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necessary & sufficient coffee
3624 W Wrightwood Ave, Chicago, IL 60647, United States
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necessary & sufficient coffee
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Sc
Review №1

While standing in line, a grown man kept flatulating. The smell cut right through my m95 mask. His significant other seemed to regret all of her choices in life that led her to this moment. I felt bad for them both, in very different ways. The coffee was ok.

Aa
Review №2

Probably my favorite spot in the city, fun drink options with the classics. Small but mighty food/baked goods menu. Good for a quick breakfast or regular coffee spot

Sa
Review №3

I LOVE this place! They have amazing coffee & fresh breakfast sandwiches & homemade breads. And best of all they have the kindest, most friendliest staff. I truly feel loved as a customer every time I come. -SarahJo

Ja
Review №4

Delicious coffee and pastries. Wish they would have had more options for donuts but maybe we went too late. The maple long john was wonderful though. Will def try it again.

Ni
Review №5

Suffient is an understatement! Delicious and safe in the current state of the world. They also have some fun flavors and even high grade CBD. 10/10.

Ma
Review №6

More expensive than others in the area but excellent coffee and a really good vegan chai coffee cake muffin. Walk-up window; no indoor seating that I could see. Option between still and sparkling when you ask for a cup of ice water. We’d go back here but would prefer to spend a little less.

Li
Review №7

Cute and easy walk up window. My drink was tasty and the chai muffin was even better!

Jo
Review №8

Bought a London Fog from here during a chilly day, and based on taste, it was worth it.

Mo
Review №9

One of the best coffee shops in the city! We really appreciate the use of Corporation B beans, creative/seasonal drinks, and kind baristas! All of the food selections are amazing, don’t miss out on the breakfast sandwhich and the biscuit with butter and jam. Just wish there was a spot where we could hang out!

Ma
Review №10

I always pass by here on my way to my doctors appointments and see people outside. This time I decided to stop and omgoodness ! I’m glad I did I tried the cinnamon expresso iced I believe it’s called. It’s Delicious I’m a big coffee drinker so I’m really picky but this spot was a hit I would be coming back for sure from now on. Plus the banana bread was so moist and delicious as well I just hope google had more than 5 stars to rate this place :) good service. And the lady that took my order was super nice as well.

Os
Review №11

This is a gem of a neighborhood coffee place. There are yummy treats, but youll have to come early because this place is pretty popular!

G
Review №12

Big fan of this local place, the iced chais are very good and everyone on staff is very nice

Je
Review №13

Okay so this is hands down my go to coffee place I’ve discovered as I just moved here. Their matcha, coffee and morning bun are delicious and are high quality. You can tell there is a lot of effort put into the craft of making their drinks. Really want to give this place 5 stars but there are some things that I really dislike. Most of the cashiers/people at the window are not nice. Very off putting. Just kinda want to take your order and it feels rushed. Just no friendliness, but not necessarily mean. (Also I haven’t had this experience with every employee, but most.) Again, they aren’t rude, they just are in no way welcoming. Also, I work as a waitress, so I always tip very high no matter what. They make it sooooo uncomfortable with you as they ask on the spot how much you’d like to tip. Tip customer service workers ALWAYS we work hard for this!! But maybe let the customer enter it in or let us choose on the screen without being put on the spot. Sometimes I want to tip more and I feel rushed and just say something fast. So overall again none of this is to criticize, just things that I feel could benefit them if addressed and to offer honest feedback as a regular. Hope you guys take some of this into consideration! Will still be supporting and encourage people to go here, it really is d*mn great drinks and food with great options.

Re
Review №14

Recently found this gem near by my children’s Elemetary school. Amazing cold drinks like the Chai latte (my favorite so far!) friendly staff and takes care of my order!

