The Spoke and Bird

Part of the Fill in the Coffee Map Series

Subject: The Spoke and Bird
Location: Chicago, IL
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 5+ [see key]

Having gone to McCormick Place in Chicago more times than I have eaten deep dish pizza, it has become a point of mine to find good coffee in reasonable walking distance from the giant halls that occupy much of my day when I visit Illinois. Over the years, Chicago's blooming coffee scene has made this hunt for quality coffee less and less daunting, with this past visit turning up a coffee shop a mere three blocks away. 

Situated between the Clarke House and Glessner House in the Chicago Womens' Park and Gardens, I found the Spoke and Bird. Greatly benefiting from the ample public space surrounding it, they have a gorgeous patio for exterior feasting and beautiful grounds for folks looking to exercise as they sip their morning coffee (a once-favorite past-time of mine). Inside the cafe is split into sections, with a main bar housing their copious kitchen operations on one side and a main seating area on the other, complete with a giant foyer/overflow of seating separating the two. 

As for coffee, they were serving up offerings from Counter Culture the day of my visit, so I ordered up a Burundi for an espresso and a filtered brew of Fast Forward. The espresso, pulled short with tan/brown crema, tasted of chocolate, strawberry candy, lemon, dandelion and a touch of rye, proving to be a sweet, bright infusion. The drip coffee also fared well (though it was a little stale), with notes of cocoa, pear, nutmeg, toasted almond and some milk in a medium body. 

Given the great coffee options not to mention their large food and drink menu, I can definitely see myself visiting again. If you're stuck at a conference or you happen to be in South Loop, definitely check out the Spoke and Bird.

These wonderful folks made this visit possible in part. Make sure to check them out!