Locomotive Espresso - North — Restaurant in Ontario

I hated coffee. At least what I thought was coffee based on the drip brewed throughout our country at most shops requiring sugar and cream to make it palatable. Then once day I had an espresso in Quebec city and it was like all the taste buds on my tongue came alive like when the rats in ratatouille try different flavors and taste fireworks or something like that. I could sip this nectar and taste notes that people who drink wine always talk about without a headache or having to turn my nose up. I spent a year trying to recreate this taste at home only to try the same cafe again and find a bitter cup. At home I mess with grind, dosing, pre infusion, extraction ratios, shot volumes/weights and taste logging data in notebooks and giving the wife plenty of heartburn. I continue to try espressos at every cafe I can stop at between Montreal and Tofino, Boston and San Francisco, Turkey and Italy...Some great but a lot terrible. Locomotive uses a great bean from Toronto and pulls the best espresso shot to my taste I have had with perfect consistency. All they focus on is extraction with beans from Pilot Roasters, good simple food catered baked goods, a huge La Marzocco and lots of tattoos and piercings for hipster...

Visited locomotive for the first time today and had a great experience! I tried the sweet potato wrap and it was delicious!

The server was also great in letting me know recommendations for their baked items! I tried their peanut butter cookie sandwich and dude (can’t remember if this is the correct name) cookie. Both were great!

The dude cookie has a nice sweet and salty balance as it has a salted pretzel on it.

The peanut butter cookie sandwich can be a bit overwhelming, as the peanut butter layer is quite thick and creamy, but if you’re a fan of peanut butter you’ll definitely enjoy it.

Their iced latte was good, nothing particularly special about it.

My only issue is the lack of accessibility for their entrance. The steps are quite steep and hard to get up if you have a stroller, as I did. It would be hard to navigate getting the door open and pulling up a stroller on the steps. LUCKILY, the workers are very mindful and kind. As soon as they saw me trying to get in, they helped me get in and out of their store with my stroller. I am very appreciative of that.

I would definitely recommend and return here or to their...

Tucked away from the busy arteries of London Ontario, this cafe promises an authentic coffee experience with a twist: baristas who redefine the term "customer service." From the moment you enter, you'll notice the distinct lack of smiles and pleasantries typically associated with coffee shops.

The baristas here seem to have perfected the art of indifference, with their lack of enthusiasm bordering on impressive. Don't expect a warm welcome or friendly banter; instead, brace yourself for an encounter with individuals who excel in the fine art of apathy.

While their customer service skills may leave much to be desired, their barista abilities are undeniably top-notch. Despite their apparent disinterest in your presence, they manage to churn out expertly crafted beverages that hit all the right notes.

So, if you're willing to overlook the lack of charm in exchange for a superb cup of coffee, this cafe might just be worth a visit. Just be prepared to be served with a side of indifference along...