MM
Review №15

Best coffee ever. Great pastries/baked items too. Just wish they had a little picnic table or a couple bistro tables for proper outside seating as there is no indoor seating, just a pickup window

Je
Review №16

Just gave a star rating before but wanted to take time to appreciate N&S. My experience has been consistently perfect here, and everyone that works here is genuinely kind and patient. Makes me believe the owners really care for the folks they employ which really means a lot to me. Drinks have always been top notch, and they do the best iced chai.Also greatly appreciate that they gave employees time off to protest. Even shut down business this summer during peak protest to allow their employees the freedom to express their views which makes me value this spot even more. Highly recommend!

ca
Review №17

If my oldest dog (almost 17!) has an extra spring in her step, our morning walk is over to Necessary and Sufficient to get a special treat. I love checking out their seasonal specials, and I have had many. I was recently ordering the Coffee Tonic (rose infused tonic, soda, and espresso) which is refreshing and interesting, but I just switched over to the Chitown Mule (iced coffee with lemonade and spicy ginger). Its sooo good and refreshing on these global warming hot as hell June days. I recently bought some Olympia beans to grind at home and make cold brew. I had houseguests, and they were blown away with the flavor. All of the staff has been so amazing, friendly, and funny at the window, too. Definitely a great, neighborhood specialty coffee shop to check out!Oh, dont sleep on the pastries and breakfast sandwiches!

Da
Review №18

Lovely little spot. Great addition.

Er
Review №19

I love this addition to the neighborhood! The coffee is always spot on and everyone who works here is super friendly. If you’re short on time they make it easy to order ahead online through the Joe coffee app. Highly recommend!

JC
Review №20

Very nice coffee and the crew very much just best friend

Iv
Review №21

I liked the lemon scone and even though I didnt taste the cinnamon in my cinnamon coffee it was good.

Yz
Review №22

Painfully mediocre. Their drinks seem wonderful on paper, but fall short. My latte tasted like plain milk despite ordering it with syrup and the hibiscus drink was flavorless. The lemon poppy “scone” was a hunk of dry bread with glaze on top and the poptart was a puff pastry filled with the smallest dollop of jelly.The people who frequent this place must surely lack a refined palatte or any experience with high quality coffee. I mean, the coffee beans they sell show that. If I wanted coffee that tasted like gummy bears or guava, I would purchase a proper juice from the market. If the people who own this place want to aid the gentrification of the community, they should at least serve quality products.Skip this establishment and consider visiting shop that actually supports the neighborhood and hires those within it.EDIT:After my review, the people at this establishment accused me of having COVID and that being the reason behind me thinking their products are plain. I understand that it is hard to accept criticism sometimes. In this situation, I wish the person who messaged me took a day or two to reach out instead of sending unprofessional messages in the heat of the moment.No, I do not have COVID. I’m currently drinking a delicious hot latte with perfectly pulled shot of espresso from a different establishment that I will be returning to. I’ve been vaccinated for a couple of months now and I continue to wear my mask when I’m out, unlike those who work at necessary & sufficient coffee. This is actually something I omitted from my original review. While you would think that they would still be wearing masks as the main picture on their profile shows, it was not the case. This was especially surprising to me considering all the recent news regarding the Delta COVID variant.I’m incredibly disappointed with the response I received. I was going to be periodically checking their menu as it does seem to change. On their GH menu, they have cream sodas listed and I was going to return to try this and their housemade biscuit.

Sa
Review №23

Egregiously priced & unnecessary. Surcharge of up to $1.25 per drink for dairy alternative milks. There’s no way they can “be taking a hit” on the cost of “mylk.” A 16 oz coffee coming in at over $4! Yikes. There are far superior coffee shops in Chicago who are able to charge reasonable prices, serve better drinks AND offer their employees similar benefits. It’s just too much.EDIT: Yes, I did order from you today via the Joe App. My boyfriend paid. Thanks for your response, however, I am not convinced of the value you claim to bring to your employees or the neighborhood can justify your prices. You pride yourself on being a community coffee shop yet you carry beans from Washington state, hundreds of miles away? The ecological footprint and packaging waste from this business decision already negatively impacts our community not to mention the opportunity cost of potentially helping other “woman owned” local coffee roasters . Nothing here is adding up.

Me
Review №24

This place was so good, we went twice! The staff is so professional and polite . It is adjacent to the City Market, so give it a go. It gets very busy, but it seems to move well. We sampled about 6 things on the menu- all great! The raspberry cream croissant was superb! Coffee drinks were perfect! Loved it! Wish we had one in our hometown.

St
Review №25

They have a lot of interesting different drinks to try out and excellent scones! Their walk up window works perfectly.

