I can't believe I didn't know about this place! We were looking for a new spot to order lunch for the office and I came accross Aje Cafe on Yelp. EVERYTHING we ordered was delicious and super fresh. The prices are reasonable. We had the food delivered (came within the time frame promised-$2.00 delivery charge) so I haven't seen the cafe.You can be sure I'll take a walk over there sometime soon!
Review Source:I ordered a hot chocolate to go. Â I asked the lady if I could use the washroom. Â She said, "Sure" and pointed to a door about 4 feet away. Â The man behind the counter (co-owner) then looked me up and down and said, "Bathrooms are for dine in customers only!" Â Seriously? Â I told him I was spending $4 on a hot chocolate and he said , "NO!" Â
He was very rude and I have never had this experience in my life.
I went to Starbuck's even though I like to try to support the little guy. Â I was dressed kind of raggedy that day and I think he knew I wasn't from the area.
I was nothing but polite and he was a major jerk.
the coffee is legit and under $2 for a small
haven't tried the food.
not a big fan of being asked if I want a muffin whenever I buy a cup, but I'd much rather tell a cashier that I don't want a muffin than pay $3 for a cup of coffee.
and again, I'm not one of those extreme coffee snobs, but I've been in the game long enough to know what's good and what's not, and their stuff is good. Unquestionably better than Starbucks. (I imagine I'm insulting the owner by even comparing them to Starbucks, and for that I apologize.)
And I'm a long time Lakeviewian, so I'm not gonna sit here and rag on Intelligentsia, they do great work and employ nice people, but the last two times I had Intelligentsia I paid $3 for a small and took a nap immediately after. (true story)
I absolutely love this place. I work in the area and I spent 10 months trying to find my "go to" spot. I like a few places in the area but they just don't compare. I've been here twice, so far. I've had the same sandwich (Roast Beef & Swiss Panini with Pasta Salad on the side), probably because it's just amazing! The pasta salad is delicious as well.
Not only that, they make amazing lattes. So now I have my favorite sandwich and a perfect latte. I'm always upset when I don't have enough time to walk over and have to settle for something else.
ALSO, I don't know if they do it for every sandwich, but they slice the meat to order. That's awesome in my book. I don't like it pre-sliced and sitting in a cooled area.
I think I'll be back tomorrow. The Tuna is next on my hit list... Â =)
Nice little gem nestled in the heart of Lakeview.
I walked in on a cold but sunny Friday afternoon. The place was about half full with early to mid twenty year old's who you got the feeling fequent the place because they all seemed to know one another. The staff and patrons were all friendly, the pumpkin spice latte was smooth, hot and delicious, and the california turkey sandwish on toasted multigrain was the perfect portion and made with care.
I spent about a half hour, doing a little work and eating lunch, and next time I need a little workspace or afternoon get away, I'll definately come back. Fresh, warm and cozy, perfect way to spend a winter afternoon. Minus one star due to the fact that they use fat free ranch on the sandwich (yes it's advertised, but seriously? Fat Free isn't an ingredient it's a subsitute), and lack of menu creativity/ wow factor.
Fact is: this is a good place, with good people, good food, and good coffee. Nothing is really "great" but there's something to be said about a place that executes with a no frills approach; you'll get what you came for and leave feeling better than when you entered.
Love this place--the owner is super accommodating and friendly, good menu, and the prices are great (under $2 for a coffee in Lakeview is INSANE). I've never had a problem going here, and it's my go-to place on Clark. And, I've never had to wait in line!
My only issue is that I lived in the area for 3 months, walked past it all the time, and never noticed it--I think it needs to appear to be a coffee shop from the outside (and a little design work inside wouldn't hurt either!).
If you are in the area, don't miss this spot. Great, actually really great, lunch spot. There are so many so-so restaurants along Clark St and this one is truly a stand-out. All the sandwiches I've had are tasty and healthy. The soup is equally great. AND the service is so friendly. Nice vibe too.
