Brothers K

By Meg Houseworth Executive Editor

“I like the ambience and how everyone else is studying around me. It’s the perfect amount of noise for me to study.it’s not too loud but not too quiet.”

“I love the environment inside, it feels very cozy and a great place to hang out with friends and study,” sophomore Josephine Bonney adds. “I especially love it during the holidays because they put up seasonal decorations.” This adds to the aura and charm that one experiences when visiting Collectivo.

“It’s a super cute cafe,” freshman Lilla

With the name stemming from a shared backyard-playground in Evanston, the possibilities to flourish and be yourself are continued into the coffee shop. Backlot claims to be a “comfortable, stimulating, and diverse community,” and many will say Backlot is exactly that.

If you are ever passing Central Street, be sure to stop by, because, as Shewfelt says, “you can never go wrong at Backlot.” espresso, the soft chatter from the couple sitting next to you and the crowded shelves housing retro crimson mugs. Luckily in Evanston, we can feel a semblance of Stars

Johnson exclaims. The shop has many places to sit and plants throughout the cafe, which add to its great environment, and makes it a community area that is very welcoming.

Aside from the cozy environment, they also have a great selection of food, including many delicious seasonal options. Johnson says, “I like their iced chai and the pumpkin spice french toast.”

A highlight of Colectivo’s menu are the vegetarian and vegan options. A favorite is the impossible burrito which includes tofu, sweet potatoes, impossible meat and salsa. Colectivo is accessible by foot, as well as public transportation and has ample parking available. It also accommodates large groups with its long tables that also are great for taking your time to study. With a great menu coupled with its great atmosphere, it is a place you should be sure to visit in the future.

Hollow on the corner of Hinman and Main where Brothers K is located. A hometown staple for South-West Evanstonians, Brothers K is an adorable coffee shop that values affordability, quality, and community.

“[Brothers K] is a place where you could study and get a lot done, but you can also meet up with someone and have a conversation without it feeling too loud or too quiet. [They] also play nice, quiet music, so [it] always [feels] cozy,” says senior Stella Ward.

Ward has been Brothers K regular since childhood. Initially coming to play board games with family members, Ward has developed a deep appreciation for Brothers K over the years.

“[Brothers K] has always been the closest [coffee shop] to my house and I’ve been going there since I was little. And I feel like they’ve always made such an effort to build community. When I was little, I’d go with my mom, and they’d have games that I could play. And then in middle school, they’d always have a good hot chocolate, and [now I go there] to do college applications,” Ward continues.

Just like many other seniors, coffee shops have been an integral weekend staple to work on college applications, and finding an environment that fosters both productivity and comfort is of foremost importance. For Ward, Brothers K checks those boxes.

“It feels so nice to walk in and to be surrounded with people that I know. I feel like I know all the people behind the counter, and I still see the same people when I come in. And even just like listening to the conversations between the people and people who come in typically, [it’s] like we all know each other. It feels like a little family.”

Whether you’re going to grab a latte togo or spend hours completing homework, you can be rest assured that Brothers K serves high-quality coffee and a warming welcome.