No
Review №26

Pretty darn good cold brew. 👍🏼

Ra
Review №27

Absolutely lovely. Perfect corner location with a good streamlined window order and pickup. I enjoyed my lavender rose latte and my friend liked her milk tea 😊 extra bonus they have bendy straws which Im always on the lookout for because theyre disability friendly and makes going out easier and more accessible for people who need that and their loved ones hanging out with them ❤️ a small thing that truly makes a big big difference. Thanks for a nice first visit!Parking: reasonably easy free street parking nearby 💃🏻

Ch
Review №28

Spectacular coffee spot with counter service. My daily spot.

Am
Review №29

My wallet hates the fact that this shop is around the corner from my home.

Ke
Review №30

Great sidewalk service! Always give my pup a dog treat 🥰

Lo
Review №31

A great variety of pastries, quiche, omelettes, sandwiches, salads, soups and standard breakfast items. Be prepared to stand in line to order, but it gives to time to go over the large selection. Very casual atmosphere.

Mi
Review №32

Excellent food and atmosphere at reasonable price. Definitely would come back! I came here with my wife on vacation and we both loved it.

Ro
Review №33

Salmon quiche was delicious. Croissants are made from scratch and the best weve ever tasted. Pleasant service. The perfect way to start your day.

Ch
Review №34

Great atmosphere at this small, neighborhood coffee shop. Very popular.

Gr
Review №35

Im in love. Have been meaning to try necessasry & sufficient since I moved back to Logan after a 6 year hiatus. Ordered catering for a work event and I had hearts in my eyes the second they handed me the bag of donut holes. Kate and Sarah were super accommodating and willing to work with our COVID-specific requests. I love this neighborhood spot and will now consider myself a regular.

Mi
Review №36

Quite possibly the slowest coffee ever. I left a dollar tip for two drinks while ordering so I doubt they were doing it out of anger - but seriously. It should not take 20 minutes to pump out two lattes. They are tasty, but nothing particularly remarkable, but also pricey (6.20 for a 16 oz mocha).

Yv
Review №37

Our lunch at Goose Feathers was excellent. The menu is varied and has options for everyone. I highly recommend!

Vi
Review №38

Enjoyed my meal. Service was quick and friendly, food was fresh and the price was reasonable. Would return on my next visit

Co
Review №39

Coffee and biscuit were tasty

Ed
Review №40

Amazing taste on pretty much every item. The people there are so nice and always help you choose what you want and suggest new things. Great place and and wonderful food and drink!

Jo
Review №41

Its just so necessary and sufficient

Mi
Review №42

Great coffee. Love the CBD options

Sa
Review №43

Decent coffee and a great selection of seasonal drinks. Plus they offer groceries which is a bonus for folks in the neighborhood during these pandemic times.

Ma
Review №44

The staff here are wonderful and so is the cold brew. I greatly appreciate the current minimal contact setup. I feel safe and comfortable ordering every time. Thanks gang

To
Review №45

Their wi-fi connection was really fast and a lot of comfy couches and chairs to sit in. The staves were all accommodating and helpful. We really had a good time staying at this coffee shop. Highly recommend shop to all coffee lovers out there.

Ad
Review №46

Like it’s good. But idk why I keep ordering drinks with turmeric in them. I don’t like turmeric. The food is REAL good though.

Aa
Review №47

No idea why it takes so long

Dy
Review №48

Morning buns are great! Love the walk-up window. Also, pro-tip, they have dog treats if you ask.

La
Review №49

Love this coffee shop! One of the best iced lattes in the city. Definitely worth checking out if youre in the area!

Ar
Review №50

One of my favorite neighborhood coffee spots. Delicious drinks and such a friendly team there. I highly recommend checking them out!

Jo
Review №51

Such a great neighborhood coffee shop. I am a HUGE fan of their lavender ice latte. Always a friendly staff and never a bad experience.

Ra
Review №52

Great little neighborhood coffee shop! My husband and I have made a visit to the walk-up window part of our weekend ritual. Tasty coffee drinks and delicious pastries!

Ko
Review №53

Got a chai tea that was pretty diluted down in flavor. My friend agreed. Her drink was super tasty! Maybe I should of went with something else. Next time!

Xy
Review №54

I LOVE this little coffee shop! The space is inviting, the staff is friendly, and the close female friendships beetroot latte is AMAZING. It made my day! The atmosphere reminded me of favorite neighborhood cafe back in Seattle. An absolutely lovely community space, not to mention sustainable (composting!!) and ethical. I will certainly be coming back ASAP.

