I went in to jbean coffee today to get two cups of tea. I order, pay and I'm waiting on my tea to be made. As I'm waiting I'm watching the lady owner make my tea. As she's making it she coughs into her hand and carries on with what she's doing. I told her to redo it and she did. She hands me one cup and she's just looking at me... I told her I ordered two. These new owners are terrible and disgusting, I'm definitely not going back there again.
(1)Rosa J.
This place is located directly across the HIP (Harlem Irving Plaza). Thus, if you try to avoid the rip-off Gloria Jean Coffee inside of the food court, I would say the J Bean Coffee is a great alternative. From we I saw today, this place is more of a coffee shop than anything else. For food options, all I noticed were some light bakery items and gelato. Perhaps they serve light lunch/brunch items on the weekdays; however, I'm not 100-percent sure. We ordered the large red eye coffee and a medium American-style espresso. I honestly have to say that the red eye in Baker & Nosh is just so much better (see my B&N review if interested). Nevertheless, red eye here in J Bean was quite decent; I just have my personal preference. On the other hand, I thought hubby's espresso was good. They also have the Italian-style espresso in a small ceramic shot cup, if you like that style. Overall, it's a cozy neighborhood coffee place, off the Harlem Ave. in Norridge. Those neighborhood coffee shops are really life-savers, and you have no excuses now to visit the SB, DD, or the super-expensive GJ.
(4)Albert C.
What can I say? Free Wifi and great coffee! It's a place where I can hang out and get some work done or just chat with friends. They can seriously make you any flavor of latte or coffee. Their pastries are always fresh and the staff is friendly.
(5)Chris B.
It has been some time since I have been here because I unfortunately moved away. But Just wanted to say the service was always great and they never bothered me as I used it to do homework (of course I bought while I was there). I am a business major with a focus in Entrepreneurship and I will always patron small businesses that treat their clients right.
(5)Liz R.
I just love this place, enough said. Good coffee, Nom Gelato. what more can I ask for?
(5)Sylvia R.
Very friendly Staff. .. Cool place.
(4)Ryan S.
The place is nice and everything but I wish the staff would have been more helpful in answering my coffee questions because I just starting drinking coffee in Oct. 2012 so i'm like new to this whole scene. I had the cappuccino & a croissant w/netella, the croissant was delicious and the coffee was damn strong : ) I would go back if i'm in the area again.
(4)Tomasz C.
I love this place ;) I would recommend this place to anyone for a coffee and a cookie, and atmosphere inside Service is very nice ;) so step in to J Bean Coffy ;)
(5)Natalie J.
My friends and I came to this cafe for the first time and had a very unpleasant experience. I ordered a cherry smoothie which was way too sweet and I couldn't have another sip. The barista named Sandra refused to adjust my drink or make another one. She said that since it's not her mistake and smoothies are pre made she won't be changing it she won't refund the $6 that I paid for the drink. It was my first and last time here.
(1)Von B.
Seen this place while our riding bike. Thought I would give it a try this morning. Glad I did. The iced coffee was really good (ask for them to add sweetener from behind the counter). For breakfast had their Captain Jack. Egg, bacon, pepper jack cheese on a grilled croissant. Along with their hash browns (not bad, not great) total bill was under $6 Defiantly going back. Want to try more menu items
(4)Marek C.
This used to be one of my favorite places ... I always enjoyed great coffee and great customer service... not anymore... ever since Brian is gone this place is totally different... no spirit , no atmosphere... Last time I was in I asked guy who worked , how do they do without Brian and in rude way he membled something ... . I realized this must be new owner and I asked him if he was , he confirmed. This man needs to learn a lot when it comes to customer service and the way how to treat clients... I will definitely avoid this place... he is not getting my business for sure ... and I will make sure to tell all my friends to avoid this place ...
(1)Nikki S.
Coffee is my crack, and this place has the good stuff. Their coffee is delicious, very strong, and the flavored syrups they use are really, really good. Even the food they serve is good. In addition to serving delicious everything, the atmosphere is pretty cool. Its a great place to hang out with some friends, chill out, and get a bite to eat (or the best coffee ever). I drink coffee constantly, and this place beats Starbucks in every way (and I LOVE Starbucks..)
(5)Jennifer S.
I'm so sick of Starbucks (and their prices) and Dunkin Donuts (they always get everything wrong) so I decided to try this little place. Oh. My. God. I tried their Caramel Latte and it was to die for. I have been craving it ever since!
(4)Ron S.
The coffee at this place blows away starbucks and caribou. They serve you super fast and are on the ball. There is also a nice little sitting place for people to just chill and relax.
(4)Diane K.
The first moment that I step foot outside of my house, J Bean is my first destination two blocks away. Anyone who knows me is well aware that I will not diverge from my path without an iced dirty chai in my hand. Even when I go shopping with my grandma to Target (just across the street), she giggles at the cross lights and in Polish asks "Stopping for coffee?" She constantly reminds me that I can make coffee at home but I know damn well that it will not be the same quality as J Beans. Every morning I walk into J Bean, Rebecca and Brenda are always welcoming. Before I reach the counter, they are already in the process of "creating" my delicious caffeine quencher. Recently, I was turned on to a gelato smoothie (preferably vanilla or peanut butter) spiked with espresso. Best of both worlds I must say! Such a great summer treat! I would highly suggest having Rebecca make it, she knows all of the right portions without making it too thick. I am a STICKLER about coffee. I will never refuse any coffee, but I am very particular about what constitutes as quality coffee. I experience what I like to call "love at first taste". I fall head over heels and there is no turning back until, of course, another intrigues my taste buds. I think Starbucks and Gloria Jeans are both highly overrated and do lack the quality. If I have an incredible sweet craving, I will only then visit my local Starbucks and purchase a large caramel frappucino. Ten minutes into slurping up all the sugar, I feel a heart attack coming on with an instant crash. That is when I remember (and kick myself in the ass) that I should never cheat on J Bean. I also like J Bean because it is a Mom n' Pop business. There is no fluffy marketing that draws the loyal customers (as I). The paninis, coffee, and gelato attract the "usuals" that I have come to know very well. Not only is it a mom n' pop establishment, which I always fully support, i LOVE to come here and sit outside during the summers whether its with friends during the evenings, or the mornings while checking my email. OM NOM NOM NOM!
(5)Dan W.
I love coffee shops. This one is no different. I like the coffee they have here. The prices are also good.
(4)Laura N.
Met here with a friend for drinks two weeks ago. I'm a huge fan of local coffee shops so I was really excited to come here because it seems that they have faded from the suburbs. I ordered a chai tea latte (I don't drink coffee) and it was great! I also ordered a vegetable panini and it was so delicious that thinking about it right now makes my mouth water. There were also plenty of tables to sit at, a few games to play, and a generally laid-back atmosphere. I think I would come here again. The reason I give this place four stars (and not five) is because I felt the two baristas behind the counter weren't friendly enough. They were cute, they did their job, and the drinks/food were good, but they didn't smile. At all. It gave me the impression that they weren't happy to be there.
(4)Daniel C.
Nice people, decent coffe and food, and the world's worst wifi. Currently sitting here, enjoying a pretty good iced latte and a better than expected panini. It is a nice, comfortable coffee shop that I'd be happy to return to. That is, if it did not have the absolute slowest, worst wifi I have ever experienced. If this were some sort of anomaly, I wouldn't be so hard on them. But, after asking the staff to restart the router, they indicated they were aware of how slow the internet is, saying "Yeah, a lot of times I can't even connect to the network, so I just tell people to use the wifi network from the FedEx next door". I feel like I am on Netscape in 1998 using a 512k connection as I type this review. If you can even connect and manage to navigate anywhere, it kicks you off every few minutes. I am sitting 5 feet from the room where the router is, and there are 3 people (including myself) currently using (attempting to use) the wifi. This is the technological equivalent of serving Taster's Choice Freeze Dried Coffee. Like I said, pretty good coffee and food. But for my needs, I weigh coffee, food, and wifi equally - so 2-stars it is.
