Phoenix airport location. Had a large black coffee. Taste like someone pissed in it. Very tangy and not atypical black coffee taste. I would rather have burnt Starbucks than this plus one if the guys talked to a woman like she was a pos. Panera Bread was much better exp and probably why the line was so long! read more

Small Latte with oat milk (0.75 extra) damn it was good. Also got the chia pudding from the refrigerated case which was somewhat of a healthy option- still a lot of sugar. (Stuff at the airport is never healthy.) But delicious. read more

I saw a bunch of skinny and hip looking young hipsters (lol) all drinking beverages out of cups with the Cartel logo on them. I was like... what the fuck are they drinking? And I thought to myself, they look like food snobs, they look like they know their shit. I'm older, but I'm cool too and I know my shit about food, I'm an elite Yelper with over 1000 reviews motherfucker, I'm a foodie too you young fucks. (LOL, it's making me laugh to write this). I've always heard about cortados, a mix of warm milk and espresso but I've never had one before. I've been having bad luck with shitty baristas lately so I've been keeping it simple. But I've also been trying new things (wink, wink). lol However I knew these coffee snobs, and I mean that in the best way possible, because I'm a coffee snob too, because I love coffee, could get it perfect. And they fucking did! Shoot! That cortado (tricky spelling on that word, lol, I keep wanting to put curtido or curtado) was fucking on point. Those hipsters knew what they fuck they were talking about. Even though they were too cool to talk to me, but you know what I mean. lol It was rich, smooth and creamy and had the perfect punch of caffeine. That caffeine gave me energy to stay awake during my flight and take hundreds of pictures out the window. I got a half dozen great photos out of it. Thanks Cartel. Now I'm sad however because I'm in the SF Bay Area where I live and there's no Cartels over here. Shoot... Anyways, 5 strong stars, very strong (like my men) and I look forward to trying them again and I hope they build a location in Hercules, CA because that's where I live. P.S., Life is good, drink quality coffee. Don't torture yourself at Starfucks. read more

Cartel Roasting - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

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good coffee inside the airport. don't have to wait in the crazy line like Starbucks. I waited in line and got my cold brew within 15 minutes. The cold brew was really good too. I found my coffee place at the Phoenix airport. read more

Cartel Roasting - in Phoenix airport - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

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Good food, great coffee, service person went out of their way to find more pastries and let me know while I was waiting. Served immediately. Plus I'm not giving my money to five bucks, people in line there like sheep. read more

Usually when restaurants have airport locations, they don't measure up to the offsite locations so I was really weary of trying Cartel at the airport. Cartel is in my top 5 coffee spots in Phoenix...actually top 3 so I'm very familiar with them. My favorite is the Chai latte and the airport location did not disappoint. The service was good, drink was ready quickly even with them being busy but most importantly my Chia latte tasted exactly the same. Maybe it's been a while since I had been to Cartel because it might have even tasted better LOL. I was reminded why I them so much and will be adding them back into my normal weekly routine. read more

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Cartel is exceptional! Notwithstanding diminished expectations because of its location by the gate in an airport. The instrument of choice for espresso consumers is, naturally, La Marzocco, the Sophia Loren of espresso machines. CCL's version is a 3-port "Strada." Sleek, tight, stunning, lovely. The espresso is complex and bold, and served on a wooden board with a cup of water and a spoon. I liked the accessories but the espresso alone is Whoohoo. Provided you don't get it in a paper cup. Not allowed. read more

Cartel Roasting - Espresso...at its finest. In a place least expected. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

This is great coffee. The fact that it is in an airport is phenomenal. Get their single origin cold brew because it is something else.

