Café Descartes

Pastries are alright. Not sure if it’s the bean used or the brew, but the coffee is generally highly acidic and not particularly enjoyable. The lattes are so-​so. In general, I find that the baristas aren’t particularly aware of what kind of quality shot is being pulled and brewed, so the patron ends of getting variability in espresso quality. Some of the baristas know how to properly froth milk – some don’t. It’s hit or miss, but more often a miss. The baristas are kind, though! I go here in a pinch, but I would recommend taking a stroll down to the Coffee Alley or the Skinny Piggy if you have a little extra time.

I ordered a drink here and when I sat down to drink it, I opened the lid to let it cool off and it was HALF FULL. I paid almost $ 5 for a drink that was only half full. I will not be going back for the overpriced and poor quality coffee.

Best coffee and baristas ever! The girls there always know my order and sometimes has my drink waiting!

I find myself sitting in this uncomfortable cafeteria chair writing this review while trying to figure out if I should continue eating this Chicken Shawarma sandwich, or if I should just cut out a slice of the carpet under my feet, pour some barbecue sauce on it, and eat that instead. This sandwich is a monstrosity. The only thing I feel while eating this mess within a French roll, is the pound of cilantro I’m trying to chew through with fading hopes of ever tasting the rumored chicken the label lists is in here. Last I checked, cilantro is good in one thing: Chipotle’s Rice. For everything else it just adds inconvenience and potential smile ruining capability, and putting a handful in a 6 inch sandwich deserves a kick in the nuts. Descartes should’ve stuck to sitting in a chair and pondering the world instead of trying his luck in the kitchen, because he can’t make a sandwich for his life. So to the owner: ditch the beret and philosopher’s scarf and find a different sandwich recipe, because you’re just wasting ingredients making this trash.

The new Café Descartes made me miss the old Café Descartes. The drip coffee here is not that bad, and I think the service is also not bad either. However, since Café Descartes markets itself as the «premier Chicago café», I would expect the baristas here to make decent shots of espressos, at least to the standards of Starbucks. I ordered the latte here twice, and the quality was consistently… blah. It tasted like diluted coffee made from «aged bean» with a little bit of milk. The coffee beans were for sure not fresh.
To the owner of this establishment, I’m glad you risked your money in the renovation, added the gelato section and fridge for the baked goods. If you want more customers coming, please make sure the beans you use are «freshly roasted» and make sure the baristas here really care about the quality of the beverages they make. Once you get the espresso right, you will profit more for sure. After all, good coffee sells itself.

At least employ staff that have previously gone to another coffee shop. I ordered a double Macchiato and received a 12-​once diluted Latte. Next time, I’ll just go to the Grocery Store for a bottle of milk.

Everything is over prices, the service is so inconsistent! I only go there when I have to because the tiny Starbucks inside the medicine of college west tower closes early and it leaves me no choice.

Terribly rude service. The coffee quality is not consistent — sometimes too strong and bitter and sometimes on the week side. The vanilla late that I order from time to time tastes sugarless and I do not detect the slightest vanilla taste in it. This is super frustrating joint, but unfortunately the coffee shops near campus are scarce and this is conveniently located.

Newly constructed coffee shop in the UIC Student Union building: to the best of my knowledge the only «real» coffee shop in the region with a separate lounge. Bright décor and pictures of philosophers similar to the other stores I have been to, such as on Michigan Avenue. Strong coffee and a nice selection of premade sandwiches and bakery items as well that are good for a quick run, and not overly priced by too much. Choose this over the Starbucks stands around the campus or the horrible coffee station in the Medical Bookstore, why don’t you.

Sandwiched between Subway and the Dining Hall in the UIC Student Union building, this Café Descartes is a sight for my sore and sleepy eyes nearly every weekday. It’s right across the street from where I work, so it’s mighty convenient.
Even better, Eva, the sole barista extraordinaire, is there to greet me with a friendly hello, and often has the soy milk ready and waiting for me. She remembers her customers well. One morning, when I ordered my boss’s usual tea, she informed me that he’s now drinking it with skim milk instead of cream!
If you’re in the medical district, I highly recommend getting your morning fix from this quaint little shop as opposed to the nearby Subway or Dunkin Donuts. The coffee is far better, as is the service. And, surprisingly, the prices aren’t bad (less than a Starbucks cup, that’s for sure).