This is one of my favorite coffee shops in Tucson; I really love their frappes and baked goods. I didn't even mind waiting in line for quite some time sometimes. However...seating has perpetually been an issue here, with very little room in the structure as it is. read more

Saturday morning at 8:30am I came in with my 3 children. We proceeded to order 3 quiche and two pastries for the 4 of us. The gentlemen running the register was quick to point out that they discriminate against families and we only count as 1. 4 per person is their company policy. I replied that I have 4 people. Another employee chimed in with the authority of a supervisor, reiterating that my familial status was irrelevant and I can only order 4. Literally, in shock, at the discrimination of my family, we departed this store immediately. I have never faced discrimination of this type at Cartel Coffee, Ghinis, or any other of the wonderful coffee shops that serve pastry's in this town. I have been coming to Raging Sage for years. If this is indeed the policy of the company, then it has sent me elsewhere along with our family, neighbors and friends who have walked with us to this establishment for the past few years. read more

5 stars for this little local coffee shop near the University. Th e atmosphere is cute with out being a scene. More importantly, it boasts great coffee (I love their cubano) and a wonderful assortment of pastries (perfect for breakfast, lunch or a late night snack). Now that I'm back in the neighborhood, I plan to drop by for their yummies as often as possible! read more

Raging Sage - The Cubano - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

Always delicious and friendly service. Pastries and specialty coffees are outstanding. Great option for anyone, especially for those wanting to patronize a locally owned business. read more

After the owner (the husband) passed away, and now years later as the pandemic is entering its 3rd year, the overall quality of the baking, the customer service, and the property maintenance has gone downhill. Some scones are underbaked, and some have nearly burnt bottoms. The counter staff appears as if they rather be in any other place than here; in particular, the thin, tattooed young woman replies in short, curt answers and does nothing to make the exchange between customer and establishment a pleasant one. The patio is not as clean as it once was. After 3 years, they just opened the restroom to the public, whereas most places in Tucson, especially those who serve food and beverage, opened their restrooms as soon as the business opened again. No one is allowed to sit inside this business, not even for a brief moment to tie a shoe, because the staff will yell, "You can't sit here! Now I'll have to clean the table and chair!" I would have said, "But isn't that part of your job?" Maybe this is the same reason the restroom has been closed to the public, that is, so the staff won't have to clean it. Yes, the coffee is good, but it's good in other places too. If I ever go there again and am treated rudely, I will not leave a tip and will make a formal complaint to the owner. I've been a retail manager and spent lots of time training and managing staff. The young woman I mentioned would not last a day with me if she acted in such a discourteous manner. I don't care how difficult it is to hire staff right now. I'd hire someone new, train, and supervise them if I had a desire to keep old customers or attract new ones. read more

No paper towels in bathroom :( #fluseason Off to a Rocky and raging start! The hubby and I ordered Cubanos. The son ordered a mocha frap... Didn't see any of those scones that enticed me to make this drive... A little pricey if ya ask me... Not a lot of choices.... Passin thru from Texas to Cali... It's a little ways off the beaten path... Not too impressed... I wanted to be wowed! Didn't happen :( We got our javas to go... No seating available.. Not sure if it was full of locals... Nobody was friendly or said hello... So not like Austin! We are friendly and make conversations with anyone and everyone! Come to Austin for a cup of Joe! You won't regret it :) read more

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Visiting from out of town I was looking for high quality coffee in Tucson. Cute cafe, nice patio, and delicious scones. Their drip coffee is a solid cup of joe. Easy drinking. If you are looking for craft coffee that smacks you in the face, maybe try somewhere else. But if you want a laid back place to enjoy a coffee, I recommend this place. My only advice is to watch out for the brave pidgins who are not afraid to partake in the food on your plate. Towards the end of my cup and scones I came head to head with a pidgin and lost. read more

Raging Sage - Drip coffee and scone - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

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The baked goods here are outstanding and the coffee is pretty good. However it's kind of pricey the last time I was in a large cappuccino and a scone plus tip came to ten bucks. read more

My favorite coffee shop...I like how strong all the coffees are at raging sage and their baked goods ESP the scones are very delicious.. Wish they had one in Phoenix.. read more

