Best Chai Latte of my life!! I gave my hubby a sip of mine, and he immediately stopped and went back for his own! The flavor is sweet, subtly spicy, and complex; the temperature of the drink was perfect. Although the cashier and the barista were indifferent to me, service was fast (which is more important to during a brief layover). I just regret had we don't havany Cartel Coffee Labs in my state. read more

I give a five-star review because I go there just about every day & because about %90 of the staff is friendly. In fact, just today a very friendly barista took the extra effort to restart the modem for me while I sipped on my oat milk latte listening to whatever version of indy rock was on the menu. The coffee, especially the pour-overs are of high quality tho I avoid the drip because of acidity. If you are planning to visit the moon, no need to join Elon Musk's hyper-capitalist venture, drink the cold brew. Holay! I also want to praise Cartel for their stated policy of diversity. They are an openly queer-friendly establishment, one of the few that I am wont to frequent in the myopic sprawl of Tempe. I offer praise because it is one of the few places in the entire metroplex to make an issue of diversity. I go there, I feel comfortable & I feel somewhat hopeful about the future of the human race. That said, I might offer the suggestion that management should consider hiring a more racially diverse staff. This would show a real effort to live up to the standards set by the stickers in the bathroom. The stickers in the bathroom, by the way, are one of my favorite parts of the place. Besides the 'hand-crafted' coffee of course. In all seriousness, tho, racial diversity in the staff would encourage more POC to become customers & would fulfill the vibe suggested by the marketing. Is it a marketing ploy for millennials or a heartfelt reality? I believe that it is heartfelt & willing to grow. Cartel is one of the few places that I recommend for gender variant people looking for a place to hang in the Valley. It is trans-friendly, over-flowing with queer folk of all varieties (as crazy as that gets in Phoenix), and the music is good. Normies tend to get their latte & scram. I love this place more or less. I hope to see it grow while continuing to evolve in how it lives up to its diversity policy. I give Cartel an A for effort but if I were honest it might get a C+ on the diversity score if it were in a progressive city. read more

Cartel coffee is my favorite coffee bar none. I usually get my coffee to go and don't hang out, but the ambiance in the place is very good. Exactly what I would hope for in a coffee shop. I love ever coffee drink they serve. From dirty chai to just a plain black cup of coffee, I'm in love with it all. read more

We came to Cartel Coffee in Tempe on a cloudy overcast day; the large cafe has couches, many desks, reclaimed wood benches, and the seating extends to the back and the side. Excellent place for working, meeting friends, or even reading on the couch. The cappuccino was artfully poured, and had a good balance of espresso and foam. We ordered the One & One with decaf espresso (delicious) and a macchiato (advertised as a traditional macchiato but not delivered as one) which was served on it's own plate with sparkling water. Possibly ordering a Macchiato stand alone delivers but his was essentially a small latte in a cortado glass. We asked the cashier for recommendations and they suggested something with oatmilk, so we ordered a decaf mocha made with oatmilk which was sweet, nutty, and rich with a balancing espresso notes at the end. Good cafe, good coffee, we will be back to try more. If you haven't had oatmilk its worth a try it's always one of our favorites and theirs doesn't overpower the espresso flavor as it sometimes can do. read more

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Totally hippie atmosphere. Like hippie atmosphere on crack. Obsessed with the iced horchata latte,Amazing! read more

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

Very cool & comfortable feeling space located on a side street. I had the cappuccino which was delicious, my only complaint was it didn't come in a larger size. I also had the cheddar corn muffin which was good with a spicy kick. read more

Cartel is a solid coffee shop that can only be described as hipster. It's close proximity to ASU means that it's a popular place for college students to study. Lack of parking (mainly 1 hour parking spots) and uncomfortable seating are probably designed to help motivate people to move on - ha! They care about quality coffee and I've never had anything there that wasn't well done. read more