Cartel Coffee Lab is amazing. That should be capital A, Amazing! I fell in love with this Phoenix coffee roaster and brewer years ago when visiting Tempe. But one of the things that made me fall in love with Cartel was its unflinching stance on the cappuccino. At their Tempe location, there was a sign that indicated no cappuccino could be ordered "to go". And that stance makes total sense. A cappuccino is a small drink. And it's all about texture. And it's all about immediacy. It wilts. It fades. You shouldn't wait to drink a cappuccino. And if you've crafted a mighty fine version of this drink, you don't want it to sit around for a moment before it's enjoyed, lest all that textured milk deflate, the volatile aromatics dissipate, and the sum of your efforts fall apart as time takes its inevitable toll. Of course, it makes total sense that at an airport especially, people might be in a hurry and want to take their drinks in a paper cup to drink on the way to their gate. I can't blame Cartel for not holding the line. But I can ding them a star. With love. Nothing but love. For I feel it's an indictment against humanity that this Amazing coffee shop wasn't half as busy as Starbucks when we were passing through the Phoenix airport. It was nothing short of a gift from heaven that Cartel opened up an outpost in the airport, and I'm eternally grateful that I had another chance to have a drink from this great establishment. Now I need to be on the lookout for flights with layovers in Phoenix. Because if I'm there again, I may just drop off a new sign demanding that no cappuccino will be made "to go". read more

Cartel Roasting - Maybe not the prettiest cortado, but a delicious one. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

Craft brew coffee in an airport? YES. For me, this is the coolest thing in Phoenix's airport. It's one of the only craft brew coffee houses in an airport in the United States, overall it's 4.5 stars. They have cold brew, espresso drinks, teas, baked goods and pre-packaged food that you can take on the plane. There are different brew methods to pick from... Aeropress (8 oz), Hario V60 (12 oz), Clever (16 oz), Chemex (20 oz). Prices for all drinks are reasonable. Cold Brew - Good strong flavor, they used a Mexican bean (LDC Chiapas) for this one when I was there. Latte - Very good, strong with a thick milky froth. Highly recommended. Cappuccino - I was going to order this but was told that they only do espresso drinks in real cups for sit down orders only. They do not do cappuccinos in to go cups, which is why they recommended a small latte to me. The only thing I was bummed about was that I couldn't get a cappuccino to go. I know coffee making is a craft and espressos take time to make, but we are in an airport. People are on the go and I'm sure there are others that want a high quality espresso hit while trying to run over to their next gate to catch a transfer. Other than that gripe, I don't have any complaints about their bean or brew quality. Yes, you can find V60 drip, espressos and cold brew coffees in an airport, you just have to hit up Phoenix and be near the Southwest Airlines gates in Terminal 4. read more

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I love when local businesses are able to set up shop in the airport and get their brand and product exposed to a wider audience. Cartel Coffee Lab roasts their own beans and sources from around the world. Their menu is fairly basic, if you want frou-frou drinks, they have flavored syrups on hand, but you'll have to ask for them. Their cold brew is out of this world, one of the smoothest I've tasted and hella strong. I guess you have to get here early for their pastries, because at 9AM they were either all out for the day or they somehow weren't out yet. There's a small seating area to drink your beverage and charge your device. The only downside? They only do espresso drinks in ceramic cups for "dine-in" service at the bar. I was in a rush, so that wasn't an option. But if you find yourself at PDX with time to spare, spend it here. read more

Cartel Roasting - Cold brew - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

Bottom Line: Really good craft brew coffee. I passed Cartel Coffee Lab while on a short layover at PHX. I noticed two things: hip décor and a sign indicating that they serve some really good coffee. Not needing another ounce of caffeine I decided to try Cartel Coffee Lab. Although usually I just get a drip coffee I decided to get a mocha. It had a very pure taste of coffee beans and cocoa beans. It wasn't sweet which I liked. It just tasted natural and genuine. The upscale coffee definitely matched the cool vibe of the place including friendly employees and hip décor. After enjoying my highly caffeinated beverage I was ready to walk out on the tarmac and use my hands to push a Boeing 737 to the runway. :-) read more

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This was very overpriced coffee. It was 10.00 for two 16 ounce basic americano's. I realize it is the airport but that is still outrageous. No one else was in the store and the airport was packed so that should have been my first clue I guess. But the coffee was delicious and smooth. Didn't have stoppers for the cups which seemed super odd since we were in the airport where people need them walking around and getting onto planes. All told I wouldn't go back but it was a good cup of joe before my long flight. read more