Review Source:Big thanks to Johnny T for writing such a great review that it inspired me to stop by for a quick lunch & work session. I was driving through the area when I realized I was starving, and a cafe with wi-fi seemed like the perfect choice. This place can be hard to find because it's tiny (and pretty hidden amongst the surrounding businesses) but I scored a meter right out front and made my way inside! I knew right away it had everything I needed: outlets, comfortable chairs, a quiet atmosphere, and a nice-sized menu.
The thing about this place (at least during the day) is that it's not just quiet... it's VERY quiet. It's got a hardcore work atmosphere going, and while that suited me just fine, I can see how it might be too quiet for those trying to have a conversation. I bet at night or more towards lunchtime it gets a little more lively. No complaints here, just a heads up. I gladly sat there working to soft Christmas music while drinking a white hot chocolate!
Ohh, yes. My white hot chocolate. WHC. Love of my life. Whatever you want to call it. It was made so perfectly with a gorgeous little design on top, and it tasted like every fantastic vanilla ice cream I've ever had steamed into one cup. I also ordered the grilled chicken wrap, which had a ton of fresh vegetables that were cut up right before my eyes. It was a healthy meal that left me feeling great and relaxed.
The best part about this place is the owner and his employees. These people are just flat out nice. They brought everything out to me, asked how everything was, and someone even asked me if I wanted a glass of water. So refreshing to see people going above and beyond and enjoying what they're doing!
I grabbed a blueberry muffin to go and I can't wait to have it later. Stop by this place to work on your laptop, grab lunch or dinner, or to experience a life-changing white hot chocolate. You won't be mad you did!
My husband and I come here for breakfast sandwiches and coffee often on Saturday mornings. Â No other cafe in the area is as friendly or makes their breakfast sandwiches with as much care as Aje. Â You must try the Italian breakfast sandwich. Â It's delicious, meticulously made (the read onion slices are paper thin and evenly distributed, the tomato is carefully placed as well), and a steal. Â Their coffee is also delicious, and the space is a perfect place to chill out for awhile or have a sandwich and keep moving down to the farmers' market. Â Perfect!
Review Source:I really wanted to give this place five stars.
I came here for dinner, excited about the menu.
When I walked in, there were very few seats. A bunch of people were on their laptops (we later found out they were part of a novel writing group). They were all spread out, and took up way more space than they should have.
We walked in at the same time as another person, who ended up leaving due to the lack of space. One of the employees at Aje was very rude to the customer, when she made a remark about there not being enough space for her group, he told her "whatever." I was a little shocked! I felt like they should have forced the group of people to consolidate and not take up the whole cafe. Most of them weren't even eating/drinking anything when we came in (but I guess they could have been earlier). We were lucky to snag the last table.
The menu looks great, lots of options, reasonable prices. I ordered a pesto panini, and my Grandma ordered the Caribbean salad. I was very turned off by the fact that the guy (the same one who spouted "whatever") did not use gloves when preparing our food. The food tasted great though, all of the ingredients were fresh and yummy. I liked the fruit salad that came with my sandwich. The salad was large, and my Grandma liked it.
Afterwards we split a delicious cookie! They also had a great selection of different teas and coffees.
I'm not sure I would go out of my way to visit this place again, but I might give it another chance if I'm in the neighborhood.
I brought a friend here for lunch since he was looking for a good sandwich in East Lakeview. I don't recall their having table service in prior visits and I'm happy to report that they do now. Still very informal and friendly. We both took advantage of the Soup and Half-Sandwich deal, which comes with a beverage and a side. ($7.99) Our  chicken dumpling soup was silky and rich and full of the tiniest dumplings I ever wrapped my tongue around. The tuna melt rich and healthy with cheese and spinach. And even thought Julia Child would roll over  in her grave at the thought, I chose the pasta salad side. It was unique with small pasta and chopped veggies. And good.  I just forgot how tasty, refreshing and calming this little lunch spot is. More like lunch in a friend's kitchen. That's how a cafe should be.
