Cute, messy, small place. Good coffee. More interesting than Starbucks, with better food choices.

Red Eyes has never been crowded when I've gone in. I just hope the 18 other coffee shops in the area don't run it out of business. If you're alone and want peace it's the perfect happy medium between Julius Meinl to the north, crowded and frightening for solo diners, and Starbucks on Irving Park to the south, sterile and too many capri pants. Nothing needs to change about this place except maybe the quiche, it could be more flavorful. But even this doesn't deter me from my weekly visits re: their smoothies are awesome. I've had their original "turtle" drink (coffee, peanut butter, chocolate) and it was very, very, good as well. i'm interested to try their homemade lime soda. The decor is a little corny but what did you expect with the blinking Christmas lights out front? Embrace it and soon you will be singing along to Cat Stevens and sculpting pottery at the studio next door. read more

Nice find when our go-to place in the area was unavailable. Ample chairs and tables (tho small) and space can be tight. I had to be vigilant about not bumping into other tables and chairs. Wifi is spotty and slow. Eclectic crowd. Space is kept warm, especially if you're sitting next to the vents. Lots of window-side seating (good for sunlight and people watching, but bad if it's distracting, especially since Cho Sun Ok's right across the street and you can't stop thinking about yummy Korean meat....) They have a variety of treats, some are made in store and some are ....Costco. read more

The coffee is ok. The barista was certainly pleasant. It's proximity to the library is nearly ideal. But, but... it's just not comfortable! read more

Red Eyes got robbed again on Wednesday night -- the second time in a week, and this time more than just the cash register was stolen. The lady who runs Red Eyes is incredibly sweet, so please support this terrific, quiet coffee shop in Lincoln Square. It's not pleasant to watch this wonderful, hardworking person's eyes tear up when she tells you she was robbed. I've been going to Red Eyes for over a year now to get some writing done, and the atmosphere is terrific. I usually just order coffee and a bagel, so I can't complain about slow service, but if it's your first time at Red Eyes, be patient -- there's usually just one person behind the counter at any given time handling more than one order. But you should definitely ORDER something: this isn't your office (don't spend the entire day in there making loud phone calls to prove how important you think you are), or a place where you should take your time reading Red Eyes' copy of the Sunday Tribune because you're too cheap to buy one yourself. Show some respect and buy a cup of coffee. read more

I was never the type to frequent the same coffee shop on a daily basis, but Red Eyes came along and showed me what I was missing. One day I was looking for a local spot where I could sip a good cup of coffee while get some work done and this was the place. I ordered a plain black coffee and it did not disappoint. The atmosphere was quiet and the décor made it very cozy. As I was about to put on my headphones and fire up the laptop, I couldn't help but nod my head to the awesome, eclectic blend of music that was being played. I was a able to get some quality work done that day, and I now frequent Red Eyes quite often. In addition to the great coffee and cozy environment, they offer some great pastry items and breakfast sandwiches. I have tried a few and have yet to try something that I didn't like. The staff is always friendly, which is a big plus compared to some other coffee shops that hire angry, malnutritioned hipsters who don't know the meaning of customer service. Overall, this a great place to grab a coffee and quick bite, while posting up to get some work done. read more

Cute colorful cafe but the coffee was just ok. In fact it was a bit weak and flavorless. Possibly a bad batch? maybe but you can't assume people will be return visitors so getting it right the first time is important. The green tea frozen yogurt is gross. I like actual green tea and I assume the green tea flavoring mixed with the yogurt is what created this funky concoction...no deal. But of course this depends on your preference. Will I go back? hmm...I would give the coffee another go just to be sure I really don't like it. read more

Thanks to Groupon Now and a totally piece of sh*t Black & Decker coffee maker I bought THIS YEAR that died two days ago, I went out for breakfast and Coffee, the Elixir of Life, this morning. And I should say "thanks", at least to Groupon, because Red Eyes Coffee is a welcoming, comfortable, reasonably priced coffeehouse that I never before patronized. When I walked in, my first impression was highly favorable. The ordering area and display cases will face you as you enter. To the left is a very comfortable, welcoming seating area with chairs, couches, tables, and free wi-fi. I was going to take my breakfast home with me, but the place looked so inviting, I decided to stay. I'm pretty plain and simple when it comes to coffee. I ordered a 16 oz. coffee of the day. It tasted good. If a place offers decent-tasting basic coffee, I'm all in. I was trying to figure out what kind of breakfast food I wanted. Along with all the usual suspects - muffins, croissants, etc. - they offer vegan varieties. Now that's unusual, and a nice touch! The lady at the counter waited patiently while I scanned the menu that's suspended from the ceiling, and the cases. She suggested a bagel hot breakfast -- egg and bacon on bagel of my choice. Well, I like the idea of Egg McMuffin, but not the way McDonald's makes it. I ordered mine on a whole wheat bagel. Boy, was it big, and delicious, and filling. Two hours later, the waistband on my jeans still feels tight. I will have to eat veggies and fruit the rest of today to make up for it, but I don't mind. Excellent. Red Eyes Coffee was not busy. It should be. Forget the national chains, folks, and patronize a nice, friendly, comfortable neighborhood business. I know I'll be back. You should come, too. read more

