Cafe Descartes

This review is for anyone considering working here. I see that the other employee who had written a review here had hers taken off, so I figure I would write one.
I worked for Sony at Café Descartes about two years ago near the Loyola campus in Rogers Park. I was excited to have my first coffee job, and I’m grateful that this job gave me a gateway into what I have now crafted into a career. That being said, I probably would have been better off starting at Starbucks or Peets.
First of all, as an employee I was treated very poorly. Sony rules his cafes by fear and anger. He would spy on me in the cameras and then call the café to interrogate me on what I was doing (which was either cleaning, making gelato or making people drinks) if he didn’t understand through the camera. He would give me instructions that were impossible to follow through on because they were so unrealistic. His main way of talking to his employees is through coated threats, yelling and/​or swearing. I had more than a few customers who had spectated the way he treated me and other employees make comments about how he would talk to us. I was never trained on how to use the espresso machine, and to my knowledge, there was no set pattern for drink consistency.
I NEVER got paid on time and my checks were either short, weeks late or both. He was conveniently unavailable whenever I needed to talk about payment, but was always checking his camera to interrogate me on why I’m mopping the floors a certain way. He asked me to do ghost writing for him without any sort of payment, and would have me sit down after I had clocked out to write his emails and rewrite paragraphs he had written.
The coffee quality at Café Descartes when I was there was absolutely awful. I don’t think he cared too much about the quality of the beans. It was obvious that he had social motivation rather than artistic appreciate for coffee.
Finally, the icing on the cake is how I was «fired.» I was hospitalized for a small period of time and couldn’t make it to work. I made various efforts during my time as a patient and after to communicate that I was unable to work and would be available after a few weeks and he never replied… Probably because he owed me money.
All in all, I wouldn’t recommend this place. There are so many better options for coffee in that area, like Metropolis, The Coffee Shop, and Growling Rabbit. Places with quality coffee, good management and happy employees.

I have never seen another customer in this place. Once I walked in and was ignored although that might have been the day I was invisible but that was probably just how I felt. The other time I gave it another chance but no one ever came out of the kitchen. It’s too bad because the paintings are cute and that block could use a café, but all I got out of my attempts to visit were two existential moments where, for once, I felt utterly present, alone, and okay with my own company, neither coming nor going. But there must be some residue of angst because I’m sitting across the street at Potbelly and bothered to entail my experiences. There is a help wanted sign in the Descartes window. The lights are on. Someone with an apron looks busy. One can be quite busy with the idea of customers even if one has no customers.

Went here on a Thursday around noon. Completely empty so no line to wait in! Received my coffee and usually i have to wait for it to cool but it was already luke warm– SCORE! No cream was out so the barista got some fresh stuff right from the fridge. Things really did work out well.

I had a bit of time to kill, and stopped in for a coffee, and it wasn’t too bad. Based on the no wifi, their iPad not having any battery power for a Belly check in (I mentioned it and I think she didn’t understand), and the complete lack of customers, I wasn’t all that impressed. the coffee was hot and inexpensive, but that’s really the highlight of my visit here. Would I come back? Probably not…

I came here to meet a friend/​date and only tried the tea — which was fine of course — but had a strange experience worth mentioning.
I arrived early for my meetup on a Sunday afternoon to get some work done, and I was one of three people to actually take a seat inside the café. I sat away from the other two people who were talking, so that I could concentrate — and I think it was pretty obvious that where I was sitting was a quiet space.
So, then, two old gentleman came in and began a very loud conversation. A weird, loud, maybe English, maybe not, shouting match. They sat in the middle of the café at first, so I did my best to ignore them. But then they moved closer to me — for no apparent reason! — and continued their very loud conversation. After a while, as the time for my date to appear approached, I thought I should move to the other side of the café to find a quiet spot again. I did, and then received a free tea — because apparently it was the owner of the café who was being soo loud and decided to send me a drink to apologize after seeing me move! What the h… why would the owner come in to his own café and nearly harass his customers with a shouting match?!?
He definitely apologized, which was nice, but it was still a strange experience. Not a comfy, pleasant memory for me and I will not be returning. Also, the building is a cold, flat strip mall, and the employee who was working behind the counter actually left the building at one point — leaving me alone in the café! So strange. So strange. Two stars.

