Deeper Roots Coffee — Restaurant in Cincinnati

I recently visited this coffee shop and unfortunately, my experience was disappointing — not because of the coffee, but because of the service.

When I walked in, I was hoping to have a nice interaction with the barista, ask a few questions about the coffee, and enjoy the atmosphere. Instead, I was met with coldness and attitude. The barista didn’t smile, didn’t seem welcoming, and made me feel like I was being difficult just for asking simple, coffee-related questions.

For clarity — I wasn’t rude, didn’t ask anything personal, and wasn’t trying to come off as a snob. All I asked about were the basics: the origin of the espresso, whether their pour-overs were machine-made, and if they used the same recipe across different beans. These are completely fair questions for a coffee shop that presents itself as specialty-focused.

The coffee itself was okay — not amazing, but drinkable. But honestly, the poor service made it hard to enjoy. Hospitality is just as important as the quality of the product, especially in a coffee shop environment where many customers are looking for a welcoming vibe and a small moment of comfort in their day.

I hope the owners read this and take it seriously. I’m not writing this to be mean — I’m writing this because I believe every good business should care about how their staff treats customers. I strongly recommend additional training for the staff to ensure that every customer is treated with kindness, professionalism, and respect.

Customer experience matters, and right now, this part of the...

Went here a few weeks ago to get some work done for a few hours and buy some coffee for fathers day. From their social media I knew they sold bags of coffee beans, so I chose Deeper Roots to do both these things. The first two baristas I interacted with were kind and timely. I had a good cappuccino. Most of the tables are in-between the bar and storage room/bathroom, so staff is walking past you frequently. Not a deal breaker but not the most comfortable environment to work in. Before I left I took a brief look at their whole bean coffee selection. Then I asked the barista (best described as a tall man with a gap between his teeth. sorry I don't know his name) for his recommendation, based on the brand of coffee my dad usually drinks. He told me I should just buy him that brand. I don't know if he was trying to be funny or snarky, either way I was taken aback. I grabbed the coffee he recommended, and started paying for it. Barista asks me(with a rather condescending tone) "does your -dad- have a coffee grinder?" I told him yes, and then he asked "Why?" I said something along the lines of "idk dude maybe he's tried other coffee before?" My dad enjoyed the coffee but unfortunately I won't be buying it for him again.

I don't know if the barista was trying to be funny/helpful or rude. Regardless it felt like the latter option. I know this is a rather petty reaction for one short conversation, but on my first visit to this shop it was enough to turn me away...

I will begin this review by stating the obvious: Clare, the espresso machine tech from Deeper Roots Coffee, is a gem! She came, she diagnosed, she fixed. She undertook the task of re-building a group head in less than ideal conditions, and never wavered from her task despite the best attempts of customers and smart-ass staff to distract her! Such was her fervor that we had to remind her to take sustenance throughout the day. Then, when the troublesome group head was repaired, she decided to go ahead and get all "preventative" on the second group head!!! Yes, there are espresso techs closer to my north central Ohio location... Yes, there are "experts" in Columbus and Cleveland... But, for my money, you will find no more honest, efficient, and professional technical services than those offered by Deeper...