Backatown Coffee Parlour — Restaurant in New Orleans

I am all about small business and support it throughout the city daily. However, I must share my past few experiences have been less than memorable and completely lacked customer service. The 10-15 minute wait times for a vanilla latte I can look past but the lack of customer service is really inexcusable. My last 4 visits in two weeks left me to wonder why I go there. I never get a friendly greeting... when I order I feel like I am an inconvenience to the cashier and order takers day. I always say hello and good morning and engage with the staff in a positive and friendly way because spending the last 20 years of my life service and hospitality I hope I will get back what I give but I haven’t. I went there today and wanted to get my coffee as I walked through the city and on my way to work (yes a lot of people other than your employees work on Tuesday Mardi Gras) and I was greeted by a security guard and he says can I help you and my response was yes... I’m just wanting to get a coffee and his response is you have to wait the lines outside. There were 14 people in the coffee shop with no line at the cashier and 5 people waiting on the patio outside. We all stood there perplexed and the security guard had no people skills or customer service ability. I get it it’s Fat Tuesday and you want to keep order and squatters from taking up space. But to mandate a line at your door with an empty room, $25 day pass and a purchase minimum is rediculous. As we stood waiting in the cold for a cup of coffee the 5 other people all started talking and questioning/complaining about how they cannot believe with no one in line for purchases or orders and having us wait was unbelievable. Needless to say 4 of is after 15 minutes walked off. I am typing this as I sit in PJs down the street from you and enjoying my vanilla latte. I was even greeted with a smile and happy Mardi Gras. Backatown coffee I hope you make it and I would suggest you have your Team take some customer service training. I would also suggest learning and improving ways you can create guest loyalty because service, product, and loyalty are the three keys to success. Although I live nearby I have no plans to ever return. Customers are the purpose of your Day not an...

If you are visiting NOLA I suggest you do as I do and bee line here straight from the airport because I am so glad that I did. Coffee and espresso drinks are sooo excellent, one can tell they source from a high quality bean and this man can make a serious latte. The man working behind the counter on this glorious Friday morning does it all, idk how he does it! But it is definitely a talented art he has perfected— making drinks and food at the same time. Perhaps a gift from God? The line doesn’t even get backed up. He is blessed. Idk if he is the owner or not but he should be.

I got the avocado toast- highly recommend. Light, simple, tasty, beautifully assembled with care and patience. The man even brings it to your table— again how DOES he DO it! His natural poise and cool as a cucumber manner is more than just admirable. I’ve seen many ‘professional’ chefs lose their sh** over an avocado toast but this man doesn’t skip a beat. Once I noticed he was the only one working I felt a little bit bad for ordering a more involved menu item but I am so glad I did because it was delicious. I tipped on my first order but I need to order something else so I can tip him again this man is other worldly. Oh good another employee is here! He is so happy to see him. Love.

Time to try the quiche. I love this place! Everyone...

I have been a regular customer at Backatown for all of 2023. I work virtually, so it’s a beautiful environment with a great menu where I can take meetings on zoom. I even bought their VIP package on Mardi Gras for my whole family, so that we could have a place to reset and work during the parades. I spend probably $100/week or more here and bring guests all the time. I love supporting a Black owned business.

However the last two times I’ve visited, a young employee starts closing down at 2pm and then yelling at people to get out as the clock approaches 2:45. Because I work on zoom, I plan my work day around being able to work until the advertised close time at 3pm. The first time I observed this behavior, an elder Black woman addressed this young man’s tone, but he didn’t back down. Today I addressed the way he was speaking to me as well, and he continued to fuss and speak disrespectfully.

If this place is advertised to close at 3pm, it should honor that commitment to its customers. If you’re going to allow an employee to close early for whatever reason, spending customers should be treated with dignity and respect. After so much investment in this establishment, I honestly feel conflicted about returning or recommending it after...