Java Mug - Chicago

The service is excellent! The lady who took our order is absolutely delightful. The café itself is charming. read more The service is excellent! The lady who took our order is absolutely delightful. The café itself is charming.

A restaurant operated by Koreans, reminiscent of the flavors I experienced in Sinsa-dong, Korea. read more A restaurant operated by Koreans, reminiscent of the flavors I experienced in Sinsa-dong, Korea.

The lattes are so good, it’s such a cute spot I love sitting by the window. And you have to try a croissant waffle. So crunchy and yummy. One of my favorite spo... read more The lattes are so good, it’s such a cute spot I love sitting by the window. And you have to try a croissant waffle. So crunchy and yummy. One of my favorite spots. Come early before the kids get out of class.

Enough time has passed with this new establishment that I could give an honest and thorough opinion/review. I loved this place very much throughout the years, a... read more Enough time has passed with this new establishment that I could give an honest and thorough opinion/review. I loved this place very much throughout the years, and I could say with confidence that it was my favorite spot in the entire city. Whether I was leaving high school, visiting on my off-days from work, or studying for other things, this was always the first spot that would come to mind for almost a decade. It was surprising to see that the place was sold, keeping the same name and function as a café, and I was very sad to see that the couches were the first thing to go after the renovation. That, the bubble tea, the board games, the ramen, and other factors which were removed as well were what kept me coming to Java Mug so often, but they are all gone now. As another reviewer said, this place feels very sterile and dull now—completely unlike what the old establishment felt like, which was homey and cozy. I wish that the new owners would bring back the things that drew so many customers to the store in the first place, but that is merely a personal desire/preference. They can do what they please with their business, but unfortunately, I will not be frequenting this café anymore as I did for many years.

What a bummer. They changed the whole aesthetic of the place. Gone are the couches and good food and in their place, cold furniture and boring atmosphere. read more What a bummer. They changed the whole aesthetic of the place. Gone are the couches and good food and in their place, cold furniture and boring atmosphere.