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Monday, November 11

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Drink Tue Mar 06 2007

Loop Muffins and Tea

Chicago Diner vegan muffin at Argo Tea in Loop.jpgPlenty of places serve vegan food in the Loop, but muffins are another story. Luckily, locally owned Argo Tea carries vegan and trans-fat free muffins from Chicago Diner. Hints of apple, ginger and cinnamon come with the carrot raisin walnut variety. It'd be even more delicious if the nuts were candied, but my moderately successful attempts at swishing up an evading layer of chocolate syrup at the bottom of my soy mocha took care my quest for additional sweetness. On a previous visit, a barista pulled an incredibly smooth espresso into a very cute demitasse.

Argo Tea in Loop.jpgAs you might suspect from Argo Tea's name, an incredible tea selection is also available - and served in curvy glass mugs (so long as you make sure to order it "for here"): black teas from masala chai and Assam to English Breakfast, greens like lemon green and gunpowder, herbals like Armenian mint and chamomile blossoms, and "Rare" teas like melon and persimmon white teas and jasmine pearls. Argo's Loop location (six locations in all) sits aside the Oriental Theatre behind what resembles the old facade from when Ronny's Steakhouse's was here, before the new Borders and Art Institute dorm building came.

Tea Selection at Argo Tea in Loop.jpgI've been a fan of Argo since before they participated in and donated to last year's Veggie Bike and Cook (as a matter of disclosure, I am one of the organizers) because their cafes are so nicely built out; plus it's fun to see Argo's brewing room through a large window on the back wall of the Loop location.

 
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Rose / March 6, 2007 11:15 PM

I've heard such great things about Argo Tea and now I'm definitely convinced. Just reading this made my mouth water for a coffee and I just love this picture of all the teas! I wish the containers of tea in my kitchen looked like that!

Alyssa / March 7, 2007 8:43 PM

argo is the next worldwide success. mark my words!

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Feature Thu Dec 31 2015

The State of Food Writing

By Brandy Gonsoulin

In 2009, food blogging, social media and Yelp were gaining popularity, and America's revered gastronomic magazine Gourmet shuttered after 68 years in business. Former Cook's Illustrated editor-in-chief Chris Kimball followed with an editorial, stating that "The shuttering of Gourmet reminds...
Read this feature »

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Drive-Thru is the food and drink section of Gapers Block, covering the city's vibrant dining, drinking and cooking scene. More...
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Editor: Robyn Nisi, rn@gapersblock.com
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