Sleepyhead Coffee (Main+Dodds) — Restaurant in Chattanooga

A Disappointing Espresso Expedition 🫤

As an avid coffee enthusiast, I embarked on a quest for the perfect espresso, only to stumble upon a dreadful experience at Sleepyhead Coffee on Dodds Avenue. From the moment I entered, the air reeked of pretentiousness, emanating not from the aroma of freshly brewed beans, but from the demeanor of the barista behind the counter.

Upon ordering, the barista greeted me with a condescending smirk, as if my mere presence in their sanctum of caffeine was an affront to their craft. As I requested a simple espresso, I was met with a disdainful scoff, as if my preference for a straightforward shot betrayed my ignorance of the intricate subtleties of their artisanal offerings. As I awaited my drink, I couldn't help but notice the ostentatious display of brewing paraphernalia adorning the counter, each item seemingly more obscure and unnecessary than the last. It was as if the barista's ego inflated with each extravagant gadget they wielded, oblivious to the fact that true mastery lies not in the complexity of one's tools, but in the simplicity of one's execution.

Finally, my espresso arrived, accompanied by a flourish that would have been comical had it not been so aggravating. As I took my first sip, I was met with a bitter, over-extracted concoction that bore little resemblance to the smooth, nuanced flavor profile I had anticipated. It was as if the barista's hubris had tainted every aspect of the brewing process, leaving me with nothing but disappointment in my cup.

In conclusion, my experience at Sleepyhead Coffee ☕️ was a masterclass in pretension masquerading as expertise. While the barista may have fancied themselves a purveyor of fine coffee, their pretentious attitude and subpar execution left much to be desired. I shall not be returning, for there are plenty of establishments where the quality of the brew is matched only by the warmth of...

NEW: Still as amazing. Every time I come through town, this is my shop of choice. The chickpea sandwich was okay (a little too homogeneous - needs some contrast). But delicious coffee, great service, good atmosphere. Still heavily recommend. I wish I could give it 5 Stars again

ORIGINAL (8 mos. ago): Honestly, one of the best coffee shop experiences I have had. The service was fantastic. The barista taking my order was incredibly kind and is an asset to the business. You cannot judge someone on a five minute interaction, but if I tried, she seems like an exemplary human being (I did not catch her name, but it was a couple of weeks ago when we had a completely unimportant conversation about French/languages if that helps give credit where credit is due). The food was also great. I did not notice that everything was vegan until after I walked in. I ordered the pimento sandwich, and it did not seem like a "vegan" sandwich, just a good sandwich! And the coffee au lait was the model cup of what it should be. No notes. The decorations and general aesthetic of the shop were very nice. Seemed like a real chill place (although I had to grab & run since I was on a business trip). One thing I noticed was that one of the employees was wearing headphones as they were working, and honestly, it's refreshing to see accommodations to be made for one's employees. Listening to music had absolutely no negative effect on me, so I'm glad that the owners are treating their employees like people instead of machines. Is there a criticism I can give? Maybe price? But everything is getting more expensive these days... If I really looked, the one thing I could point out is that they need a mat on the floor. I walked in on a rainy day, and I do not remember there being any sort of anti-slip mat to dry shoes on or anything. Again. Great location. Will definitely be returning next time I drive...

Sleepyhead (especially the Main+Dodds location) has quickly become one of my favorite Chattanooga coffee shops. I had only visited the city center location a handful of times in the past, but since this location opened closer to me (and has parking!!) I go at least once a week. The entire staff is friendly and makes every visit pleasant. Not only that, but I can tell with each improvement that the owners want to better serve their customers (e.g. new seating in both locations to better accommodate customers). They also have a nice selection of pastries and treats. Although I am not gf or vegan, I appreciate that they offer those treats as a the "norm" since most place would have gf and vg options as an alternative. Finally, best of all is their coffee. I wouldn't go every week (sometimes multiple times a week) if the coffee was not good. And I want to thank Tasha for recommending the raspberry latte (in-house made syrup!!) to change up my normal lavender latte order- its incredible! Oh and to top it off, they have cute cups and straws- what more could you possibly want?? Overall, a really big fan of Sleepyhead. See...