Still doing great, sandwiches are yummy, teas and soups. Only a few times they forgot my bacon in my grilled cheese, I like how you can build your own! SO good. read more

Don't let this hole-in-the-wall spot fool you. Blue Box Café delivers. The made-to-order sandwiches are excellent, paired with great sides and quality ingredients. Prices run a bit on the higher side, but the craftsmanship makes it worthwhile. An added bonus for Dr. Who fans -- the themed atmosphere adds a fun touch to the experience. read more

Really enjoyed our lunch here. My husband and I were in downtown Elgin with our dog so we needed a carry out option. We decided to try the highly praised Turkey Rueben which was grilled to perfection and the Harvest salad which was chock full walnuts and cranberries . Staff was very pleasant and helpful.. we will return! read more

Another fun visit, and it took only a couple hours to get here from Chicago (#78 Montrose to Blue Line, Blue Line to Rosemont, #603 Elgin, then a short walk from the terminal to the restaurant). We had more fun this second trip--obviously, the fall weather was better for walking around Elgin's tiny downtown than January. The cafe was busy, with almost every table taken. I had the Dalek Delight, one of the tastiest sandwiches I've eaten. It's a small sandwich (all of their sandwiches are small), but flavorful and they have coleslaw now as part of a meal deal. For this being a Dr. Who-themed place, there's not nearly as much decoration nor memorabilia. The place is clean and bright, but maybe paint a mural? read more

Blue Box Cafe - Dalek Delight--a terrific sandwich - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Elgin, Illinois

Such a cool vibe in this place, you just know it's going to be good. It been on my radar forever and we finally got there. Seeing so many rave reviews on the Turkey Reuben how could I get anything else. So that's what I did, my wife got a Blue Box Salad. The only negative i had is I wish they had some sides other then just chips, gimme some slaw or potatoe salad or something. I love slaw as a condiment, it's would be killer on their sandwiches well. Anyway they do have a great Hibiscus Berry iced tea. The reuben was really good, really well cooked, perfectly deep brown and yummy and my wife loved her salad, it was very very fresh and full. Overall a great experience, everyone working was really chill and cool, great service. Fun atmosphere, loved it. read more

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I got the Caprese sandwich. It was really good. I would get it again. Good place for lunch.

The drinks and food were amazing. Service was good as well. For the price I paid, I kind of expected a bit more ingredients in my BLT. Despite that it was a tasty sandwich. read more

Loved this gem! Food was fresh, service was friendly, and order came out quickly. Nice ambiance and ample seating. Had the BLT, Turkey Ranch sandwich and the Bad Wolf Berry Cooler. Overall, a great meal! Definitely a spot to checkout when you find yourself in the Elgin area. read more

I visited Elgin today and stopped here. I love the Dr. Who theme, but the food I had was also very delicious. I got the Veggielicious sandwich and I highly recommend it! Staff is very friendly and its a nice quiet atmosphere filled with fun Dr. Who decor. read more

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Blue Box Cafe is the best coffee shop in Elgin. It has a good amount to choose from. Plenty of food here such as sandwiches. Cool concept. This is the place to go if you like Doctor Who. Apparently this place is run by nerds, so you can get a bit of quirky knowledge along with coffee. It may be the only Doctor Who themed cafe anywhere around here. This certainly may be a thing in Britain but over here not as much. Maybe the owners are British. Who knows. Anyway it's cool. The best coffee is the Jack Harkness. It's $4.50 for a cup. This is made with cherries and dark chocolate, tasty. Also they have some decent food. They have something called the Veggielicious. It's about $9 and has a lot on it. There's avocados, balsamic dressing, eggplant, lettuce, red onions, Swiss, tomatoes, and zucchini. It's vegan without cheese. The ingredients combine for creaminess and make for a good lunch. Check it out if you like BBC. It's the television channel to which I'm referring. That's where you can watch all these British shows and stuff. read more

Blue Box Cafe - Jack Harkness And The Veggielicious - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Elgin, Illinois

They offer gluten free bread but don't have a GF toaster so not sure what it accomplishes other than annoying me.

Was visiting Elgin for the day and saw on yelp they had gluten free bread. The bread was crispy, savory, and the tuna inside was amazing. Service was a bit rushed when I ordered but it was very busy. Wish more things on the menu like soups were gluten free. The place has great ambiance and highly recommend to anyone looking for a good cheap bite! read more

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You don't have to be a Doctor Who fan to enjoy this place, but it helps you understand why it's called Blue Box Cafe. They usually have a show or two playing in their two monitors in nymute with the captions on. Their specialty coffees are worth the trip. They have excellent sandwiches as well and my favorite ones are the breakfast sandwiches, but they only serve them until 11am. It's a few blocks east of the Fox River Trail and they have bike racks making it a great stop for cyclers. read more

I've been coming to Blue Box for years and it's still going strong despite the sad loss of its original owners a few years ago. All the charm is still there, and a lot of the menu is unchanged, but it's a little less, shall we say, "visually overstimulating" now. The staff is always super friendly when I go in and my food/coffee/whatever is as-expected and delicious. Exactly the sort of business that gives Elgin its charm. And it's right off the Fox River bike trail, so a great place to stop for a cup on your way through. read more

