Cute cafe on the main street in Evanston. Nice selection of salads, soups and sandwiches. The reuben was delicious. Stuffed with meat on toasted marbled rye. The adjoining bakery sells a beautiful selection of baked goods and desserts as well. Service was friendly and our food arrived quickly. Definitely recommend stopping in for a quick bite in between shopping.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Sandwich
Jimi Wexler
Super friendly staff and great food/ coffee!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Sarah Beth Eich
Spent time getting some work done while enjoying a delicious oat milk latte. The atmosphere was comfortable and cozy. There is a clean, one person bathroom and electrical outlets in different spots. The staff were all very friendly as well :)
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Andrew Van Til
Good coffee. Awesome doughnuts. Yum.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Aaron Albright
Honestly, I’m shaken by my experience at Tag’s this morning.I ordered a sandwich/coffee, sat down with my laptop to do some work, had only pleasant interactions with the staff - but soon made the mistake of trying to use the restroom. This was my first time at this cafe, so once I found the restroom I turned the door handle *once* and found it was locked. Immediately, a barista from behind the counter snaps, “Someone’s in there, that’s why it’s locked.” Indeed, an astute observation… one I’d just made myself. And it’s not as if I stood there turning the handle trying to get in once I noticed the door was locked. So I simply said, “Oh sorry” and sat back down at my table to wait my turn.The person who exited the restroom seconds later was another barista who immediately made eye contact with the first barista. They rolled their eyes and shook their heads at each other. Apparently, they were unaware that walls aren’t soundproof, because after I got into the restroom, the barista who’d been in there before me started going off about how “F’ing annoying it is when people aren’t considerate enough to knock, etc.” among other things. I was already annoyed seeing the exchange between the baristas before I entered the restroom, but the profanity and audacious volume level of their conversation - in front of other customers no less - threw me for a loop. I exited the restroom, which opens up directly to where the baristas were standing. I told them (and I feel it MUST be mentioned, I spoke as calmly as possible) I could hear every word they were saying, and they might want to be careful how loudly they talk about customers in that way. Her immediate reply - “And you might want to consider F’ing knocking next time.” (I shouldn't leave out the fact that a third barista did approach at this point trying to apologize for the situation.)An older man with longer hair that I’d seen at the counter earlier was sitting at a table right beside us. I asked him if he was the manager. He nodded and only said “yeah”. I asked if he’d just witnessed the exchange. He simply nodded. Nothing else. Never stood up. Offered no solution. No apology for his barista chastising and literally swearing at a customer for *simply trying to use the restroom*. I smiled at him, said nothing more and left.As I’m typing this out, the whole situation feels utterly surreal. Wasted $5 on parking and $18 on food/tip just to be CURSED at by staff and made to feel uncomfortable enough to leave before finishing. I genuinely left feeling like the only adult in the room after a pathetic exchange with a manager.It’s clear this isn’t a serious business. Don’t go.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Anthony M.
I am a little mixed about this place because it has so much going for it, but still is getting its "sea legs". I think I love the idea of this place more than I like the food. They have some interesting little deals with soups and sandwiches. However, as people have mentioned, they can be a bit on the expensive side. I have tried three soups and they have either been too thin or too thick. The flavor is there, but when the soup is the consistency of guacamole, you might need some extra cream. Ironically, the sandwiches are much better. I really like the grilled cheese with apple. I am not usually a fan, but they slice the apples so thin that they complement the cheese and bread instead of overpowering it. I have also tried the "toast" which is actually a good concept, but has too many options/combinations. Strangely enough, Hummus with capers and salmon works. It looks bizarre, but it worked for me. The best thing this place has going for it is the service. The service might be some of the best I have ever gotten in all of Evanston. They are all friendly, kind, and helpful. I also like their iced tea so that's a big plus for me. I try to go there once in awhile. It can go sideways real fast, but its got its weird little charm and you feel kinda good supporting a local business.
