Standing Passengers
About Standing Passengers
Free-to-play vintage video games sit among records and nicknacks at Standing Passengers, a coffee shop on W Chicago Ave in Chicago, where DJs play at times. The drinks list runs from cold brew, dirty chai and espresso to matcha lattes, one of which is whisked to order with a bamboo whisk and can be finished with flavored syrups such as banana. Rotating creative latte specials appear alongside regulars like the maple latte. Food comes from a menu of around 25 items, with sandwiches including Da Club Sub and a Veggie Sub, plus breakfast tacos, pastries and donuts, Do-Rite among them. The room is small, with a handful of tables and couches, and it works on a walk-in basis rather than reservations. Doors open daily, and a line out the door is common on weekend mornings.
Good to know
- ParkingPaid street parking
- DietaryServes vegan dishes · Serves vegetarian dishes
Menu & Prices
25 dishes · mains $1–15- Turkey And Sharp Cheddar$12.00
- Hoagie$15.00
- Veggie Sub$12.00
- Da Club Sub$15.00
- The Blt$10.00
- Buffalo Chicken$12.00
Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention retro video games, maple latte, do-rite donuts and breakfast tacos.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention retro video games, maple latte, do-rite donuts and breakfast tacos.
Customer Review Summary
Reviewers most often come back to the maple latte, and the drinks generally, with the dirty chai, cold brew, and a matcha latte with banana syrup made to order with a bamboo whisk also named. The espresso is described as strong, and one reviewer calls the latte specials creative. Close behind is the space itself, where free vintage and retro video games, records, and lots of nicknacks get repeated mention, along with comfortable seating and couches. Do-rite donuts and breakfast tacos come up as extras, and one reviewer praises the donuts' balanced flavors. The main complaint is the crowd. A long line on weekends comes up more than once, though one reviewer says it moved fast, and another notes limited seating. One reviewer left without a latte after waiting over ten minutes, saying people who arrived later were served first and describing the register worker's tone as smarmy. Another found the coffees too sugary and the pastries looked old. Several reviewers say the drinks make the wait worthwhile.
Customer Review Summary
Reviewers most often come back to the maple latte, and the drinks generally, with the dirty chai, cold brew, and a matcha latte with banana syrup made to order with a bamboo whisk also named. The espresso is described as strong, and one reviewer calls the latte specials creative. Close behind is the space itself, where free vintage and retro video games, records, and lots of nicknacks get repeated mention, along with comfortable seating and couches. Do-rite donuts and breakfast tacos come up as extras, and one reviewer praises the donuts' balanced flavors. The main complaint is the crowd. A long line on weekends comes up more than once, though one reviewer says it moved fast, and another notes limited seating. One reviewer left without a latte after waiting over ten minutes, saying people who arrived later were served first and describing the register worker's tone as smarmy. Another found the coffees too sugary and the pastries looked old. Several reviewers say the drinks make the wait worthwhile.
Featured reviews
- Lindsey Szeszol
“Standing Passengers kills it every time. The coffee is fresh, delicious, and they're quick with getting it to you. There's a line out the door most weekends but it's worth waiting for. Their latte specials are creative and fun. The space itself is playful with lots of nicknacks. Comfortable seating, great people watching.”
- Nevin DeCroo
“Delightful coffee and a friendly atmosphere! The space is well-decorated and unique, with ample table and couch space (and even some video games). I recently visited Standing Passengers on a trip to Chicago and liked it so much I went back the next day, too! Worth a visit if you're in the area!”
- Amy Vences
“Their donuts are incredibly unique with flavor combinations that actually feel intentional and well balanced. You can truly taste every element throughout the donut instead of just getting sweetness. They’re rich in flavor without being …”
- Kyle O'Donnell
“Waited for over 10 minutes for a latte. Actually left before getting the latte bc the guy at the register insisted in a rather smarmy tone that it was so busy. Unfortunately, 2 patrons who came in after us got served before us (one was a …”
- Tori Casey
“Long line on a Saturday morning but it actually moved fast. Drinks are worth the wait! Maple latte, dirty chai and the cold brew were our picks. There’s records and vintage games to play as well which fun.”
Hours
- Monday
- Tuesday
- Wednesday
- Thursday
- Friday
- Saturday
- Sunday
Highlights
- 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
- Paid street parking
- Has outdoor seating
- Offers takeaway
- Serves dine-in
- Serves vegan dishes
Show more amenities
- Casual
- On-site services available
- Serves coffee
- Good for solo dining
- Good for working on laptop
- Has toilet
- Dining options· 2
- Serves breakfast
- Has seating
- Popular for· 1
- Popular for breakfast
- Atmosphere· 2
- Cosy
- Trendy
- Crowd· 1
- Popular with university students
- Offerings· 1
- Serves vegetarian dishes
- Highlights· 1
- Has great tea selection
Location
Coffee shops near Standing Passengers
- The Wormhole Coffee4.62,0851 mi$1–10
ghostly trio latte, koopa troopa latte, vanilla bean latte
- Nomad-Chicago4.42361.5 mi$10–20
matcha drinks, seasonal specialty lattes, in-store boutique shop
- 1.5 mi$1–10
butter me up cold brew, stuffed empanadas, unique latte flavors
| Place | Rating | Distance | Price | Mentioned in reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standing Passengers | 4.7455 | — | $10–20 | retro video games, maple latte, do-rite donuts |
| The Wormhole Coffee | 4.62,085 | 1 mi | $1–10 | ghostly trio latte, koopa troopa latte, vanilla bean latte |
| Nomad-Chicago | 4.4236 | 1.5 mi | $10–20 | matcha drinks, seasonal specialty lattes, in-store boutique shop |
| Drink happy thoughts Humboldt | 4.772 | 1.5 mi | $1–10 | butter me up cold brew, stuffed empanadas, unique latte flavors |
The 3 nearest coffee shops by distance. Ratings, hours and review terms come from public business profiles.
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