Came here one night when I needed to get some work done. They had everything I needed to set up a productive study session - drinks, baked goods, electrical outlets and wifi. I had a hot chocolate, which was all right, and a black&white cookie, which was awesome. The place has tons of tables, but it was virtually empty save for me, the barista, another dude getting his study on, and a group of women having a meeting about knitting or something. The near quietness also made for a very productive study session - not like when I'm at Starbucks where parents let their toddlers roam free and college kids are loudly gossiping about who hooked up with who at last night's party. And the place closed at 10PM which is great for procrastinators that wait until 8PM to get started on their homework (AKA myself). I'll be back when school starts up again. read more

I hate having to eyeball people who are draining the last drips of coffee from their mugs, casually circling their table so I can pounce whenever they finally get up. No need at Red Eyes! I never have a hard time snagging a table in this place, which is a relief. They've also got their outdoor seating set up so there's something to look forward to this summer! I was in here one Sunday night and there was live music (a guy softly playing his guitar). Not sure how often this happens, but it was nothing too loud or distracting, it simply made for nice ambiance. Nice tea selection (all loose-leaf, none of the grocery store bagged teas so many places try to get away with serving) along with coffee drinks, food, etc. Free wi-fi and they're open later than a lot of the other coffee shops around, which makes it a nice spot to hit up after work on on a lazy weekend evening. read more

If I could marry a coffee shop, it would probably be this one. Red Eyes is a cozy shop with a bunch of mismatched chairs, sofas, tables, plants, and other decor, but somehow it all just works. There's plenty of seating indoors and out, and free wi-fi. Lots of windows and natural light, and the servers are friendly. When they're not helping people, they always seem to be doing something productive, like wiping down the tables, cleaning the shelves, etc., which impresses me. The list of positives goes on and on. The smoothies are delicious, and the coffee is decent. Unfortunately I can't speak on the food. But the atmosphere is exactly what anyone would want in a coffee shop. Quiet and calm enough to veg out with a book or sit down and get some work done, and comfortable enough to meet a friend and have a chat on the worn, comfy couches in the back. The good music selection is a plus too. I almost don't want to publish this review because it's usually empty when I walk in this place, and I kinda want it to stay that way. So in conclusion, this place is horrible...Never go there. Thanks! read more

I love this place for the fact that when I enter through the door....e...v...e...r....y...t...h....i.....n....g............................s........l......o......w......s .............d......................o......................w....................n. It's like entering another dimension where Starbucks and the daily grind do not exist.......a dream-like state where we do not live in a capitalistic, no-time-to-breathe society. The inside is cute and cozy...but there's something else about this place. The people behind the counter move SUPER slow but they don't seem to mind and neither do you when you're here. Unless, you're one of THOSE.....then you do mind...I've seen THOSE enter before and they usually throw a fit at the counter and storm out....back to their alien ships and Starbucks factory lines. I only have the straight black red eye coffee here....I'm not much of a coffee drinker so when I do have it...I want the full effects and I want to remember why I don't drink it regularly.... .....it propels me into a mental state of chaotic frenzy.....and people walk around like this daily, trying to hide their shaking hands as they withdrawal....grabbing for another cup?.....twilight zone out there, I tell ya. read more

I love this cafe. It has a neighborly feel with regulars of all ages who visit daily. Highlights: big windows, bright colorful decor, & excellent drip coffee, quiche, and cherry scones. The free wi-fi doesn't hurt either. The sitting area towards the back of the cafe is perfect for meeting friends for book club or just a chat. The outdoor seating during the summer is perfect for enjoying their delicious vanilla lime soda. The overall feel of the place is bright and comfortable enough to spend a lengthy amount of time working, studying, or reading (which I've done here. It got me through grad school!) I highly recommend it! read more