Kr
Review №55

I really want to like necessary & sufficient. Coffee is delicious, empanadas are delicious, social distancing flower petals are really pretty and its a cute little neighborhood place. But everything is so expensive. Like, so expensive I think about how Im spending my money before I go there and cant really justify it. I know there is the laborers window where I can get a $2 coffee, but honestly, Im not sure how to get the $2 coffee. Ive ordered a plain small coffee from the window, and its never been that price. I justify spending the amount I do here as a contribution to the greater good of our community, but Im not sure if in the end thats enough to make it worth spending so much on a beverage.

Mi
Review №56

My family and I stopped in Savannah, Georgia for a quick breakfast before heading to Hilton Head Island. The Cafè is so cute and filled with friendly workers. I had the honey dijon chicken sandwich and it was excellent. I also had a bite of my sisters caesar salad and that was amazing as well. Overall great visit. Thank you guys!!

Ta
Review №57

I love the the walk up window!! The staff is so friendly and helpful, it’s really great to have this shop in the neighborhood. I live close by and I really enjoy walking here on my days off and treating my self to a latte. ❤️

Ni
Review №58

Glad the cafe was able to accommodate to pandemic. Overpriced, namely the cost of alternative milks, but fun menu. App Joe Coffee sometimes has discounts, which helps.

Ze
Review №59

This place is excellent. All the coffee drinks are great. Service is very friendly.

El
Review №60

Delicious. Drip coffee is incredible. Breakfast sandwich and apple pop tart 10/10.

Ka
Review №61

I would have never known that I was visiting this wonderful spot in its second week of being open! Kate and her staff were relaxed, comfortable, and very knowledgeable about their products. I had a fantastic Chai latte and a vegan muffin. I am from out of town, but when I get back to Chicago, this will be one of my first stops!!

Na
Review №62

This place does coffee and groceries , nothing like ive experienced before.

Ye
Review №63

I always drive by on my way to work and have been meaning to try it. Today was finally the day. The barista was super friendly and helpful, and the cold brew AND Nitro cold brew were both very smooth and so delicious!As far as the pricing goes, it is about the equivalent to getting a specialty coffee at Starbucks. The difference is youre supporting a local shop and the coffee is not bitter.I would higly recommend getting coffee here if youre a coffee enthusiast like me! 😊☕☕

Eu
Review №64

Everything we got was good. The cappuccino is true to size as it should be. The walk up window is a nice plus if you have your dog with you. Great addition to the neighborhood.

Ge
Review №65

A great neighborhood spot with tasty coffee and pastries. Staff is friendly and remembers your name. All of the things you could ask for in a coffee shop.They have been one of the most proactive and transparent businesses in regards to setting expectations and managing through COVID-19. In late Feb 2019, Kate posted a very detailed and phased approach for managing the safety and well-being of herself and her staff.She has managed the pandemic with patience and grace, adjusting her business model to include contactless payments, CSA boxes and pantry staples, and adding protection for her crew.necessary & sufficient is a happy addition to the neighborhood.

El
Review №66

When I heard about this coffee shop I was very excited! In my opinion it is overpriced! not really worth it in my opinion but I guess your paying for the convenience of having a coffee shop a block away. I also wish they would stay open longer. They close too early.

Al
Review №67

Great coffee. Great service. Great staff.

Di
Review №68

They give your dog a treat. Great coffee!!

Ab
Review №69

Too expensive for what you get. Im a big fan of specialty coffee shops, frequent flyer at Gaslight Coffee, Colectivo and love making Sputnik at home, but the drink felt a little pricey. Only food I tried was the empanadas, which were more expensive and smaller than the ones they make at Reno.

Ju
Review №70

Theyre black coffee is perfect on its own. No cream or sugar needed.

Er
Review №71

I ordered an espresso and a nitro cold brew, which were both delicious and presented beautifully and thoughtfully. They brew with top of the line equipment, serve coffee from a world class coffee roaster, and are super nice people!Welcome to the neighborhood!

Ta
Review №72

Best cold brew in Chicago and the nicest employees too!

Ca
Review №73

Great neighborhood coffee shop. They got my fave lavender oat milk latte so I’ll be a regular for sure!