Review Source:I came here randomly with friends. It's a pleasant find as we were deciding what to have as a light dinner after a walking from Lincoln Park (yes we walked). I had the California club and it was very well made, nice flavor and well balanced - the sandwich didn't fall apart when you consumed it. Also, the side of fruit salad was a nice touch on the side. I think some might consider it a small portion but I think that it was just enough for me. The portion is just big enough to be filling without being gluttonous. Friendly staff who met our needs. Price ($8 with tax) is better than your run of the mill Panera or cafe that focused mainly on baked good. Ambiance was soft background music conducive to casual conversation. Though I think we were a bit on the loud side! Definitely recommend a visit to support small businesses.
Review Source:Recently new to the area and looked on yelp for some hints on good breakfast places and AJE Cafe came up. If you don't pay close attention you could walk right by entrance like I did but if you do please turn around and walk inside, your stomach will thank you.
I had 2 ovengold turkey and Natural Swiss sandwiches and it was probably the best thing i've tasted on an english muffin. I will be easting there regularly from now on!
Just one of the coolest small cafes in all of Chicago. The Cafe god should be proud. I am so glad to know that Starbucks and carribou are the only places where I can study at. I am not a designer so I really can't point out to you why the interior makes things just feel so cozy.
I've read great things about their food, but my friends and I had just eaten a hefty brunch at Pierrot Gourmet, so we didn't order. Ill def try the stuff next time.
The best thing of all...The owner of the cafe is friendly. I really want to go back and then get to know him.
Aje Cafe is hands down the best in the area.
The people who own this place are super friendly. The place itself feels very cozy and is quiet, great for reading a book or studying. It's rarely crowded. Plus there's free and fast wifi.
In terms of drinks and food, they make a very interesting chai latte and there are great smoothies, like the Vanilla Snow. I've had the mozzarella panini and it was very good. I don't drink coffee so can't comment on that.
Cute. Darling. Charming. Get the picture, yet? This is exactly the kind of place to stop in on a lazy afternoon or a blistery evening and get a quick soup/salad/sandwich of comfort, come home, pour some wine, sit on the couch, and pass out watching HGTV. Not that I have any experience doing any of the above.
Keep an eye out for Aje. It's on a very busy stretch of Clark that's beset with boutiques, bookstores, realtors, lions, tigers, and bears. There's a lot going on and it's easy to overlook the cafe. While there are no dancing chickens or neon signs to lure you in, the food will definitely bring you back. While I wanted to go with the strawberry turkey sandwich (just for the novelty of eating a strawberry sandwich), I opted for the California Turkey. Served on your choice of bread (multigrain) and side (fruit salad; I had to have some strawberries), this bad boy comes with turkey, creamy avocado, tomato, cucumber, cheddar cheese, and light ranch dressing. I've had a lot of sandwiches in my day but this may have been one of my favorites. The flavor profiles weren't ground-breaking, but the portion allocation and flavor combinations really worked for me.
My sandwich was made by the owner who engaged me in conversation, asked how I'd heard of his cafe, what I liked eating, and what i should order. He was very proud of what he had going on and extremely interested in gaining a new customer. Sadly, one doesn't have owner interactions like that all too often. It was a nice experience. While I waited on him to fresh-make my sandwich, I had time to look over the menu. From pastries to smoothies to paninis, Aje hits all the cafe buttons. Add to the strong menu, a comfortable space perfect for working on your laptop, having a meal with a friend or drinking a coffee and reading a book, and you have the makings of a perfect light meal destination in any season (which may be a given day in Chicago).
P.S. He talked me into getting a cookie. It was big. It was chocolatey. It added to my truffle shuffle choreography. I regret nothing.
it literally took me one visit to this great cafe, and now I'm a regular (like Pete M. said). I love small businesses that have the same friendly cashier and cook every day (makes it consistently a good visit every time I go)
It's super close to my work, and you can call in an order with a preparation time of under 10 minutes, and they offer a quality 5-star service. I would also go here if you're looking to get work done or do some quiet reading, while sipping on some coffee and munching on some pastries, this store has such a laid-back and homey feel too it.
