So good! Just started working in the area and got a sandwich just now and it's awesome! I got the 63rd sandwich and I recommend it!

I really want to love Robust. I do. But I suspect much of the reason people love Robust is that there is no good alternative in the area -- it is just a sad fact of life that (due to understandable neighborhood/demand/business/etc. considerations) the vast majority of the good coffeeshops are up north. That said, I have two independent observations about Robust. First is that the interior layout could be better. The space doesn't seem to be used in the best way, though I can't put my finger on why it feels this way. There are a number of individual-size tables that are good for people who are there to work on laptops, but many of those are inaccessible to outlets, and the ones by the windows in the front are somehow unappealing -- maybe due to rickety unstable chairs, and maybe just that the tables/area never seems to be clean. That leads me to my second observation, which is that I always get the feeling the surfaces/tables/floor/etc. are kind of dirty. I'm not at all a clean freak. But it just doesn't make me want to stay when I usually have to wipe down my table myself before I put my computer down, and there are often pieces of used equal packets, etc. laying around the milk/sugar table. If the coffee were somehow exceptional, neither of these things would matter so much. But the coffee is just average for any Intelligentsia location. I go to Robust when I have to be on campus immediately afterward, and that's about it. I know Robust is trying to be this swanky coffee lounge in a neighborhood that hasn't really had that, but if that's the case, the maintenance/upkeep has to be like that of a swanky coffee lounge. read more

i got a veggie bagel sandwich and added lox and it was so good that i'm pregnant now. highly recommend!

The Good: - the people behind the counter are fantastic and friendly. Love them all! - great brand of coffee. - cool atmosphere - good location - comfortable - non-dairy milks available - nice selection of baked goods from a local bakery - coffee by-the-pound that they will grind for you - nice selection of smoothies - homemade "diablo" syrup is a sweet and spicy coffee flavour they make in house for the Mocha Diablo. - usually quiet, FREE WIFI! Great to get some work done. - Kid friendly, with a book shelf for reading in your down time The Bad: - non-dairy milks are all sweetened, which makes any fancy non-dairy latte TOO sweet after the flavouring is added. - a lot of the food is low quality pre-made mixes and packaged products (pancakes aren't fresh made batter, hummus is pre-packaged, the "cheese" is orange american style single slices, breakfast condiments are just Smucker's jams and pancake syrup etc. Skip the food.) - blended cold drinks are made with a packet of pre-mixed artificially flavoured powders (YUCK. Just skip these entirely) - flavoured coffee syrups are cheap, teeth shatteringly sweet and give your latte a chemical taste. Avoid the flavored coffees (with the exception of the homemade Diablo syrup). I want to love Robust, but I can't give 5 stars because they are lacking in quality and attention to detail. I'll keep going back though, because small local business support is important, and they're still miles better than DD or Starbucks! read more

This is still a great place to hang out. And we still really, really need local businesses in this area. BUT--it appears that standards are slipping. I went with a friend a few days ago. I had the shaken lemonade with mango and it was undrinkable. It was so bitter and acidic that the addition of the mango as well as several packets of sugar could do nothing to sweeten it. I gave up after a few sips. I am not so picky. I don't demand that my lemonade come from inside the lemon no more than three seconds before it is in my glass. But please, spend a little cash and buy a lemon juice that isn't just citric acid with lemon flavoring! It wasn't just me. My friend ordered a coffee drink that he enjoyed until he went to the table by the door and added "half and half." He took another sip and nearly gagged on the chemical flavor of non-dairy creamer! Now I know nobody told me there was real lemon juice in my lemonade, but calling non-dairy creamer "half and half" is fraudulent. In addition, my friend also noticed that the bottled drinks in the cooler by the register were all room temperature. And word to the wise? If I can smell the tuna on the sandwich the gentleman two tables away is eating, it's not so fresh! Could explain why he left most of the sandwich on the plate. We have plenty of businesses in our area that sell substandard products, or lie to customers. Please don't join them. Please keep your integrity and continue producing enjoyable, fresh and flavorful drinks and food. read more

Great food with friendly service staff. There's a wide variety for such a small cafe vibe. It's also a great spot to dine in and get work done. read more

I like the sandwiches. I like the coffee. I like the ambiance. I don't like the half ass, unbothered demeanor of some of the staff. P.S. Don't ask to get your sandwich cut after they send it out. You will be directed to the plastic knives near the condiment stand. Yes, I know I'm being petty. But it's the principle! read more

