The Ruin Daily

Nice place with good vibe and great service. Also love the decor. I tried the Aviator cocktail and the melt tuna. The sandwich was way too salty and not very good in my opinion, but the drink was amazing. Can be very busy during lunch time.

Sandwiches so good there's no time for pictures. Try "The Little Magician" or the "Gym Shoe" both great sandwiches. Great coffee from Metric Coffee out of Chicago.

Great place for some pretty delicious sandwiches and a coffee or cocktail (though I've yet to try their beverages). I love the atmosphere and the staff is very friendly. However, it takes a lot longer than expected to get your food, which on a limited lunchhour timeframe can be a little troublesome.

Great sandwich shop with pastries, cookies and a full bar (!) The sandwiches are well crafted with fresh and good quality ingredients. The coffee is fresh and flavorful. Staff are great - friendly and attentive. Definitely worth multiple visits. The only request I have is that I'd like more breakfast sandwich options. 🤓👍

The Ruin Daily seems to be a hit or miss. A lot of my coworkers love it, I’ve given it a chance many times and can’t bring myself to give it a thumbs up. Sandwiches are expensive and below average. I’ve found chicken cartilage in them several times and just couldn’t finish my meal. On a side note, their donuts are delicious! Too bad they don’t make them themselves. Drinks are good, but once again, expensive. Not sure how a sandwich shop makes better drinks than sandwiches to be honest. I tried giving these guys a chance but unfortunately it’s always been a let down. Luckily, there are plenty of other sandwich shops in the area to choose from that are tastier and cheaper.

Great sandwiches and beer. I came on a Tuesday and got to draw and doodle while we ate. I spun the wheel and got a free beer! I had the tuna melt and it was delicious! Great service too! Really cool atmosphere and we stayed longer to draw and drink.

The place has a great atmosphere and above average food. The sandwiches are pretty good, I don't care for the sides but I know my friends love them. The cocktails are $10, which is pretty good considering the area. The aviator is my favorite.

Free WiFi and super helpful staff. I also thought their ham and cheese sandwich was really good for a coffee shop.

A friend and I stoped by Swadesi to grab a quick coffee and mid-afternoon snack and it was great! All their lattes are great, especially for folks who enjoy a less bitter coffee. The coconut brûlée is on the sweeter side but the black sesame latte is more middle of the road - not too sweet, not too bitter. The pastries are also incredibly fresh and tasted great! Everyone was incredibly kind, the cafe is quiet enough to work in, and there is lots of seating! A great spot to sit down and get some things done with good coffee and snacks.

I've been dying to try Swadesi for a while now and boy was it worth the wait! I split the paneer puff and chicken tikka toastie with a girlfriend and we loved both of them so much. They perfectly married traditional Indian flavors with cozy cafe treats. 10/10 food! We also enjoyed the mango matcha which was so refreshing and the black sesame latte which I truly am still searching for the right words to describe how fabulous it was. 10/10 drinks! The overall atmosphere was inviting and bright. There was plenty of seating and it was a very elevated space, including all the small details. From plates to wallpaper. 10/10 vibes! Finally, the overall staff was super friendly and just darling! 10/10 service! Can't wait to come back :)

Tried this place out as it was near my location for work. I was working in the weekends and wanted to treat myself for actually coming in. This place was open and ventured in to check out the sweet offerings. I grabbed a pastry that was very flavorful and pretty. The texture was incredible soft. I made the mistake of warming up the pastry forgetting that the center was milk based. Overall cute place. Kinda of pricey. Enjoyed my breakfast item as I love pistachios.

I really liked this place at first, but recently it hasn't been hitting the same. I got the mango matcha. Not the best matcha. No strong flavor. The mango puree really stuck to the bottom too, very hard to mix in and get the mango flavor. Also a small was $8. I will stick to the chai here.

I love seeing an Indian coffee shop in Chicago! The chai just brought me back to the chai that my mom always made. The cardamom just seeps through and makes you feel like home. I got their seasonal drink, the coconut brûlée which was light and sweet. Not overpowered with the coconut flavor. My stomach thanks you for the alternative milk options. For food we got the chicken tikka toast which my husband and I thought could use a little bit more flavor. The toast was perfectly toasted. Plenty of seating inside. The service was quick. Definitely got busier after 10am on a Saturday.