OK: I am not a Phx native, but I do visit this location of Cartel 5 or so times a year, and every time, there is some really really strange detail that sticks out. I only go back because there aren't other "specialty" coffee options in Tempe yet. My drink order is usually an americano with less water than normal in it. More of a 1 to 1 ratio of coffee to water. Several times in the past, and by several I mean every time I've ordered this, I've gotten *so much* push back from whoever is working at the register; I am told they don't modify drinks, that they will "ask the barista if its OK," but, I'm not asking for MORE milk/espresso/foam for FREE, I'm asking for LESS water, which is 1 of the 2 ingredients in an americano. It's always been a challenge to get this simple simple change made, although I have now heard that they have somewhat relaxed this pretentious 3rd wave affectation of treating their customers like they don't know anything about coffee. TODAY however, I'm stopping in, they've done some nice remodeling, they are roasting coffee, there are people enjoying the beautiful weather, the ppl at the register are so kind and helpful, I put my 12oz reusable cup down and order an Iced Americano, because thats my drink these days. They don't have an americano on the menu, so I assume its the same cost as the espresso, which is standard at coffee shops, bc water is not a specialty item, and is already necessary for making/brewing everything else on the menu. My americano was $2 more than a plain espresso. It was more than a cup of hot coffee. It was almost as expensive as a 16oz cup of cold brew, a much bigger and more time intensive drink to make. I ask, "is this a double, or do y'all make quad iced americanos?" thinking, maybe, thats why the price has nearly doubled, even though I brought my own cup in. Nope. A normal double shot americano. I was charged $2 for 6-8 oz of ice and water. Absolutely unforgivably ridiculous. Also one of the bathrooms has a light out and instead of replacing it they've just put a handwritten note on the door that the lights out, and the dang toilet isn't filling bc the plunger in there is leaking, so I have to literally hold my hand in the back of the thing to get the toilet full enough to flush, worried I'm going to drop my phone/flashlight in the bowl while I'm doing some DIY plumbing at a coffee shop that charges $2 for ice but doesn't spend it on the basic needs of their customers. I'm sure they do good work with the people who grow the coffee, maybe some direct trade, and I love how nice of a space it is, but the coffee is only a solid B, and as A+ as the service is, the way they are told/trained to make the customer work/pay for the privilege of drinking the coffee is uhhhhh not cool. read more

i really want to like this place. the menu is so confusing and impossible to order from and everything is expensive. we ordered a soyrizo and potato bun, sounds delicious. turns out they're cold and they won't warm them up for you. disgusting. the coffee is okay, not great. honestly just go somewhere else. read more

Have not tasted anything here that wasn't amazing. I buy my beans here regularly, even though they're $18 to $22 a 12 oz. The coffees and teas are amazing. Baked goods are fresh and made onsite. This place is several steps up from a run of the mill Starbucks. The stuff there will seem like plastic and cardboard after you taste Cartel. Do yourself a favor an taste a pour-over from here. I've been to this location, two in Tucson, and one in the airport. It's better than Lux, Peixoto, or Maverick. The consistent level of quality is unrivaled locally. read more

Stopped by for some of the best coffee on campus...really chill and casual and trendy spot to get some work done with their free WiFi...their vanilla latte is excellent-not too sweet like some places but enough flavor to taste good!! It's a touch loud so bring your headphones if you want to read or else it's a fun spot to hang out at!! The iced tea is pretty refreshing as well!! read more

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Hey Cartel, love the shop and come here way too often, But can you fix your power outlets? It seems an easy thing to do and would bring your customers a lot of pleasure. C'mon, they are so loose they don't even hold power plugs. The coffee is good and the workers are chill, but there are neglected little things that bring down the vibes. PS: Can you bring your couches back instead of the wooden benches. read more

Some mornings I go in there and everyone looks like they're too cool to be in my presence (including customers) and that can be a little off putting; but don't let that come between you and a good cup of coffee. It can get pricey fast if you're seeking a latte or a specialty drink...but hey it's worth it. Get a home made pop tart and an agave latte. read more

A great spot to get some work done while enjoying a hot drink. I especially like the chai. Sizes are a little smaller than other places, but just at satisfying nonetheless! read more

Drinking coffee from Cartel makes me want to get my own San Franciscan SF-25B Coffee Roaster, in much the same way I wanted my own pottery wheel after seeing the movie Ghost. It's. That. Good. read more

