Forget whistling while you work. Why not wet your whistle with an offbeat microbrew or a steaming cup of chai while surfing the Web? It’s easy to become a wi-fi warrior at these cafes, bars and restaurants, thanks to their free wi-fi status. Several even keep a stash of wireless cards for patrons to borrow.
Want more? Visit www.chicagofreefi.com for a roster of Chicago's free wi-fi locations.
Cafe Ballou
Work from home? Make this Euro-cafe your daytime office. Free wi-fi access, plenty of sunlight, and better-than-your-average bear eats make this the gathering spot of choice for Ukrainian Village dwellers and west-of-the-Loop hipsters. Feel free to sip on a cuppa joe, but don’t overlook specialties like the Cafe Ballou tea service or the Turkish coffee served with ice water and a piece of dark chocolate. Fortify yourself with a cup of fresh soup, a salad (the eponymous Ballou is a favorite, with its blend of chicken, apples, walnuts and gruyere) or sandwich, such as the roasted red pepper and cheese club, a you’ll-dream-of-this-it’s-so-yummy combination of herbed cheese spread, white cheddar, roasted red peppers, lettuce, tomato, onion and vinaigrette on multigrain.
Metropolis Coffee Co.
The owners of Metropolis think that a coffeehouse should be a neighborhood center, “equally a place to relax as a place to plan a revolution.” Though you may not be masterminding the next Boston Tea Party or storming of the Bastille (both planned at coffeehouses), you can get some serious work and play accomplished at this suave yet comfortable spot located just east of the Granville Red Line in Edgewater. Take your pick of organic, fair-trade (and bird-friendly) micro-roasted beans to go or bring your laptop, take advantage of free wi-fi, and grab a steaming mug of loose-leaf tea (more than 30 varieties) and a scone. Check Metropolis’s Web site for its schedule of events, which includes musical performances and Wednesday night films. You can also check out a lengthy page profiling regulars, a true testament to Metropolis’s independent and community spirit.
Goose Island Brewpub
If one glance at the giant beer vats doesn’t make you want to pull up a chair and stay awhile, then something just isn’t right. No good Chicagoan should be able to resist locally brewed beers, and more than 10 freshly made ones on tap at that. The wooden bar and tables along the walls are classy and evoke the feeling of a German inn, though the free wi-fi access is anything but quaintly European. The food is hearty and caters to beer drinkers (a section titled "Beer Cuisine" features fish n' chips, steaks, meatloaf and pot roast). The beer is the real treat, however. If you can’t pick just one, opt for the three-beer sampler. Free wi-fi is also available at the Wrigleyville location.
Argo Tea
Not a fan of cappuccinos? This is the place for tea hounds, as well as the occasional dabbler. You’ll find the tea-based counterpart of most espresso beverages, as well as the super-hip bubble teas and no-fail chai. The Teappuccino (think Frappuccino), Mocha Tea and the fizzy Tea Sparkle will redefine your definition of the generally mellow beverage. Those who don’t want to stick around for the free wi-fi can take loose tea to go for home brewing; varietals include Argo green tea, ginger peach and Armenian mint. Coffee junkies need not worry, as Argo benevolently complements its menu with coffee by Illy.
Quenchers Saloon
Quenchers is like an indie rocker frat house, and in this case, that's not a bad thing. The bar combines comfort with pleasant oddities, like a movie theatre-style popcorn machine (it's self-serve) and an impressive 200-bottle beer selection that can quench your hankering for a Lithuanian or Ecuadorian beverage. The back room’s worn and comfy couches are inviting, but there are several tables with bar stools worth settling into while you use the free wi-fi. Take advantage of so-cheap-it’s-almost-free lunch fare, like a $3 bratwurst on a toasted roll with sauerkraut, a $2.50 turkey sandwich and Earl’s famous meaty chili at $2.50 a pop.
Jerry's Sandwiches
Jerry’s has done its research. Husband-and-wife team Mark Bires and Mindy Friedler have eaten sandwiches from delis in New York, cheese steak stands in Philly, barbecue stands in Tennessee and po’ boy locales in New Orleans. Lucky for us, they’ve brought the fruits of their schoolin’ to Chicago. Order a “favorite” or make your own from a staggering roster of ingredients, which include challah bread, tomato focaccia (breads hail from D’Amatos and Red Hen Bread), herb chicken, smoked salmon, corned beef, grilled asparagus, brie and chipotle-mango chutney. Free wi-fi extends a quick lunch into a long afternoon.
Kristoffer's Cafe and Bakery
Talk about the bakery of my dreams. Indulgent sweets, available whole or in slices, include killer carrot cake, chocoflan (chocolate cake topped with flan) and tres leches. Have your cake and eat it, too, along with breakfast and lunch sandwiches, soups, salads and Mexican house specialties like Mayan tamales and guacamole with chips. Grab an espresso drink (beans are certified organic and fair trade) and take advantage of free wi-fi. This independent shop cares for more than your stomach; enjoy art exhibits, live music, spoken word sessions, chess matches and a “book club” where you can trade one of your own tomes for a volume on its shelves.
But wait, there’s more!
Cafe Mozart
600 Davis, Evanston
(847) 492-8056
Daley Plaza
Clark & Dearborn
The Grind
4613 N. Lincoln
(773) 271-4482
Kaffeccino
6441 N. Sheridan
(773) 508-1888
Map Room
1949 N. Hoyne
(773) 252-7636
Panera Bread
Various locations
Pizza Metro
1707 W. Division
(773) 278-1753
Savor the Flavor
2545 N. Sheffield
(773) 883-5287
Zen Noodles
1852 W. North Ave.
(773) 276-8300
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