Merfolk’s Specialty Coffee — Restaurant in Austin

My son and I were visiting Austin, and as I am ridiculously picky about my morning coffee drinks, we selected this crazy cool, hip, friendly, warm, hospitable, newly opened coffee shop - a small business, run by a super cool hip, friendly, warm, hospitable, owner, Justin Monroe, and his like-minded staff, who treated us as though we had been locals forever. We went every morning of our week-long visit. He offers unusual coffees, designed by his crew - these mixologists/alchemists are on a whole other level. If visiting Austin, please support this unusual small business. Justin is a multitalented, creative young businessman (also a talented musician - see photo below at Rustic Tap in downtown Austin, where we saw his perform 80s music). The Merfolks'philosophy is reminiscent of coffee shops of my younger days, when people hung out, talked, played board games etc... He has a loyal, local following. It's a great setting too. Perfect offsite to take the kids. It's also open later than many others. They all have events and activities. There's a generous shaded outdoor space. The decor was a modern and vintage mix. There's a huge wall mural featuring a local artist, as well as large accessible bathrooms. OK GO THERE. Our thanks to Justin Monroe, friends and staff: Jess, John, Rebecca, Taylor, Lee, Angela (apologies if I missed anyone). Y'all contributed to a memorable stay, and my mornings would have been a disaster if not for you). ...

After frequenting this place for 5 months, I got publicly yelled at by the owner.

I asked why he were treating me like that, he took me outside and said I'd called an employee pretty, and that it made the employee uncomfortable.

I asked when it happened because I didn't remember the comment, and they said, "I don't know. Maybe like, 1 or 2 weeks ago?"

I asked if I could or should apologize because I felt really bad, and the owner told me not to because I would be distracting his employees from doing their job, but if I needed to, he would let me know.

I heard nothing, so I assumed everything was OK.

A couple weeks later, I popped in for a drip coffee on my way to the gym and was greeted by a "What do you want?" Then told, "Shut the hell up" by an employee after referencing a joke they made. Then, I was ironically given the "life advice" that I should have apologized immediately, even though I was expressly told not to.

Prior to this ordeal, I thought the staff and this business were amazing. Now, I feel mortified, and while I acknowledge my part in this (I'm autistic, so handling social situations isn't my forte), I think this could have been handled...

Merfolk's is a total vibe. I know, I know, "what does that even mean."

You feel it from the moment you walk in. It's enhanced by every employee you speak with. Merfolk's is a gem across the swarge of Austin coffee locales and I need you to take my word for it.

The staff are so, so friendly. Justin, the owner, has more charisma in his left boot than most people have in their lifetime. The quality is great, the prices are good, and the atmosphere is dreamy. It's clean, it's tidy, it's efficient, the events are fun, and they care about the local community.

It really doesn't get any better than this, folks. You might be thinking "wow, she put some time into this review, she must know the owner."

Nope. Literally met him for the first time today.

Back to the point, don't visit Merfolk's if you want crappy overpriced coffee from a large corporation (who's largest competitor is McDonald's, hint hint nudge nudge) JUST BECAUSE they have a drive thru.

Just come here. Your soul will feel better about it, your taste palate will thank you, and you'll spend...