Grounds and Gold Co. — Restaurant in Dalworthington Gardens

Edit: I will be rewriting this review when I have more time, but for now, I just want to say that the owner Maurice reached out to me, we were able to connect and discuss the issue mentioned in my review. To be honest, I'm blown away and humbled by how approachable and genuine Maurice is as a business owner and how much he and his team care about Grounds and Gold and their customers. I will edit the review again later when I am able to properly re-review it.

Original: I just ate the worst Micah Sandwich. No, it tasted fine, but with each bite was the bitterness of my negative experience today. Maybe swallowing each bite was felt very similar to swallowing my pride, you know that feeling? My family (including extended family) have been Grounds and Gold customers for a while now, and my favorite thing there is the Chef's Choice Biscuit. If you've never had one, try it sometime because it is awesome. Many times in the past, I have ordered and enjoyed a Chef's Choice Biscuit at various times of the day. Recently, I arrived at noon to order one and was told that breakfast was not served after 11 AM. Well that's new. I was disappointed, but understood and moved on. I would keep that in mind for next time.

This morning, I got my two little kids ready and drove to G&G, making sure to arrive well before 11 AM. I arrived at about 10:40 AM, later than I wanted (anyone with little kids knows what I mean), but still well before the 11 AM cutoff time. My two little kids did great at being patient; it took roughly 20 minutes to get through the line (interestingly, the line was not that long, it just took a long time to get through. Was it indecisive customers? Was the cashier being slow? I'm not really sure). I arrived at the order counter at exactly 11 AM, and no matter what I said, they would not let me order a Chef's Choice Biscuit. The girl working the register was very nice, but I'm guessing the decision was out of her control, and she showed no mercy or initiative to help me. She blamed it on the kitchen and that the kitchen was really strict... well it sounds like the kitchen needs some customer service training. If the line had been just one minute faster, I could have ordered my Chef's Choice Biscuit, just one danged minute.

I guess G&G no longer believes in mercy or real customer service (remember that being nice is only half of customer service, probably less than half). What do I need to do to make sure I can order a Chef's Choice Biscuit? The line can take anywhere from 5 to 45 minutes. How do I plan for that? I shouldn't have to arrive 1 whole hour before 11 AM just to get a simple menu item. Inside myself, I wanted to create a scene, "get me your manager," and all that nonsense, but I knew that usually creates more problems and embarrassment than it solves. Plus, my priority was my two little kids. I swallowed my "pride" and ordered a lunch sandwich instead, the Micah Sandwich (maybe I didn't completely swallow my pride since I am writing this review lol). Sure, it tastes good, but it's not what I want, and with each bite is the bitterness of the experience. Maybe I shouldn't have ordered anything and just left. Or maybe this Micah Sandwich is the last thing I or my extended family ever orders from Grounds and Gold. This experience is going to color every G&G-related interaction going forward. Yeah, I know, 1st-world problems, right? The reality is that this is a competitive marketplace, and there are many cafes I can go to from now on that will not shut down their customers like this, cafes that actually want to sell things to their customers. But you know what? It probably won't affect Grounds and Gold at all. They are getting so big and successful now, perhaps they feel like they don't need to care about their customers anymore and a little ole' guy like me is of no...

This used to be a great small local business. I will give small businesses the benefit of the doubt and not base a review on one off day. Unfortunately the service here has gotten terrible. The last 3 visits have been a complete nightmare. On my last visit the line was to the door, not a big deal in the past bc the line used to go quickly. This time the person at the register had zero clue about how to use it. The line took over 20 minutes. Once it was my turn to order the young lady just stared at me, no greeting or offer to take my order. After an awkward few seconds she finally said “are you ready?” and seemed very annoyed. It took almost 5 minutes for her to figure out how to ring up 2 coffees and a bakery item (and she had to ask for help). She added a cookie I didn’t order and seemed annoyed and confused when I asked for it to be removed before I paid. Ok, survived that and ready for my coffee and baked good. Five min later my baked good was ready and someone yelled out my name for me to come pick it up. That’s ok if everyone else has the same experience. But I sat and watched over the next 20 minutes, while I waited for my coffee, as other tables had their food/drink delivered to their table. Why did I have a different experience? Why did it take 25 minutes to make my coffee when many others that were in line behind me got their coffees almost instantly? When I asked another young lady behind the counter if my coffee would be ready soon she told me that a 20 minute wait is normal there for coffee on thur-Saturday. I have been here many times over the past few years and know this is not the case (or it didn’t use to be when there was a better staff). I don’t know if the owners sold the place or just stopped managing it close but something has to change with the team working this place or it will go the way of Kmart…. I truly hope someone that cares about this place reads this and takes action. We want our local coffee shop back. Until it’s fixed the 800lb gorilla Starbucks gets our business....

I don't event like know where to start. So many wonderful things about Grounds and Gold Co. The story behind the shop is amazing heart-warming. The shop itself reminds me of something I would find in Colorado. It is hip, fun, welcoming and has an atmosphere that you can not just visit once.

I am on a mission to get there early enough to get the fire place seating, but any seating will do. There is even outdoor seating. Perfect place for private events, space for office planning sessions, and a cake tasting space. Yes, they make wedding cakes.

There is a nice stage that is dedicated to Maurice Ahern's son. The stage space is used brilliantly for a variety of events - book signings, open mic, local music and so much more.

Ok, now let's talk about all the things to make your tummy happy. There are several things to choose from, sweets, harty food, light food and of course the coffee. I am not a coffee drinker so I do the Chai and it is good. My eavesdropping tells me folks are loving the coffee too.

I am on the bad list with one of my dear friend due to we cannot go without the BEST CHEESECAKE EVER!! The Schlossnagle. I can't even begin to describe this cheesecake. All i can say is you won't be disappointed. Everyone needs to try this purple paradise. Yes folks PURPLE.

Grounds and Gold has made custom cookies for me for various events. The bakers are extremely creative and like everything at Grounds and Gold they are delicious.

Get out and visit. Your first trip to Grounds and Gold Co. will not...