Rohan D.
Nice place, good coffee, good pastries to go with the coffee. I've found the service to be pretty good, the ambiance is very pleasant except when they are crowded. They are crowded every time I come here, but I tend to only come on Northwestern home games. I like how clean they are, they masked up during the Pandemic, they seem to have kept up the good hygiene. I don't like the use of disposable cups, a big part of enjoying coffee to me is to sip from a proper espresso cup and saucer. Yes, I'm pretentious, but this is Evanston, Illinois, I just know I'm not the only one!
Melissa Lopez
Love everything about this place. Great vegetarian options and there is a bakery accessible from cafe. Same owners!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Grilled Cheese, Turkey Sandwich, Soup, Tag
Josh K.
Sandwiches were very good in the pricey side tho. Wish I was getting more for I am paying
Tag's Cafe is the best great coffee, homemade sitios and sandwiches. And the best staff around!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Alexis K.
Yum! I don't know how they make the hot chocolate but it's amazing! Cutest spot on Central - the salads and sandwiches are delish!
Robert Orenstein
Very kid friendly, lots of little ones with parents enjoying weekend coffee and bakery.Kid-friendliness: Seems to attract lots of young families.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Muffins
John B.
When you walk in, the wood grains and brick walls wrap you like a cozy blanket. You are greeted behind the counter by a friendly face wanting to help. The place just screams, sit down, relax, we've got this. But then you look at the sparse options on the menu behind him and wonder why. The bakery connected sells all kinds of breads, doughnuts, danish and more, and the cafe doesn't really take advantage of it. So I ordered a basic sausage breakfast sandwich and a blueberry muffin. The sausage was not that flavorful. The white bread was cut thinner than I expected and the whole sandwich was delivered as advertised... basic. I am not sure the price is worth it. But, if you want a coffee shop experience with a coffee shop sandwich, this may fit for you.
Jennifer Brennan
Delightful Cafe with delicious grilled sandwiches, award winning chili, a fresh soup of the day, Tag's Bakery pastries, and hot coffees and lattes. The staff treats you like family!
Cute cafe on the main street in Evanston. Nice selection of salads, soups and sandwiches. The reuben was delicious. Stuffed with meat on toasted marbled rye. The adjoining bakery sells a beautiful selection of baked goods and desserts as well. Service was friendly and our food arrived quickly. Definitely recommend stopping in for a quick bite in between shopping.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Sandwich
Super friendly staff and great food/ coffee!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Spent time getting some work done while enjoying a delicious oat milk latte. The atmosphere was comfortable and cozy. There is a clean, one person bathroom and electrical outlets in different spots. The staff were all very friendly as well :)
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Good coffee. Awesome doughnuts. Yum.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Honestly, I’m shaken by my experience at Tag’s this morning.I ordered a sandwich/coffee, sat down with my laptop to do some work, had only pleasant interactions with the staff - but soon made the mistake of trying to use the restroom. This was my first time at this cafe, so once I found the restroom I turned the door handle *once* and found it was locked. Immediately, a barista from behind the counter snaps, “Someone’s in there, that’s why it’s locked.” Indeed, an astute observation… one I’d just made myself. And it’s not as if I stood there turning the handle trying to get in once I noticed the door was locked. So I simply said, “Oh sorry” and sat back down at my table to wait my turn.The person who exited the restroom seconds later was another barista who immediately made eye contact with the first barista. They rolled their eyes and shook their heads at each other. Apparently, they were unaware that walls aren’t soundproof, because after I got into the restroom, the barista who’d been in there before me started going off about how “F’ing annoying it is when people aren’t considerate enough to knock, etc.” among other things. I was already annoyed seeing the exchange between the baristas before I entered the restroom, but the profanity and audacious volume level of their conversation - in front of other customers no less - threw me for a loop. I exited the restroom, which opens up directly to where the baristas were standing. I told them (and I feel it MUST be mentioned, I spoke as calmly as possible) I could hear every