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✔️Breakfast ✔️Brunch ✔️Lunch ✔️Dine in ✔️Take out
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The Understudy Coffee and books is a one-of-a-kind hybrid theatre bookstore and specialty coffee shop in Andersonville. The Understudy is dedicated to celebrating, fostering, and uplifting artistry in our community in all its forms. The bookshop features over 3,500 plays, technique books, and other titles to get your creative juices flowing. The cafe offers high quality third wave standards with a focus on direct trade sourcing and supporting local artisans.
Hours
| Tuesday | 8 AM–6 PM |
| Wednesday | 8 AM–6 PM |
| Thursday | 8 AM–6 PM |
| Friday | 8 AM–6 PM |
| Saturday | 8 AM–6 PM |
| Sunday | 8 AM–6 PM |
| Monday | 8 AM–6 PM |
Address and Contact Information
Address: 5531 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60640
Phone: (872) 806-0670
Website: https://theunderstudy.com/
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Reviews
Kandise Le Blanc
I hosted our engagement party at The Understudy on a Friday evening in October for around 40 people, and I genuinely could not have asked for a better experience.
From the start, Jett was incredible. They helped schedule the event and functionally served as our day-of coordinator, making everything feel seamless and calm. Jett went above and beyond all night, checking in, clearing empty plates, and making sure the space flowed well. Truly the kind of person who elevates an entire event.
They helped us create exactly the vibe we wanted. Warm, intimate, and celebratory. They brought out candles to fill the space beautifully and let us play our own playlist, which made the night feel personal and intentional. We were also graciously allowed to stay past our original end time, which meant we could enjoy the evening without feeling rushed.
Having bartenders for the entire event made such a difference. Ander helped develop our batch-made signature cocktails, a spicy margarita and a coconut gold rush, and they were outstanding. So good, in fact, that I’m now seriously considering having them recreated at our wedding. They also created a sign outside for our event, which was such a thoughtful touch.
Honestly, the whole night felt cared for. I’m already looking for excuses to host future events here because the team, the space, and the experience were that good. Highly, highly recommend.
… moreFrom the start, Jett was incredible. They helped schedule the event and functionally served as our day-of coordinator, making everything feel seamless and calm. Jett went above and beyond all night, checking in, clearing empty plates, and making sure the space flowed well. Truly the kind of person who elevates an entire event.
They helped us create exactly the vibe we wanted. Warm, intimate, and celebratory. They brought out candles to fill the space beautifully and let us play our own playlist, which made the night feel personal and intentional. We were also graciously allowed to stay past our original end time, which meant we could enjoy the evening without feeling rushed.
Having bartenders for the entire event made such a difference. Ander helped develop our batch-made signature cocktails, a spicy margarita and a coconut gold rush, and they were outstanding. So good, in fact, that I’m now seriously considering having them recreated at our wedding. They also created a sign outside for our event, which was such a thoughtful touch.
Honestly, the whole night felt cared for. I’m already looking for excuses to host future events here because the team, the space, and the experience were that good. Highly, highly recommend.
Korn TH
This is one of my favorite coffee shops. I love how it’s paired with a bookstore — good coffee, tasty pastries, and a great selection of books all in one place. It’s the perfect spot to enjoy a good read with a fragrant cup of coffee in the heart of Andersonville.
… moreNatasha Al-Rafie
This is such a cute space, pretty big inside and the book selection is great. As you can imagine they have a lot of playwright books. Several versions of Hamlet, guides to the great comet of 1812, incredible selection.
The coffee shop is great too, although folks said online they had a breakfast sandwich, this is not true anymore.
We came here on a Saturday morning around 10am and we were able to get a seat for three. I got a butte croissant, my child got a chocolate chip zucchini bread, and my partner got the savory cornmeal danish, it has sun dried tomatoes on top.
We also got two hot coffees, black, and they carry the Pink Lemonade from Marz. It was all good.
… moreThe coffee shop is great too, although folks said online they had a breakfast sandwich, this is not true anymore.
We came here on a Saturday morning around 10am and we were able to get a seat for three. I got a butte croissant, my child got a chocolate chip zucchini bread, and my partner got the savory cornmeal danish, it has sun dried tomatoes on top.
We also got two hot coffees, black, and they carry the Pink Lemonade from Marz. It was all good.
Laura Nevrenchan
This place is my new favorite spot. The vibe is always so good in here. I Love the Theater Camp Latte. Super cool bookstore attached
Killer cute. Wonderful pastries. Check it.
… moreKiller cute. Wonderful pastries. Check it.
Bill
Understudy Coffee & Books is a bright and modern café that combines great coffee with a curated bookstore. The space can get quite busy midday, but seats tend to open up after a short wait. They serve Metric coffee, along with a variety of seasonal specialty drinks; during my visit, I had an espresso tonic that had a light touch of vanilla which was refreshing. Overall, it’s a charming spot to browse books, enjoy some quality coffee, and settle in for a productive or relaxing break.
… moreRye
The understudy is a great place to get a tasty coffee and snack, and stay for the good vibes. Acting as a coffee shop and a book store, the place is split into two sections. You can enjoy some sunlight in the front of the store or go to the back and get a bit more cozy. The drinks are well done – I enjoyed their cold brew and although their pastries are from local bakeries, they have a wide option of unique vendors. I appreciate that they put the allergens that are included in the pastry on the display. I got the butter croissant and it was fresh and fluffy. We also got a pecan bar that was delicious. The place has spare outlets but there are some and the wifi is solid. I worked from here for a few hours and I enjoyed my time hanging out. I’d come back to check out the local book selections and get a good drink.
… moreJessica Young-Eleazar
One of my favorite places to work remotely from! I love a bookstore atmosphere and being a theatre kid, this is my heaven. Drinks are always perfect and I love that they get baked goods from defloured. As a GF girlie, I am always looking for a coffeeshop that has something I can snack on.
… moreCarly Voss
Wanted to check out some bookstores in the area and this cafe/bookstore duo is a must to stop by in this fun area of Chicago. The iced ube latte was so delicious and the curated book finds with notes from staff were fun to sift through. The seats and tables are a little on the smaller side but they make do with the space they have.
… moreBen Alct
Ordered a drip coffee from Metric and a chocolate orange morning muffin from Publican quality bread.
The muffin was delish.
Coffee aight.
Vibes cool but too crowded and not enough seating.
… moreThe muffin was delish.
Coffee aight.
Vibes cool but too crowded and not enough seating.
Christina Chen
My first time here and it was honestly a 10/10 experience ! Staff were so kind and my drink was delicious! Music and vibes were impeccable, can’t wait to come back again!
… more