*She even gave me a loyalty card when I walked in today, and stamped it 4 times for all the times I came in last week!!
Big fan of their sandwiches and paninis, specifically:
California Turkey
Smoked Virgina Ham+Natural Swiss
Smoked Virgina Ham+Vermont Cheddar
Pepper seasoned Roast Beef+Vermont  Cheddar
Grilled Chicken Panini
(only serving the finest of Boar's Head meats! She even has great bread options for you as well!)
Also love how they offer a small serving of fruit salad (best choice IMO) or the pasta salad as a side to their sandwich and panini orders, all of which are priced right about $6.
They also have plenty of great appetizers that vary day-to-day so you're always in for a treat!
Loved, loved my strawberry chicken sandwich... I was not expecting to enjoy my lunch the way that I did at Aje Cafe. Â I have to say that I literally enjoyed every bite-- the combination of strawberries, grilled chicken and the vinaigrette amounted to "the perfect bite". Â I also appreciated that the staff approached our table a few times to check how we were doing. Â This is definitely on my list of favorite cafe's in Chicago.
Review Source:I ordered the California Turkey sandwich, and all of the ingredients seemed very fresh and of high quality. I ordered the sandwich without the mayo, so it was a bit dry, but the owner happily gave me a side of mustard in place of the mayo. The fruit salad was great as a side, and the iced coffee was alright but felt like I had to add some milk and sugar, which I try to avoid. My boyfriend (who is very picky about sandwiches) ordered the club and thought it was great. We'll definitely be back!
The owner is also VERY attentive and friendly!
This is a nice, quaint place with decent coffee and great food. I had their normal drip coffee, which was OK. Since they are an espresso bar, I would recommend trying their espresso based drinks since I think that's what they're known for.
I also had the California Turkey sandwich, which was great. As someone who commented, the sandwich came with healthier side option (fruit salad or pasta salad), which is a plus. The food was really fresh (I even saw the owner prepare the ingredients in the morning when I walked in) and the balance between turkey, spinach, sauce, etc was great. I highly recommend their food!
Overall, this is a great place to chill or study! I recommend!
Really enjoyable! We walked in and were greeted warmly, and the atmosphere is very cozy, too. The menu has *tons* of choices - all manner of sandwiches, paninis, coffees, and pastries.
I ended up going with the "Downtown Club" and was not disappointed. For the money it is a great amount of food and it even comes with a side of pasta or fruit salad. I need to come back and try the coffee sometime.
Went in search of a sandwich shop with good coffee, ended up at Aje with an amazing sandwich and amazing coffee. I got the garden veggie, the dressing was so delicious pared with fresh red bell peppers and rye bread. The best part was no greasy chips as a side, instead fresh fruit salad on greens.
Ok, on second thought the best part was that I asked for a BIG coffee and the owner brought me the biggest mug I have ever seen, like Alice In Wonderland huge, full of coffee. Yes. thank you. This place understands me.
The owner is super friendly and the decor is nice and relaxed. I already want to go back. Did I mention the prices are super reasonable too? New favorite place.
Nice environment in this chill cafe, along with some friendly service.
Great coffee, latte, etc. You can tell they give a damn about what their brews. I think I had the hazelnut latte, very yum!
I also had their club, which was really tasty. Especially since I rarely order club sandwiches. The guy making my sandwich was clearly a sammy artist. They have an organized sandwich assembly line that would make Henry Ford proud. The passion and attention was clear as Lindsay Lohan's drug problem as he assembled his version of the Sixteenth Chapel, in sandwich form that is...
