WISE CUP, in Downtown Oak Park, 1018 Lake St, offers an array of traditional coffee drinks, pastries, muffins and breads (baked goods provided by Reuter’s Bakery) as well as an enticing selection of Indian dishes including flavorful samosas and yogurt-based mango lassis. Wise Cup also makes its own authentic Masala Chai blend, which is brewed fresh per-customer, or available in bags for home brewing.
Coffee drinks at Wise Cup are made with Sputnik Coffee roasted in Chicago’s Back of the Yards neighborhood and the list of favorites is long. On a recent visit to the bustling café, we enjoyed a bit of spice—we sipped their perennially popular Mayan Mocha boasting dark chocolate and espresso with a dash of cinnamon and cayenne pepper. We paired the luscious drink with a handmade samosa filled with potatoes and peas. It was a perfect lunch unique in our Oak Park community!
Wise Cup is owned by Naveen and Shivangi Khetarpal, who opened the coffee shop six years ago. In 2020, they began hosing pop-up meals featuring regional Indian fare. The pop-ups were a hit and the Khetarpals have since continued the program on the first Saturday of every month. Customers can pre-order off a menu of Indian street food dishes for carryout. The menu changes from month-to-month, rotating among different regional Indian cuisines. Past menus have included Pav bhaji, a popular vegan stew of assorted vegetables and Indian spices from Mumbai, and summer specials like samosa chaat with stewed chickpeas topped with a golden samosa, chutney, yogurt, onions, and tomatoes. Creative lentil flights and garlic naan satisfy curious diners, while Wise Cup’s roti tacos bring a taste of Calcutta to Lake Street.
To get more information on the popups, call the shop or follow Wise Cup on Facebook and Instagram to learn how to place an order. “We have repeat customers who have been very satisfied,” said Naveen, adding that they frequently sell out.
Wise Cup
1018 Lake St, Oak Park
wise-cup.business.site
(708) 628-3707