Came in an hour before close. I got a rose latte and the pistachio. I thought they were both good. I wish the rose latte was more inventive but it was still good. The croissant was a good side and tasty!

First visit to Swadesi an Indian coffee shop in the loop. Had a Salted Jaggery Caramel Latte that was complex and flavorful. Also had their breakfast sandwich with a perfectly cooked custard egg, crispy potato, cheese and spicy garlic mayo. Perfect mix of flavors and textures. Got my items to go, service was friendly and efficient in a cool clean space. Parking can be tough. Definitely coming back.

Visited the swadeshi cafe on a cold December morning for brunch and we were immediately greeted by the warmth inside. We got the butter chicken croissant with burrata, a chicken tikka toastie and for drinks got a coconut creme brulee with a cup of hot mocha. Love the international twist to the Indian favourites. Service was quick. Overall it was a great experience and the food was great!

Finally tried Swadesi and it was a great little cafe! I love the Indian twist on their items and the flavors that came with it. We ordered their masala chai, samosa chaat croissant and seasonal pistachio croissant. I really liked the pistachio croissant and the cream filling it had. The samosa chaat croissant had good flavors, but could have used a little more filling in it. The chai was also delicious. I do think it's slightly overpriced for what you get, but the quality and flavor is there. Definitely have a few other items on their menu that I'd like to go back and try!

My friends and I visited this cafe on a cold winter day. It's a decent cafe. Friendly, inviting staff. They helped us understand the menu and answered all our questions patiently. It's clean, gets busy during weekends. Overall it has very limited options to explore. Out of which we tried butter chicken croissant and chicken tikka toastie. It had a fusion touch and it tasted really good. My only complaint is the portion size. It is not reflective of what you're paying for. It's overpriced. I also ordered some Japanese tea which was pretty average and tried their usual drip coffee . It's not a place where I'd rushed back visit again but I believe, as time passes, with some attention to detail this place has a potential to become a local gem!

Omg as an outsider my friends and family came here before we hit our train ride back home to Michigan. Not only is the ambiance of the cafe inviting and warm, the food and service were impeccable. I had never had a naanwich like this before. The flavors of the chicken tikka naanwich were spicy and mouthwatering and the cilantro mint coulis it was paired with, was cooling and zesty to the pallate. After such an enveloping amount of flavor with each bite the perfect cleanser for such a cold day was ultimately the perfect cup of chai! We decided right then that every time we come back to Chicago, this place is where we will be before we go home. With that said, I cannot wait to come back!

Amazing experience! I love the environment and the desi feel. Everything here is a perfect blend of culture! I fell in love with everything especially the flavor concepts. Cardamom, rose, turmeric, jaggery - just to name a few. Swadesi does it so well.

VAH VAH! This Indian cafe was awesome. There is free wifi but unfortunately no free parking in this part of town. For starters I got the salted jaggery caramel latte and breakfast sandwich. Despite the name, the drink is not overly sweet. The breakfast sandwich comes with "Custard Egg, Crispy Potato Tikki, American Cheese, Spicy Garlic Mayo". It is crispy, soft, slightly spicy, and super flavorful. I drank my latte so fast I then ordered a Swadesi chai. The chai came out super hot as it us traditionally served. I also took the chicken puff, gulab jamun croissant, and malai croissant to go. Both croissants are phenomenal. The gulab jamun croissant is the winner between the two but the malai croissant tastes just like ras malai. I honestly can't wait to go back and try the butter chicken croissant and other menu items!

Finally got to try out their sandwiches and pastry, it was mindblowingly good!!! Definitely try the breakfast sandwich with their special hash brown, the flavor of it tasted like samosa but the texture is like hash brown which was sooo creative and delicious! It was seasoned perfectly well with everything and I enjoyed every bite of it. The chicken tikka toastie was also good. we came at 2:15 when they're getting ready to close at 3pm so service was super rushed and quick.m but understandable.

