Merit Coffee — Restaurant in Alamo Heights

We liked going to this coffee shop because they are inexpensive, they serve a good hot chocolate and they offer discount for military. We have been there a total of 3 times. This last time, however, was not good at all. They were in a rush to leave so they tell me "Just letting you know that we close in 20 minutes". I was fine with that. We got our hot chocolates...we usually order 2 regular and 2 kids hot chocolates. We sat to drink it with another family that we took here because we had liked it so much before. There kid accidently spilled his hot chocolate and, instead of wasting paper towels, my friend asks for a rag. Usually when this happens at any other establishment, one of the employees will bring a rag and/or a mop to clean it up and will just say something along the lines of "Oh, don't worry sir, I'll clean it up". This person simply handed the rag to my friend and walked back to the kitchen area. Common courtesy, I guess, is not common. The chocolate was bland, watered down and very hot. Usually it is warm and we can drink it right away. About 5 minutes to closing time, the guy starts slamming the bar stools and chairs on the tables around us. It sounded as if he was angry at us for making him have that job. I guess they do this to mop the floor after they close. They put on some obnoxious music and blasted the volume. AND they turned on the a/c to start shooing away the people. I had never been there at closing time, but I certainly did not feel welcome. I am assuming the owner, or manager, has no idea this is happening. If he does know, well...I'm hope he realizes exactly how he was able to screw up a wonderful relationship my family and I had with this place. If these guys don't like working with people, maybe they should get another job. Will not...

I was in SA for the weekend and gave this place a shot bc it had good reviews and enjoy trying local coffee. I made my order with an hour and a half anticipation only to be told at pick up that the cinnamon rolls are sold out and I was refunded (thank you btw). I wasn’t asked if I wanted anything else and feel like this could’ve been communicated to me beforehand given the big time frame. Some coffee shops have done this before but I understand if this place isn’t willing to go the extra mile to provide good service. Also when I came up to the pick up area no one acknowledged me which makes me think anyone could’ve just taken my drink. Not sure if the latte just wasn’t made correctly with the milk alternative I paid for but I had a stomach ache. It couldn’t have been anything else as this was all I had during my road trip back home. Cute place but won’t be going back, wish...

This review goes out to all those Hippie Bar fans - Merit Corporate I hope you are reading this.

As someone who is gluten free, Merit used to be my favorite coffee shop... more specifically Hippie Bars were my favorite con coffee treat. They are delicious. Who wouldn't love them?

However, Merit has recently cut their Hippie Bars in half and have the audacity to charge the same amount per bar! That's right folks. One whole Hippie Bar now costs over $12. There is such a thing as "shrinkflation" and then their is corporate greed, disillusioned prices, and flat out robbery.

If you think I'm going to pay the same amount, for half as much food, you're wrong. I'm sorry. It's just not right. Unfortunately, I will have to take my business elsewhere and work on mastering my own Hippe Bar recipe.

Sincerely, one very...