Ive been to this location many times over the past month. Today I ordered a egg and cheese kolache. Immediately after I had to use their restroom to throw up. Not sure what was wrong with this specific batch, but it made me sick.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 1
Service: 2
Kat Sparger
Love this shop and coffee! Godspeed if you need to take a drink to go and didn’t bring your own cup. 10/10 spill and leak everywhere:(
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
J W
Groundswell has improved since I last lived in the neighborhood. The employees are no longer downright rude. Instead, they are just unfriendly. Coffee is average, pastries are average, food offerings are average.The place always smells a little of egg (gassy). There are better coffee shops in the area for service, drink quality, and food quality.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 2
Service: 1
Barb Carr
I avoided this shop due to negative reviews but decided to venture in today and work a couple hours. The staff was friendly to me and everyone who came in after me. The vibe was very chill. WiFi was good. My latte was perfect. Looks like they’ve worked to improve. If you had a bad experience there, I’d give them another chance.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Grace Boehlke
I usually really enjoy this place, it has a good atmosphere, quality coffee, and friendly baristas. But recently they took the only item I could eat off their menu. There aren't any dairy-free options except one of their kolaches (and if it had dairy it was so little that it never bothered my stomach), but last time I went in the barista told me the owner stopped stocking that kind. I’d love to keep coming in here, but if I can’t order food it doesn’t really make it worth it.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 2
Service: 5
M T
I ordered tea for almost $6 and received this tea in this beat up cup with the worst customer service ever! They didn't even apologize when I told them about it! Terrible place!
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Gray Fox
This is neighborhood staple, with some of the most amazing roasting and atmosphere in the City. Unfortunately, I've witnessed all the regulars leave and the drink quality decline. I still wish to support but today when I witnessed the horrifically rude manner in which another regular was treated for who knows what reason, I was mortified!! The crew on the whole is skilled and amazing save the two baristas who insist on wearing masks for what seems nothing to do with health and covid, just to hide smirks and thoroughly unprofessional if not just unkind human behavior. Get it right Groundswell. Such a shame to ruin a brand just to keep a couple of idiots who obviously don't care about coffee culture or the overall experience. ALSO serving clearly and deliberately bad espresso drinks because of bad mood for the price is a crime... No self respecting coffee owner should make Starbucks look like a more palatable option ?
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 1
Aleena S
I guess not picking up your order within 30 seconds of the barista calling it warrants them to scream loudly and obnoxiously again about the order and have another point the order out to me. Yes, I was coming to get it after meeting my friend at the front of the store. There was barely anybody else in the shop so the whole ordeal felt extra and unnecessary. The coffee was good but the service won't have me returning.
Food: 4
Aviel Rodriguez
| TLDR | Pumpkin Pie latte is a solid choice, great work space, and chill vibes. Now here's the inside scoop:| Pros |☕ Coffee: they got a lot of seasonal and run-of-the-mill lattes (ex: avg. prices are around $5.35 w/o tax for a 12oz)? Seating: ample seating (granted my brother and I came in around 7:30am); ports kinda scarce if you want to get work done (they have a back room for seating where there are more ports)? Great WiFi: could be just me but I had some fluctuations in Wifi speeds, clocking in at an average of 83 Mbps. Password can be found where you add sugar and other stuff to your drink.| Things to Consider |? Customer Service: from the 30+ Chi coffeeshops I visited, it's very rare to come across a coffeeshop known for rude baristas. Although we didn't experience this ourselves (both dudes were great), I did sense a lack of social awkwardness from them. This is just my observation, so take it with a grain of salt .Overall, chill place to get some work done and get some hot coffee or apple cider. If you ever wondered which coffeeshop is sandwhiched between Edgewater and Lincoln Square, check out Groundswell (where the ground is always greener on the other side...of Lawrence)!
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Sam C.
