When you grow up in a major city particularly one like Chicago that attracts thousands of tourists every single year, you take for granted that you live in a place that is full of unique and interesting restaurants, coffee shops, and bakeries.

As well as taking Chicago for granted, I find myself also staying in the same general area. This city is massive. And every neighborhood feels likes like a tiny city unto itself.

Living in a city with such an amazing food scene my goal has always been to try a local restaurant when I feel like eating out before I ever opt for a chain or fast food restaurant. My husband gets mad at me because he says I don’t let him eat at the same place twice. I’m sorry, but there are too many places to try to get stuck in a food rut.

I keep that same attitude towards coffee. Even if I currently have 415 stars on my Starbucks app. Don’t judge me. We all have our vices, and mine are convenience and consistency. A Starbucks drink will always taste the same. When you try a new place you have more of a chance of trying something that you hate. And there’s nothing that this Taurus hates more than spending money on something to eat or drink and being disappointed.

Today I happened to have an errand to run on the South side. Whenever I am somewhere in the city that I normally don’t frequent I pull up handy dandy Google maps, search “coffee shops near me,” and let the search engine gods steer me to someplace new.

I happened to be 1.9 miles away from Back of the Yards Coffee Co. so off I went.

Parking was relatively easy to find on a Saturday afternoon which suited me just fine. After spending most of my life schlepping across the city on the CTA, I find it hard to give up driving my car around. That being said, I am grateful that Chicago has a pretty good public transit system. Big ups to the number 73 bus, she raised me.

As someone who has worked in customer service from coffee, to ice cream, to coat check, to logistics, I am always quick to judge a location by the vibe I get when I walk in the door and I’m happy to say that it was warm, friendly, and welcoming from the beginning.

After much thought and being told that their signature Xocolatte was sold out I got wild and ordered an iced horchata latte with oat milk. Dear reader, here is where I disclose to you the fact that my go to coffee drink is hot coffee, with a dash of creamer and some sort of sugar free sweetener. I am unfortunately a creature of habit, so this latte was me letting my hair down. This was my first time trying oat milk and I was pleasantly pleased. The horchata flavor was delicate and not not overly sweet. A nice balance with the espresso.

I was feeling peckish so I also ordered their egg, bacon and jalapeño kolache for the road. I was tempted to try one of their lonches, which are a type of mexican sandwich, but I wasn’t looking for anything too substantial and the kolaches are a smaller savory option on their menu.

Also their lonche menu just gave me another reason, besides not being able to try the Xocolatte, to make a trip back.

Back of the Yards Coffee Co was definitely worth the trip out and I ended up taking a bag of ground coffee for the house.

Back of the Yards Coffee Co.

2059 W. 47th Street

Chicago, IL. 60609

Vibe: Solid.

Variety of coffee drinks: Substantial

Variety of pastries: did not notice besides the small case on the counter

Variety of savory options: Substantial

Likelihood of me returning: Definite

Stay caffeinated!