I just moved down the street and was so excited that I had a nice, local coffee shop just a block down. I read the reviews and have to say most of them were quite spot on. The place is slow. I mean, it took a good 10-15 minutes for me to get my drink with just one person in front of me. I imagine it's a chicken and the egg scenario, because there was only one person working, but they weren't really busy enough to have two staff on hand (I went Saturday afternoon.) I will try it again since it's down the block, but only if I'm in no hurry.( I could've walked down to Starbucks and back home in the time it took to get my drink) I will also try something different, since my vanilla latte wasn't the tastiest thing ever. read more

Great place to study. Definitely a mom n' pop shop, owned by a lovely Asian family. Love the decor---miscellaneous paintings, random trinkets, accented walls. Very soothing atmosphere with jazz tunes playing in the background. Perfect ambiance for studying/reading. *I really liked my ginger bread chai latte. !!! And at $3.15 for a small, not bad at'all. *Service here is great. Owners are kind, welcoming, and you can tell they're hard-workers. *I wouldn't recommend the baked goods here; I am almost certain that the muffins are from Costco, and the cupcakes are from Molly's. (Sad that I can infer these things, I know.) read more

Red Eye Cafe is a neighborhood place--it's cozy inside and has a nice little wraparound patio outside. The women who work there are always nice and accommodating. I live only a couple blocks away. So I really want to like Red Eye Cafe more than I do. Unfortunately, the coffee just doesn't taste that great. And when I drink my drink at an establishment, I like to have it served in a mug, not in a paper cup. The 1980s muzak they often pipe quietly over the sound system seems to be designed to calm the nerves, but it has the opposite effect on me. "All Night Long" was a great song. We can all agree on that. But the muzak version is impossible to tune out and might give those with tenuous psychological constitutions--like me--the howling fantods. I will close with kind words. The food isn't that bad, for coffee shop fare. The bacon & egg bagel is a good value. They hook you up. There's also free wifi, which is pretty standard these days, but a nice feature nonetheless. The cafe also served free hot chocolate during the neighborhood tree-lighting ceremony, which I thought was a nice gesture. read more

Reliable sufficiently quick wifi. Well laid out coffee shop, with alot of small airy windowside tables to choose from to do work. Place is airy because it's a corner location with huge glass windows that cover every wall. The space is just perfect for afternoon daydreaming and reading, and catching as much sunlight and people-watching in the summer and spring. You can even multi-task. You could do work, then take a break when your friends with their little families come to stop to visit. Mini-table for the tots, strategically placed right next to the ice cream counter. The couch seats are only a foot away, so the mommies can get together while the little ones play. Staff is pleasant and lets you do work. Lots of drink options on the menu. Sandwiches are yummy, including turkey or ham spinach wraps. read more

Free wifi, plenty of chairs, tables, and couches! And I love that it's quiet enough to study but that not that weird silence where you can hear a pin drop--just the right amount of quietness. The drinks and food options are great. I have been ordering the latte macchiato...mmm mmm. And they also serve frozen yogurt with various toppings. I ordered their turkey sandwich on a bagel. It was very good and priced very cheaply...just a little under 6 bucks. Very comfy and homely cafe. My new spot to study -- especially since it's just right down the street from me! LOVE IT! read more

Super nice spot! They have fresh juices, smoothies. They have all kind of great cakes, cookies and other baking goods, etc. their coffee is really good according to my husband (I don't drink coffee). They have plenty of space to hang out and work / study. They offer free wifi. read more

I was not expecting to like this place. I pass by it quite often, and for some reason the red awning always threw me off. I thought it made the place look a little generic and therefore always reasoned that i would never get a cup of coffee there. Well, last friday me and my girl were looking for a close spot to get coffee and decided we'd just bite the bullet and go to red eyes. well, la dee da. I ended up thoroughly enjoying the experience. the cafe actually reminded me of a coffeehouse I went to in Key west, and was all cozy and super cute with bright colors and plenty of tables. It doesnt strike me as a very chicago-style cafe at all, which was a welcome surprise. My coffee was good as was my turkey croissant sandwich. I enjoyed both thoroughly. My friend, however, thought her vanilla latte tasted horrible. to each her own i suppose. If you're in the mood for a different kind of coffeehouse experience, and mebbe want to go on a little vacation away from chicago, give this place a shot! read more

I don't think I will be coming back here. The shop looks nice enough but the sale person is not very engaging. One gets the feeling it is a bother to make the coffee and bagel. On a hot day, a cool rest area is pleasing, this place doesn't seen to use the air conditioning. I couldn't wait to get out and find a cool place to eat. read more

