Normally I wouldnt give a place that is not fully sustainable (composting, all organic, local, humane meats, dairy; coconut cream (not milk) provided, etc) 5 stars, but Im just so happy to have a main-drag alternative to Berts which I won't touch with a ten foot pole. This dunn bros is everything Berts is not. Enumerated as follows...
Great Coffee! Vs Berts mudwater (generous analogy, more like excrement)
clean, modern feel with super elegant taste and natural materials, wood, metal, tile, etc Vs Berts clutter hoarding ridiculousness that just squeels of tacky Americana.
Friendly, no-BS baristas. They manage to be personable, remember me and my beverage, do their best to make it precisely as my very particular needs dictate and don't complain...to be fair, the handful of opportunities I gave Berts to get it right, I think they tried, but because they assumed they knew what I wanted instead of hearing and understanding what I was trying to accomplish (basically a traditional double shot americano (50% espresso, 50% hot water)), they fouled it up each and every time, which didn't matter anyway since the beans are horrid.
No pestering. I used to work with the owner of a pub, and he thought he was making it personable by talking each and every customer's ear off, but i would hear from virtually everyone, the single biggest complaint, that noone would say to him directly because they didn't want to hurt his feelings..was that they wanted to enjoy their food and drink with their families, NOT the guy who's profiting from their patronage... :) Anyway, Bert could take a lesson from DB's. Be personable, but not OVERBEARING.
Several organic options here which is a big plus though in this industry it should be the norm by now. Actually since organic allows some 100+ synthetics it would be nice to see it move beyond that, but I maintain unusually high standards and endocrine disruptors belong in neither the environment, the human body or the food supply..
Huge front windows facing the sun. This is the main draw for us so that on cooler mornings we can still bask in the light but not freeze down by the waterfront, great people watching too if that's your bag. we used the law of attraction (handy being a Spark of the Creator!) to help manifest this venue, this DB is the single most important thing the main drag has been lacking which Berts could've supplied save for the aforementioned issues which are legion.
Ample outlets. should go without saying but try out a few cafes in mpls and see how that goes for ya! lololol
Ok, so basically perfection but even though this review *was* going to be 5 stars, the way-too-loud smoothe jazz (or nails on a chalkboard as I like to call it) is making me feel like Im at the dentist office and im tempted to deduct 2 stars, but because it hits on most other aspects I will limit the hacking to 1 star. If they lower the volume and stick with more universally appreciable tunes, I will restore it to 5. Earphones are going in now, and thats fixing the problem, BUT I shouldn't have to do that. virtually NOBODY likes smoothe jazz...FACT. [not a stitch of smoothe jazz, and instead good cafe music at a reasonable volume, so, 5th star restored! Thanks guys!]
curtis the nigh shift employee is the reason for re-downgrading from 5 to 3 stars. maybe worry a bit more about providing competent service rather than getting your *customers* out of here 1 min before close. also when i order a sencha mango tea, dont get confused by the fact that there is tea already in my mug that i brough from home, hint: you still have to give me the tea i paid for genius! :) smooches. read more