Coffee can be simple or complicated. Some people enjoy just a simple cup of Joe with maybe some cream and sugar added, but nothing more. Others prefer all the innumerable flavors and styles of coffee offered at shops.

Unfortunately, I do not enjoy just a regular cup of coffee. The taste doesn’t settle easy and it is way too bitter for me. The cream and sugar don’t do much justice either. I usually just prefer a typical refresher from Starbucks to get my day going, but this time I had a desire to find something new, my ideal coffee.

In the past, I’ve tried plenty of different coffees ordered by my friends and family, mainly purchased from either Starbucks or Dunkin Donuts. None of them really stood out to me. They weren’t all bad, but there wasn’t one that I was willing to go back and order. I wanted to try something nearby and different than the two most profitable coffee shops in the nation.

As I was shopping last weekend with my friend at Old Orchard mall, I came across Sip 22 Coffee Lounge, located to the right of Sunglass Hut, as I was on the way to Starbucks. I noticed it had a really nice aesthetic theme to it from the outside which is what initially caught my attention. I decided to ditch the Starbucks and try this place.

The inside was fairly small and compact, but it was the perfect little coffee shop. Thankfully, it wasn’t packed while I was deciding on what to order. My friend convinced me to order an iced mocha with almond milk. The sizes were split into three: 12 oz, 16 oz, and 20 oz, all varying in prices. I ordered the 16 oz which was $4.55. They also had teas, crepes, and other sweet delicacies, but I decided to just stick with the coffee for the day.

The service was very efficient and the baristas were nice. Having kind baristas is a big deal because no one likes a rude cashier as well as, waiting too long for their order. The drink was done in literally two minutes which was great. The coffee had a shade of dark chocolate brown and was filled to the top in a translucent plastic cup with a cute logo of the brand. To my surprise, the coffee was a success. I absolutely loved it. Drinking something that tastes like cold chocolate milk while knowing it’ll give you the energy boost you need is perfect.

I couldn’t have been more impressed with the experience. I enjoyed the vibe and great hospitality that flowed through the place. I’ve already gone back twice this week. I have no complaints except possibly opening up another one that’s perhaps not in a mall. Somewhere with a drive-thru would be awesome, but this still works for me because it’s not far from home.

Needless to say, my adventure to find a coffee that would satisfy me was a success. I would highly recommend this shop to anyone. They have a versatile menu with plenty of options besides coffee. They also have a 4.5/5 rating on Google which is pretty awesome. It just proves that you must go and see this place for yourself.