Ground Up Coffee & Bites
Quick info
About Ground Up Coffee & Bites
Ground Up Coffee & Bites is a laid-back counter-serve coffee shop and bakery at 900 W Van Buren St in Chicago, IL, functioning as an espresso bar, patisserie, and internet cafe. Its character comes from a specialty coffee program paired with a broad food menu that spans wraps, baked goods, and sweets, making it a practical stop for both a quick drink and a full meal. The coffee lineup centers on a Café Latte, a Cappuccino, and a Cold Brew, each holding a popular spot on the menu. The space supports laptop work alongside casual counter service, and the menu's range of 59 items gives visitors room to pair a drink with a wrap or a pastry.
Good to know
- ReservationsWalk-in only
- ParkingFree of charge street parking · Paid street parking · Somewhat difficult to find a space
- AccessibilityHas wheelchair-accessible entrance · Has wheelchair-accessible seating · Has wheelchair-accessible toilet
- Good for kidsFamily friendly
- DietaryServes vegetarian dishes
Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention ham and cheese pie, spinach feta pie, almond croissant and baklava.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention ham and cheese pie, spinach feta pie, almond croissant and baklava.
Customer Review Summary
Reviewers consistently single out the coffee as the standout draw, with multiple praising the quality espresso, homemade syrups, and seasonal lattes like the hazel and amber. The food earns high marks too, with the ham and cheese hand pie, spinach feta pie, and almond croissant named as favorites for being buttery, flaky, and filling without being heavy. The vanilla latte, spicy chicken wrap, and baklava also get mentions. Several describe the space as a comfortable spot to work, study, or journal, and most call the staff friendly and approachable. A recurring complaint centers on pastries, with one reviewer calling the croissant and other baked goods inedible and describing them as reheated and low quality. Another notes the wifi was not working during a visit, and that the music was louder than comfortable.
Customer Review Summary
Reviewers consistently single out the coffee as the standout draw, with multiple praising the quality espresso, homemade syrups, and seasonal lattes like the hazel and amber. The food earns high marks too, with the ham and cheese hand pie, spinach feta pie, and almond croissant named as favorites for being buttery, flaky, and filling without being heavy. The vanilla latte, spicy chicken wrap, and baklava also get mentions. Several describe the space as a comfortable spot to work, study, or journal, and most call the staff friendly and approachable. A recurring complaint centers on pastries, with one reviewer calling the croissant and other baked goods inedible and describing them as reheated and low quality. Another notes the wifi was not working during a visit, and that the music was louder than comfortable.
Featured reviews
- Delilah Robinson
“Stopped by Ground Up Coffee & Bites right by West Loop for a quick lunch today. I ordered their spicy chicken wrap and a large vanilla latte to go. The wrap was actually packed with flavor and the coffee was smooth, not burnt tasting at …”
- Leah Tabor
“the hand pie was awesomeeee sooo buttery and flaky!! i got the ham and cheese and it was filling but not too heavy. plus customer service was great! just got it to-go so can’t speak to the atmosphere or anything”
- Rileigh Tepper
“This was easily the best coffee I had on my trip to Chicago! They’re knowledgeable and have quality espresso and homemade syrups. The service was great, there’s shops and a train station close by, definitely worth a try!”
- Dan LaGuardia
“This place has the absolute worst croissant I've ever had in my life. Totally in edible. The other items I got were bad too (lemon poppy cake, old fashioned doughnut, cappuccino). They heated them up in why I have to assume is just a microwave based on The way all this food came out. Utterly horrible.”
- Mimi
“I love the vibe of the cafe! The drinks are super good :) I got the Stawbana matcha twice during the time I was here. Their spinach and feta pie is amazingly delicious and the workers there were very friendly 💖 I stayed here with my friends to junk journal, study, and catch up.”
Hours
- Monday
- Tuesday
- Wednesday
- Thursday
- Friday
- Saturday
- Sunday
Highlights
“Laid-back counter-serve outlet featuring specialty coffee drinks, plus wraps, baked goods & sweets.”
- Serves great coffee
- Has great tea selection
- Popular for popular for breakfast
- Popular for good for solo dining
- Popular for good for working on laptop
Amenities
- Has Wi-Fi
- Has wheelchair-accessible entrance
- Free of charge street parking
- Dogs allowed inside
- Has no-contact delivery
- Offers takeaway
Show more amenities
- Serves dine-in
- Family friendly
- Serves vegetarian dishes
- Casual
- On-site services available
- Serves coffee
- Dining options· 6
- Serves breakfast
- Serves brunch
- Serves lunch
- Has catering
- Serves dessert
- Has seating
- Parking· 2
- Paid street parking
- Somewhat difficult to find a space
- Highlights· 1
- Has great tea selection
- Popular for· 3
- Popular for breakfast
- Good for solo dining
- Good for working on laptop
- Atmosphere· 2
- Cosy
- Trendy
- Accessibility· 2
- Has wheelchair-accessible seating
- Has wheelchair-accessible toilet
- Service options· 1
- Offers delivery
- Offerings· 2
- Sells prepared foods
- Quick bite
- Facilities· 2
- Has gender-neutral toilets
- Has toilet
- Crowd· 2
- Good for groups
- Popular with university students
- Pet-friendly· 1
- Dogs allowed outside
Location
How Ground Up Coffee & Bites compares to nearby coffee shops
- Ground Up Coffee & Bites · This shop4.6787 reviews
Mentioned in reviews: ham and cheese pie, spinach feta pie, almond croissant
- 882 reviews1 mi
Mentioned in reviews: river views, avocado toast, calm atmosphere
- Cafe Deko4.5388 reviews1.1 mi
Mentioned in reviews: beautiful interior, friendly staff, breakfast sandwiches
- 2,091 reviews1.3 mi
Mentioned in reviews: breakfast tacos, pour overs, arena latte
Ground Up Coffee & Bites This shop | Blue Bottle Coffee | Cafe Deko | Intelligentsia | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.6(787) | 4.3(882) | 4.5(388) | 4.3(2,091) | |
| Price | $1–10 | $10–20 | $10–20 | $1–10 |
| Distance | — | 1 mi | 1.1 mi | 1.3 mi |
| Open today | ||||
| Wi-Fi / laptop | ✓ | — | — | — |
| Pastries | ✓ | — | — | — |
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How this listing is sourced
Hours, contact details, and amenities are sourced from publicly available business data and re-checked regularly. Listings are ranked independently — no paid placement.