Nestled in the C gates area at Sky Harbor's terminal 4, this place is worth checking out, even if you had to walk from A (as I did). It's a small space, but packed with the goods, including whole beans, food, and the full array of coffee drinks you'd expect. I selected a latte to drink and a cookie to eat at the provided stools and tables, and a couple of bags of beans to go. The latte was creamy and very mild, maintaining a distinctly strong coffee note while also being free of any bitterness. It was positively delicious. The peanut butter cookie was fresh, big and delicious, with a good crumb and a deep, rich peanut butter taste. After getting back home, I dug into the beans. My selections were Las Galeras from Colombia (promising "red grape and cocoa, with a long finish") and San Agustin from El Salvador (touting "effervescent blackberry compote and vanilla"). Both were very good examples of their respective countries' products; the Colombian tended to be a little strong with a noticeable, but not overbearing, acidity, where as the El Salvadoran was very smooth and mild, with the vanilla notes definitely showing through. The latter, in particular, was an incredible pour from my French press. This place is definitely worth a try, and they're right there at the airport. Your Fitbit will love you for taking the walk, and you taste buds will love you for drinking the coffee! read more

Latte art at the aiport?! Yup! Cartel in is the C terminal. Middle Cs. Southwest. They have delish pastries, brownies and cookies and well as perfect coffee. There is a bar hightop to sit at, but other than that, it is a small to go place. There is a Starbucks nearby but you can't beat Cartel. Plus, it sounds dangerous. read more

The BEST cappuccino I've had in a long time, and it happened to be at Phoenix Airport!! Did you know that Cartel Coffee Lab... --1. is local company founded in Tempe Arizona (six location to serve you and growing) --2. Jason Silberschlag, is the owner of Cartel Coffee Lab, and a native of Tucson and also a University of Arizona alumni. --3. Cartel Coffee Lab roast their own coffee beans --4. there is no take out so you have to sit and enjoy your espresso and cappuccino, just like the Italians in Italy. LOL :p (good way to catch up on your Yelping while enjoying your favorite beverage). --5. Their pastries.... oh my, I recommend their Banana Bread, it was just fantastic. --6. Best of the best, excellent customer service!! Cartel Coffee Lab was "named" 1 of 9 BEST COFFEE in the USA!! I believe it. Checkout the interview with owner Jason at Arizona Daily Wildcat: http://www.wildcat.arizona.edu/article/2014/01/qa-cartel-coffee-lab-owner-jason-silberschlag Until then, Cheers! ~ :p read more

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Not a fan! Over extracted light roasts don't taste very good, but especially when they spill the drink and still serve it to you. I really wish they were more enthusiastic about specialty coffee and not just another airport coffee shop. read more

I've never seen a complete coffee lab/bar inside an airport before. This is one of the most unique coffee shops I've ever seen. They have a menu with lots of coffee variety from drips, to espresso-based drinks to nitro brews! They even have siphons! It's like something out on the street but instead, inside this airport! If you're a coffee lover and have a layover inside the Phoenix airport, come here! You'll definitely love what they have to offer. I ordered a cold brew and enjoyed ever bit of it. It helped me adjust better while being on the plane. read more

They have Starbucks and Peet's Coffee at this airport, but we chose Cartel because we don't have this brand back home. The Cartel handcrafted beverages did not disappoint. The coffee I ordered was bold and delicious. I could taste and smell the freshness. I also ordered an iced Chai Latte with almond milk. This beverage was sweet and had fresh ingredients. The baristas served with friendliness, and I was sure that there was a smile underneath those masks. read more

I was at the airport and just had to make one more exclusively AZ foodie spot. I had heard that Cartel's coffee and pop tarts were stellar so I got myself an iced latte - per their recommendation and the aforementioned Pop tart. Unfortunately, i was not impressed with either item. The latte was just... I can't even think of a description other than "blah". The pastry was better than a boxed pop tart although quite frankly it was just OK. I suppose on the positive side I won't be having unconquerable cravings for cartel's coffee or pastries. read more

Cartel Roasting - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

Latte is so so and came out lukewarm. Who drinks lukewarm lattes? Don't think this location is as good as the Tempe where they roast the beans fresh. You can taste that it is not fresh here. It's at the airport. Space is limited. lol read more

