Munchies Coffee House & Barkery — Restaurant in Hamilton

Zero stars!!!

Food: Tasteless, small portions. Looked promising as I'm a vegan and they had a number of vegan options but very disappointing when the food arrived.

Atmosphere: Good concept, but in practice this restaurant just doesn't work. Having other people's dogs pooping and marking their territory all over the place, including your very own chair while you eat is not only disgusting but it's actually a health and safety issue. Also, other peoples dogs come and try to eat food off your plate. Having the owner spray unknown chemicals all over the floor and your seating area while you eat is, however, my largest concern (maybe that's why my pet and I are sick?).

Staff: Upon entering the restaurant we were not greeted, instead we were stared at like we were unwelcome outsiders (I wish I would have acted on my first intuition!). The co-owner Rosie was sitting in the only chairs that were available (bar stools) and we got a cold response when we asked if we could sit there. After a few minutes, a group moved out of the couch area freeing up some table space. I asked the owner if I could move to that location and I got a grumpy 'I guess so'. This was followed by many under the breath snide remarks directed at my friend and I. I, being interested in how a place like this was possible considering the legalities and health concerns around pets and food safety, mistakenly asked her how the legalities worked. She repeated rudely 4 times 'I can't tell you that. I won't tell you that'. This was interesting considering they are offering opportunities for a franchise and I was interested in investigating this concept (hence the drive from Toronto to Hamilton). After one final rude comment directed at my friend and I, to which my friend said 'well aren't you a peach' the owner escalated the situation very quickly to verbal and physical contact and threats. To have someone come up within an inch of your face shouting for you to get out of her restaurant, try to pull you out by your arm and scream the worst type of obscenities you can imagine at you is not only inappropriate, it's psychopathic, scary and very dangerous. The other owner Gary was actually very polite at first when I was ordering my food... quite a nice man. But he too, not knowing that his partner had bullied us for 45 minutes came out and joined in on the bullying by shouting at us to leave. Totally uncalled for, pathetic and it was one of the craziest experiences I've ever had in my life.

I WOULD NEVER RECOMMEND this place to anyone. The health and safety concerns alone would lead me to provide a zero rating for this place. Add on top of that, a person who bullies and abuses her customers physically and verbally... I just can't imagine why anyone would...

Although I love the idea after visiting several cafes like this abroad, I was terribly disappointed by the owner and the atmosphere she has created. I mentioned while ordering that I was looking into opening a dog café and the owner Rosie overheard me. After ordering, Rosie (the owner) rudely told us that the café was closing in 30 mins (although it was only 2:15 and the café closes at 3). Needless to say, we felt instantly uncomfortable. Afterwards, we were taking pictures with our dogs and the owner demanded I delete the photo. She was extremely rude and confrontational. She said she has worked hard to create the business and didn't appreciate me taking a picture. I was appalled to say the least.

My advice to you Rosie is that if you worked so hard to create Munchies you should work just as hard to keep your customers. If someone wants to open a similar café consider it a compliment, or a business opportunity. You could have suggested the idea of a franchise or other partnership potentials. Instead, you lost 2 customers that day and the friends we have shared our experience with as well. After reading other similar reviews on here, I realize this volatile attitude of yours is not just a one time thing but rather a pattern. Whether I open a dog café next door or in another city, business conducted in the manner you demonstrate is no competition to me or any other competent business owner. Good luck- you are...

We came in today with our golden retriever puppy, Steven. The owners were absolutely lovely, the food was TOP notch, and the idea/environment was wonderful. Picture a great brunch place, and you're allowed to bring your dog!

The Owners: You will not find warmer people than these two. About 5 minutes after coming in, our puppy found a tiny toy that a child had dropped under the couch. Rosie (owner) noticed he had something and immediately and gently took it out of his mouth. This probably saved us a trip to the vet. We got to spend time chatting with them on and off and it was wonderful to hear (and see!) how they created this unique and amazing restaurant.

The Food: We were very surprised at just how good it was. I had the eggs benny and it was fantastic. Real, proper hollandaise sauce. It was as good an eggs benny as I've had. I also had a drink special which was a mango lemonade. It was amazing.

The Dogs: They were friendly and generally got along really well. The other customers would pat any dog that walked by them, and it was really just a lovely afternoon. Steven had a fantastic time.

This place really is a treasure and Hamilton is...