Oh, the coffee is just as delicious as always. But I really don't like the way the quality of service has dipped down here ever since the owners aren't around that much anymore. Being ignored while figuring out the tip jar, having judgments made about wanting soy creamer in my coffee, being ignored while baristas are between shifts while there are FOUR baristas sitting at the counter watching a line of 10 people form, light bulbs not getting replaced in lamps for months, having other customers made fun of once they are out of earshot, etc. Oh, and my partner doesn't drink coffee or tea. They asked him what he drank, and he said once in a while he likes Italian soda and was told "Oh you like the high fructose syrup huh?" Excuse me? We just bought 3 drinks from you, tipped you, and you have the audacity to make judgments about someone you have no clue about (that man reads more ingredient labels than the Whole Foods CEO)?!? I feel terrible having to write this, but several of my friends have noted the service here has been rude, dismissive (I would be exaggerating if I stated that was every experience-I have had nice exchanges, but when I start to dread going into a place b/c of an attitude, that is bad). I even had a barista tell me I should thank the other barista for getting my soy latte right-um, yes I appreciate the effort...that is why I paid you 4 bucks, not including tip. Regarding slow service, I have been told there will now be bar backs to help out with orders to help pare down the line, which is a great idea. They stopped doing decaf coffee drinks, leaving me with either the jitters for 2 days if I really want a latte or having to get the Decaf clover (which is delish but not really that special from my own french press), so that is a major bummer for people with high sensitivity to caffeine such as myself. BUT- I will say their superior product, the care the baristas put into their product, their location are all factors that still get some stars from me and I am willing to come in here again in the future, I just really need a break from tipping a staff that is so uneven. Looks like its me going to Lux for a while! read more

I'm noticing a trend in my recent reviews. Caffeine! Best mocha I've had.... bar none. Of course I still love Miss Lola and Lux but if Cartel were closer to home (or the downtown location was open on Sunday) I'd be here all the time. The wait is long no matter what time you come. Stop whining. Deal with it or go to Starbucks so I don't have to wait so long. The decor is cool, the location is hidden and there is an abundance of chicks with mullets and dudes with neck beards, neither of which bother me. I had a strange verbal exchange with a barista that left me confused but I think that was due to my foggy Sunday morning state. I haven't experienced the snarky attitude that others have made mention to....and I'm pretty in tune with that sort of thing. Some would say overly so. One more thing worth mentioning is that the music is at a decibel level that it's not a nightmare trying to hold a conversation. (take note Lux) As a matter of fact, I could hear the hilariously awkward conversation next to me. That's always fun... read more

