Robust Coffee Lounge — Restaurant in Hyde Park Township

I used to love this place. Now I feel like the owner/owners don’t have any integrity when it comes to their business. They continually close the kitchen earlier than they should. If the kitchen closes at 2:30 when the restaurant closes at 3:00, why are you telling me it’s closed when I walk in the door at 2:15, or 2:20, or even 2:28? I’ve been to this restaurant more than I care to mention. Let’s just say they’ve received a significant portion of my hard-earned dollars. This day, I walked into the restaurant at 2:28. The short African-American guy was leaning on the back counter, talking to his coworker like he didn’t see me just come through the door. He saunters over to me and I start to tell him, quickly, what I’d like, he interrupts me and tells me that the kitchen is closed. As he’s telling me this, the clock changes to 2:30. So I tell him, it was 2:28 when I walked in here, would you go ask your boss if they’ll make me two sandwiches please? He keeps talking to me, telling me they probably won’t because the kitchen is closed, but he’s going to ask. His attitude stunk, like he really didn’t want to do it and his body language and slow movement told me the same. While he’s coming back to me I see a young lady, Jennifer, behind the counter, who’s always been nice to me, and I say hello to her. He says no, they said the kitchen is closed. She looks at the time, it’s now 2:31 and she says, she’s good people, in here all the time, I think it’ll be ok. So she rings me up and puts the order through. A minute later, the owner (I assume), short, Caucasian guy, comes out and says the kitchen is closed. My order has already been put through and paid for so I’m thinking he means no more orders after this one. So I wait for my food, for several minutes, because my order and money have been taken. The young lady who actually tried to help, calls me up to the counter and tells me the owner told her to refund my money because they aren’t filling my order. I thanked her for trying to help and as I’m talking to her about what time it was when I came in and how the other young man told me the kitchen was closed before it was time to close; he decides to enter our conversation, telling me about what happened and how he had to go ask his boss if they would fill my order, attitude still on deck. Rather than engage and tell him if he’d acted like he saw me walk into the restaurant and like he really wanted to be of assistance, instead of continuing to lean on the counter and talk to his coworker, maybe I’d have my food…I told them that’s fine, I won’t be back. As much as I like the food, I hate the inconsistent kitchen closing times and the sometimes great and sometimes horrible service. I will not be back and neither will the friends I’ve told about this place. I had reservations about this establishment some time ago, when there was an incident where the owners kicked out a bunch of African American kids for stealing when all of the kids weren’t the problem. Some of those kids had purchased food and were sitting, waiting for rides or friends. One of the parents came up to the restaurant to speak to the owner and there was a whole big commotion. Police were called and things went left. Anyway, I mentioned that because I probably should have decided THEN to keep my money in my pocket rather than visit this establishment, but I went, I spent, I ate and...

This morning, my nephew and sister went to Robust Coffee Lounge to grab a smoothie, only to be shockingly refused service. When my sister got out of the car to speak with the manager, he very flippantly said they don’t serve students after 8:00 AM. My nephew doesn’t even start school until 8:45! My sister explained this, and the owner’s dismissive response was, “You should get out of your car next time.” Well, she was out of the car this time, yet still treated with outright disrespect.

As a CSTA Equity Fellow and a business owner who actively fights for fairness and equity, I am disgusted by how this business treats its loyal Black customers. My nephew doesn’t even go to school in the area, but instead of hearing my sister out, they refused to serve him. The owner’s dismissive and condescending attitude made it clear that they don’t value the Black community that supports their business.

After years of coming here and even having our own "regular orders," this is how we’re treated? My nephew has been ordering the same smoothie here for years, and now, after this incident, it’s clear they don’t deserve our business. His self-esteem took a major hit—he was embarrassed and humiliated, and no child should be made to feel that way over something as trivial as a smoothie.

This is bigger than one bad experience. We are taking this matter to our fraternities, sororities, and the NAACP. Robust Coffee Lounge needs to be held accountable for how they treat our community. We will no longer support businesses that come into our neighborhoods and disrespect the very people who keep their doors open.

Your dismissiveness has consequences, and we won’t be quiet about it. It’s time for Robust Coffee Lounge to realize that they can’t continue operating this way in our community. If you can’t respect us, you will lose us—and not just our family, but the entire community you’ve...

The WORST EXPERIENCE !!!!!!!!!!! As a frequent customer , I purchased a latte that I always get . The latte tasted watery ,so I told the server. She declined to remake the latte per the store policy they cannot remake, refund or change the drink (in a rude way) .She informed me unless they made the wrong drink is against the store policy. No manager was available so I left the drink on the counter and emailed the owner . I received no response from email. Three days later on my next visit as I was eating my food and having a smoothie . I spoke with another employee about my the issue . She apologized and confirmed that they had issues with the Barista machine and offered to replace the drink for my next visit . Considering , I had already purchased a drink and food . Today, I went in to purchase my food and asked about the drink. The server asked did I email the store and talk to some one . I explained,Yes I did along with describing the server I spoke with . The owner rushed out and rudely said Did you email me ? Did you get an email from me? I responded yes , I emailed( provided email ) and explained , I didn’t received a response email back. Explained to him I spoke with the server and what she said . He then again rudely responded , well I am the owner and she cannot say that and I don’t appreciate you trying to scam and get a free drink. He said I didn’t email you and you are trying to scam a free drink !! Appalled and Embarrassed I asked for a refund and left. I cannot believe he blantly accused me of trying to steal or scam . He lacked the respect of evening talking to me as a person yet along a customer . Who frequently comes weekly alone and daily with my children before school . The worst experience ever over a $8 drink that they messed up and I left there . I will never go back !!!!!!!!!!! Defamation of character at its best !! I...