Caribou Coffee

Genuinely nice people — I came in here for a breakfast sandwich and a coffee the morning after Valentine’s day 2/​15, as I needed a caffeine boost to get a big day rolling. Being that I’ve never been to a Caribou, and know nothing about coffee, I simply asked the woman working the counter what her favorite coffee was — She didn’t turn and scan the board as almost everyone does, normally referring to the goofiest thing on the menu (I ask that question a lot at establishments). Rather she mentioned their normal latte’s are excellent — Ordered one and a sandwich. Both were given to me with a sincere have a great day and breakfast. I’ll be a regular now.

Honestly, the worst service ever. The two people working on the morning of ¹¹⁄₃₀ couldn’t have been less welcoming and friendly. The girl working treated us (myself and 5 employees) like we were convicts. The guy working the coffee station was talking to her about her headache. Obviously no management presence. No thanks!
I won’t return to this location, and would advise that you steer clear.

With Starbucks nearby, my friend and I decided to give this place a shot instead. I like a little competition. I woke up every morning during my Chicago visit wanting Caribou’s mocha after my first visit!
The place is spacious with plenty of seating. Service was friendly and quick.
Caribou Coffee is the only coffee house I know that gives you a choice of what type of chocolate you want in your mocha. That’s right — you can have white, milk or dark! As recommended by the barista, I went with a mix of milk and dark chocolate. It might have been one of the best mochas I’ve had yet. No joke.
Caribou Coffee, please come to NYC!

I am not a big fun of Caribou, but I ‘m used to go to different Caribou locations because of their mocha — very tasty, much more delicious than Starbucks and Lavazza! But recently I realized that something wrong with the staff here… I write about this location because I have the worst experience here, but I visited a couple more places and had a bad service. I went from the Zoo with my friend and 18 month son. I decided to go over this place. There were 3 people in line and two baristas. I was sure that I got my coffee very quickly. BIG MISTAKE!!! First of all, these people moved and spoke VERY slowly. When I came one of the customers– a lady just asked to talk to a manager because of double check change or something like that. A first barista told her that the manager is not available, the second barista just stayed and did NOTHING. She didn’t pay attention to people in line. 5 Minutes later the first barista took the phone and started to call the manager…10 minutes later a lady that was before me in line went outside. 5 more minutes! Yes, the manager is on the way, and I only had 2 ladies before me, they were together and pay to a cashier (first barista) by gift card (the second barista continued to stay). Well, it took 5 minutes for cashier to realize that it is something wrong with a register and she can’t take their card, so girls went outside without drinks. Suddenly the second barista asked me what would I like to drink! Wow! How quickly!!! I told her and she went, better say «crawled» to do my coffee. I spent 25 minutes at this place, and I only have one question: «Where did you get these staff???»

Friendly, helpful staff, with a good sense of humor.
Nice and cozy atmosphere, unlike the HUGE Starbucks up the street, whose staff (that I’ve encountered) seem a little dim.
I really don’t have any preference between Starbucks and Caribou in general – or maybe I slightly prefer Starbucks– but between these particular locations of the two competitors, I always pick the Caribou, hands down.

Coffee prep was poor. The barista was paying more attention to training new employee than the orders. The latte milk was badly foamed and the grounds were not packed. Then this buffoon wipes the side of the cup with his finger. My last visit for sure!

I have been to this location quite a few times and I have yet to have a bad experience. It’s always clean and and welcoming. The employees are friendly and there are usually quite a few tables to choose from.

I usually don’t write reviews for chains, but I’m such a fan of this particular Caribou that I had to share.
First off, the service is always great. The employees greet you when you walk in and always have a smile on their face. They make small talk with the customers which is a nice change from other places.
I also love the fact that through their sustainability program, you get $ 0.50 off your drinks every time you use your own cup. This is much higher than another coffeeshop I know.
My only complaint about this location is the lack of seating. On busy days, there sometimes can be no open seats.
All in all, this Caribou is one of my favorites (it’s surprising how much of a change it can be from others I go to) and living nearby makes it even better!

I made a pre-​work pit-​stop at this Caribou and found it to have tons of seating — more than usual! If I weren’t just grabbing an AM jump-​start, I would have enjoyed sitting at one of the many two-​seaters and reading the paper or messing around on my computer.
The two guys working were great too. The one who took my order seemed sincerely friendly and kindly answered my questions about their new Almond Honey Cooler, a blended coffee drink. He had confidence in his comrade to transform it into a hot drink with an extra shot of caffeine.
The guy who made my drink was equally friendly, but definitely not as awake. Although he made my drink with finesse, his perkiness level needed to be kicked up a few notches if he wanted to appreciate the sunny, summer morning. Not holding that against him, mind you. I found his morning mood to be amusing.

I don’t care much for coffee chains but i had a date and needed to find a place to sit and wait for a taxi when the time was right. people spend hours mulling over ideas with their laptops all day every day so i dropped in and purchased a pack of mints and used the bathroom a few times between sitting in a chair waiting to get a ride. i had stopped in before and had an odwalla and a bagel and even considered coming back seeing as how i lived so close by at the time, but this woman who works there treated me with unnessary contempt. i don’t know who she is, if she’s management or what but she was rude and basically kicked me out for no reason other than i bought ONE thing. wow bitch, i didn’t know there was a limit to what i was supposed to buy and seeing as how there are many struggling students in this city, i found it really offensive that people who don’t spend as much money in your establishment are treated in such a way. also as a paying customer, i can use your bathroom as many times as i want.
you’re lucky it was late and i had places to be or you would have recieved even more of a verbal assault, you vile old hag.

