Earwax Cafe

Nice place to drink coffee - get some food - and rent a movie

A friend took me to the Earwax Café mentioning that it would be a good place to check out for writing a review. Initially the place came off as stuffy, but the carnival-type decor and big top visual stimulation made it interesting enough for me to look around. As a side note, the bathroom walls were quite amusing, with the amount of graffiti and doodles.

Originally we stopped for some coffee. My friend got her regular mocha which she swears by, and twice commented on how delicious it was.  At first I only had a cup of regular coffee.  It was alright. Good typical diner coffee.  I have a feeling that it was supposed to be better tasting than it actually was, however, seeing as a cup of coffee (can’t beat bottomless) was $2 with an entree and $3.75 without.  They did serve it with fresh creamer (none of those little plastic cups of it) which I chock-up as a plus. As a last thought before leaving I ordered their Espresso Milkshake which I found amazing and worth the lengthy wait to take it to go.

You don't have to be a hipster to dine at Earwax, but be prepared to eat with them. Hipster locals flock to this locale as regularly as they stampede the nearest thrift shop. But the healthy fare also attracts other sects of the city who fawn over the mushroom and black bean burger, lentil stew, Tuscan seitan or unique vegetarian pizza options.

Very vegan-friendly, Earwax has earned a favorable reputation among vegetarians for its hearty, reasonably-priced fare and bohemian environment. Breakfast is served all day (the huevos rancheros received a patron comment), and if sweets are your thing, they also offer vegan cakes.

Located just across the street from its old location, Earwax uses the extra space for comfortable sofas and a wider selection of videos, records, books and magazines. You're welcome to thumb through the foreign and documentary video selection for hours, sustained by the bottomless coffee and really unique people-watching...not to mention the eavesdropping. Some of the most interesting conversations take place within the colorful walls of Earwax, capturing the pulse of the Bucktown/Wicker Park community.

Not enough time to stick around? All the videos are also available to rent for $3.50. Just ask the young staff, who completes the crunchy coffeehouse experience with their relaxed manner and eclectic wardrobe.

I found the food good when I ordered carry-out, but overall the staff was not very friendly. They were reserved which made me feel out of place, but the lentil soup was very good. The black bean burger is insanely delicious... and they have, without a doubt, the tastiest hummus in Chicago. Earwax is a Wicker Park staple, try it for a healthier alternative without the sacrifice flavor.

Website
http://earwax-cafe.com

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