Looks like it could be a nice place but I wasn't pleased with the service....or lack thereof. We walked in to get drinks and ice cream and when I saw the menu I told my kids maybe we'd come in one day for breakfast. We stood at the counter and there was a girl making a drink. Her hair was awesome but she glanced at us and said nothing. We stood around. A guy came from the back and made eye contact, but said nothing. We stood around. The girl came over and stood there silently. No, "hello, may I help you?" Nothing. My son wants to know if they have ice cream. "Floats." He asks again. I try to explain that from her response I assume they only have vanilla ice cream and some sort of flavors of soda. She remains silent. He asks if they have cookies and cream. She shakes her head. Ok, he'll take a cookie. I ask what the shaken lemonade is. It's lemonade with flavors. Ok. We order a lemonade. I ask how much the boxed water is (because it's fancy and people like to charge ridiculous prices for fancy stuff) She doesn't answer. Ok. "So you want a cookie, a lemonade and a boxed water?" No, I wanted to know how much the water is. $2. No thanks. She fresh squeezed (awesome!) the lemonade for my daughter and hands it to me. We walk out and my daughter spits the lemonade out. It's bitter. Unsweetened. Why not mention that? We go back in for sugar. Maybe I asked too many questions. Maybe I wanted more because I'd just run 3 miles or maybe it was because I kept seeing this place and saying I was going to stop in. Whatever it was, I wasn't pleased with the service. I've had a bad week dealing with UPS and Comcast, I want a smile and a hello at the local coffee shop, I guess. read more

Me and my boyfriend have been coming to this establishment for four months now and progressively worse. Originally we fell in love with Robust (63rd & Woodlawn), but as time went on, the food was made with less care, brought out incorrect according to the receipt (twice), cold, and as of today, a 25 minute wait. What took the cake was what my boyfriend found in his sandwich, a rogue piece of paper. It seems as if it is a piece of deli or packing paper. That can happen to anyone, I understand. It's just the staff THIS DAY was unapologetic. I'll probably stop by for a quick cup of coffee, but for food, that's a whole different story. Side note: During the other mishaps the staff was quick to correct the problem. Now, they seem unmotivated or even worse, disinterested in pleasing the customer. read more

Robust singlehandedly got me through some of the toughest parts of micro and pharm (I'm looking at you, parasitology). The decor is sparse enough to keep you focused, yet homey with everything you could need from couches and chairs to big wooden tables (and smaller ones) and of course, free wifi. The wifi is not restricted in any way, and is generally pretty speedy - but they do ask that you not be a douche and actually purchase something before you sit down. The food is pretty good with some really filling and delicious sandwiches on the menu (always great to see at a coffee shop!) and though they do seem to put more effort into their sweetened latte drinks, I've generally been happy with their regular coffees and teas. Plus they have smoothies. Only downside: don't be around when the schools get out - or bring headphones. It can get a little loud and rowdy around then. read more

This has become my regular Saturday study spot for my last quarter of graduate school. I love having such a great cafe nearby. (+) I've had the iced chai latte, iced latte, iced americano, and cafe au lait on several occasions and enjoyed them thoroughly each time. Can't speak to the actual food as I haven't tried anything yet, but a great selection. (+) Community feel- I love that the patrons are so friendly with each other and the staff and often seem to know each other. (+) The previous (+) is probably facilitated by the awesome staff! Super sweet and accommodating. I once paid for a pastry and changed my mind to a muffin, and the barista waved away the extra quarter or so in difference. I would have had no problem at all paying it, but it was just a nice gesture. (+) Location- the neighborhood really needs more spots like this, and I love that the owners recognized the need and took a risk. (+) Free, reliable wi-fi (+) Ample parking (+) I've stayed for hours without feeling pressured to leave I'm waiting for the day when I get there early enough to score a cushion-y seat :) I actually am really glad that it has always been relatively crowded each time I'm there, as it gives me hope that the place will make it! My only wish? That it would stay open just a little bit later so I can enjoy it into the evening :) read more

Best coffee house bar in South Side Chicago. Very nice friendly baristas. Their caramel frappe is the best! Its way better than Starbucks & Dunkin' Donuts! I love the atmosphere. It's very chilling in there. I live in Highland Indiana, and I be taking the CTA Stony Island Bus getting off at 63rd and take 10 minute walk to 63rd & Woodlawn. My buddy recommended me this coffee shop. The area is little rough, but this coffee shop is a must stop. I'll be coming back once in the while. Keep up the good work right here. I will continue to supporting this place! read more

