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Starbucks
Category: Food Coffee & Tea Coffee & Tea [Edit]
3184 N Clark St(between Fletcher Ave & Belmont Ave)
Chicago, IL 60657
Neighbourhood: Lakeview
(773) 935-9270
- Nearest Transit:
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Belmont (Brown Line, Purple Line, Red Line)
Wellington (Brown Line, Purple Line)
- Price Range:
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$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
38 reviews for Starbucks
Review Highlights
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"the people watching is phenomenal." In 6 reviews -
"The decaffinated soy pumpkin spice latte was very good." In 8 reviews -
"I am more of an intelligentsia black cat espresso fan." In 3 reviews
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38 reviews in English
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Review from Nick S.
Chicago, IL
6/11/2011
No matter how much you complain about it, I'm willing to bet you've succumbed and ordered at least a tall ... [insert drink name] once or twice.
I'm not going to sit here and rant about how I don't buy drinks from corporate companies or whatever.. it's a drink, i'm thirsty, i'll buy it. That aside, I don't think I really need to do a detailed review on the drinks. Starbucks has been an institution for years, but IN CASE you're "not familiar" with sbux.. I would recommend the following:
(any size)
- Iced Passion Tea Lemonade + 2 pumps
- Dirty Chai Latte (I always get it Double Dirty, sometimes Triple)
- any of the Tazo teas
- frappucinos are a nice treat, i'll often opt for the light options..
Honestly, I don't drink the actual coffee here. I am more of an intelligentsia black cat espresso fan. But I won't turn down starbucks.
I originally was going to give this location 3 stars but the fact that it is 24hrs merits it the 4th star. I've spent many a nights here and have been more than thankful that they are open always.
I will warn that the late night crowd can get a little sketchy so go at your own discretion. -
Review from Cathy G.
Chicago, IL
5/18/2012
I've always had good service here. But today the Barista, ( I didn't even order any drinks from him) walked by me and gave me the most nasty look. I have no idea whatsoever what that was about!
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Review from Lia V.
10/20/2011 1 Check-in Here
What can i say... i walk by it every morning to the train so it's a convenient coffee stop. Much too convenient because the people that work there know what I order. I have to change it up the minute they say.. "grande coffee today?" .... NO no... i'll have a ... uhhh... grande... triple... skinny vanilla latte!
Haha... anybody see You Got Mail? I always think of that movie when I hear people order at Starbucks...
anyway...
The people are super nice that work there... very fast too which is awesome when you're in a hurry. The people watching I will say is excellent but that just comes with the neighborhood.
It's a relatively small space though - but I like it. -
Review from Amy H.
7/5/2011 1 Check-in Here
Meh. It's a Buckie's.
The windows on Clark and Belmont make for some nice people watching. I spied a former coworker sitting there as I was passing and it was nice to pop in, grab a coffee, and catch up with him a bit. -
Review from William L.
Chicago, IL
5/14/2011 3 Check-ins Here
I try to wait until I have been someplace two or three times before writing a review because I want a better sense or feel for a place. Now, I have been to hundreds of Starbucks in my days but this one is, by far, one of the most unique.
First, it is open 24 hrs so you can already imagine the type of crowd that frequents this place at all hours. I recently got up early to work on a project and headed here only to find the place nearly full of vagrants, homeless, and some drunk trannies who were literally "sleeping it off." Here is Starbucks main problem with this location: Corporate customer policy dictates that the staff here let customers (or people since most are not customers) do pretty much what they will. One of baristas tried to tell the drunken, sleeping tranny to get wake up and get out several times over the course of an hour. Of course, he had the calm, polite and gentle about it. If it were my store, I would have manhandled them all out.
Perhaps the company treats this store as their corporate social responsibility project. Either way, this is not really the place to go for serious work.
Now considering its on a major corner means there are a lot of people coming and going too. The line for the restroom is often longer than the line to buy drinks. Actually, looking around right now, there are 23 people in here and 7 have some store of Starbucks beverage. Its a great place to come, use the internet for free, charge your laptop (or phone (as in the case of the guy next to me who needs power (actually from my laptop connection) before he jumps on the train to Indiana)), perhaps some quick casual chats with friends on your way to the next stop, or just watch the beauty of what makes Chicago so special as they walk by!
