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Word Origin & History

chai 

"tea," 1919, from Rus. or Arabic word for "tea" (see tea). Now used esp. of spiced teas.

"Chai Latte" simply would be a tea with steamed milk.

Now when you order a chai, please refrain from sounding redundant and somewhat unintelligent when stepping up to the front of the line and ordering a "chai tea" in this case you have just ordered a "tea tea," now why would you do that? The same goes for a "chai tea latte" if it was put in english terms would you really say to the barista "Hi, I'd like a tea tea with steamed milk"? No. So please people, for the sake of all that is good in this land please stop calling chai "chai tea." This is not Hawaii where something is so nice they named named it twice. No. Please just don't.

So take this with you and even when you see that it has been scribbled out on those infamous blackboard menus "Chai Tea Latte" just simple order the chai latte, they'll know what you mean and you'll keep yourself from falling into an American made word-ditch. Bottoms up!

My first visit of coffee land in Chicago worth mentioning was The Wormhole Coffee of 1462 N. Milwaukee in Wicker Park. A nerd, dork, geek, hispter's dream rolled into the essence of a coffee shop, if there ever was one. 
 The Wormhole is filled with mismatched furniture paired with coffee tables galore. A single long wooden table that looks like it was taken from a harvard library sits situated between the livingroom styled chairs and side tables. Amidst the livingroom-like set up a several-decade old TV set paired with a vintage Nintendo gaming system complete with any 80s gamer's fantasy list of games just waiting to be played. The walls are lined with fad movie posters such as Star Wars, Uncle Buck, The Breakfast Club and more. A faux fireplace is suited with the Millennium Falcon that looks as if it's about to take off up the faux brick chimney. Lining the shelves and boxed cubbys along the wall is as much Star Wars memorbilia as you can imagine, cups, figurines, pictures, posters, and cutouts of the Star Wars characters and most-beloved props that could rival the Smithsonian (if they had a Star Wars section that is). Sitting nicely tucked in the coffee shops front window is a complete replica of the Delorean from Back the The Future which complete the facade of the Wormhole.

Please note that the "Wormhole" in their title does not allude to our creepy, crawly friends of nature but the wormhole of space and time travel that we have come to know so well in movies such as Star Trek and Star Wars.

The atmosphere is of mostly college-age students, most of which are there to work. The wormhole has its busy hours but because of its work-like atmosphere and study/lounge appeal rarely do you see people coming in "just to chill." It's busier on the weekends of course, if you go earlier in the morning it's more likely to be quieter if that it what you're looking for, towards the afternoon hours the clientele mingles with 20-somethings to 40-somethings on their coffee/study breaks.

The seating arrangement is perfect, nobody is up in anyone's business unless they specifically want to be then in that case there is something else that needs to be addressed (Please refrain from the PDA people). I suggest, if it's colder outside, sitting closer to the back because the door opens constantly with foot traffic from the sidewalk and even the coffee won't keep you warm enough from those bitter bursts of cold air.

Now I have personally not tried their food. Apart from a few macaroons on the house, which were delightful, I have heard nothing bad or good about their food.

(Winter Formal)

Now their coffee is what they are well known for. I first have told you that I am not particularly a coffee drinker nor will I be in the future, my interest is more for tea but I have been known to try a few coffee-infused drinks. For instance, their "Winter Formal" which is a latte-like coffee infused with basil did give me much needed caffeine boost but the bitterness of the basil was hard to overcome.

Their "Chider" was divine, it's simple a mix of apple chider and chai. It is beyond sweet, listen up sweet tooth, and will make anyone slightly pucker at its super sweet and tangy taste.

Last but not least their chai latte. I have had this each time I have visited (5+) and each time it gets better and better. It is definitely on the sweeter side with a slight tang to it. I don't know how they make it... whether with loose tea or a syrup but either way it's good!!
I had one loose tea that comes with tea infuser and all (love it!) I believe it was the "Dragon" tea... The exact title escapes me but it was a white tea and was just flavorful enough not to overburden the senses.

I have easily spent a good five hours studying at the place in a single sitting and have yet to get tired of it. Their free and unlimited Wi-Fi doesn't hurt either ;-) The staff is spunky and super friendly and always willing to offer you a new option to try if you are bored with your usual cup of joe. They are well versed in the language of the coffee bean and are no stranger to offering you their expertise in the matter of such things or others if you wish to venture off into new territory of conversation. I always see them testing out new concoctions behind the counter and experimenting with the steamed milk art creations. I secretly wish to work here someday.

I give the Wormhole Coffee's chai latte a 9/10 (subject to change).

The atmosphere gets a 10/10

Cheers!