Odd's Cafe — Restaurant in Asheville

My husband and I rarely visit west Asheville, but tonight we decided to go to the Asheville retrocade, afterwards, we went over to the Odd Cafe for a snack. The decor is nifty, excatly what you would expect in west Asheville, a nice funky coffee shop vibe... the staff were less than welcoming however, both seemed “over it” and ready to leave. I ordered the Shadow cake (which is phenomenal btw), and my husband was reading the menu, he asked about the brownies and she rattled off the flavors, mint, caramel, lavender...(?) my husband asked if there were any plain chocolate brownies... she replied “no just flavorful ones....”ok... so instead he choose the gluten-free pumpkin chocolate chip muffin, which according to him was like trying to eat a Brillo pad. However, he was super happy he could order a large glass of milk, which tasted good! lastly, I ordered a chai cider, it sounded interesting, and I’m a fan of cider... let me be the one to tell you, that drink should come with a warning label! It is like drinking apple flavored mace! Ack! I then was also very thankful for the large glass of milk! It the tea was terrible! Then, When we bussed our table I offered to pour the drink out so as to not make a mess in the dirty dish bin... she told me just to set it in the bin, never asking why I didn’t drink it etc. I don’t expect her to read my mind... but anyway obviously she could see I wasn’t satisfied. All in all it was an interesting experience......

I will NOT be back. Went in a few weeks ago with my husband. When we got to the counter and were not acknowledged. In fact, the customer behind us was acknowledged and was asked to come in front of us to complete a transaction. It set my husband off but I tried to soften the situation. Went in a few days after and the same young lady was fixing herself a drink while my order still was being prepared. Yesterday, I ordered online and the same young lady at the register was there. My order was not prepared and they didn't start my order until a little bit after I was standing there. When I attempted to hand her my punch card, she hands me a hole punch and said, "Here, I am just going to let you go wild.". This morning, I order online, a different young lady is there. My order isn't ready. They start working on it after I get there. Then when I had her my punch card she takes it with this look like I am inconveniencing her. She hands it back with a sour look and says nothing. I will say there is a gentleman with curly hair who is always kind. Anyway, I won't be back. What also leaves a bad taste in my mouth are the "Black Lives Matter" signs, yet I rarely see any other black people in there and we get treated like this. It's classic Asheville. I know my 10-20.00 each morning isn't much, but I will find another...

I’ve gone to Odd’s on a weekly basis since March 20th of this year. I was last there Monday morning November 13th. Every time I go, I get the same order of: drip coffee, two refills, and a muffin or scone. Every Monday and/or Tuesday morning. Therefore I’m quite familiar with what the total will be, allowing for some variation. This past Monday I went to get my second refill and was told I had not paid for it. This was the 5th time this has happened since the summer. Sometimes I’m asked if I had paid for it, which I don’t mind the question, but the way in which it is asked. It makes me feel as if I’m doing something wrong and makes me question myself. As an indigenous person I don’t often find places where I feel safe and comfortable to write; the reason I go to café’s is to journal. I’m sure I’m not asked about prepaying for my refills because of who I am. Surely that’s not the case. But I am tired of Odd’s and its owner making me feel as if I am stealing, doing something wrong, or as if I don’t belong there. And I hate that it is happening during Native American heritage month.

This is not about a refill. It is about my experience as an indigenous person and a person of color...