There are plenty of coffee shops and eateries near the MLA 2019 convention.
Following is a variety of budget-friendly options (variably priced from $ to $$). This list is not an endorsement of any particular place, rather it is a compilation of places nearby to the convention. Local-to-Chicago options have embedded links to their website.
Coffee
Peet’s Coffee ($) (400 Michigan Avenue #120)
Starbucks ($$) (333 Michigan Avenue and 444 N Michigan Ave)
Dunkin’ Donuts ($) (404 N Wabash Ave)
Stan’s Donuts & Coffee ($) (535 N Michigan Ave)
Caffé Rom (180 N Stetson Ave #107)
Food
Café
Corner Bakery Café ($$) (444 N Michigan Ave)
Wildberry Pancakes and Café ($$) (130 E Randolph St)
Sandwiches
Snarf’s Sandwiches ($) (180 N Stetson Ave)
Jersey Mike’s Subs ($) (203 E Ohio St)
Yolk Streeterville ($$) (355 E Ohio St)
Fast Food
McDonald’s ($) (233 N Michigan)
Chick-fil-A ($) (177 N State St #1a)
Health
LYFE Kitchen ($) (270 E Ontario St)
Restaurants and Taverns
Billy Goat Tavern ($) (430 N Michigan Ave)
Beacon Tavern ($$) (405 N Wabash Ave)
Giordano’s ($$) (130 E Randolph St)
Coco Pazzo Café ($$) (212 E Ohio St)
Grocery
Trader Joe’s (44 E Ontario St)
Popular Attractions
Lastly, here are a few popular destinations within reasonable distance from the convention:
Navy Pier (600 E Grand Ave)
Chicago Water Tower (806 Michigan Avenue)
Chicago Cultural Center (78 E Washington St)
American Writers Museum (180 N Michigan Ave)