Parker and Otis — Restaurant in Durham

Downtown Durham loves itself a gift store with grocery items. I really wish it was the other way around: A small grocer or bodega with some gift items. Not sure how the plethora of gift stores are more financially sustainable than a small grocery store. How many times have I bought something from Parker and Otis? Probably four times and it never was a scented candle or a quirky cookbook. How many times have I wished for a small grocery that's a quick stroll near my apartment — one of a thousand new apartments clustered close by? Every. Single. Day. People seem to always be scratching their heads about how to make businesses thrive in downtown Durham when there's 80 places to get beer/cocktails and nowhere to get basic food staples. (Bulldega is not conveniently located for all the new construction/apartments.) The going logic is that people want to drive to one of the big box stores for groceries to save $ — while being in complete denial of the constant headaches from terrible driving, traffic jams and car accidents. People pay downtown prices for downtown convenience —  and not only for bars and yoga classes. There's always a steady trickle of people on foot who I am sure, would pay for an overpriced kombucha, a loaf of bread, or a gallon of milk if they could run out of their apartment and be back in...

Cleanliness 5/5. Bathroom was kept spotless which was awesome in the 2 hours we spent there. Unisex bathrooms btw with their political stance posted on the insides of the doors. It was like others have said in the reviews, a very hipster-ish environment but not in a lazy way. Staff were actively cleaning, constantly. It was nice!

Service 5/5. The guys and gals did a great job and took specific care making sure we got exactly what we ordered. My wife got the smoked salmon and capers with cream cheese bagel. It was incredible as was my BLT which by the way, they packed on the eggs I ordered as well.

Price 5/5. I'm a frugal guy, but the quality and freshness of the food are well worth the price. With two coffees, our FILLING breakfast was just under $20.

Quality 5/5. I've only been once, on a Saturday morning but the packed atmosphere was still calm enough to maintain a peaceful environment. Food isn't too expensive and is fairly priced. Cleanliness was constant and the staff displayed great attitudes. My wife and I will be moving to Durham soon and I look forward to eating...

Generally I like the turkey sandwich with mango chutney and a soy chai latte. But today I ordered a decaf white mocha, which tasted rather bland. When I went to let them know that I didn't like it, the baristas asked me what it tasted like, and sounded like they were trying to talk me out of not liking my coffee. As someone who has worked in the food and customer service industry for awhile, I know that it's both good business and just plain easier to just apologize and offer to make the customer something else. But they didn't, so I asked if I could just have my regular soy chai, and when they didn't seem to eager, I said, "you don't seem to eager ... " and they said, "well, we will...." (but we don't want to). Somehow, I felt like the one who was sorry for them making my bad-tasting coffee. It was a...