As for the drinks, well, they are your typical Starbucks drinks. As for the staff, I believe that they are a bit jaded after working with and around so many "varied" types of "customers." If you come here enough, show they some respect and courtesy, they will respond in kind. Granted, it should not have to work that way, especially, for actual customers, but after watching with what they have to put up with at all times of the day and night (as well as probably walking a fine line between what they would like to do and what "corporate" will allow is surely stressful enough) I have decided to cut them some slack and its been worth it. -
Review from Alan K.
11/12/2011 1 Check-in Here
Actually, after sitting at my table for 2 hours, I really enjoyed this location. It is conveniently located on the SW corner of Clark and Belmont. Some Starbucks locations are difficult to grab a comfortable spot to work, but this one was great. In fact, I saw this couple sitting at this table who were affectionally touching and kissing each other. Then I thought to myself, they probably should get a hotel room instead of using Starbucks as a meeting spot. Who knew Starbucks could be that too? Anyhow, I would love to come back to this location again.
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Review from Vicki G.
Chicago, IL
11/18/2011
So this place is quite handy if you need a place for coffee at any time of the day. There's a bathroom (only 1), usually a place to sit down, but it can a little crowded. The only part that doesn't make sense is that there's only 2 power strips, 1 in each corner and it is really, really hard to get to it if you're not literally a foot or two away from it. Better than nothing, but still not my cup of tea. The employees are pretty nice, but keep your eyes peeled for weirdos. Oh yes, there are quite a few of them. You're in boys town, my friend. Just about any strange man, woman or trannie can walk in there...
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Review from Jesse S.
Chicago, IL
10/12/2010
For being corporate megachain coffee slaves, the folks who work here sure are friendly. I have never had a bad experience, and with Starbucks, we all pretty much know what we are getting at this point, so the only truly random factor is the service. Since that's pleasant, they get a big ol' 3 stars. A-OK indeed.
Convenience is king, so it's a place to grab something caffeinated for your commute. I would not hang out here beyond that, but, it seems like some folks do. My favorite thing is walking by and making eye contact with the creepers sitting in there and staring out the window at passersby. Awesome? -
Review from Tom M.
Chicago, IL
6/15/2010
The drinks are ok, but the ambience is pretty lacking.
Good people watching, of course - all kinds of cool people coming thru the store and walking the street (literally and figuratively) at this crazy intersection! -
Review from Aaron B.
Chicago, IL
2/16/2009
I really don't prefer Starbucks - to anything else even gas station coffee (at least they have smalls and larges). However, this one deserves five stars strictly due to its people watching potential. It even beats the Starbucks located @ Roosevelt and Wabash.
It is right at the corner of Belmont and Halsted near one of the busiest El stops in Chicago and they have two rows of seats that just line the windows.
While sitting here enjoying my 'doppio' double espresso and water along with my Sun-Times and Blackberry I also have the parade of personality that continuously passes the window.
From hipsters with pants so tight they get male camel toe, people who don't realize it is cold out and just wear a wind breaker and scarf to the fight that almost breaks out due to a pedestrian almost hitting a guy driving an Audi and this was just in the span of an hour!
Like I said, I really don't like Starbucks, doppios, ventis and talls, whatever happened to small, medium and large - what the duce - , but this one makes up for being Starbucks for just being in the coolest location ever.
So if you are looking for a cool place to people watch that isn't a street bench, try this Starbucks. -
Review from Shannon B.
Palatine, IL
7/3/2008
I really like this Starbucks, mostly because of its location. People-watching is great here. It's often a really busy store, but the baristas are consistently friendly and genuine.
The only negative I can think of comes from formerly working at Starbucks. This particular store frequently puts espresso shots aside while working on the milk part of the drink. When espresso shots sit idle for more than 10 seconds before being mixed with milk, they become bitter. This is noticeable if you add more than 2 shots to each drink like I do. The Belmont/Clark Starbucks has stale espresso shots more often than I've seen at other stores.
BUT I am not going to stop going there! The service is great, and they keep their food fresh. It's just overall a fun, upbeat atmosphere. -
Review from T C.
Chicago, IL
5/21/2011
Starbucks really should consider "Little Boxes" as their theme song. It's what I think of when I see a Starbucks now.
In the past decade, I have been to Starbucks about four times. Alas, when I read in the Times they had achieved the distinct "status" of becoming the fourth largest fast food retailer in the nation I thought I would give it another whirl (though I admit I was at first repulsed by that statistic). When I popped in, I didn't realize I actually needed to speak another language to order a drink. I went to the counter and asked for a medium au lait. You would have thought I had just asked the employee to move a mountain. Shock mixed with a total lack of comprehension was the response. I was told Starbucks calls them "mistos" (since the rest of the planet calling them "au laits" for the last one thousand years hasn't worked). And there is no such thing as medium, either.
