Some things Kendall likes: nice people (nice people are neat), open space (I have cramped-coffee shop induced claustrophobia), available seats/tables (I'm basically VIP), fair prices (money = something I don't have), and WINDOWS (ERRMAGHERRD SUNSHINE). KnockBox has it all. Great place to get some studying done (which I'm clearly doing right now...).
Review Source:Have to upgrade to 5 stars. Â Love that I lived so close to Knockbox during my time in Chicago. It's seriously one of the best cafes in Chicago. You don't have to look for seats like you do at Wormhole or anywhere more popular. It's pretty quiet as a result but you can also go with a friend and talk and be social (unlike at Alliance), and they have real food in addition to coffee/pastries (the blue cheese coleslaw is phenomenal, btw). And their oatmeal chocolate chip cookie is bomb. Â And the staff are SO nice. If you need to fuel up with your laptop and are in the area, this place is a no brainer.
Review Source:I checked this place out for the purpose of getting a large amount of homework done, and it sounded like a good place for it. Â There are, in fact, window seats, which are probably nice in the summer and spring, but radiate the cold when the temperature drops. Â However, lots of table seating, a couch, chairs, bar seating. Â
I also came for the chicken salad sandwich which has mostly great reviews. Â I have to say it was pretty good, but didn't rock my world. Â I'll probably branch out and try another sandwich next time instead. Â
The froth on my latte was thick and yummy.
And I very much appreciate the low volume of the background music. Â Makes it easy to concentrate on the work at hand. Â On the downside of that, if there are two people having a conversation at a volume above a low murmur, it caries throughout the cafe. Â Â Lots of people working on their computers here, so it's generally pretty quiet. Â I keep looking up to see if I'm alone in the place, but in fact most tables are full.
Go to work-in cafe checklist:
- cheap, good, bottomless coffee, including iced
- fast, free wifi with no dumb codes and time limits
- awesome lunch options
- tabs and credit card receipts you don't need to sign
- good seating and outlet options
- outdoor area
- sunny atmosphere
- taller ceilings
This place really has it all. Â Not really near any train stops, but that's pretty much the sole drawback. I guess it can occasionally be a little noisy if they are making a smoothy or something. Whatever. Trust me, this place pwns.
cute little place in my hood. Â friendly staff, down-to-earth people, mellow, good coffee. Â i bookmarked this place bc someone said their chicken salad sandwiches were bomb and i am currently on a chicken salad kick. Â i'd have to say i was a little disappointed - but to each his own. Â the art of a good CS is in the eye of the beholder. Â for example, i like mine with red onions, celery, and a bit of mouseterds - done. Â some people like it with tons of mouseterds, red peppers, curry, grapes, nuts, etc. Â this one had some red pepps. Â not my fave. Â but i think that if that's how you like your salad de pollo, you might enjoy. Â
they have a good selection of food stuffs, pastries, scones, muffins, sandwiches, and the like.
Most addicting chicken salad I've ever had in my life! Real talk. During an intense laptop sesh here the other day I had it for both breakfast and lunch. Even the guy working the counter told me he dips off to the back every so often just to enjoy a scoop of it. Â I can hardly blame him.
Besides the moneymaker it's got a great vibe for getting some work done. Cozy couch, cool artwork on the walls, and pretty good background music.
If you take public trans there's a CTA tracker that monitors the nearby bus line which is a pretty convenient feature.
Overall it's awesome. Not too much else to report.
I finally found it. The ideal coffee shop. It has all of the vital criteria:
1. Good internet
2. Bottomless coffee (even iced!)
3. Big, well-lit space with many, many tables and plugs
4. Delicious, reasonably priced breakfast AND lunch food, including salads and wraps, which is hard to find at coffee places, which are usually overrun with carb monsters.
5. Outdoor space
6. Superb service
They also have a quite well organized milk/sugar bar, which I appreciate, that includes soy milk and adorable colored dishes.
AND window seats with comfy cushions in case you feel like laying down and drinking coffee. Good luck with that.
And, finally, they have ME, because I will be there at least twice a week. Hi!
I love oatmeal in the morning. I love making oatmeal in the morning (NOT instant tyvm). Â Unfortunately, I also love hitting my snooze button in the morning.
