Robust Coffee Lounge

At the south end of the University of Chicago campus lies this industrial-chic coffee shop, perched on a corner flanked by empty lots. Owners Jake Sapstein and Derek Cortelyou source the beans from Milwaukee’s Alterra and curate a charming selection of candies and coffee-wonk supplies. Best of all, the fluffy Belgian waffles with a variety of toppings (we liked the cinnamon-dusted, sautéed apple–filled one) provide nearly enough sustenance to power U. of C.ers through Finnegans Wake.