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# Ashbary Coffee House – Unique coffee experience in Willow Springs, IL

Ashbary Coffee House, located at 8695 Archer Ave in Willow Springs, IL, is a unique coffee shop that offers a blend of cozy ambiance, creative food offerings, and a vibrant community atmosphere. Established in a converted house, Ashbary has become a local favorite for its eclectic decor and diverse menu, which includes coffee, sandwiches, and even beer. The establishment is well-regarded for its friendly service and inviting environment, making it a perfect spot for both casual meetings and relaxation. With a reputation built on community involvement and artistic expression, Ashbary is a must-visit for anyone in the area.

## History

### The story of Ashbary Coffee House

Ashbary Coffee House was founded with a vision to create a welcoming space that serves high-quality coffee while fostering community connections. The founders aimed to provide a local alternative to mainstream coffee chains, emphasizing a unique atmosphere that reflects the character of Willow Springs. The establishment has since evolved into a cultural hub, where art, music, and coffee converge.

### Milestones and growth

- **Founding Year**: Established in the early 2010s, Ashbary quickly gained popularity among locals.
- **Menu Expansion**: Over the years, the menu has expanded to include a variety of sandwiches, pastries, and beverages, catering to diverse tastes.
- **Community Events**: The coffee house has hosted numerous events, including live music and poetry readings, enhancing its role in the local arts scene.
- **Recognition**: Ashbary has received positive reviews from patrons, earning a reputation as a go-to spot for coffee lovers in the area.

### Cultural and local influence

Ashbary Coffee House has become a significant part of the Willow Springs community, not just as a place to grab a coffee but as a venue for local artists and musicians to showcase their talents. The establishment often features local artwork on its walls, creating a gallery-like atmosphere that supports and promotes local talent. This cultural influence has helped to solidify Ashbary's place as a beloved community fixture.

### Continuing the tradition

The commitment to community and quality continues to guide Ashbary's operations. The coffee house regularly collaborates with local artists and musicians, ensuring that it remains a vibrant part of the local cultural landscape. This dedication to fostering a sense of belonging and creativity is evident in the warm atmosphere and the diverse clientele that frequents the establishment.

## Community

### Community involvement

Ashbary Coffee House actively engages with the local community through various initiatives. The coffee house hosts events that bring people together, such as open mic nights, art shows, and community fundraisers. These events not only provide entertainment but also create opportunities for local artists and musicians to gain exposure and connect with the community.

### Community notion about the place

The community views Ashbary as more than just a coffee shop; it is seen as a gathering place that fosters connections and creativity. Many patrons appreciate the laid-back atmosphere and the sense of belonging that comes from being part of a local establishment. However, some reviews indicate that customer service can be inconsistent, which has led to mixed feelings among visitors.

### Events and gatherings

Ashbary hosts a variety of events that cater to different interests, including live music performances, art exhibitions, and themed nights. These gatherings not only enhance the coffee house's appeal but also encourage community participation and support for local talent. The events are well-attended, showcasing the strong community ties that Ashbary has cultivated over the years.

## Offerings

### What Ashbary Coffee House offers

Ashbary Coffee House provides a diverse menu that includes a wide range of coffee beverages, sandwiches, and pastries. The establishment prides itself on using high-quality ingredients and offering unique flavor combinations that cater to various dietary preferences. The ambiance is cozy and inviting, making it an ideal spot for both casual meetings and leisurely visits.

### Dining and food experience

The dining experience at Ashbary is characterized by a menu that features both classic and innovative options. Patrons can enjoy a selection of sandwiches, including vegetarian and gluten-free choices, alongside an array of coffee drinks crafted to perfection. The establishment also offers baked goods, providing a sweet complement to the coffee experience. Many reviews highlight the quality of the food, with particular praise for the paninis and pastries.

### Events and packages

In addition to its regular menu, Ashbary Coffee House offers special packages for events and gatherings. These packages can include catering options for parties, meetings, and other celebrations, making it a convenient choice for those looking to host an event in a relaxed setting. The coffee house is also open to collaboration with local organizations for community events, further enhancing its role as a community hub.

### Facilities and features
- Cozy seating areas with vintage furnishings
- Local artwork displayed throughout the space
- Free Wi-Fi for customers
- Slot machines for entertainment
- Outdoor seating available

## Pros and Cons

### Key insights from reviews

Reviews of Ashbary Coffee House present a mixed bag of experiences. Many patrons rave about the quality of the coffee and food, as well as the unique atmosphere. However, some customers have expressed dissatisfaction with the service, citing instances of unprofessional behavior from staff. Overall, the coffee house is appreciated for its charm and community spirit, despite some service-related criticisms.