That's where Knockbox comes in. Oatmeal to go with neatly packaged raisins, brown sugar and cream (everyone else forgets the importance of cream, but KC gets it!).
The coffee is okay, but a little strong for my tastes - granted "coffee" for me is really the equivalent of hot, light brown cream - but it works in a pinch.
I've always found the staff to be nice, friendly and accommodating and opening at 6am puts the icing on the cake.
I adore the KnockBox, and not just because it's right around the corner from my apartment (this is a huge plus as the temperature has been dropping). The staff is always friendly and fast, and they didn't even laugh at me the time I had to have them hold my order so I could run home and grab my wallet.
There's a large selection of food and drink items, cozy interior, and fast wifi. I particularly love that they have bustracker for all nearby bus routes flashing on the TV. Most of the time I'm in a hurry to catch the bus so I love this.
Check them out and support a local business!
For one with a very short attention span, I sat at Knockbox for over 5 hours! Upon coming in with my Tour de Cafe card, the who-seemed-to-be owner, struck up light, fun conversation as I ordered and found a seat. The atmosphere was perfect, not crowded but a nice buzz of people to keep the scene changing.
The guys behind the counter were awesome, filling my water without annoyance and helping me find somethings to order. I ended up with the roast beef panini with blue cheese and granny smith apples- YES! Awesome! The side of fruit, to my pleasant surprise was apples with cinnamon and a few mandarin oranges. It was excellent! Upon my 4th hour I got a HUGE rice crispy and they refilled my coffee for free.
While I was there, a team of a few people came in to hang art on the wall, they kindly asked us to move a little bit and everyone was so thankful and comfortable. It felt like the perfect home away from home. This is definitely going to be my new spot!
Saturday morning my stomach was rumbling and whispering "bageeelll... bagggeellll...go find a bageeellll...."
So what was I to do? I grabbed my lap top and walked down the street to nearby Knockbox, which I have passed many a time before getting the chance to go in.
I got an everything bagel with cream cheese and a glass of lemonade, which ran me about four bucks. Not too bad. They served it to me at my table which was a nice touch. The lemonade was so incredibly sweet and sour that I only had the stomach to drink half of it while continually eyeing the coffee board, kicking myself for not getting a cappuccino.
The bagel was delicious and warm and filled my satisfaction. They have a lot of interesting treats at the front which I found the strength to not buy, but I can't stop thinking about the chex mix rice krispie treat that stared back at me!
Good, fast, free wifi. Cute interior. I'd go again but get coffee this time.
PS. When did they take the cushions out of the window? I was hoping to be a window sitter. :/
A great cafe!
Their drinks are delicious, but of course I would say that because I am a fan of Metropolis Coffee, which they serve. Most importantly, the staff is always very friendly. No pretentious coffee snobs here: they just want to make you a delicious drink that you will enjoy. Their food is tasty, too--pretty standard sandwiches etc, but no complaints.
I'm also a fan of the atmosphere. It's quiet but not stuffy, which I've found to be a great atmosphere to get some work done.
The only small quibble I have is that sometimes the staff have loud conversations with outdoor voices and I find it really distracting. And yes, I know I sound like an uptight librarian making that comment.
For some reason, my vocabulary insists on my calling this place knockerbox. Â I think i'm getting knickers and knockers and all kinds of words messed up in my head. Â
Atmosphere is pretty much just as Humboldt Pie was. The most obvious difference between HPie is speed. Â I used to come in there for a cup of to-go coffee in the morning and would end up waiting 15 minutes or whatnot for it to be dispensed into my cup. Â KnockBox whipped out my iced coffee and sammie in not time whatsoever. Â This definitely fills the void for when I want a down to earth sandwich but don't feel like making it myself. Â Cos, ya know, sammies are always better when they are made by someone else.
After one Freudian slip from Martha Z. I too keep calling this spot Knockerbox. Â In my defense, they DO have a chicken salad sandwich called Knockers. Â Insert immature giggles here. Â
Situated in the old Humboldt Pie spot, the slices may be gone, but so is the sloth-like service. Â These guys were zippier than Jimmy Johns purports to be in those radio commercials and pretty tasty to boot. Â They have a nice little list of sandwiches, and the hummus plate hit the spot as did the coffee (Metropolis). Â
The spot is pretty spacious, has free wi-fi, and has those damn cherry print chairs from Ikea that I am dying to buy. Â
I'll be suggesting this as my next coffee date location with anyone who doesn't live in Pilsen or want to trek all the way to my neck of the woods.
