Renegade by Devout Coffee — Restaurant in Fremont

Updated on Aug. 7, 2023 (4/5 stars): Found out today that they do not plan to have Wi-Fi to foster deeper relationships between people. I do agree that without the distraction of wi-fi people can talk more, but this sends a different signal for me.

They do not want remote workers here. Without Wi-fi, like their Niles location, they do not foster remote workers or people just trying to drink coffee and study. I would gladly spend hours here and buy multiple coffees and snacks. This will probably never happen now Monday to Friday, but possibly on the weekend with friends/family.

Also, they have purposely labeled themselves as a pizza shop. There is no good name for a coffee shop / pizza / food hybrid. I'll have to try their pizzas, but currently being sold 1 out of the 6 days they are open.

I love the coffee and will continue to take out. Disappointed in the signal they're sending with no wi-fi.

Also, I am aware I can get a mobile hot-spot on my phone.

Original Review (5/5 stars)

Everything I wanted the Niles location to be.

This location used to be where Slap Face coffee was, and inside you'll see remnants of an old bank since there's a legit bank vault door. Anyways, I digress.

I absolutely love this location. The ambiance, the way that the lamp shades look like a Origami v60 dripper, the thoughtful use of lines, the carried theme of black and natural wood from the Niles location with an addition of chrome in some of the seats. Most of all, there are TONS of places to sit and get some work done and great food options inside the location. It's two stories with more individual seating upstairs while downstairs is more group tables.

Still the same great coffee and great people you expect from Devout. They now have an automatic pour over machine which makes the coffee efficiently and tasty without over extracting or under extracting the coffee. The cappuccino I had is on par with the one from the Niles location. Overall, coffee is still great for the Fremont Area.

The location is beautiful, has a ton of seating, and the coffee is great. I'd come here over Suju's any day now to get some work done in the Centerville area.

Cheers to the third Devout location in...

Okay, here goes. First, I love that a local favorite coffee rosters and cafe has created a larger cafe, half-service product.

They’re new, so I’m sure they’re still figuring out some things. But unfortunately those things still impacted my first visit to the location.

Menu items, I assume either the kitchen isn’t fully complete in the back or they don’t have one. The food is brought in from a food truck that’s parked in the parking lot. Meaning, lots of coming in and out in a major path of egress. It doesn’t make for an ideal scenario for those standing in line.

The actual physical menu is nowhere to be found until you get to the register. Because there’s not a lot of space between the register and the door they NEED to place the menu either outside or directly inside so people don’t get stuck trying to decide what they want when they get to the register. Because this wasn’t the case, the line took FOREVER while people were figuring out what they wanted at the register,

The line. Place some signage posts at the end and beginning of the queue telling people where the line starts and stops. AND/OR task someone to check every 10 minutes because people aren’t smart, no one wants to queue correctly, you have to make them. And unfortunately not queueing correctly causes blockages at the door.

The food. It was DELICIOUS!!! I was surprised by how good it was. I’m usually left wanting at coffee spots when it comes to food but they did a great job. Nothing too complicated, lots of breakfast staples.

The coffee, it wasn’t worse or better than other coffee I’ve had. Nothing to write home about. I got the “Autumn”-something. I’d recommend integrating more items for the amount of money people are paying for an overpriced milk and espresso. But I’d say that about any coffee shop. Use puréed pumpkin, it’ll set you apart!

The service, was great, easy and not over complicated. You order up front, they call your name for the drink orders and you get a number if you order food, they bring.your food...

Formerly known as Slapface coffee, Devout has transformed this niche location into an aesthetically pleasing ironwood café!

Their biscuit, while seemingly simple, boasted buttery, flaky layers that made for a delightful snack. Whether paired with jelly or salted butter, each bite was a treat.

The avocado toast was equally satisfying, with the addition of greens adding a fresh twist.

For those with a sweet tooth, the French toast topped with syrup and berries proved to be a decadent choice.

The lattes were just right--not too strong--and my iced latte had a pleasantly milky flavor, although I understand it may not appeal to everyone. Thankfully, they offered milk alternatives to accommodate different preferences.

While the barista greeted us warmly, there wasn't much small talk. After taking our order and noting specifics such as milk preferences, they provided us with a number for our table. Most of our order was brought directly to us, though we had to collect our drinks from the counter. However, the wait was minimal as they efficiently processed orders.

I appreciated the overall ambiance of the café, which provided a conducive environment for both studying and socializing. The spacious tables easily accommodated larger groups, with ample room for individuals to work or study with their laptops. Although I didn't explore the upstairs area, I noted the renovated loft space with additional tables and lighting, a significant improvement from its previous incarnation as Slapface. While it could get a bit noisy downstairs, I observed that those studying upstairs seemed to find a quieter environment.

I'm eager to return and enjoy another cup of coffee while...