Tucked on the Washington Heights side of the 103rd Street Metra stop, shared by Beverly to the West, this tree-shadowed independent coffeehouse competes with Starbucks a block away for the morning rush crowd, closing shop before lunch can get a chance at 11:30 a.m.

The amenities for choosing local include a corkboard pinned with neighborhood happenings, free wi-fi and two rose-embroidered armchairs that are partial to cups of joe for under a buck and a half, while some leftover grilling tools from its former days as The Rock Island Grind & Grill cater to commuters with enough time for OJ and eggs with that bagel on-the-fly.

Average cost: <$10

Centerstage Reviewer: Gavin Paul