KnockBox is a neighborhood gem! I'm so happy to have a great place for coffee, breakfast, and sandwiches in Humboldt!
The coffee (Metropolis) is always fresh and delicious. Their prices are very fair, and considerably lower than those annoying coffee-shop chains. Plus, their sugar/dairy station is always stocked with any kind of creamer you'd want, including SOY!
The owners are delightful, and they're always serving customers with a smile. Always. This place truly has the friendliest service that I've EVER experienced at a coffee shop.
KnockBox has ample seating space, which makes it an ideal spot to meet friends, study, work, or read. Order a perfectly-crafted coffee beverage, a delicious sandwich, and/or a yummy pastry, then retreat to a comfortable seat and enjoy the great music and agreeable atmosphere.
This is a great little coffee house. Â The owner and his wife were working behind the counter and they are very friendly...and very adorable. Â They are clearly on a first name basis with many of their customers. Â Long list of food on the menu, great tea selection (which, upon service, comes with a little timer so you know just how long to steep it). Â Nice, spacious interior, free wi-fi. Â Lots of free parking. Â A tv in a corner set to the CTA bus tracker, tracking all the buses that stop at California/Augusta.
This place is kinda perfect.
10 Reasons Why I Love KnockBox (and you should too)
1) Fantastically brewed Metropolis coffee
2) Darling, cozy interior
3) Friendly, unpretentious, super helpful employees (one of whom was very interested in my Tour De Cafe card and didn't treat me like I was some sort of criminal like in my last two coffeeshops, so thank you kind sir!)
4) They were playing one of my favourite songs - Mad World by Gary Jules - Â when I walked in.
5) They have soy milk out on the counter and not hidden away where you have to ask for it or worse, an upcharge like in some jerkstick chain that shall go unnamed.
6) It's directly across the street from the best bar in Chicago!
7)The little cherry/lemon nom-nom I had a taste of was fantastic!
8) Huge menu with way too many wonderful things to choose from
9) Free wi-fi!
10) It was raining when I walked in, and sunny when I came out. Is that a sign or what!
Don't like KnockBox? I am sure you have some of the most EXTREMELY compelling reasons, but you are still a communist who deserves to drink lukewarm Folgers from a styrofoam cup. Yeah, I said it.
I wish I lived by this place. Amazing food, really nice staff, good coffee, good service, cozy atmosphere. I liked this place so much I try to think of excuses to get to the neighborhood during its hours. The sandwiches are really good and decently priced. The blue cole slaw is the only cole slaw I've ever liked. I would go so far as to say this place makes an almost acceptable replacement for Mercury Cafe (and if you are familiar with the epic greatness that was Mercury you understand just how intense of a compliment that is). The veggie sandwich is delightful.
The one complaint I have is that they close at 8pm, that's not enough KnockBox availability for me, especially when I'm at the Clipper and get hungry...
If you want a strong cup of joe this is your spot. Â
I sometimes get the shakes from this coffee so I have to order it half decaffeinated. Â I know, lame. Â
What I dig about this place is the awesomely nice people that work there. Â But what I really, really like is the atmosphere. Â It's bright and open and airy. Â There is a bus stop right outside the door and they have a tv inside that tells you when the next bus is coming. Â I don't know how the tv knows, but it does. Â But what I really, really, really like is the way they display the work of local artists. Â I'm not saying the work they display is good. Â Some of it (almost all of it) Â is absolute crap. Â But I'm a high school art teacher so I see a lot of crap and I know that behind all of it is a kid who really loved making it and that kid deserves an audience.
A knockin' good time!
Even if Knockbox didn't serve food, it would still be a good place to kill time while waiting for the California bus. Not only is the cafe directly in front of the Augusta bus stop, but the staff displays the CTA bus tracker information on a TV screen.
But they serve food, too! The blue cheese coleslaw is a little too cheesy for my tastes, but the sandwiches hit the spot. At breakfast time, the Metropolis coffee and the stuffed French toast soothe the soul.