They put the rage in "Raging Sage" by making you wait for that 1 cup of frickin' coffee for an exorbitant amount of time! Um ... No

Here are my thoughts after visiting a couple times and trying a couple different drinks: -no WiFi is available until 11am. I am not sure why, because it was busy the last time I was in and wanted to ask. But this makes no sense to me. -the house drip was super bland for my preferences. A 20oz definitely gave me the caffeine I need, but didn't deliver on flavor. -the espresso follows the suit of the house drip, and again I found it to be pretty bland. I hate to say it but I preferred McDonald's -what's with the prices? Sorry, but I'm not willing to pay San Diego prices in Tucson. All things considered, I arrived at a 2 because though the quality is run of the mill 3, the price drops it down. Probably not gonna be back on my own accord. read more

This place has a great feel, reasonably priced (and deliciously dark and accented) coffee, and nice employees. Only thing is that they don't have wifi until 11am, but the place is so great that I'm willing to work around that! read more

Unremarkable. Raging Sage Blend Iced Coffee: Nothing remarkable. Just an average cup of Joe. Lavender Blueberry Scone: Terrible. So bland. Tastes like cardboard. read more

I've been a long time customer of Raging Sage, since it opened nearly 20 years ago, but due to the pandemic I had to stop going for a while until the lockdown eased up. So when I finally got a chance to stop in a few weeks ago while biking back home from work, the outdoor seating was completely packed with nowhere to sit, so I went inside to see if they finally had seating there and I found that they still do not have even limited indoor seating. This wasn't the problem, it was the staffs' attitude since I could not take anything with me on my bike with me at the time and was a bit down because that. The girl up at the counter made a snotty and snarky sounding "Bye" at me without even trying to offer an apology or any kind of alternatives. And from the back behind there was a giggle from another girl, presumably staff. This is just uncalled for rudeness. I used to love going to Raging Sage for years and never had a problem with the staff since they were always friendly and willing to go out of their way for you. So for the foreseeable future, my business is going to Caffe Luce, Crema, and Ren Coffeehouse. They at least offer a friendly staff, indoor seating, outdoor seating, and great coffee and food. read more

Stopped into this nice looking cafe to get a cup of coffee on my way to work. The exterior was welcoming and exhumed a hip and casual environment inside. Upon entering, I was sorely disappointed. The interior was clearly unattended to, the flooring worn, a moldy odor in the air, possibly a heroin addict sleeping at one of the tables. I made my way to the cashier, who seemed like they were agitated that I even existed. I ordered a medium drip to go. The cashier, with a teenage level of sass, responds "is that it?" Never in my years have I heard a 40 year old bald man talk like that and naturally I was taken aback. I paid for my coffee, which had the taste of coffee soaked in pool water, and left. I don't know if I will ever retur read more

Expresso in my mocha was extremely bitter the last time I was here, but I thought it might just be a one time fluke, so I decided to try it again... nope. Bitter again. It's expensive for a small and the small is really small. The shop itself is cozy and cute. Lots of interesting places to sit an they have a patio I didn't check out since it was so hot out. Baked goods look good too. The baristas seem like they don't want to be there, which I totally sympathize with because working with the general public is exhausting, but obviously it makes an impression on the customer. Usually there's a reason employees act that way though... Maybe they don't get paid well and have to work super long hours, in which case the business owners need to step it up. Maybe they were just having a bad day. There's also a sign saying no wifi access before 11am... why? I guess this place is small and near the university, so maybe they're trying to deter people who camp out for 3 hours for the wifi. Still, this seems like a crazy bad business decision that will drive away people who want to use their laptops. Overall, I wasn't impressed and I don't understand the hype. read more

I somehow forget how ridiculously expensive this place is...I paid almost $7 for a Oaxacan mocha with soy milk. And like an idiot, I spilled it all over myself. The staff member who came to clean up my mess was actually kind of rude about it; her attitude, combined with the cashier, who had the personality of a moldy dishrag, was surprising considering I paid an arm and a leg for my drink. They didn't offer to remake it, which is fine, but also poor customer service. (I know it's entitled to assume they would remake it, but I know that other coffee shops would have offered without a second thought...they don't have to, but they should consider it) Then I found a hair in my scone. So I was grossed out. I didn't tell them or complain because I assumed the poor customer service would just continue. BUT I keep going back for that overpriced mocha! It's really good, not too sweet and is a bit spicy. Also, they have vegan pastries, which I appreciate. read more

