SOCIAL HOUSE COFFEE — Restaurant in Jacksonville

I like to support local businesses, and watched the renovation of this space with anticipation after learning it would be a coffee shop, since it’s within walking distance of where I live in Avondale. Today was my first visit, and I went around mid-morning (about 9:30) on a Wednesday, for reference.

Pro’s: Brightly lit, modern, welcoming interior. Friendly staff that greet you right away. Reasonable prices. A few chairs on the sidewalk outside for those who prefer a bit of fresh air while they sip their coffee.

Con’s: Not a single person (staff or customers) wearing a face mask, and no hand sanitizer at the counter. This may not be a big issue to some, but for people who might share my concerns, I wanted to provide a heads up. While I was there, it also get crowded enough inside that social distancing wasn’t possible (it is a small, cozy space). I ordered the darkest, boldest coffee available (according to their description), and found it to be medium-bodied. A nice coffee, just didn’t quite match expectations. While I appreciated the offer to warm up the scone, by the time they noticed me and asked what I was waiting for, it was cold again. The cranberry-orange scone itself was tasty and had a nice texture, although the cranberries were somehow overdone and hard as a rock.

It is unlikely that I’ll be back, having had great experiences at local coffee shops in nearby Murray Hill and Five Points, but I do wish this place well, as there’s a lot of...

I’ve given this place a few tries and I gotta say I have not been impressed a single time. First when you order a sandwich they let you know it’ll take a few minutes because they are “gourmet” which waiting is never a problem, however, every time I receive my sandwich, either the bagel is burnt, they forget the sauce, or the egg is overcooked and under seasoned and it takes in between fifteen to twenty minutes, so if somewhere is gonna claim to have something gourmet it should at least be right, or the very least not burnt. Second the cold brew tastes watered down, the regular “hot” coffee is lukewarm and whenever i’ve asked for coconut milk in my drinks i’ve only received whole milk even though they say they offer alternative milks. Third the entire time you order whoever isn’t taking your order is just staring at you, it gives a very uncomfortable uncanny valley feeling. Fourth, they allow people to bring their dogs inside, which they provide outdoor seating so people shouldn’t have a need to bring their pets inside, I would prefer to sip my drink without having to worry about stray dog fur in my mouth, and with how small the restaurant is the fur probably travels to the food they make as well, it seems highly unsanitary. Very disappointing when I was so excited to have a cute little coffee shop nearby especially owned by a former jags player, but I’ll be sure to steer clear of recommending this...

Social House Coffee is a hidden gem go-to coffee shop located around the Riverside-Avondale area. As a current graduate student that has experienced several coffee shops around the area, this is the coffee shop to socialize and get work done without many distractions or background noise on-going. Arrelious & Mariel Benn (owners) and staff have focused on the quality of the experience towards the customer. From my first experience today, they have terrific coffee and tea. I was able to meet Mr. Benn and Krystale, and my interactions with them were terrific. I am excited to become their new regular, indulging in their menu with various foods and drinks to start off my mornings. I highly applaud Mr. and Mrs. Benn taking ownership in this coffee shop, who are not just the faces of this hidden gem, but they actively take part in preparing the drinks and food that is served. As owners, they are active in their purpose of serving the community through coffee, social interactions, and more. It is a traditional coffee shop with a high quality menu and a high quality staff. As a low-key coffee shop, I won't be surprised the growth SoHo Coffee will achieve...