Blue Moose Coffeehouse — Restaurant in Morgantown

EDIT: I wanted to leave the majority of my original review, as a lot of it still stands (see below), but I have upped my rating to 3 stars for a couple reasons. I have stopped in a few times since reviewing, and I wanted to commend the baristas for bringing back a little life into the place since the reopening. Some small changes help the spirit of the old place shine through. I hope that will continue to regrow as time goes on, as the place still seems in flux. But, I maintain that something has been inexplicably lost in the transition. I am not averse to change, I am averse to standardization and conformity - an area that Blue Moose used to rebel strongly against. And while their new food and coffees aren't bad, their old flavored coffees and baked goods used to be unique above all, and were absolutely not low quality. Those who tell you the old place was dirty, must be confusing a sense of individuality and identity with a lack of hygiene, which I find to be a dangerous correlation.

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I regret not having reviewed prior to this, as my rating would have certainly been 5 stars before the recent remodel and new ownership. Regardless, I feel it necessary to review now in case voicing my disappointment in the changes should affect anything.

In the past 2 or so years of living in the area, Blue Moose has been the heart of Morgantown for me, a part of my regular routine. Not only did I love their flavored coffees and baked goods which rotated on a regular basis, but the atmosphere of the place was always inviting, comfortable, warm, and had a lot of personality. As many regulars would probably tell you, there was a playfulness and earthy, grungy angst to the place, with graffiti in the bathroom, artwork on the walls, bulletin boards with local postings, chalkboards for menus, large and small plants filling the place, and tiny dinosaurs all around. It always felt like you could be both alone and with people at the same time.

The new interior couldn't be more different. It's "clean" but it's also cold, sterile, and lacking many of the qualities that gave Blue Moose its character. A lot of interesting elements seem to have been ditched in favor of more generic seating and more empty boring space. Although the seating was slightly limited before on a busy day, the increase in seating feels like it decreases the privacy and feeling of having your own space or favorite spot, making it feel more like a cafeteria setting. The countertops and walls feel more barren with the removal of a lot of unique clutter that made the place interesting to look around. No more chalkboard handwritten menus, just a printed, impersonal menu on the counter. The cool branded to-go cups they used to have are gone as well. It looks as though it is trying to assimilate with every other "modern" wannabe Starbucks cafe. Had I seen it this way originally, it would not have had the same draw for me. Overall, my feeling towards seeing the place the way it is now, after knowing how it used to be, resembles how I feel when I look at a taxidermied animal.

I could push past the environmental changes a little easier if my favorite menu items were still there. But no more good old flavored coffees, only coffee blends which seem to cater to more high-end coffee connoisseur taste buds. And only baked goods that look good on display but just aren't the awesome hearty homemade style ones from before which had a certain humbleness about them. The smoothies have stayed the same, however, which I can appreciate as they've always been great with real berries, juice, and yogurt. With the nature these changes, the prices have gone up a bit as well. If everything else were still the same, I'd gladly pay a bit more for the menu items. For me, it's more about the image that the increase in price represents.

Lastly, this review is not meant as any disrespect towards all the baristas who have always been a key part of the familiar, friendly atmosphere of the place. I hope under new owners that future hires continue to keep this...

I like this place, especially since it shed its dumpy-chic atmosphere several years ago. I go fairly often, usually for coffee, a pastry, and a couple hours of work, and I'm nealy always quite satisfied with my experience. Now to some of the criticism from other reviewers, mostly focused on the service. I'm old, and if I wanted to, I could compare the apparent attitude of the staff quite unfavorably with the service I've observed most of my life. But popular culture has always been a powerful force, and among a wide swath of current 20-somethings the prevailing fashionable cool is epitomized by Aubrey Plaza's performance on "Parks and Recreation:" A slightly disdainful air, short of insulting but shunning any hint of warmth or humanity. Like most people to some extent, the baristas find comfort and safety in conforming to the conventions of their peer group. They are not going to smile at a customer or make eye contact, or greet anyone with any hint of affection in their tone, or offer a bit of phatic conversation. That would contradict the image they (largely unconsciously) need to project, and would be abhorrent to them. They might as well wear a "Go Mountaineers" t-shirt, have no tattoos, and listen to Olivia Newton-John. I'm a hippie from the olden times, and clearly marked myself as such with my appearance, speech, and attitude. (Still not cutting my hair, in case Nixon comes back.) No doubt this irritated some patrons at places I worked, and if the internet had existed, they would have left reviews much like some of those here. (Baristas: Be who you and your cohort are. Any time I need my face licked, I can go say hello to my...

Atmosphere: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5) Located right in the heart of Morgantown, Blue Moose Coffeehouse has a clean, laid-back atmosphere perfect for relaxing with a cup of coffee. The space is open and bright with large front windows that let in natural light, a mix of table seating and bar stools, and plenty of plants adding a cozy touch. Soft, low music plays in the background, creating a calm environment without being too quiet. They offer free Wi-Fi, making it a great spot for studying, remote work, or catching up with friends. Outdoor seating is also available for nice-weather days. They serve breakfast in the mornings until 2 PM, which is a nice bonus for late risers.

Service: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5) There was one young woman working behind the counter during my visit. She wasn’t overly welcoming, but she was efficient and attentive to her work. Orders were prepared in a timely manner, and when she wasn’t helping customers, she stayed busy cleaning and taking care of other tasks.

Food & Drink: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5) I ordered my go-to drink — an iced caramel macchiato. It was solid and well-balanced, with a good caramel flavor and smooth espresso. While it may not be the absolute best I’ve ever had, it was definitely better than many I’ve tried elsewhere. I enjoyed it enough that I’d happily order it again without hesitation.

Overall: Blue Moose Coffeehouse is a cool, relaxed place to grab a drink, get some work done, or just hang out. Whether you’re strolling through Morgantown, exploring downtown, or a WVU student looking for a study spot, this is...