God bless my Tempe Tour Guide. Wise beyond her years, leading my lost soul to caffeinated salvation. BACKGROUND --------------------- One fine Sunday afternoon, as my Southwest flight made its descent into Sky Harbor, Eba Cafe suddenly popped into my head. Why, I don't know. But Boba. I had to have it. As I stepped into my dusty car sitting in the Gecko parking lot, I made a quick call to Tempe for some tapioca companionship, and I was well on my way. But as luck would have it, Eba's closed on Sunday. Seeing the dejection seared across my face, my Tempe Tour Guide suggested that we should take a walk. Outdoors. In the neighborhood. Because people do that sometimes. And so we strolled and enjoyed the cool breeze, noticing quirky 100 year-old houses and hastily discarded CRT monitors, before finding ourselves at the entrance of one Cartel Coffee Lab. THE SETTING ------------------- Very unassuming from the outside, Cartel is a dimly-lit world of wonder indoors. Industrial garage-type setting with art all over the walls, plus tables, couches and hipster college kids tapping away on a mishmash of Apple-branded products. A roaster with bags of beans for sale in the back, and the Clover coffee machine to the side. Music is as is assumed: Death Cab and various Pandora-mates. My Guide is all in the know about Cartel, but declares me a newbie and the barista kindly asks me if I want to hear The Shpeal. I say "sure" and she talks about how Cartel is about quality product and the mastery of roasting and brewing the best espresso and coffee. A few of the Cartel baristas had gone on to win the Southwest Regional Barista Championships, but instead of resting on their laurels, they're constantly looking to excel in what they do. She also highlighted the Clover machine which brews a single cup of coffee at a time for maximum quality. I was pretty impressed by The Shpeal, I will admit. But now it was time to judge the actual product. THE PRODUCT ---------------------- So, as one who sadly became averse a few years ago to having real cappuccinos unless I planned on staying near a bathroom for the rest of the day, I've gotten used to drinking a lot of black coffee. And as Starbucks probably makes the worst drip coffee known to man, I was looking forward to trying the Clover machine's output. But then the barista threw me a curve ball. "You know, it's hot outside. Do you want to try our Espresso Excelente? It's iced! And it's pretty damn tasty." "Uh, what is it?" "Espresso, combined with our own horchata, cream, and a dash of cinnamon." "I'm not a big froufy coffee-drink person, and I was looking forward to just a plain cup of coffee, but now you've made me curious. And it is hot outside. Except I have this lactose thing, so I guess I can't have it. Doh." "Doh yourself. We have soy cream we can use instead." "Sold!" VERDICT -------------- Incredible. And not just because Cartel has Business Continuity Plans for people with lame digestive tracts. Whoever came up with the horchata-espresso idea is a genius. All the flavors in my cup were perfectly balanced, and there was absolutely no bitterness in the espresso. This barista knew what she was doing, delivering me one of the best espresso drinks I've had in a really long time. And my Guide, standing beside me, looks at me and smiles in a Zen sort of way. Omnipotent, and serene. I told you she was wise. FIVE STARS, MR. K? --------------------------------- Eba what? Who gives a flying hootenanny about tapioca. Cartel is where it's at, because my drink was that excellent. Which causes a conundrum, obviously, because I may have to re-rank every other coffeehouse in town accordingly. These guys are leagues ahead. However, to be fair, I'll probably update this review on future trips when I try three more of my regular drinks: * a plain cup of coffee * an Americano * a soy latte (probably the hardest drink for any coffeehouse to do really well) Given how serious they take their craft, though, I'm sure each will be exceptional. I also give props to zero attitude from the staff. They definitely have the potential to be all about their own uber-barista glory, and silently tell non-hip looking customers like me to stuff it, but they're far from it. SYNOPSIS --------------- Cartel Coffee Lab = Perfect independent free WiFi Tempe coffeehouse. Strongly recommended for coffee purists who enjoy true quality drinks . No run of the mill Starbucks crap here. And as the weather continues to heat up, I have a feeling the iced Espresso Excelente is going to be pretty damn popular. Also, my Tempe Tour Guide is full of wise and awesome. -fin- read more

This place has nice intentions. The coffee is not good and it costs about three to four times more than it's worth. It's bustling with students must be a hot spot. The crowd is fine there's no worries about that but it is loud. The furniture is uncomfortable and most designed to accommodate young people studying. They were out of most of their baked goods except some weird green cake....no thx. Probably won't be back prices for unpleasant coffee....not appealing for us. read more

Apparently, I am in the minority with my opinion of this place. While the coffee is good, it shouldn't take 20 minutes to process my order. I don't care if they are personally flying to Columbia right after I order to hand pick the beans right before they make it...20 minutes is unacceptable. And then when I place my order, I shouldn't be insulted by the guy making it. Yes, I asked for non-fat milk. I didn't ask you to put Ketchup in my drink, I asked for non-fat milk. Don't treat me like I am mentally challenged. I weigh 165lbs, do you really think I order non-fat because I am concerned with my weight? No business should EVER ask a customer what the point of their order is the way this dude asked me. I want to like this place, I do. The atmosphere and location were great, and the hot tattooed blond sitting at the counter was fun to flirt with (I think she could tell the guy annoyed me). So for this, I will give it another shot. A lot of the people I know rave about this place. Maybe I just hit it on an off day. If I get the same attitude the next time, I might drop trough mid store. read more

Get your drink to-go because they serve those faster. They forgot about my drink so I waited total 30 minutes for a mocha. Lighting is dim and music is loud, not really the best study space as some have claimed. Probably a good place to chat, but still a bit too loud for a deep conversation. Stars are for the cleanliness. At least they have that going on. read more

For all you folks who need coffee to go with your turpentine, Cartel is the place for you!! For the rest of us, I hate to pour cold coffee on the Cartel-parade, but I just am not feelin' the love. I ordered an iced cafe mocha. The resulting lukewarm concoction tasted like a very strong brew of chocolate-infused cardboard. *shiver* To tell you the truth, it was vaguely reminiscent of chicory coffee, which is not my "cup of tea," so to speak. I even brought my younger, hipper friend to Cartel to make sure my evaluation was fair, and she now makes a face whenever I mention it! Try it if you must, since we all like to support our local businesses, but don't blame me if you don't like it... read more

