Cortado Mediterranean Cafe — Restaurant in Iowa City

When I found out that Iowa City was getting a Mediterranean cafe, I was over the moon! The food scene is great, but I think we all benefit from more options. My job has me travel far and often, so it was a long time until I got to try Cortado.

Needless to say, I was pretty underwhelmed by the experience.

The pros: The coffee isn’t bad. The food is edible and provides some nutritional value.

The cons: The hummus is flavorless and overpriced. Many of the menu items can be found elsewhere in IC at a better value (Oasis, Nodo, Mammitas, Crêpes de Luxe, etc.)

When I went to get breakfast, I ordered a side of potato wedges and confirmed with the barista that I ordered that specific side.

When our food didn’t include the potato wedges, I said “oh hey I also ordered the potatoes” to the man bringing out the food (who I believe was the owner). He looked at me like I spat in his face!

Instead of checking the ticket and saying “we didn’t get that in the kitchen but we can add those to your order if you’d like” or something similar, he argued with the barista, glared at me, and went off to the kitchen.

When they brought out the potatoes (cold and chewy), he spent the whole time arguing with me about how I was in the wrong!

I can totally understand someone forgetting to add an item and food not getting to a table. It happens all the time and it’s not the end of the world, but I was in no mood to argue about a stupid plate of potatoes.

The best part? He pulled out the card reader and demanded I pay for the $5 potatoes that I ordered!

I even checked my card statement and turns out, I paid TWICE for the most mediocre potatoes I’ve ever had the displeasure of sending through my digestive tract!

Lesson of the story: Stay for the “ehh” coffee, walk down the street and flip a coin...

I have gone to this place multiple times now and have never had a good meal. I decided to give them one last chance so I went and ordered the bacon, egg, and cheese on a ciabatta. Not only did I have to wait forever for my food, but when I received it, the bacon and egg were so burnt to the point where I couldn't tell if I was eating food or char. I also like to get ciabatta buns because they are usually soft but this bun was very hard and stale. When I tried to get them to remake it or get a refund for my food they refused. From now on if anyone is thinking of going here, I recommend going to the Bluebird Diner where you get real food and great service. This place is a disgrace and a disappointment to the food world. If Gordon Ramsay were to eat at this place he would 100% spit out his food and call it rubbish. If you have the slightest thought of eating here, I would NOT...

Ok good things,

one of the new kids on the block, as in opened in January. Have fun coffee from Seattle because they say it's good but also because that company hooked them up with their business gear.

Have messenger coffee roasters coffee now.

Yesterday I had a cold brew that was made from their messenger coffee and it was tasty. Took it to go. Today I had a cappuccino and a crossiant and they where tasty.

Bad thing, no wifi.

After the fact of buying my capp and crossiant I asked if they had public wifi, the gal said no.

It's my bad for not checking before hand. Had I known they had no wifi, I would have most definitely left and found another cafe/coffee shop. I am about the whole "but local" thing, but no wifi will almost always change my mind. And yes that's the picky thing i'm going to complain about this coffee shop and rate it 3. take it...