Forest Trail House — Restaurant in Mint Hill

Okay so....today was my first time trying this coffee shop. My husband and I were out running errands and I needed a pick me up so instead trying to find a Starbucks we wanted to try local instead, which is what we prefer. Upon entering, the atmosphere is very chill and quaint, but the service was extremely lacking. When we got to the counter we were met with a rude, blank stare just waiting for our order with no hello or welcome, and then a "what are you having". I told the girl it was our first time there and we didn't see the coffee menu (to explain our delay in ordering) and she just stood there with no reply, no beckoning to where the menu was, nor a recommendation. We eventually looked around and found the menu and ordered 2 Americanos (we would've ordered more with suggestion or even friendliness but decided against it). After getting our EXTREMELY HOT coffees, we tried adding sugar to them but it melted the straws and couldn't stir. After getting into the car, the coffees were too hot to drink and started to warp the lids and coffee cups. Now I'm sitting here, pulled over in a parking lot writing this review with hot coffee ALL OVER ME and my car because just picking the cup up made the coffee burst up from the cup, popping up the lid. I STILL haven't even gotten a chance to taste my coffee! If I had the time I would've gone back to complain in person. The sad part is that if the service had been better, friendlier, maybe I wouldn't be as upset, but her rudeness almost made me feel as if this was almost on purpose....as a person of color, I would hate to think this was the reason for a 4.9 reviewed coffee house to deliver such...

I don't think you could honestly get anymore of a cozy homey feeling in a cafe that your going to be getting here. Forest Trail is a house that was converted into a cafe, and it just has the most laid back and relaxing atmosphere. I had actually stopped in here a week ago with a friend and ordered a hot chai with their zucchini bread. It was so good that I had to come back again today and get the exact same thing! Their zucchini bread is so moist and delicious that I was thinking about it after I left the first time. The hot chai was also pretty good. It was a little sweet today but it still hit the spot on a rainy day.

They have anything from jazz to alternative music on their record player which really completes the atmosphere and allows you to settle in. There are also various rooms and spots where you can enjoy your coffee and baked goods. The spacious parking lot in the back is a huge plus too. This is an all around great place to grab a coffee and chill, and I will happily continue supporting...

This review is for the manager/owners, the barista today was awesome & truly doing the best he could being the only person tagged on a May Sunday afternoon. I waited 40 minutes for an iced latte with 5 orders in front of me. I got one of the seasonal lattes & had to ask for the cold foam in the drink description to be put on the drink when it was handed to me - again, this is really on Scheduling & Management to provide enough coverage or to place a sign about wait times & short coverage. I have learned my lesson on “stopping by for a coffee” & think I’ll try coming in for a cocktail at night, maybe….. If you’re coming to read or get some work done with headphones & are going to be there a while, you’ll love it, but if you’re trying to be away from your house or errands for a total of almost 1 hr between parking ordering & waiting (the 40 min was my wait alone)...