When tea lovers are in a new city you are not always sure of places to get a good cup of tea. Welcome to Chicago, the windy city, the city of-well-tea.
The stress of college visits with your High School senior should always include a cup of tea or 2 or 3. Sometimes it’s hard to find tea or more importantly ones I enjoy on trips. Was Chicago the exception?
It started with the flight. Ugh-never usually a good cup there but I really wanted one this flight. The steward must be a tea drinker and did not fail me. That was a promising sign.
In Chicago however disaster struck. My tea that I always pack was lovingly waiting for me in Texas. It was too late to go anywhere to even look for anything.
The next morning, we were running late and a cup of Joe was my jolt into reality instead of my usual ease into the day. At least there was caffeine.
At our first tour we were invited to grab tea, coffee and/or snacks. Yes! Tea! Only to discover there was no hot water so my choice was coffee again.
We ventured downtown to prepare for our second tour and had some time to kill. It was so cold and we were hungry when I saw it. There it was a building that stood out among the rest like a greenhouse. Just clear glass all over it. The welcoming sign above it read Argo Tea Cafe. Talk about brighten my day. That and a Panini a must for all tea drinking visitors to Chicago. Fireplace, couches, sitting areas great for studying and visiting. The staff was friendly, the food was yummy and they pleased my teen with a chocolate mint tea combo.I would truly recommend this place if you are in downtown Chicago.
We went shopping in the evening down Michigan Avenue-The Magnificent Mile. On our travels we found a 7 story mall-Water Tower Place. There were these amazing glass elevators so what’s a tourist to do? Go all the way to the top!
On the 7th floor is where I found David’s tea. What could be more perfect. It was my brothers birthday so I grabbed a gold stainless steel bottle with David’s Tea on it and then had the hardest time choosing a tea to take home. I went with the Buddha tea. Perfect shop for gifts and tea. Win Win.
Day 2 another college visit which helped me find a cute mom and pop sandwich shop. I ordered sandwiches and tea. I was welcomed like family and not a stranger. After she asked if we were eating in she said- “eat now and pay later”. I had time for yet another yummy cup of tea. This is the type of establishment everyone wished they had in their neighborhood. The owner chatted with everyone who came in. The young college student who probably only came in for take out was told in a motherly tone to take off his backpack and to take time to sit to eat.
If that is Chicago I am ready to go back. All in all a tea-o-tally great trip.
All I have to do now is locate the closest Argo Tea Cafe and David’s tea shop to me.
I have looked it up and there are other Argo Tea Cafe’s and DAVID’S TEA but none in Texas. At least I can find where to buy some of their products on amazon. I will try and recreate the a cafe at my house until an Argo Cafe and DAVID’s TEA gets here.
Looking forward to visiting Chicago over the next few years as my first grandchild starts her university experience.
Hopefully you will find some awesome tea. D