Je
Review №74

Love my neighborhood coffee shop. I can pop in for a quick cup, and I love that they have pastries as well as some tasty and savory empanadas. They just opened, but Im already a big fan!

Ja
Review №75

Lovely spot

ro
Review №76

Nice place great staff

Ch
Review №77

This new coffee shop and pastries was very necessary for the neighborhood. Its very small, with no seats, but what it offers is sufficient. The Pop tart was the standout, while the cinnamon roll was a very close second. The scone was way off, it was closer to a biscuit. Coffee was good, nitro cold brew was well done, got the golden latte but, I guess I didnt read it carefully, but there is no coffee in it...its more of a chai tea latte thing. Well definitely go back.

Me
Review №78

Great corner coffee shop! I enjoy lattes and flavor varieties, and these drinks are really good. Alt-mylks available, plus tasty seasonal syrups to mix and match. CBD sugar additive is available on request!♡ My favorite weekend chill mix?Large oat milk lavender latte +1 CBD shot ♡*Pup friendly treats are usually available at the window.

An
Review №79

Cute addition to the neighborhood! Friendly and knowledgeable barista. Had a tasty Diabolito.. spicy mocha.. check them out!

Ta
Review №80

The best part was the smoothness of the transaction process.

ch
Review №81

Great staff and owner! Very friendly.

Em
Review №82

Delicious coffee and friendly staff. Takeout window is extremely convenient given the pandemic

Je
Review №83

We ordered a cappuccino, cortado and ham/cheese morning bun - all so good! (And everyone was very friendly)

Ch
Review №84

Very expensive even for a speciality coffee shop. $7 for a vanilla cold brew with oat milk.

Be
Review №85

Friendly and delicious!!

Pe
Review №86

Coffee was delicious and the staff could not be any nicer.

Te
Review №87

Chai latte for the soul!!! Woooooooo!!! And woman owned yes yes

Kr
Review №88

Love the walk up window! Great addition to the neighborhood.

SU
Review №89

Great teas .. and great prices less than starbucks

Am
Review №90

Very nice! Super friendly and great coffee!

Ja
Review №91

$12 for two tiny hot chocolates lol.

AB
Review №92

Friendly staff and great tasting beverages

Da
Review №93

Friendly staff. Convenient pick up window

An
Review №94

Overall, Im disappointed. The sizing is not what you expect from a coffee shop, but an XL is reasonably priced for what you might consider a normal large coffee. The empanadas are small, way overpriced, and nothing to rave about. I was looking forward to a new coffee shop in the area, and I think if I go back thats all Ill be getting--just coffee/drinks.

Ni
Review №95

Opened a couple months ago, best coffee west of Kimball

Jo
Review №96

A breath of fresh. ....

Ch
Review №97

Good place

Mo
Review №98

Awesome!

Sh
Review №99

Great coffee spot with outdoor window

Information
100 Photos
99 Comments
4.6 Rating
  • Address:3624 W Wrightwood Ave, Chicago, IL 60647, United States
  • Site:https://www.necessary-coffee.com/
Categories
  • Coffee shop
  • Cafe
Working hours
  • Monday:7AM–3PM
  • Tuesday:7AM–3PM
  • Wednesday:7AM–12PM
  • Thursday:7AM–4PM
  • Friday:7:30AM–4PM
  • Saturday:7:30AM–4PM
  • Sunday:7AM–3PM
From the business
  • Identifies as women-led:Yes
Service options
  • Outdoor seating:Yes
  • Takeout:Yes
  • Delivery:No
  • Dine-in:No
Highlights
  • Fast service:Yes
  • Great coffee:Yes
  • Great tea selection:Yes
Popular for
  • Solo dining:Yes
Offerings
  • Coffee:Yes
  • Prepared foods:Yes
  • Quick bite:Yes
  • Vegetarian options:Yes
Dining options
  • Breakfast:Yes
  • Lunch:Yes
  • Dessert:Yes
Amenities
  • Good for kids:Yes
  • Wi-Fi:Yes
Atmosphere
  • Casual:Yes
  • Cozy:Yes
Crowd
  • Family-friendly:Yes
Planning
  • LGBTQ friendly:Yes
Payments
  • Debit cards:Yes
  • NFC mobile payments:Yes
  • Credit cards:Yes
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