I've been to the Cartel in Scottsdale but never thought I would visit one inside an airport. Wrong. Cartel's Phoenix Sky Harbor location is legit, just like their other locations. The V60 pour over was spot on and the black drip was equally delicious. Why more craft coffee slingers don't hit up the airport market is beyond me - probably because of the "man" taking over the lion's share. I purposefully made arrangements to fly through Phoenix so I could get a taste today and it didn't disappoint. Thanks to Cartel and Phoenix for making this layover memorable! read more

Cartel Roasting - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

Better than refugee coffee. I tried both cause I had time to kill. Ordered a cappuccino and only wish it was foamier. It was more latteish Other than that it was great and liked it. Decent foam art. They take a little more time and care making the drink but still quick. Also had the vegan oatmeal cookie. Also good. Happy to find a local choice in an airport. Would have liked to try some pour overs as they have a few selections. $25 for a half pound of beans. Woah! That's an airport price for sure. read more

Beets Peets by a margin Kills. Starbucks Great cremora ( sp)? My new favorite wakeup brew in phx. Thanks for the wakeup juice. read more

Cartel Roasting - Artwork on an airport coffee latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

The name is catchy and the coffee is yummy. The crew are friendly, as well. I ordered a vanilla latte and it was oh so delicious! It had the right amount of bitterness balanced perfectly by vanilla flavoring and milk froth. I ordered a small one and I sure wished I got the large one instead! It is that good. It is fun watching the crew make the magic happen. Cartel Coffee was the perfect haven in a busy airport. Take a sip and it drowns the noise and slows everything down. I was a little disappointed that I did not get to enjoy this wonderful concoction on my way home. I had to settle on another brand coffee. Sigh. I wish there were more of this around. I love me some Starbucks but there is so many around. Cartel Coffee was a refreshing change. So if you are flying Southwest into PHX, make sure you swing by this coffee place with a catchy name. It will out a boost back into your step. read more

Cartel Roasting - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

THE CCL is so freaking good! the drink is made up of nami vegan caramel, cold brew and coconut almond cream. The drink flavor just has a overall balanced full taste not too sweet but also not bitter from the cold brew. A truly nice way to perk up after an early morning flight read more

Cartel Roasting - The CCL (Nami vegan caramel, cold brew, coconut almond cream) - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

I've heard rave reviews about Cartel from my friends for years and finally decided to see what the hype is about. On my recent visit to sky harbor I found myself with some time to spare before my early flight so headed to grab a cup of joe. After discussing my options with the helpful barista I settled on a small hot mocha. It was a busy morning so did take some time to get my drink, but that's to be expected. The presentation was nice with some latte art and they have lids if you're wanting to grab your drink and go. The taste itself was well balanced, not overly sweet or chocolatey but you still get the flavor of espresso. I'm not a regular coffee drinker so the small packed enough punch with the caffeine to make me ready and alert for my one hour flight to the dismay of my nearby passengers who had to listen to us talk the entire time...sorry! read more

Cartel Roasting - Small hot mocha - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

Had a layover so stopped for a cup of joe. I found the coffee to be sour....threw half the cup out. Just a personal preference but I'd suggest looking for another place to get a regular coffee. read more

Cartel Roasting - Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

Terrible, says they're open till nine and wouldn't serve us at 7:40! Maybe you should update your hours for that and not mislead people who walk all the way to the opposite terminal for coffee? read more

Great vegan options - poblano & potato breakfast burrito, overnight oats, chia pudding, vegan caramel cold brew, pastries, and more. If you are vegan and at the airport early go here for breakfast! read more

Cartel Roasting - Vegan burrito - poblano & potato - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

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A lab means science and this joint takes coffee to the next level. I learned in Chemistry class that proper measurement yields the best result. Cartel's hand crafted coffee is delightful. And strong. Careful, their brews are pure and robust. Suggest you give Cartel a try -- read more

Cartel Roasting - The "lab" - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