(2)Derrick P.
Great coffee every time. I was there 10 times least 6 months and the coffee was always good. Small local coffee shop style. Not like Starbucks with strong, overdone mediocre coffee. Smooth, flawrorful, with nice deep color. One of the best in Chicago. I know what i say. I know most of coffee places in Logan Square, Wicker Park, Lincoln Park and Lakeview. J Bean can easily compete with all of them
(5)Dorotka K.
If this place was a chain coffeehouse, Starbucks would run away crying. I lived in the neighborhood for a few years and drove past this place countless times. A Groupon finally convinced me to go. Never did I have an iced latte this good. Perfectly sweet, smooth and with a hint of vanilla. And this wasn't even a flavored one. It was gone in like 2 minutes. I've been back several times for their Coffee Blender (that's the name of this insanely good beverage) and it's the bomb no matter who makes it. I really want to try more of their coffee creations, but I love this one so much that I never have the courage to order something else.
(4)Nilda L.
Good coffee, gelato and sandwhiches. Actually great sandwiches and wraps. The wraps are huge, big enough to share or save for later. If they had a drive thru, ( I have kids) I'd go everyday.
(4)Len W.
The floor was filthy when I walked in. Bathroom was not much better. Coffee is thin and left a bitter aftertaste. Finally, the counter with the cream, etc., looked like it hadn't been cleaned in months. Never again.
(1)steve c.
This place is noted as having best coffee in chicagoland by chicago tribune. You are welcomed as soon as you get in and have to take in all of the options. Besides having coffee drinks, they have awesome panini sandwiches and "home made" gellato. Most of the staff are very friendly.
(5)Jerry B.
Good coffee ,place is kind of depressing
(4)Cheryl R.
Way more expensive than any chain coffee shop. $2.95 for a cookie?!?! I ordered the chai tea latte and they never asked me what kind of milk i wanted in it. I also noticed all they used was the Oregon Chai liquid that you can buy at target. And when I drank it, it tasted watered down. and it was $3.40 for a small! WAY more expensive than starbucks. I really wanted this place to be good, but I was disappointed.
(1)Rhonda G.
Good coffee but much like Starbucks,etc....way overpriced! It actually tastes much like Starbucks (well the latte I had did anyway). It seems like a cool place to meet friends once in a while but not your everyday coffee shop kind of place. Also, a pet peeve of mine is cashiers who don't suggest drinks or anything when they see patrons toying with decisions or unsure of what the establishment has to offer. A little cusomer service goes a long way...oh...and great muffins! Moist and not too bad at $1.50.
(3)Glen K.
Good coffee, Lemon Cake like Mom use to make, great staff. Oh ya wifi to boot. Glad I stopped in!
(4)Renita M.
Cute, clean, tasty coffee and good food. We met Ms Kate M here for a light lunch on a breezy, sunny Saturday afternoon. I have never been to Norridge and did not realize there was an enormous Target across the street! Word to the wise, turning left out of the shopping center lot is a pain in the butt. But J. Bean itself? Not overly cozy but certainly a nice little cafe with plenty of tables. I had a veggie wrap which came with chips (bagged, and no pickle which mildly disappointed me); the wrap was full of deliciousness and fresh vegetables, and was a good sized portion without being ridiculous. They also have panini and salads, plus pastry and gelato. I also had an iced Americano with a little toffee syrup, very good depth of flavor without being bitter. Kudos on the coffee. I noticed a little outdoor seating area in the back but didn't investigate; I can also report that the ladies' room is clean and well stocked. The lone young woman working was friendly and did not bug us (she also didn't clear our baskets or anything, but that's OK). Prices were about on par with similar places, $6something for the wrap or sandwich, I believe? less than $3 for a not-so-small iced Americano w/syrup. I don't know if or when I might return to Norridge, but if I have reason to be in the area again, I will know J Bean is there to provide a light bite and a tasty cup of coffee or tea!
(4)Drea O.
I like this place a lot! The employees are nice, the coffee is good, they serve food(which I have yet to try) the hours are good. There are plenty of places to sit and a nice place to just enjoy a cup and surf the web. I stopped by at about 8am on a weekday and after about an hour it started getting pretty crowded. I was here one other time with a friend, we played checkers over lattes. This place is such a nice change from starbucks, I only wish it wasn't right across the street from the mall as I am going nowhere near that place over the holiday season. Did I mention they serve gelato?
(5)Ali Z.
J Bean is one of the better independent coffee shops in town. I used to stop by here frequently on the way to work back in the day and still seek it out whenever I'm in the area. Maybe not the best coffee in Chicagoland as they claim, but the quality of their lattes, iced coffee, and blended drinks far surpasses anything Starbucks and the chain coffee places serve up. They have a good selection of tea too. I had a iced jasmine green tea here once that was fantastic. As good as their drinks are, I think I actually enjoy their fresh basked cakes and pastries a little more. Love the soft cinnamony coffee cake as well lemon pound cake, and plum filled crescents. Their pastries have a wonderful homemade quality to them without being too sweet. The perfect accompanyment to my lattes.
(5)Rob R.
I saw them on restaurant.com , so I purchased a certificate and went it to give it a try. The guy there was not very nice and said they did not take these (not sure whose fault that is). Unfortunately never got to try anything, was just upset and walked out.
(1)Erik L.
Cozy and convenient. Very nice staff. Coffee not as strong as Starbucks and not as weak as Dunkin. Perfect hot chocolate for the kids.
(4)Kyle H.
J. Bean is what at an independent coffee shop should be! Friendly and helpful baristas, free wi-fi, sandwiches, salads, panini, and gelati; it's a great comfortable place to hang out and people take full advantage of that. Signage outside touts their coffee as one of the best cups in Chicago, the cup I had wasn't the best ever, so the jury's still out. But on a recent evening visit I had one of their unique homemade teas that they buy from a former employee and it was great! The White Pear Grape tea was super flavorful and made my Internetting here enjoyable. Many locals take advantage of J. Bean's nice atmosphere to study, play chess, Wi-fi it up- it's like a tornado whisked this place up from a Big Ten campus and plopped it down in a strange triangle intersection at Harlem and Irving Park! While neither street is a Yellow Brick Road to Oz, exploring Norridge yields some unique finds like J. Bean on Chicago's NW side!
(4)Nikki E.
I always get the iced tuxedo. Staff is always friendly. Nothing better on a hot summer day than sitting on the patio, soaking up the sun and getting my (coffee) drink on.
(5)Franny S.
One of the few (or possibly only?) non-chain coffee places by me. They've got super tasty iced lattes, comfy atmosphere inside, and friendly staff. It's a shame it's not anywhere near my route to work otherwise it would definitely be my go-to for my morning coffee. If I'm ever up freakishly early (rather than my usual perpetual lateness, oops!), I'll totally stop in for an iced caramel latte.
(4)Anthony S.
The service is awsome. Love the breafest sandwiches. The girls in the morning are alway friendly and the coffee is fresh.
(5)Cat D.
Let me tell you this place has the best coffee!! The staff if very nice too on highly recommend it if you are in the neighborhood
(4)Angello R.
Pistachio gelato is very good :) and the two guys serving are very hot! Especially the smaller one..
(5)Ania T.
I absolutely love this place.. Their coffee is delicious hard for me to resist so I go there everyday :) (so much better than Starbucks) Food and gelato is great too. Some of the staff could be a little more friendly.
(5)Mike E.
Very delicious coffee and a nice ambiance.
(4)Amanda G.
I saw this place a few years ago, and have been going there for awhile. They have great coffee, cracker salad is fresh, and the american panini was so good also! I've seen this place grow in popularity over the years and I am so happy for them. I will plan to keep coming there!
(5)D. C.
