I liked the atmosphere and food. However I'm giving it one star because I didn't like the service…read more It was a normal breakfast rush and there was one lady working the cash register and coffee and one guy in the kitchen, but she seemed overwhelmed by the crowd which wasn't even a long line. I asked for an iced coffee and a muffin with peanut butter on the side. I then simply asked "can I please get my muffin toasted?" And she looked at me like I had ten heads. She looked so confused like I had just asked her to solve a math equation. At first she said huh I've never heard of that before, I don't think I can do that and I explained to her that I just would like it cut in half and toasted in that toaster. She then said she could do that (yeah it's not that hard...) and ten minutes later (yes it took forever to get our order) she came over and brought it to me and announced out loud to everyone "what a weird request" with such a judgemental look on her face. AND she didn't even cut it and toast it! It was still whole and barely luke warm which means she probably just stuck it in the microwave for ten seconds... Is toasting a muffin that outrageous of a request?? Maybe it is in Iowa. I just thought it was very rude and she made me feel dumb for even asking for a warm muffin. Not the end of the world but it really rubbed me the wrong way. Anyway, a word of advice to the lady: be nice to your customers who are paying YOU for great service and food!

One of the best lattes I've had and I live in Seattle! Sandwich was fantastic as well. Do yourself…read morea favor and go yourself a coffee from this little place

The coffee shop has a charming atmosphere, good coffee and quality food. I have enjoyed visiting…read morethere many times. Unfortunately, I had two recent interactions that changed my experience. On one visit I was showing my friends my homemade earrings. On another visit a friend brought me a birthday gift and was letting pick out the bracelet, The owner came by and gave the impression that my actions were being interpreted as conducting business, even though I wasn't, If the coffee shop has policies about sharing your handcrafts or exchanging gifts while at their shop that is their right, However, I left feeling unsure of what was and wasn't permitted. The experience made the atmosphere feel much less welcoming than I had previously experienced, because of those experiences, I'm likely not to return. If you're looking for a place where customers can comfortably meet friends and share personal projects or gifts, you may want to clarify the café's expectations first

This was such a cute little coffee shop I stopped by on my way drive home for the weekend! I loved…read morethe ambiance of the shop - it was connected to a store so there was a ton of little things you could look at or buy, definitely gave me very comfy cozy vibes. Bathroom was clean and looked well managed. Staff was very friendly and I didn't have to wait too long for my drink. I tried one of the specials I think the hoppy bunny which the barista described as white chocolate and peanut butter - to me it tasted more like almond, not really either of the flavors she mentioned but it was decent, just didn't blow me away :)

We stopped at Ron-Da-Voo Lounge & Deli in Vinton after a hot day of bike riding from Toledo toward…read moreAlburnett, and it ended up being a really good mid-ride stop. Walking in from the bright sun, it was dark inside -- almost too dark at first -- but we were greeted kindly right away and pretty quickly felt like we were being treated like family. They let us plug in devices to charge, waters and drinks came quickly, and the prices were very reasonable. I tried a suggested non-menu crab quesadilla with raspberry vinaigrette, and it was perfect light fare for a mid-ride meal. Kim had the roast beef hoagie with slaw and a pickle, and she enjoyed hers too. Nothing was necessarily fancy or over-the-top special, but the food was good, hit the spot, and was respectably priced. The place has a cool old-town, small-town bar vibe and clearly caters to locals, which I actually liked. Everyone seemed to know each other. The bathrooms were very small, and the whole place is a bit tired, but somehow that kind of worked with the ambiance. From the outside, it is pretty unassuming, and if you were not looking for it, you could easily go right by. But if we find ourselves back in Vinton, we would for sure stop again. The service was FANTASTIC!

Food is always good, we usually do take out, it is quick and they always get our order right…read more Friendly staff

If you are near the Independence area, Em's is a MUST. It is an awesome small business. The service…read moreis quick, and the employees are the sweetest and very personable. I've been to hundreds of coffee shops around the U.S, but this one is by far THE best. My go to is an iced salted honey latte. Their menu is huge. They also offer monthly drink specials. They have unique and delicious flavor combinations. And how could I forget their baked goods?!?! They always have a stacked bakery case. They've got the biggest cinnamon rolls with the best frosting. Em offers a newsroom which has a couch and several chairs for meetings, or just to hangout! Overall a must-try. I promise you'll be going back

The coffee was great. Had gelato and a couple smoothies. Went there twice while I was visiting in…read moreIndependence

After a long day on the road, a great cup of coffee is non-negotiable--even if it means venturing a…read morelittle farther from the exit. Brickhouse was absolutely worth the detour. Tucked away in a charming small town off I-80 in Iowa, this coffee shop is a gem. The beautifully renovated historic building adds to its warm and inviting atmosphere, making it the perfect place to recharge, whether you're grabbing a quick cup or settling in for a break. The staff was friendly and welcoming, and they made me a fantastic Americano--my go-to order since it delivers a consistently bold espresso experience without the variability of drip coffee. If you find yourself in the area, do yourself a favor and make the stop. It's well worth it!

From New York to San Francisco, my wife and I have traveled to coffee shops across America…read more Brickhouse has now made it into our Top 5 best coffee shops we've been to. Expect to be greeted with a smile and warm vibes in this small town gem. This is a can't miss coffee shop if you're passing by!!

Allison and her staff are incredible. Super friendly all the time. Drinks are always delicious. And…read moreI love the seasonal updates to the menu and the creativity that goes into it. Apple Creek is a great supporter within the community. And the owners are absolutely THE BEST PEOPLE.

Real coffee. Real food. Real people…read more So grateful for this place! This is a great place to stop and stretch your feet. Also real clean bathroom! Nicest team, great recommendations and super efficient service. All the food was delicious and coffee hit the spot. This is a permanent add to when we travel by! Don't sleep on this or you will be wasting your money and tastebuds elsewhere on icky fast food and bad coffee. No one needs that in their life. :)

Sadly, mediocre at best. I would skip this place entirely. Tried coffee and food, both were poor…read morequality, not homemade....meh....nothing special. We ended up throwing both drink and the cookie we bought away as both of my kids said the cookie was "bad"...tasted like a box mix that was overcooked.

Very nice atmosphere and staff with good coffee and excellent cookies. The coffee shop is…read moredecorated with local art and some jewelry. In addition there is a local deli in the back of the building. Overall a very good experience.

Canadian cold brew is addictive!! Great and friendly service. Great place to relax and enjoy fresh…read morecoffee.

I love the mango tea (or any flavor), crepes and the atmosphere! The owner and staff are great and…read moreso welcoming. Sit and relax in an inviting setting or get it to go- it's a win win. Dailey specials were added for the customers during breakfast and lunch. Love it! You pay a tiny bit more, but you are supporting a fantastic small business that does so much for the community.

This place is amazing! Coffee and quiche was delicious and the entire environment is adorable! Must…read morestop by and check them out! Very cool down town area lots to see and do too!

Really wanted to let this place because it's in a cool spot in town, but the food left me…read moredisappointed. I had a trashmore for lunch, which I loved that they offered breakfast food all day. Unfortunately, when it came out, I thought it was way too greasy to be served. It was almost as if the hashbrowns hadn't had time to drain from the oil. If you're hung over, it might be a quick fix back to life but for somebody just trying to grab a meal it was a little disappointing. The chocolate chip cookie at the checkout counter was dank though.