Smooth Sips Cafe

Smooth Sips will put a smile on your lips.

What a better place to kick off my 2023 travels than with a new place that serves up coffee! I am glad my friend Maria told me about this place as it felt like the right place to get back in to the swing of traveling after a few years of the pandemic putting the brakes on it.

We dropped in on a Sunday morning when the sun was shining and the weather was finally out of the single digits for a few days in a row. Maria got there early so she had already picked out a spot to sit and was halfway through devouring her bagel while I got my bearings and approached the counter.

The lady behind the counter (I think she was the owner) was super friendly and waited patiently as I took in a new menu. It didn’t take long to decide on ordering an iced americano with a cinnamon/raisin bagel with plain cream cheese. While she made my order, I snapped a few photos and sat down to talk to my coffee drinking buddy and catch up on the last few months. The americano didn’t take long to make and the barista/owner brought my bagel out a few minutes after I snagged my coffee. I knew the bagel was coming with cream cheese but I didn’t expect such a generous portion. It was almost too much as the cream cheese drowned out a bit of the pop a cinnamon/raisin bagel has. It was still super delicious though and hit the spot after a long weekend of having little to eat.

Maria and I chatted while my coffee slowly disappeared. She said they serve [CxT] coffee here. I personally can’t tell the difference between all the local roasters and enjoy them all the same. Caffeine is caffeine in my books and this stuff was just about what I expected from a local americano. I grabbed the largest size they had which was 20oz. I would’ve gladly paid extra for a larger size as we ended up sitting there for 3 hours, shooting the breeze.

The interior is your standard coffeehouse. Plenty of places to sit and relax to either read a book, do homework, or simply appreciate some jazz playing over the PA system. At the time of my visit, they didn’t have a menu posted on the wall behind the barista but instead had them printed on the counter you order from. I meant to get a photo of that but got distracted in ordering my stuff and chatting with the barista.

There’s a few unique things about this place that might get you interested in checking it out. First, they have an entire wall painted by students from the local High School. Secondly, it appears this place was initially supposed to be a spice shop but now its a coffeehouse with spices for sale. Thirdly, they advertise having waffles on their menu. I wasn’t in the mood for one today but will definitely try one next time I go back.

Dunlap isn’t a large town and with it being a Sunday, it was nice to see a decent number of customers pop in and out during our time there. I hope this place becomes a staple stop for all the caffeine addicts in the area.

Love stopping in here every other week. We do a meet-up with students from the high school across the street. It is awesome to have a GOOD coffee shop in the village! I don't have to drive into Peoria to get my coffee fix while at work!

Loved it, nice place for coffee, late or try some of their great smoothies. Loved the seating area was very relaxed. Great place to come with friends or family. Crystal was amazing!!

Delicious Breve, Espresso, and Smoothies. Great variety of healthy smoothies!! The owner is a sweet treat!

Wow really cool small local business. Great atmosphere, wonderful customer service, the owner was a sweetheart. Going to be going here a lot more.

Nice owner,great smoothie…the place is a whole vibe…much needed in the Peoria area…I’ll be a regular

Amazing coffee/smoothie/food place! And the owner is just as amazing!

I got a latte and it was very good. I'll be making Smooth Sips a frequent stop on my way to work!

Fabulous! Crystal is amazing and I love love love the coffee!!