I paid for the au lait and moved down to wait for it. After four or eleven people got their drinks before me, I asked the barista if he knew what had happened to mine. He said they forgot to make it, that he would, and he made a grand apology which included a Starbucks ticket for a free drink. He also offered to up my size to a something I didn't recognize. I replied, "Oh, that's alright, the middle size will do just fine." (I thought, is "venti" bigger than whatever they said I ordered? Wouldn't a "grande" be a grand size? And isn't there a third size? Who the hell knows. And by now I'm too far away to try to decode that sugary sweet board of corn and coffee products.) Eventually, I got a drink which I can only allege was an au lait as it contained way more foam than either coffee or milk. Maybe I should have taken that free up-size after all so once I got rid of all the foam there would be a product beneath.
Yep, years since my last visit and the beans are still burnt. The bulk, inattentive roasting and long storage of cheap beans is too obvious. The drinks are still incorrectly made and you have to sign on to some BS corporate-speak just to order. This experience made me more appreciative of Lavazza, Metropolis, Kickstand, Intelligentsia and the wonderful independents around town where I can still say those ridiculous, antiquated names like "au lait" and "medium" and where those words are casually understood and result in a product with at least a modicum of quality.
I would have given one star, but I did get the free drink ticket, so two will do. Now, if I could stomach to use it.
"Little boxes, little boxes...
and they're all made out of ticky-tacky,
and they all look just the same." -
Review from cara y.
Chicago, IL
11/13/2008
I only joined yelp because I hate the Starbucks in Logan Square so hard, but while I'm here, I might as well flip things around and review my favorite Starbucks.
This is MY Starbucks.
I've been working in the neighborhood for going on five years now, and I haven't met a better group of people in a customer service situation in my entire life.
They are so friendly, so sweet, so understanding when you troll in at 7 am during inventory months, snarling for your fix.
One day, I marched in to find that they were in the process of brewing and had no coffee to dump inside me, and I threw a fit (like a 5 year old) and stormed back to my store. When I regained my senses and walked back to apologize, one of the employees was putting on her coat, prepared to bring me my coffee.
I love this Starbucks.
I love these people. -
Review from Miguel el D.
Chicago, IL
9/25/2011
It feels like I'm loitering outside a Greyhound station sitting here. The laissez-faire management at night allows for some behavior too animated and colorful to remember it is in fact a Starbucks. Awesome, but horrible for studying.
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Review from Nicole C.
Chicago, IL
11/16/2007
The only thing I see this place being good for is a good puke in their bathroom.
Even that was a mess, don't get me started on the coffee, or anything else.
Oh wait. I don't drink coffee.
Not sure what I'm talking about? Read my review of Clarke's on Belmont.
I mean, it was better than doing it out in the street... or was it? -
Review from Carolyn L.
Chicago, IL
4/5/2011 1 Check-in Here
This Starbucks was pretty good, although as Starbucks is a large corporation, I think they try to maintain some kind of uniformity across locations. The place was clean, the staff was nice, and the rice crispy treat was soooo yummy! It had been so long since I'd had one! Anyway, I have no complaints about this Starbucks. It was a nice place to stop after work and get some other work done :) It never ends, does it?
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Review from Gareth D.
Chicago, IL
7/1/2010
I'm from Seattle so I like Starbucks, but this location is like white bread. Totally lacks character. The menu is the same as you're used to, obv. Try Kickstand a couple doors down, though. Its newer, more independent, and more fun.
Oh, btw it has this gross vent that blows air-conditioning exhaust or something on you when you're walking to from the train. Look towards Dunkin when you walk by and breathe out!!
I'm adding a 3rd star bc it's 24 hours. That has to count for something. -
Review from Bob D.
Chicago, IL
11/30/2009
Starbucks bathroom review only!
If you read my previous reviews for Starbucks you will remember this is my go to spot, for #1 and #2. Especially #2, I find myself all over the city and burbs for work, when I don't know an area well, or a restaurant is not open yet, Starbucks is always there to relieve the pressure.
I have found this corporate feed lot to be quite convenient, and courteous to my whims.
