Bib ‘n Tuck

Yeah, it’s a dump and a dive, with a certain amount of grime, broken machines, errant dryer sheets everywhere and the very occasional spotted creepy crawly on the floor. There’s no attendant in sight before 9:00 PM or so, when a really sweet elderly lady arrives to clean up the joint a little. But the place serves its purpose for me, it’s close to the Dempster L stop and the Jewel, so it’s the most convenient location for me in downtown Evanston. (I’m not sure why Evanston doesn’t have a clean, modern mega-​Sparkle-​Town-​Mister-​Bubble-​Suds-​200-​gleaming-​new-​washers kinda laundromat anywhere in town… even the «best» area alternatives, «Good News» on Noyes or «All Washed Up» in Wilmette, are dumpy, though less so than the two Bib ‘n Tucks on Chicago or Main.)
The place is up the street from various church homeless shelters and a halfway house on Chicago Avenue, so there’s a certain number of dubious folks who occasionally wander in and out, trying to keep warm and dry in bad weather (who can blame them?) or conducting dodgy business over the pay phone by the door. So I wouldn’t leave my stuff unattended, though plenty of folks do just that. If you’re a single woman, I’d probably team up with a friend if you’re alone there, as there is no attendant on premises. I’m a guy and have never had a problem there, though I don’t take naps while laundering, if you know what I mean.
They no longer have a sign on the wall stating the time of starting your «last wash», but practically speaking, if I’m not washing by 8:15 or 8:30 PM, it’s getting too late for this place. It closes when the lady comes in to clean sometime past 9:00, and I don’t like to keep her hanging around just for me to finish folding.
Amenities, such as they are, include two quarter machines that take $ 1, $ 5 & $ 10 bills. A pop and snack machine full of enticing yet unhealthy snacks. A pay phone (possibly one of the last in existence!). Some middle of the road overhead music that I can’t quite classify – it’s not generic elevator music, but it’s kind of pop-​flavored country hits from the 1980’s, featuring songs about love lost and beloved pickup trucks. And, oh – there’s no public restroom.

This place is seedy. On two separate occasions I’ve had some bizarre experiences.
One time, I went to get quarters from the change machine to do the laundry and this woman came out f the woodwork yelling at me. Apparently she was the attendant and thought I was trying to steal the quarters. What a scene she made.
Second time, though I never left the laundromat, someone, no joke, stole a whole load of my laundry. Now, I could find consolation that maybe a homeless person did this and therefore, if it had to happen, someone in need was wearing my all time favorite sweater that I’ve never been able to replace. But no. There was once again some creepy chick (not the same as aforementioned) who clearly did not need my laundry that had been staring at me.
Bottom line… Gross.

This is the most disgusting laundromat I have ever been to. It’s dirty, in poor condition and worst of all has roaches! Yes, you heard me– I saw a roach. If you like dirt and roaches this is the place for you, I however will never return.

Bib ‘n Tuck is dirty and in poor repair — every time I go, I gamble on whether or not the machine I’m using will actually work, or if it will eat my money. There’s no phone number listed, no attendant, absolutely no way to ask for a refund or for repairs. When notes are written on the machines notifying the owner and other customers that they’re broken, those notes are removed but nothing is done to fix the machines, ensuring that more people lose money. The only other laundromat in the area is another Bib ‘n Tuck on Main and it’s in even worse condition.