Great place, reminds me of my hole in the wall apartment, but in a good way. Exposed brick, walls of books, kitschy furniture (I think I actually own one of the dining table chairs that they have at the place), free wireless, and great music. I go there to write, and it's the only place I've been to where I've actually been able to get my work done. It's also great for when you want to be a hermit without staying in your apt. Also, if you don't own a laptop, don't fret, they've got a comp for people to use, one that I believe has all the songs that they play, and you can download them onto your ipod (I think). Now, I don't drink coffee, but they have a great tea selection, and I love using the french press. The baristas are all pretty chill. One of them introduced me to the roast beef sandwich that they sell there, and it's kind of changed my life. Also, try some of the baked goodies, mm-mm good. read more

I go out of my way to visit this laid-back, comfortable, friendly coffee shop whenever I can. The prices are very reasonable and the staff is very accomodating. I love the big lawn chairs they have outside--perfect for some reading and caffeine-ing. It's the kind of place that makes me want to telecommute full-time. I know I'd set up an "office" in here at least three times a week! read more

Love: free wifi, cozy chairs and couches, lots of outlets, delicious lattes (strong!), and the great music. Could do without: smoky smell, expensive pastries with a slim selection, the cashier's cackle if you accidently say grande instead of large. :( I felt dumb! read more

i can sit in here for hours and work on art and drink tea and no one will bother me. The seating is ample and the baristas are mad laid back. Also, any place that has The Contortions in regular rotation just OOZES great taste. Too bad it's a bit of a trip to get to due to its location right on the fringe of seedy Uptown... oh and the vegan brownies? good gawd! read more

I am one of those that thinks if you pay a couple bucks for a bagel at an independent coffee shop, you should at least get it toasted for you. I know how much bagels cost, and I know how much value there is in service. I was a bit disappointed by this. Maybe I'm too fancy pants and expect a lot. Dunks and Starbucks at least provide a little bit of service as opposed to just marking up a standard bagel. The ambiance is nice though, and it's great we have at least some place to go in the neighborhood. I do wish I just felt like it was worth it. It's just as easy to just walk down to jewel and buy a bag of bagels for $4 and toast at home. read more

What's the opposite of bright, modern, and sleek. Perhaps dollop coffee. And they're this way on purpose. For all the Starbucks haters and beat up couch lovers, dollop coffee offers a very similar coffee to said coffee chain but instead of modern and clean lines, you'll get the ambiance only scratched tables and mismatched coffee mugs can provide. It's very...now I'm not going to use the H word... counter cultural. Which works for me. Feels just like home. My coffee table is scratched too. Game reconize game. I ordered an americano and a salted bagel with cream cheese, red onion, and tomato. Armed with caffeine and breakfast, I made my way back through the shop, which is surprisingly big. The front section is more traditionally outfitted. Small tables and chairs, also longer tables with chairs. Maybe some couches too, I can't remember. Down a couple of steps is another section. This is mainly couches and beat up furniture. Like a crappy garden apt. I may be wrong, but I think I remember that Laverne and Shirley had a garden apt like this. High windows, with bars on them. And very non starbucks furniture. It's not a bad spot if you're looking to get a cup of coffee and hang out for a minute. And hey, remember, if you get any chance make sure to take it. If there's any rule, make sure to break it. Make your dreams come true. Do it your way....Even if you are a H. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bJzF8_df1R8 read more