Come lunch time, I decided I really wanted a sandwich and needed some kind coffee to get me through the afternoon. My only options involved visiting two chains from a possible three to acquire exactly what I wanted, but I only have so much time for my lunch break; luckily I remembered this place. I've always noticed it when I run to Target, but had never stopped in. Ordered the raspberry mocha latte ($3.55) and turkey panini ($7.99). I'm not a coffee expert in the least and can only drink it in it's foofier forms, but I don't think I've ever had anything like it from the chains (Starbucks, Caribou, McDonald's). It's smooth, with little to no bitterness, and its sweetness is noticeable without being overwhelming like its melted-candy-bar-sweet chain cousins. The panini was huge (wish I'd noticed sooner that I could've ordered just a half for cheaper) and delicious. The girl who took my order didn't strike me as terribly friendly, but meh--she made me a tasty drink so that's fine. Can't wait to go back and try some other things, especially their hot caramel apple cider and maybe some gelato.
(4)Word B.
Coffee is expensive, refills cost more than star bucks Their internet terminals are $6/hr, and for their WiFi you need a password(pass=rb594). Only one kind of coffee really, also their cups are leaky, wtf Nuvo-industrial ambiance at best, cutting corner with the decor (frame ur pictures) - faux plants, hoes cut in dry wall Definitely could use some work, the girls there are kinda nice There are some strange patrons, e.g.: -possibly one was a crackhead, -one was wearing a bullet proof vest under his t-shirt their cookies are ok, and the banana bread was dry - throw sum butter in there. They hav a massage chair, never wanted to pay for it though... lol allergens in the air, the person i went there with sneezed a few times i give them props for having doors on both side of the building with near-equal access and regressing
(2)Jay S.
Dirty Chai! Mmmmmm, It's chai with a shot of espresso in it. It quenched my thirst and made me a little wired after I went hunting for tuxes next door. It seems they have a really good selection of tea too! When I'm in the area, I will be back.
(5)Nektaria R.
Pretty good coffee. Yummy homemade pastries! Gelato? Yes! Nice atmosphere, good amount of traffic. Excellent service. Free wi-fi, Starbucks, I think you have some competition.
(3)Jacqueline W.
There are NO cafes near my house that are in walkable distance. But J.Bean is not too far west of me if I want to get out of the house for a couple hours and don't mind a 5 min max bus ride. The staff is nice and my brother used to play guitar here once a week. They have OK coffee but no refill option which sucks because I love to get coffee "for here" in an actual mug and not waste the cup but then it gets cold quick and I usually just get it topped off.. Its definitely a neighborhood type crowd and not too packed that you can't find a seat. But I was here on a Sunday night and it was a little loud for studying. Convenient if you have something to do at FedEx/Kinkos (next door) or if you're waiting for somebody to be done at the mall or Just Tires on the corner.
(3)Rose A.
Delish coffee, tea, desserts. Want any of the prior? Go here! You won't be disappointed.
(5)Mary E.
A couple of years ago the Chicago Tribune rated J. Bean's coffee as the best in Chicagoland. Once I heard this I had to go and try their coffee and lattes. Is it the best in Chicagoland? I don't think so but it's pretty damn good coffee. Nice, solid, well rounded roasted coffee taste. Does that description make any sense? I didn't think so but I'm trying to sound like I know what I'm talking about. All I know is their coffee is much better than Starbucks (yuck but I still go when desperate), better than Dunkin Donuts, better than Intelligentsia, but not quite up to par with Metropolis. But very close. It's a cute little coffee shop across the street from the Hip Mall. They have sandwiches (haven't tried them), pound cake thingies and free wifi. Service is good. Neighborhood teenagers desperate to break out of the neighborhood and live in a trendy area work the joint. Prices average about the same as Starbucks.
(4)Jennifer Q.
So my work friends, Ryan and Alicia, were at it again and decided that we practically had to go halfway back to Chicago for lunch. Even though it was a bit of a drive from Franklin Park, I have to say it was worth it! J. Bean is a really cute coffee shop that also has sandwiches, random snacks and gelato. I ordered the veggie panini and it was like two sandwiches for the price of one! ( I had the other half for dinner!) I also had some gelato, which is really hard to resist. The pistachio flavor had real, whole pistachios in it (mmmm) and I also tried the hazelnut cappuccino flavor. Everything was super yummy and fabulous. I'll be back for sure to try their coffee, which I didn't have room for after our filling meal.
(4)Beth B.
Love this place! I practically live on their turkey wraps and my hubby loves their Italian paninis. Very friendly staff! And, the owners seem quite engaged in making this place the best it can be. I found this place through Groupon and have been going back ever since! Everything we've tried has been great here!
(5)Kevin H.
On a Friday night I stopped by to check this place out since they are open until midnight. Since it was a bit later and my eyes were wide open, I noticed several people eating sandwiches. I was not aware. The menu is in a bit of an odd location, high on the wall on the right side while facing the ordering queue. I asked for a take out menu, but alas they have not printed them up yet. For what it is worth the sandwiches going out looked good, and I heard no complaints.
(4)Juliet K.
Great place! The owner is one of the last true Barista artists. If you want a heart, or olive branch or teddy bear drawn on the top of your perfectly crafted espresso drink, this is the place. They even have soy milk. A gem in the commercialized corner of Harlem and Irving.good food. Good coffee. Good gelato. And about 30 different flavors of syrup.
(5)Aja G.
Passed some time here while wondering how my car managed to collect so many nails and require new tires. The place was pretty standard, free WiFi, tables, couches, a TV, but what is interesting is the people here. In my 40 minutes stay I saw a: Man have a loud conversation on speaker phone Man practice playing a wooden recorder Woman paint her nails. All strange things to be doing in public, right? I was so baffled I and sipped my $4 , straight from the carton chi tea. Go for the people watching!
(3)Konrad C.
I went in to jbean coffee today to get two cups of tea. I order, pay and I'm waiting on my tea to be made. As I'm waiting I'm watching the lady owner make my tea. As she's making it she coughs into her hand and carries on with what she's doing. I told her to redo it and she did. She hands me one cup and she's just looking at me... I told her I ordered two. These new owners are terrible and disgusting, I'm definitely not going back there again.
(1)Rosa J.
This place is located directly across the HIP (Harlem Irving Plaza). Thus, if you try to avoid the rip-off Gloria Jean Coffee inside of the food court, I would say the J Bean Coffee is a great alternative. From we I saw today, this place is more of a coffee shop than anything else. For food options, all I noticed were some light bakery items and gelato. Perhaps they serve light lunch/brunch items on the weekdays; however, I'm not 100-percent sure. We ordered the large red eye coffee and a medium American-style espresso. I honestly have to say that the red eye in Baker & Nosh is just so much better (see my B&N review if interested). Nevertheless, red eye here in J Bean was quite decent; I just have my personal preference. On the other hand, I thought hubby's espresso was good. They also have the Italian-style espresso in a small ceramic shot cup, if you like that style. Overall, it's a cozy neighborhood coffee place, off the Harlem Ave. in Norridge. Those neighborhood coffee shops are really life-savers, and you have no excuses now to visit the SB, DD, or the super-expensive GJ.
(4)Chris B.
It has been some time since I have been here because I unfortunately moved away. But Just wanted to say the service was always great and they never bothered me as I used it to do homework (of course I bought while I was there). I am a business major with a focus in Entrepreneurship and I will always patron small businesses that treat their clients right.
(5)Albert C.
What can I say? Free Wifi and great coffee! It's a place where I can hang out and get some work done or just chat with friends. They can seriously make you any flavor of latte or coffee. Their pastries are always fresh and the staff is friendly.
(5)Gesika B.
Ordered an iced chai and cafe latte. Not sure if they didn't understand or just weren't paying attention but I ended up with a hot chai. The cafe latte was tasty. Probably not going to go back because the service was subpar. Nice ambiance inside and seemed clean.
