The Riot Fest office is an office fueled by ungodly amounts of caffeine. While we all work from home, our coffee intake, for most of us, has gotten even worse. If you’re looking for a great place to get your coffee delivered straight to your doorstep, we’ve listed our favorites to propel you through your workweek-at-home.
DARK MATTER COFFEEBy Dan Wade (Art Director)
I don’t know what I’d do without iced coffee during a summer in Chicago in the Before-Times let alone these days. Luckily, Dark Matter Coffee is open for business, and they serve up the best cup in town: The Iced Mayan Mocha. It’s sweet, chocolatey, creamy, and just a little bit spicy. Yes, I order the largest size they have. Dark Matter’s Chocolate City Bodega has a solid social distancing plan in place, so be sure to budget for the extra four-packs and growlers of their iced coffee that you will most likely purchase while you’re in there and then get out, because there will be other people waiting six feet apart on the sidewalk outside. And don’t forget to generously tip your barista.
HALFWIT COFFEEBy Monique Doron (Graphic Designer)
Unfortunately most, if not all, of the places I frequent for coffee are temporarily closed these days. :~(
Near the top of that list is Wormhole. While you might not be able to enjoy the atmosphere in person, you can still donate to their GoFundMe for their staff or purchase the coffee they roast, Halfwit.
THE COFFEE & TEA EXCHANGEBy Bailey Davis (Managing Editor)
There was a point in my life where I didn’t drink a pot (or two) of coffee a day. In fact, up until a few years ago, I didn’t drink coffee at all—but I’ve been hooked ever since my first trip to The Coffee & Tea Exchange. Not only is it some of the best coffee I’ve ever had, but it’s on sale all the time in bulk and comes in a ton of different flavors, the orange variety being my all-time favorite cup o’ Joe. (The Blue Mountain Style is also excellent.)
But I can’t write about coffee without mentioning the Botanical Cafe—while you can’t enjoy their plant-filled seated area right now, they’re back open for business and worth the trip if you’re in Chicago.
SPACEFLOWER ESPRESSOBy Miles Raymer (Editor-at-large)
I used to have a really complicated coffee setup with a pro-grade burr grinder and a Chemex with the kitchen scale and a counter full of tools to make sure that every cup of coffee I made was dialed in exactly right. These days I’m a brutal minimalist: the beans go in a hand-cranked grinder (I’m ready for the apocalypse) and then in an Aeropress, and out comes a dense, rich, quasi-espresso that provides all my daily caffeine requirements in a single cup. While Queens was locked down so hard that even Dunkin’ shut its doors (which never happens), my cousin hooked me up with a couple bags of Spaceflower, the award-winning espresso beans from Reprise Roasters in Libertyville, and I swear the beautiful, flavorful sock to the face they gave me every morning is what kept me from losing my mind completely.
HERITAGE COFFEEBy Riot Fest Twitter Person
It’s a bike store and a coffee store all in one. What more could you ask for?
DOLLOP COFFEE CO.By Jen Moers (Office Manager)
My left eye has been twitching for several days, so I should probably lay off the coffee. I’m typically a matcha drinker, but lately I’ve been doing pour-overs at home using grounds (or beans) delivered to my door in my Imperfect Produce box. However, I suppose if I wanted to splurge on a coffeehouse latte I’d hit up Dollop Bakeshop on Augusta and Damen. They are open for delivery or takeout 7:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. (and 5:00 p.m. on Saturdays & Sundays).
MY NINJABy Buck Foley (Talent Buyer)
My Ninja is by far my favorite place to get coffee in Chicago! Not only do I not have to leave the house to get it but it easily makes all sorts of delicious coffee beverages. It allows me to start my day feeling like I accomplished barista excellence all while paying homage my high school self who was the best barista at the Old Orchard Mall Starbucks from 2003 to 2005.
Shout out to Riot Mike for getting me a bad ass coffee maker for Christmas! Love you, boss man! No one loves coffee like you do and your gift allows me to share your passion all while preparing to run to the bathroom at a moment’s notice.
Bless up!
MOM’S COFFEEBy Luba Vasilik (Office Director)
Whether it’s 9:00 a.m. or 9:00 p.m., you will likely find me with a hot cup of coffee in hand. Since the lockdown, I’ve had to limit my outings to local coffee shops and find an alternative to my beloved Dunkin Donuts—and boy oh boy, did I hit the jackpot.
Curbside pickup, delivery upon request, and a complimentary turkey sandwich, I’d like to introduce you to the best barista in town: my mom.
Every morning, at the end of my running route I pass by my parent’s house. My mom leaves out 2 mugs of coffee (accompanied by a little treat) on the front stoop, as she waits by the window to wave a hello/goodbye. Although a quick exchange, and while I am also capable of making my own pot, I look forward to our little encounter.
Friendly staff, five star service, and an array of drink specials. I will definitely be back… tomorrow.
The Related Rabbit Hole