Groundswell is a neat little coffee shop just outside of the metro downtown area of Chicago. It's rather small, so I don't recommend bringing more than 2 other people with you, though. They have a cool looking mural on the big wall when you walk in, and the space is warm and inviting! The people working are kind, and when Iw as handed my cortado, the girl working behind the bar had a warm smile and made a point to say thank you. The coffee itself is alright. It's roasted a good amount, so it'll inherently be pretty bitter. If you're a fan of lighter roasted coffee, I'd have a hard time recommending this place to you, because I like the lighter roasts as well. However the espresso shot that I had was extracted well, and probably the best that you can do with darker roasted coffee. They have a good selection of pastries, juices, and breakfast items, too. I had the sausage and egg burrito, which was pretty average. The employees are very kind, but the product they serve is alright. 4 stars because of the people, took a star off because of the coffee.
The coffees here are always really good, and the outside seating is a nice option. The only issue is when we order 16 ounce hot beverages, they more often than not only fill them up to about 12 ounces. So we just started ordering only 12 ounce hot drinks here.
Lauren Kincaid-Filbey
I was just reading some reviews of this spot that mentioned rude baristas and I was shocked— frankly, I’ve had nothing but stellar experiences with the exceptionally friendly and down to earth staff.I’ve been going to Groundswell on a weekly basis since I moved to the neighborhood a couple months ago— the coffee and matcha are great, the Wi-Fi is strong, and the vibes are relaxed. I will sometimes do my whole work day from the shop when I’m feeling cooped up at home and it’s been a great way to get some focused work done. Would highly recommend stopping by!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Christina Brown
Spent $10 on 2 iced drinks. For a matcha latte, dry matcha was dropped into cold milk. For an iced tea, I got water with a tint of tea. No time spent to steep and didn’t even leave the tea in the cup. Please teach your barista how to handle iced drinks…
Kelsey Doyle
I’m always surprised when people say they enjoy the coffee here. It’s some of the most acidic coffee I’ve ever had. I’ll drink bad coffee but I’m never able to finish a cup from here.
Matthew Wojtowicz
Great coffee for a lighter roast, solid do rite donuts, nice outdoor seating
Ive been to this location many times over the past month. Today I ordered a egg and cheese kolache. Immediately after I had to use their restroom to throw up. Not sure what was wrong with this specific batch, but it made me sick.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 1
Service: 2
Love this shop and coffee! Godspeed if you need to take a drink to go and didn’t bring your own cup. 10/10 spill and leak everywhere:(
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Groundswell has improved since I last lived in the neighborhood. The employees are no longer downright rude. Instead, they are just unfriendly. Coffee is average, pastries are average, food offerings are average.The place always smells a little of egg (gassy). There are better coffee shops in the area for service, drink quality, and food quality.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 2
Service: 1
I avoided this shop due to negative reviews but decided to venture in today and work a couple hours. The staff was friendly to me and everyone who came in after me. The vibe was very chill. WiFi was good. My latte was perfect. Looks like they’ve worked to improve. If you had a bad experience there, I’d give them another chance.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
I usually really enjoy this place, it has a good atmosphere, quality coffee, and friendly baristas. But recently they took the only item I could eat off their menu. There aren't any dairy-free options except one of their kolaches (and if it had dairy it was so little that it never bothered my stomach), but last time I went in the barista told me the owner stopped stocking that kind. I’d love to keep coming in here, but if I can’t order food it doesn’t really make it worth it.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 2
Service: 5
I ordered tea for almost $6 and received this tea in this beat up cup with the worst customer service ever! They didn't even apologize when I told them about it! Terrible place!
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
This is neighborhood staple, with some of the most amazing roasting and atmosphere in the City. Unfortunately, I've witnessed all the regulars leave and the drink quality decline. I still wish to support but today when I witnessed the horrifically rude manner in which another regular was treated for who knows what reason, I was mortified!! The crew on the whole is skilled and amazing save the two baristas who insist on wearing masks for what seems nothing to do with health and covid, just to hide smirks and thoroughly unprofessional if not just unkind human behavior. Get it right Groundswell. Such a shame to ruin a brand just to keep a couple of idiots who obviously don't care about coffee culture or the overall experience. ALSO serving clearly and deliberately bad espresso drinks because of bad mood for the price is a crime... No self respecting coffee owner should make Starbucks look like a more palatable option ?