And they have a nice stack of board games, too. Guess Who?
How Knockbox managed to stay off my radar for this long is shocking. Â I'm a whore for delicious coffee, free-wifi, good coffee and yummy eats, especially since I 'work from home' on occassion and don't actually like working in my apartment. Â I much prefer hunkering down at a local coffee shop while pecking away on my laptop.
So Knockbox... This place is great! Â Yes, they have free wifi and yes, they have a cute little set-up (it's a big, open space with colorful walls, local art work and a huge coffee bar), but they also support local businesses, which I LOVE. Â Most of their menu is comprised of Chicago-based companies. Â Cool!
I grabbed a large iced coffee (Knockbox brews up Metropolis java) and a TKO turkey sandwich (turkey, provolone, field greens, tomato, red onion and honey mustard on sourdough) and settled in. Â My sandwich was mammoth. Â The bread was maybe cut just a little too thick for my taste, but honestly, I'm splitting hairs. Â The ingredients were super fresh and tasty and it was served with a side of ripe melon. Â Yum yum.
I dig it here. Â I'll be back for sure. Â I spotted some treats from Sugar & Spice Extraordinary Sweet Treats that looked awesome.
Coffee win.
I love KnockBox so much that I'm writing my review while enjoying my TKO (turkey) sandwich and using the free internet on a random Tuesday afternoon. Drinks, food, ambiance, staff (esp. the owners Jonah and Tiffany) are all great. They're so awesome that they even have a tv posted up that shows you the times for the fickle #52 California bus that shows up once in every great while, so you can chill out with some coffee and a game/book/laptop while you wait for the bus, if that's your steez. (yeah I said steez)
Proximity really works for me as well, seeing how it's right across the street from my apartment. Bo)
Outdoor patio too! I love you KnockBox Cafe.
Driving home after a long day of work, not wanting to order in, but hungry as a Co-ed with an MRS Degree two days before her Big Day- I drove down Milwaukee Ave. Past New Wave (done it), past Revolution Brewing (can't do it alone), past the hit or miss Taco Shop bodegas, turning down California thinking I could just get a slice somewhere- but really wanted a sandwich or even some inauthentic nachos as long as the jalapenoes sang. The closest Border was miles away and do I really want a greasy slice and a pop for just $4?
I needed to fill my gullet with some cheap eats, but could do without the ulcer. Working late for the Man took care of that.
KnockBox? Where did this place come from? Hmm- Looks alright for an off night. Let's check her out. Funky unpretentious cafe with colorful walls, clearly posted menu right as you walk in...I could get used to a joint like this. Sandwiches, panini, Metropolis coffee, tea, some of those Eyetalian sodas...
"What'll ya' have?" said the counter girl that just popped up from behind the counter like some kind of Jill-in-the-Box.
"I'll have the Knockers", I said, before I realized the fairly gifted Jill could take it the wrong way. But without batting an eyelash she rang up my chicken salad sandwich with red peppers on whole grain and pressed on me some more:
"Would you like apple sauce, cole slaw or a fruit salad with that? No charge". She twirled her words like one of those gymnasts with those ribbons- completely oblivious to the World, but knowing the ribbon has us in a trance.
"Cole slaw. And one of them fancy sodas."
I hunkered down with a RedEye, while other patrons hunkered over their light boxes with free Wi-Fi, whatever that is. The chef that brought my dish was a nice sorta chap. Owned the place, I suppose.
Said they'd been open since August and gave me the Where ya' been?
"Aww, for cryin' out loud, quite yer whining" I said; noting the blue cheese in the cole slaw.
I jawed on: "The sandwich, the nice digs, the service. It's all excellent and here you're making me feel lousy cuz I been layin' low?"
"Ahh..." he waved me off.
"Ahh, yerself! I'll be back."
This is what this area needed. Once upon a time, I imagined this part of California becoming the new downtown Hummy P. Rootstock, the Clipper, Flying Saucer, and now... the KnockBox.
Ample seating, homey atmosphere, cute decor, good coffee, nice tea selection (more my style), and a chummy staff. With the eco-friendliness of the local movement, you'll find some of the usual biodegradable to-go ware.
No food for me today, so I don't anticipate having to have a full review of the bathroom, but I can always come back here and poop at a later date.
