Cortado Café Alexandria — Restaurant in Alexandria

Love the atmosphere but the customer service today was horrible. I simply asked what flavors they had for iced coffee and he couldn’t even tell me. Then I ordered an iced coffee and asked could I get it with milk, cream and sugar (liquid cane sugar). He told me yes and then the young girl started asking what type of coffee I wanted in it and it didn’t matter to me. I simply just wanted an iced coffee with cream, sugar & flavor added and they gave me basically black coffee & a tiny splash of milk. I don’t understand what was so hard and complicated about my order. They had me feeling stressed out before I could even finish the order and I honestly thought about saying never mind forget the order. I normally don’t ever leave reviews and never get upset over an order but just the lack of understanding and lack of customer service is beyond me. I am a huge coffee lover and go daily. I enjoy authentic coffee shops and sometimes get hot coffee and sometimes iced and this is the first time I’ve ever had this issue where a place seemed to not know what an iced coffee was. Very bad experience and now I’m on to a different coffee shop....

UPDATE--In less than eight months this modest coffeehouse has become a bustling bistro. I've returned a dozen times since my original review seven months ago and the same warm, inviting atmosphere draws you in. There are people working on laptops and mobile phones, and many employing old-school communication--talking face to face . . . without tech. The menu selection has expanded to include yummy salads and tasty sandwiches. Of course, breakfast is always available. Go, enjoy, and make new friends. Eating, socializing, and eating has never been easier.

ORIGINAL REVIEW--Warm smiles and the aroma of breakfast greet you at the door of the newly-opened Cortado Cafe. Owners Sam and Chakib have given the Shoppes at Fox Chase a great spot to hang out while you sip coffees, teas, and smoothies. My wife and I enjoyed drip coffees and breakfast sandwiches. (Okay, we split a danish too.) Everything was tasty and fresh. Stop by and support these entrepreneurs. Let’s show Old Town we know how to chill with style in...

After reading others experiences I can agree this NOT a good place to work or study. I too felt there was a biased on the culture. If you do not look like you speak their language you definitely feel a bit judged. I came here while take my MCAT online. I forgot I had a drink in my bag and pulled it out to prevent spilling. A kind teenager approached me and told me that I could put it in one of their cups. I apologized and was super grateful.... I was then approach by three other workers that I needed to buy a drink ASAP. I explained I was being timed and would do so after my test. It turns out half the customers in the cafe are like their friends and they clearly were talking behind my back and didn't realize I could understand them... I felt like crying and I will not be coming back but I couldn't leave because I had to finish my test. I was just hoping to take this test quietly and not bother anyone. Also as a fellow barista, I could've made the same tasting...