I really wanted to like this place....everyone raves about it. But, I must say my experience was disappointing. To set the stage, I had a business meeting that required Internet connection...I have an office, but it is located in Lisle (code word: LONG drive!) and I was meeting friends at Fontana Grill. So, trusting Yelp (as I always do), I suggested Dollop as the place to hold my biz meeting. MUCH to my disappointment. First, the hot chocolate was not hot....and it was not that good. Second, and most importantly, they were blasting some weird techno music! I asked if they could adjust the volume...since there were approximately FIVE people in the place and my two trainees and I made up three of the five. The young girl behind the counter said she'd adjust the volume...but didn't. I then appealed to a guy who basically told me "too bad"!? I realize I can't dictate the music an establishment plays, but if you only have four or five clients and the majority of that group makes a request, it just makes good business sense to try to meet their expectations! Not to mention, I hold these meetings three or four times a week. Dollop is in my neighborhood...I'd planned to make this my meeting spot...needless to say, that will not happen now! Note to Dollop's owners: If you see a middle aged woman...with laptop and an expense account credit card...suck up! She's probably going to spend a boat load of money over time!! read more

A nice quiet place that's always full of people with computers, on the weekend or during the week. Variety of seating options, good coffee (Metropolis) and generally good music. There are chairs to sit outside but the sidewalk is a bit narrow to really be super comfy. Usually dogs outside. Biggest problem we've had is that the servers, while friendly enough, are really really slow and kind of seem like they don't care. Often there will be a line and one of the servers is casually getting a fancy drink while the other one stands behind chatting a bit, then maybe saying "Do you need any help?" I realize this quasi bohemian attitude is part of the atmosphere, but sometimes it can get to be a bit silly. But... even if not for the fact that it's one of about 2 coffee houses in the neighborhood, I would still happily frequent Dollop. read more

Cinnamon doughnut was delish. Coffee was meh. Service was nice but slow. With such a cute name I guess I just thought it would be better. read more

Plenty of hipster employees, and thank God, almost no hipster attitude. Genuine smiles and eye contact. Honey vanilla latte and a toasted Brie, honey and apple sandwich - YUM! Great free wi-fi, cozy padded chairs, nice decor, and great energy among the customers. A great place to chill or work with your laptop. I love the homey vibe and the help-yourself station with water, silverware, etc. read more

I've been coming here regularly for 3 years now. This place is amazing. They serve Metropolis coffee, which if you didn't know is roasted right here in Chicago. There's also delicious hand-made sandwiches, and a pretty choice selection of baked goods. That's honestly reason enough to keep coming back. I give this place 5 stars because of the atmosphere and the people behind the counter. They're all super friendly. You can tell they love this little neighborhood. Compared to Intelligentsia, where I always feel not-quite cool enough to hang out there, Dollop is like everyone's quirky, kinda posh but not too much, home away from home. Even the slight lack of perfected polish here is honestly so human that it makes me love them even more. The coffee art isn't 100% perfect every time-- so what? It's weird but I kind of really like that about Dollop. Dollop's presence is one of my favorite things about my neighborhood. Bottom line: come here for delicious coffee and sandwiches. You'll probably want to come back. read more

WONDERFUL! We stayed across the street when I was in town and two or more people from my family visited daily. The almond croissants are amazing and their coconut milk latte is just so lovely. Staff is friendly and service is delivered with a smile. The vibe here is pretty simple and the staff make it seem effortless. It is a hangout/study/reading/chatting or lookout the window kind of place, and oh yeah....that coconut latte/croissant combination is just the best. read more

Such a hidden gem. Quirky, eclectic and grrrreat items for your belly. Just go. Seriously, just... yeah just go.

This place really is a gem for the neighborhood. It's so nice to have a non-starbucks/carabou option that is so close! I've only visited Dollop once as I'm new to the area, but this place definitely has a friendly, neighborhoody kind of vibe. It seems to be that type of place where there are regulars and the baristas eventually get to know your drink, so I hope to meet and mingle with some new neighbors at this fun locale. read more

My gripes: 1. They have this little card system now where you have to buy something to use the internet for 2 hours. 2. On top of that, they have a 5 dollar minimum to use cards. 3. When I did buy a cookie to reach the minimum, it was so hard and greasy that I think I could have eaten something better from under my stove. Found a new place that has actual food and doesn't charge for internet. read more

Menu's not great at all. Small selection and lack of side options. But the service was great! Also lots os space for study groups, including extra seating in a separate room in the back. Enough outlets available. Overall cafe is quiet and laid back. Definitely a good place to do work. read more

Very unfriendly service. If you want someone disgruntled and makes you feel they're inconvenienced by your coffee order, go here!!

