Over the past year, I have become obsessed with chai. In fact, at every cafe in Oak Park I’ve gone to over the past couple of months, I am confident in saying I have purchased nothing but iced chais. 

Here in Oak Park, we are lucky to be host to a multitude of cafes, each with their own unique style and taste, and most of which make a decently good chai. 

Mulata, located on the corner of Lake Street and Oak Park Avenue, is no exception. Being so close to Oak Park and River Forest High School, it is a popular spot for students to grab a bite and study, but I came here for one thing and one thing only: their chai. 

On the first sip I was intrigued but not wowed. The trademark tickle at the back of your throat that comes with the greatest chais was present but not obvious. 

The chai itself had a strong flavor, but I believe the culprit in the case of the missing spice was the milk used in this drink. Bearing in mind I like to take oat milk with the chai, this could be a bit of a skewed perception; however, a bit of oat milk hasn’t stopped the kick of a good chai in the past. 

That being said, I found the flavor quite enjoyable and it quenched my thirst well, leaving me pleasantly satisfied. So from one chai lover to another, while it is lacking in spice the flavor of the chai at Mulata holds up, making this a solid buy.