Yes, Raging Sage has the best scones I've ever had, and other baked goods that are above bar. It has a real coffee house feel, which is unique in Tucson. I've been a mostly enthusiastic customer since it opened, but there has always been a sanctimonious attitude towards customers and last week it reached a new, unbelievable high. I walked in last week to find nothing in place for protection against COVID. I asked the two men behind the unprotected bar why they weren't wearing face masks. "We're not required to....And it's hard to bake with them on," they scoffed. Wow. Better deal with that and whatever encourages it, Raging Sage. Since I'm not a Covid denier and I expect to be treated with a modicum of respect, I won't be back until you do. P.S. I've never felt I've need to take the time to write a review for anything before! read more

If being bossed around and upbraided by snotty 20-somethings is your thing, then this is your place. The coffee is inconsistent and more expensive than any other place in town, so if you like that, then this is your place, too. Otherwise... read more

So, maybe I am a coffee snob, but I find their regular brewed coffee really weak. As diner coffee? Sure! I just wish it had a little more oomph. That out of the way, I love Raging Sage. It has a local vibe without being hipstery or pretentious, the staff is very nice, the baked good (vegan options, even!) are really awesome, and I like the variety of seating options they pack into such a small place. It *feels* very much like a neighborhood/community place, with a nice mix of young and old, student and not. When the weather is nice the outdoor area is surprisingly nice as well. I like that wifi is restricted in the mornings too. So overall : 4 stars. Provided I get an americano, I'm a happy camper. read more

Only been here twice but I love it so far. Good good drinks and the wifi PW made me laugh and they have muffin scones! Which aren't really a thing, just what you label the muffins when you've run out of muffin signs. Good space, lovely patio that lets you pretend you aren't sitting on Campbell. Easy bike access from the east. They did not make my to-go drink in a disposable cup and then pour it into my kleen kanteen, which seems like a no-brainer but just sadly is not. So hooray Raging Sage. read more

My husband loves their coffee and raves about the scones. So on my way to work when it easy to get in the parking lot heading south on Campbell and get out I saw an opportunity to try it out. The coffee is good and I like that the kids don't have a bad taste like the Starbucks lids do for their coffee. The scones are also yummy and freshly baked. Today, on my day off I stopped by to pick up coffee for both my husband and I. I decided I would also get some pastries to bring home for the family. I ordered a scone, 2 brownies, and 2 pecan bars. The young man was getting the pastries out when the woman behind the counter sternly informed me that I could not have more than 4 pastries. I guess catering is not an option? There is not a shortage of coffee shops that have good pastries or other breakfast items. Raging sage is good but I will take my money where it's appreciated. read more

Tattooed Lady Transforms Former Cafe with Hip Vibe Into Coffee Shop in Need of Anger Management Therapist Stopping in this morning to pick up a bag of coffee beans I encountered the current proprietor taking orders and cashing out purchases. I decided to enquire about the bathroom and asked her what was going on with it, since it has been closed to customers for some time. I asked the reason for this; was it the pandemic? She gazed at me with a look of pity before answering "of course". I then tried to engage her in a brief discussion about the lack of danger with possible contaminated surfaces but was cut off after my first four of five words with "it is for employees only and anything you can say is not going to change that". I then started to say that I had been a patron for at least 18 years, trying to lead into an explanation that a group of us in our 70's meet there every Saturday and had been doing so for years prior to the pandemic and had recently resumed, sitting outdoors. She again cut me off after my first few words and said "I don't care". This is a direct quote. At that, without further comment and with people queued behind me, I picked up my purchase and started to leave when she said something I didn't quite hear through the plexiglass partition. I said that I hadn't heard her. She repeated " I hope your day is as good as you are". This stupid, immature and trite comment was totally uncalled for as I had not said or done anything that was in any way discourteous or aggressive or even unpleasant to her. Needless to say I have decided never to return as long as this person is in charge. I have to wonder, based on similar experiences of people reviewing here on Yelp how much business this place is losing because of the attitude of, not only the proprietor, but of some of the employees. I tallied up approximately how much my wife and I have been spending for years at Raging Sage and it totals up to around $700 or $800 per year for coffee beans, drinks and scones. Last Saturday I had purchased a coffee and scone and was on my way to the patio when I spotted one of my friends in line and stopped to say hi. We had not been talking for even one minute when the person behind the counter told us to "take your conversation outside". Never, and I mean never, in my 74 years have I been so rudely treated by anyone in the service sector. These people need therapy and should get out of the business of serving the public! read more

