Argo Tea, Chicago

For tea lovers in the theater district

If you're going to a show at the Oriental Theatre on Randolph Street in Chicago and have time to kill before or after the performance, stop next door at Argo Tea. Sure the place is a chain, but it's a chain that hasn't made its way to Milwaukee yet (why not?!), so it was an exciting stop for my mom and me this past weekend. 

"Is tea the new thing?" my mom asked. I told her I didn't really know — but if it brings more chai lattes into my life, I'm cool with it. When you walk into Argo on Randolph, there's a wall of loose-leaf tea saying "Tin me! Take me home!" The giant windows with their gently bowed panes bring an almost Willy Wonka vibe to the shop. 

Our chai lattes were tasty, and there were lots of other tempting drinks on the menu. Check some of these drink names: Carolina Honey, Hibiscus Apple Cider, Earl Grey Vanilla Creme. And there are straight-up teas, too — enticing things like Armenian Mint and Green Tea White Jasmine. Yum! As far as chain tea shops go, Argo is welcome in my neck of the woods any time.