49th Parallel Café & Lucky's Doughnuts - Main Street — Restaurant in Vancouver

I had a very disappointing experience this morning when I visited this café for the first time.

After placing my order, I stood at the pickup counter and waited. There were three drinks ahead of mine, and I was next. The female barista was chatting casually with a female customer while making drinks, and another barista was working in the back. At first, I thought she seemed skilled and confident in dealing with customers, but I quickly realized that her service was biased and inefficient.

As she continued her conversation, she became slower in making drinks. I noticed it was taking around 6-7 minutes just to prepare the three drinks before mine. I even made eye contact with her while waiting. When nearly 8 minutes had passed, she placed a paper cup on the bar. I had a feeling it was mine, but I didn’t want to be rude and assumed she would call my name. She didn’t. She just continued talking to the same customer.

Then, someone who had ordered after me stepped forward and tried to take the drink. The barista said, “That’s actually [my name]’s drink, but it’s the same drink,” and still let him take it. As soon as I heard my name, I stepped forward to the bar, and the barista saw me, but said absolutely nothing. Not even an apology.

So I waited again for my drink to be made. And when it was finally handed to me, she didn’t say sorry or acknowledge what had just happened at all. That was the most upsetting part for me being overlooked like that, without the slightest recognition or basic courtesy.

I understand some people come in for a relaxed chat, but many of us are heading to work or school in the morning. A little more awareness and efficiency would go a long way. I regularly visit the downtown location, and the staff there are consistently friendly, fast, and respectful. This experience was nowhere near...

Came in here cause I love their coffee. I order from them all the time. We got the drip coffee and I a got a cold brew in a bottle. My wife and myself were pretty disappointed with our coffees. They were under extracted which made the coffee sour. I tried to tell the girl at the front but she told me that is the brew. I know my coffee well. I do my own brewing at home and its a science.

The cold brew was really good by the way. It was not sour at all and really had nice notes. I really enjoyed it.

Probably would not come here again. I would probably just order the coffee and brew it myself. If I had to come here get the cold brew!!

Got a response from the owner. My review is not FAKE. For you to talk about TDS makes it sound like you're measuring TDS with a meter after every brew. I don't see anyone doing that so how can you confirm that? Honestly the coffee was really bad. That is my honest opinion. If you think I wasn't there and just randomly wrote a review. Well I'll post more pictures. I buy your coffee and brew it at home cause I don't live in Vancouver. I live in Alberta and I don't do reviews from ordering product. I posted a picture of my receipt from that day and picture fo your coffee at my house.

• Based off the owner response. Making fun of the way I review coffee. if you have time read my other reviews on coffee spots. Maybe your coffee place is more compatible to a Tim Hortons. Maybe step up your game and offer pour overs instead of an...

What kind of coffee shop / boutique coffee roaster will not sell their customer a long shot of espresso? This kind. So pretentious of them to assume they know more than their customer. I've never been somewhere where they refused to do a long shot espresso. Batista said they will only do a "perfect shot" - what kind of nonsense is that?

While they offered to give me hot water on the side of my double espresso, or make it like an Americano (by adding hot water to it), they would not simply do a double long shot. So strange. I actually like a long shot for the extra bitterness - I know what I like and this is just too nervy. "Perfect shot" only - what is this nonsense?

Ended up ordering just a drip coffee cause I didn't want to admit defeat. Will probably shop elsewhere in the future though.

I do recommend their beans though if taking something home. I've been grabbing their beans here for their extreme freshness (even though their beans are literally cheaper in retail stores and groceries).

Strange business model. Third time I've been in there this last week and probably the last I go for anything other than beans. Customer service is not their strong suit and their food is not worth the cost or wait. There are better, more friendly and helpful places along main street you should check...