Peer-to-peer mentorship is an integral part of the MBA experience that often gets overlooked in favor of other kinds of networking. Chicago Booth understands that the connections its students make among peers will serve them well during their MBA stint, their careers, and beyond.
This is why Chicago Booth facilitates “Coffee Chats,” or informal hangs for first-years to pick the brains of second-years about recruiting, internships, and their Booth experiences. Current Booth student Aliy Markowski MBA ’19 offers her personal recommendations for the best coffee spots in Hyde Park that cater especially well to these unique meet-ups.
The following post has been republished in its entirety from its original source, the Booth Experience Blog.
Top 5 Spots for Hyde Park Coffee Chats
It’s that time of year. In true pay-it-forward fashion, second years are meeting up with first years for a ton of “coffee chats” to talk recruiting, summer internships, and all things Booth. After sitting on both sides, I know two things for sure: there aren’t enough tables in the Winter Garden for all ~1100 of us, and every chat is better with good food and drinks.
If you’re looking for a change of scenery, here are my top five Hyde Park meet-up locations, all within walking distance from the Harper Center.
- True North (pictured above) – 1323 E 57th St
Distance from Harper: 4-minute walk
What to expect:
- Industrial-cool vibe
- Lots of coffee, tea and blended drinks
- Breakfast and lunch menus with fresh ingredients and interesting veggie options
- Order at the counter and they bring it to your seat while you chat
- Room to get on the wi-fi and stay a while
What to order:
- Kale Me Maybe Smoothie
- Loaded bagel with goat cheese, tomato and arugula
- The Pub (@ Ida Noyes) – 1212 E. 59th St
Distance from Harper: 30-second walk
What to expect:
- Dim pub lighting creates a grungy, yet charming, vibe for a relaxed chat in the basement of Ida Noyes (right next to Harper!)
- Surprisingly lengthy draught list, plus traditional pub fare
- Grad students from all over the University, and trivia some afternoons
- Pool and shuffleboard tables
- You need a UChicago ID to get in, and the first time you go each year, you have to register and pay the $5 annual membership fee
What to order:
- Tater tots
- Local beers like Revolution’s Rosa
- Te’amo Boba Bar – 1155 E. 55th St
Distance from Harper: 10-minute walk
What to expect:
- Turn your coffee chat into a Bubble Tea chat instead
- Jars filled with tapioca balls submerged in colorful tea
- Modern decor and plenty of space to sit and talk
- Bonus: there’s another location at 520 N. Michigan if you want to do your chat in the Loop instead
What to order:
- Jasmine Milk Tea
- Macaroons
- The Nile – 1162 E. 55th St
Distance from Harper: 10-minute walk
What to expect:
- If you have the time to make your coffee chat a (platonic) professional lunch date, the Nile is perfect
- Quick turnaround Middle Eastern sit-down restaurant
- Best value lunch special in Hyde Park (sorry, Kovler)- $8.75 for a an appetizer and an entrée
What to order:
- Hummos app (it’s huge)
- Fattoush salad (omnivores can add Chicken!)
- Seven Ten Lanes – 1055 E. 55th St
Distance from Harper: 11-minute walk
What to expect:
- An activity-based chat is definitely a way to switch things up as you discuss future life paths– this place has pool tables and bowling lanes in addition to a bar/restaurant area
- Super friendly staff and not very busy during the day, so you can hang out for a while
- If you actually bowl, you have to keep track of score by hand
What to order:
- Build-your-own pizza with up to four ingredients at the same price
- Root beer float or Thursday wine specials