Raging Sage is a nice coffee shop. It has plenty of seating and a cute patio. I think the coffee here is pretty good - it doesn't blow me away like some other shops, but it is, legitimately, good coffee. I appreciate that the lattes I've gotten here taste strong and not watered down. I love not having to order extra shots of espresso because of weak coffee. I have yet to try the food but it always smells great in there. Something that bothered me the last time I was here was that the wifi doesn't "open" until 11am. I get the feeling that the shop is trying to create a social environment where people are interacting with one another instead of on their phones (because there's a sign specifically asking customers not to use phones indoors). However, I think this is an issue. Many coffee shop goers go to do work and if they can't access the internet, that's a problem. This is what happened to me - came to do work at around 10am only to discover that I couldn't do any research until 11. I think this issue is further stressed given that 1) it's so close to campus and 2) there's a very well known, very popular shop less than one block over. I write this in hopes that the owners open the internet for as long as the shop is open. I'm not really sure whether I'd like to give Raging Sage 3 stars or 4. But I do like this place! read more

Super cute little shop Really busy when we first got there, there was no open tables inside. They have nice outdoor seating but we had gone to work on some homework and the wifi did not quite reach the outdoor seating. Strong latte and super awesome spice bread read more

Raging Sage - Yummy - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

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At first glance, Raging Sage's property is intimate, and very home-like. You walk in, and the employees immediately give you their full attention. One of the cool things about Sage is that their in-house coffee orders are blended in glasses, and it gives the taste of the coffee that much more appreciation. Their mochas are exceptional, and all their coffees come with plenty of ice when cold, with room for cream and sugar that is provided. Whenever I get a chance, I love to go here. read more

This has always been our go to place for coffee but no more. 2 trips in row where the customer service was terrible. A frown and surly attitude at the counter isn't welcoming but sadly seems to have become the norm. Coffee was good as always but I can get good quality coffee at many places, customer service with a smile is what brings me back. Not sure where this all started or why this place has gone down hill but count me as another lost patron. read more

Coffee is great and the scones are even better. If you go early enough you can get them while they're still warm. Love the staff.

If I could give them 0 stars, I would. Service was awful, it was our first time here and a friend ordered an Iced Chai which is always her go-to drink. She explained to one of the baristas that she wasn't very satisfied because the spices were overpowering and asked if she could do a tea instead. The baristas were very annoyed and rude and made it a hassle to make this accommodation even though the tea was $3 less than the original drink and we weren't asking for any refund. As they were making the drink, the two baristas in the back were laughing and talking crap. The two caramel frappes I got were whatever, burnt after taste. I called and asked for a manager, barista told me they don't have one and said I would have to call the warehouse. Called the warehouse and left a voicemail early last week, STILL have not received a callback. Go to a coffee shop that actually cares about you, this one is not it. read more

This is my second time visiting Raging Sage for coffee. The first time was quick in that I came in and ordered a Vietnamese coffee. The barista was very nice and pleasant and the coffee tasted great. However, my second time visiting I chose to stay for a few hours to get some work done. As I am sitting at the small table with headphones, focused, one of the workers with dark hair and tattoos (apparently the same one who seems to be the center of complaints on these reviews) walks past me in her obnoxious heels and rudely asks me to take my feet down from the chair across from me. Understandable, feet are usually pretty gross. However, considering I have struggled with knee pain for most of my life, had multiple knee surgeries and I had shoes on I did not appreciate her comment, especially when there are others in the coffee shop who are doing the same thing. I have never had any other issues at any of Tucson's other local coffee shops, in fact, when I am in my knee brace they offer to bring me a chair to prop up my leg. I did not find anything in violation with Arizona health codes or nor have I ever been taught that this is a violation given that I work in the restaurant industry. The employees should be cleaning every table and chairs after every use anyways. Her customer service is poor, just like her attitude. Other than that everyone else seems to be friendly and inviting but if you walk in and see her you could probably find a better cup of coffee with a person who is friendlier down the street at Cartel. read more

