Walking in, I immediately fell in love with the way Philz Coffee is set up, with its welcoming atmosphere and delicious variety of drinks. 

The coffee shop sits at 1030 Davis St. — a bit further away from campus than popular cafes like Colectivo Coffee and Newport Coffee House.

Couches are arranged all around the shop with tables in the middle. A long bench with a few pillows lines the wall, and more tables are set up near the entrance. The drink bar is at the front so the menu and pastry case are visible as soon as customers walk in. 

Upon further consideration of one of the most creative and well-designed menus I have ever seen, I decided to order a hot mocha tesora. Tesora is the company’s original coffee blend, and it was quite exquisite. It was a perfect blend of warmth — which is much needed during this cold Evanston winter — sweetness and that amazing coffee flavor. 

The menu consists of both iced and hot drinks. Aside from your traditional coffee blends, there is a selection of specialty and featured drinks, including an iced mint mojito, iced coffee rosé and an iced gingersnap. I wish I could’ve tried them all. 

If a specialty drink isn’t what you are looking for, traditional drinks such as brew coffee, tea and hot cocoa are also available. Philz offers a variety of different coffee blends, ranging from light ones like the New Manhattan and medium roasts like the Tesora to dark roasts like Jacob’s Wonderbar.

Philz also has a pastry case filled with amazing croissants, among other goods, to satisfy your sweet tooth. The chocolate croissant is one of my personal favorites. The shop offers free samples of some of its bakery items, too. 

Not only was the food great, but the staff was also super friendly. When serving my drink, the barista told me to let them know if my drink wasn’t up to par. It was clear they wanted to create a pleasant experience for customers. 

Philz is a chain, which means you don’t have to be in Evanston to enjoy its wonderful coffee and food options. You can find stores all over Chicago in neighborhoods like Wicker Park, Lincoln Park and Hyde Park. And if you’re craving Philz but you’re not in Illinois, its locations are found all over the country — including in San Francisco, where it all started! 

Whether you’re looking for a place to study, relax with your friends or just chill on your own, Philz is the perfect place to do so — with a great cup of coffee in your hand. 

Email: [email protected]

Twitter: @kunjal_bastola

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