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 1
I guess not picking up your order within 30 seconds of the barista calling it warrants them to scream loudly and obnoxiously again about the order and have another point the order out to me. Yes, I was coming to get it after meeting my friend at the front of the store. There was barely anybody else in the shop so the whole ordeal felt extra and unnecessary. The coffee was good but the service won't have me returning.
Food: 4
| TLDR | Pumpkin Pie latte is a solid choice, great work space, and chill vibes. Now here's the inside scoop:| Pros |☕ Coffee: they got a lot of seasonal and run-of-the-mill lattes (ex: avg. prices are around $5.35 w/o tax for a 12oz)? Seating: ample seating (granted my brother and I came in around 7:30am); ports kinda scarce if you want to get work done (they have a back room for seating where there are more ports)? Great WiFi: could be just me but I had some fluctuations in Wifi speeds, clocking in at an average of 83 Mbps. Password can be found where you add sugar and other stuff to your drink.| Things to Consider |? Customer Service: from the 30+ Chi coffeeshops I visited, it's very rare to come across a coffeeshop known for rude baristas. Although we didn't experience this ourselves (both dudes were great), I did sense a lack of social awkwardness from them. This is just my observation, so take it with a grain of salt .Overall, chill place to get some work done and get some hot coffee or apple cider. If you ever wondered which coffeeshop is sandwhiched between Edgewater and Lincoln Square, check out Groundswell (where the ground is always greener on the other side...of Lawrence)!
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Groundswell is a neat little coffee shop just outside of the metro downtown area of Chicago. It's rather small, so I don't recommend bringing more than 2 other people with you, though. They have a cool looking mural on the big wall when you walk in, and the space is warm and inviting! The people working are kind, and when Iw as handed my cortado, the girl working behind the bar had a warm smile and made a point to say thank you. The coffee itself is alright. It's roasted a good amount, so it'll inherently be pretty bitter. If you're a fan of lighter roasted coffee, I'd have a hard time recommending this place to you, because I like the lighter roasts as well. However the espresso shot that I had was extracted well, and probably the best that you can do with darker roasted coffee. They have a good selection of pastries, juices, and breakfast items, too. I had the sausage and egg burrito, which was pretty average. The employees are very kind, but the product they serve is alright. 4 stars because of the people, took a star off because of the coffee.
Restaurantji Recommends
The coffees here are always really good, and the outside seating is a nice option. The only issue is when we order 16 ounce hot beverages, they more often than not only fill them up to about 12 ounces. So we just started ordering only 12 ounce hot drinks here.
I was just reading some reviews of this spot that mentioned rude baristas and I was shocked— frankly, I’ve had nothing but stellar experiences with the exceptionally friendly and down to earth staff.I’ve been going to Groundswell on a weekly basis since I moved to the neighborhood a couple months ago— the coffee and matcha are great, the Wi-Fi is strong, and the vibes are relaxed. I will sometimes do my whole work day from the shop when I’m feeling cooped up at home and it’s been a great way to get some focused work done. Would highly recommend stopping by!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Spent $10 on 2 iced drinks. For a matcha latte, dry matcha was dropped into cold milk. For an iced tea, I got water with a tint of tea. No time spent to steep and didn’t even leave the tea in the cup. Please teach your barista how to handle iced drinks…
I’m always surprised when people say they enjoy the coffee here. It’s some of the most acidic coffee I’ve ever had. I’ll drink bad coffee but I’m never able to finish a cup from here.
Great coffee for a lighter roast, solid do rite donuts, nice outdoor seating
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5