Starbucks

The sense of urgency is lacking here. If you’re in a rush and want a coffee, don’t stop here.

This Starbucks is in a location very close to U of C. The service was a-​okay. They didn’t have hours posted, but closed up rather early around 9pm.

Service seemed alright but the place was packed at 4 pm on a Saturday. They probably should have picked a bigger space for this location.
Their very presence in Hyde Park is something of an affront to those who grew up in a neighborhood with phenomenal character and have seen the multinationals push out the sole proprietorship over the last 20 – 30 years. Sad…

Best Starbucks in Hyde Park. Partners are cheerful and efficient. They seem to enjoy their jobs and each other. I usually get drip or iced coffee, but both are always brewed and ready to go.
The patio is super cute.

This Starbucks is amazing because it has outdoor seating in a garden type area with lights strung above the tables to give it a homey, personal feel. There is ample street parking and located in a very convenient area.

Great place, the batista are very nice and friendly. It’s a little small but I just run in and out.

I had given this place one star before as I used to go in and come out smelling like cigarettes. I would have to wash my clothing and coat if I spent even ten minutes in there.
I took a Loooong break and went back one day. Now I go regularly. Seems the staff is maybe different and very friendly, attractive and professional. One woman in the morning is so so sweet. I need to get her name to give her props on here. It’s really a nice spot now. They must have gotten mechanical cigarettes…

It’s not my regular location but I was in the area (well I made myself be in the area searching for the nearest Starbucks!). This location was popular so expect a reasonable wait. Don’t risk getting ticketed somewhere even if you’re just running in to pick up a coffee. There’s free street parking on Woodlawn in front of the school. I’ve actually been here before… I’ve never had any complaints. My drink was well made (as expected), so I’d come back again the next time I’m in Hyde Park.

This place is tiny. I had to wait for a seat. It’s filled with people who just sit for hours with laptops, tablets and smartphones. And the Internet seems to be spotty.

Because it’s located right next to the university of chicago the tables are always packed and the lines long. They manage the crowds well most of the time, and the coffee and food are up to standards. The staff are friendly, and the place is kept clean.

I’ve NEVER had a bad experience or drink at this Starbucks. The staff is friendly and attentive. So WHY 3 stars?! This is the NEAREST Starbucks to me (I live 3 blocks away) and have lived in Hyde Park all of my life. I have NEVER gotten a place to sit at this place! It’s BEYOND annoying! The place is way too small for the 5 tables, 10 wood chairs and 2 fluffy chairs. It’s not as «comfy» as I would like. It SHOULD be an «express» Starbucks. If you’re the type that likes to get comfortable, read a book, work on your laptop, etc., and sip your coffee… I hope you like doing it standing up! You’re also lucky to get a parking space! I’m always forced to go to the larger one by IIT. All in all, don’t expect to STAY at this location; double park, pick up your coffee and leave in order to beat the meter maid.

Love the staff here. The store itself is small, and getting a spot can get competitive. I lived near this Starbucks in 2010, and I can still swing by every few months and be greeted with a big smile as well as a «How have you been, Sneha?», especially from the owner, Mike.
They have a new patio with cute lights and a bright yellow wall. It looks gorgeous, but two issues, it’s a bee/​fly haven with the plants around, and you can constantly smell the yumminess of Nile, which means I get hungry in about 30 minutes.
The music in the coffee shop can get rather loud, so bring noise cancelling headphones. The genre varies per day, anything from swing to R&B to coffee shop music. So, bring headphones if you plan to work, and don’t like all genres of music. ;)
Drinks are decent, the wait can be long since it’s a busy Starbucks. I go there either early in the morning or late in the evening to get the best of it.

Super small, no room to sit down. Barista who made my order just left it on the counter until a girl who ordered after me grabbed it and looked at it and said, I think this is yours. Like really, man?