Part of my reasoning for getting the club was because the menu didn't seem like it was firing on all cylinders. There was nothing too adventurous or innovative that was screaming out at me. Perhaps some specials, future additions, or additional trips will be needed to get a solid grasp on Aje. I also didn't find the fruit salad, which was just cut up fruit, all that exciting. Perhaps that day they didn't make a fruit salad as interesting as they have in the past. The pasta salad was a little boring, but I liked the pasta they used (micro pasta). It could have used a little inspiration. Mostly oil, seasoning, and light veggies.
Overall, I was little disappointed. However the club kept me satisfied. Since my friend lives just down the street and I'm in the area frequently, I'm sure I'll visit a few more times to get a solid opinion on Aje Cafe.
Cute cafe. Good place to go and read a book or use wi-fi.
It seems like they buy in bulk from Costco - guess it keeps the prices cheap, but I was pretty unimpressed. I had a salad that WAS indeed delicious and very fresh ingredients.
The guy making my salad wasn't wearing gloves which totally turned me off. I'm sure he washed his hands and I didn't get sick or anything so no harm no foul, but still....
It's close to my house and walked by it a million times so I thought I'd give it a shot. I'd probably go just to get a coffee drink next time or something.
I had a delicious creamy vanilla latte and sat here for about an hour chatting with a friend. Â There seemed to be a simple but delicious assortment of sandwiches and adequate seating. Â My only gripe is the $4 minimum credit card charge, especially since I work on the Southside, I never carry cash. Â But they conveniently had dish of some single chocolates to even out my bill to $4-something, so I guess that's alright, especially since i might have paid more than $4 for a poorer latte elsewhere.
All in all, a wonderful experience.
The restaurant's interior looks the way you wish your living room looked - that is, if you lived in an old apartment loft in Chicago. Six tables with chairs scattered about neatly. Small, glazed glass pieces/pictures and little paintings dot the exposed brick walls. It's a comfortably lit sitting area; neither dim nor overly bright.
Service is prompt, proactive and hospitable. That being said, it will take more than five minutes for staff to make your sandwich. They're not throwing together some typical ingredients and serving a half-heartedly warm panini. No, sir. They're presenting specialty bread that's been grilled to perfection. Not a scrap of charring to be found. It's soft and yet crunchy, a texture that will make you thirsty. Salted ham and thinly sliced red onions are surrounded by basil leaves. The cheese almost melts in your mouth when you taste the pesto and see the thinly sliced tomatoes. The best part is finishing the sandwich and acknowledging the second half lying on your red plate.
The panini I just described is the 'Supremo,' $7.
Fresh pasta salad on the side is fresh, but not impressive. Don't be afraid to wash your hands after clutching the divine panini. The washroom appeared new and was very clean.
It only took me one time to become a regular at Aje Cafe. Â The staff is warm and friendly and they all seem to genuinely appreciate the patronage of their customers, they even learned my name by my second visit. The food and the hot chocolate (I don't drink coffee) is exceptional and to my surprise all of the sandwiches and salads are freshly made.
If you do go here you won't be ignored or disappointed. There is also plenty of room to work and free Wifi.
This place is a great way to start or end your day.
I really like Aje. There's nothing bad I have to say about it--therefore, it gets 5 Stars!
Their menu is very simple. Boar's Head meat, breakfast sandwiches, good coffee selection, and a nice amount of seating. Their menu is online, so you're able to browse. I love that!
I've had the sausage breakfast sandwich and the ovengold turkey sandwich with fruit salad. The prices are great for the area and it's a nice little stop if you're doing shopping/running errands on Clark.
They are generous with their Metropolitan coffee and very friendly in general. Your sandwiches and paninis will be hot and your salad will be fresh here!
On their board outside, they display discounts and specials, so there's no reason for you not to stop in :) They also have free wifi and a TV.
Aje Cafe represents everything I love about small businesses. Every time I walk in, I am greeted warmly - often by the owner - and order up something delicious and homemade with care.
