I have been going to this coffee shop since 2007, prior to there being a large apartment complex across the street and all of the shops in the larger community. I have seen tons of baristas come and go. Some good, others great, and some always seemed as if someone pissed in their flakes prior to coming to work. I stuck it out through the rumors about the barista who would spit in your drink if she didn't like you. But today I had an awful experience that I was determined to share on every board that I could post on. I have been going there sporadically for the past few weeks and consistently I have been served by a newer, very immature gentleman who works there but doesn't greet customers when he is in the shop alone, without the presence of the owner. Well this morning I was not going to pay my money to walk into an establishment and have a pissy, 20 something kid project his post puberty attitude on me. He did not speak, meaning he did not ask if he could help me nor did he say good morning, etc. until I stood there for at least 50 seconds staring him right in the eye. After he asked if he could help me, I said, you are not a morning person are you. He said no. "I worked last night and I had to come in this morning." Sorry bro, that's not my problem.
After I received my drink, I sat down and tried to initiate a conversation with him since I was sitting next to the barista stand and we were the only ones in the shop. I mentioned to him although I try to stay away from the Urban Grind (after 10 years I am as over it as it is over me) I still get some inspiration from coming. I guess he had a wet diaper that needed changing because he zipped into a tirade asking me why would I come to a shop that I don't like and they don't need my energy there.
Long story short - I predict, as I said to him, that the Urban Grind will be closed in a year. I predicted that about Strip in Atlantic Station. The Urban Grind is exhibiting all of the signs of a place that has lost its way and its more evident in SOME of the sketchy people that the shop hires. This is not a true coffeeshop but an event space that asks its paying customers to leave when the faux enlightened come in for a poetry readings.
Now for the fun part. May I recommend my favorite coffeeshops(not necessarily in order):
-Revelator(I like Revelator for its atmosphere and the crowd (a mature group of people and the baristas are mature adults)
-Drip (Glenwood) Just awesome for the atmosphere and the mature crowds that frequent the shop and the professional folks that come in to the shop.
-Corso - Corso is just absolutely the best. Its nice to go there and have a nice sip of coffee or a glass or wine and people watch!
To the owner of the Urban Grind: Watch some of your people on that camera of yours when you are not there! :) Also I am sure but my guess is that it is a violation of health department code to have an employee prepare food with tons of bracelets on his wrists. I hope that this review makes it to the health department read more