I just don't understand places like this. Be unique and different, cool....but where does the customer service go? I don't care if you are trying to be a cool local hangout, you still need to be personable and friendly. Starbucks may be big business, but most of the time they treat me right. Now for the product. It was a terrible Americano. I do not know what they put in it, but it was awfully sour and bitter. The atmosphere is not pleasant and the seating is uncomfortable and industrial. read more

Ok Cartel... I've been a regular customer for years. I love the coffee, the tea, and the cool vibe. But today at the Tempe location, I stayed for an hour and a half for a business meeting and came out to a "warning" from TEAM security on my car. "1 HR means 1 HR"?! Really? I'll just go to literally ANY other coffee shop next time. read more

Cartel Roasting - This is what you can look forward to if you park in the parking lot and don't leave promptly after exactly 1 hour at the Tempe location. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Tempe, Arizona

This is a good spot to get good coffee, the smell of the fresh coffee is right on. There is a lot of room in this place so it's good for meetings and the sound isn't overbearing that you can't study. read more

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

I recently lost my voice. My vocal cords have temporarily exited the building, and because of this.. I wanted some hot tea to sooth the pain from the sandpaper I apparently swallowed in my sleep Friday night. The location had been previously decided, and only wonderful things were spoken about it, so off to Cartel we go.. This joint is hidden. Had I been driving, I probably would have missed it. Also the parking situation is shit. My friend and I had to guide a 16 year old girl in her mothers boat of a vehicle, out of her parking space to avoid hitting the car that was illegally parked behind her, only to be honked and screamed at by (insert ASU douchebag here). idiots. We did get her spot though, which was directly in front of the entrance. Score. Upon entering, there are piles and piles of fliers and random magazines and also a box of what looked like dirty purses, staplers and shoes. I have no idea.. Anyway, there is radical art work and a sculpture hanging from the ceiling made of bicycle wheels, which was awesome and I want one! Plenty of unique reading material - I opted for the Best of The Onion, also lots of tables and couches full of the entire Indie population of Tempe. Most of these people happen to be Mac users, clearly shop at thrift stores, listen to the M. Ward station on Pandora and wear retro headbands, so I cant really complain. I too use a mac, love thrifting, love that station and have a sweet headband collection myself, so I don't mind this Hippie-esqe crowd. However, some people do.. If that's you, go to the corporate whore known as Starbucks instead. So basically I love the interior and the people that convent here. However, It was about 300° inside. It may have been cooler outside, and we all know how f-ing hot it is right now.. There was no way I was about to order a steaming hot tea while perspiring heavily. Annoyed, I get an iced "Happiness Blend" tea, which totally defeated the purpose of soothing my throat, but the tea was nice.. perfectly minty with a hint of daffodil. Everyone tried their hardest to have a sit down and enjoy the effects of caffeine and good company, but it was just way too hot in there, and so we were forced to leave. This situation needs to be handled immediately, otherwise there is no way I can hang out here unless its in January. That's really the only thing I have to complain about. I didn't try any of their coffees, but it smelled wonderful and the foam art that was being created was lovely.. I don't know why, but I just enjoy my beverage all the more when there is a foam heart floating on the top. Next time I'm at Eastside Records or Buffalo Exchange, I will walk over and get a coffee.. probably a Mocha and I'm actually looking forward to it too. read more

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

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I was lucky enough to sneak away from work for December Yelp Office Hours and got the chance to hang out with some fellow Yelpers at Cartel. I fell in love with this place the moment I walked in. The decor is awesome. They have a ton of random stuff popping about, and the wide-open industrial looking space is surprisingly comfortable. They fresh brew every cup, so you have THE best possible cup of coffee you can get. Normally I opt for something fancy schmancy like a non-fat, 5 pump gingerbread latte when I hit up coffee joints, but something told me a good ol black Guatemalan cup would serve me well.. and I was correct! I am an AVID coffee drinker. I mean AVID. The Guatemalan coffee, straight-up, with no sugar, syrup, cream, etc... was THE, and I mean THE, best cup of coffee I have EVER had. Hands Down. I have since been back twice and the coffee is consistently good. In the future I hope I can try something else, but why mess with perfection???? read more