The food is really good. I've had several of their sandwiches and paninis. My favorites are the avocado BLT, mozzarella veggie panini, and strawberry turkey. Everything comes with a side of pasta salad or fruit salad and a piece of chocolate. The pasta salad has sun-dried tomatoes and diced bell peppers in it. So good. I don't drink coffee, so I can't speak to that, but I love their chai tea. It's much better than Caribou's, which is located less than a block away from Aje. Plus, they have a Pepsi fountain!
The space itself has great exposed brick walls and a huge picture window that lets in tons of light. However, the design could use some work. I wish the tables were bigger and more substantial-feeling. If they were a little nicer, this would be the perfect study spot, as there's free wi-fi.
Overall, I really like Aje. I come here frequently and will continue to do so because it gives me the local business warm fuzzies.
Great new addition on Clark!
Its finally the season when I can savor hot coffee and spicy food. Me n Dushy decided to step into this cafe when we were fantasizing about a hot mug of coffee. Its a cute place, although I'm a little tired of the cliche'd exposed brick wall. Looking at the menu though we got greedy for something more than just coffee. We got to try the veggie soup, the carrot and raisin muffin, pumpkin spice latte and peppermint mocha. Delicious! My husband likes the coffee very sweet, I usually prefer a tad less sugar. So if you are not a fan of sugary drinks, better let them know. We are now, however, eager to try their sandwiches.
Aje is the perfect alternative to the other coffee shops in the area.
If you're like me--a student in the area--you're probably sick and tired of jockeying for a small, noisy, dirty spot to work at in nearby Caribou and Starbucks. Â if you're lucky enough to get a seat near a plug at Caribou or Starbucks, there's a high probability you're going to get robbed/harassed/creeped out by the loitering crumb bums.
Thank goodness for Aje! Here are the reasons why you ought to check this palce out:
- Plenty of clean, open tables to work at.
- Free wi-fi
- Great Coffee
- Great Service
- Great Prices (Lattes are cheaper than Starbucks and just as good!)
- Relaxing, sophisticated interior
- Easy to concentrate
- No crumb bums!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Also, their coffee accessories are very affordable and super cute. I plan to go back and buy two chic mugs for my apartment. Each are only $3.99!!! Simply awesome.
I haven't tried the food yet, but I definitely recommend this place for people who like get work done at coffee shops. Hopefully, Aje will stick around.
For starters I love the sandwiches here. They're made with care. It's like Subway but where you don't feel hated.
The music played inside is laid back and smooth so it feels kinda like you're in a 90s R&B video but where you probably won't get rubbed down with baby oil.
The staff is great and super friendly and helpful. Not to mention cute!
I recommend the California Turkey - my personal fave.
Aje opened up a couple weeks ago, and I finally had a chance to stop in. So far, so good!
Pros:
- I had the pepper seasoned roast beef & swiss cheese sandwich, toasted on marble rye. Delicious! Just the right amount of meat--not too much to be overwhelming, but enough to satisfy. The pasta salad that came with the sandwich was awfully tasty, too.
- I really like the atmosphere of the place. For a small store front, the cafe has done a good job feeling much larger, with open food-prep areas and a cool exposed brick wall. There's also free wi-fi, which is nice, and the staff was super friendly. Â
- I liked that there were people actually hanging out in here at 3pm on a Friday. It's eerie to see large spaces that are wasted.
Con:
- My sandwich took a while to prepare. In fairness, we're talking about 7-8 minutes, tops, and it was really good, but I was the only one ordering at the time. I'm not sure I'd want to get stuck in line at lunch time here, given that the food prep area, although open, seemed a bit small.
I'm very interested to see how Aje fares. This neighborhood has been in need of some more quick-bite shops for some time (Subway: you're just not cutting it), and Aje could be the ticket. The New York Deli across the street also offers some mouth-watering sandwiches, but I think Aje is a bit better for a lighter meal or snack. I'm also eager to try their coffee! Here's hoping I can review this place again a year from now.
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