My friend took me to this coffee spot and it was good! The coffee was strong, ambiance was nice--felt like I was hanging out in a friend's house. Because of said ambiance, seating is a lil limited and if you have some folks who are a lil on the loud side... it can echo throughout the entire place. But otherwise, still a great place to grab a cup of coffee and study, hang out, etc! read more

This place has a great central location and the patio is really nice. The coffee was bland. The scone I ordered was very hard and dry and too salty. Staff is very nice and let me exchange the scone for a decent big brownie. read more

The employees here are very off-putting. Both the baristas and cashiers are extremely dismissive and intentionally rude. The chai latte was decent, but the quiche was congealed and not thoroughly heated. What got me the most was the couple that entered with a dog. Every employee ran from around the counter and begin to pet and hold this animal like they weren't working and preparing food. As i left, one of the baristas was feeding the dog a beverage out of one the cups lol won't be back. read more

I'm only adding an extra star because I had one decent experience here. The first time I came in I ordered a tea latte- was charged $2.15. So I came in the following day to order the same thing and was charged $4.50 nearly double price but shrugged it off and didn't mention it. I waited nearly 25 minutes and asked if they forgot my order. I got a rude response from the barista working behind the counter, so I left (and let's be real I ordered hot water with a splash of milk) $4.50 plus the tip I gave, what a waste. Mistakes happen but don't be rude about it. I wasn't going to leave a review but after reading some of the other experiences, I guess I'm not the only one. Get it together read more

What a neat independent coffee shop! From the kindness of the barristas, to the phenomenal baked goods and coffee, I can honestly say that I have never had anything less than a stellar experience here. There is seating tucked outside in a courtyard underneath trees, which even in the midday Tucson heat, always seems to have shade and a relaxing breeze. Inside, there are wood floors and plenty of 2 top tables...and, an added bonus...they play classical music lightly in the background! Great shop. And yes, as all the other reviews state, the scones are amazing. (I had a coconut chocolate chip one yesterday, and a fig walnut one today....so good!) Brava! PS: Parking lot is in the back! PPS: They have ALMOND syrup! Do you like Vanilla syrup, but you want to branch out a bit? Try adding Almond to your latte - Best. Decision. Ever. It's so good, Yelp brothers and sisters. So. Good. :) read more

Raging Sage used to be such a treat and an even better Tucson experience when I frequented it prior to the owner passing away (a while now). Ever since, the coffee quality and love put into it has gone down, the employees, at best, are indifferent and at worst they are rude - God forbid you have a question. Gosh, I used to love this place! I very rarely come anymore because it's just got a negative vibe. HOWEVER, here's what's still great about RS: Their scones are still my very favorite. Best in town I'd say. Their pastries are equally as great. Fresh, high quality but slightly over priced ... admittedly, I'm willing to splurge for a great sweet! I know that often times poor service and poor customer experience over all stems from poor leadership. It's rare to have a poor team and not look to see an exceptionally poor leader. I am just looking for that same great customer service and kind, positive energy that used to be here! Nonetheless, on the rare occasion I come here, I grab a delicious slice of cake, a gold rush and I enjoy their beautiful, cozy patio outside! read more