I liked the overall vibe here. Was a nice place to stay and read, there were a few other people here working or meeting with friends as well. I got the black sesame latte and the carrot halwa tartlet. The tartlet was great! I felt like it could have been shared, their other pastries looked yummy as well. I liked that it was very well spiced and the carrot had a good texture to it as well. I usually love black sesame, however I didn't taste it at all. I even tried mixing it a little bit in case the flavorings were at the bottom. It tasted like a regular latte, no flavoring. I tried to ask the person at the register which they would recommend between the black latte and their seasonal matcha. But she didn't say anything and just tried to charge me for both. I clarified twice as well that I wanted her opinion on which was better or more popular, but again she tried to have me buy both for some reason. Would recommend stopping by though!

During a super busy week when I had no time to cook, I decided to try Swadesi Café. I ordered the croissant ring with a potato filling, the chili cheese toastie, and a latte (orange rose Rooh Afza). Both the croissant and toastie tasted great, but I especially loved the toastie--it had unique yet familiar flavors. The latte, however, didn't suit my taste, so I'll probably try a different one next time. Overall, I recommend this place!

Nice and chill place. Not too many items to select from but really good place to have a cup of tea and try fusion Indian snacks. Had samosa, chai and jaggery cookie. It was nice.

I'm very impressed! I saw this place being highlighted due to Instagram's algorithm - granted, influencers more often miss than hit in my opinion - and happened to be in the area so I stopped by for some morning coffee and a bite. A few things stood out immediately when I walked in: 1. Interior of the store definitely caters to the modern aesthetic: clean lines, brightly lit, large windows. 2. A soft and not overpowering smell of spices greeted my nose. 3. All tables were occupied (this was a Sunday morning), and about 70% of the people there looked to be Indian, which is always a plus when I visit ethnic minority businesses (feel free to call me out for ethnic lumping). All this aside, they were sadly sold out of the Butter Chicken Croissant and the Samosa Chaat Croissant when we arrived, so I opted for a Breakfast Sandwich, a Tumeric & Ginger Honey Latte and a Salted Jaggery Caramel Latte. I loved them all, particularly the Breakfast Sandwich which I thought incorporated the flavors of Aloo tikki very well into what is a very American breakfast. While I was sad that I didn't get to try some of their more popular dishes, the ones I did order were fantastic and definitely lived up to the hype. Will be coming back (earlier in the morning hopefully) to try all the other offerings here.

I was in town visiting a friend and decided to check this place out because I had seen it on instagram. It did not disappoint! All the food i tried was delicious, and of course the chai was amazing. Only downside was seating inside was super limited so we were standing for a good 15 min before being able to get a spot.

Loved the vibe and food here! I came on a Saturday morning and it was quite busy but we were able to share a table with another group of friends. I got the chai and carrot halwa tart to snack on. The chai was great and perfectly spiced and the carrot tart was awesome. With a super fresh carrot filling and topped with light cream, it was perfect for a hot summer day and not too heavy to eat before lunch. I wish I had the stomach room to try the savory croissants as well but I'll definitely be back for those!

A fun concept, I was excited to try Swadesi with my friend, especially the croissants. Brightly lit and having ample seating, Swadesi draws in a decent crowd of students and remote workers, and the line moves quickly. Overall, I found the food to be lacking in flavor. I thought the food was designed more with Instagram in mind than actual consumption. Everything looked great, but my table felt like everything we ordered needed something more. The samosa croissant, for example, didn't have the usual spices you would expect from a samosa. Some chutney would help, because the filling was so dense.

I really and truly enjoyed this coffee shop more than I thought I would. We were a group of 6 and the shop was big enough to accommodate several large groups. We ordered the date cake which was absolutely delicious once warmed up and two different lattes which were both equally as good. Service was fast! Will definitely be back to try different drinks

I finally had the time to come try out this little Indian cafe that opened up slightly right outside the loop. I knew I had to bring my boyfriend here because he's a huge fan of Indian food, also I am too especially cafes! The chaat croissant was FREAKING AMAZING! I almost wanted to order a dozen to go cause WOW I loved the spiciness/good kick it had. I was so ready to come back and try other pastries. The chai was really good! It was better than the rose/orange latte, in my opinion so I know exactly what I will get next time I'm back. I thought the breakfast sandwich was just basic, but WOW ! It looks like a hash brown, but it's like so soft and the bread is like so soft/buttery as you take a bite into it. Pictures does not do it's justice at this place. You really have to try it out! I I love the space here because you can totally work from home while sipping on a cup of hot chai during winter time. The service was semi slow when I came here but the place was also jammed pack, so I was like that's cool! The food made up for the wait! Definitely swing by here if you're around the area!

