The counterculture is not dead. Woodstock is a thinning memory, psychedelic drugs have shed their novelty and the word “Beatnik” remains an iconographic relic, but a fresh crop of skinny-jean-clad, bandana-sporting youth itching to counter The Establishment still doggedly thrives.
Strolling into The Grind Café in the heart of Lincoln Square, Chicago, I was fairly certain I had entered neo-hippie territory. But when a cheery barista courteously asked a nearby tea-drinker to share a table so that my friend and I could sit down, I was no longer wary of my indifference toward tofu or the fact that I sported an utterly conformist North Face coat. Shove aside your stereotypes: The Grind proves that today’s bohemians don’t have to be disillusioned, image-obsessed radicals who scoff at the consumerist masses. These coffee shop hipsters have heart.
“Our Customers are #1! We sincerely appreciate your business! If you are not 100 percent satisfied with a drink or food item or with the level of service, let us know and we will gladly replace or refund your money! Seriously, don’t be shy! You won’t hurt our feelings!” chirps a tidy blue sign hung beside a showcase of local art and a bulletin board advertising an organic delivery company and several leftist literary magazines. As the abundance of exclamation points attests to, The Grind is seriously enthusiastic about your drinking and dining experience. After all, in an atmosphere as decidedly snug as this particular establishment, any semblance of antagonism would be difficult to stomach.
Writers who prefer to labor over their craft in a more secluded setting, take heed: with only eight wooden tables and a lone bench lining the southern wall, The Grind straddles the cozy-claustrophobic divide, and sitting down opposite a complete stranger remains a common practice. But the intimate confines simply complement a distinctly mellow, communal ambience. You will certainly rub elbows with your fellow scenesters, and yet you won’t receive disparaging smirks if you’re not poring over Dave Eggers or draped in thrift-store-exclusive clothes.
Unquestionably trendy, The Grind clientele is nonetheless not intimidating: artsy sans pretension. A unique blend of urban-chic and down-home comfort, The Grind houses a fair share of regulars, who are often welcomed with hugs from the baristas and a nonchalant, “The usual?” Better yet, amid the low din of tittering keyboards and the vague murmuring of a Strokes soundtrack, you can actually hear yourself think.
Caffeine may signify a writer’s most treasured food group, but if one truly seeks to jumpstart creativity, some kind of sustenance is vital. The Grind’s mouthwatering array of breakfast and lunch offerings solves that quandary, and then some. Savory quiches, peanut butter, banana and honey sandwiches and a delectable display of cupcakes and “kitchen sink” cookies will provide instant fuel for your writing endeavors. The “Caprese,” a pesto, mozzarella, greens and tomato concoction all on warmed ciabatta bread, although not ideal fare for those immersed in a fairly fruitless enterprise, is worth the splurge. Skip the Chai, but be sure to top off your meal with a mug of Intelligentsia coffee or one of numerous herbal teas and smoothies.
How do you make the most out of your Grind experience? Arrive early. Despite the staff’s generous assistance, an occasional passerby will squint into the doorway only to turn away, coffee-less, due to the lack of space. So snag a spot in the corner and let the loosely chipped brick wall interior and hip but amiable masses rouse your ingenuity. Pocket those peace signs, shed that cynical scowl: in this writer’s haven, you don’t have to be anyone but yourself.
Details:
4613 N Lincoln Ave
Chicago, IL 60625
(Purple to Howard, Red to Belmont, Brown to Western)
773-271-4482
Grades:
Menu A
Coffee A-
Ambience B
Accessibility B
Overall A-