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I have been going here for 7 years. I ordered my first breakfast sandwich today. She cracked the eggs right in front of me. Much better and bigger than any fast food bfast sandwich. Go there with your family for yogurt or ice cream in the spring and summer. Mong and Bill are great people. They always treat my kids well. It is a great locally owned spot. read more

Love this place. Very cute, friendly, and comfortable. I'm so glad it's just down the street from my apartment! Sure, they're a little slow, but it's usually worth it... the sandwiches are delicious! Also, they were robbed last night. :( So go support this little business! read more

I'm a freelancer, and Red Eyes is one of my favorite places to work. It's a true community-driven business. People from the neighborhood are constantly dropping in to buy ice cream, sandwiches and drinks. The staff is incredibly nice and I never feel like they're giving me the hairy eyeball after I've been working there for a few hours. A lot of area coffee shops want you to get in and get out, but they honestly don't mind if you stay all afternoon. (Of course, every time I stay that long I buy at least a couple cups of coffee and maybe a snack.) Good iced tea and strong coffee, and the fresh lime soda is a great treat. I especially like that the owner seems to know and genuinely care about her customers, especially the ones who come in on a regular basis. She's such a sweet woman. The service can take some time depending on how busy the place is, but good things come to those who wait. read more

Would you walk into this place and immediately rate it a 5? Probably not. But I'm going to tell you why you would love to come here. I intended on going to Starbucks on Lincoln, but when I got there the seats were all full and it felt sterile. I quick yelped another place nearby and found Red Eyes Coffee. Immediately a wild 20% coupon appeared by using the app. When I got there, the owners were kind, and brought me my food at the table. I got a bagel sandwich and a large coffee for just over $5. The place feels like a home, but clean. As I was sitting at a table working, I noticed the owner decorating outside for fall, and I LOVE FALL. All in all, I appreciated the friendliness, atmosphere, and the care the owner puts into the place. read more

Came here for some cold dessert relief after the boiling hot Korean soup I had for dinner across the street. Very cute place - love the ambiance of the place, and the outdoor patio spaces. This would be an ideal coffee shop to spend a lazy morning reading or working on a laptop. My review is based strictly on their ice cream (and high ice cream prices). I got a cone (they had only one cone option - little basic cake cones in a big plastic bin) with overly-soft ice cream. Tasted good, but why was the ice cream so super soft/melty? I hate that! Also, get some nice big waffle cones, or sugar cones, or something more deluxe than a big tupperware filled with a box of store-bought cake cones. You're a fancy coffee shop, you owe that to your customers. My companion ordered a root beer float, with too much foam. I feel like we got hosed. $4.50 for a root beer float? Around $4 for a little cake cone with super melty ice cream? Come on! Loved the look/feel of the place, but they need to either work on upping the ante on their ice cream selection/quality, OR lower their prices accordingly. read more

This is my default neighborhood cafe. It has everything I am looking for... it's quiet, it has friendly Baristas, its close-by, and its homey. There are times when they do irk me, especially when they sometimes close an hour early or are closed during vacation. However, it doesn't deter me. I like that I can go and sit on the sofa and disappear for a short time. read more

I've been here a handful of times. When you first walk in, it's not what you expect. It's rather quiet, especially during a winter like this, and it remains almost as quiet in during the summer. I love that about this place. I can study in complete peace without being distracted by loud music, talkative staff, and dishes clinking everywhere you turn. So basically, no one come here or else I won't get any studying done ;) The coffee is good. I've had better. They offer Intelligentsia coffee. I remember one time I can during the Fall, and I tasted their Pumpkin Spiced latte that was burnt. The taste was awful! I told the owner, who is a sweetheart, along with her hubby, and she checked it out and offered me a discount. I've also have had the quiche a few times. It's decent, but it does NOT come with a salad like the menu says. It's almost always any fruit that is within season. One star off for that and slightly on the slow side service. I can't imagine how slow it would be when they're swamped with customers! read more

This is a great study location. I went in the later afternoon (around 4 PM or so) and we were about the only people in there. They played awesome folk music at a reasonable volume (not so loud that you can't read!), have comfortable tables and chairs, plentiful electric outlets to plug your laptop in, and free wifi. The ham panini is delicious and the raspberry Italian soda was pretty tasty too! read more

