Filter Cafe

Today was one of the greatest days EVER!  

I called in sick, got tacos for lunch, sat in a coffee shop all afternoon and then had a donut to top this wonderful day off. So pretty much I am as happy as a clam with no complaints about how my day has been.

How has your day/week been? Hopefully just as good as mine. If not I know just the stop for you to go. It’s called Filter Cafe! – So cliche for a coffee shop I know, but this happens to be ANOTHER Wicker Park gem.

My adventure started with one, calling in sick, which for me is not easy to do. My boss is extremely understanding and I have the days to use till the end of the year, I still just struggle with pulling the trigger. When I woke up in the morning I went about my day business as usual, started the coffee pot and hopped in the shower. I think I almost chicken out, but gave myself a good pep talk and hoped on my email and shot my boss a basic, I’m not feeling well won’t make it into work for the day email. After that was done I had a few other people to notify before i could fully relax. All said and done I don’t think people cared at all that I was out, it’s a random Wednesday! And I’m not saving lives at my work. – That happens to be a joke among anyone in the marketing business. 🙂

Unfortunately, Daniel still had to go in for a few hours that morning, the plan was for me to meet him at noon by the Blue line so we can journey to Wicker together. I got into the Loop with some good time to kill, I tend to always be early places, so I walked over to Doughnut Vault’s nook of a shop to see what they had for the day. Mind you, this has to be one of the most hyped donut shops in the city. I enjoy a good donut, but like them simple. So the fancy $4 donuts just don’t do it for me. Those Doughnut Vault is quite good I figure Daniel would really enjoy since they are his favorite! Yeah I am kinda the best.

Donuts in hand or purse more technically I met Daniel at noon and we were off to the coffee shop! We got off at Division and Filter Cafe is only a few blocks walk, but right across the street is Antique Tacos! Neither of us had been before and I have heard nothing but good things about the food and drinks. There are a lot of of prices and “trendy” taco joints in the city so you never really know the good from the bad. But we both were pretty hungry and this would probably be the only time we would be able to walk in and sit without having to wait, figured we needed to take advantage of that.

I Could go on for days about how good all the food was, but I’ll spare you and just highly (highly) recommend you go. Yes, it’s expensive but trust me when I say it it worth it. Also, go with a group so you can order more and sample a little bit of everything.

You all still there? I hope so, cause now comes the good part! The review of the awesome, groovy coffee shop: Filter Cafe.

In true hipster fashion the coffee shop is a hidden door directly next to a skater shoe and bicycle shop, I wasn’t surprised. AND I LOVED IT! If I was ballsy enough to ride a bike on the streets of Chicago you bet your butt I would own a bicycle, alas I am not. One day maybe?

The inside takes you instantly to a cozy 70’s basement vibe, literally I could see my parents being kids and their basement looking like this. Felt couches with wild flower patterns and that how so fashionable (at the time) mustard yellow couch color. Yeah this place is nostalgic.

The barista was a gem, friendly and very well informed. He was a pleasure to converse with, talking a little about the coffee shop and what he like best about each drink. This place is awesome because a side from just being a coffee shop they offer a slightly full food menu. By that I mean they have a pretty good variety considering their kitchen can’t be too big. Luck for me I was still full from my tacos that just coffee for me today, other wise I would have gone for a few of the food items. They sounded so yummy.

My recent coffee drink of choice is a latte with no added sweetener, no more vanilla, I enjoy being able to taste the slightly acid taste from the espresso. So after the barista raved about the lattes and his ability to make them of course I had to give it a try. I wouldn’t say he blew my mind with the latte art or making, but it was quite delicious, the espresso was strong which was needed as I slowly slipped into a taco coma. 🙂

Also, I have to point out that the sizes here are like super sized! Check out a picture of my MEDIUM!!! What!? I was up pretty late after that coffee, TWO shots of espresso! Talk about a coffee buzz.

AND I have no idea why he put it in a to-go mug when I said for here, but honestly good think he did, I took some home with me even after sitting in the 70’s basement for a while.

So latte in hand I snaked my way to a small two seater table in the middle of the coffee shop, of course I wanted to be dead center of this crowded coffee shop to take in the whole atmosphere. When I say crowded there was no empty seats, a few couches but tables are like gold treasures here, you move and folks are eyeing it down or rushing over before the seat even gets cold! Animals! But there was a huge variety of groups and people here today enjoying the Filter’s cafe space. A few men in the corner have brunch (@3pm mind you), a few people that were clearly working remotely as they looked extra busy, a student study group of sorts and one gent chatting away on the phone to his friend about his night last night and chores that needed to be done at home. Lovely crowd.

Aside from the people this shop in general is just beautiful, there are murals on any of the plain walls, just really gives this coffee shop a homier, hipster feel. The sketching/art was all so bright and vibrant they catch your eye the second you walk in and cover all the free space in the coffee shop, I love it! It’s the type of artsy stuff you see on huge wall murals these days. Kind of tuning graffiti into art.

I was distracted with all the people in the cafe that for me it was hard to focus on my blog and a few article readings I was trying to get through, but if you’re coming to this cafe not set on being a total bookworm you will really enjoy sitting and taking it all in. I highly recommend the lattes and even the food! The coffee was perfect and the food all sounded and smelled delicious! I would be back her in a second, possibly cozy up on a couch and enjoy my surroundings!

Oh how my love for Wicker coffee has grown. Anyone have a shop in Wicker I need to try?