JJ Bean Coffee Roasters — Restaurant in Vancouver

I like JJ Bean, I always have. I was spoiled by having a JJ Bean coffee shack outside my place of work and for years my daily morning and afternoon coffee routine was very enjoyable and highly accessible. My current go to JJ Bean is at least a 15 minute walk away in the Cambie Village area so I don't go as often but still enjoy the experience for the most part. Although I must say that it's not perfect. The espresso coffee tastes good but the cappuccinos I usually order are not always made well. They usually have very little foam, which in my book is a latte. I've even taken to asking for extra foam (like I always have to do at Starbucks) and have been left a little disappointed even after this request. My wife and I have joked about it often, as it seems no matter if you ask for a cappuccino, latte, flat white, etc. you're going to get the same thing, it's like the baristas through lack of talent, knowledge or care, just pump out one version of these specialty drinks and call them whatever you asked for. We refer to them as "Cappuflattes". I don't mean to sound like it's the end of the world, because it isn't, I usually still enjoy it, and it's definitely a first world problem, but when you pay what they ask for these drinks (and tip well), is it too much to ask that you get some foam on your cappuccino?

PS. I also miss the Chicken Modena sandwich which was discontinued about a year ago. It was my favorite for so many years, the replacement chicken salad sandwich is tasty but just not the same. I still think the food offerings at JJ Bean are better than most coffee shops in Vancouver... so...

I love coffee and Vancouver is great for a coffee lover like me. JJ Bean is kind of in the middle in terms of bean quality and the taste of coffee. Far better than Starbucks but not as good as Elysian or Matchstick. The biggest reason why I do not usually go to JJ Bean though has nothing to do with their coffee. I find their staff (in all different locations) to be very cold and indifferent. I never felt welcome or appreciated when I had visited their stores in the past (I used to live in Yaletown and the Yaletown location was the worst) and started wondering if that kind of service was intentional. The baristas at JJ Bean are not personable and they seem to think that they are doing me a favour by taking my order. There is this air of self-importance and arrogance which I have a hard time understanding. Also, they are in no rush to make your latte even when there is a big line-up. I seriously wonder if I am the only one with this kind of impression about JJ Bean? Well, when there are so many great coffee shops in the city to choose from, why settle for something...

Coming from Australia, where quality coffee has reached the point of snobbery, I thought I’d head back to a coffee chain I haven’t been to in 7 years. The barista made latte at JJ Bean was quite good, and the French Press blend, although a little stronger, was pretty good . Skip the Starbucks, with their burnt tasting coffee, a block away, and choose JJ Bean.

What I like:

They’re open at 6am until late (Good Coast, Australian cafes closes between 2 and 3pm, what’s up with that?!) The coffee is pretty good selection of baked goods and sandwich options (like most cafes) assortment of seating options (high stools, two person tables chairs, and chairs to relax and read) friendly staff

What I don’t like as much (Just nitpicking. Don’t pay much attention)

there were no baked goods available on shelf at opening no large group tables (although you can push tables together and the high bench table with stools could be used for groups, although that seems to get used by people waiting for...