Be prepared for at least a 7 minute wait from the time you order until your drink is ready. I won't even talk about the wait when there are people in front of you. Good spot for studying or working. Music isn't obnoxious and free wifi. I usually get a latte which is typically above average. Today was the first really warm day after a very long winter so I decided to try a blended drink. BIG MISTAKE. No flavor at all. Extremely watery. I got a blended mocha. I swear an americano is sweeter than the drink I received. I suggest sticking to a regular coffee or a latte. read more

This is a cozy little spot with lots of great coffee options, they even have gelato. The wi-fi works great though I had to unplug a lamp to juice up my computer so try to come with a full battery. My only complaint was that they either don't have AC or it doesn't work well. The iced coffee is very refreshing but hard to enjoy completely when your sitting inside on a 90 degree day with hot stagnant air. I'm will be back on a cooler day since the quite atmosphere is perfect for getting work done. read more

Music was now and quiet atmosphere relaxing and plently of space to work untill someone turned on a really loud tv in the back. read more

Red Eyes Coffee - Cafes Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I was coming here for 8 weeks because I signed my little brother up for pottery lessons next door, so I'd chill here for 2.5 hours in the morning. This place is so comfy. It's run by the sweetest couple and they are very friendly and unimposing. I've had their breakfast croissants and I LOVE....LOOOOVE the fact that they make the eggs fresh. Real eggs people, not pre-made patties. They warm up any pastries you order which is SO comforting. I am not a fan of the blueberry muffins because they've been a bit too mushy in the center but the lemon poppyseed muffins and the cookies were so nice. Free wifi with purchase. Fantastic people watching and comfortable seating all around. :) read more

Walked in and was the only customer. Ordered a hot chocolate and toasted bagel. Got my order about 10 mins later and my hot chocolate was a some kind of gross coffee drink. I just threw it out because I wasn't about to wait another 10 mins for another one. read more

Place is small and unpretentious. Other reviews say it takes too long to get a latte- go to Starbucks for the automated system. Any good coffee shop will have a bit of a wait for a cup of coffee. Its a great local place with local flair. Most of the bad reviews are from people from the suburbs- once again, clearly the Starbucks type rather than the local indie place. Good prices. Never sit for long for wifi- its not why I go to a coffee shop. Usually with friends for conversation. I wouldnt judge a place if it had wifi- and most quality coffeeshops are doing away with wifi anyhow. read more

This is my favorite coffee place in the neighborhood. They have the best rose blossom tea, comfortable seating, and wi-fi. In the summer, little kids come in for ice cream and frozen yogurt on a hot afternoon. In the winter, there are couches and comfy chairs to curl up with a pot of tea or a hot cider. The owner is a very nice lady who always seems to be smiling. Her staff are also pleasant and friendly. It really feels like a coffee shop should - relaxing, tied to the neighborhood (there's a bulletin board covered in fliers for local events), cozy, and welcoming. read more

Pleasant place to hang out before or after feasting on some Korean BBQ. Staff was friendly and hospitable.

I feel people need to step it up in this city. I don't understand opening a business just so you can serve abysmally bad lattes. Maybe I am having a down day, but I just don't understand why people don't strive to excel, they just strive to 'eh, good enough' it through life here. Perhaps its my ambitious nature, or my career path. The interior had a charming sitting area, so one star. The latte I ordered, I tossed. It tasted burnt and stale. It was probably the worst coffee drink I have ever had. And I have been drinking coffee drinks like this daily for probably 25 years. I don't understand the good reviews, I truly don't. It makes me doubt the validity of Yelp as a tool in this city. I have hope someone who cares will remedy this. I love supporting independent businesses, but I will avoid this one. read more

I had breakfast at Red Eyes Coffee twice this month and it is now one of my favorite coffee houses. The coffee is strong and flavorful, the breakfast sandwich I had both times, egg and bacon on croissant, was perfect. The atmosphere is very pleasant and the service is prompt and friendly. It's also quiet and cozy. A nice place for morning meditation. read more

The croissant egg and cheese sandwich is A-MAZING. Tip to fellow pork avoiders: they'll make the sandwich with turkey breast. And it really works. They also have n outstanding deal on fresh fruit and vegetable juice. A blend of apple, orange, carrot, celery, beet, and ginger (I might be missing something) for $4.50 or $4.75 made fresh while you wait. What!?! That's insane. And so yummy. I didn't want orange in mine and I asked her to add more carrot and she did. I've also had an iced chai latte here and it was on point. Lots of places to sit, free WiFi, and the prices are reasonable. A+. read more