When it comes to coffee, you leave room for cream, but did you ever think to leave room for underdogs?

Far away from the extravagant polish of LAMILL Coffee Boutique and the hordes of hipsters overpopulating Intelligentsia, you'll find a new place to caff up—and, just maybe, something to root for—at the way-under-the-radar Lot 44 Coffee.

The place isn't much to look at from the outside, but that's not really what matters when you're in the neighborhood, you're crashing and you just want a strong cup of Joe. In addition to Lot's version of black coffee—what they're calling Fair Trade Organic Sumatra Mandaling—they've got other hand-brewed (and elaborately named) specialty blends, like Ethiopian Latte and Organic Mayan Mocha (because, trust us, the Mayans knew mocha).

Step through the back door and you'll find a tree-filled courtyard atrium where you can open your laptop and start your work in peace—or, later on, stow away with your date to caffeinate before your cultured evening at the Disney Hall around the corner.

Not that you'll need help staying awake for that.

Lot 44 Coffee, 257 S.Spring St (between 2nd and 3rd), Downtown, 213-626-4646