Submitted by Jonathan Yeong on 05/07/2017
Cool place with a trendy industrial feel. No table service. You go up, order and they'll bring you the food. Which I am totally fine with. I had the cappuccino and loved it. For breakfast I had the Seoul bowl. Which was delicious with a generous serving of Kim chi!
Had a very delicious lavender latte here! Great coffee! Also had great service by young man who seemed very knowledgeable and polite. They seem to do a great job at training their baristas here. Will be returning.
Submitted by Bre R. on 07/01/2022
I've been to this Fairgrounds location thrice now and have asked one of the baristas, Teddy, to surprise me with a drink he thinks I'd like based on my tastes and I've always had a very delicious experience. He makes great jasmine lattes and spiced chais! He's always kind and polite, makes great drinks, and seems to know a lot about coffee. There's nothing more I could ask for when grabbing breakfast or lunch. Great location and great guy!
Submitted by Tulsi Tulsi on 07/01/2022
A great coffee shop! Has a cute little patio outside that we take our dogs to often. Love their breakfast and their kombucha on tap is a great option when I'm not in the mood for coffee.
Submitted by Shannon Jost on 06/07/2022
Tasty latte. Central America blend. I like;)
Submitted by Oleksiy Lysenko on 05/11/2022
If you enjoy spending time with your friends or with your family, you should consider paying a visit to this location. I discovered this restaurant on Instagram and immediately shared it with my friends, who were overjoyed that I had discovered it because it has become one of our favorite hangout spots ever since we arrived in the city for the first time. They have a large assortment of coffee as well as a few appetizers to accompany it and all that I have tasted are awesome. In terms of appearance, it may appear to be a typical shop; nevertheless, it features a large glass wall that allows you to see inside even when you are standing outside. In addition, the interior design is really clean and modern. They also offer a seating area outside where you can sit and enjoy your coffee. It is a very calm environment. It truly exudes a warm and inviting atmosphere, and the entire staff is friendly and personable in their attitude.
Submitted by Nicole Hughes on 03/10/2022
So good!!! Absolutely loved our experience at Fairgrounds. The coffee was excellent and the baristas were so so sweet and friendly. They gave great recommendations and the coffee was excellent. I had the nitro cold brew and my husband had the pour over. Both were exceptional! We also had a croissant and bagel. The pastries were okay, nothing super fancy but overall excellent coffee and would highly recommend!!
Submitted by Carson Walker on 12/27/2021
Personally didn’t like the coffee and the food was just okay. Small portions and a bit over priced. Really great people and service though!
Submitted by Julissa on 12/18/2021
Nice coffee shop , the cafe was good & I like the interior so much.
Submitted by Norah Kh on 12/15/2021
Fairgrounds Coffee & Tea ups the ante with fresh brewed beverages. Diverse menu and delicious to go items. The staff and location are fantastic, easy parking and no hassle ordering. Step up and get a brew, tea or Kambucha on tap or if you have a moment order a fresh 12 or 16 oz. Today's flavor was a Colectivo. Patience is key as the watching the pour over is so tantalizing. In a word divine ????. Full body, even and no need for cream
Submitted by Chad Svastisalee on 08/05/2021
Great spot for a broad and eclectic coffee/tea/kombucha/food menu. Friendly and knowledgeable staff. Breakfast tacos are delicious AND gluten-free. Pictured: salted caramel cold brew and matcha chia pudding.
Submitted by Lesley Raskin on 05/24/2021
Very wide selection of coffees, teas, matcha and kombucha. For those who can't decide, flights are available for you to sample a selection of a few different options. All choices in my flight were delicious, but I have to come again to try more.
Submitted by Joe Roznai on 06/08/2019
The decor was really nice and what attracted me in the first place. I ordered the matcha latte with a little bit if vanilla syrup and wow that was a delight. I wish there was just a little more matcha in there as the vanilla was pretty overpowering. I love that they had options for still or sparkling water, you don’t see that too often. My boyfriend, on the other hand, did not have a pleasant experience but that’s none of my business ????
Submitted by Michelle Ruan on 11/21/2018
The bread here is amazing! If you like cheese in the grill cheese was divine!! Staff helpful and seating. But standard Chicago in terms of not enough seating. Would come here again! Nice selection of tea!
Submitted by Rachel Kendrick on 02/27/2018
Fairgrounds Coffee and Tea takes a different approach to coffee by obtaining their coffee from multiple roasters. Though I was uncertain how I felt about this model—I normally like coffee shops that roast locally and work closely with the farms they source from—I was looking forward to trying out Fairgrounds. What first struck me when I walked through the door was how shiny, pretty, and lively the inside of the shop was. As I got in line, a worker came up and offered me a menu, but I already knew what I wanted. Then, I was offered funnel cake fries. Wow—I liked this kind of service! Free food while I waited in line was certainly fine with me.
When it came time to order, I experienced a sense of power when I got to choose the espresso I wanted in my cappuccino. I felt myself warming up to the multiple roasters model as I moved to the end of the bar and waited for my drink. The baristas, while working quickly and efficiently, were still friendly. I would also like to add that they had some serious skills! My cappuccino’s tulip was poured flawlessly.
After I got my drink, one barista, who was wiping down tables, saw me trying to balance my camera and cappuccino and not only suggested the spot with the best lighting but wiped down the already-clean counter to make sure it was spotless for my photos. I took my photos as quickly as possible, impatient to actually drink my cappuccino. When I finally finished with my photos, I eagerly sipped my drink. It. Was. Exquisite. The foam was velvety smooth, while the Stumptown single origin espresso was sweet and balanced.
The verdict on Fairgrounds Coffee and Tea? While I wouldn’t want every coffee shop to use this model of multiple roasters, it definitely works here. The baristas are talented and friendly, and the shop is bustling and clean. If you’re in the Bucktown area or anywhere near the blue line, definitely stop by.
Submitted by Rebecca S on 04/02/2017