Hot Off the French Press: Humboldt Park

“Humboldt Park” By Elysa Valeriano

When I was in fifth grade, my drama teacher told my class that the two Puerto Rican steel flags on Division Street would “wave hello as you enter the neighborhood and wave goodbye as you exit.” To this day, I still wave at those two flags as I pass through Paseo Boricua and travel through Humboldt Park. Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, the region saw an influx of Puerto Rican residents after gentrification had pushed many Latinos out of northern neighborhoods. Paseo Boricua, a strip of Division Street full of Puerto Rican art and businesses, flourished as a space for residents to celebrate their heritage, history, and culture. Many of the murals aim to remind the community of their resilience and commitment to social justice reform; for instance, the 1966 Division Street riots, a three-day protest in response to the shooting of Arcelis Cruz, mobilized hundreds of locals and sparked change within community policing. Currently, longtime residents face numerous issues surrounding gentrification, affordable housing, and continuing to pass down traditions through generations (1).

Spinning J Bakery and Soda Fountain

Long, long ago, my father and I used to visit Spinning J after he would pick me up from school or to end a fun weekend full of festivities—okay, that wasn’t too long ago, but the memory seems distant now that I’m in college. Spinning J Bakery and Soda Fountain feels like stepping into an old movie where kids could get a Coca-Cola for a couple of quarters and penny candies were still the norm. The vintage-style bar, unique light fixtures, earth-toned color palette, and breathtaking hardwood cabinetry evoked a sense of warmth and nostalgia. Patrons seemed interested in engaging with each other rather than isolating themselves in the confines of their laptops, making this shop stand out against the others I previously reviewed. While seating is rather limited and the noise level could be considered distracting, Spinning J seemed like the perfect place to catch up with a friend or meet for a casual date!

After spending most of my morning running around completing assignments before midterms, I found myself a bit peckish around lunch time and decided to stop by Spinning J for a quick bite. They have a seasonal rotating menu with a variety of pastries, quiches, and sandwiches made with whatever is currently in season. Wanting something simple, I ordered a grilled cheese with a side of chips, a pickle spear, and a King Crimson iced tea to wash it all down. The sourdough bread was fluffy on the inside with a flaky, deliciously crispy crust surrounding the gooey, sharp white cheddar cheese. Paired with a few handfuls of crispy chips, the meal was decently filling for its midrange price point. I’m not exactly sure what I expected ordering the King Crimson, but for not particularly loving iced fruit teas, I enjoyed it more than I thought. The tea came unsweetened—much to my delight—so if you ever have the taste for a refreshing tea on an abnormally hot autumn day, make the King Crimson your go-to.

La Boulangerie & Co California

A brief stroll south from Spinning J Bakery and Soda Fountain takes you to La Boulangerie & Co California, a French-style bakery with four Chicago locations. Their Humboldt Park shop is one of their smaller locations—but it still packs a big punch! Even though it has been about two weeks since my visit (midterms unfortunately sucked the life out of me), I still remember the tranquility of their outdoor patio and the soft buzz of cars passing by. The display cases for the pastries almost looked unreal, with each dessert lined up perfectly in their individual trays. Various commodities imported from Europe lined the walls and provided an array of French snacks, wines, and ground coffees! Fresh bread stacked high behind the counter, showcasing its beautiful golden crust and impressive scoring. The indoor seating had a quieter atmosphere perfect for studying, but the outdoor ambience was just what I needed to sit down and focus on my work.

When I visited La Boulangerie & Co it was about 85°F and sunny. When I visited La Boulangerie & Co it was also mid-October. To cool myself down from the abnormal autumn heat and desperately claw at any semblance of pumpkin spice season, I ordered an iced pumpkin chai latte and paired it with a pumpkin spice muffin. As far as muffins go, this was one of the denser ones I had consumed, though it was flavorful and had my favorite part of all: pepitas! Full transparency, I am not sure what I was thinking when ordering a pumpkin chai latte knowing that I do not like mixing pumpkin spice and chai—unsurprisingly, I was not a big fan of the drink I bought. Chai is somewhat strong on its own, so combining it with sweetened syrup was far from my personal taste. An unmodified chai latte or pumpkin spice latte would have been less overpowering and more up my alley, but I’m glad to have stepped out of my comfort zone and try it!

Plena Mercancía

Between visiting the first two cafes and Plena Mercancía, the temperature had dropped significantly, and the leaves had started to change color. My father had recommended this café to me on the morning of my visit, and after searching for about a week for my last shop, I just knew I had to try it. Plena Mercancía is a café just blocks away from Humboldt Park—the actual park—and truly embodies the feeling of having coffee with your loved ones. All the products sold in-store, “from the sugar to the coffee to the cacao” are sourced from Puerto Rico, according to the lovely barista I talked to, and you can taste the quality from the very first sip. What I found most interesting about this place was the bar-style seating and how the barista would keep your tab open as you sit and talk with fellow customers and staff. I could keep ordering more drinks as I listened to the stories of regulars, and when I was ready to leave, I could pay for all my beverages at once.

As an espresso and coconut lover, the cafequito instantly caught my eye. My heart was set on it as soon as I heard that the delicious blend of coffee, coconut milk, and cinnamon could be served to me in the cutest little paper cup. To no surprise, the latte was silky smooth with just the right amount of sweetness and hints of cinnamon. For those looking for a non alcoholic drink similar to a traditional coquito, Plena Mercancía’s cafequito may be the perfect latte for you! Aside from the drink itself, the feeling of the café and how the locals interacted with each other makes me a little emotional writing this. It was reminiscent of sitting with my family members as a kid, listening to my Tios and Tias talk amongst themselves while sipping my small cup of coffee that was more milk than espresso at the time. The peace that I felt at Plena Mercancía was exactly what motivated me to start this blog, so I encourage you to visit for yourself and experience the same.

Resources

1) https://chicagostudies.uchicago.edu/humboldt-park/humboldt-park-historyhumboldt-park