Babb's Coffee House — Restaurant in Fargo

My colleague and I were on a business trip to Fargo about a week ago, an we decided to try breakfast at Babb's. That was unfortunately the greatest mistake that we made that week, possibly for the month (we can't imagine a greater mistake that could be made that month - except, of course, to return to Babb's).

My colleague ordered first, ordering quiche, blueberry muffin, and a latte. I ordered quiche, a blueberry scone, and regular coffee. As we waited for our food in the entirely vacant eating area at 7:45 that Monday morning, we were notified that our food was ready. So we went up and were immediately confused, because we were very uncertain about what we were looking at. Which was the scone, and which, the muffin? This is a rather odd question because of the extremely commonly known distinctive shapes of both a scone and a muffin (hence the colloquialism, "muffin top"). The absence of a muffin top on the muffin created a mystery about what sort of 'food' item we were looking at. It was, in fact, a cylinder of an oddly textured substance. The quiche was rather plain and non-descript, but at any rate; I noticed that I received a rather small mint with my coffee. (We later found out that this was, according to the packaging, a "glitterati deluxe" mint, despite being the size of a rabbit dropping).

So we returned to our seating and attempted to eat. My colleague didn't finish eating the muffin or quiche. I didn't finish either the quiche or scone, leaving more than I ate. The quiche was particularly greasy, dripping - drop drip drop - musical tones of fat and grease lulled us into thoughtful repose. 'What slippery quiche this is,' and 'Wouldn't it be nice to have a dry, dense sponge to take care of it.' The coffee wasn't very good either, despite being a coffee shop. Of everything that was served to me, the coffee was the easiest to ingest, however not so easy that I was able to drink more than a third portion. The environment wasn't so bad, especially as there wasn't a crowd of clamoring customers to fight through. The staff was particularly courteous and polite as well - naively unaware of what sort of things they are flopping on plates for customers. The name of the shop "Babb's," however, is just very difficult to make friend's with.

The great Dutch dogmatician Herman Bavinck said, "The greatest contradiction tolerated by God in his creation" is sin. After our breakfast encounter at Babb's, we are not so sure about this any more....

I have been twice and had two completely different views on the place. The first time was perfect. My wife and I both got food and a drink ( an ice tea and a coffee). We left with zero complaints as we enjoyed talking to staff, loved the atmosphere and the food. I go back the next day and it was not so good. Probably never go back if I hadn’t enjoyed it the first time. I first order an iced chai latte since it was hot. I was asked if I would want to try that with the loose lead tea and said yes because I enjoy loose leaf tea. I asked if he could please make it a little stronger then normal chai flavor. He nicely did as I watched him as more tea leaves. Excited to try the drink and it just tasted like water. I sled and was told to try mixing it because I am probably just drinking the ice that it was poured over. Go back and stir it up a bit. Now taste like water downed milk with the SMALLEST hint of chai. Stirred some more and still just as bad. A few min later I go back up to order another drink. Thought they might ask hire the drink was and make a new one when they hear how bad. Place was really quiet so I know he remembered me first complaint. I ordered a hot pu-erh and brings me a Perrier. Understood mix up so I corrected it. Brings me the tea and informs me to let it step a few min. About 5 min later I open it to take the tea bad out so it wouldn’t get bitter. They use nice large tea bags so I do not have to fish it out, sadly it was wrapped up in a ball so stop had to fish it out. When I removed the lid it looked like a white tea. Was curious if any tea was even added. I get the tea bad out and it looks like two marbles in a tea bag. I open it up to find another tea bag with the tea in it wound so tight it was a solid clump. The other ball was the same. Remove the leaves out of the bags and put them all loosely in one bag. Let it sit for a couple min and the tea tasted good. Was a big shame to see that a place with a nice selection of loose lead teas don’t even know how to even make a cup of tea. Thought it was fairly common knowledge that you would keep loose leaf tea loose and not crammed in a tea bad like you are packing a shot...

I love you Babb’s-ay, and if it’s quite alright, I need you Babb’s-ay To keep me warm at night, I love you Babb’s-ay Trust in me when I say~

The best coffee shop in Fargo, one of my all time favs- Babb’s Coffee House baby!! I fell in love with this shop far before my family even moved to Fargo in 2017. Any time I was in town this was a must stop for years and years. And even after leaving Fargo again, it still stands the same way each time I visit.

Babb’s just really knows how to do coffee. All of their lattes, mochas, frappes and specialty drinks are mixed just right. They aren’t too sweet or artificial like some of the big name chains, and they actually taste like COFFEE first and foremost. Add their invented house made espresso whipped cream on top, and it’s literally like crack in a cup.

They have good food too- if you’re needing sustenance I’d highly recommend the breakfast quesadilla on a spinach wrap. Ooh, my goodness! And if you don’t want or don’t prefer coffee, their twisted sister red bull drinks are actually quite good. There are lots of tea options too. And you NEED a cinnamon chip scone warmed up to finish the trip, you won’t be the same without it.

Babb’s has great coffee and nibblings, as well as a wonderfully laid back coffee shop atmosphere. They are themed after the city of Seattle, and I fall in love with it all over again every time I go. Love you...