Espresso was good, gelato had slight freezer taste. Beware of aggressive owner who might make you feel uncomfortable (if you’re like me). I won’t go back. There are better options nearby.

I work near the university and every now and then we get tired of Starbucks and Dunkin Donuts. Sometimes we want something a little different, so we go to this location and sit, talk and eat. Their pastries are wonderful and I especially love the gelato, but the place is a little pricey. I don. t go often, but when I do go, its worth it.

Does Rogers Park need another coffee shop? No, not really. I’ve had the gelato, and it’s okay, but I’ve skipped the coffee, tea, and sweets. A little too pricey, especially for students at nearby Loyola University as well as some residents in the area. The place is never crowded, and it is clean. But the way the place is configurated is not exactly welcoming.

One of the best options near Loyola’s lakeshore campus, but that’s not saying much.
Atmosphere is comfortable and food looks good, but $ 5 for a medium chai latte? That’s O’Hare prices in Rogers Park.

Newer joint. Quick service. Not very crowded for a Thur morning. Love all the philosopher art and the random james Dean portrait throw in. Great scone (from scratch?). Good americano, slightly, slightly bitter but classic, European roasted flavor

Nice place. Understaffed, but the one guy who was working there was very nice! There’s free wifi, but I don’t think I would ever stick around long enough to use it. Iced drinks are on the expensive side, but their specialty drinks are usually worth it. (oatmeal latte is amazing!)
The layout is really awkward, with the seating concentrated by the doors, and the register in the middle where the space is most narrow. There’s only 1 (tiny) trashbin tucked away in the far corner, where the sugar and stirrers are… but there’s no milk or cream?
Regardless my coffee was good enough, and the pasta salad was definitely worth the $ 7. Chock full of veggies and stuffed into the container, easily 2 lunches plus a snack worth of pasta in that 1 container. Overall, good for a pit stop, but not the type of café you hang around in to do work or catch up with friends.

Good location to meet a friend or just read a book. The atmosphere is nice. Most of the tables face the window, so you could watch passersby, if that’s your thing. Coffee was OK.

I was served by a very nice young man. I had a chai and sampled several flavors of gelato. I went with the double chocolate. I must say that I didn’t care for it too much but that won’t stop me from returning.

I stopped in to get some lunch on the go. I had a chicken shwerma (sic) sandwich and a Mexican Mocha. The sandwich was good. Fairly consistent with what I have had at other places, and I was happy with that. The Mexican Mocha was just mediocre. To me it had a slight burnt taste compared with others that I have had. Not something I really wanted. And it all just seems overpriced.
Atmosphere is about what I would expect in a coffee shop. However, the layout just seems odd and most of the seating is window facing. The rest is more centrally located. Nothing really in corners except on table for large groups only. I like little corner tables where I can watch others. I don’t want to watch people passing me by on the sidewalk. It’s sort of uncomfortable for me. I feel like I’m in a zoo with people passing me by. Needless to say, I won’t eat-​in here ever.
I might return for the food as it’s good. Coffee and such… well, maybe I’ll give it another try with something else like a zebra mocha maybe.

Needed coffee on the neighborhood & wasn’t disappointed. Great space for conversation, reading. And gelato!

I stumbled across this coffee shop when I was having Wi-​Fi issues in my apartment. Not only do they have free Wi-​Fi for their customers but their baristas can make an awesome cup of chai latte.

The place opened recently and it’s an awesome location for Loyola students! Lots of great seating and nice atmosphere. Staff is friendly and the owner (who hangs out here a lot) is as well. Also super close to the Loyola redline stop, so very convenient to grab a coffee as you’re coming/​going to/​from the area!

I love this place. Great atmosphere, clean, and welcoming.