### Compliments and strengths

- **Quality of Coffee**: Many reviews highlight the exceptional quality of the coffee, with patrons praising the smoothness and flavor of various brews.
- **Unique Atmosphere**: The eclectic decor and cozy ambiance create a welcoming environment that many customers enjoy.
- **Community Engagement**: The coffee house's commitment to supporting local artists and hosting events is frequently commended.

### Contrasts and notable mentions

- **Service Inconsistency**: Some customers have reported negative experiences with staff, indicating that service can vary significantly from visit to visit.
- **Pricing**: While many patrons find the prices reasonable, others feel that certain items are overpriced, especially in comparison to other local options.
- **Ambiance**: The unique decor and vibe are often praised, but some reviews mention that the atmosphere can feel dark or quiet at times.

### Summary evaluation

Ashbary Coffee House stands out for its quality offerings and community involvement. While there are some concerns regarding service consistency, the overall experience is generally positive, with many patrons returning for the coffee, food, and unique atmosphere. The establishment's commitment to local culture and creativity further enhances its appeal as a community gathering spot.

## Location & Nearby Attractions

Ashbary Coffee House is conveniently located in Willow Springs, a suburb of Chicago, IL. Situated at 8695 Archer Ave in the Old Willow Shopping Center, it is easily accessible for both locals and visitors. The surrounding area features a mix of local shops and parks, making it a pleasant destination for a day out. The coffee house is also near several hiking trails, providing an excellent opportunity for outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy a coffee break after exploring the natural beauty of the region.

## FAQs

**What are the hours of operation for Ashbary Coffee House** The coffee house typically operates from early morning until evening, but hours may vary.

**Is there parking available at Ashbary Coffee House** Yes, there is ample parking available in the shopping center.

**Does Ashbary Coffee House offer vegan options** Yes, the menu includes vegan-friendly choices, including some sandwiches and baked goods.

**Can I host an event at Ashbary Coffee House** Yes, the coffee house offers event packages for gatherings and celebrations.

**Is Wi-Fi available for customers at Ashbary Coffee House** Yes, free Wi-Fi is available for customers to use while enjoying their visit.

## Visit Ashbary Coffee House Today

Experience the unique charm of Ashbary Coffee House, where quality coffee meets community spirit in Willow Springs, IL. With a diverse menu of delicious food and beverages, a welcoming atmosphere, and a commitment to supporting local artists, Ashbary is the perfect spot to relax, work, or connect with friends. Whether you're looking for a cozy place to unwind or a vibrant venue for events, Ashbary Coffee House has something for everyone. Make your way to Ashbary today and discover why it has become a beloved local favorite.

699dcf9f-a11c-4060-ad24-5ba603afebcf

Luv this place with all my heart ! the decor is beautiful and makes your feel warm. Coffee is always made perfectly plus the workers are the kindest ppl ever. It's my comfort place!

ef6b8aad-653d-4b0b-ad03-a4aeb1451c49

Walked in to use the bathroom and the guy says are you going to buy something with an attitude then I said yes I wait for my friend to get out so we can order them he starts complaining about wasting his time then I get ready to order then refuses to make what I asked him ‍

4fd6b7a0-04b1-4492-b834-8cd82f62fe20

Looking for a lunch spot after hiking nearby, I came across this spot. Cute little spot with hippy type vibes. They have a decent size menu. Coffees, teas, and some canned alcohol beverages. Sandwiches and pastries are also available. Sandwiches are served with a side of chips. As I am unable to have bread currently due to dietary restrictions, they were able to make my sandwhich as a lettuce wrap. They are a little pricey and charged a service fee to pay by card. Only one person was working at the time of visit, so it took a while to get the sandwiches. I also had a black coffee. Very cozy and plenty of parking.

