Something’s brewing in Oak Park Seven ways to satiate your caffeine cravings
C
raving a cup of joe? Our community is percolating with ways to enjoy a jolt every day of the week. No matter if you need to kick off your morning with a hot coffee of cool off with an afternoon pick me up, we have all the answers you need to give yourself a good old case of the jitters. If you need some rocket fuel to get through your day, here are seven spots to get your next caffeine infusion!
ADDIS CAFÉ, 801 S Oak Park Ave., made a bold leap across Oak Park Ave. in spring of 2022. Café owner Kalkidan Tesfaye (known to most as Kalki) made the move to facilitate a wealth of opportunities for her community-minded shop known for serving up pour over coffee and other specialty drinks. “Coffee in Ethiopia is meant to be shared — one pot would serve many people
so friends, neighbors and sometimes even strangers would share a pot,” said Tesfaye. “My customers have spent time getting to know my customs and they have become like a family to me.” Savor an artful honey nutmeg latte or golden-hued turmeric latte with some crispy waffles next time you visit this welcoming coffee shop.
Chill out with and iced beverage from BREWPOINT CRAFT, 163 S Oak Park Ave. Melissa Villanueva, founder and CEO of Brewpoint Coffee, promised to “hit it out of the park for coffee lovers” when she opened Oak Park’s Brewpoint location in Spring of 2021. The woman and minority owned micro chain forms strong direct trade relationships to facilitate the production of their awardwinning coffee. On a recent visit we sampled a rainbow of iced beverages including a notable pina colada matcha. A standout on the seasonal
drink menu, the grassy hued beverage brings pineapple juice, coconut, green tea and oat milk together in a well-balanced summery sip. If you fancy a purple beverage, look no further than Brewpoint’s ube coconut frappe. The vibrant beverage makes use of trendy purple sweet potato, but traditionalists will appreciate the café’s espresso, cappuccino and spiced chocolate options all year long. The well-loved BUZZ CAFÉ, 905 S Lombard Ave., has been a hub for coffee lovers since 1998. Owner Laura Maychruk created a cozy place known for serving up homey meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Vegan and organic options are available in abundance at the artsy café prized for making coffee drinks with a custom blend of Chicago-based Metropolis coffee.
MELISSA ELSMO Food Writer
enjoyed at the mainstay café located in the heart of the Harrison Street Arts District comes with the opportunity to engage in lively conversation with members of the community, but The Buzz is just steps away from the CTA blue line making it an ideal morning stop for commuters.
Expert baristas serve thoughtfully made cappuccinos crowned with a cloud of foam. The timeless drink is delightful on its own, but even better with a cheesy egg sandwich or hearty bistro wrap. Any meal 2022 OAKPARK.COM ANSWER BOOK | 73