(3)Daniel D.
J Bean Coffee is my favorite place for Coffee, As a Chicago Local I never understood why someone would go to a franchise for coffee when we have places like "J Bean" in Chicago that provide better coffee. Free wifi and a great place to talk, relax, or study for my exams!! After a cup from J Bean I'm immediately thrusted into energy and ready to tackle my busy lifestyle!! The staff here are friendly and always welcome me with a greeting!! Danny D.
(5)Damien S.
I find Brian's review kind of funny. Because I know who he is and when we worked there, and I find it ironic that he left when Amir was there, didn't post a review because he was his friend, and now that Amir sold it, he put a bad review up. Ultimately, he's right, in that the place isn't too great, the items I get are pretty decent still; although sometimes now they don't come out the same with the new staff, but they might learn overtime. They are in fact, remodeling some stuff on the inside, and I'm curious to see what they'll do.
(2)Jerry G.
One of the best coffee shops in Chicago very smooth taste think friendly stuff and free WiFi gotta love this place.. Let it update new ownership not what it used to be.. I still like the coffee but the service is going down the hill.. Update for May 2015 quality went down service went down after the new owners took over I will not go into details
(2)Fadi S.
Good coffee and amazing tea selection!! Ever since my first visit iv been going there on a weekly basis.
(4)Jonathan E.
New owners have now made many improvements and it is much better. New machines, new staff and service is good.
(4)Ashley H.
This place is super cute! Walking in, there's a lot of tables to hang out w friends and get work done at as well as a little patio for enjoying food outdoors. They had a ton of coffee choices and some wraps and paninis. I ordered the Italian with chips. The sandwich came out lukewarm and looked like it hadn't been cooked for more than a minute in the panini maker. I dont like spam much either, so I could tell before I even took a bite that it was made on the cheap. Pesto sauce was good (the best part). I hate to harp on personal appearances but there's nothing wrong with having your hair at least tied back and not looking like a hot mess at work either. I tried something new today, that's always nice....
(2)Emma K.
Great coffee but under the new management you don't have to wait long time for your favorite cup of coffee... I still give them 5 stars
(5)Gretchen W.
I'm not sure what happened? New management, new owners? It's a different vibe than it used to be. I still enjoyed my coffee and the barista still made the beautiful designs but I had ask twice for the rest of my order. Not very friendly behind the counter either. They have a help wanted sign in the window, maybe a friendlier person will apply.
(3)Becca S.
It's been a while since I logged on and when I did, I was greeted by a private message from a very loyal fan of this establishment who disagreed with my review and felt compelled to sling barbs. Oh, did I offend you (customer who shall remain nameless) by sharing my opinion? Sorry, let me rephrase. This is the WORST coffee I have had in my ENTIRE life, which includes diner, gas station, fast food, and instant coffee (or any underperforming brew we drink out of necessity). These are gourmet by comparison to J Bean coffee. I can't in good conscience defend a product of such low quality that mediocrity is the best thing that could happen to it. A year ago my boyfriend and I were here for an emissions test and being the junkies that we are, decided to give J Bean a try. It was a weekday, the crowd was thin and the energy was low. The woman who took our order wasn't exactly a walking ray of sunshine, but that's not the point. I ordered a latte and my boyfriend got the raspberry iced mocha latte, which was actually on the menu; he was not trying to be obnoxious. The mocha latte was cloyingly sweet (and I have a sweet tooth). It tasted like half of it was raspberry syrup. Completely undrinkable unless you wanted a migraine and a stomachache. The latte was no better. We go to coffee shops in the city at least three times a week. I know what a latte is supposed to taste like, and this was a far cry. It was watered down, lukewarm, and what faint hint of coffee was there, tasted stale. No richness of espresso or creaminess of steamed milk, just flat with a chalky aftertaste. Maybe I've been spoiled by Jackalope, Wormhole, and Metropolis. I try not to be a coffee snob, but if you want your coffee to taste like coffee, and not tepid diabetes in a cup, you probably won't like it here. I honestly think the barista was new or just made the wrong drinks... I'm from one of those generations that never throws food away, and we tossed both as soon as we left. On another note, while waiting I saw whole beans for sale, stamped with roast dates that were 3, 4, 5+ months old. I've never advertised myself as a coffee storage expert, but the person who messaged me seemed to think it was imperative to educate me on the magic of valve-sealed technology and how it extends shelf life up to a year. I didn't remember what kind of bags they used, so I thanked him for teaching me something new and updated the review. HOWEVER I assume because I stood by my original rating, he felt that merited several choice words. Stay classy, Yelpers.
(1)Jeni Z.
Not what they used to be. In the beginning I went there a lot and it was great. The coffee was great. I went there about a month ago and my mocha was just gross. It used to be crowded all the time which shows it was good. But today it's always empty in there and for a good reason. If you're just looking for a coffee to go, bite the bullet and go to Starbucks in the hip or Dunkin Donuts on Irving...and yes they are both better than this dive is now... So sad.
(1)Connor B.
With a love for coffee and experience working at Caribou Coffee for a little I started out 2014 with the mission to visit all of the coffee shops in my area. After visiting a few, I thought why not write reviews and share my thoughts on each of them. So here we are... with out any further ado let's dive right in to my unbiased review of J Bean Coffee Location & Ambiance: The location and ambiance are awesome! As many coffee shops I have been to, they have a great ambiance set up. Its a busy little shop with a lot of places to sit. Not necessarily somewhere I would sit and do homework, but definitely a good place to come get a cup of decent coffee. Coffee: The coffee itself was ok at best, but was a little watered down tasting. I had a skim latte, and it definitely lacked that strong coffee kick I have come to expect from a good espresso. Food: They do have a wide selection of food which was definitely nice to see! I tried the Nutella croissant, and it was very good with my coffee. I just which the coffee was strong to get a good mix with the pastry. Staff: The staff was there, but nothing special. It felt the same as any corporate Starbucks, Caribou, or anything else. Nothing special in this area. Overall, the simplest way to put this whole experience is by saying: It was ok, average, and could definitely improve.
(3)Gabriel V.
This place is great. I always come here with a friend and get a shake made with their ever-changing selection of ice creams. The man there is super friendly and not too bad looking. :-P They have a cozy electric fireplace and tv area and plenty of electrical outlets for laptop use. There is also an outdoor seating area that is great for a larger gathering or a loud group. I would feel bad being too loud inside since the vibe is very calm. I will continue to return and will try more of their food items. I've only had the pesto panini, so good!
(5)Gorana M.
Cozy little spot with a fireplace. I'm not a coffee drinker but their hot chocolate is great. The sandwiches have gone down but the noise level is okay for a person that needs to get work down. Great go to spot for studying.
(4)Christine H.
Gave this place another chance and then the lady behind the counter opened the syrup bottle with her teeth!!! OMG. Who does that in an eatery??? The last time I was there, the lady coughed in her hand, served a pastry and didn't wash her hands.Unfortunately this used to be the best coffee house, lots of regulars. I was going there since they opened, unfortunately that all changed.No one seems to care and there is definitely no customer service!! The staff before was so caring and considerate. You would walk in and they would already be making your drink and the food then was great. Not anymore . The new owners chased everyone away, with their uncaring and unsanitary ways. It's a shame.. It's very obvious the new owners don't care about the consumer and don't show any customer service. You can definitely observe the loss of customers by the empty parking lot. It's too bad.
(1)Brian M.