I've never seen so much junk look so cool! Bicycle Wheels, hanging Republican elephants, and more... This place is very quaint and laid back. Its even got a humongo bay door in the back which (when open) almost makes you feel like you are outside under a huge umbrella! So I came here for Yelp Office Hours, and I have to say... it was so much fun! I got to meet a bunch of people that I have been wanting to, and the Iced Chai Latte I got was pretty bad ass as well. Thanks Jason and Amy... and Yelp! This place is pretty damn hard to find, but once you are in, you wouldn't know it. People are coming and going constantly, and there is a great buzz about the place! Not to mention it is one of the more 'Green' establishments. I was told that everything is natural (as can be), and my plastic cup? It said "CornCup" and also "Compostable" on it. SWEET! All in all, this place is a great find and now I know why Sara B. is a regular! I will definitely be back. read more

I was in the area and saw a coffee shop, so I stopped by for a quick cup. Well, that was difficult. I wish I had beforehand seen all of the fake 4/5-star reviews here and headed elsewhere. In short: Everything will likely be broken. You're not allowed to make any changes to your beverage, because the place is run by a bunch of pretentious ninnies who believe their product is the epitome of.. whatever it is that they are attempting to do (the word "swindle" comes to mind). Oh, and the end result will be mediocre. Head elsewhere. Do not be swayed by their interesting-looking wooden sign. The inner design is nice, however. If you hate coffee, enjoy the atmosphere of pompous hipster foolery, and just want to hang out inside with a friend or two, this may be the place for you. read more

I'm torn between the quality product and the poor service and WiFi. The coffee is exceptional but the entry fee (getting past the flaming hoops of attitude) to get your coffee is a little high. Now I guess I'm one of the cool kids at times (working for the man - Buring Man), but unless that comes up in conversation, most often I'm not dressed the part in my business casual and just another target for the staff. Beyond the slow service and attitude, the WiFi is crap. They are riding a signal from a neighbor companies (Wet Paint) router. I wish they'd get their own router and Cox connection! Hell I'd even set it up for them, and when I suggested putting a WiFi tip jar the customers at the bar were all for it! I like the location and the product but not the service and WiFi - both things that can be fixed. read more

When looking for a 3rd wave coffee shop, read Yelp reviews. If the reviews include phrases like: - the coffee wasn't hot enough - the employee staff were rude and insulting - they refused to make me a large cappuccino, or a cappuccino to go... - they over-charge for their coffee - There is no carmel macchiato GET IN THERE, because the coffee is going to be excellent! I was visiting from the SF Bay Area and Lux in Central Phoenix was a little too far this time. Cartel's Tempe location was more convenient so I thought I'd give it a try. Great coffee, regardless of the incessant employee smuggery. Come on people, it is what it is. It's the price you pay for good coffee. Think "Soup Nazi - Seinfeld" get in line, be patient, and enjoy what you can. Please don't compare this kind of coffee experience to Starbucks or other commercial establishments because it is going to be different. You aren't going to have it your way, you're going to have it the correct way :) read more

- - Rudest Service ever + Good Coffee I swung by for a cappuccino during a short work break. I work in the area and read the great reviews. I got some of the most over-the-top unjustifiably RUDE service experience at a coffee shop I've ever had. I walked in, waited in line, ordered just a cappuccino, left a tip and, waited at the bar for the woman to finish making my cappuccino. She poured it into a ceramic mug -- and she did a really beautiful pour that looked great. "Oh, could I actually get that to go?" I asked with a Midwestern twang. "No, we don't do cappuccinos to go. We do lattes to go" she retorted. ...a short pause.... "Oh, ok, well, could you just pour it in a cup" I said trying to figure out how I can drink my coffee without gulping it down quick so I can get back to work. "No, we don't do that because of standards and stuff" she retorted. ... another short pause as I stood flabbergasted... "I can get a cup for you and you can pour it in yourself" she interjected, mustering a few shreds of customer service. Look, I get it, you want to maintain your hipster cred. You did a beautiful pour and re-pouring it in a paper cup will wreak that. I'm not a picky jerk of a customer, I tip, I'm not even mad about pouring my own drink in a cup: I'm mad because you could have at least been nice about it by saying something like "Oh, we usually don't do that, I can grab a cup for you, but next time I recommend you order a latte". I've been a regular at small independent coffee shops my whole life and have never encountered someone so un-willing to pour a cappuccino in a to-go cup. I think I'll rather go to... Starbucks... over this place. I hate Starbucks but at least they don't treat customers like complete trash for no reason. read more

