The first time most java-slamming Boulderites became familiar with Michael Hilliker was during the time, many years ago, when he worked as a barista at the timeless Trident Cafe on West Pearl. Even then he was known as snotty, arrogant, and prone to go off at the mere existence of a baby stroller, or feet anywhere near the seats of chairs. Really amusing the first couple of times witnessing it, and then just an off-putting display of immaturity. Fast forward to Vic's Espresso and News, Michael's own gig in NorthWest Boulder. When it opened, it thrived, due to pretty good, strong coffee, a proactive hipness, and fast lines. The service, however, was always an offshoot of Michael's weird personality: aloof, impatient, and disrespectful. While we all know many people who quickly abandoned Vic's, due to the constant crap dished out by the weenies behind the counter, many more made Vic's the go-to place. As time went on, shops like Spruce Confections, Jett's, Laughing Goat, Amante, Innisfree, Espresso Roma, The Cup, Pekoe, Red Rock, Tod's, AND STARBUCKS all far surpassed Vic's in quality and service. Still, Vic's expanded, and seemed to be doing well. Louisville, Longmont (2), Boulder (4) all now sport a Vic's. But not all's well in Michael- and Rob-land. I still stop in occasionally, when it's convenient, but it's not my first choice by a mile. Pretty much the same experience every time. Crappy service, average coffee, dirty tables. Did I say crappy service? Dropped in last Saturday, on 30th Sreet, mid-afternoon. Two young ladies, typical of Vic's hiring and training, spent more time rolling their eyes and muttering under their breath about how much they hated the people paying their wage. Then they were disappointed they didn't receive a tip. Please consider growing up. And, hopefully, looking for work soon. Michael: Fire them both NOW. They would never work for me or any other employer in town with that kind of behavior, and they are a primary reason you will eventually fail. But it probably isn't all their fault. They remind us of you. I have to believe your spreadsheets don't look so hot, as it is. You have become the de facto Starbucks in Boulder. The real Starbucks has more consistent, less expensive, better coffee, and their staff is actually nice, almost always. Everything independents crow negatively about Starbucks actually applies to you and your operations(s). You are Starbucks. You're a chain (bad!), your service is dismissive and arrogant (bad!), and your coffee is mediocre (bad!). read more

Great espresso, cute little shop. Staff was real friendly but their WiFi was god awful. If you want a less popular, low cost coffee shop with not bad Joe this could be your place. Just be aware that if you come to work, you'll be disappointed by the poor connectivity. read more

Vics coffee in every location in Boulder is just average, their staff is often either arrogant and rude or clueless, and there are far better places in Boulder to drink good espresso, read your email, and see and be seen. read more

Just awful in so many ways. I have come here once a year for many years and nothing has changed for the better. The choice of snacks is pathetic (always), the staff has always been arrogant and mentally removed from any connection with customers. Don't even get me started on the (lack of) ambiance. The new competition near-by is much welcome. NEVER AGAIN. read more

I ordered a latte and was surprised tto get coffee with milk...not sure what the barista was thinking, but I asked for at least a little foam on top (my favorite part!). I waited for about 3 minutes while she steamed milk for another drink and was shocked to see it also had NO foam, and she topped off my drink with it and called it good. I just stood there waiting for her to acknowledge that there was literally NO foam anywhere on my drink. But nope. She just went back to what she was doing. (she was young, small, blonde woman, by the way). I hate to write this place off as it is the closest coffee shop to my house, but for $3-$4 per drink, I expect better baristas, and better service. Save yourself the hassle and head to Ozo (about a buck more a drink) or Brewing Market (same pricepoint) and you can get all the delightful frothy foam you could dream of. read more

I liked the coffee and raspberry scones enough but I went there twice because I specifically needed to do some work online and understood they have free WiFi. Unfortunately, both time I was there their internet connection was not working at all and despite asking them to reboot their router, no one in the shop was able to access the internet. This isn't the end of the world, but it was still annoying. Its a nice place and the people are nice there too so I'll give them one more shot! 3 strikes and they're out! :) read more

A nice coffee shop that serves a great latte.

