Intelligentsia Fresh Roasted Coffee - Broadway, Chicago

Intelligentsia store front ...and the reflection of yours truly.

Ok - so I've become a sort of coffee snob. I technically shouldn't love coffee as much as I do (hello premature osteoporosis) however ever since Tokyo I was changed forever. After sipping on a cup of cappuccino and understanding what it should actually taste like - even Starbucks seemed mediocre to me. 

Intelligentsia, although not the best cup of joe I've ever tasted, sure is good (better and more worthy of the price than Starbucks). Thanks to some Chicagoan friends that recommended Intelligentsia I had some good coffee on a Sunday. Although the cafe has taken the minimalist approach (sort of pretentious) - their coffee is worth the hype. Each cup is carefully brewed to order (see picture below) with its own filter. So it is fresh, aromatic, plus it's just cool to see each drip of coffee painstakingly come down.. Their menu is short, sweet, and definitely to the point. The staff is knowledgeable considering they are well trained in "coffee school". They will be happy to tell you where their coffee comes from, including where it's grown, updates on the coffee industry, or how their taking fair trade to the next level.

My friend's coffee for her latte being pampered.

I ordered an iced latte (no sweetener/flavor) and the difference in Intelligencia between the green labeled big chain is the ability to actually taste the coffee. One caveat: 2 of my friends ordered the vanilla latte and another ordered the iced angeleno - both tasted exactly the same. Even the barista said it was almost the same ingredients however the catch is the angeleno is made of 4 shots of espresso and some agave nectar. So unless you are really wanting to stay awake for some late night working - save yourself the $1 and order a latte.

To find out more about Intelligentsia, including their direct trade, locations, and public tours visit their website at Intelligentsia. Cheers!