The barista warned me as I ordered that I was about to start an addiction. Two lattes and a hot green tea later, I am realizing the gravity of his premonition. Cartel Coffee Lab has to be one of the coolest spots in Tempe. It is appropriately named as a place that would foster an addiction, and addicted I now am. It has the definite feel of an old warehouse. It is dimly lit, has high, exposed rafters and cooling vents, a concrete floor, and a usable garage door at the back. The layout is great, with a bar, several couches, and a good number of tables fully wired with plugs for the mac or pc-wielding crowd. It's a funky place, very urban; the main room is separated by an art installation made of bike tire rims. Cartel seems to attract a hugely eclectic group of patrons, from unbathed hipsters to ASU students to very cool coffee snobs. I sat next to the most interesting man, definitely a regular, and learned that he owns the old flour mill on Mill Ave! He also shared the most delicious almond cookie with me, baked by his father. Very cool. Yes, the coffee. The coffee and espresso are fantastic. People complain that the service is slow, but calmatevi amici, they are making the valley's best coffee, to order, and that takes time! Their beans are direct trade, roasted in house. Try the espresso - it's perfect. Regular coffee fan? They use the Clover, a single serve machine that makes every cup special, just for you. They will alternatively use this awesome manual system with paper filters to drip your coffee nice and slow. I like that they make you commit - large or small - and they keep their menu very simple, so you'll need to get your vanilla lattes elsewhere. Their default milk is whole (so good), from a local organic farm - and so remember to ask for skim if you are watching that waistline. The baristas are super cool and friendly, and gave me a great welcome. Cartel is my new favorite caffeine haven. Thank you friend of a friend for the recommendation - I am a convert, and have definitely found my Tempe fix for a great, independent coffee house. I may have a hard time going anywhere else! (Don't worry Lux, you're still my first love, I promise.) read more

I was recently at Cartel Coffee Lab and ordered myself a small-size AeroPress Coffee. To my surprise, this small "kiddy" size coffee set me back by $3. As I started consuming the AeroPress famous Cartel Coffee, I began to wonder why does Cartel Coffee charge $3 for a coffee, when the often ridiculed and the supposedly overpriced chain called Starbucks offers the same size coffee for $1.75? And my AeroPress Cartel coffee wasn't itself that great; I mean I've had coffee of different roasts before, and I'm no coffee connoisseur, but Cartel coffee felt very watery and very plain. It was just like the pedestrian coffee I have sometimes at work. This place charges $3 for a coffee because Coffee Cartel thinks it's cool; it feels you're obliged to pay for its super-cool chilled out austere interior; it feels you need to pay up for all the nonsensical writing that's scribbled over its walls; moreover it feels you need to experience the pathetic service it that prides itself on. What a pity! Need a good coffee, I heard McDonalds is good these days. 1. Overpriced. 2. Pathetic Service. 3. Very limited menu. read more

Hi, I'd like a decaf iced Americano with a side of sorry I don't have tribal tattoos, gauges, and a pseudo-lumberjack beard. In all seriousness, though, Cartel is a pretty cool place to hang out and get school work done, despite the fact that it may be too cool for school. The environment is open, spacious, and definitely the kind of place where I feel like I'm paying three bucks to park myself somewhere conducive to productivity for a few hours, rather than for the actual coffee. You might as well say "make me a drink that's stronger than me," because that's essentially anything at Cartel. I'm sure it hurts so good if you're looking for a caffeine rush, but if you drink decaf, the high-intensity, bitter brew is basically like drinking an O'Doul's - neither effective, nor genuinely enjoyable. However, for the general college population, Cartel provides all the resources necessary to help you pound out that essay/assignment/tumblr post/article as seamlessly as possible. read more

