A very good indie coffee oasis in the Chicago burbs Pros: -Coffee- On-site roasting, and in my last visit to the area, I had 3 drinks that were delicious improvements on the coffee I've had in prior visits -High quality milk -Space- The remodel in the past year or so from the prior tenant has allowed for more seating space -Service- Good service from nice people Things to improve: - Consistency - Lots of variety in skill level between baristas, although this has improved a lot from the past. Hoping they continue the upward trend I've been noticing. - Cleanliness - Crumbs and spills every visit. Even the coffee bar can be littered with dishes from past cuppings. General maintenance and attention to cleanliness definitely needs more attention and improvement. - Pastry - The muffin I had here tasted like a week old Costco muffin and the other stuff I've had hasn't been much better. I love the DIY ethic here as a whole, but the pastry needs work. 3.5 total. If River City Roasters pays more attention to the details--especially cleaning up after inconsiderate patrons who think mom's around to wipe up after their mess--this would be 4 stars easy. read more

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This is the "coolest" spot in Wheaton. I know I'm not cool enough to hang here but the employees are friendly and don't seem to mind that I'm bringing the room down. Their coffee and chais are great. I've only liked coffee for a few years so I don't know enough about it to have a discerning pallet or be an expert on the matter but I do know that my taste buds enjoy it all. They make their own syrups and always seem to have different ones so it's worth a regular stop in here. River City is pretty much the only reason I ever come downtown! read more

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I'm so excited to see this passionate business up and running in Wheaton. I don't know how long the previous coffee shop was in place, but hopefully River City Roasters will become even more loved by the local community. The owner has been there on both occasions I've stopped in, along with one or two other smiley baristas. I like that he talks up his products and makes recommendations, and I've heard him proudly checking up with customers to see how they like their orders. Anyway, any grown man who uses the phrase "super yummy" is good in my book. Food: There is a turkey sandwich with cranberries and some sort of chive mayo that is quite delicious. I tried the ham sandwich as well, which was good but overshadowed by the innovative turkey. Drinks: I guess it's only proper to start with the coffee. I need to try more, but it was pleasing. The roast I had seemed bold and dark. I've also tried some kind of tea latte that had interesting flavors going on (in a good way...) Maybe vanilla and blueberry or lavender? Sweet, milky drinks aren't usually my thing, but it was nice to go with my lunch. If you stay to hang out with your beverage, it's served in a clear mug that made me happy. I hate getting to-go cups when I plan to sit and enjoy my drink. The only thing I haven't enjoyed is the cowboy cookie. My son and I shared one, and it seemed dry and overly crusty. I think it had some kind of corn flake or bran flake in the recipe. My main critique is that the shop could use some more ambiance...not much has changed since the previous shop left, other than most of the clutter being removed. It feels very...gray. I'm sure they have plans to spruce it up (I'm sure = I hope), so I look forward to seeing how it turns out. I'll be back again and again, and I'll update my review as I see more change taking place. read more

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This place is absolutely amazing, in such a great addition to Wheaton. Wheaton is Starbucks galore.., ew. I was introduced to this place but my boyfriend. Everyone is so friendly. I love how the owner is a barista himself. It shows that he is very dedicated and truly loves coffee and his business. I had a iced salted beer caramel latte. Oh.my.gosh. I went back the next day which was a Sunday and they were closed. I understand that people need a day off but it's disappointing for students who procrastinate and would like to sit with real cup of coffee while studying or doing homework on a Sunday. Now I will dream about the iced salted beer caramel latte until next Saturday read more

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Went here twice while staying at Wheaton college for the week. Some people seem to be un-happy with the selection, but if you know about coffee I assure you it won't be a problem and it won't be disappointing. If it is, Starbucks is indeed a better choice for you. Anyways, upon entering I felt very welcome. The decor was cool, Edison lights, reclaimed wood, very nice. The staff immediately welcomed me. Glancing at their menu I was immediately intrigued by the salted beer Carmel latte. I ordered that right away and was not disappointed. I got it iced, and I have to say it was the most interesting, and the best cold latte I had ever had. The second time I went I wanted to try their special ice coffee blend, and they gracious allowed me to sample it before I purchased. I tried it and liked it as well. Bottom line this is a great coffee shop with plenty of room to sit and chat with your friends. The coffee is awesome and comparable to Starbucks price wise. Worth a visit!! read more

Five & Hoek Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Wheaton, Illinois

