Writers’ Spaces is a series that reviews — you guessed it — spaces for writers. Whether writing is your lifeblood or you got stuck in Intro to Fiction, check out the best (and worst) places to practice your craft.
The objective was simple: Go to a Chicago neighborhood popular with students and find a café that might otherwise go unnoticed. Since there’s only one reason most people go to Wrigleyville during the daylight hours, I thought I’d give the neighborhood an off-season chance. I’ve always thought of the area as full of life, twenty-somethings, and places to chill. What I’d forgotten was that by places to chill I more accurately meant “places to drink”, thus the reason I’d only been there at night. This time, I walked a couple blocks from the Addison stop before I could find my first non-bar and non-Starbucks coffee joint: Pick Me Up Café & All Nite Espresso Lounge.
From the outside, it had the vague kitsch appeal of a run-down diner; inside, I saw that it was a theme—and that it was very empty. Yet this place had potential. My little table had a découpaged surface proclaiming, “STOP & Sniff My Beans”, and kept an alcohol menu next to the Heinz and honey (for those interested, it was a small variety of a few unique beers and a few non-unique ones…Pabst Blue Ribbon, anyone?).
An antique bicycle was parked halfway out of the ceiling and a nearby plastic skeleton dangled precariously — donned in Mardi Gras beads, of course. There were more colored lights than white lights beaming down on the eclectic booths and mismatched tables. Fake cobwebs and a pumpkin suggested the nearest holiday, but didn’t even seem out of place, considering the randomness of the décor.
All at once, you’re hovering in the universe of adult hipsterdom (it exists). Pick Me Up has a full menu complete with all-day breakfast, “sammitches”, and more vegetarian options than meaty ones. Caffeinated drinks may have been relegated to the back page, but amount to a worthwhile selection nonetheless, especially for espresso lovers. There’s even a drink called the Zombie—a daring combination of three espresso shots with two cups of coffee, steamed milk, and whipped cream. I didn’t want my writing to be stymied by the invoked powers of the undead, so I settled on the Royale with Mocha (deep chocolate flavored steamed milk, two shots and whipped cream for $3.95). It sure beat every Norbucks treat I’ve had lately.
As I contemplated my food options, of which there were more than a few appealing cross-cultural choices (albeit somewhat pricey), a construction worker came in a side door I hadn’t noticed before and tried to order a burger to go. From this encounter I gleaned that you can always get coffee on the run but when it comes to burgers there is only one option: veggie. The worker was somewhat put off, but the server assured him that it was “actually good, and I’m not a vegetarian.” When he came around to me, I ordered one. It was actually good, and I’m not a vegetarian, either.
I finally set to writing. Gradually a semblance of a lunch crowd arrived, mostly singles or pairs or “to-go” orders. The music was a mix of unrecognizable rock songs of an indistinct genre. It wasn’t crowded, which made for a pleasant, unique atmosphere. And yet, I couldn’t quite keep my writing flow going. As foreshadowed by the apologetic sign on the front door that declares, “Do NOT Have WI-FI SORRY”, this just isn’t a coffee place. The big antique-style wood bar that displays desserts and coffee machines doesn’t fully make up for the fact that it also serves booze and restaurant food.
Overall, the place is worth visiting, but only truly merits the trip if you’re already in Wrigleyville. If so, it won’t disappoint. It’s incredibly close to iO Theater (go north on Clark and you’ll hit it even before you get to Addison), happens to be surrounded by bars and pubs, and best of all: It’s open 24 hours on weekends. After all, late “nite” is its real purpose, what with its impressively healthy take on drunk munchies and, well, pick me ups.
Details
3408 N. Clark St.
Chicago, IL 60657
Hours
Weekdays: 11am – 3am
Weekends: 24 hours
Grades
Menu: B+ (A- if you’re drunk or a vegetarian)
Coffee: A
Ambience: A-
Accessibility: C+
Overall: A-