A TOTAL need for the neighborhood. I work in Woodlawn about 3 minutes south of Robust and am SO HAPPY a healthy, clean establishment with quick service has opened up. McDonalds you will no longer be getting my lunch business. My arteries thank you, Robust. read more

Great new place in the neighborhood. I stop here most mornings on my way to work. The staff is always very friendly and will take call in orders! Now that's what I call service. The environment is friendly and inviting. I like the healthy food choices. This can be hard to find when you are in a hurry. One thing not to miss are the fresh baked cookies!!! read more

Once, a long time ago and in a suburb far, far away, I accidentally put in about a teaspoon of honey in my newly-purchased dark roast coffee. I chalked this up to an "oops" and quickly grabbed the simple syrup bottle instead. So when Robust Coffee Lounge comes along and intentionally sells me a "honey nut latte", you've caught my attention. And I wasn't sure if it was in a good way, or a bad way. Short answer: in a good way. The honey and rich coffee work together really well, actually, with the flavors complementing each other and not conflicting. The "nut" part of the drink (probably almond syrup) was a nice touch, and I think that was what made the whole thing quite sweet. It's an excellent iced coffee, with a rich sweetness. And it was perfect for a post-run drink. It's a nice place to hang out in, to boot. Woodlawn has a fine coffee shop in its borders. read more

I literally go there every other day. The egg and cheese croissant are the best in town. My food is always fresh and my London tea is a smooth drink. Presentation of customer service is always great and the place is always clean and relaxing. I had to write a review since I come so much. read more

:( I don't think the cupcakes are from Brown Sugar Bakery anymore. They are sortof bland now.But the coffee is still GREAT. read more

This is the coolest coffee shop in Chicago by far. It's a neighborhood spot. It's funky. And the food and coffee are terrific. I had a beautiful cup of coffee. I'm glad it's close to where I live, and will mourn the day the area is fully gentrified and this place is littered with white wealthy couples pushing strollers. But until then, I will enjoy every moment. read more

There's plenty of parking and in this area that's already 100 bonus points. It's pretty trendy with cool decor and plenty of food options. Lots of space for working. The only reason they get four stars is because the music was soooo loud. You would think it's on its way to being a bar or something. I could hear it through my earphones. Otherwise everything else was great. They are a bit pricey but as one of two coffee shops in the area they can get away with it. read more

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Absolutely adorable spot. Very much needed in the area. Lovely owners, cool vibe, and yummy (seem healthy) sandwiches. Mmmm good. The only thing I wish for is a larger hot tea selection. Otherwise, I have no complaints. It's my go-to lunch spot when I forget my lunch at home, or even just for a quick break from my office. Highly Recommend! x read more

My children have been long time patrons of Robust Coffee because it is within walking distance from their school however the lack of respect and appreciation for the students and staff who are the main contributors to their success is unacceptable. read more

Robust needs to take care of its respect for the local neighborhood ASAP. I have been there multiple times and seen the management behave incredibly inappropriately towards local HS students. Students cannot be told to their face they are "good kids" or "bad kids." The owner is especially disrespectful about this situation. It needs to be remedied right away. read more

I am so glad that this business is open in Woodlawn, they definitely need more businesses. It is a sign that 63rd street is truly on the rise. There is plenty of parking (for now) and the staff is warm and friendly. I only take off stars because they were out of soy milk and didn't tell the person picking up my drink, and instead of drinking a nice soy latte, I had a whole milk latte. And I don't drink milk, it tastes rancid to me. But the upside is that all the other things that were brought back were wonderful. I would go back, and I would just have to ensure that the drink was really soy. read more

I love neighborhood coffee shops and Robust does not disappoint! From specialty coffee drinks to belly warming breakfast, Robust is a favorite! read more

If you want to be treated like crap and experience the neighborhood teenagers being treated like worse than crap, come here. I work in the neighborhood and have never experienced such poor service (20 minute wait for a bagel, old veggies with their hummus plate, wrong items in the order). It's one thing to treat me poorly (I have a car and can go elsewhere easily), but a completely different story when you're just plain disrespectful to the young people who go to the high school just down the block. You would think they would join forces with the school, but from what I have witnessed, they are just plain evil to the kids for no reason other than they are kids. Be sure to bring a fat wallet. You don't get out of here cheap. read more

