A pleasant mixture of scents tickles the nose at Coffee & Tea Exchange, a coffee shop that has poured an ever-changing assortment of teas and coffees since 1975. And though the shop is old, its beans are youngins, roasted on Chicago's West Side for unbeatable freshness.

Don't think about staying at the Coffee and Tea Exchange to sit around and enjoy a leisurely drink, though; there is barely room to stand around the huge barrels of coffee that take up most of the floor space. A cup of the day's featured light, dark, decaffeinated or flavored coffee can be purchased to go, and an assortment of teas including a cold tea made of Echinacea, chamomile, peppermint, rosehips, orange peel, lemon verbena, licorice root and sometimes thyme, are also offered.

Or spice up your Mr. Coffee by purchasing whole beans. In addition to Sumatra and Colombian Supremo blends, you'll find nearly 20 flavored coffees that bear the tasty essence of coconut, Irish cream, pecan pumpkin spice or chocolate. Jars of spices like pink peppercorns and Korintje cinnamon can be purchased by the ounce and join the company of teas and coffee mugs along the walls' shelves.

Average cost: <$10

Centerstage Reviewer: Erin Delahanty