4c508c30-f1f2-4cab-b9a5-61248df376a0

Review Visit: May 3rd, 2021 A literal house converted to a coffee house. After an 8-hour meeting for work (with a lunch break), I needed some coffee to revitalize me. I resorted to Yelp to point me in a direction that wasn't Starbucks or Dunkin'. As much as I love those places, when I am out of town, I want a taste of what the locals offer. I was losing hope as my search was bringing up nothing that wasn't a restaurant that happened to serve coffee until I saw Ashbary. I didn't bother looking at the reviews and picked the place since it looked cool in the one photo I saw and it was coffee first. As I sat at the lights, I was looking at Ashbary and thought to myself that this place had to be unique on the inside as it is on the outside. Boy, was I in for a surprise. I parked my card and made my way in. Upon entering, I was greeted by the cashier and the punk music pouring out from the speakers. Not only that, but the place screamed punk does coffee. Not only coffee but they had a plethora of ice creams to choose from. Not only that but they seemingly had a sandwich/panini menu to order from. Not only that but there were slot machines to play on. Not only that but the menu seemed to offer coffee mixed with ice cream. I was too awestruck by everything to properly ask the guy behind the counter what half the menu is and settled on a large hot Americano with a chocolate biscotti stick and a gluten-free cookie. The coffee didn't take long to make and once I had it, I sat down to enjoy my biscotti stick while I continued to take in the... everything. That's when I notice the panini menu and regretted not ordering something off there as I was hungry (but still had my leftover Chinese back in my hotel room). When the biscotti stick was gone, I gathered up my things and left. I had a gym reservation at the hotel that I needed to make and my coffee had to wait to be properly tasted until my gym visit was over. You bet the second I walked in to my room, the coffee was in my hand and I was taking big swigs from it. With americanos, they tend to be bitter as they are just espresso and water. Sounds disgusting on paper but it's my current favorite way to drink coffee if it's available. This was surprisingly smooth and might be the best one I've ever had. It's hard to say since it cooled down a bit due to my gym excursion but even taking that in, it was super delicious and hit the spot and then some. As I tried to not chug my coffee, I tried the gluten-free cookie. I bought it on a whim to help support local businesses and it complimented the coffee in a great way as it was just a little bit dry and that was rectified by taking a sip of coffee. I can't help but feel that my one visit to Ashbary is not enough to really take in the place. Between the punk music playing, the creative food offerings, and the general odd decor... you just don't get a good feel for place like this on one visit. My time in Burr Ridge ends tomorrow (for now) but should I need to come back for work reasons, re-visiting Ashbary will be a high priority on my list. Between the potential ice cream/coffee combos they seem to offer on the menu and the paninis on the other menu, I feel a second visit is warranted when the opportunity arises. Oh, they also offer beer. This place really is unique.

d8046d4f-48c6-410b-837d-d24b6eb0a25a

Came in about 35 min before close which don't get me wrong, in the service industry i could see how that's frowned upon but i don't appreciate the barista rolling his eyes at us and shaking his head. I would much rather be told that everything is cleaned up and they are no longer serving customers than feel like a burden. The guy also took my friends money and say thanks for the tip and proceeded to keep the change. I understand their sign that says the customer is not always right, but jeez i just think there was no need to be treated this way, which is really upsetting because I enjoy this place. For $14 for two lattes you're better off going to Haraz or Marouf in orland, at least i won't feel like trash there.

92e5dc1a-9e0b-4e01-9649-c76ee13c3fad

Even in the heat of a rush , the barista who handled us tonight, did so calmly and efficiently for being the only barista working tonight. I deeply appreciate the effort and craftiness that was put into making my iced white chocolate macadamia nut latte and the Goodfella's Panini that we ordered, even with the rush of customers that the barista had to work through before getting to our items. Awesome service and awesome vibes tonight!

1e05ca05-6852-41ca-ade9-ae99cd6d8d54

Ashbary Coffee House is a longtime favorite for coffee and chilling. It has a few good breakfast and lunch sandwiches at pretty good prices on most things. One of the places worth checking out in Willow Springs. Has some other locally owned shops around it. The entertainment often includes local musicians and poets. Came here with a girl. It mostly was empty except for a few other people. The place is pretty dark inside and can be eerily quiet. Has a pretty typical selection of various coffees. They also have some food like sandwiches. I got a latte. It's $3.45 for a small one. They have some non dairy milks like any coffeehouse should. As for the food it's pretty basic. We each got the Peanut Butter And Jelly Sandwich. It's $4.95 for a classic. This isn't anything mind blowing or edgy but it's reliable. Also they have baked goods. There's cookies and muffins. A really interesting place to come and chill. It has some fun entertainment. The place kind of seems dingy but even so it's charming in its own way.