I needed to kill time before meeting a friend so I popped in here for a coffee with a dash of oat milk. I live in Manhattan, where I have easy access to too many coffee shops that range from terrible to amazing. I think Five and Hoek is a solid five stars and would be a place I frequent if I lived here. Good coffee, not bitter, smooth, served in a cute but not frivolous mug. Background music is not crazy loud and the space is large enough that despite being filled with people, never felt too loud. Baristas were not aloof or pompous and were friendly without being overbearing--perhaps what I miss about the Midwest. Prices were fair and not out of control like some of the other roasteries/specialty coffee shops in the area. Likely packed with college students during the school year, so maybe steer clear during exam time or take your coffee to go. Will be back if I'm ever back in Wheaton! read more

This is perhaps the third coffee shop at this location in downtown Wheaton, and I hope it stays forever! It is a local (to Illinois) brand and I'm just really pleased with their coffee menu, sandwiches, cool products for sale, and their staff - smart and friendly. It is easily the best trendy hangout place downtown. read more

Five & Hoek Coffee - Almond Maple Latte- yum! - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Wheaton, Illinois

My husband and I needed something to do on a snowy Sunday afternoon. We were not disappointed! The coffee shop has a great rustic atmosphere. There's plenty of seating, and we picked out seats at the bar height table in front of the window. I'm simple when it comes to coffee, and I ordered a latte. It was fantastic, and I definitely enjoyed that we got to hang around long enough to drink out of real cups. #simplethings. My husband ordered a single espresso and it was served in an adorable server paired with sparkling water. I did notice on the menu that they have a "Salted Beer Carmel Latte." I'm not sure what this is about, but I'll definitely need to make another trip to try one of those! read more

Five & Hoek Coffee - Latte. Dreamy. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Wheaton, Illinois

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Phenomenal coffee at a good value to you. Vanilla latte is phenomenal. Cinnamon buns are to die for... The only reason this place doesn't get five stars is inconsistency and comfort: Coffee doesn't taste the same between different individuals. Also, sometimes the pastries are too dried out. The chairs they use are horribly awful. They're also too low ion comparisons to the table height. read more

Five & Hoek Coffee - Prep area. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Wheaton, Illinois

This is the best cappuccino I've had around here. I love the taste of the roast, and it has been very consistent over the past few months that I have "found" this place. I also find the price reasonable. I like the atmosphere - mostly because they kept so many original elements to the building and there is a natural simplicity. I sense a commitment to green and minimalism that I prefer. Only two, very small recommendations. The front cashier area has product right in front... sometimes I'd like to put my purse down to search for a bill... The staff do not consistently ask for rewards membership so I can put my number in. Sometimes it has been too late. Neither are criticisms... still 5 stars. No detraction from the coffee though!! read more

Hands down the best coffee shop in town. I've been going here since they opened and still make it a weekly stop (if I took the train every day it would be my daily stop). They recently renovated and they took a great atmosphere to a spectacular atmosphere. I love the rustic modern feel. The coffee is hands down some of the best coffee you can get and I love when they will do a pour over for me on their new bar. The salted beer Carmel latte is a go to drink when I need something sweeter than a pour over. The atmosphere is wonderful. It's a great place for just hanging out, working remotely or looking for a place to sit for 15 minutes while passing by. Anything from a chair around a table to lounging on the couch. You can't go wrong making this your next spot to spend some time with a friend or some family members. They also have a stand at the Wheaton French Market and I make sure to stop there first. It makes the crowded walk through the market easier. The Strawberry Basil lemonade is to die for, especially on a hot day. Next time you're in downtown Wheaton and you have an urge for coffee, don't even consider Starbucks or Peet's, go straight to River City Roasters (RCR). They are in a whole class above the run of the mill chains (it's not even comparable, how superior RCR is). read more

Five & Hoek Coffee - Here is one of my favorite roasts. Unique and very enjoyable bourbon aged beans. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Wheaton, Illinois

Try this place. I've been to coffee houses all over the country River City Roasters is in the top 5 percent. They source extra high quality coffee beans they roast themselves. One of my favorite drinks is a mocha latte made with grass-fed milk and real chocolate , not a chemicalized syrup pumped from a jug. The staff is great and the strange thing I've noticed it seems to attract genuinely happy people. . read more

Five & Hoek Coffee - This Crew is producing perfection - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Wheaton, Illinois