Let me start this review with a brief description of my coffee credentials, starting with my equipment: I have a Rancilio Silvia espresso machine, a Technivorm Moccamaster drip coffee maker, and a Sterling Pro French press. I have a couple of Moka pots from Italy that my sister gave me, but I don't use them because of the temperature at which they make coffee. I also have a Baratza Virtuoso grinder, and a Capresso grinder. If you know coffee gear, you will know from the equipment I just listed that I am a borderline coffee fanatic. Serious fanatics would have spent three times what I have on the grinders, and at least twice on the coffee makers. They typically roast their coffee themselves, whereas I buy my coffee already roasted. I have also traveled to countries with serious coffee cultures, such as Italy, France, Japan, Korea, Mexico, etc. Lastly, I have had scones from many different establishments in the UK, served with clotted cream and jam, in other words, the proper way to serve scones. I do not understand the negative reviews of Raging Sage. The coffee is amongst the best I have had anywhere. Let me repeat that point: the coffee is amongst the best I have had anywhere. This little coffee shop and micro-roastery has good suppliers, skilled roasters, and expert baristas. I recommend their coffee, unequivocally. I first visited on Friday, August 26th, for a meeting with a colleague and fellow coffee enthusiast. As I am new to Tucson, he recommended Raging Sage for its coffee and its sage scones (covered in jalapeno jelly). Since that initial visit, I have been back three times, once to pick up a pound of House Blend and Ethiopian Yirgacheffe, another time to pick up sage and jalapeno scones, and a third time to pick up a pound of Tanzanian Peaberry (which the manager, Kay, had set aside for me at my request). The running joke in my household has become my dog Ellie complaining we drive to Raging Sage too often. If you will forgive the pun, I have become a raging fan of Raging Sage. Yes, the premises are small and often crowded. Yes, they run out of scones very early in the day. No, they do not serve clotted cream with their scones (not many places in America do), and no, their scones are not authentic British scones. They're better. As for service, I have nothing but praise for the baristas and Kay, the manager. I have found my go-to coffee roastery in Tucson. I am a happy camper. read more

Scones and jo, scones and jo, gotta have me my scones and jo! (I hope you've all seen Stepbrothers, otherwise that probably didn't make any sense). Anywho, I can only comment on Raging Sage's regular coffee and scones, but both are amazing. The coffee is some of the best I've ever had, and the scones completely changed my mind about what a scone is. Gone are the days where I thought scones were dry, flavorless, empty carbs. Raging Sage has shown me that a properly made scone, is delicious, flavorful, buttery, and well worth the carb indulgence. I definitely recommend the cherry scone if you have a chance, but I've yet to have a scone I don't like from Raging Sage. The lines can sometimes be long, but the service is usually fairly quick and friendly. I've never sat around to drink my coffee afterwards since home is just a block away, but the patio looks like a great place to enjoy a cup of coffee when the weather is nice. I also noticed they now have wi-fi after 12 pm. My only piece of advice is make sure you get a punch card! After 10 drinks, you get one free. Unfortunately, I must have visited 4-5 times before they finally asked me if i wanted a punch card. Maybe I shouldn't have worn my ASU shirt on those first few visits... read more

Raging Sage is my absolute favorite coffee house in Tucson. Probably because it is so "un Tucson." They've got excellent coffee, which they roast themselves. They have amazing and truly decadent desserts and pastries, which are all homemade. And they have a friendly staff, who actually smile and make you feel welcome. What a concept! I also love the patio here, but I wasn't about to sit outside yesterday (with the thermometer topping out at 111)! I am an espresso drinker, and I always say, you can judge the quality of a coffee house by the quality of their espresso. (I was in the coffee business for 10 years, so I have some experience in coffee matters). As I watched the barista pull my double espresso shot yesterday, I was amazed with the perfection and the skill demonstrated. It was about as close to perfect of an espresso as they come... That is no easy feat, (especially on an extremely hot and humid day) as the grind of the espresso needs to be adjusted on a regular basis- even hourly (based on the barometric pressure and other atmospheric issues), in order to achieve a proper extraction. There is an art and a science to making great espresso, and they have nailed both at Raging Sage... Not only is their espresso exceptional, but yesterday I also had what I think was about the best pot de creme' that I've ever tasted! It doesn't faze me if they offer wi-fi or not, I come here for the quality of the coffee and the wonderful pastries that are all crave worthy! And yesterday, I am pleased to say that I entered both "chocolate and coffee NIRVANA," thanks to Raging Sage!!! I still haven't been to Seattle, but my other favorite coffee city, San Francisco actually has a map with top espresso places (check it out on google maps). Raging Sage could be on that map- the espresso ranks up there with the best of the best. I am one happy camper to have a coffee house of this caliber available in Tucson. Now that my son is at Salpointe, I have a good excuse to be taking coffee breaks here! :) read more

The most amazing unique flavors and taste can be found in the Afogato. Vanilla ice cream topped with espresso and whipped cream. Wow the flavor of the espresso is perfection. If you love that burnt roast coffee flavor -this is it! read more