Caffè RōM

The ladies that work at ROM are just the absolute best!!! Thanks for brightening my day! And LOVE that you love XRT

The coffee here is good. The expresso drinks are better. I enjoy the sandwiches, but since they are premade in the mornings, Rom will not customize your sandwich for you for free. i.e., if you ask to take the eggplant off, they will charge you a dollar. And once they run out for the day, that’s it. That being said, the sandwiches are tasty. If you’re willing to splurge on a $ 10 dollar sandwich, try a bite.

Service has declined significantly. I always feel like I’m bothering or interrupting the employees to place my order. Actually, I used to feel that way as I no longer patronize Rom. Too many options nearby to endure lousy service.
Maybe this is a coffee nerd thing, but these people also need to learn how to make a cappuccino. The recipe is essentially ¹⁄₃ espresso, ¹⁄₃ steamed milk and ¹⁄₃ foam. Rom’s recipe is espresso plus as much milk as necessary to fill the cup.
Competent management is sorely needed as I used to really like Rom and now I pretty much hate it.

Pretty good coffee. Not «great» but very solid. Having thrash metal music playing probably not the best for the ambience of the place…

RōM continues to have great coffee and food. I’ve been going to RōM for a number of years and have noticed the service has declined significantly of late. This includes lost orders and a lack of focus on the customer even if you are the only one there waiting for your drink. Prior employees were more attentive and didn’t spend 5 minutes socializing instead of making a coffee. My prior review was 5 stars and hope that service returns to how it was a year or so ago.

The prices at Caffe ROM are ridiculous. Prices increased January 1^st, 2015 and again July 1^st, 2015. A hot tea is now $ 3.76, more than Starbucks! Last I checked it’s a tea bag, hot water and a cup and takes no skill or effort to prepare. I’m no longer a ROM customer due to their overpriced goods.

Delicious mushroom panini! The espresso is smooth and bold. Service is excellent. I like the loyalty card idea.

We stopped in while visiting Chicago. The drinks are amazing and the baristas even better! Tisha is the best! She knows her drinks and makes the best recommendations. We will definitely be coming back next time we’re in Chicago!

Experience: ⁵⁄₅
Conveniently located inside the Prudential Tower, it is a short walk from the loop. This was my first encounter with Italian Style coffee to my knowledge and I was satisfied.
Coffee: ⁴⁄₅
I ordered a hot latte with soy milk. Nothing really fancy about it, but it tasted like a latte should.
Service: ⁵⁄₅
Quick and attentive staff. Very friendly. No line, even during the lunch rush.
Price: $$
Overall: ⁴⁄₅
They have gelato which has received rave reviews. I would go here for dessert in the future.

Coffee is great. Their affogato is delicious also. Gelato by itself is amazing as well. RōM gets two stars for the coffee and gelato. Yum!
RōM lost my other 3 stars on 1) bad customer service and 2) bad business practice. Did you know if you order coffee/​latte for «here,» you get coffee in a ceramic coffee cup and saucer? Cute and environmentally friendly, but the ceramic cup holds only about 6 oz. If you order a 12 oz. (small) coffee for here, you only get about 6 oz and that’s it! Yet, they still charge you for the full 12 oz! I did not know at the time, so I asked. The barista said, «You get the same thing — 1 shot of espresso and some milk. You just lose out on extra milk.» She did not apologize or offer to compensate. In fact, they pinned it on me and said I should have ordered a 16 oz (medium), so that way I get the cup for here and the rest of the 10 oz in a paper, to-​go cup. Sorry, Professor Xavier was not with me at the time, so I did not know. RōM and staff of RōM, can you have it out in writing for other customers next time?
Secondly, bad business practice — (815 ILCS 505/​) Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act. I paid for a 12 oz latte as advertised in big writting. I should get a 12 oz beverage in return! I did not pay for «1 shot of espresso and some milk.»
The barista gave me an attitude when I expressed my feelings (calmly). She said «You know what? I will just make you another one because that’s the only way of solving your problem.» No, an apology is sometimes enough. At the time I asked, I have already consumed the little cup of latte. I don’t need another espresso shot or I will get the jitters. Maybe a discount for my next purchase? Just a thought.