Still one my favorite local places. Amazing and unique lattes plus they do breakfast sandwiches! This is not fast coffee, but it is great coffee. Baristas are super helpful figuring out what to try. So much better than the chain coffee places. The have oatmilk and even sell grass fed milk to go. Definitely stop in and try their signature beer caramel latte! read more

I've always had the absolute best mochas here. Iced and hot. They take a literal piece of chocolate and melt it with the coffee, making a really delicious and decadent chocolate flavor. Try it with their grass-fed milk, it's the best! Their staff has always been very friendly as well, and the atmosphere is casual and hip. Always my go-to place! read more

Most hipster coffee shop I've ever seen--and I'm from Milwaukee, WI! Really wonderful Mocha made with oat milk. Espresso was sooo goood. Best part is that there is NO caffeine at all in their decaf, which is hard to come by. The space is real cute, minus all the college kids around ;) read more

Five & Hoek Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Wheaton, Illinois

Disappointed by their ecommerce software which is either broken, or they simply don't bother to update inventory in. I placed an order for 3 different oak barrel-aged, each of which has claimed "10 units in stock" for weeks now, only to have the owner contact me the next day to tell me they were out for three weeks and asked whether they should hold the order, or refund me. I asked for a refund. If you have an ecommerce site, you can't neglect it, even while you're busy running the brick and mortars. If anything, it's CRITICAL that you put the appropriate amount of effort into your online presence while starting up and initially growing. read more

Five & whooooo? Hoek! Pretty cool coffee shop in downtown Wheaton! If I could boil, excuse me, brew it down to a few things, here's what they're about: Creating a chill environment for people to connect over a solid cup of coffee. They keep it simple throughout from their interior design choices to menu. Classy white global pendant lights, exposed brick, original wood floors (gotta love the creaking everywhere, seriously!), & antique decorative ceilings. I came here to do some work and discovered that this is probably not the best place for that. There were very few outlets available. It's not very comfortable temperature wise as it was quite chilly throughout. Also, I was disappointed by the fact that they only had one roast or blend available to order. I'd hope that for a coffee shop, customers would have 2-3 options; fortunately, I did really enjoy the cup of their flagship, Caravan blend coffee. They do their coffee right, that's for sure! All in all, cool place to go to catch up with a friend over a really good cup of joe! read more

Five & Hoek Coffee - The Caravan House Blend - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Wheaton, Illinois

Our favorite coffee shop in the western burbs!! Wish they still had an indoor sit down shop.

Cool vibe but could use a more attentive person at counter. I love to support independent businesses and really liked the coffee here. It's a nice space, is in a good section of downtown Wheaton but I didn't really think the service was that great as there was one person there doing everything and he sort of missed opportunities to provide better service. I'd return. read more

Five & Hoek Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Wheaton, Illinois

Great local coffee shop. Wide variety of artisinal drinks, lots of seating. Great vibe. Highly recommended.

They have all of the concept right, but just not the execution. I'm a food scientist, product developer & have worked on cold brew coffee for years. My nitro cold brew was disappointing; I'd yet to have a poor quality nitro brew in life until today. It was thin, bitter and cloudy. They'd do better to increase the grounds per water ratio and shorten their steep time. I believe their roast was held at too high of a temperature & time as well. I've been eyeing the new trend of avocado toast for a year, always preferring to select a different breakfast item with more chutzpa. My first experience with avocado toast was unfortunately extremely negative. The avocado was topped with an insanely over-smoke-flavored meat-like topping, and placed atop an Ezekiel bread-style, dense toast. The flavors & texture were all wrong. The "meat" looked like coleslaw and tasted like the cook misread the recipe and added 40x the amount of off-the-shelf smoke flavor. It was basically inedible and I can't get the taste of smoke flavor and bitter grounds out of my mouth. I'm tired of suburban Chicago facilities that nod to food and trends, but don't actually taste around to see what the foods should taste like. With no standards and discernment, we get concept plates mired in confusion and heavy-handed allusions. Over-roasted, over-steeped, over-smoked, over-rated. read more

Wow! Have been wanting to try this place out for so long. I was finally out in Wheaton for some training and on a break I walked over to get a drink. I was going to do a matcha but ended up getting the immunity smoothie. It was amazing!!!! Seriously so good. I really want to figure out how to duplicate it at home but not sure if I should even try. It's definitely pricey but good ingredients and that matters to me. Can't wait to go back! read more

They make the best mochas! I even have to get decaf (due to an anxiety disorder), but it's always such a treat. They are a little more expensive than other coffee shops, but it's not much and it's well worth it. I do wish that their interior was set up a little better for seating, but it's a nice open, friendly environment. Bypass the Starbucks and go for River City! read more

Yirb Roba Natural coffee was crazy. Very fruity and unexpected. Nice place. Worth stopping at on way to O'Hare after a long day of work.

