When I’m not manning the kitchen, I’m looking for a spot to drink good coffee, write, and grab a bite. In its Log On series, miLam will tell you where to find nice, cozy little spots to do just that, with open WIFI, in Chicago. Log On Like a Man! (while dodging baby strollers)

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Coffee and Wi-Fi in Lincoln Park

Log On, Chicago. Edition II/i

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Places to Work: Bourgeois Pig • Diversey Starbucks • Lincoln & Belden Starbucks • Next Door Cafe • Lincoln Park Starbucks – Fullerton & Racine

Places to Eat: Bourgeois Pig • Fat Sandwich • La Creperie • Panera Cares

Lincoln & Belden Starbucks

Pros

1. Lovely neighborhood
2. Close to lots of popular, interesting places

Cons

1. Screaming babies
2. Undisciplined toddlers
3. Small, easily crowded

If heaven isn’t actually a cloud with pearly gates, I hope it’s Lincoln Park near Lakeshore Drive. I’d forego a shitload of sin for that! If it’s a nice day and you have a decent laptop battery, get your macchiato to go and head down toward the lake. There is no better office space than a park bench under the shade of a tree near the Lake Michigan (although you may have to bring your own Wi-Fi).

If you want to be part of a small clique of stay-at-home moms with baby strollers, forget about the lakeshore and just hang near this Starbucks. As the babies approach feeding time, the Lincoln/Belden ‘Bucks clears out and gives way to parents of toddlers whose bratty screams are made excruciating by the brilliant acoustics of the tiny place. Wonder why are those kids so out of control? Watch their moronic guardians chase them around the place, screaming, “Logan! Logan, don’t touch that!” Apples and trees, man …apples and trees. Here and there, friendly, regular-looking, pony-tailed dudes with whom I wish I could be friends glance my way, rolling their eyes in solidarity as we all put on headphones.

There’s a homeless guy sort of napping near the entryway, and I can’t take my eyes off him. Is it the bastard son Santa doesn’t want to acknowledge? Or is that Yukon Cornelius? I’ve heard that Cornelius wasn’t prepared for the sudden onslaught of fame and fortune that followed the release of Rudolph. He quickly squandered everything, and now wanders the streets of Chicago, down-and-out, mumbling something about royalties and looking for warm shelter. But at least he’s still independent.

For the most part, this hood is blazé. Although, I once saw a woman walking a pet pig in this neighborhood. I kid you not. I had to stop, her, of course, and ask if she was raising it for the bacon. Turns out she wasn’t.

11/6/2013, 11:25 A

Diversey Starbucks

Pros:

1. Convenient to Days Inn Chicago, Inn at Lincoln Park, and a few other hotels

Cons:

1. Unbearably slow internet

Coffee: good, as usual
WIFI: Horrifying. Not a total bust, but you can do better.
Can you work or study here? Yes. Ample space, although crammed in.
Plugs: Decent
Public Restroom: Didn’t stay long enough to find out.

This – I’ll be undiplomatic – is just another Starbucks. But, wow, slow wireless! I mean, good God! The wireless connection at this Starbucks is slow as a fucking turtle. So slow, I need to get out of here. I’m going to have to finish this Starbucks review at Next Door!

12/3/2013, 01:30 P

Next Door Café

659 W Diversey Pkwy (just west of Clark)

Pros

1. Excellent wireless
2. All kinds of seating, indoor and out
3. Modern, clean, huge
4. Created specifically as a co-working space

Cons

1. None that I can ascertain

Coffee: good
WIFI: Excellent
Can you work or study here? Yes. You should work or study here.
Plugs: This place was designed to have plugs everywhere.
Public Restroom: The best. Super-clean.

You will feel right at home working or studying from here. The backstory: It seems too good to be true: a café designed to your home-away-from-home work space. Well, that is what it is. So if you’re looking for a place to work or study, you should check this place out. Your instincts are right. There is more going on here. Next Door is a type of outreach by State Farm. However, in order to have an encounter with State Farm, you would have to actively engage them. You will in no way feel pressured to even in the slightest bit. This place is an internet café , and the State Farm stuff is there, in the background, waiting for you to discover it if you want to. Hard not to like State Farm, considering this, this, and this.

It’s a work-conducive atmosphere. I’m taking a particular pleasure in finishing my Starbucks review in here! Plenty of work/study space, and of all types. Impressive. This place is popular, so if you want your pick of the spots, you’ll have to get there early. Some of the seats are too low for comfortable keyboarding.

I’ve heard it has outdoor seating in the back. If so, I’ve never seen it.
12/3/13 09:45 AM, 3 PM

Hungry?

Panera Cares

659 W Diversey Pkwy

Scoot your butt across the street to Panera Cares. 🙂 They have free wireless, as you probably already know. Panera Cares is just like any other Panera, except when it comes to paying. They don’t tell you how much you owe them. Instead, they ask you how much you’d like to pay. If you say “nothing,” they’ll give it to you for nothing. They do this because they care about people who have no money. 😀 It’s afuckingmazing. I support this place whenever I’m in the neighborhood, by going in and paying $20 for a cup of coffee.

La Creperie is nearby, in Lake View East. If miLam reviews it, it will be in conjunction with that neighborhood. But it’s so close to the intersection of Clark and Diversey, that you should read about it here, too. It has a new owner. I haven’t been there since that exchange took place. I hope it’s as charming as it used to be.

12/3/13 1:35 P

Coffee, Free WIFI: Lincoln Park, Chicago

Lincoln Park is easily accessible by bus, Divvy, or the Red Line.

Other places to log on: Archer Heights, Boystown, Edgewater Beach, Fulton River District, Gold Coast, Pilsen, Ravenswood, Rogers Park, West Loop, Wicker Park, West Town, Uptown