Rooster's Coffeehouse — Restaurant in Ottawa

I've been here before a few times during the weekdays to pick up a smoothie and grilled cheese for some study sessions. The employees have always been decent enough in terms of politeness and were fast, even when they're busy. Unfortunately I expected the same of the weekend team. This review is about that experience specifically. There were two guys working for my visit March 1st sometime after 2pm. I decided to try the matcha frappe for the first time, and ordered sourdough grilled cheese too. The guy taking my order was giving off the air that he Hated His Life. I thought whatever, everyone has those days, maybe he's going through some exhausting stuff right now (but I read a past bad review here about someone described like the guy today with glasses and hat, so maybe it's just how he is always. I know anyone can be wearing a hat and glasses, but during the weekdays if I recall correctly, everyone wears hairnets). He made my drink and the other guy gave me my sandwich shortly after. I didn't try the drink until I was on my way out and I literally stopped in my tracks, it was so sweet. Like 90% vanilla syrup, I couldn't taste anything else. I was grossed out, but I didn't want the drink to be wasted, plus I didn't want to interact with his energy again, so I told myself I'd try to make it work. I had another sip once I got to my study area and I felt so nauseous with the vanilla completely coating my mouth. I ended up giving the drink to a friend who added it to her coffee jungle juice (she's a rat) I didn't open my grilled cheese box until I got a bit hungrier, and I saw it was barely grilled, with the minimal amount of crisp. I thought okay whatever I just know not to buy from here again on a weekend. I took a bite and the cheese was so unmelted I could taste the fridge that it came out of. I'm still eating it because I'm hungry and I paid for it, but what a huge regret. All of this cost me 19.61 after tip. Don't go to roosters on a weekend lol,...

Go to Bridgehead instead!

Chose to try a smoothie from here today before studying, just to be disappointed again by the service. The employee today with the glasses and backwards cap needs serious customer service re-training, or to feel acknowledged at work.

Went to order a large green wave smoothie, when this employee gives me a death stare, exhales obnoxiously before turning around with his back facing me, arms crossed and leaning against the counter, before walking away and ignoring me? Meanwhile, the other cashier was chatting away with a different customer for over 10 minutes. On the rare chance I'm here, staff looks tired and bitter. Maybe it's a management problem.

I wonder how this place is still open and not Haven, to be honest. "Student-owned and operated" means nothing if they choose to hire people like this, while genuinely hard-working and kind students are unemployed.

Smoothie was fine, next time I'll save my $8.00 for the folks at Bridgehead Nicol...

I’m usually a morning customer here, and the team then is great, but when I went to grab a drink and some cauliflower bites before an exam this evening, I was greeted with the worst customer service by the girl at the register. The girl was rude. I don’t mind waiting for my food, but when my food was ready, i was shocked to find that my cauliflower bites were STILL FROZEN! When I went to let them know my food was still cold, the same cashier and her coworker stared me down and made me feel super uncomfortable. Would NOT recommend going here after this experience, especially with receiving cold food and asking for the bare minimum to have my food hot for the price of 4.29+ tax. Will say that the guy behind the counter was very nice about making sure my food was remade!

P.s. the smoothie tasted terrible and they forgot my...