I made the unfortunate decision to buy a sandwich here and paid 8 friggin 59 for it. It sounded so good! A caprese with mozzarella basil tomato and balsamic drizzle. I should have stopped when I saw it was already wrapped up, but I’m new to Chicago and thought Rom was a reputable joint.
Nope. Soggy mushy sourdough. .wet off colored basil. Tomato and mozzarella wasn’t anything special. I was starving so I ate half. Will never be buying lunch there again. Most expensive sandwich I’ve purchased. I’m sure the coffee and gelato is okay, though. But seriously if you know the sandwich had been sitting there that long… take it off the shelf. It was only like 2pm…

So good. The only bad thing is they run out of food by mid afternoon. Technically, that’s a good thing because then you know everything is fresh the next morning.
Great coffees, pastries, sandwiches, fresh fruit salads. Oh, and nice staff, also.

Bright spot in my work commute through the dystopian underground pedway world. Food is great, lattes are fantastic, place is welcoming, and baristas are all super nice.

Pros:
Lattes are good. Sandwiches are good. Yogurt is good. Staff is pretty friendly. Their soup used to be good, but I will no longer eat it, see below for explanation.
Cons:
Expensive$$$$ (like $ 11 for lunch or $ 7 for latte and yogurt). I FOUND A SCRAP OF PAPER TOWEL IN MY SOUP. SERIOUSLY, IT WAS NASTY (and kind of unsanitary — minus 2 stars for that)

First, let me say I really do love this place and the people that work here, but something has happened in the last couple of months to the bar. There are some new baristas and I’m sorry to knock your work but it needs help, but I’ve recently ordered two lattes and they have both been awful.
Espresso shots were probably not timed and the milk… oh the milk… when milk is being steamed, it shouldn’t make any noise. That’s how you know you have a great barista. Both lattes have had scalded milk and with the bitter espresso, it’s made for a really bad latte.
I want to keep ordering from the bar here, but the baristas have got to get back in to a class. I don’t need art on each latte, but I do need properly pulled shots and velvety steamed milk. Rom used to have this, and I believe it can have it again, but baristas you need to do some work.
Quality over quantity. Rom is NOT Starbucks, and never should try to be.

Stumbled on this during a business trip and what a wonderful surprise. The experience bore up over multiple visits. Outstanding lattes and baked goods (spinach and feta croissaint was so flaky and fresh), plus efficient, friendly service. If I lived here, I’d be a regular. I like that they have snack options like good-​quality Greek yogurt and fresh fruit, too.
One note: it is tucked away a bit, which perhaps was why it was not crowded on my visits.

So happy this café is in my neighborhood! Makes you feel like you’ve stepped back in to Italy after being away too long! I love the Italian video they play on the TV sometimes.
They have gelato too! Don’t think I’ve tried it yet, but I did get the roasted vegetables once when I needed a snack. Delicious:)
Love Caffe Rom! Good way to avoid the obnoxious starbucks crowd that is too cheap to pay for the internet at home and hangs out all day watching movies on their laptop!

DELICIOUS coffee! And better quality than the «other big coffee chain.» I’m so glad it’s (sort of) in my building, so when the urge for a cup of coffee that I don’t have to make in the office Keurig machine hits, I’ve got a great option nearby. The staff is also friendly and efficient. Rumor has it the food is also great, which I’ll have to explore.

Caffe RoM is tucked between the Prudential/​Aon pedway, so you kind of have to know where to find it to come here. Don’t let that fool you though, this place is the real deal, and no more expensive than a Starbucks or other coffee shop. The lines are usually much shorter and the employees are much more friendly than the average Starbucks.
They also serve sandwiches, bagles, and a few other items, though on today’s visit, I just had a regular coffee.
A much appreciated break from the norm. I’ll be visiting soon!

I’ve been coming to Rom ever since it opened in the Prudential Center and have yet to be disappointed with anything here. I actually don’t drink coffee, so I can’t comment on that. I will say, however, that Rom has some of the best hot chocolate I’ve ever had. All of their cookies are also great as is the gelato.
For lunch options, I’ve had the various quiches and they’re all good (be prepared to wait about 7 – 10 minutes for quiche since it has to be heated up). I’ve also had different sandwiches and thought they were tasty. I’ve never tried the soup.
Overall, I think this is an excellent alternative to a regular chain coffee place and is incredibly convenient for anyone working in Prudential or AON.