Dollop is a nice neighborhood coffee shop with a classic coffee shop character. They have some irritating problems, but it's still a decent place to chill. True to form, they have exposed brick walls, a mixture of couch and table seating, shelves of books and board games, and local art on the walls. The colors, lighting, and furniture make a truly nice, warm comfort here. This is a real coffee shop, not a corporate chain. The coffee is by Metropolis and always prepared well and priced right (they're self proclaimed Starbucks fighters). It's close to my place so I'm there pretty often. I really like the feel of the place in general but I constantly get frustrated with a few things. The few pastries they offer are usually not too good. I'm a big fan of pastries with coffee. The wifi is free but spotty. It's usually on long enough for me to relax and get started on some work, and then it drops out for no reason. If I'm patient it will come back, but I swear someone's messin with me. Just to be sure I've asked other customers, they get the same thing. Last is the music. I'm told it's run off a shared mac that sits at the front of the store. Occasionally someone will put on some whacked-out music and crank it loud. That wouldn't be a problem if it's expected, but it's not. In general I like to hang there because it's close and such a cozy atmosphere, but the above problems drive me out after too long (maybe that's their intention?). There isn't an El stop nearby and parking is IMPOSIBLE around here, so I don't know if folks outside the neighborhood will see much of this place. read more

I am IN LOVE with this place! Ok... so I went to Dollop last night with my boyfriend after hearing that the cafe was definitely worth checking out! I have a rather gargantuous addiction to coffee and have been on the hunt for the perfect cafe... The vibe in this place is great... tons of couches, and comfy chairs... all worn in for perfect comfort and coziness... at 8 at night the place was pretty busy, but we didn't have any trouble finding a spot to settle into... there was some great artsy fartsy music in the background and everyone there seemed to be cool... by walking into the place you automatically become slightly more granola and aware of how tragically hip you really are... pair your new found coolness with one of their ridiculously good pastries and an espresso drink and you suddenly feel as though you'd be awesome at pulling off tight jeans with a pair of chucks and spouting out spoken word... I personally have to give two thumbs up and an A+ to the barista for the fabulous cherry hot chocolate my boyfriend ordered... It tasted like a cherry cordial and paired nicely with my poetry! ;) You can't go wrong with the Dollop... my only word of warning... be prepared to circle the block for 20 minutes to find parking... not to fear... the angst and rage wears off after your first sip in this cozy joint! read more

Such an awesome spot. Very friendly staff and an awesome interior. The coffee feels is pretty decent- I love that they have lots of different kinds of milk. The macadamia nut milk was a first for me but it was delicious! Will definitely be back to read, work, or just hang out on a weekend read more

Great Hammy Sandwich, just the right portion for me! The Iced chai was perfect as well, cozy study space... love the kids section, just perfect! I can't wait to be back soon. read more

I was looking forward to trying this place once I noticed it, and I was pretty disappointed. The staff was charming, the coffee is fine, and the space is pretty nice. However, the wireless internet was slow and unusable, and I had to leave earlier than I wanted because I needed to get some work done. Also, the music was blaring and obnoxious (we're talking Jock Jams Vol. 1, seriously). Parking was also difficult. read more

I just checked out this place to get some reading done, middle of a weekday. Right outside, on the door and glass storefront, there's alot of ad postings that immediately caught my attention, and as soon as I was inside, I noticed all the great lighting, so it almost could make you feel you were enjoying the day. Productive-looking people were scattered enough throughout the big space that I had a nice pick of places to sit, including whole couches. The staff person behind the counter was really nice, probably because I was so happy to finally find a coffeeshop on the northside that wasn't Starbucks. (Hate to admit it but I go there often out of desperation, and I don't even like their coffee - sigh!) I liked it so much I tried to go back again late tonite, but I couldn't find any parking so I decided to try back later. I think this place is gonna be a keeper. read more

