Here you will find a simple business that will satisfy your caffeinated wants…read more
Website
9/10
The bar's website offers a slick, clean introduction into the business. You are immediately presented with the picture of the bus where the business takes place. Due to its simple design, it is easy to navigate without clicking too many buttons, which is ideal for a mobile business.
Although there are plenty of selections for coffee, I would like to see selections on the pastries, such as cakes and cookies, whether on the menu or the site itself. Describing the pastries and their flavors would definitely help considering how cakes are considered half of the brand.
Brand
9/10
The color scheme, simple yet evocative, warrants interest to passersby. The cooling usage of two shades of blue fits the overall business model. The font has a casual aesthetic to it, for the bubbliness suggests a maintained yet carefree demeanor.
Meg sells her cake and coffee products in a bus repurposed for selling and cooking her products. She even shows the picture of the bus prior to renovation on her site. Meg also offers a simple, poignant backstory to her business inspiration.
Along with the products themselves, they also provide opportunities throughout the site for catering for many occasions, ranging from weddings, corporate events, birthdays, and barbecues.
When I requested business cards it specifically referred to "Meg's Coffee Bar: Specializing in Coffee, Espresso, & Baked Goods," so I don't know if the name changed from "Meg's Cake & Coffee Bar." Either way, I can see how this would be a bit misleading.
Ambiance
8/10
Considering how Meg operates a food bus, then the ambiance is entirely within the control of the patrons. In most cases, she will sell her products in a farmer's market near a park, which means that a green space enlivens the mood. I was hoping that they would be located underneath trees so they can receive the shade. Having an environment as cool as possible would be important if you are selling a hot product like coffee.
Their generator for making their products did not produce too much noise, which did help the ordering experience. Not a lot of people clamored in my way.
If the menu itself was difficult to read, they have the larger sized menu printed upon the bus to read. This accommodation would help anyone either with eyesight, if the sun's rays are blocking the view, or if they did not hear whoever is at the front counter.
Staff
10/10
The business is operated by a couple, which means they have reduced workload between them. This is a good strategy to have if your business is limited by what it can contain and produce; and if it is mobile. They kindly took my order without any problems or delays.
Waiting Period
10/10
I got my order immediately since it was a simple order.
Food
9/10
I ordered the hot coffee with hazelnut syrup and oat milk to welcome the autumn season. They have cheap, sufficient prices, dividing between the coffee, the syrup, the milk, and other additions. I cannot say that this order was the ideal cup of coffee to welcome autumn, but it did suffice enough. Although I initially tasted the bitter taste typical to coffee syrups, the toasty hazelnut aftertaste started to proliferate as I drank further into my order. The inherently sweet, creamy aspect of the oat milk helped provide a good coffee experience. The order also achieved that ideal temperature in my particular case, since I like my coffee to be hot but cool enough to drink within minutes.
Comes Together Well?
9/10
While the business's identity falls short, nevertheless I still had a pleasant experience ordering from them.
Pertaining to personal suggestions, the business name and subtitle on the business card matches the business more than the one on the website and the Yelp page.
Rating
9.14/10
This is the average score of all of the factors that came into this review. Because I am limited by a 5-star ratio, I have to use what little opportunity I have to decide the ultimate decision over whether the business becomes 4 stars or 5 stars. And so, what is my ultimate deciding factor?
Rounds Out To...
5/5 Stars
Hope. I have plenty of hope for Meg's Coffee Bar. I could clearly see how it could have weathered COVID, and I would not put it past this specific type of business model to circumvent any macroeconomic difficulties that may arise. If a repurposed bus could offer a pleasant, caffeinated experience, then they have a long-term advantage. I do not have a sweet tooth, but I express interest in their baked goods' taste should I ever request catering services.
Recommend To...
Anyone looking for a Starbucks alternative. I don't know if Starbucks offers a lot of catering as this business will, but you will have the opportunity to do so while also contributing to the local economy; and because they are mobile they can do it anywhere. I would also recommend this business to anyone if they want to try different flavors of coffee cheaply.