I live two blocks away and haven't had a bad experience (except when someone was filming a music video and the video girls were blocking the line and my Sunday morning coffee) besides that, this place is on point for being the lone coffee shop in Woodlawn. I can only speak to the coffee and donuts. I've enjoyed my drinks with the exception of some sort of iced chai drink that was a little more ice than chai. It's nice to walk into a business and know who the owners are. These days there always seems to be a steady stream of customers and I think they are trying to host a couple of open mic nights. Glad to have Robust in the neighborhood. read more

This is not my neighborhood, but if it was I would be eating here a lot. I don't generally seek out chicken salad but for some reason their "Herbie" sandwich called out to me. I was intrigued by their homemade chicken salad and it was absolutely delicious! The sandwich also came with provolone and bacon on a raisin pretzel roll. It sounds a little weird but it worked. The treats in their display cases (muffins, donuts, cakes) all looked fabulous. If I am ever back in the area I will definitely be stopping by. The service was fast and friendly. Love the decor. Beware the uncomfortable semi-broken booth seats. read more

Nice little coffee spot but I wasn't a fan of the London Fog. Honestly just tasted like warm milk and tea... Their sandwiches look really great though. read more

Been coming here a couple of times per month. Really liked it - great coffee choices and interesting and tasty sandwiches. A recent service experience put this place and its people at the top. Was meeting someone to transact some biz. Bought some items including a pound of Blue Heeler coffee. Like a dope I took off without my bag of joe. I came back 10 days later, took a flyer and asked if they had it. Snap snap the young lady retrieves it from the display case with a note on it "coming back for me". How great is that?! Small things done right are so uplifting. Thanks Robust. read more

Robust Coffee Lounge - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I never leave reviews but I visited Robust today for the first time went and was pleasantly surprised in every way. They served Altera coffee from Milwaukee and the interior was cozy and nicely decorated. I also strongly wanted to leave a positive review because one if the employees was so sweet that he noticed a I fallen earlier and asked about it. He then went and found me a first aid kit, all out of his own good will! Delicious type of coffee I can't find many other places in the city, veggie sandwich offerings, comfortable vibe, and a really friendly staff. I will definitely visit again next time I am in Hyde park. read more

Robust Coffee has the best food that I've ever eaten at a coffeeshop. Most of the time, when you eat at a coffeeshop, you just hope that the food is of tolerable taste and quantity. The food here is actually DELICIOUS and the portions are GENEROUS, especially for a coffeeshop. I would recommend either the BBQ Burger or the Peanut Butter Banana Bacon sandwich. This is a place where a $7 sandwich is actually worth your $7. The coffee itself didn't blow me away, although their blended drinks are quite tasty. Good atmosphere. Nothing spectacular, but not bad by any means. I'd definitely recommend the place, especially considering what your other options in the area are. Heck, I'd even recommend it if it were located in the city. read more

Great atmosphere with good decor. their coffee is a cross between intelligensia & starbucks...diverse crowd - surprisingly for the area - nothing like coffee to bring out the neigborhood. I've been there about 7 times now and the customer service hasn't deviated, which is great for a new place. Free wifi too - can't beat that. I pray they're involved in what opens next door to even further the coffee shop experience... Wish they'd spruce up the bakery offerings and offer a barely audible slight tilt towards smooth jazz/light reggae riddims to even soften the atmosphere more. Other than that - forget its in woodlawn - its a great coffee shop! (yeah - I said it) Updated...3/5/2012. I continue to frequent the shop at least once or twice a month even though the owner and his same three buddies never seem to remember me; as such i will continue to re-introduce myself when im not in a hurry....lol. Jest aside. Puhlease, do something about the kids!!!! I'm way too old to relive high school cursing and foolery at 5pm in a coffee shop (hire a security guard from 5 - 7, heck get a senior citizen or concerned neighborhood affiliate to mandate three kids at a time. I understand/recognize/realize that its hard, but please do something about it..) read more

What a gem. I've been coming here on and off for about three years; it's a disservice to not have written a review until now. The downside for me is location - I live on the north side. That's probably a good thing, because I'd be there every day if I could. The coffee is really good, though not the best I've ever had. Robust stands out for a few reasons; their fantastic chai tea latte, great food, and consistently great service. My favorites among their many food items are the turkey and cranberry sandwich on a croissant and their cookies. Even if you don't live in the area, find a way to go check this place out. I used to do some work at the health clinic nearby, which was my original gateway to it. If you're a U of C student, do yourself a favor and make this your study spot. read more

Tasty coffee, nice vibe and quick friendly service. Great alternative to the chain coffee shops. I recommend it. Go enjoy a cup!

