I had a really disappointing experience here. It was a snowy day in Chicago, and I was looking for a cozy place to work in a new neighborhood. After not liking another coffee shop, I decided to check out Rituals because of the good reviews.
Unfortunately, the moment I walked in (around 1:30 PM on 3/7), covered in snow and holding a coffee from elsewhere, the staff member told me I wasn’t allowed to enter with a drink from another place. This happened before I even had a chance to look at their menu or order something else, like the tea and pastry I was planning to get. The employee’s tone was rude and dismissive, and I was essentially turned away in a very unpleasant manner.
I understand policies about outside drinks, but the way it was communicated left a really bad impression. Maybe this is a nice place, but I hope the staff gets better training in customer service and communication. Based on this interaction, I won’t be returning anytime soon.
Atmosphere: 2
Service: 1
Michelle Sánchez
Listening to the owner berate his staff in front of customers during the morning rush just killed this place's laidback vibe in a matter of seconds. I doubt he saw the looks on all his customer's faces as we just stared at each other in disgust. Over a lousy bagel. People make mistakes. Why not talk to your staff at a diffrent time? Or better yet, try jumping in and helping. I'm very sorry for your staff, who were all very professional, but I'd rather take my money to any one of the other cafes in the area where I feel the owner deserves it. PS I have 20 plus years in restaurant and coffee house management, so I understand the nuances of running a cafe, but you lost my business forever. So maybe next time, slice the bagel up and put it out as a taster for your customers and maybe you'll sell more making the best of a human error, and have a staff meeting to address your staff's lack of "focus." But honestly, I wouldn't work hard for you either.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 5
Service: 5
Leszek Potoczny
I can’t rate or review this place since it’s no longer in business.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Michael Jones
Cool record and listening setup in here the cappuccino was nice too
Atmosphere: 4
Service: 5
Sarah Damhof
I got a matcha and it is one of the best matchas I have ever had. Reasonable prices as well. Seating is incredibly limited, so I took my drink to go.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jarahn Tye
In the neighborhood for work and had a lull, decided to walk in on a whim. Got to tell you, the vibes are immediately immaculate. Cozy, record player playing classic hits, and greeted by the friendly staff. Their chai tea latte was PERFECT to my tastes, and the Apple Caramel muffin was delicious! If I lived in the neighborhood, THIS would be my spot. Keep up the great work Ritual Team!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
A D
Hella cute patio in the back!
Atmosphere: 5
C.D. W
This is an Old School Coffee house with a Phenomenal Record
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Dirk Tussing
Cozy atmosphere with decent coffee ☕️
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 4
Tyler Esselman
This is my favorite coffee shop in Chicago and top five that I've ever visited, period. Can't recommend them highly enough. Thanks for all y'all do!
Good coffee and the back patio area is very nice!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Iced Caramel Latte
Catherine “Cate” Sauer
Things have been hit or miss when I’ve come to work here, and it really just depends on who is working. It’s a nice place to get some work done or to catch up with a friend, with a pleasant backyard patio.
On the last visit, someone requested a drink changed drink because they didn’t like it, and the folks working said “ we don’t do that, we are a small business”.
This is valid, you don’t have to provide someone a different option if they didn’t like what they paid for. However, it felt like in that moment they wanted to make the customer feel bad, and as someone just working nearby, I didn’t like observing it.
Recommend Backlot coffee as they will remake your drink if you are unhappy!
It’s important to support small businesses, and everyone can have off days. It’s never about really the transaction, it’s about how you make someone feel who chooses to spend money at your establishment.
Dietary restrictions: Dairy free milks available, mocha concentrate has dairy
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 3
Recommended dishes: Iced Latte
Julie
Charming, cozy coffeehouse with a gorgeous little patio in back. I had a matcha with oat milk and it was so delicious - not too sweet and perfectly rich & umami. Baristas were lovely and sweet. ❤️
I had a really disappointing experience here. It was a snowy day in Chicago, and I was looking for a cozy place to work in a new neighborhood. After not liking another coffee shop, I decided to check out Rituals because of the good reviews.
Unfortunately, the moment I walked in (around 1:30 PM on 3/7), covered in snow and holding a coffee from elsewhere, the staff member told me I wasn’t allowed to enter with a drink from another place. This happened before I even had a chance to look at their menu or order something else, like the tea and pastry I was planning to get. The employee’s tone was rude and dismissive, and I was essentially turned away in a very unpleasant manner.
I understand policies about outside drinks, but the way it was communicated left a really bad impression. Maybe this is a nice place, but I hope the staff gets better training in customer service and communication. Based on this interaction, I won’t be returning anytime soon.
Atmosphere: 2
Service: 1
Listening to the owner berate his staff in front of customers during the morning rush just killed this place's laidback vibe in a matter of seconds. I doubt he saw the looks on all his customer's faces as we just stared at each other in disgust. Over a lousy bagel. People make mistakes. Why not talk to your staff at a diffrent time? Or better yet, try jumping in and helping.
I'm very sorry for your staff, who were all very professional, but I'd rather take my money to any one of the other cafes in the area where I feel the owner deserves it.
PS I have 20 plus years in restaurant and coffee house management, so I understand the nuances of running a cafe, but you lost my business forever. So maybe next time, slice the bagel up and put it out as a taster for your customers and maybe you'll sell more making the best of a human error, and have a staff meeting to address your staff's lack of "focus." But honestly, I wouldn't work hard for you either.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 5
Service: 5
I can’t rate or review this place since it’s no longer in business.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Cool record and listening setup in here the cappuccino was nice too
Atmosphere: 4
Service: 5
I got a matcha and it is one of the best matchas I have ever had. Reasonable prices as well. Seating is incredibly limited, so I took my drink to go.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
In the neighborhood for work and had a lull, decided to walk in on a whim.
Got to tell you, the vibes are immediately immaculate. Cozy, record player playing classic hits, and greeted by the friendly staff.
Their chai tea latte was PERFECT to my tastes, and the Apple Caramel muffin was delicious! If I lived in the neighborhood, THIS would be my spot. Keep up the great work Ritual Team!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Hella cute patio in the back!
Atmosphere: 5
This is an Old School Coffee house with a
Phenomenal Record
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Cozy atmosphere with decent coffee ☕️
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 4
This is my favorite coffee shop in Chicago and top five that I've ever visited, period. Can't recommend them highly enough. Thanks for all y'all do!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
The dirty chai is amazing!
The iced vanilla latte is incredible
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Iced Latte
Good coffee and the back patio area is very nice!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Iced Caramel Latte
Things have been hit or miss when I’ve come to work here, and it really just depends on who is working. It’s a nice place to get some work done or to catch up with a friend, with a pleasant backyard patio.
On the last visit, someone requested a drink changed drink because they didn’t like it, and the folks working said “ we don’t do that, we are a small business”.
This is valid, you don’t have to provide someone a different option if they didn’t like what they paid for. However, it felt like in that moment they wanted to make the customer feel bad, and as someone just working nearby, I didn’t like observing it.
Recommend Backlot coffee as they will remake your drink if you are unhappy!
It’s important to support small businesses, and everyone can have off days. It’s never about really the transaction, it’s about how you make someone feel who chooses to spend money at your establishment.
Dietary restrictions: Dairy free milks available, mocha concentrate has dairy
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 3
Recommended dishes: Iced Latte
Charming, cozy coffeehouse with a gorgeous little patio in back. I had a matcha with oat milk and it was so delicious - not too sweet and perfectly rich & umami. Baristas were lovely and sweet. ❤️
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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