This really is about as good as it gets. The coffee is really delicious, the people who work there are personable and make you feel at home, never snooty about anything and the decor is really pleasant. There's nothing to be said of this place that another yelper hasn't already said more intelligently except for this: I leaned my bike up against a shelf, my tire slipped and bumped into said shelf, knocking an expensive, free-trade, no-war-orphans-were-maimed-or-blood-spilled to deliver you this glass type thing and it shattered on the ground. I hate being a clumsy shithead, man. Anyway, they were cool about it... not just cool about it, they made me feel not-embarrassed. I paid for the cup I broke and they gave me my coffee for free. That's service. Who does that? If someone came into my coffee shop and broke shit I'd tell 'em to get out. Also, I like that they don't play the music there too loud. Sometimes coffee shops have their goddamn hippie shit blaring at full volume. Here, you can comfortably sip your coffee and nurse a hangover. The only thing that would make this place better is if they had a kitchen and served amazing breakfast. read more

Notables: -Wide range of roasts that appeal to almost any coffee preference (save for you weirdo super dark drinkers) -Espresso Excelente = Horchata with shots. Literally. -Handmade furniture and fixtures care of owner Jason littered throughout. -All prices figured to 5 or 0 (aka no pennies necessary) -Staff legitimately cares about all aspects of coffee and some aspects of tea Especially Notable: -If you were to have taken Cartel's regular clientele and plopped them down into another very good coffee shop like Lux, they would all have sat separately and talked sparingly even though the seating at Lux might be even more inviting and communal in nature. For some reason people open up here. It is not out of the ordinary for two complete strangers to spark up a spontaneous conversation and actually enjoy each other's opinion on topics outside of the normal social boundary of small talk. I have been to most of the other coffee shops in the greater Phoenix area, and while some do have excellent drinks and baristas, none have fostered such an air of openness and loving friendship. I never truly enjoyed coffee until I had a cup here (Sweet Yellow, although Blue is great, too). The existence of this place gives me renewed hope for a resurgence of sincerity and artistry in a town taken over by fearless big boxes and scaredy-cat hipsters and wannabes. PS REDACTED read more

I love Cartel. The coffee is awesome and the employees are almost always friendly. Do they have their bad days? Sure, but so does everyone. I've noticed that most of the people complaining or leaving negative (or less positive) reviews are doing so because of the clientele. How immature. Let's stick to reviewing the venue and the product, not whether you like the patrons. If some patron doesn't like a frappuccino and says so to the barista, who really gives two flying pigs? Everyone is entitled to their opinion. My recommendation is to try to be a little less insecure and consider the impact your review will have on the actual business and the people that put their blood, sweat and tears into it, before you start taking away points because a certain part of society seeks out novelty and enjoys well made things. Just my two cents. read more

Cartel is a coffee world unto itself for downtown Tempe, which is void of many non-alcoholic places to hang out. Situated in what seems to be a motel from the outside and a garage on the inside, Cartel can satiate your brass tax coffee fix and your espresso lust for reasonable prices. The coffee is great. Period. They roast the beans themselves, know way too much about coffee and are proud. The espresso, in whatever form you get it in, is rich and nutty. The toddy (cold brewed iced coffee) is strong to the point of me jittering out the door from a small one. The teas are various and steeped in a cool manner and timed according to their type. The vibe can come off a little pretentious sometimes with all their rules and such, but they are selling a great product and the rules help distinguish them from the crowd. I like to hangout here for an hour every week or so, good people watching, the pretentious guy behind the counter is good to listen to if you want to hear people getting so-so advice that they didn't ask for and my professors come here so it is a good place to catch them not in work mode. My only complaint is that they need to find a way to get a bike rack closer to the door. My only other complaint is that they could have more snacks available, I would love to dip something baked in their coffee. read more

Was pretty skeptical about coming to this place reading the previous reviews about customer service and the ambiance. We ended up coming here forcing ourselves because the reviews about "the best coffee in town" really did catch my attention. We come in through the back and come to the counter asking if we came through the wrong door. The cashier really didn't mind and told us how many doors to the coffee shop their actually was - there are three. We come from the whole Starbucks iced caramel macchiato scene so we weren't too sure what to order. We asked the barista what she'd recommend to someone who enjoyed an iced CM from Starbucks and she mentioned the agave latte, white mocha, or the regular latte. I'm pleased to announce that the agave latte is divine. The natural sweetener has a certain taste alongside the espresso. My sister and my experience here could not have been more pleasing. Definitely coming back. :) read more