First timer here and I'll definately be back! Lavender white mocha latte was delish! read more

Blue Box Cafe - Lavender White Mocha Latte = - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Elgin, Illinois

I've been going to Blue Box for a couple years and the only sandwich I've ever tried is the Turkey Reuben because it is so good. What makes the sandwich stand out is the toasted rye bread and coleslaw. The sandwich is filling and makes for a great lunch. Pro tip: Call ahead for faster service. The cafe can get busy; even then, the staff are consistently friendly and helpful. read more

Blue Box Cafe - Turkey Reuben Sandwich (5/5 stars) - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Elgin, Illinois

Freezing cold in this cafe, sandwiches were amazing though. Prompt service and fun drink menu.

I'd say our sandwiches were "okay", as was the ambience. It just wasn't an experience that would draw us back again. read more

A cute little cafe with coffee drinks, pastries and some sandwiches. It is Doctor Who themed. Which they did a super cute job designing the place. They also have episodes playing on tv. The staff is very friendly and I recommend the grilled cheese sandwich it's huge and super cheesy. Totally will stop in again when I am in the area. read more

Blue Box Cafe - The Melted Goodness!!!! You pick three cheeses! - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Elgin, Illinois

This has to be one is one of my favorite places because they have the BEST Turkey Reuben sandwich I've ever had ($8). It is rich in flavor, hints of sweetness, thin slice of bacon and oozes in a sauce that I just love (Thousand Island or some version maybe?) Anyways, the first time I came here was by accident (isn't that the best when good food meets happenstance?). That day I was trying to catch a train to downtown but I wasn't going to make it so instead of rushing I decided to grab lunch locally and there was this place right next to the parking structure (perfect location). I had the Turkey Reuben the first time with a Chicken Noodle soup and loved it so much, I craved another one as soon as my meal was over. Next day, I found them on Groupon and quickly bought a coupon. When I visited again just a week ago to redeem it, now 5 months later, the sandwich still did not disappoint. This time I ordered extra Chicken Pot Pie and Beef Vegetables soup (about $3 each). All tasted delicious and feels like home-made. The kids loved it too. The staff were personally and friendly and combined it with their cool Dr Who decor and also that Iron Man 2 was playing on their wall TVs it made for an intimate and relaxing atmosphere. The family certainly enjoyed it. I love quaint little places like this and wish there were more places around. In all, 4 bold stars. Holding back 1 star just because price-wise, I feel they were a bit on the higher end but still, this is a place I would come back to again and again! read more

Blue Box Cafe - Turkey Reuben Sandwich $8 is the BEST here!! I crave I for days. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Elgin, Illinois

I'm so glad to see they've reopened after the passing of the former owners. This is a neat, unique and eclectic spot. It's locally owned and run, so the prices are a bit more than a chain shop, but you can taste the difference. Great food and coffee. I highly recommend trying out The Blue Box. Especially if you're a fan of Dr. Who. read more

The Blue Box appears to have gone through a change of ownership. I ordered online and when I got there to pick up, the restaurant was Smokey with a sticky floor. I went again a few weeks later, the floor was still sticky but the service was much better. There was a blond young lady who seemed to be in charge and it was a noticeable improvement in service. I will go again! read more

Blue Box Cafe looked messy the other day (6/12/24). Food was decent but the server was nothing special, not super friendly and the restaurant needed cleaning and better decor. The original owner and founder always had his cafe in tip top shape!! Very sad to see BBC go downhill! read more

The cutest little place you'll ever see. My coffee was amazing I had the breakfast sandwich and so did my husband. I love the Decour it's so cute! It's all Doctor Who related. It's one of our favorite spots to take a bike ride to on some nice sunny days! I highly recommend this place if you just wanna stop and get some coffee with your friends. They do have outdoor seating available if you wish to enjoy the fresh air! read more

A fun, themed coffee shop. I'm not a Doctor Who aficionado, so my comments only reflect the food and service I experienced. If I were into Doctor Who, this would probably be a 5 Star review. Had a Mayan Mocha, which could have used more cayenne. A fair amount of seating, and a free parking lot out back. I parked in the alley and no one working could tell me whether or not that was ok or gonna get me towed. This is pretty random, but I appreciated the entry way into the building. It was a cold day and we ended up sitting by the door, but we never felt the cold blow in thanks to the entryway. read more

Blue Box Cafe - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Elgin, Illinois

Blue Box is now open for takeout during the COVID-19 pandemic. Yesterday we got a couple lunch sandwiches and ate out front at tables on the curb. The Submarine Italiano and the Turkey Ranch were both fantastic. Clearly created with care they were loaded with stuff. Noting sparse about it. We were first-timers here but we'll definitely be back! read more

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We ordered sandwiches for an office lunch today. We sent the order in yesterday and there was a phone number on the order. We paid by credit card. Today we went to pick it up and nothing was ready. They said "oh, we didn't know that was for today". It said so on the order sheet . And why not call if you are unsure? So then they make the food and two of the people's food wasnt made correctly. They substituted two people's sandwiches for salads. That's not what people ordered. Another sandwich which was supposed to be toasted wasn't. Portions were small . Overall a poor experience. Would not recommend. read more

Amazing food and service, great prices and funny staff. I got the create-your-own sandwich and the chicken noodle soup, while my friends got the Hot Chocolate and the Centurion. Great flavors, all fresh. Decorations are top notch, recommend anyone in the area to visit at least once! read more

Stopped in today before a work meeting and was famished. They were out of hummus but they made me an avocado toast, life savers! Coffee is delicious too by a small batch roaster. Old episodes of Dr. Who were on the TV, such a nice break in my work day. read more

Not good at all. One of the worst places I've ever been to. If you like bland cold food this is your spot. Otherwise I don't recommend it.

