Cumberland Road Coffee House

There's no indoor seating, no outdoor seating, and no bathroom at Cumberland Road Coffee House. One customer thought outdoor seating might be added later. As of now, it's a drive-through-only operation on Interstate Drive in St Elmo, Illinois, set up for travelers pulling off I-70 who need a coffee and a quick breakfast without leaving the vehicle.

The beans are roasted on site, which is the part that distinguishes this from the chain drive-through three exits up. Order the chocolate-forward signature coffee on the barista's suggestion if you want the house roast leading, or an iced Americano with a splash of cream if you want the espresso to do the work. The matcha is on the board for non-coffee drinkers in the car. For food, a breakfast burrito or a cherry danish handles the highway-hungry side of the stop. Pup Cups are complimentary in the drive-through, which matters if you've got a dog in the car. Truck parking is across the street if you came in big.

Who it suits: road-trippers on I-70 who want a coffee and breakfast stop run by a small roaster rather than a national chain, and locals doing a quick drive-through run on the way to work. Not a fit for sit-down customers or anyone who needs a restroom. Plan the next exit for that. The window is the whole experience.