Jbean "coffee".. Smh. Allow me to set the record straight. I worked at jbean for 12.5 years. From the age 18 to 30! This place is a far cry from what it once was. Jbean coffee started off, owned by a delightful family. They birthed jbean with love and sincerity. They built it with pride and I was fortunate to be there from the beginning to help it grow. It was great for 5 years. Then they sold and it was perfect timing. The next owners tried there best but couldn't devote the time needed to truly take the business to the next level. They cut corners and downgraded product. The quality soon began to degrade. Along with customer enthusiasm. Yet we carried on! Trying our best. I continued to grow as a barista, honing a refined ability in preparation and latte art. All 31 latte art designs on their wall, are my creations. Go in there now and request one and watch them quiver and deny your request. Those owners sold to a young fellow who was passionate and capable. But the damage was done, sadly. He bought a sinking ship. He was my best student. I taught him what I'd learned over the course of a decade +. He then sold AGAIN to a FOURTH owner. Now the place is in a vegetated state. And someone needs to pull the plug. They have a staff that knows NOTHING about coffee or about what jbean is and was. They churn out poorly made liquid diarrhea and call it coffee. And it's not their fault. They're leader-less. the owners stare you down and over charge. $2.50 for a 12oz. Coffee with a soy topper!?... News flash... The 'add soy" button is used if someone wants a soy latte.. Not for a simple splash into brewed coffee. I try not to resent the crew because again, they know not what they do.. But come on! What pisses me off is i put my soul into that place. As did Brenda and Rebecca. And to see it go from that.. To this is a g***amn shame. But hey.. Don't take my word for it. Give it a shot. You'll be sorry you did. Put a fork in it. It's done. Harwood Heights.. I'm calling you out, you know what jbean once was. Put a tanning salon there or extend the parking lot. Bulldoze it and give FedEx kinkos a drive thru or something. End it!
(1)Jack P.
I had coffee and breakfast here with a Chicago cop friend. While we were there, no less than six other of his colleagues passed through. So there are a couple of things you can count on as a customer. It is obviously endorsed by Chicago's finest, and the chances of be mugged while sipping your latte are pretty slim. This is a small, attractive independent cafe located right across from Harlem-Irving Plaza, which has a nice menu of breakfast sandwiches, bakery treats and fancy-schmancy coffee drinks. As usual, I got my straight up black coffee, which was very rich and satisfying. I chose one of their breakfast croissant sandwiches (there are a number of these in the $3-4.00 range.) It was a generous size, but they didn't leave if long enough on the Foreman, and the cheese in the middle was cold. So you may want to order these "well-done." J. Bean is a nice little cafe if you happen to be in this area, and you would like some personalized service and good cup o' java. A good place to be served and protected.
(3)Gesika B.
Ordered an iced chai and cafe latte. Not sure if they didn't understand or just weren't paying attention but I ended up with a hot chai. The cafe latte was tasty. Probably not going to go back because the service was subpar. Nice ambiance inside and seemed clean.
(3)Damien S.
I find Brian's review kind of funny. Because I know who he is and when we worked there, and I find it ironic that he left when Amir was there, didn't post a review because he was his friend, and now that Amir sold it, he put a bad review up. Ultimately, he's right, in that the place isn't too great, the items I get are pretty decent still; although sometimes now they don't come out the same with the new staff, but they might learn overtime. They are in fact, remodeling some stuff on the inside, and I'm curious to see what they'll do.
(2)Jerry G.
One of the best coffee shops in Chicago very smooth taste think friendly stuff and free WiFi gotta love this place.. Let it update new ownership not what it used to be.. I still like the coffee but the service is going down the hill.. Update for May 2015 quality went down service went down after the new owners took over I will not go into details
(2)Fadi S.
Good coffee and amazing tea selection!! Ever since my first visit iv been going there on a weekly basis.
(4)Jonathan E.
New owners have now made many improvements and it is much better. New machines, new staff and service is good.
(4)Becca S.
It's been a while since I logged on and when I did, I was greeted by a private message from a very loyal fan of this establishment who disagreed with my review and felt compelled to sling barbs. Oh, did I offend you (customer who shall remain nameless) by sharing my opinion? Sorry, let me rephrase. This is the WORST coffee I have had in my ENTIRE life, which includes diner, gas station, fast food, and instant coffee (or any underperforming brew we drink out of necessity). These are gourmet by comparison to J Bean coffee. I can't in good conscience defend a product of such low quality that mediocrity is the best thing that could happen to it. A year ago my boyfriend and I were here for an emissions test and being the junkies that we are, decided to give J Bean a try. It was a weekday, the crowd was thin and the energy was low. The woman who took our order wasn't exactly a walking ray of sunshine, but that's not the point. I ordered a latte and my boyfriend got the raspberry iced mocha latte, which was actually on the menu; he was not trying to be obnoxious. The mocha latte was cloyingly sweet (and I have a sweet tooth). It tasted like half of it was raspberry syrup. Completely undrinkable unless you wanted a migraine and a stomachache. The latte was no better. We go to coffee shops in the city at least three times a week. I know what a latte is supposed to taste like, and this was a far cry. It was watered down, lukewarm, and what faint hint of coffee was there, tasted stale. No richness of espresso or creaminess of steamed milk, just flat with a chalky aftertaste. Maybe I've been spoiled by Jackalope, Wormhole, and Metropolis. I try not to be a coffee snob, but if you want your coffee to taste like coffee, and not tepid diabetes in a cup, you probably won't like it here. I honestly think the barista was new or just made the wrong drinks... I'm from one of those generations that never throws food away, and we tossed both as soon as we left. On another note, while waiting I saw whole beans for sale, stamped with roast dates that were 3, 4, 5+ months old. I've never advertised myself as a coffee storage expert, but the person who messaged me seemed to think it was imperative to educate me on the magic of valve-sealed technology and how it extends shelf life up to a year. I didn't remember what kind of bags they used, so I thanked him for teaching me something new and updated the review. HOWEVER I assume because I stood by my original rating, he felt that merited several choice words. Stay classy, Yelpers.
(1)Jeni Z.
Not what they used to be. In the beginning I went there a lot and it was great. The coffee was great. I went there about a month ago and my mocha was just gross. It used to be crowded all the time which shows it was good. But today it's always empty in there and for a good reason. If you're just looking for a coffee to go, bite the bullet and go to Starbucks in the hip or Dunkin Donuts on Irving...and yes they are both better than this dive is now... So sad.
(1)Emma K.
Great coffee but under the new management you don't have to wait long time for your favorite cup of coffee... I still give them 5 stars
(5)Connor B.
With a love for coffee and experience working at Caribou Coffee for a little I started out 2014 with the mission to visit all of the coffee shops in my area. After visiting a few, I thought why not write reviews and share my thoughts on each of them. So here we are... with out any further ado let's dive right in to my unbiased review of J Bean Coffee Location & Ambiance: The location and ambiance are awesome! As many coffee shops I have been to, they have a great ambiance set up. Its a busy little shop with a lot of places to sit. Not necessarily somewhere I would sit and do homework, but definitely a good place to come get a cup of decent coffee. Coffee: The coffee itself was ok at best, but was a little watered down tasting. I had a skim latte, and it definitely lacked that strong coffee kick I have come to expect from a good espresso. Food: They do have a wide selection of food which was definitely nice to see! I tried the Nutella croissant, and it was very good with my coffee. I just which the coffee was strong to get a good mix with the pastry. Staff: The staff was there, but nothing special. It felt the same as any corporate Starbucks, Caribou, or anything else. Nothing special in this area. Overall, the simplest way to put this whole experience is by saying: It was ok, average, and could definitely improve.
(3)Gabriel V.
This place is great. I always come here with a friend and get a shake made with their ever-changing selection of ice creams. The man there is super friendly and not too bad looking. :-P They have a cozy electric fireplace and tv area and plenty of electrical outlets for laptop use. There is also an outdoor seating area that is great for a larger gathering or a loud group. I would feel bad being too loud inside since the vibe is very calm. I will continue to return and will try more of their food items. I've only had the pesto panini, so good!
(5)Christine H.