My friend and I recently swung by Swadesi cafe to try some Indian fusion breakfast on a Saturday morning! We tried the Samosa Croissant, chilly cheese toast, masala tea and Tamarind lemonade. Everything we tried was very impressive and creative! Samosa and croissant, who can even think of this combination? The masala tea wasn't available in any other plant-based milk so that was a tad bit disappointing. They also have very limited vegan options! The tamarind lemonade was also my favourite, it was very refreshing and made me reminisce good old home days! They have a very extensive and interesting drinks collection (apart from what's listed on their menu), so definitely check out the coolers. From price point of view, it is tad bit expensive, so I'm not sure I will often visit this place. I have deducted one star as the wait time to get a table was too much and it seemed a bit chaotic and disorganised. Give Swadesi a try at least once though for its creative and unique food combinations!

Bright space with plenty of comfortable seating a great menu and friendly service. We had no problems finding a table and everything we ordered was ready quickly and looked and tasted delicious. Pro tip though not related to the cafe itself, we were in the cafe exactly 15 minutes and parked right out front...and when we came out our car had been towed. The street cleaning sign is all the way at the end of the street so we didn't see it and the tow trucks swooped in and cleared the street in seconds, so...you know, don't be like us

The swadesi breakfast sandwich is absolutely amazing (and vegetarian). Their coffee is great too - would absolutely recommend.

Place was cool. The chai was surprisingly good. I had the chicken toastie. It was good, but the chicken was still cold. For the place like this, I'd hoped to get served chai in a cup. Not a paper cup. The staff is super sweet. It was a great place to sit and work. It was quiet with good Indian music.

This place has it all - from fantastic coffee to a cozy atmosphere and nice snacks! But what really stood out was the service - the staff was incredibly friendly and welcoming, making our experience even more enjoyable! While it appeared to be an ideal working environment, it was incredibly packed, with everyone seemingly glued to their seats, making it difficult to find any movement or available space for new customers to sit and enjoy their items.

A solid cup of chai to warm up a very cold day! I didn't get to try any of their pastries, but I was satisfied with the quality of the tea. Seating was a little too cramped for me to consider it a solid option to get some work done, but I did see some laptops out.

Food: the flavors are excellent! I think it's the best chai I have had in Chicago, rich, spiced and not too sweet. The food was very creative as well. I didn't find the peach and date cake that amazing to be honest but the butter croissant definitely was a hit! Service: quick, friendly. Closed at 4pm sharp though. Ambience: relaxed, ideal to work orcatch up with friends.

I had a chance to stop by Swadesi a few weeks back. First off, the vibe of this place is great, feels like modern desi. It was pretty busy with a balance flow of people leaving and coming in. I ordered the cold brew with the rose syrup. Overall, I didn't really taste the rose in it but the cold brew itself was pretty good. I want to come back to try the food next time - they have creative twists on pastries and sweets.

I come here almost every morning which is bad for my wallet but also I'm happy to support a South Asian-owned business, I love that this concept opened right next to me. I'm Pakistani, and their chai is very yummy, I do wish it was kind of thicker (whole milk?) to be richer but the masala flavor is good. Love the salted jaggery chocolate chip cookies, love the butter chicken croissants. Love the smoked oak vanilla latte (hot is better than iced). Honestly haven't really gone wrong! Great vibes, cute decor, they sell some snacks and stuff that look cute, and everyone who works there has been super nice. Definitely recommend.