Belmont and Clark is a fun spot for me, I can take touristy friends there to poke fun at hippies, punk rockers, and mostly suburbanites trying way too hard to be cool. I normally get a drink at the L&M across the street, but their facilities are infamous. Fine for a pee, but no way can I drop the kids off at this pool, over to Starbucks for that.
The bathroom is unisex, no problem there, but because of the high traffic in this intersection, I may not be the only one sneaking in to pinch a loaf. A very messy room with lots of torn TP on the floor, I am not a squatter, so I had to do some of my own house keeping.
I find myself in this hood about once a month, send me a message if you know of a cleaner john. -
Review from Elizabeth H.
Chicago, IL
12/9/2006
I have to agree with the last post and put one up for starbucks here...
A lot of people like to complain about their Wal-Mart like structure, but the way I see it, they are far from wal-mart. First off, there isn't any coffe shop out there that can compare to the way starbucks treats their employees. The pay is exceptional and they offer wonderful benefits, even for part-time employees. Which is maybe a reason why most of them are nice to you when you walk in there. They do not put other shops out of business by offering greater quantities of cheaper stuff... actually, it's the opposite... b/c cheap and starbucks don't go hand in hand. Their product would be considered over-priced by a lot of people... but sometimes it really is just about quality.
Being an every-single-morning-or-i-will-die type coffee drinker, I'm not picky. I will take what I can get. Be it the mediocre stuff I produce half-asleep at home, starbucks, or the nearest establishment to my el stop selling the stuff. But if I could pick any of them, bet your ass it would be starbucks!
Look, I would love to support the local coffee shop down the street from SB, but the coffee is weak, the woman that works there is kind of rude, and they use cheap cups that burn my hand and spill my coffee all over me b/c i can never put the cap on right after adding cream.
Also, when it comes to specialty drinks... they have it clinched. Like I said, I will gladly take a cup of coffee from dunkim donuts in the early morn as quickly as the next guy... but I have also tried their "specialty" drink and no thank you. Spoiled milk on not one, not two, but THREE occasions, does not have me running back to the dunkin latte.
anyway, now i need coffee b/c instead of going out and having fun after work, i have to write papers... so that may explain my rant. -
Review from natalie d.
Chicago, IL
1/4/2009
I really enjoy this Starbucks. The manager always puts a smile on my face. Although I feel they are sometimes shortstaffed...they are quick and thorough when making drinks. What more could you ask?!
Oh and take a seat at the window...the people watching is phenomenal! -
Review from Julia A.
Chicago, IL
10/1/2009
This has got to be the worst Starbucks I have ever been to. They don't appear to be any more understaffed than other locations, so I don't know why it takes twice as long to get in and out of here. The staff doesn't communicate with each other, so you end up repeating your order to each person as the line gets longer and longer. I hate whipped cream, and you'd think after repeating "no whipped cream" three times, there wouldn't be any, right? Wrong. Prepare to wait some more.
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Review from Rachel N.
Chicago, IL
4/8/2011
I love this Starbucks! Everyone is very friendly and welcoming. I will go out of my way to go to this Starbucks because I love their staff.
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Review from Danielle O.
Clarendon Hills, IL
7/17/2008
if you like busybusybusy
if you love the gays
if you want a front row seat to the clark and belmont freakshow
if you don't mind cops or homeless
this is your 'bucks
have a good life -
Review from Matthew E.
Chicago, IL
8/12/2008
I don't get the people who spend their whole day here. I dont understand what a mocha latte half and half with skim macchiato upside down is either. And on top of it all I dont get how I get weird looks when I ask for a large drink, thats what it is, I dont care what fake language you use, its small medium large and this is america. While I appreciate and marvel at the fact that Starbucks has turned a $1 cup of coffee into a niche market of fine beverages and millions of dollars, i doesnt mean I have to understand why people fall for it. So why do I give it three stars if I feel like a stranger in a foreign land? Well I like their iced tea, and its $2 for a large (yes I said large, im sure theres a barista cringing somewhere). Besides for the tea, Im not a huge fan of this place, but I guess maybe its because I just dont get it.
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Review from Tom H.
Chicago, IL
3/26/2009
It's, you know, a Starbucks. The employees are generally quite friendly, the location is good, it's open 24 hours. Quite nice. That said, it can get very crowded; more than once, I've gone here in pursuit of coffee, seen a huge line and only one barista, and gone across the street to Dunkin' Donuts. I've spent a lot of time here using the wireless (free for AT&T customers) when my home internet is out and it's a pretty nice spot for that.
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Review from Michelle J.