Honestly kinda underwhelmed. Guy taking our order didn't know how to explain the drinks, seemed generally uninterested in being helpful or any input. Ended up getting a BLT, which I will say was good. Drinks were also pretty decent once we figured out what was in them. Unfortunately, when friendliness and service lacks, everything else falls to the way side. Pros: it's a cute place and the coffees are at least labeled for what's in them. read more

Blue Box Cafe - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Elgin, Illinois

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Tried for the first time over the weekend, newly moved to the area and was craving a sandwich. I was immediately drawn to the Turkey Reuben that is pictured on here. I ordered in the restaurant and also tried their tomato bisque soup. I got 2 sandwiches and they were both delicious, so was the soup. The staff was super nice and I was greeted when I walked in. I will definitely be returning to try more sandwich options and maybe eat in restaurant. read more

Came here on a Groupon and I liked it but can't say I loved it. It was a good sandwich (Reuben Reuben) but the meat was a little tough and didn't cover the bread all the way. The cheese was very good, super-melted, and I did like the coleslaw on the Rye bread. Overall, prices where a bit high for an average sandwich and I probably won't return. read more

Blue Box Cafe - Reuben Rueben - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Elgin, Illinois

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For anyone who loves Doctor Who, the Blue Box Cade is a perfect place to rekindle your love for it. There are decorations all around the cafe and a TV playing the show. Downtown Elgin itself isn't too exciting but the area has a lot of history. A lot of love has been put into this coffee shop! I had the Mint Madness being a huge fan of mint which wasn't bad. There was whipped cream in it too. There are also sandwiches and salads. The walls are covered with blue phone booths and British coffee mugs and all sorts of things related to the Doctor. Two girls were also painting something else related to the show- it was hard to tell what it was though. The atmosphere is trendy and chill with good service and free wifi. The place has a parking garage conveniently located next to it. It was definitely worth the drive! read more

Blue Box Cafe - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Elgin, Illinois

This place was super surprising to me! Was looking for a place to get coffee and a sandwich and both were so yummy. My boyfriend got the chicken bacon pesto wrap and said "it was the best wrap he has ever had". We also got the last-cinn-turion coffee and it was great. Kind of an expensive meal because we got two coffees ($4.50 each), a wrap ($7.99) and a sandwich ($7.59) but it was still a good experience! read more

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It is so epic to have a Doctor Who themed coffee shop locally! Blue Box Cafe is super welcoming and the staff is brilliantly fun. The espresso is very delicious. I got the jammy dogger latte and it remains my favorite to this day. read more

Blue Box Cafe - Espresso bar - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Elgin, Illinois

Wow, why did I wait so long to try this gem?!?! I had a Groupon that was a $15 value. I ordered two sandwiches. One was the Turkey Caesar wrap, a special sandwich. It's not normally on the menu. The other was a two word sandwich, last on on the menu and it began with a D. It was AwEsOmE!!! It was toasted white bread with turkey and roast beef, Italian seasoning and a vinaigrette with lettuce and red onion. I loved it. I want another one already. The Caesar wrap was fine, nothing to get excited about, but I'm not letting it deter me from a five star review because the other sandwich was so good and the rest of the menu looks creative and fun. The sandwiches are all between $6.49-$7.99, a fair price for the amount and quality of meat, I think they use Boar's head. I will definitely go back for lunch again. Lastly, they have a lot of coffee options. Not my thing, but many people were ordering fun looking drinks while we waited for our sandwiches. read more

Had the BLT with salt and vinegar chips. BLT was delicious and everything was fresh. The portion was smaller than expected, yet I am well aware that many restaurants give you way too much food, so the portion received was probably perfect. Will definitely order again! read more

Heard about Blue Box Cafe a while ago. My daughter was in love and pointed out all the actors and actresses In the photos. Very cute place. I consumed coffee earlier in the day so I treated the family to the chocolate chip cookies. Very tasty. :) The place was almost filled. Decent line. The menu ranged from sweets to coffee to lunch options to ice cream. Staff was friendly and personable. Thank you for the positive experience. read more

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Gem of a place with uniquely blended drinks and food! Perfect for a Whovian or simply someone who wants a quick and friendly bite! Couldn't ask for a cooler staff, and I love that they also sell local crafts. Always have to stop in when I'm in the Chicago area. read more

Blue Box Cafe - Adipose Cookie - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Elgin, Illinois

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