Fools & Horses Coffee Company — Restaurant in Winnipeg

A year ago this review would have been higher, but I've been slightly disappointed my last few visits. It is still, however, a decent spot to get coffee.

Their current espresso, 'heritage', is a step away from their lighter more acidic espresso that they served in the past. The current espresso is certainly better than second wave coffee, and I do think it tastes quite nice with milk, but I do not find it as interesting as their previous espresso beans.

I understand that offering a darker, less-acidic and fuller bodied espresso is probably due to a large portion of the clientele being regular consumers of second wave coffee and preferring a more traditional profile. I just wish there was still at least the option of ordering a different espresso.

Their drip coffee is good and they do offer a choice between a darker and lighter roasted bean. I had to notice it and choose it myself however as the option was not made aware to me and they seem to default to the darker option.

I also appreciate the expertise that many of the baristas have. However, the barista that took my order, when asked what espresso they were serving, simply referred to it as 'normal' espresso (?). There was a barista there to give slightly more depth, but I do hope this isn't the beginning of hiring inexperienced baristas.

In conclusion, while I sympathize with the challenges of striking a balance between a plethora of different types of customers, I fear they are beginning to show signs of deviating too far away from their third wave, specialty cafe roots in favour of a more starbucks-esque cafe.

Do not get me wrong - I am not saying third wave coffee is inherently better than second wave, in fact, I do enjoy the occasional syrup drink and think the specialty coffee community should move away from some of their gatekeeping and pretentiousness. Broadening your products to appeal to as many types of customers is perfectly fine, but not when it is at the cost of the type of customer you have appealed to from 2016 until...

Today at about 5:30PM, I ordered a double espresso poured over a cup of ice through one barista - who was very knowledgeable and enthusiastic. However, the other 2 baristas who were making the orders proceeded to discuss my order amongst themselves in a rude, openly non-discreet manner.

They were making snarky pretentious comments about my order and laughing while making insulting comments about me out loud. This was done in an indirect but direct manner. I was standing right across the counter in front of them waiting for my order, as they were talking very lowly about me knowing I was right there.

When they were finished, the one barista handed me my drink, and it was a double espresso in a small cup with 2 ice cubes. I asked her, “can I please get it poured into a cup of ice instead?”. And she rudely replied “That’s what I did”. I then asked her politely for a cup of ice. She then came back with a scoop with another 2 ice cubes and rudely said “here you go, we’re scarce on ice here”, and dumped the two ice cubes into my cup. This barista was very short and impatient.

The two baristas making the drinks were maybe having a bad day or were getting restless during a rush hour. But, that is still not an excuse to be ill-mannered, impolite, and genuinely disrespectful.

Maybe, they could have just had a break and a coffee (as long as it doesn’t involve ice) - or they could just quit.

I’m giving 2 stars because the barista wearing the ball cap who took my order had some human sense and basic social skills (Her coworkers could learn a thing or two from her).

Anyways, good coffee, but customer service is a hit or miss.

What a shame to end our first ever trip...

Normally the staff is super nice, even when there’s a rush they’re still pretty friendly! but I went today with a friend about an hour before close and had ordered an iced latte and the barista made it hot. I asked them if they could pour it over ice, since there was only one other person in line and because it wasn’t what I ordered. The two baristas scoffed and commented on how they would have to make “a whole new drink.” … but it was the drink I originally ordered.

He then asked me what else I ordered to confirm that the order was mine and as I was speaking he cut me off and waved me away to ask my friend what his part of my order was which was kind of rude. I understand if he was overwhelmed, given our timing, and maybe it was a stress, but to be pushed away when I paid and tipped for a drink I ordered and didn’t receive was frustrating. The latte was great, and I’m sorry to the staff if I irritated them by asking for my drink, and the latte art on the hot one was pretty just not...