I live a block away from Vic's Again, and pass it all the time on my way to the gym and to buy cat food. I'm always amazed at the number of people at this place. I've given it multiple tries over the last 6 or so years. I want to like it. But my coffee with cream and sugar always tastes like... cheese. I can't explain it. The lattes are fine, but I'm a straight-up sweet and light coffee drinker, and Cheddar-flavored coffee is not my cup of tea. read more

My boyfriend's favorite Mocha in Boulder, hands down. And, I love their lemonade and latte.

Off the beaten coffee shop trail, Vic's Again has good coffee, decent baked good options, a friendly vibe, tons of parking, and other good things. I'm not a huge fan of plaza style coffee shops but that's fine for when you need your banking next door. Just a personal preference I suppose. read more

My overall experience with their baristas have improved over time. Maybe I just happened to walk in on their bad days.

Coffee too hot--burned myself this morning. Great service! Nice atmosphere. Close to 24 hour fitness. Close to drivers license place. Nice people in the coffee shop too. read more

Love the coffee. Love that they sell Spruce Street's cookies and pastries so I don't have to go across town! That said the tasty treats seem a little unsanitary being parked directly on the shelves at the registered. Do they scrub the shelves and walls of the cabinet every day? Seems a couple trays would be an easier way to keep things clean and for the folks serving to retrieve the items in the case. Then the guy behind the counter opened the bag he placed by scone in with his hands. The scone went in via tongs. A little crazy. read more

The coffee and pastries are good... the staff is less than friendly and actually quite rude as are the other patrons. There is only one power outlet in the entire place... very annoying when you want to keep your laptop powered to work. Not my favorite, I would only stop in if I was desperate for a cup of coffee. read more

My co-workers and I have gone all of three times to this Vics (which happens to be a block away from work) and it is always terrible. I think the review by Chris L. hit the mark when he said "their staff is often either arrogant and rude or clueless." Not worth it, Petes Coffee in 29th st mall is far better. read more

You want stars, this place gets ZERO!! I WAS a regular there in the morning, I would go to the gym early enough to go to the coffee shop, get a drink, and do some needed work done after working out. This morning, I received the worst service ever by the owner of the store. I live and work in Boulder and know quite a bit of people here. I, nor any of my friends will ever be patronages of this store again!!! read more

I gave this coffee shop one star because zero is not an option. Don't get me wrong, I love small coffee shops, but this Vic's was THE WORST, MOST DISGUSTING, DIRTIEST restaurant/ tea house I've ever been in. Just to start off, the barista was so mean and quite frankly, awful at the worlds simplest job, mixing chi mix and milk. I took both my best friend and mother to this coffee shop and was truly embarrassed. My mother ordered a latte, my friend a steamed milk, and I ordered a iced chi. She made the steamed milk and split it all over the counter top, the proceeds to serve the next customer in line and forgets about the coffee and the chi we ordered and to clean up the mess she had made. I reminded her and she was aggressive and insulting. I figured she was having a bad day and we decided to drink our drinks on the upper deck of the shop. The first thing I noticed when I sat down was the cob webs and dust covering the railings and into the ceiling. The ground was covered in crumbs and dirt and looked like it hasn't been vacuumed in YEARS. The thing that grossed me out the most was that the chairs and the tables were sticky! If you want good coffee in boulder, GO TO STARBUCKS!!!! The drinks were over priced at Vic's for what tasted like watered down shit. At least Starbucks knows how to add chi mix and milk. read more

Ever get the sense that you're treated more like a commodity than a customer? That's the sense I get here at Vic's. I'm pretty sure they don't want you to sit here and get work done, 'cuz there are very limited power outlets. I was told that the owner even plates them over in order to prevent the offensive, albeit modern act of laptop usage in his places of patronage. The coffee is okay, but the setting is unwelcoming. I really prize service and atmosphere in a place; this Vic's is lacking both. I'm going to avoid it. read more

Best Latte around! However, just a heads up that they only have 1 OUTLET, so not your best bet if you are looking to charge up or work for long. read more

I work from home or my office, so it was actually refreshing to see people *gasp* talking to each other in a coffee shop instead of looking at their devices. It was never extremely crowded when I went, and I always got my coffee quickly. The espresso was reliably good. The baristas were friendly and the overall vibe was nice but less pretentious than some Boulder coffee shops. The breakfast burritos were just "meh" - pre-made and heated in the microwave. It would be great if they had some other protein-rich breakfast options. read more