Great addition to Chicago. Friendly, welcoming staff. Beautiful interior. Great location. Definitely recommend coming. Starting from the 2nd week of April, they'll be open at 8 AM instead of 7 AM. Rave reviews from food websites: https://chicago.eater.com/2024/3/28/24114781/swadesi-chai-cafe-west-loop-south-asian-bakery-indienne-sujan-sarkar https://chicago.eater.com/2024/3/28/24114781/swadesi-chai-cafe-west-loop-south-asian-bakery-indienne-sujan-sarkar Review of individual food items: Souffle Egg Sandwhich: Highly, highly recommend. The hot food options stand out here. Orange Rose Rooh Afza with Oat Milk: Very unique drink. Highly recommend. Jaggery Choc Chip Cookie: Was a bit hard, but the taste was unique. Kinda caramel-like. Recommend. Carrot Halwa Choux: Very airy but dry. Very tasty. I definitely recommend trying it, but it wasn't my favorite. Masala chai: not my favorite, but high quality. It doesn't come in non-dairy versions. Recommend if you like masala chai.

I genuinely had higher expectations for this cafe after seeing all of the videos on social media. Their aesthetic is well carried out, and their menu is quite unique. However, I felt like the food and drinks itself fell short, which is why I rated it the way I did. Their hours I felt are quite odd, open until 4 PM on weekdays, open until 2 PM on Saturdays while closed on Sundays. This resulted in quite a long line on Saturday and limited seating for all of the patrons. People were fighting for tables and some even ate in their cars because of the limited space. The food and drinks options are unique with butter chicken croissants and a variety of sandwiches. We enjoyed the breakfast sandwich and chicken tikka toastie most. While the butter chicken croissant was fun to try, it consisted more croissant than anything. We were most excited to try the drinks, we tried the Salted Caramel Jaggery latte, rose and orange latte, and chai. The drinks were made in front of us and were sadly cold to taste. They were sweeter than expected and less caffeinated. The chai tasted more authentic. While the espresso drinks sound good on paper, their taste falls short.

Tried it while in Chicago, some great fusion items. The barista was great, coffee was unique and tasted amazing. The food items were fun to try and will go back there the next time I'm in Chicago.

Swadesi cafe is quite the hype right now in town! I went on a Saturday morning and gosh it was super super crowded. Could only manage to grab a quick coffee and leave! Open seating so plan to get a spot wherever you can, sharing tables is also an option. Too loud for my taste for a morning Saturday coffee but the flavours in the salted jaggery caramel latte were spot on.

When I saw an Indian cafe open up in West Loop last month, I knew I needed to try it. While they have a lot of fun drinks with Indian twists, I thought I would try their standard masala chai. I was a bit disappointed. It felt a bit diluted and didn't have as much flavor as I would have liked. The chocolate croissant cube is not Indian at all, though they offer them here. I have seen them all over social media so I decided to finally give in and try it. Honestly very glad that I did because it was great! The croissant itself was soft and pillowy on the inside yet a bit crunchy on the outside. The top is dipped in a rich chocolate that is not too sweet and topped with crunchy chocolate pearls. This croissant paired perfectly with the masala chai since the chai itself wasn't as sweet. Check out this unique new cafe if you get the chance!

I live and go to law school nearby, so I was excited to see Swadesi open up. This area desperately needs more work/study spaces and Swadesi fits the bill. Aesthetically, this place is gorgeous. It is open and airy with beautiful decor and comfy furniture. Service is efficient and friendly. We were welcomed warmly, which I really appreciate. I ordered the rose and orange latte which was delicious (but a little too sweet) and garnished beautifully with latte art, a dried rosebud, and a blood orange slice. They don't offer skim or 1% milk, which I find disappointing. The total for my single latte was $7.50 plus tax. With the pricing slightly on the higher side, I don't think this will be a regular stop in my rotation. However, with the delicious drinks, great service, and wonderful atmosphere, I will definitely be back when I want a special treat!

I love the unique offerings at Swadesi. My first time trying to visit, the line was down the block, so giving it some time and coming back on a weekday morning made visiting here easier. We tried a few items, including the Breakfast Sandwich (Custard Egg, Crispy Potato Tikki, American Cheese, Spicy Garlic Mayo) $12, the Jaggery Chocolate Chip Cookie with Brown Butter and Sea Salt $5, and the Mango Ras Malai Jar ($8). I also enjoyed my Salted Jaggery Caramel Latte $7. Everything tasted delicious, and I have been craving that Mango Ras Malai since this visit in early summer.