Despite having lived within walking distance to Robust for the past year, I never made the short trek there to try it out before now. What a mistake! This spot has delicious food, plenty of seating, and fantastic music playing to liven up the atmosphere. This is a very sunny spot that is perfect for grabbing lunch with a friend or for studying. They have a great selection of sandwiches for lunch- I had the roast beef, which came on an onion roll and was very tasty! I can't wait to come back here again and try out the many yummy-looking pastries and cakes they have on display! read more

I like this coffee lounge since my kiddo goes to school right next door. I also work in the area, so if the lines aren't very long I love to come in for a hot cup of dark roasted coffee and a pastry to go. It always smells amazing when you walk in. You aren't always greeted with a big smile but the service is always polite and accurate. The menu is just the right size, I hate large menus since I'm so indecisive, but they cover pretty much all the basics from sandwiches to shakes. The place itself always seems to be clean and organized. The environment is mixed, from folks coming in to have a quick business meeting to those just grabbing a snack while they wait for the bus. It's literally a gem for the Woodlawn area. They also have the little stamp cards, so if you frequent often you can get a free drink! Most small cafes don't offer this, but that's a perk that keeps me coming back. I love the 63rd Turkey Club, don't change a thing about it. I haven't been able to enjoy a lot of other options since I'm a busy mom and always on the go, but I can't wait to try their little breakfast bowl. I hate seeing people tear small business apart on Yelp and other reviews sites. Next time try speaking with the owner or manager first before trying to "hit them where it hurts". I'm a native of the Hyde Park/Woodlawn area and have worked over here for years, in restaurants, business offices, you name it! Small business owners are more likely to hear your opinion, even if they don't agree they will always hear you out and address any issues you may have. The owner is a very nice guy. :) read more

Quite a nice place - the atmosphere is humming but not noisy, which is the kind of ambiance I like when I'm doing work. I tried the BBQ Lou and the Herbie. The former was a winner - brisket was delicious and the coleslaw and bun were the perfect accompaniment. Bonus: they give you little Tootsie Rolls/Pops with your meal! The Herbie, on the other hand, wasn't my favorite - the sandwich was basically a HUGE scoop of (really bland) chicken salad with some lettuce and bacon. The pumpernickel bread it came on was pretty good, but I wouldn't recommend the sandwich as a whole. I also had a chai latte, which was nice if a little on the bland side as well. While the flavor of the chai was good, it felt like the chai to milk ratio was a little low. I still enjoyed it enough that I would order it again, though. Boyfriend had two of the smoothies: the Hawaiian Dream and the Sunrise. I snuck a little of each - the former was my favorite of the two. Overall, definitely worth the trip, and a nice place to get some studying done. read more

Had a bacon egg an cheese sandwich on a croissant it was hot and fresh love this neighborhood spot for quick fresh sandwich an coffee read more

Robust Coffee Lounge - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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The food and drinks are great. They have a variety of options that other small coffee shops don't often have. There's plenty of room to sit and relax or study. I studied here in one of the back booths. I wish there were more spots with outlets but other than that, 5/5! That atmosphere/vibe is great too. read more

I'm super excited to see new business on this block. We've been needing SOMETHING for quite some time, and lucky me - it's a charming little coffee shop that serves blended drinks, hot drinks, teas, smoothies, various flavors of lemonade, breakfast sandwiches, and an assortment of sandwiches for lunch (try the corn beef on rye....yum). It also looks like it will be a nice, well lit place to read and to get some work done. As with any new business, there's at least one kink to work out. For me, it was the waiting time for blended drinks since they currently only have 1 blender. But I give Robust Coffee Lounge 5 STARS for effort, hospitality, and the great drink I got. With continued business, they'll have more employees, blenders, and the like that will make service speedier. GO!!! GIVE THIS SHOP YOUR BUSINESS - We want to keep it here in Woodlawn, as well as attract more businesses to the area. read more