Baltimore Coffee and Tea Co., Inc. — Restaurant in Maryland

I've ordered from them once, a breakfast sandwich, and it was delicious. I liked the atmosphere of the place it came off friendly. Until the other day when I was asked to leave because I hadn't ordered anything. I work at the Jimmy John's across from them, and I always thought it was nice that they let me sit there after getting dropped off for work, as I have no vehicle. I can understand if they were busy and needed the tables, but that wasn't the case. My shift starts at 11. The friend who I'm currently staying with drops me off at work around 8:45, because as a thank you for letting me stay at her home, I try to help get her kids off to school. So I have time to kill in the morning. I don't have any money, I'm saving up to try to get back on my feet. I hopefully will save up enough to get an apartment or room nearby, but the one time I did have enough money to order something, I did. I could have waited in Jimmy John's store for my shift, it wouldn't have been a problem. I just liked the atmosphere better in the Baltimore Coffee and Tea house. I like to draw and listen to music on my phone in the morning to kill the time to wait for my shift. The employees were usually very friendly. And a nice lady came up to my table and told me I had to leave if I was not to order anything. I do carry a bookbag, maybe it looked suspicious? She wasn't rude about it at all, and I understood where she was coming from, but I had been there almost every day for at least 2 weeks. I did leave. But I still wonder why I was asked to leave? I am overweight. I carry a bookbag. I was wearing a flash t-shirt and a Deadpool beanie. Like I said, I would understand if the store was very busy and their has been times I did not go in due to unavailable tables. But that wasn't the case this time. If I had the money I would have ordered.. It was a little embarrassing, but nothing I couldn't have walked off.. I didn't see a sign saying no loitering anywhere. I can only assume that I must have come off as threatening. I do enjoy the place, their breakfast sandwiches are incredible, and the aroma of the coffee is enough to fuel my caffeine fix for the day. I have had co-workers say very good things about their cinnamon roll coffee, as it is to die for. But very friendly atmosphere and staff makes this coffee house give off a friendly vibe. And to the nice lady who asked me politely to leave, thank you for...

UPDATE: 10/2/21- Today was the last time I spend money at this establishment. The last three times I have gone and ordered a coffee, it has been an unpleasant and frustrating experience. The staff are always changing, the new staff seem improperly trained and unfamiliar with what customer service includes.

Today, my frustration of a bitter and burnt late, spilled over to the need of a fellow customer that went 20 minutes without any assistance or acknowledgement at the beans counter. She was being very patient and wasn't even acknowledged by one of the three staff. I became so upset at how this once welcoming and friendly, customer driven coffee shop has become a place where they don't take the time to train new employees properly or even have a manager there overseeing staff.

I went up to the customer and asked her if she had been assisted, at which she confirmed she had not. I then proceeded to get the attention of the employee working at the food counter, who was the obviously more senior employee, and told her she had a customer waiting for a long time at the bean counter who had not been assisted. The weak apology from that employee and her instructions to the new individual that was making the coffee was not ideal, neither of which still acknowledged the waiting patron nor apologized to her. As I passed the patron she gladly thanked me for my help.

I was flabbergasted and really upset by this situation. I wanted a new unburnt late but due to only 3 staff (1 of which was unseen in the back sporting green hair) there was a very long line of people waiting. I decided then and there, it wasn't worth it. I threw away my $7 burnt late and said goodbye to Baltimore Coffee and Tea.

To the manager and owner, what I experienced today was unexceptionable and could have easily have been rendered. I was very fond of your store, service and coffee. I am now very saddened and hope that your future returning customers don't see and experience what I did today because if they do, I fear you will also lose their business to the competition down the street. Farewell.

Old Post below: Great coffee and tea house. Plenty of variety and friendly staff. Great pastries but also sandwiches and soups. Atmosphere is laid back but limited seating, though great outdoor tables too. A...

I'm sure the coffee is fine but the espresso they used in our cappuccino and mocha had a grainy burnt flavor that was overpowering and made it hard do enjoy my chicken salad sandwich which was very good.

I did talk to the barista and mention the grounds might have been burned when they pulled the espresso. No comment other than that they would remake the drink. Einsteins quote applied here of repeating the same thing and expecting a different result. No change. Just a waste of good milk and cup supplies.

I check a few of the low star reviews and it seems the owner feels the beans they choose for their espresso roast is like their Hallmark or creative decision. To each his own. I have had coffee all around the world and not had this burnt flavor before in an espresso. I'm very concerned if the staff enjoy their lattes at all. I would raise this as a red flag or offer selections of roasts for the beans used for espresso other than a "dark roast" espresso. It really tasted like a one off mistake or accident but the reviews show me its noticeable and repeating.

Google review staring: Unfortunately there is no star rating for the coffee from this coffee company. Google only specifics rating service, food, atmosphere as catagories. I gave 4 stars for everything else but an overall of 2 specifically for the espresso flavor.

I will not be ordering an espresso drink from here again. Everything else was great and the sandwiches were delicious, well priced and quick. I recommend this...