Intelligentsia Coffee Chicago Roasting Works

Intelligentsia's Chicago Roasting Works on South Central Avenue in Bedford Park is where they roast their coffee, including Black Cat Espresso, the bag most people know them for. Their site says every order is freshly roasted here, and the location is open Monday through Friday by appointment only.

It's a production and training site, so plan on an appointment rather than a walk-in coffee. When production tours are offered, you can watch a roast go from the green coffee hopper to the cooling tray. That's worth it for coffee people and fans of the brand.

Bags from the full Intelligentsia line ship by mail order, and there's a subscription. Ordering online is the easiest way to buy.