For a while now, I’ve been on the hunt for a café to fuel both my caffeine addiction and spice up my Instagram feed. When I stumbled upon Hometown Coffee & Juice in Glencoe, I knew I found my place.

On a weekend morning, teenagers and adults packed the café. Some chatted comfortably on cushioned leather chairs while others worked on laptops, quietly and unbothered.

As I approached the counter, I was greeted by friendly workers eager to spark conversation. They guided me through the menu, offering a variety of options including pressed juices, avocado toasts and protein-packed breakfast sandwiches.

The first item I tried was the Avo & Lox Hometown Toast ($9.75): avocado, lox, cucumbers and tomatoes on multigrain bread, seasoned with salt and lemon juice. The perfectly toasted, hearty multigrain meshed flawlessly with the fresh ingredients on top. Yet, even with the salt and lemon, the toast lacked some punch.

I was eager to try the Garden Caprese Hometown Toast ($8.75). On top of the crispy multigrain bread was avocado, basil, pesto, tomato and mozzarella, with sea salt and a balsamic glaze. And let me say, this toast exceeded all of my expectations. The balsamic and pesto added a tangy, yet sweet boost of flavor that made the toast exciting to bite into.

I found myself very impressed. Both toasts were healthy and filling, with fresh ingredients and an ‘Instagrammable’ presentation.

Hometown Coffee & Juice uses La Colombe coffee to craft their specialty coffee-based beverages. I ordered my go-to drink at any coffee shop: a 12-ounce cappuccino with oat milk ($3.75 plus 75 cents for oat milk). With a heart design on top of the foam, the coffee looked so exquisite that I almost didn’t want to drink it. But after my first sip, I fell in love. The cappuccino was creamy and sweet, with just the right amount of foam. The combination of high-quality La Colombe coffee and a thoughtful presentation made the beverage definitely worth its price.

The last items I tried were two colorful ‘Shookies’ — Funfetti and M&M’S ($2.95 each). As I stared at these cookies through the display case, my mouth began to salivate. They might seem a bit pricey, but they were the most delicious cookies I have ever tasted. Each one was crispy on the edges, yet thick and soft in the middle. Although I couldn’t finish either on my own, I absolutely adored their sweet flavor and doughy texture.

Overall, this café is the perfect spot for those looking to hang out with friends, take artsy Instagram pictures of aesthetically pleasing food or get some work done if you don’t mind a little music and small-talk around you.

Hometown Coffee & Juice, my stomach thanks you for your delicious food, and my Instagram feed thanks you for your laidback aesthetic. I’ll be back soon.