Chicago, IL
6/3/2010
I heart Starbucks. I enjoy the new frap options, the ambiance, and my rewards...though I definitely miss the Caramel Brulee Latte (PLEASE BRING THIS BACK AS A REGULAR MENU ITEM!) and the vanilla bean cupcake. My husband is still trying to get the expresso brownie back without success. I love that they have utilize social networking to promote specials and that they let you post ideas to their site. I love that they support employment opportunities for persons with disabilities, though I wish more of the fundraising opportunities went to local communities as well. Keep providing health insurance to part-time workers, promoting a non-discriminatory work environment for all, and listening to your customers when providing options!
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Review from Simona L.
Evanston, IL
11/28/2010
Great place to get a cup of coffee for sure ! I 've tried the skinny vanilla late today and it was fabolous ! It has less calories and less fat, but it tastes just as good as the other one's. Try it, and you will love it !
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Review from Erin J.
3/16/2008
I must say, the monstrosity of the Evil Empire aside, that this place produced for me a darned perfect latte yesterday. The foam was thick and creamy, and there was just the right amount of syrup. Additionally, the barista actually concocting the beverages was on top of his game time-wise, too; he had my beverage ready just as soon as the cashier ran my card.
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Review from Kirsten A.
Chicago, IL
1/23/2009
I'm calling this the slow Starbucks. I was the only person ordering a drink and they must have had to milk the cow because it took fooorever and came out luke warm. Weak, Starbucks, weak.
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Review from Megan L.
Chicago, IL
Updated - 9/11/2010
I generally don't do Starbucks, but I gave this place another whirl last night. Again, the staff was uber-friendly. The decaffinated soy pumpkin spice latte was very good. That they're open twenty-four hours is also nice. I stopped in there around 11:45 last night after a party, so it was nice to have this little latte to help me wind down on the bus ride home.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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8/17/2010
So it was six on a saturday morning and my usual place to grab coffee was closed. Boo! Since I had… Read more »
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Review from Oscar the Death Cat B.
Chicago, IL
2/6/2006
This is one of the least-pleasant Starbucks that I've visited, it's small, cramped, somewhat untidy. Not a great choice if you want to hang out & linger over your coffee. Yet it usually seems to be pretty busy since it's right at the corner of Belmont & Clark. When I'm in that area I prefer to spend my coffee $$ at the Caribou a few blocks south on Clark. Or take a bit of a longer walk to Intelligentsia on Broadway.
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Review from David A.
Amarillo, TX
5/13/2009
24 hours, easy to get in & out. Quick efficient service.
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Review from Amber H.
Chicago, IL
7/29/2011
The staff I've encountered is sassy and fun! It's a bustling place but I got a fair amount of work done here!
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Review from Cathy H.
New York, NY
3/16/2009
If this place wasn't open 24 hours, I'd probably give it three stars. The pros: open 24 hours, fairly friendly service, convenient location, they often ask if you want to have an extra free shot of espresso (yes, please!), and there are bathrooms and outlets (important for study spaces!). The cons: Perhaps because of its convenient location and 24-hourness, it's usually really crowded and a bit loud. When it gets busy, they tend to mess up my order, which is sad. That said, I'll probably keep coming here...a lot.
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Review from Lee C.
Chicago, IL
2/5/2006
The seating in this place is dingy. It doesn't feel at all comfortable inside. They have normal so-so Starbucks coffee. But the kicker is their annoying vent that blows air in your face as you walk by on Belmont.
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Review from Little Miss Sunshine B.
Chicago, IL
12/9/2006
Best coffee in the city... honestly. They have gotten the vanilla latte down to a science.
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Review from Alexandra B.
Chicago, IL
12/8/2008
I thought that going into one Starbucks is just like going into any other Starbucks and you'll get the same thing every time with the same service. Wrong! This locale is consistently slow and makes a bad coffee and messes up orders. They seem short staffed for such a prime location that's open 24 hours. One person making drinks for 8 people while someone stocks the shelves does not make sense, especially when half of those orders come out wrong.
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Review from Azaa T.
Chicago, IL
12/12/2009
I love this starbcuks,,,,All the staff is super friendly....i visit almost everyday for they cinnamon roll and have never been treated bad, fair,or good...theu are always excellent ....excellent service,,,,,,,Just lovely bajeries.........and amazing mocha,,,and coffees.....this place is little bit crowded so what.......that`s because they are too good and too good location....come and tread yourself with nice hot drinks during this cld weater