Gave this place another chance and then the lady behind the counter opened the syrup bottle with her teeth!!! OMG. Who does that in an eatery??? The last time I was there, the lady coughed in her hand, served a pastry and didn't wash her hands.Unfortunately this used to be the best coffee house, lots of regulars. I was going there since they opened, unfortunately that all changed.No one seems to care and there is definitely no customer service!! The staff before was so caring and considerate. You would walk in and they would already be making your drink and the food then was great. Not anymore . The new owners chased everyone away, with their uncaring and unsanitary ways. It's a shame.. It's very obvious the new owners don't care about the consumer and don't show any customer service. You can definitely observe the loss of customers by the empty parking lot. It's too bad.
(1)Tomasz C.
I love this place ;) I would recommend this place to anyone for a coffee and a cookie, and atmosphere inside Service is very nice ;) so step in to J Bean Coffy ;)
(5)Natalie J.
My friends and I came to this cafe for the first time and had a very unpleasant experience. I ordered a cherry smoothie which was way too sweet and I couldn't have another sip. The barista named Sandra refused to adjust my drink or make another one. She said that since it's not her mistake and smoothies are pre made she won't be changing it she won't refund the $6 that I paid for the drink. It was my first and last time here.
(1)Von B.
Seen this place while our riding bike. Thought I would give it a try this morning. Glad I did. The iced coffee was really good (ask for them to add sweetener from behind the counter). For breakfast had their Captain Jack. Egg, bacon, pepper jack cheese on a grilled croissant. Along with their hash browns (not bad, not great) total bill was under $6 Defiantly going back. Want to try more menu items
(4)Liz R.
I just love this place, enough said. Good coffee, Nom Gelato. what more can I ask for?
(5)Marek C.
This used to be one of my favorite places ... I always enjoyed great coffee and great customer service... not anymore... ever since Brian is gone this place is totally different... no spirit , no atmosphere... Last time I was in I asked guy who worked , how do they do without Brian and in rude way he membled something ... . I realized this must be new owner and I asked him if he was , he confirmed. This man needs to learn a lot when it comes to customer service and the way how to treat clients... I will definitely avoid this place... he is not getting my business for sure ... and I will make sure to tell all my friends to avoid this place ...
(1)Gretchen W.
I'm not sure what happened? New management, new owners? It's a different vibe than it used to be. I still enjoyed my coffee and the barista still made the beautiful designs but I had ask twice for the rest of my order. Not very friendly behind the counter either. They have a help wanted sign in the window, maybe a friendlier person will apply.
(3)Brian M.
Jbean "coffee".. Smh. Allow me to set the record straight. I worked at jbean for 12.5 years. From the age 18 to 30! This place is a far cry from what it once was. Jbean coffee started off, owned by a delightful family. They birthed jbean with love and sincerity. They built it with pride and I was fortunate to be there from the beginning to help it grow. It was great for 5 years. Then they sold and it was perfect timing. The next owners tried there best but couldn't devote the time needed to truly take the business to the next level. They cut corners and downgraded product. The quality soon began to degrade. Along with customer enthusiasm. Yet we carried on! Trying our best. I continued to grow as a barista, honing a refined ability in preparation and latte art. All 31 latte art designs on their wall, are my creations. Go in there now and request one and watch them quiver and deny your request. Those owners sold to a young fellow who was passionate and capable. But the damage was done, sadly. He bought a sinking ship. He was my best student. I taught him what I'd learned over the course of a decade +. He then sold AGAIN to a FOURTH owner. Now the place is in a vegetated state. And someone needs to pull the plug. They have a staff that knows NOTHING about coffee or about what jbean is and was. They churn out poorly made liquid diarrhea and call it coffee. And it's not their fault. They're leader-less. the owners stare you down and over charge. $2.50 for a 12oz. Coffee with a soy topper!?... News flash... The 'add soy" button is used if someone wants a soy latte.. Not for a simple splash into brewed coffee. I try not to resent the crew because again, they know not what they do.. But come on! What pisses me off is i put my soul into that place. As did Brenda and Rebecca. And to see it go from that.. To this is a g***amn shame. But hey.. Don't take my word for it. Give it a shot. You'll be sorry you did. Put a fork in it. It's done. Harwood Heights.. I'm calling you out, you know what jbean once was. Put a tanning salon there or extend the parking lot. Bulldoze it and give FedEx kinkos a drive thru or something. End it!
(1)Gorana M.
Cozy little spot with a fireplace. I'm not a coffee drinker but their hot chocolate is great. The sandwiches have gone down but the noise level is okay for a person that needs to get work down. Great go to spot for studying.
(4)Jack P.
I had coffee and breakfast here with a Chicago cop friend. While we were there, no less than six other of his colleagues passed through. So there are a couple of things you can count on as a customer. It is obviously endorsed by Chicago's finest, and the chances of be mugged while sipping your latte are pretty slim. This is a small, attractive independent cafe located right across from Harlem-Irving Plaza, which has a nice menu of breakfast sandwiches, bakery treats and fancy-schmancy coffee drinks. As usual, I got my straight up black coffee, which was very rich and satisfying. I chose one of their breakfast croissant sandwiches (there are a number of these in the $3-4.00 range.) It was a generous size, but they didn't leave if long enough on the Foreman, and the cheese in the middle was cold. So you may want to order these "well-done." J. Bean is a nice little cafe if you happen to be in this area, and you would like some personalized service and good cup o' java. A good place to be served and protected.
(3)Ryan S.
The place is nice and everything but I wish the staff would have been more helpful in answering my coffee questions because I just starting drinking coffee in Oct. 2012 so i'm like new to this whole scene. I had the cappuccino & a croissant w/netella, the croissant was delicious and the coffee was damn strong : ) I would go back if i'm in the area again.
(4)Diane K.
The first moment that I step foot outside of my house, J Bean is my first destination two blocks away. Anyone who knows me is well aware that I will not diverge from my path without an iced dirty chai in my hand. Even when I go shopping with my grandma to Target (just across the street), she giggles at the cross lights and in Polish asks "Stopping for coffee?" She constantly reminds me that I can make coffee at home but I know damn well that it will not be the same quality as J Beans. Every morning I walk into J Bean, Rebecca and Brenda are always welcoming. Before I reach the counter, they are already in the process of "creating" my delicious caffeine quencher. Recently, I was turned on to a gelato smoothie (preferably vanilla or peanut butter) spiked with espresso. Best of both worlds I must say! Such a great summer treat! I would highly suggest having Rebecca make it, she knows all of the right portions without making it too thick. I am a STICKLER about coffee. I will never refuse any coffee, but I am very particular about what constitutes as quality coffee. I experience what I like to call "love at first taste". I fall head over heels and there is no turning back until, of course, another intrigues my taste buds. I think Starbucks and Gloria Jeans are both highly overrated and do lack the quality. If I have an incredible sweet craving, I will only then visit my local Starbucks and purchase a large caramel frappucino. Ten minutes into slurping up all the sugar, I feel a heart attack coming on with an instant crash. That is when I remember (and kick myself in the ass) that I should never cheat on J Bean. I also like J Bean because it is a Mom n' Pop business. There is no fluffy marketing that draws the loyal customers (as I). The paninis, coffee, and gelato attract the "usuals" that I have come to know very well. Not only is it a mom n' pop establishment, which I always fully support, i LOVE to come here and sit outside during the summers whether its with friends during the evenings, or the mornings while checking my email. OM NOM NOM NOM!
(5)Dan W.
I love coffee shops. This one is no different. I like the coffee they have here. The prices are also good.
(4)Nilda L.
Good coffee, gelato and sandwhiches. Actually great sandwiches and wraps. The wraps are huge, big enough to share or save for later. If they had a drive thru, ( I have kids) I'd go everyday.
(4)Len W.
The floor was filthy when I walked in. Bathroom was not much better. Coffee is thin and left a bitter aftertaste. Finally, the counter with the cream, etc., looked like it hadn't been cleaned in months. Never again.
(1)Laura N.
