Yonge & Eligible Cafe Inc — Restaurant in Toronto

I come here usually in the summer to enjoy their patio. But my interaction today was really disappointing and needless to say they lost a regular customer. I thought perhaps I am being offended for no reason but after looking at the reviews about the rudeness of a certain staff I am sure it was not me.

I came to cafe around 12:30 and there was no one when I came to the patio. Because I had a laptop I chose to sit at the table with four seats (only table that one could put a laptop on, but regardless of the laptop I would still sit at the same spot considering no one was there). Some time passed, I honestly did not realize the place was filling up and the guy who works at the coffee-bar, perhaps the owner, warned me as there was a group of 4 coming in. Now, he is right and I fully agree with one person should not block bigger tables. I am always careful of that because I do too worked at a cafe shop for quite some time. This time it slipped from my mind and I did not see it as I was too focused on work, as it can happen to any human. But the worker handled it in such an unprofessional and degrading way, while obnoxiously being loud and telling me in a way that was full of attitude while everyone was clearly able to hear and watch what was going on: "next time you come do not sit at the four people table if you are one person" etc etc. instead of simply asking me to move. I apologized and suggested to switch seats after realizing they needed that space as any other normal person would do, but he kept making a scene about it and did not let me do that. The was such a simple issue that can be communicated easily but his attitude very unnecessary and unprofessional. A simple “hey, would you mind switching seats” would do it, I am not glued to the table and would love to give my seat.

There is a way to communicate things, especially if you are in customer service but as a human too. You had no right to treat me like that. You are not my dad, or my friend. Sometimes people can slip, which is why it is important to treat customers with care and not through scolding. We are adults.

I never leave negative reviews yet alone reviews tbh but as a former coffee-shop worker (former barista/cashier at Istanbul cafe for almost 3 years) I can say this was a very very rude way to communicate this issue and it is something I never done in my customer service. I always loved the baristas here as they were always exceptionally nice, but will never come here again.

P.S: If you did not want me to move when I clearly was able to and offered it, what was all of that about? Was...

The lady working was nice, it was only her first week. She couldn't tell me the cost of items though and made me download the app just to see the price of the pastry. The wifi is pretty bad too, you have to stay on one side of the building. Outside is very noisy from the construction. As a paying customer I got in trouble for eating other food, and drinking water. No sign that no outside food was allowed or drinks and I was outside on the patio. Made me feel like I was in trouble and that made me extremely uncomfortable, as a paying customer I don't get it. Will not be back. The cookies were grossly salty too and the banana loaf was dense with a weird taste. Not just being rude, I was going to make a review about the cookies anyways but the owner or whoever coming out made me really uncomfortable. Not sure if it was because of how young we are that he addressed us that...

Yonge + Eligible is a really great little spot in the Yonge & Eglinton area. I started coming here because I wanted to explore more coffee shops during the pandemic and I was not disappointed! The owner of the café really prides himself on high quality, from the oat milk to the types of pastries, and it's the only place I trust with my matcha latte addiction. I have a matcha latte with oat milk and a shot of vanilla (Try it if you love matcha! Seriously) and it's always ready for me when I get there. The service and food are consistently great and the place is nice and clean! Give them a try! Also please don't judge how dirty my mittens are in this photo lol I washed them after this...