Ellie's Coffee Oakbrook Terrace

I hadn’t visited this restaurant in quite some time, and it was a pleasant change. The staff were very welcoming, and both the host and hostess were exceptionally friendly.

This is a fantastic café with wonderful people. The machines really do pay out! The ambiance is inspired by the series "Friends," creating a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere.

It's an okay spot, but we were hoping for a coffee shop. When we inquired about coffee options, the man at the counter informed us that they only serve black coffee. He mentioned they have coffee machines that no one knows how to operate, so it’s just standard coffee. While I don’t fault them for not having an elaborate coffee selection, it was disappointing to learn that, despite the name "Ellie’s Coffee" on the map, there was actually no variety aside from black coffee. The name can be misleading, as it’s more of a bar than a true coffee shop.

My cousin and I just left Ellie's after trying to visit. We waited at the door until a greeter finally arrived. An older gentleman came from the back and said, "What do we have here? That young man can’t come in; you have to be 21." When I showed him my cousin's ID and asked, "How do you know he’s not 21? You didn't even ask to see his ID," he responded, "You can leave." My cousin has Down Syndrome, which makes him shorter than average, but I believe he should have had the chance to prove his age. This experience felt completely discriminatory, and we will never come back here again.

The ambiance is very pleasant and peaceful, with some soft sounds from machines, which is to be expected. I look forward to returning soon!