What Argo Tea is and where to find it
Argo Tea is a tea-focused café chain based in Chicago that also serves coffee, espresso drinks, and food. Unlike most coffee chains that treat tea as a secondary menu item, Argo Tea builds its entire operation around loose-leaf teas sourced from tea estates around the world. The chain operates roughly 40 locations, concentrated in the Midwest and scattered across the East Coast, with a smaller presence in California.
Argo Tea locations are typically smaller than Starbucks or Dunkin' shops — most are 800 to 1,200 square feet — and designed as sit-down cafés rather than grab-and-go stops. Many locations have seating for 20 to 40 people. You can find Argo Tea in downtown Chicago, suburban shopping areas, and a few airport locations, but the chain does not have the nationwide footprint of larger competitors.
Key Takeaways
- Argo Tea specializes in loose-leaf teas and tea-based drinks rather than coffee, so the tea menu is deeper than at coffee-first chains but the coffee selection is smaller.
- Prices for tea drinks typically run $4 to $6, comparable to Starbucks, while coffee drinks follow similar pricing but with fewer customization options.
- Most Argo Tea locations are sit-down cafés in the Midwest and scattered East Coast cities, not available in all states or as a nationwide delivery option.
- The chain does not operate a loyalty program or app-based rewards system like Starbucks or Dunkin', though some locations accept gift cards.
Tea menu depth compared to coffee chains
Argo Tea's main difference from Starbucks, Dunkin', or Peet's is the breadth of tea options. The chain carries 50 to 70 loose-leaf teas at any given time, organized by type: black teas, green teas, oolongs, white teas, pu-erh, and herbal infusions. Each tea is sourced from named estates — for example, Darjeeling from specific gardens in India or oolong from Taiwan — rather than blended house blends.
You can order tea hot or iced, and most locations will prepare it to your preference for steeping time and water temperature. Argo Tea also makes milk-based tea drinks — London Fog lattes, chai lattes, matcha lattes — using the loose-leaf teas as the base. Coffee chains typically offer one or two tea options; Argo Tea's tea list is its primary draw.
The coffee menu at Argo Tea is smaller and less customizable than at coffee-focused chains. Most locations offer espresso-based drinks — lattes, cappuccinos, Americanos — made with a house blend, but you cannot usually choose between single-origin beans or request a specific roast level the way you can at Starbucks or Peet's. If coffee is your primary drink, Argo Tea is not the best fit.
Pricing and what you pay for each drink type
A small hot tea at Argo Tea costs between $3.50 and $4.50 depending on location and tea type. A small iced tea runs $4 to $5. Milk-based tea drinks — a chai latte or matcha latte — typically cost $5 to $6 for a small. These prices are in line with Starbucks and slightly higher than Dunkin'.
Coffee drinks at Argo Tea follow similar pricing: a small latte or cappuccino costs $4 to $5, and a small Americano runs $3 to $4. However, Argo Tea does not offer the size and customization options that coffee chains do. Most locations have small, medium, and large, but you cannot usually upsize espresso shots, request alternative milk, or add flavor shots the way you can at Starbucks.
Food at Argo Tea includes pastries, sandwiches, and salads, with prices ranging from $5 for a pastry to $10 to $12 for a sandwich. The food menu is smaller than at Dunkin' or Starbucks and varies by location.
Loyalty programs and payment options
Argo Tea does not operate a chain-wide loyalty program or mobile app with rewards, unlike Starbucks' app-based points system or Dunkin's rewards program. Some individual Argo Tea locations sell gift cards that can be used at that location or a few nearby locations, but this varies by store and is not a unified system.
All Argo Tea locations accept major credit cards and debit cards. Some accept mobile payment through Apple Pay or Google Pay, though this depends on the individual location's payment system. Cash is accepted at most locations. There is no subscription option like Starbucks' coffee subscription or Dunkin's unlimited drink plan.
Seating, atmosphere, and hours
Argo Tea locations are designed as sit-down cafés rather than quick-service stops. Most have tables and chairs for 20 to 40 people, free WiFi, and a quieter atmosphere than typical coffee chains. Many locations are in downtown areas or shopping districts where people linger rather than rush through. This makes Argo Tea better suited for working, studying, or meeting someone than for a quick commute drink.
Hours vary by location but typically run 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekends. Some locations in office buildings or airports have different hours. You can check the hours for a specific location on Argo Tea's website by entering your zip code.
Availability outside the Midwest
Argo Tea has the smallest geographic footprint of the chains in this category. The chain is concentrated in Illinois, with additional locations in Indiana, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Ohio. On the East Coast, you can find Argo Tea in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts, but coverage is sparse — often one or two locations per state. California has a handful of locations in the San Francisco and Los Angeles areas.
Argo Tea does not offer online ordering for delivery or pickup through third-party apps like DoorDash or Uber Eats at most locations. Some individual stores may partner with local delivery services, but this is not a chain-wide option. If you want to order ahead, you would need to call the specific location directly.
How Argo Tea compares to other chains on this list
If you prioritize tea over coffee, Argo Tea offers a deeper menu than Starbucks, Dunkin', or Peet's. If you want to work or study in a quieter space, Argo Tea's sit-down café model is better than the high-traffic environment of most Starbucks or Dunkin' locations. If you value a rewards program, mobile app, or nationwide availability, the larger chains are better choices.
Argo Tea is most comparable to local independent tea shops in cities where it operates, but with more consistency across locations and a wider tea selection than a single independent café might carry. If you live in the Midwest or scattered East Coast cities and drink tea regularly, Argo Tea may be worth trying. If you live outside these areas or primarily drink coffee, you will not have access to Argo Tea.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Argo Tea have a rewards program or app?
Argo Tea does not operate a chain-wide app or rewards program like Starbucks or Dunkin'. Some individual locations sell gift cards, but these are not part of a unified loyalty system. You can check with your local Argo Tea to see if they offer gift cards.
Can I order Argo Tea online for pickup or delivery?
Most Argo Tea locations do not offer online ordering through their website or third-party delivery apps. You can call the location directly to place an order for pickup. A few locations may partner with local delivery services, but this varies by store.
What is the difference between Argo Tea and a regular coffee chain?
Argo Tea focuses on loose-leaf teas from named estates and offers 50 to 70 tea options, while coffee chains treat tea as a secondary menu item. Argo Tea locations are also smaller sit-down cafés rather than high-volume grab-and-go shops, and the chain has a much smaller geographic footprint.
Is Argo Tea more expensive than Starbucks or Dunkin'?
Pricing is comparable — a small tea drink at Argo Tea costs $4 to $6, similar to Starbucks. Dunkin' is typically slightly cheaper. The difference is in what you get: Argo Tea offers more tea variety and a quieter space, while Starbucks and Dunkin' offer more locations and customization options.
Where can I find an Argo Tea location?
Argo Tea locations are concentrated in the Midwest, particularly Illinois, with scattered locations on the East Coast and in California. You can search for locations on Argo Tea's website by entering your zip code. The chain does not have nationwide coverage.