I've always thought it was strange how so many coffee shops have such attitudes running. I mean, it's coffee, whoop dee doo. Snooty baristas, snobby staff seem to be the norm. I was in coffee shops in Montreal with less attitude than the US, and that's coming from the French (which really aren't like people say.) But, once in a while you run into a place that's an exception to the generality...
sadly, this place isn't it.
I avoid this shop, but often I have to stop here based on the structure of my errands. The drinks are more expensive than Starbucks and the help seems like it doesn't really want to be there. If I ask a question about a drink, particularly the little man with the Black Sabbath ink and the ponytail answers in an adversarial, dumb ass sort of tone, like I'm an idiot for not knowing every drink on the menu. When they set the drinks up they rarely look at you. They won't comp you even a little foam or milk, everything has to be an additional 80 cents or whatever. I don't expect it, but it's nice when it happens. Here? not a chance. I guess I can thank them for that though, since their pettiness prompted me to research and purchase the milk foaming tool for twenty bucks from Bed Bath and Beyond. Far and above one of the better purchase for under a hundred dollars I've made this year.
The place isn't set up the greatest. When it's only partially busy I find myself having to weave around chairs and people's Ipod cords to get to a seat. The fireplace is in the middle of the seating area, and when I need to go the the bathroom I have to take a labyrinthine path to the back of the store squeezing by either numerous other patrons, or chairs that aren't pushed in. Often I just wait to go at my next stop.
I'm not really into the whole faux cabin/moose feel either I guess. I just don't get it, it's not Alaska. I imagine it's a Minnesota thing since one of my chiropractors has a painting of a moose hanging on the wall. Sort of strange since I'm not sure how many if any are in the state. Certainly, there are none near the Twin Cities, except for maybe in the zoo, or maybe not.
The patrons are either high school kids or some of the mangier locals. The wifi is decent, it doesn't require a login page, which is nice. But, there are usually pieces of trash on the floor and the bathroom typically needs attention. If I didn't get around much I guess it would seem ok, but I travel around the Twins and the US a lot and this place just doesn't cut the mustard.
The coffee itself isn't bad. It has a smokier, slightly more sour taste which I like and it will definitely kick your ass. But overall, the Super America a few blocks away has MUCH friendlier service and far less expensive coffee (albeit lower quality,) and you can always amp up your deal for free by putting Stok shots in if you like it strong, AND you get complementary unlimited whip cream. Not to mention, your seventh drink is always free.
Caribou is going to have to close or rebrand another 150 stores if it doesn't pull it together soon. read more