Housed adjacent to the Montrose Brown Line entrance, Beans & Bagels is a must-stop for the weary-eyed workers bound for that dreaded cubicle. It’s a comfortably typical coffeehouse with coffee, cafe au lait and latte-type drinks and the usual Brown Elephant-looking sofa, an array of free publications and a bulletin board decorated with apartments for rent, art shows and concert listings. Beans & Bagels also has, surprise, bagels, with a wide selection of flavors and cream cheeses to choose from.

Make your own sandwich or simply choose from the nearly 20 menu offerings. The tree hugger, stacked with cheese, hummus, spinach, tomato, cucumber, mushroom, red onion and Dijon on multigrain bread, will bring a smile to the face of any vegetarian. If you’re feeling a bit carnivorous, try home on the ranch (turkey, bacon, cheddar, spinach, tomato, red onion and ranch dressing) or the 86’er (ham, turkey, salami, swiss, provolone and cheddar on flatbread). If you’re not a 9-5er, grab yourself a window stool and settle in for a relaxing morning with a huey gooey chocolate and caramel mocha latte. Nothing like a combo caffeine buzz and sugar high to start the day.

Average cost: <$10

Centerstage Reviewer: Jennifer Wennig