A group of friends and I stopped by this place while in Wheaton to get some coffee. The atmosphere is great, and honestly, this would be the dream start-up business for my friends and I. We always talk about opening a coffee shop/bar, so I think this place is really cool. The coffee was great, and I discovered a dope Spotify playlist because it was playing here. Would definitely come back if I'm in Wheaton again! read more

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Very VERY cute and trendy coffee shop (that happens to serve beer and wine also-very clever). I met a friend here for a latte and it was absolutely amazing. I often get disappointed with local places that claim to make cute lattes but when you get it the foam "art" has already vanished into the drink. These lattes were absolutely perfect- I got the hazelnut and it was not too sweet and had a bold flavor- not to mention that it looked good. I also go the chocolate muffin- which was also fresh and moist. Although something that really caught my eye on the menu was the avocado toast- which I am definitely going to try the next time I am in there! read more

Five & Hoek Coffee - Lattes and chocolate muffin - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Wheaton, Illinois

River City Roasters brings the hipster coffeehouse vibe to the suburbs. On Saturday afternoons, this place is so busy that you may have to take your coffee to go. There is a fair amount of tables, but there's a high likelihood that they will be occupied. It appeared that the line for coffee never stopped either. I've had the Salted Caramel Beer Latte, as well as the Cappuccino, and the coffee is definitely a notch above Starbucks and Dunkin, which is about all you're going to find in (most) suburbs. For some reason, my cappuccino was served in a cocktail glass, which was aesthetically pleasing but I had to hustle back to the table before I burned my hand off. Next time I will just ask for my hot drink in a to-go cup... It's noisy in here. I love the music. It's a mix between alternative rock and some with a hint of EDM. I was able to hold a conversation with my friend at the same time with no problem, and the acoustics mostly mask others conversations, like freaking magic. There are also a variety of croissants, donuts, and bagels if you're hungry. Try the old fashioned donut. If that doesn't satisfy your hunger, there are other eateries footsteps away. The patrons are a mix of Wheaton moms, Wheaton College students, and the occasional hipster with a waxed handlebar mustache. Parking can be a challenge. River City is right on Main Street, and unless you're going at a really off hour, you won't be parking right on Main. read more

Hands down favorite coffee! SO. GOOD!! And now they make smoothies!!! The staff is so friendly. This is a family owned business and you can tell they put their heart into everything! read more

Five and Hoek Coffee Co. is a hip and trendy coffee shop offering great coffee drink builds and cafe sandwiches. My first visit I tried the High Five Latte. It is a caramel, mocha latte with cinnamon. Very enjoyable and well-prepared. But just a heads up the floors are really squeaky and noisy with every step you take so be prepared for people to stare at you while walking. read more

This place has always been a great little coffee shop and now it's even better with the addition of brunch/lunch items and expanded seating in a beautiful space. I've been by for the brunch about four times now. The first time was actually the best - had the seasonal hash with the carnitas and it was out of this world! Had it again today and while it was good, not nearly as incredible - egg overcooked, white potato undercooked (last time only sweet potato in hash), missing aioli and dried apples, sausage tasty but not as good as the carnitas. This time the dish was not worth the $10 price tag. I've also had the biscuit sandwich (wonderful fluffy biscuit!), the savory toast (very good but a bit pricey for the portion), and a bite of the waffles (super and lovely presentation!). Looking forward to more breakfasts here but they need to get more consistent with the egg cooking (others in my party had overcooked eggs too). read more

Tried their coffee at Wheaton's French Market. While not bad, I think I would try something else a little stronger and more full-bodied next time. Prices seem very fair in their shop, and the specialty flavors sound really good! The guys at the booth were super nice, and I would definitely give their location a visit in the future! :) read more

Our favorite coffee place anywhere! Friendly service, knowledgeable owners and great product! We'll keep returning!

The coffee was really good. A little hard to find down the alley. The beans I bought tasted great as well.