Don’t let the three stars fool ya. I prefer Caribou to most other coffee available for the morning rush or afternoon relaxation. My only issue with this particular location is that I almost never find a spot to sit and enjoy my caffeinated beverage.
The service here is excellent, and they always greet with a smile, so it’s nothing against the peeps behind the counter. It’s just such a small shop (even with the tables outside) that it seems like there’s never anywhere to sit! Basically, it’s too crowded. This location lends itself to large amounts of foot traffic, and so it’s hard to find an open table. If you do, it also means a great people watching spot on a saturday afternoon…
So, if you live in the area, definitely go here and get your fix, but if you’re looking for a place to chill during a visit to the neighborhood, you may be out of luck.

I mean, you pretty much always know what you’re getting at a Caribou Coffee. It’s a chain after all.
I just have to comment on how pleasant the employees who work at this one are. After we ordered, I grabbed an open table while my mom waited for the drinks. I heard the guy making our drinks strike up a nice conversation with my mom. It was sweet.
The interior is small, but nice. It feels cozy. I’d definitely frequent this place if I lived in the area.

Happy with this location. Although small, it’s cozy, and sitting at the tables by the fireplace is nice, especially on snowy/​freezing days like today.
Yes, the space is a bit tight — but the staff was pleasant and moderately friendly, and my drink was made correctly (though certainly not promptly). I would certainly go back, although not run back, as this location is quite far from where I stay and the chances of getting a table are slim (nearly every one was taken when I was there earlier). Still, a nice, cozy coffee store in a nice neighborhood.
Also: there is street parking, but very limited, and on a very, very narrow street. You have to pay in certain locations too; the free parking is limited until 6pm.

It’s been said many times already, but the employees are really the reason to come here. I stop in several times a week, always around 7am, and they are friendly and perky (no easy feat that early), and always remember my drink order. They will also make recommendations if I want something out of my usual routine. I ordered one of the specialty cider drinks (without whip cream), and one of the employees changed my order so I got the exact same thing for $ 0.50 less!
The outdoor seating in the summer is a great way to people-​watch along Clark St.
The coffee itself is pretty typical for a chain, though I do like the option of milk vs dark chocolate for the mocha. It’s better than Starbucks or Argo Tea’s coffee, that’s for sure.
Bottom line: I first came here for the convenience, I continued to come for the friendly atmosphere and the little chocolate-​covered expresso bean on my morning mocha.

Chain establishments are usually not my bag but I couldn’t help but love the employees personalities at this location. I usually go in, grab a coffee and their chocolate chip cookie (so crispy and sugary) and sit outside, read the paper or a book. It’s nice to sit inside in the wintertime as well because of the cozy atmosphere inside.
Sure, there’s better coffee out there but I enjoy coming back here for the friendly faces that could lift anyone’s bad mood.
Good job guys!

I don’t care much for fancy coffee, but if I need a quick snack or a cold drink I duck in here. This CC is set apart from other local coffee shops by its staff. Unlike the angry-​at-​the-​world employees of Bourgeois Pig and the corporate-​minded employees of Starbucks, the baristas here seem genuinely interested in serving you, talking with you, and creating a friendly atmosphere in general.

Dear Unilocal: This Caribou has the best employees. Always friendly, and if you can believe it, they actually care about making a good cup of coffee.
As far as coffee goes, it’s a Caribou, whaddya expect? I’ve been to a dozen of them, I like the roast. It’s the employees what makes this a decent place.
SIx Flags.

If I wanted to go to a cabin, I’d go to Minnesota, not Lincoln Park. The atmosphere here is weird and totally out of place. I don’t like coffee (I know I’m weird… not the 1^st time I’ve heard it) and there isn’t anything else on the menu worth drinking. The apple cinnamon thing sucked and I like anything as long as you add cinnamon, no joke. My tip: find a Starbucks or a local coffee shop.

I’m usually a Starbucks girl by default (meaning there is one closer to me) but I found myself in this hood today and decided I could co for a cup of coffee in this freezing weather… If you don’t have gloves with you, grab a cup of coffee… That’s my philosophy. Anyways…
I got their peppermint holiday drink or wahtever. I do not remember what it was called, I want to say «Ho ho Peppermint Latte.»
I am forever changed. I’m not a big fan of Starbucks Peppermint Mocha, at all. I think it has WAY too much going on. This drink was perfect. It tasted like dessert. I even got some advice from the barista because I kept telling her how I think mocha and peppermint together is too overwhelming. She actually said «It’s white mocha, so its not too bad, and if you don’t like it I’ll make you something else.»
I don’t know about you, but almost never get that kind of service in a chain coffee shop, so, stars for the drink and the service.

I’m an idiot. I was looking for Noble Tree and couldn’t find it, and I needed my morning fix.
I ducked into Caribou, not knowing it was a chain, and was pleasantly surprised by their iced coffee, so much so that it is now my go to cuppa joe when in a Midwestern pinch.