If you're in terminal four and looking for a healthier snack, be sure to hit Cartel. Legit coffee and great food options! Cut up apples and peanut butter, fruit, pastries that look like they're made in small batches, and oatmeal. They also have coffee in bags. They didn't have whipped cream to make my espresso con panna, but it enjoyed the iced oat milk latte I got. read more

I've heard great things about this place, so I was excited to try it. I know that the airport is expensive for everything, so the $4 and $5 options for a cafe americano didn't really bother me. What did bother me, was the actual size cup. A small was almost like a kids size cup and the larger one wasn't much bigger. Ordering was quick and it's easy to get a receipt and leave a tip on the iPad machines. I then waited what seemed like 10 mins to receive my drink. When I ordered, they didn't ask me if I wanted room for cream, which most places do and I always say no. In the tiny little cup, they gave me about an inch for room which left hardly any coffee in the cup. I like my drinks piping hot and my drink was just a bit hotter than a warm temperature. I was able to guzzle it down within minutes of receiving it, I didn't even like the taste. I'm not one to be negative and as I said, the prices didn't bother me but the size of the cups did. I didn't try any of the food or other drinks but maybe next time I need to get a different drink, the larger sized cup and/or ask for no room for cream. read more

Cartel Roasting - Small cafe americano $3.75 - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

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Who would have thought that I'd find such a great airport salad at a place called the Cartel coffee lab. Since I'm a millennial I chose the kale, quinoa, broccoli and sweet potato salad. The portion was underwhelming and priced as you would expect for a hipster airport salad, but I must say it was light years above what I've had in the past. The kale was crisp, the dressing tart, although the oil separated because it was cold, but I saw that as a good thing because it meant that it lacked emulsifiers. If you're looking for a salad on the go, this is a good place to start. read more

Do you want coffee? Or, do you want coffeeeeeee? If it's the former, walk over to the local mermaid and get your fix. But if it's the latter....you just might want to try out the Cartel Coffee Lab. They have coffee and they make it right. The service was friendly and efficient and the bar talk was coffee nerd just how I like it. They also have the class to have glass and ceramic so you can have your coffee the way it was intended. I like a good Gibraltar and they made me a good Gibraltar. Any time I am in this Airport, I will be stopping here for the best coffee. read more

You pay a bunch of taxes for buying anything inside the Sky Harbor Airport, so certainly expect to pay a bit more. I could appreciate that 'other' coffee places exist since Starbucks is far from my go-to spot. Here, they have a fairly basic menu so it makes the ordering process easy. I only wanted herbal tea as a means for settling my stomach. The one here was $4 and offered in like a 12oz cup. Slightly disappointed that it was pre-made; the barista simply poured it from a pitcher into my to-go cup. Plus, he put a TON of ice. Essentially, my drink was extremely water downed with a hint of some sweet syrup. Maybe stick to their coffee products in that light. read more

What a surprising find at the Phoenix airport in the C concourse of terminal 4! I ordered a small latte after arriving on a fairly early flight and it was pretty tasty. In fact, I ordered a second latte immediately upon finishing the first. You have the option of classic, vanilla, or agave for the latte, and I actually wanted to try the agave option for my second latte. Unfortunately, I don't think they heard me right and gave me a regular hot latte (I can see how they heard a hot latte instead of agave latte). In any case, it was still good and satisfied my need for caffeine. Now I know where I can go to get a cup of great latte at the Phoenix airport!!!! read more

Asked for a pour over and the barista said. " we are down a person today so we're not doing any pour overs." Bummer. So... No coffee at the coffee store. Hmm. Not good. I went to Pete's and they sold me some coffee. Oh well. read more

This place is just as I remembered it. Same ambiance and set up. Although I have had a few more European trips since my last visit and can appreciate the European-esque stand up espresso bar setting more. I ordered a cortado for here since I don't usually see this on the menu except in Europe and other coffee bars and having a real glass is always nice. The cortado was okay. It doesn't compare to the ones in Europe and the service was really slow. But good enough for 5:30 in the morning. read more

Cartel Roasting - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

Had the best experience Friday morning! Amber makes early morning flights a joy with how friendly and efficient she is! Such a hard a worker and deserves the recognition for stay so kind and cheerful, even when passengers are being horribly. read more