Fillin' Station Coffeehouse — Restaurant in Mankato

This coffee shop is what I would label as “grunge” or a “dive” . Not trying to be mean/rude, but trying to give a real explanation for what it felt like to me. With that being said, I love a mom and pop type coffee shop and some would love the “vibe” here. Think of a “dive bar” and this would be the equivalent for a coffee shop. They need better ventilation asap… the smell of fried bacon/sausage/eggs was soo overwhelming I almost walked out (I am not a vegetarian). I am smell sensitive and this might not bother others but it was overwhelming for me. There was a haze in the air for sure from cooking. All the employees I spoke with were all very nice. I had the vanilla honey bee iced latte and it was wayyy too sweet. This is partly my fault for not asking how sweet it was but idk how anyone could drink it as it was like straight sugar. Also I had enough ice to last me about 2 minutes before it all melted. The flavor was good if that makes sense but the sweetness was outta this world (not in a good way). This place was super busy tho! I am glad people love this place as again I am always for a mom and pop coffee shop, but respectfully I won’t be back. (I did sit in a chair and then questioned myself after looking at the chair next to me and how filthy it was… I understand the “old comfy chair” aesthetic but these chairs need to be tossed and better ones brought in or at least chair covers where you can wash them and it not...

Went there on Sunday with about 5 people at about 11am. The atmosphere and food was great but just a couple notes.

The seating was super limited. And the back room was dark. So our group just went and turned the light on and sat down. Kinda wish it was just on and welcoming by default.

The main reason for the lower review is that they need more staff. There was only 2 girls working at the time and it was pretty busy (it's a weekend morning after all). One making the sandwiches and one making the coffees and they would take turns taking orders. I feel like they could offer much better service with an extra employee. It took along time to get our order taken and get the coffee/food. (Which is fine we were in no hurry but others were visibly not as patient)

But I feel bad because you can see the ladies behind the counter were trying their best but were feeling the pressure. So hats off to them for putting up with it but poo on owner/management for not getting them any help.

There's so many other options for coffee in town you gotta be good at the things you can control - one...

The Fillin Station is a fantastic little cafe located in downtown Mankato.The staff is very friendly, and they are good at what they do. (These baristas practice a craft; they aren't just drink-pourers.) The espresso drinks are excellent, and I like the unexpected flavor combinations: cayenne pepper and cinnamon go into the "All Fired Up About You" mocha, and lavendar and honey are part of the summertime latte. I'm pretty sure they have the biggest flavor selection in town. The food is also well-done. The ingredients are fresh and high-quality. The chunky tomato soup and half tuna salad has been my favorite so far, but everything else is good, too!

The best part is the eclectic crowd and casual vibe. On any given day you'll find college students, yoga students, business people, and teens hanging out. There's a definite hipster vibe, but it's not exclusionary. It's a good place to come solo or in a group. There's a great little meeting room in back and a patio in the front. The Fillin Station was my beloved high school hangout 10 years ago, and I love it even more in its...