Met here with a friend for drinks two weeks ago. I'm a huge fan of local coffee shops so I was really excited to come here because it seems that they have faded from the suburbs. I ordered a chai tea latte (I don't drink coffee) and it was great! I also ordered a vegetable panini and it was so delicious that thinking about it right now makes my mouth water. There were also plenty of tables to sit at, a few games to play, and a generally laid-back atmosphere. I think I would come here again. The reason I give this place four stars (and not five) is because I felt the two baristas behind the counter weren't friendly enough. They were cute, they did their job, and the drinks/food were good, but they didn't smile. At all. It gave me the impression that they weren't happy to be there.
(4)Franny S.
One of the few (or possibly only?) non-chain coffee places by me. They've got super tasty iced lattes, comfy atmosphere inside, and friendly staff. It's a shame it's not anywhere near my route to work otherwise it would definitely be my go-to for my morning coffee. If I'm ever up freakishly early (rather than my usual perpetual lateness, oops!), I'll totally stop in for an iced caramel latte.
(4)Anthony S.
The service is awsome. Love the breafest sandwiches. The girls in the morning are alway friendly and the coffee is fresh.
(5)Cat D.
Let me tell you this place has the best coffee!! The staff if very nice too on highly recommend it if you are in the neighborhood
(4)Angello R.
Pistachio gelato is very good :) and the two guys serving are very hot! Especially the smaller one..
(5)Ania T.
I absolutely love this place.. Their coffee is delicious hard for me to resist so I go there everyday :) (so much better than Starbucks) Food and gelato is great too. Some of the staff could be a little more friendly.
(5)Mike E.
Very delicious coffee and a nice ambiance.
(4)Amanda G.
I saw this place a few years ago, and have been going there for awhile. They have great coffee, cracker salad is fresh, and the american panini was so good also! I've seen this place grow in popularity over the years and I am so happy for them. I will plan to keep coming there!
(5)Cheryl R.
Way more expensive than any chain coffee shop. $2.95 for a cookie?!?! I ordered the chai tea latte and they never asked me what kind of milk i wanted in it. I also noticed all they used was the Oregon Chai liquid that you can buy at target. And when I drank it, it tasted watered down. and it was $3.40 for a small! WAY more expensive than starbucks. I really wanted this place to be good, but I was disappointed.
(1)D. C.
Come lunch time, I decided I really wanted a sandwich and needed some kind coffee to get me through the afternoon. My only options involved visiting two chains from a possible three to acquire exactly what I wanted, but I only have so much time for my lunch break; luckily I remembered this place. I've always noticed it when I run to Target, but had never stopped in. Ordered the raspberry mocha latte ($3.55) and turkey panini ($7.99). I'm not a coffee expert in the least and can only drink it in it's foofier forms, but I don't think I've ever had anything like it from the chains (Starbucks, Caribou, McDonald's). It's smooth, with little to no bitterness, and its sweetness is noticeable without being overwhelming like its melted-candy-bar-sweet chain cousins. The panini was huge (wish I'd noticed sooner that I could've ordered just a half for cheaper) and delicious. The girl who took my order didn't strike me as terribly friendly, but meh--she made me a tasty drink so that's fine. Can't wait to go back and try some other things, especially their hot caramel apple cider and maybe some gelato.
(4)Word B.
Coffee is expensive, refills cost more than star bucks Their internet terminals are $6/hr, and for their WiFi you need a password(pass=rb594). Only one kind of coffee really, also their cups are leaky, wtf Nuvo-industrial ambiance at best, cutting corner with the decor (frame ur pictures) - faux plants, hoes cut in dry wall Definitely could use some work, the girls there are kinda nice There are some strange patrons, e.g.: -possibly one was a crackhead, -one was wearing a bullet proof vest under his t-shirt their cookies are ok, and the banana bread was dry - throw sum butter in there. They hav a massage chair, never wanted to pay for it though... lol allergens in the air, the person i went there with sneezed a few times i give them props for having doors on both side of the building with near-equal access and regressing
(2)Daniel C.
Nice people, decent coffe and food, and the world's worst wifi. Currently sitting here, enjoying a pretty good iced latte and a better than expected panini. It is a nice, comfortable coffee shop that I'd be happy to return to. That is, if it did not have the absolute slowest, worst wifi I have ever experienced. If this were some sort of anomaly, I wouldn't be so hard on them. But, after asking the staff to restart the router, they indicated they were aware of how slow the internet is, saying "Yeah, a lot of times I can't even connect to the network, so I just tell people to use the wifi network from the FedEx next door". I feel like I am on Netscape in 1998 using a 512k connection as I type this review. If you can even connect and manage to navigate anywhere, it kicks you off every few minutes. I am sitting 5 feet from the room where the router is, and there are 3 people (including myself) currently using (attempting to use) the wifi. This is the technological equivalent of serving Taster's Choice Freeze Dried Coffee. Like I said, pretty good coffee and food. But for my needs, I weigh coffee, food, and wifi equally - so 2-stars it is.
(2)Derrick P.
Great coffee every time. I was there 10 times least 6 months and the coffee was always good. Small local coffee shop style. Not like Starbucks with strong, overdone mediocre coffee. Smooth, flawrorful, with nice deep color. One of the best in Chicago. I know what i say. I know most of coffee places in Logan Square, Wicker Park, Lincoln Park and Lakeview. J Bean can easily compete with all of them
(5)Dorotka K.
If this place was a chain coffeehouse, Starbucks would run away crying. I lived in the neighborhood for a few years and drove past this place countless times. A Groupon finally convinced me to go. Never did I have an iced latte this good. Perfectly sweet, smooth and with a hint of vanilla. And this wasn't even a flavored one. It was gone in like 2 minutes. I've been back several times for their Coffee Blender (that's the name of this insanely good beverage) and it's the bomb no matter who makes it. I really want to try more of their coffee creations, but I love this one so much that I never have the courage to order something else.
(4)Renita M.
Cute, clean, tasty coffee and good food. We met Ms Kate M here for a light lunch on a breezy, sunny Saturday afternoon. I have never been to Norridge and did not realize there was an enormous Target across the street! Word to the wise, turning left out of the shopping center lot is a pain in the butt. But J. Bean itself? Not overly cozy but certainly a nice little cafe with plenty of tables. I had a veggie wrap which came with chips (bagged, and no pickle which mildly disappointed me); the wrap was full of deliciousness and fresh vegetables, and was a good sized portion without being ridiculous. They also have panini and salads, plus pastry and gelato. I also had an iced Americano with a little toffee syrup, very good depth of flavor without being bitter. Kudos on the coffee. I noticed a little outdoor seating area in the back but didn't investigate; I can also report that the ladies' room is clean and well stocked. The lone young woman working was friendly and did not bug us (she also didn't clear our baskets or anything, but that's OK). Prices were about on par with similar places, $6something for the wrap or sandwich, I believe? less than $3 for a not-so-small iced Americano w/syrup. I don't know if or when I might return to Norridge, but if I have reason to be in the area again, I will know J Bean is there to provide a light bite and a tasty cup of coffee or tea!
(4)Drea O.
I like this place a lot! The employees are nice, the coffee is good, they serve food(which I have yet to try) the hours are good. There are plenty of places to sit and a nice place to just enjoy a cup and surf the web. I stopped by at about 8am on a weekday and after about an hour it started getting pretty crowded. I was here one other time with a friend, we played checkers over lattes. This place is such a nice change from starbucks, I only wish it wasn't right across the street from the mall as I am going nowhere near that place over the holiday season. Did I mention they serve gelato?
(5)Ali Z.
