Hyperion Espresso — Restaurant in Fredericksburg

I walked around to 5 different coffee shops in a small radius and this one was my favorite. I ordered a doppio and got a singolo, but that wasn't enough to hold back the fifth star. Yhe espresso was thick, rich, with vibrant bitter acid. It coated the classy super-mini ceramic mug aggressively - like an old fashioned stain on antique furniture. Breaking a long streak of many many gas station and instant coffees (which is not always worthy of a complaint) this was all I could of asked for, however Hyperion didn't stop with their espresso.

The all female barista squad was slick and efficient. They disregarded me the way any café hipster should but did it with the grace that true hospitality pros learn so as to keep the atmosphere uber-cool but not make me as the guest feel slighted in the least. Ever been to a coffee shop where the staff wear embarrassing uniforms and are forced to pretend to be friendly while they interrupt every conversation at a 10 second interval to yell mispronounciations of your alias announcing your bev is ready? Hyperion is the opposite of that.

What i needed most was really to sit down for a few ticks after a long morning If walking, and Hyperion had plenty to offer. There is seating right by the busy counter on a long window length bench, an upstairs with quiet, afternoon sunlit tables, and appropriately rickety sidewalk benches and worn tables outside wrapping around the corner location. Stylish, good looking people seemed to be all over these spaces. I wondered if they were tourists or outsiders like me or locals? Cool crowd to be sure.

Lastly, Hyperion has a an ice water dispenser...

Coffee ☕ is mediocre (= 3), staff is rude (= 1) 3-1=2. I'd rather go somewhere else next time. After rethinking it a bit, this establishment is not entitled to a 2, based on the lack of attention to customer's desire, aggravation, disrespect and lack of customer service skills, 1 is the best score that they have earned.

I tried to explain how I'd like my coffee and they were rude and not receptive. Having my coffee my way is important to me.

I asked for 2 shots of expresso with piping hot milk no foam. Register attendant 1 ask "a latte?" She seems confused and I repeat and explain carefully. I respond no, much darker and no foam. She goes into and explanation about how expresso is concentrated coffee ☕ . The barrista interups and says, "I know how to make your coffee" I detect a Spanish accent on the barrista and once again, I repeat in spanish "espreso con leche oscuro y sin espuma" the barista said in spanish, just let me make your coffee.

I get a light colored latte with foam. Just what I did not want. Barely taste like coffee and immediately sit to make my assessment. It's a coffee flavored warm milk with foam...

The owners should have trained their staff better in both making coffee the way customer want coffee and on how to treat and interact...

This is my fav coffee spot downtown, a lot of good things but my last few visits have been inconsistent. I ordered a double espresso one day and came back the next and the amount was cut in half. I doubled checked to clarify that is was a double espresso but it was kind of a bummer that differences between the days were there.

Also this is my own mistake of not recognizing that my rewards card was only for espresso drinks (I’ve filled an entire one already and only 3 left on my current) but I start all my orders by laying the card on the counter so I don’t forget and this time I decided to just only get a frozen chai. She does my transaction and I start to move to go wait in line and realized I forgot my stamp card and tried to to reedem my stamp and only then did she affirm that it was for only espresso drinks. It may be a good upsale (especially to see a card more than halfway full) to just add “did you want to add a shot of espresso into that to get your stamp.” Or something! That would’ve made the world of a difference and more money for the company anywho.

It won’t stop me from coming or suggesting to others as I’ve had more good experiences than bad just sharing the last occurrences that left me...