Decent food! Highly recommend the chicken tikka sandwich! Service was pretty fast. Ambience was welcoming. Too many people, so plan to arrive early. It's only open mon-fri, so expect to see people working on their laptops. Maybe a one time try :) Definitely try it out! Worth checking it out once!

Swadesi means "of one's own country" and this place is representing India by serving authentic Chai & Indian snacks! The ambiance of the cafe was bright, refreshing & lively! Loved the branding on the cups & coasters which had a unique touch of Hindi language!

While walking in the Loop today, a friend and I decided to try out Swadesi for the first time. The place is stunning, with rich colors and marble-topped tables. The staff were also kind. He ordered the classic chai, and I opted for the butter chicken croissant and a jaggery chocolate chip cookie which came out to about $20 with tip. The croissant was delicious, with the burrata being a nice, if unexpected, touch. The filling had a decent kick, and the pickled onions balanced everything well. The cookie, however, was incredibly rich--almost too much for me, which says a lot. I loved the texture and flavor, but it's definitely a once-a-year treat. A little on the expensive side, but I'm glad I tried it!

I really wanted to love this place, and I'll definitely give it another try. But my first time was just okay. I came mid morning on a weekday - it was pretty quiet and I easily found a table to work at. Fast WiFi available! I ordered an iced salted jaggery latte (no upcharge for non-dairy milks! they have oat, soy, and almond) and the breakfast sandwich. The latte was very good but a bit too sweet for my taste. Maybe it's better hot. The breakfast sandwich was so close to being great, but just missed the mark for me. I loved the aloo patty and the eggs & bun were fantastic. But the whole sandwich was missing a sour/spicy note. The sandwich is served with ketchup on the side, which feels a little cheap / out of place for a place with this vibe. A real missed opportunity to serve this with a mint chutney, tamarind chutney, or some kind of Indian hot sauce! Will come back to try other items, and I genuinely enjoyed the vibe. But the food needs a little work to really be great!

Definitely one of my favorite places to go study and be productive. My friends and I love getting the masala chai. and while is not as good as my mom's, it definitely hits the spot and my cravings every single time. they're definitely are not a lot of seats, so if you plan on coming to do work, I recommend you try to get there early. There are only a few outlets so that may also be something to consider. The samosa chaat croissant is interesting, I like the flavors but am not sure it's for me. The service is always fast. Will definitely try the chili cheese toastie the next time I'm there. Also, if you're trying to park, there are not a lot of street parking options nearby.

I love love LOVE this cafe. I am from Edison NJ, and the pastries here absolutely fulfilled my craving for fresh, delicious desi food. I've been back 2 times already and I love trying new things from their menu-- all of their items have a unique flavor profile. I especially love the carrot hawala cake and the blood orange coffee.

A must try Indian inspired cafe in the Chicago area! The chai is super delicious and the egg soufflé sandwich is an absolute must get. The rose and orange latte I had was okay, and so was the chili cheese toastie. The gajar halwa tart that we got was also so light and perfectly sweet. Love this cafe! Great for hanging out or getting work done.

Some friends and I swung by Swadesi to grab some drinks and tried the Swadesi masala chai, the turmeric and ginger honey latte and the orange and rose latte. I had the orange and rose latte iced with oat milk (no upcharge on alt. milks which was nice) and absolutely loved it. I loved the orange and rose flavor notes that came through and didn't think it was overly floral, which I'm always wary of. The space is beautiful and inviting and our drinks were a nice afternoon pick-me-up!

We've been trying to come into Swadesi cafe for a long time, but keep missing it because of the short hours. We finally were able to make it a few weeks ago. The cafe was nice and cozy, and friendly for those working remotely. I got the classic chai and my husband got the tamarind lemonade. The chai was okay, nothing to write home about, but the lemonade was creative and tasty! We will try to come back to try some of the food!

The cutest cafe! I like the pale blue color scheme. I loooved the chili cheese toastie, sooo cheesy! The chicken tikka was alright and both sandwiches were very filling (kept us full for hours). The iced mango & matcha was interesting although i will always prefer the original.