The coffee was top notch. The place was a bit run-down, but still had a quirky, artsy feel. The server didn't seem super happy at the prospect of helping customers, but perhaps she was having a bad day. Not super impressed with the bathroom - actually, it was downright ick. Avoid at all costs. Not a good prospect when combined with a place that sells drinks, but it just might be worthwhile to hold it, if you can. Chill vibe AND Hoosier Mama pies. That alone is worth a trip in. read more

As a committed Intelligentsia fan, I was skeptical of going to Dollop. I must say, I am pleasantly surprised! The metropolis espresso was delicious, the milk was steamed well, and my mocha was not overly sweet. Nice work, Dollop! You did not ruin my morning!!!! If you're in the neighborhood, I encourage you to swing by this local coffee shop and get a drink from the friendly and attractive baristas! read more

I freakin' love Dollop. I'm semi-obsessed with everyone that works there - they're all beautiful hippie types who just float around, ethereally brewing South American java in their flowy scarves. The coffee is delish - I must say, they brew it strong, but that's how coffeeshops should be. I also buy it and make it at home, and I brew it admittedly a little on the weak side, but that's just a personal preference. It's the epitome of a cozy neighborhood cafe - there are always people studying and chatting. They have free WIFI (yay!), comfy couches, and a rotating display of artwork that's invariably cool. The selection of muffins, croissants, bagels, etc. is quite satisfying, as well. They are truly a local's dream, and I feel proud to share the block with them. read more

god, you guys. I don't even know where to start. ok, here's where I'll start: you know how at a lot of coffeeshops, it seems like *either* super fast service *or* amazing bevs? dollop offers BOTH at the same. time. jason just made me an awesome cortado in basically record time. i was seriously impressed. other things to recommend this place (there are many). the baristas are pretty friendly, but more importantly, they come in an assortment of heights! this is convenient because pretty much anyone who walks into dollop can have an eye-to-eye conversation across the counter, which is *not* something you can say about every coffeeshop. at least in my experience. also the exposed brick thing is pretty cool-looking and some of the tables are remarkably sturdy. don't all flock here at once, ok? **update: listen, you guys. duncan ALSO makes a mean cortado. he's not as tall as jason, but he's still pretty tall. read more

I used to live across the street in a bed sitter, and loved this place, the coffee is great, and I find the staff super friendly, and knowledgeable. It's a great place to study, though one feels odd having a conversation when everyone else is buried in a stats text, or wading through a research paper, but, the atmosphere is so kicky it reminds me of my hippie days in East Lansing, MI! The drawback is the food: it's not always fresh, especially after 3:00 PM. and the slices of pie are overpriced. The lemon meringue was particularly vile, but despite too much cream of tartar, the real villain was letting it sit out and molt. What saves the day is the rich, aromatic coffee, all kinds, all flavors, satisfying, as satisfaction can be. And, for tea lovers there is quite an extensive range of tea! read more

Hipsters, Unite! I love this coffee shop because it's close, and it's unique, and it's interesting. This used to be a much more rad coffee shop when u could get a seat. The rotating artwork is a blessing. They've recently hired some very sweet and nice people, kind and helpful. read more

This place is so damn nice! It's in my Buena Park neighborhood, on my way to the lake, so I stopped in for an iced coffee. The place was packed with customers working on their devices, but it was quiet and clean. Their menu was nice, and the price point was fair. I accidentally took a sip of another customer's iced coffee while I was checking in on Yelp, and they forgave me. Oops! I grabbed my coffee and banana and ran. Hehe. read more