f8579c3a-fca8-4c6f-8878-e6e657d231cd

Where do i begin with this one, here's another true story about this lovely Laid-back cafe in Willow Springs, IL located in Old Willow Shopping Center that also has vintage furnishings and local artwork, and serving the most breath taking paninis & barista drinks in the area. My recent visit was to support a local band that was performing at this location. Upon arriving we got introduced to an amazing setlist of good music playing in the background, it took me back to my high schools years. We order a sandwich called American Graffiti but what i got was an experience by itself, first of all the size was Big!! good points already, but the flavor, the flavor was in another level. The combination of ham, turkey, roast beef, salami, mayo, dijon, american cheese with a single lettuce all laid on a toasty piece of bread, was fireworks in my mouth. you can't see it but i'm doing the chef's kiss gesture. you know when you eat too much toasty bread, the roof of your mouth starts to hurt, well my friends... if its not hurting you are not eating the right food. by the time i took my last bite i was so happy with my decision that i wanted to buy another one for the next day so i can experience the same feeling i had that night. The place is worth the drive if you live in the city. if you come in the morning you can always take a little walk on the many forest surrounding this lovely coffee shop. We plan on returning many times to come. Thank you

a3b0e061-163e-432a-91a1-73c829208eae

I am a restaurant manager. Saturday, July 12th was my off day and wanted to come here after it was recommended to me . Before coming here I had stopped at my neighborhood café to get a refresher. My friend and I placed our bag outside at a table we were going to sit at and walked in to order. The person at the register didn't say hi but simply said "you can't bring drinks in here". Sure, I don't let people sit down and bring outside drinks either but if they're ordering to go or for the patio, I'm fine with it. Different policies , that's okay! We take our drinks to the table outside and go back inside and I say hi. She still doesn't say hi but says "You can't have those drinks outside on my table either because if my boss see's them, they're a lot harder to deal with than I am" all while shaking her head in attitude. Like I said, different policies that's totally okay with me. However, customer service is the first stop to keeping clients in or out. The person could have, nicely and calmly without shaking their head up and down with attitude, said "Hi welcome, I'm sorry we don't allow outdoor drinks inside or outside on our tables, it's just our policy". The employee is also painting their boss in bad lighting and as a manager I did not appreciate that. We still ordered, took our drinks to the car and sat outside for about 2 hours and even ordered drinks. I was willing to give the place a shot because one person with a bad attitude doesn't tell me how delicious the place is or not. Food was good and drinks were good.

c07884e1-0396-4b1b-94ee-2da4c39f8cd0

I've tried to enjoy this place a few times, never would I consider going alone. The staff doesn't mind letting you know how much they would rather you not be there, and you're lucky if they manage to give you a half-smile when you do order. They have an extremely strict "no outdoor food or drinks" policy which I do respect and understand (due to poisoning, allergies, etc.), however the environment itself hesitates not in letting you know that with a large sign stating "the customer is not always right... WE ARE!" Which sure, maybe in your establishment with more cameras than a jewelry store you can be that narcissistic, especially when you can just simply demand someone leaves or threaten to kick them out. Oh and don't worry, you can purchase overpriced alcohol, but you better go to that DMV first and make sure you have a horizontal ID, since the staff aren't trained on how to read or scan IDs and would rather accept a fake horizontal than a real vertical ID. If you desire to spend money on flavored coffee, let me advise that you do not come to Ashbary's Coffee House. Let me not forget to mention the slot machines, because nothing sets the mood better than sitting next to flashing digital slot machines whose only purpose is to siphon the pockets of some unfortunate souls who are so addicted to gambling they need to do it while drinking coffee. This review did not come after one experience, it is an accumulation of multiple visits with different staff working, and I can say with certainty I will never return.

Discover Ashbary Coffee House in Willow Springs, Chicago for premium coffee and cozy ambiance. Visit us today for a delightful coffee experience.

Ashbary Coffee House in Willow Springs, Chicago - Cozy Café Experience

Willow Springs

Ashbary Coffee House

Illinois

Discover Ashbary Coffee House in Willow Springs for cozy ambiance, premium coffee, and tasty snacks. Perfect for relaxing or catching up with friends!

Ashbary Coffee House, Willow Springs - Cozy Coffee & Delicious Bites

Learn about Ashbary Coffee House in Willow Springs, a favorite local spot offering quality coffee, friendly service, and a welcoming atmosphere. Visit us today!

About Ashbary Coffee House, Willow Springs - Your Local Coffee Spot

Opening hours for Ashbary Coffee House, Willow Springs. Find opening hours for Ashbary Coffee House, Willow Springs on 8695 Archer Ave, Ste 1.

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