Tag Archive for: Lincoln Park

5 Coffee Shops in Lincoln Park To Help You Escape Chicago Winter

Chicago is essentially a city of two seasons – winter…and anything that isn’t winter. Okay, okay, we have a lot more to offer than that, but we definitely have a bit of a bad rap when it comes to the colder months. 

Do you consider yourself a fan of the frigid weather or are you a self-proclaimed “snowbird,” leaping at the chance to migrate to warmer climates? Either way, it can’t hurt to have a list of invigorating coffee shops handy when you’re looking for an escape. Prepare yourself for winter in the Windy City and check out this ‘jet-setting java’ list of 5 coffee shops in Lincoln Park that inspire both faraway places and domestic destinations.

Bourgeois Pig Café – 738 W Fullerton Ave

This old-world style coffeehouse is conveniently located on Fullerton off of Halsted and oozes character. It resides in a house with rustic brick walls, warm wood furniture, ornate décor and lots of books. 

Once you’ve gotten over your time travel shock after stepping back into historical Europe, peruse the great selection of coffee and teas. Don’t skimp on the vegetarian sandwiches or the rest of the food options, which pay homage to the theme with literary names. Continue the trend and grab a book from their lending library to read while you sip!

Café Umbria – 2545 W Armitage Ave

Despite this being a Seattle import, you’ll feel like you took a quick flight to Italy when you step into Café Umbria. The origin of this brand goes back to Perugia, Italy, when Ornello Bizzarri built a roastery. Three generations and a move to America later, Emanuele Bizzarri continues to roast coffee for his shops across the country. 

The café on Armitage (one of two in Chicago) is unique in the fact that it took over a former ‘car barn’ and incorporates shipping containers used for coffee into the design. Since it’s 9,000 square feet, it’s no surprise it houses a roastery AND a coffee lab in addition to the café. 

Related: Looking for coffee spots closer to work? Check out our picks for the Loop!

Maison Marcel – 2008 N Halsted (Alley)

Welp… Maison Marcel’s website literally says this new Lincoln Park coffee window was “inspired by walking down the streets of Paris with a café on every corner”…so I guess my work here is done.

Just kidding! I’d never miss a chance to wax poetic about colorful coffee windows hidden down secret alleyways, and this is precisely why you need to hurry over to this Parisian pick-me-up hot spot. While it might not be the ideal place to post up for the long haul (it is just a window, after all), it will definitely bring a bright spot to your day. The whimsy involved in wandering down an alleyway to be met with a splashy floral mural and warm coffee can’t be beat. Maison Marcel features tons of café and specialty drinks, as well as drool-worthy pastries. Oui oui!

Philz Coffee – 2323 N Lincoln Ave 

A newcomer to the coffee scene in Chicago, Philz is a beloved import from San Francisco and the same themes of love, sustainability and marching to the beat of your own drum can be observed here. According to their site, Philz proclaims you won’t find the typical ‘latte’, ‘cappuccino’ or ‘espresso’ – rather they take the time to learn each customers’ preferences with special blends that are made for each individual cup. Order a ‘Philz Way’ and you’ll be rewarded with coffee that is medium sweet with cream, while countless others ensure your day is better – which is their mission.

Philz roasts their own coffee in Oakland, CA and has a number of custom blends involving mixes from 2 to up to 7 different beans. They also practice sustainable sourcing within a rigorous set of guidelines and give back to organizations like Food4Farmers and World Coffee Research!

Related: Check out our favorite healthy restaurants in Lincoln Park

Werewolf Coffee – 1765 N Elston Ave 

Okay, Werewolf is 100% a Chicago brand (they’re the child of local restaurant parent brand DMK) – but when you walk in, you’ll definitely feel like you are somewhere else, such as funky Austin, TX. Where might one get this idea, you ask? Well, in addition to the industrial-forward design, there’s a big ‘ole truck that serves as the focal point (and the main counter). 

It’s reminiscent of the food trucks that, while now seem ubiquitous, actually can thank Austin for their popularity (they essentially were born from taco trucks at construction sites and grew rapidly over the past 10 years). This version inside Werewolf is a repurposed Wonder Bread truck and is definitely worth a field trip! If that doesn’t entice you, maybe this will – their specialty drinks sometimes include edible glitter.

Post written by FFC Contributor Megan Zink. 

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Faction Family: The Fitness Community I Found at FFC

FFC Lincoln Park member Amanda George has been taking high intensity interval training classes in the performance training center (what is now called The Faction) and shares some benefits she’s achieved – including a new personal marathon record!

I have been an FFC member for about 2 years. Not only do I love the community there, but I have also seen excellent results. This past March, I was able to shave 15 minutes off my previous marathon PR to run a 3:13 on a hilly Atlanta course. It turns out that this effort was enough to earn me 3rd place female overall, which was a thrilling and unexpected experience!

I found my passion for distance running after graduating college. Therefore, I am not a very well-groomed nor experienced runner. However, I have always loved fitness and am willing to put in the hard work that comes with endurance sports. The PTC classes at FFC (now dubbed The Faction) have helped make that work even more enjoyable!

Related: why do HIIT and a sample HIIT workout for beginners!

Strength Training for Runners

I started consistently doing PTC (now Faction) classes a little over a year ago. While they do provide a cardio workout, the greatest benefit for me personally is the strength components. Although I could go out and run for hours, for whatever reason, it is hard for me to even make time for a 15 minutes strength routine, if left to my own devices.

However, once I get to class, the workout no longer feels like a chore. I get inspired by the great trainers and the group energy. Furthermore, the trainers provide feedback on my form as I go, which is something I really needed as a novice to some of these moves (deadlifts, kettlebell swings, clean/press, etc.). In my build-up to marathon training, I would attend class 4-5 times per week. This laid the groundwork of endurance and strength that set me up for a successful marathon training cycle and played a major role in my dramatic improvement as a runner.

Clearly a Community

Lastly, I can’t say enough about the Faction community. This past month, there were two occasions where we had donuts/brownies after class to celebrate a birthday and a going-away party. We may have un-done the workout with our calorie consumption, but we had fun! The trainers are enthusiastic, patient, creative, and encouraging. The positive tone that they set rubs off on the rest of the group, and I find constant encouragement from my “workout buddies.” 

Related: benefits of high intensity interval training and why you should give it a try.

Also, the trainers really go above and beyond. For instance, even when I paused Faction classes for a while (as I was ramping up mileage), they would ask me in passing how my marathon training was going. When I got an injury in the weeks leading up to the marathon, trainer, Jonathan Basuel, took time out of his busy schedule to show me a few stretches that would speed up my recovery. I didn’t even have to ask, but rather he just heard I was hurt and generously offered to lend his expertise. Experiences like that have won me over, so that I fully buy in to the power of the Faction and its strong community – in every sense of the word. :)

Post written by FFC Lincoln Park member Amanda George.

Related: trying to lose weight? Science says try HIIT!

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