My friend lives just down the street from here, and I've only been there once. I'm sorry. I really mean to return. It's just not nearly as convenient for me to get there from home as it may seem, especially when I love the coffee place around the corner from me. Nice, quiet atmosphere, and a number of books in the back room, several of which I desperately want to steal. Don't worry. I won't steal them. Well, I doubt that I will. We'll see once I return. read more

Dollop is very cozy and serves great tasting coffee! I'm quite the coffee fan, so you can trust me when I say their's is A+. As everyone else has pointed out there are lots of tables and outlets, but good luck finding a spot. Since it's so popular, tables are at a premium. I usually do a walk through before ordering my coffee to see if i'll be able to find a seat. The employees are friendly but a little too into the "independent coffee shop" thing if you ask me. I'm all about sticking it to the man, but don't ask me if i want a "real" caramel macchiato or a "starbucks" caramel macchiato (yes, this is what i was asked when i ordered my drink). Can we say pretentious? read more

Good place to cool down from chain stores. Huge tables for laptop junkies, friendly staff, decent atmosphere. Prices are competitive with Starbucks and Argo Tea, just slightly cheaper. Watch out for Sunday mornings though, you may not find an empty seat. I read a few complaints regarding the business card with the 90min access code for internet service. Argo Tea does this so it's not new. After a few months of unlimited free internet, people tend to get greedy so this is a perfectly reasonable way to remove the one cup trolls. read more

A friend of mine and I went here tonight and had a nice relaxing time just hanging out. We were on her laptop and reviewing some documents together over a Latte and a Tea :) Was kinda cold in there, but the environment and staff were great. Will go back again for sure and check it out at different times too. Haven't seen it during Summer yet, but will look forward to that as well. Glad this is in walking distance for me. read more

I was there earlier this evening, and right before closing time; I just wanted to leave this little note because contrary to what someone else had said regarding the staff back in May, the two members who were holding the fort when I turned up were first class - and certainly not unprofessional or unfriendly. Thank you so much! read more

great spot! The coffee was amazing, the staff was really nice and the store was nicely decorated. Only reason I didn't give 5 stars was for the pretty long wait and for not having 20oz cups. love this spot! read more

Just moved into the neighborhood and decided to pop in here for a coffee. The atmosphere was pretty subdued and comfy. Have heard loads of things about this cute lil coffee shop! $13.02 for and iced red eye, iced latte and a muffin. Yikes. None of which were particularly mind blowing. Sat on their patio and struck up a conversation with a couple older women. That will probably be the most memorable part of the entire experience. read more

Love the atmosphere and the staff is generally super friendly. There is a back room that is great for group discussions. The reason I'm giving 4 vs 5 stars is that the coffee is often so acidic that it curdles soymilk, leaving clumps of soy curd floating atop my cup o' joe. Mmm. read more

I happened to be around Buena Park when I dipped into what I thought seemed to be a cute local café. When I walked in, I found what by all accounts is a local joint - but on closer research was the original lady of five or six locations in the Chicago metro area. I can see why Dollop has encountered such success. I originally only walked in for a black coffee, but I was so transfixed by the quality appearance of the pies available that I couldn't help myself. I had to have a piece. I chose a blackberry pie and never looked back. Let me be clear. I am not a coffee shop diner. I breeze by the pastry cases at Starbucks and Peet's with nary a glance. I normally drink coffee only. But at Dollop, I have no regrets. The rich coffee paired with the pie beautifully, and I was sad when it was gone I am definitely coming back. read more

I know it's a cliche, but-- BEST. LATTE. EVER. Yeah, it even has the beautiful heart shape on the foam- in a paper cup yet. Really creamy, perfectly done every time- every time I go back I kind of hope it won't be quite as perfect, just to prove they're human. It hasn't happened yet. Besides the perfect latte, this place has a very nicely eclectic interior. The mismatched couches, chairs and tables, the exposed brick, the high ceilings, the cool music (every time I'm in there). The one drawback? It can take a little time to get said perfect latte, depending on how many people are in line ahead of you. But, I'm willing to wait. read more