Java | Downtown Boise — Restaurant in Idaho

TO TIP OR NOT TO TIP.... that is the question. I went in here for the first time, atmosphere was pretty cool. got up to the register to order, no smile, now "how are you", they turn the monitor and stare into your soul watching your fingers, what will you do??? will you tip??? how much, how little??? very uncomfortable feeling. I struggle with tipping in these type of scenarios, at the end of the day, you are making a coffee not giving me table service. I had to get up here, wait in line, but WHATEVER, I figured, I'd tip, mostly because they are staring me down and I feel guilty and a little bit forced to do so. I figured, well, at least, maybe, they will bring my coffee to me since I also ordered food and they gave me a table marker. a few minutes pass by, they yell my name, or so I thought, they do it again, I walk up. she looks at me almost annoyed that I wasn't there waiting for my coffees and that she had to call my name more than once. I said, "I tipped, even for a tip, you can't bring me my coffee"? lets be clear, my table was maybe 15 to 20 steps away!! She looks at me, dead in the eyes and said, "you don't have to tip"!! no ownership of the situation, where is the customer service? I mean, I worked in a Restaurant through Highschool, servicing tables. I know about customer service, yet the world today doesn't seem to care about customer service, just expect a tip. Her condescending tone and attitude really P me off!!! I looked at her and said, "WOW, your attitude is exactly why people often wonder if you deserve a tip of not". I asked her, am I going to have to come back for my food? she said nope, they did bring that to me, which I appreciated. I guess a 15% tip doesn't merit service anymore, which makes me wonder, DANG should I have tipped 50% and would that be different? LOL. very disappointed with their service, I do not think I will be going back there again. Management or ownership, I hope you get a hold of this. I am just one right now, how many more will you lose for this level of...

This is one of my favorite places in downtown Boise. Downtown Boise has grown so much lately! Back In The Day it was just a small strip of pubs and restaurants along 8th Street. Now there's so much more! Java is part of that "more" these days.

Java is a coffee place and it is one of my favorites. It is small and local (local-ish? There is one in Sun Valley or Hailey, too, I think) --the important thing is, they're not a big nationwide chain, with that big nationwide chain sanitary feel to them, like stuff stamped out of a mill somewhere. Java has a tall, vaulted ceiling, lots of homey touches of décor, but not in that weird, overbearing kitschy way like someone's Grandma exploded in there.

Java serves food as well as coffee, and they specialize in breakfasty things. If there's one thing I love, it is breakfasty things. Breakfast food is the best food, and I love it, with the only downside to it being that you have to get out of bed to get it. But it is worth it for the steamed egg varieties at Java. The steamed eggs, the toast, the raspberry jam, the veggie burrito packed so fat it makes Jabba the Hutt look svelte and cheetah-like in comparison.

But really, the best part of going to Java in the morning is the coffee, and by coffee, I mean specifically the Bowl Of Soul. It tastes as good as it sounds. The Bowl of Soul is decadence in a cup, with coffee and some cocoa and some other powdery substances that are so good, it just occurred to me that they may be illegal.

But the best part of it is the whipped cream. They put real, home-made whipped cream in their Bowl Of Soul and it is the best. This isn't spray-can stuff, like sea foam and corn starch had an unholy love baby, oh no... this is a hearty slice of thick home-made whipped cream that is sweet, sugary-milk goodness in your cup and sticking to your top lip.

I heartily recommend Java when you can. Go in there with a bit of time to spare and relax, gently massage your taste buds with a Bowl Of Soul, and let the morning...

I used to work buy this coffee joint which is only another block down from another coffee shop I used to hit up. If I would have known the vibe of this joint sooner, I would have been in a long time ago. I was in the area so I stopped in for a coffee break. Heard nothing but great things so of course I had to check it out.

Walking in, the vibe is very 90's to me. You got the big comfy couches, the decor and music. The music brought me back to high school. It's like I warped back in time to my high school days, with my big backpack and all my homework. I remember listening to this same music with my big mug of coffee. It brought back such fond memories.

I got myself an iced americano with sugar free English toffee with room for cream. I appreciate that the sweet barista left enough room for my cream and not fill it to the brim. They have a table fully loaded with condiments for your drinks and food. I added my half and half with a blue packet and made my way to a table.

I normally don't kick it for a long time at coffee shops but today, I hung out for over an hour. I love the vibe so much! I chilled for a bit inside and drank the rest of my coffee outside. They have a couple tables facing East so the sun wasn't beating on me. Even though it's a busy area, it was still pretty relaxing.

If I could give this joint more than 5 stars I would. All the other 5 star joints I have ranked were great but I will have I say, they don't complete the vibe like how this place does. I really do look forward to coming back and having a another drink here. Great drink, sweet vibe and perfect weather...