Pretty good spot in downtown Wheaton for a cup of coffee. They have good substitute milk options with them serving my favorite oatmilk. I opted for a matcha which was pretty good. Not all the matcha was blended out, but hey, it's ok. The interior seems like a good place to work, albeit the tables are a little small and they have an awkward L shaped large table in the back (sitting in the corner of the L is kinda awkward) and probably why the cafe was a bit too loud for me. I was trying to talk to my friend across from me and I couldn't always hear her over the noise, I also couldn't quite hear the barista call out our drinks. Just a bit too loud for me, but other people have said it's quiet so maybe it's because it was a Saturday. read more

Let me tell you a story about the UP-West Line of Metra. The last rush hour train to the city for *an hour and a half* leaves at 8:34, so if you miss that train, you find yourself wandering the desolate streets of Wheaton looking for a place to set up shop so you can work remotely. Which is how I remembered, hey, there's a new coffee place where La Spiaza was. Might as well give them a try. I sat down, ordered an iced salted caramel latte, and set up my "workspace" on a tiny table. Making any judgments about a coffee shop based on an iced latte is, in a word, insane. It's like judging a Teavana based on the quality of their bubble tea, if they were to sell bubble tea. Three sips in, I knew this was something special. Almost bitingly salty. A hint of sweetness. And a deep, robust coffee flavor. I mentioned to them that it tasted about as good as Stumptown, which they greatly appreciated, and then I did something I never do. I went back for hot coffee. And to avoid screwing around, I went straight for the good stuff: pour over coffee with barrel-aged beans. They have beans aged in a whiskey barrel, but I picked the other one, which I'm halfway confident is bourbon. Their pour overs, as you might imagine, are best taken black. I have heard that coffee has as many, or more, flavor compounds than wine. This was the first time I believed it. The oak of the barrel is the most prominent flavor. There's a hint of cherry from the liqueur that had been aged in the barrel. As far as baked goods are concerned, we had a bacon cheddar scone. Just from the name of it, you can imagine that it's really hard to screw up. They didn't. (As a bonus, there's some scallion in the scone, so you can claim you had your vegetables. I won't tell.) The place has a decidedly hipster, steampunk vibe to it. Especially with the grinding machine sitting in the front of the store. Two guys had Portland-sized beards. If this concerns you, tap your heels and remind yourself that "I'm still in Wheaton, I'm still in Wheaton". Continue to lose yourself in the coffee. It's a little inconvenient to get to, with limited street parking, and I'm not in the habit of missing trains on purpose just for a great cup of coffee. But to be honest, I wouldn't mind "accidentally" missing the alarm every once in a while, just so I could grab a cup of hot java from River City Roasters. read more

I would like a stronger espresso flavor in the latte, it was kind of weak. My biggest complaint is the paper coffee cup affects the flavor of the latte. I was getting a cardboard flavor that I've experienced at other coffee shops that use the same style of cup. read more

While I was eating lunch across the street at Luong Loi, I spotted this coffee shop and decided to give it a try for a mid-afternoon caffeine pick-me-up. I love the decor of this cafe and there was a lot of seats if you want to get some work done at a coffee shop. I got the salted beer caramel and it was delicious (note: the iced coffee only has one size while the hot one has 3 different sizes). Two iced salted beer caramel lattes were a little less than $10. Parking around here is easy and free! Definitely would come back to try their other drinks and have a study session. I just wished they open until later on the weekdays and not close so early at 8 PM.. read more

Five & Hoek Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Wheaton, Illinois

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Cool space, that's where it ends. Incredibly slow service. Coffee was ok, empty creamer only option is 1/2 and 1/2. tables and chairs filthy at 9am. Lots of kids running around, possibly owner or an employee. Bumped into me and numerous other patrons. Definitely won't be returning. read more

Barista forgot about my pour over, left the bloom for minutes. Couldn't drink it, had to throw it out. Decor is decent, even cool for a Wheaton joint but why present yourself as a specialty coffee shop if there is not enough emphasis on brewing a perfect cup of coffee. UPDATE- 7/9/2014 I've been here several times since I posted my original review and I am fond of several offerings, namely the cold brew. Definitely the best coffee spot in Wheaton. read more

This coffee shop has grown tremendously under its current ownership. I recall visiting when there was still a cluster of books and games in the back, before there was a bar, before they served food. The're determination to their growth and evolution is inspiring. The service here is a friendly group of people knowledgeable and passionate about their craft. I don't visit as frequently as frequently as I would like, so there are some new faces there. Most recently, I met Hasan who took care of my shot of espresso. These small acts of kindness in the spirit of hospitality are greatly appreciated. I love this place and recommend it to everyone. read more