KnockBox was ordered for a work meeting last week, and I had to come in today to check it out!
I had a turkey sandwich, chicken w/ dumpling soup, and blue cheese cole slaw at the work meeting. Â Also offered were a couple of other soups, sandwiches, and sides. Â My coworkers were raving about all of them!
This morning I chose the stuffed french toast. Â I normally steer clear of "fancy" french toast (don't think it's necessary), but this was good - not too sweet. Â Great coffee, free wifi (and enough seating that I don't feel bad about lingering), nice atmosphere... It took a bus ride and a four block walk in the cold to get here, but it was worth it!
After spending some time at Knockbox Cafe, I think I've got to upgrade it to five stars. Â
Two stars for the coffee alone - Metropolis coffee is soooo good, and all of the various lattes and mochas they make have all been really tasty. Â Plus, I dig their tea selection. Â
Two stars for the food - it's not an extensive list, but what they do make is so, so tasty. Â And I love that you can choose between blue cheese slaw, applesauce, or fruit as a side. Â I also dig their baked goods - chocolate zucchini bread? Â Yes, please. Â
One star for the atmosphere - free wifi, great tunes that I don't feel like I have to drown out with my own, super-friendly staff, comfy seating, nice paint job, just an overall great place to spend some time. Â
I'm lucky to live in a neighborhood with some pretty sweet cafes nearby - I'm happy to add Knockbox to the list.
Sometimes I feel guilty paying less than two dollars and just chugging unlimited coffee and going online for 5 hours, but they don't seem to mind. Â I am grateful for this place! I live in the neighborhood and its a nice quiet oasis, kind of in its own microcosm. The folks that work here are authentically friendly people, and the music is never shitty.
The coffee is great, probably not worth driving across town for, but if you live in the neighborhood and love laptopping for hours on end its a must.
My book/brunch club was unexpectedly relocated here after we discovered we were too big for our planned spot; what a great, unexpected find this was.
I enjoyed myself, but was surprised at how much my fellow brunchers warmed to the place. We usually choose a place based on their brunch menu knowing that we'll have to wait for a table and can't really linger over our meals. This time, we were happy with our simple meals and there was actually talk of slating Knockbox for a return trip (or two).
Knockbox is a cute little space, bright with photos adorning the walls. They have free wifi, serve Metropolis coffee and have a small, but well chosen menu of mostly sandwiches and panini. Service was extremely friendly, I'm not sure if the staff is related or not, but they seemed to be very close knit. They were very warm and accommodating, never making us feel rushed.
I ordered a large iced tea and the Don't Knock It sandwich. I'm not sure what type of tea was used, but I wasn't crazy about it; next time I'd choose something different. In addition to coffee and tea, they have soda, juice, and Italian sodas; sodas come in the cute, little glass bottles. The Don't Knock It was a veggie sandwich with lettuce, tomato, cukes, sprouts, onion, red pepper, mushrooms and oil and vinegar. Everything is made to order, so I got mine with some cheese added and it was quite tasty. They offer a few choices of sides - apple sauce, cole slaw and fruit cup. I highly recommend the fruit cup, I got a mix of granny smith's and cranberries with a light cinnamon seasoning, mmmm.
They have lots of tasty looking baked goods too, if you want something a little naughty.
Metropolis coffees, delicious homemade breakfast and lunch sandwiches, free wifi, a plethora of outlets and a colorful interior make this coffee shop a great place to hang out or do work.
I've had the roasted red pepper chicken salad sandwich with a side of fruit and it was delicious. Although, the bread was a bit dry so next time I might have it toasted.
P.S. The  brownies are awesome.
I am so happy that Knockbox is here. Â Living just down the block, I reiterate that this stretch of California was in dire need of a coffee shop - and a true one at that - no Starbucks-clone or half-baked attempt here.
Humboldt Pie was ambitious, but they failed in that they served coffee and pizza - and weren't particularly skilled at either.
At Knockbox, I am very glad to say the baristas know their stuff. Â Delightfully well-foamed milk, perfect espresso shots teased out of naked groupheads (sounds so dirty!), and freshly baked goods - the oatmeal cookies are especially nice.
Need to go back and try the sandwiches - they all looked and sounded delicious.
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