J Bean is one of the better independent coffee shops in town. I used to stop by here frequently on the way to work back in the day and still seek it out whenever I'm in the area. Maybe not the best coffee in Chicagoland as they claim, but the quality of their lattes, iced coffee, and blended drinks far surpasses anything Starbucks and the chain coffee places serve up. They have a good selection of tea too. I had a iced jasmine green tea here once that was fantastic. As good as their drinks are, I think I actually enjoy their fresh basked cakes and pastries a little more. Love the soft cinnamony coffee cake as well lemon pound cake, and plum filled crescents. Their pastries have a wonderful homemade quality to them without being too sweet. The perfect accompanyment to my lattes.
(5)Rob R.
I saw them on restaurant.com , so I purchased a certificate and went it to give it a try. The guy there was not very nice and said they did not take these (not sure whose fault that is). Unfortunately never got to try anything, was just upset and walked out.
(1)Erik L.
Cozy and convenient. Very nice staff. Coffee not as strong as Starbucks and not as weak as Dunkin. Perfect hot chocolate for the kids.
(4)Kyle H.
J. Bean is what at an independent coffee shop should be! Friendly and helpful baristas, free wi-fi, sandwiches, salads, panini, and gelati; it's a great comfortable place to hang out and people take full advantage of that. Signage outside touts their coffee as one of the best cups in Chicago, the cup I had wasn't the best ever, so the jury's still out. But on a recent evening visit I had one of their unique homemade teas that they buy from a former employee and it was great! The White Pear Grape tea was super flavorful and made my Internetting here enjoyable. Many locals take advantage of J. Bean's nice atmosphere to study, play chess, Wi-fi it up- it's like a tornado whisked this place up from a Big Ten campus and plopped it down in a strange triangle intersection at Harlem and Irving Park! While neither street is a Yellow Brick Road to Oz, exploring Norridge yields some unique finds like J. Bean on Chicago's NW side!
(4)Nikki E.
I always get the iced tuxedo. Staff is always friendly. Nothing better on a hot summer day than sitting on the patio, soaking up the sun and getting my (coffee) drink on.
(5)Jay S.
Dirty Chai! Mmmmmm, It's chai with a shot of espresso in it. It quenched my thirst and made me a little wired after I went hunting for tuxes next door. It seems they have a really good selection of tea too! When I'm in the area, I will be back.
(5)Nektaria R.
Pretty good coffee. Yummy homemade pastries! Gelato? Yes! Nice atmosphere, good amount of traffic. Excellent service. Free wi-fi, Starbucks, I think you have some competition.
(3)Jacqueline W.
There are NO cafes near my house that are in walkable distance. But J.Bean is not too far west of me if I want to get out of the house for a couple hours and don't mind a 5 min max bus ride. The staff is nice and my brother used to play guitar here once a week. They have OK coffee but no refill option which sucks because I love to get coffee "for here" in an actual mug and not waste the cup but then it gets cold quick and I usually just get it topped off.. Its definitely a neighborhood type crowd and not too packed that you can't find a seat. But I was here on a Sunday night and it was a little loud for studying. Convenient if you have something to do at FedEx/Kinkos (next door) or if you're waiting for somebody to be done at the mall or Just Tires on the corner.
(3)Rose A.
Delish coffee, tea, desserts. Want any of the prior? Go here! You won't be disappointed.
(5)Mary E.
A couple of years ago the Chicago Tribune rated J. Bean's coffee as the best in Chicagoland. Once I heard this I had to go and try their coffee and lattes. Is it the best in Chicagoland? I don't think so but it's pretty damn good coffee. Nice, solid, well rounded roasted coffee taste. Does that description make any sense? I didn't think so but I'm trying to sound like I know what I'm talking about. All I know is their coffee is much better than Starbucks (yuck but I still go when desperate), better than Dunkin Donuts, better than Intelligentsia, but not quite up to par with Metropolis. But very close. It's a cute little coffee shop across the street from the Hip Mall. They have sandwiches (haven't tried them), pound cake thingies and free wifi. Service is good. Neighborhood teenagers desperate to break out of the neighborhood and live in a trendy area work the joint. Prices average about the same as Starbucks.
(4)Jennifer Q.
So my work friends, Ryan and Alicia, were at it again and decided that we practically had to go halfway back to Chicago for lunch. Even though it was a bit of a drive from Franklin Park, I have to say it was worth it! J. Bean is a really cute coffee shop that also has sandwiches, random snacks and gelato. I ordered the veggie panini and it was like two sandwiches for the price of one! ( I had the other half for dinner!) I also had some gelato, which is really hard to resist. The pistachio flavor had real, whole pistachios in it (mmmm) and I also tried the hazelnut cappuccino flavor. Everything was super yummy and fabulous. I'll be back for sure to try their coffee, which I didn't have room for after our filling meal.
(4)Beth B.
Love this place! I practically live on their turkey wraps and my hubby loves their Italian paninis. Very friendly staff! And, the owners seem quite engaged in making this place the best it can be. I found this place through Groupon and have been going back ever since! Everything we've tried has been great here!
(5)Kevin H.
On a Friday night I stopped by to check this place out since they are open until midnight. Since it was a bit later and my eyes were wide open, I noticed several people eating sandwiches. I was not aware. The menu is in a bit of an odd location, high on the wall on the right side while facing the ordering queue. I asked for a take out menu, but alas they have not printed them up yet. For what it is worth the sandwiches going out looked good, and I heard no complaints.
(4)Sylvia R.
Very friendly Staff. .. Cool place.
(4)Rhonda G.
Good coffee but much like Starbucks,etc....way overpriced! It actually tastes much like Starbucks (well the latte I had did anyway). It seems like a cool place to meet friends once in a while but not your everyday coffee shop kind of place. Also, a pet peeve of mine is cashiers who don't suggest drinks or anything when they see patrons toying with decisions or unsure of what the establishment has to offer. A little cusomer service goes a long way...oh...and great muffins! Moist and not too bad at $1.50.
(3)Glen K.
Good coffee, Lemon Cake like Mom use to make, great staff. Oh ya wifi to boot. Glad I stopped in!
(4)steve c.
This place is noted as having best coffee in chicagoland by chicago tribune. You are welcomed as soon as you get in and have to take in all of the options. Besides having coffee drinks, they have awesome panini sandwiches and "home made" gellato. Most of the staff are very friendly.
(5)Nikki S.
Coffee is my crack, and this place has the good stuff. Their coffee is delicious, very strong, and the flavored syrups they use are really, really good. Even the food they serve is good. In addition to serving delicious everything, the atmosphere is pretty cool. Its a great place to hang out with some friends, chill out, and get a bite to eat (or the best coffee ever). I drink coffee constantly, and this place beats Starbucks in every way (and I LOVE Starbucks..)
(5)Jennifer S.
I'm so sick of Starbucks (and their prices) and Dunkin Donuts (they always get everything wrong) so I decided to try this little place. Oh. My. God. I tried their Caramel Latte and it was to die for. I have been craving it ever since!
(4)Ron S.
The coffee at this place blows away starbucks and caribou. They serve you super fast and are on the ball. There is also a nice little sitting place for people to just chill and relax.
(4)Ashley H.
This place is super cute! Walking in, there's a lot of tables to hang out w friends and get work done at as well as a little patio for enjoying food outdoors. They had a ton of coffee choices and some wraps and paninis. I ordered the Italian with chips. The sandwich came out lukewarm and looked like it hadn't been cooked for more than a minute in the panini maker. I dont like spam much either, so I could tell before I even took a bite that it was made on the cheap. Pesto sauce was good (the best part). I hate to harp on personal appearances but there's nothing wrong with having your hair at least tied back and not looking like a hot mess at work either. I tried something new today, that's always nice....
(2)Daniel D.
J Bean Coffee is my favorite place for Coffee, As a Chicago Local I never understood why someone would go to a franchise for coffee when we have places like "J Bean" in Chicago that provide better coffee. Free wifi and a great place to talk, relax, or study for my exams!! After a cup from J Bean I'm immediately thrusted into energy and ready to tackle my busy lifestyle!! The staff here are friendly and always welcome me with a greeting!! Danny D.
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