Atlanta Coffee Roasters — Restaurant in Decatur

Atlanta Coffee Roasters is located right off of North Druid Hills and Lavista and has been sitting on our list of places to investigate for at least a year. Finally, finally we checked it off. This post summed up: Not worthy of the drive, especially for all you city snobs like myself.

Atmosphere- ...or should I say lack-thereof? ACR has nothing to offer in this regard. The interior is dim and dingy which pushes you outside to enjoy your coffee, however the exterior presents you with a parking lot view of the Toco Hills shopping center.

Coffee- I can't completely dismiss ACR because this cafe does create good coffee drinks, and without good coffee there's really no point. My cinnamon latte was delicious and extremely frothy...yummmm... and Anand admitted that his coffee was nice as well. They do sell an incredible variety of whole beans which range from your classic go-to Colombian roast all the way to a Snickerdoodle blend.

Service- When it comes to a coffee shop I'm looking for a friendly barista who serves coffee with pride and genuinely likes what he does. The one employee working when we stopped in was quick and got the job done, but he didn't contribute anything more than that.

Location- The Toco Hills shopping area reminds me of a suburban strip mall. Location= fail.

Legitimacy- If it weren't for my friend who mentioned this coffee shop to me I wouldn't ever have heard of it, which goes to say that this cafe doesn't carry much of...

The two times I called, during business hours, got a recorded message that they were open and replenishing their inventory. I could leave a message, which I did. All I wanted to know was if they had Kona beans in stock. The first time I called, I left my phone number, twice in the message, but by 430pm the next day, nobody had bothered to return my call. When I called late in the afternoon the next business day and during business hours, I got their machine again so I took the opportunity to comment on their very poor customer service. I went to J. Martinez Coffee and got my Kona beans. Now there is an establishment that knows how to treat a customer. So much for patronizing local neighborhood stores. I'm just tickled pink that this place has so much business they can afford to blow off potential...

So so great, my favorite coffee place in Atlanta. The baristas have always been phenomenally informed on coffee flavors, however never condescending or 'snobby'. The atmosphere is fantastic, couches are soft without drowning, tables and chairs have a diverse selection, and patrons/employees are quiet and polite. Pricing is also excellent, though sometimes bean choices are limited. Also, the pastries are nothing to write home about, but I don't particularly care since I'm there for the coffee. Simultaneously baffled and pleased that Emory students don't crowd the place-- I want more of my peers to support this business, but they can...