Genuine Joe Coffeehouse (Russell's Bakery) — Restaurant in Austin

My most recent trip to GJ ended in disappointment. I have frequented this coffee shop for a couple years now but hadn't been back for a while. Today I came in with my girlfriend and the drinks we purchased were extremely substandard. I ordered a vanilla latte, one pump of vanilla. I watched the gentleman behind the counter make the drink so incorrectly it seemed as if it had to be deliberate: he turned around, pumped my mug full of three or four shots of sugar free syrup (which I did not ask for! yuk!), then poured in a shot of espresso and some steamed milk. I didn't even claim the drink at first because I was so sure there was no way that it could be mine. I didn't return until the barista called me over and pointed out that my drink was up. It was the saddest latte I've had in months--oversweet, watery, improperly steamed, just very disappointing. Again, it was so bad it seemed as though it had to be done on purpose. I didn't order something ridiculous (mocha frappe with half soy, half almond milk, half calf and sugar free), it was a simple vanilla latte. What gives? Anyway, not good, but still barely drinkable. I got through half, debating after every sip whether I should ask for my money back, or maybe just a plain coffee.

THEN my girlfriend ordered her drink. Mocha latte. This drink out came so bad neither one of us could get it down. We are convinced that no espresso made it into the drink. It was oddly watery and tasted as though it came from a package. When she went to the counter to get a refund, having drank none of the beverage, the barista flatly refused a refund and only provided her with a voucher for a drink the next time we come back, which we won't be because the drinks were so bad. So basically she paid four bucks for something she didn't (couldn't!) drink. It was like lighting cash on fire. Very sad that the quality of the drinks here have gone down so much, especially with coffee shops like Epoch up the road which serve top-notch, beautifully crafted drinks for the same price. We know where to spend our money now, but geez. We love the quirky atmosphere at GJ and it would be nice to be able to go here for a pick-me-up. But hey, we're not going to waste our money on ill-made drinks.

NOTE: Both my GF and I have several years combined of barista experience. We NEVER order freaky drinks for sake of the folks behind the counter, but what we do order, we expect to be done correctly and to be tasty, and we KNOW the difference between good quality and bad. Also, if a drink is substandard, an establishment should have the decency to offer a refund instead of entrapping a customer into returning with a voucher. So, poor customer service to top off an already...

I do not hardly write reviews, but this place is somethin’ so special it swayed me towardst the Internet. It is almost laughable how negative some of these reviews are! You are no Anthony Bourdain because you have left over 50 reviews on Google! You are actually kind of sad! And a little annoying, but I’m sure your loved ones (assuming anyone loves you Bitter Behemoths) would never say that to your faces! HaHa! But I will! Three stars because somebody had to stand in the presence of a homeless person for five minutes…. Oh Poor You! That must be hard! …….NOT! The staff of Joe’s are some of the friendliest people I have EVER come across. They’ll chat with you about anything your heart desires! You will always get what you give with this place. So Always choose gratitude, love, and PATIENCE! If they say “How are you?” remember that “Large Coffee” is NOT an emotion…Unbelievable! Who is forcing your hands to leave snotty reviews and be a bunch-o Brats! So many small businesses are already struggling to keep their heads above water in this New Austin Californian Wave! Let’s not Drown Another….. To focus on the POSITIVE! I love the black coffee and they’re Harvest Bread. I love people watching here. Some real interesting folk do wander in and out! And I think that is beautiful! This place existed long before “Work From Home” was the new normal and encourages you to make friends and talk to your fellow man…. This is where magic happens! No password on the WiFi because even their internet requires no barriers or fences! Open Hearted and Minded all aroundn…

So Let us, everybody, unclench our fists and get off our soapboxes because this 20 year old coffee shop doesn’t make The Hot Newfangled Watery Pour Over Garbage you Cali transplants call coffee & let us appreciate the good people, strong coffee, loving community, and OLD AUSTIN!

LOVE...

Way laid back coffee shop with a subversive edge.

I was recommended this place by a gay friend, who said friends of his opened the place years ago and this was his favorite place to go when he lived in Austin. I didn't notice much in the way of gay pride though. This mostly just looks like a very lived-in, cozy coffee shop with worn and comfortable chairs.

The menu isn't huge, but the house coffee rotates and what I had (something from Guatemala) was flavorful. They have a few food items like muffins, breakfast tacos, and sandwiches. My cranberry muffin was a-okay.

Snarky notes here and there might be off-putting to some, while giving others a chuckle. The punk in me loves the huge sign in the parking lot facing their neighbors warning customers that "our neighbors tow!". The former business owner in me thinks, we there goes any business you might've gotten from them and their customers.

Loved the smooth bossa nova playing quietly in the background and the almost library-quiet pervading the place. It made an excellent spot to get some work done. It's not a big place, but there's a good amount of seating options and almost always an available...