Barker - Café & Bakery — Restaurant in Lawrence

On the several occasions I've been to this location, I've found that the staff is a classic group of lazy, disengaged, rude and unfriendly college kids that normally tank downtown businesses. Good luck getting one to stop staring at their phone long enough to take your order! In fact, even once you are granted the pleasure of giving them money in exchange for food, it takes forever to receive said food despite not remotely being busy. The coffee is acceptable, although overpriced and definitely not the best downtown coffee.

Given the very top-shelf pricing the service was inexcusably bad. I read a review of this location a while back and one person suggested that the atmosphere was unpleasant because the staff seemed "too cool". In my experience that was just laziness disguised as aloofness. The tip begging iPad is also a bit much. Frankly I find it offensive whenever I hear "Ehrm, it's just going to ask you some questions" followed by the inevitable flip of the screen to beg for tips, especially when the service is bad or practically non-existent.

The bread is the best bread you can buy for hundreds of miles, but save yourself the hassle and stick to the original location which is staffed by actual adults who know how to behave like professionals.

It might be the case that this review is out-of-date and things have turned around at this location, because after 2/2 bad experiences I haven't been back...

I love love love this place! The drinks and food are outstanding, the staff is efficient and kind, and it’s always a cute place to hang out! My only complaint and the reason I can’t hand out five stars for atmosphere is the new signs on the comically small high top tables…”this table is reserved for two or more persons.” If you’re not going to have hosts who keep track of seating in no way should you be trying to police where your patrons can sit…this is a cafe in a college town. People are gonna come sit by themselves and you’re putting your staff in the awkward position of enforcing this rule which is pretty antithetical to this coffee shop functioning as a coffee shop.

EDIT: I came back and have physically dropped stars because not only are the obnoxious signs still up but when you log into the WiFi it makes you check a box saying you’ll only use it for thirty minutes…@ management/owners you are aware you run a coffee shop in a college town correct? Or am I missing something? Weirdly unfriendly to the students who make up the majority of your barista staff...

On a Monday mid-morning, I stopped in for a hot breve latte and a breakfast sandwich. The vibe was relaxing since it wasn't packed, but had the typical coffee shop hum. The coffee was perfectly made and full of rich flavor. (Finally, a place that serves well-roasted espresso, not bitter, burnt beans!) For the locals, they do use Hildebrand diary products, so the flavor/quality of their dairy made drinks is excellent. After gazing at the mouth-watering pastries in the display case, I ordered a breakfast sandwich (see pic). I feel good about saying it was the best breakfast sandwich I have ever had (and I've had quite a few over the years)! The egg was light and fluffy, the bacon crisp...all the flavors came together, and the croissant-like bun was delectable. This was my first visit to 1900 on Mass. I'll definitely return, and I highly recommend that you also make this one of your new...