I’ll be honest. I don’t like Starbucks espresso. I don’t like the machines they use or their lack of training they give to baristas BUT this Starbucks makes it worth it to get a drink because I’ve never met a rude employee at this location. Every experience here has been positive thanks to the service.

Honestly, I’m not the biggest Starbucks fan. I was a barista myself for three years and can be pretty picky about my coffee, and Starbucks usually finds a million ways to screw up a plain old latte. But I stopped by this Starbucks just because of how close it is to my work and was so pleasantly surprised! My latte was awesome, the espresso tasted great, and the milk wasn’t all foamy and weird like they tend to make it. I’ve gone there a couple of times a week since, and haven’t been disappointed yet. Also, the baristas are always super friendly and cheerful, even at 7:30 AM.

On the plus side, it’s close to the library and it’s open early. Things taste better here than at the fake Starbucks at the UChicago bookstore on Ellis. Tons of cop traffic if that makes you feel safe.
On the minus side, they often get orders wrong, sandwiches are overpriced, and the coffee is better at Café 57, Istria, Z&H, the Medici bakery, Grounds of Being…
So many other good choices in Hyde Park. I only go here when I have to.

Not bad, they keep the bathrooms clean. Staff is friendly, make sure you register your Starbucks card to get free refills when you become gold.

The staff is very friendly and the place is always lively for a Starbucks. The only problem that I have is that no matter how many times I come in and order the same drink They always screw it up. I feel as though they want me to have my drink the way that they want it opposed to what I order. At first It thought it was an hones mistake but after today I realized that they will never do it the way that I want it. That bothers me because I never have time to have them make it over. Although it is annoying the Starbucks is OK.

I admit, I am a coffee snob. I always tell people I wouldn’t be caught dead in Starbucks. SO, Sshhh… I’ve been going there in the morning the past couple months. I still don’t like their coffee. But since I leave my University Job in the early morning hours to go to my 2^nd job (I’m a busy woman!) this is usually the only coffee shop open. I have no choice but to drink Pike Place!
Sometimes they have messed up my order or I’ve waited a while for a sandwich because they forgot to tell whoever is the sandwich warmer, that one was ordered. Happened to me THREE TIMES in a month.
So I just stopped ordering the sandwich. Still got the coffee until one day I decided to be rebellious and asked for an Americano.
No kidding. This Americano was GREAT. Better than some of the independent coffeehouses I’ve gone to. Who would have thunk? Janelle (I think that’s her name) made my first Americano at Starbucks. I’ve had others make it, but they always fall short. Janelle pulls a great espresso. Plus she ALWAYS remembers me and my order. Makes up for her coworkers who made me wait 10 mins on breakfast sandwiches from a few months back.
If you can turn a Starbucks Americano to rival an independent coffehouses version then you definately deserve 4 stars. So to reiterate, 1 star for making me wait for those breakfast sandwiches, 2 stars for the coffee, 3 stars for Starbucks being open at great times for this early bird, 4 stars for Janelle who makes one mean Americano!

Not the best starbucks on the planet, but definitely not the worst. I go here at least once a week since it’s about a block from my apartment. The barista’s are not the bubbly type, and definitely want you to be ready to order when it’s your turn. Drinks come out slightly above average.
The reviews on here are pretty accurate — long lines at peak times (early morning, after work), but any other time of the day, the lines are non-​existant. The seating area is super small — one of the smallest Starbucks I’ve ever been to from coast to coast. I have yet to see one «hot» U of C guy ever come to this Starbucks as was mentioned in a previous review, but then again I’m not really looking. Yes, some customers do seem to get the special treatment, but I’m assuming they are the ones who come in at least daily and chat it up with the baristas. If you want the special treatment at any Starbucks, that is definitely what you must do. Otherwise you are just another number. I’m fine being another number.
And, yes, there is some good ‘ol Hyde Park charm at this Starbucks, which you will feel in all the businesses along 53^rd street. This strip of business is not known for its great customer service, but it is known for giving you what you asked for and what you pay for.