word they were saying, and they might want to be careful how loudly they talk about customers in that way. Her immediate reply - “And you might want to consider F’ing knocking next time.” (I shouldn't leave out the fact that a third barista did approach at this point trying to apologize for the situation.)An older man with longer hair that I’d seen at the counter earlier was sitting at a table right beside us. I asked him if he was the manager. He nodded and only said “yeah”. I asked if he’d just witnessed the exchange. He simply nodded. Nothing else. Never stood up. Offered no solution. No apology for his barista chastising and literally swearing at a customer for *simply trying to use the restroom*. I smiled at him, said nothing more and left.As I’m typing this out, the whole situation feels utterly surreal. Wasted $5 on parking and $18 on food/tip just to be CURSED at by staff and made to feel uncomfortable enough to leave before finishing. I genuinely left feeling like the only adult in the room after a pathetic exchange with a manager.It’s clear this isn’t a serious business. Don’t go.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
I am a little mixed about this place because it has so much going for it, but still is getting its "sea legs". I think I love the idea of this place more than I like the food. They have some interesting little deals with soups and sandwiches. However, as people have mentioned, they can be a bit on the expensive side. I have tried three soups and they have either been too thin or too thick. The flavor is there, but when the soup is the consistency of guacamole, you might need some extra cream. Ironically, the sandwiches are much better. I really like the grilled cheese with apple. I am not usually a fan, but they slice the apples so thin that they complement the cheese and bread instead of overpowering it. I have also tried the "toast" which is actually a good concept, but has too many options/combinations. Strangely enough, Hummus with capers and salmon works. It looks bizarre, but it worked for me. The best thing this place has going for it is the service. The service might be some of the best I have ever gotten in all of Evanston. They are all friendly, kind, and helpful. I also like their iced tea so that's a big plus for me. I try to go there once in awhile. It can go sideways real fast, but its got its weird little charm and you feel kinda good supporting a local business.
Nice place, good coffee, good pastries to go with the coffee. I've found the service to be pretty good, the ambiance is very pleasant except when they are crowded. They are crowded every time I come here, but I tend to only come on Northwestern home games. I like how clean they are, they masked up during the Pandemic, they seem to have kept up the good hygiene. I don't like the use of disposable cups, a big part of enjoying coffee to me is to sip from a proper espresso cup and saucer. Yes, I'm pretentious, but this is Evanston, Illinois, I just know I'm not the only one!
Love everything about this place. Great vegetarian options and there is a bakery accessible from cafe. Same owners!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Grilled Cheese, Turkey Sandwich, Soup, Tag
Sandwiches were very good in the pricey side tho. Wish I was getting more for I am paying
What a delightful spot. Delish!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Tag's Cafe is the best great coffee, homemade sitios and sandwiches. And the best staff around!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Yum! I don't know how they make the hot chocolate but it's amazing! Cutest spot on Central - the salads and sandwiches are delish!
Very kid friendly, lots of little ones with parents enjoying weekend coffee and bakery.Kid-friendliness: Seems to attract lots of young families.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Muffins
When you walk in, the wood grains and brick walls wrap you like a cozy blanket. You are greeted behind the counter by a friendly face wanting to help. The place just screams, sit down, relax, we've got this. But then you look at the sparse options on the menu behind him and wonder why. The bakery connected sells all kinds of breads, doughnuts, danish and more, and the cafe doesn't really take advantage of it. So I ordered a basic sausage breakfast sandwich and a blueberry muffin. The sausage was not that flavorful. The white bread was cut thinner than I expected and the whole sandwich was delivered as advertised... basic. I am not sure the price is worth it. But, if you want a coffee shop experience with a coffee shop sandwich, this may fit for you.
Delightful Cafe with delicious grilled sandwiches, award winning chili, a fresh soup of the day, Tag's Bakery pastries, and hot coffees and lattes. The staff treats you like family!