Coffee Grinder — Restaurant in Newport

Let me start by saying that I am not blameless here. I should have looked at the menu more closely. I should have confirmed the price before I ordered my iced coffee. I should learn to not let people step all over me. However, there is absolutely NO EXCUSE for the way the owner of the Coffee Grinder spoke to me. I went in to get a cup of iced coffee. Looking at the menu (obviously in the wrong place), I thought that the price for a cup of large coffee was $5.95. Although I thought this was pricy, I figured this was because Newport is a touristy area. When she handed me my coffee, she asked me for $9.95. Yes, ALMOST TEN DOLLARS FOR ONE CUP OF COFFEE. I was stunned. I only had $12 in my bag. I said “excuse me, how much is this?” She repeated the price. Keeping in mind I was NEVER impolite to her, I told her I was sorry but I would have to not accept the coffee because it was much more expensive than I thought it would be. She told me that I was rude and selfish for not wanting to pay $10 for a cup of coffee that I could have gotten at McDonalds for $1. She kept repeating that I was rude and selfish. Not only did I remain polite as she was humiliating me, I apologized and told her that it was not my intention to be rude. She told me AGAIN that I was selfish and rude. I was so embarrassed and upset. She was being rude TO ME! And me, like an idiot, stood there and took it. I was like a deer caught in the headlights. She said “here, give me $7.50 and I’ll eat the difference.” Considering that the profit margin for coffee is approximately 30%, and she was charging way more than normally acceptable, what exactly was she eating? I was so humiliated and embarrassed, I paid the $7.50 for the coffee and got out of that nightmare as fast as possible. Even after I paid for the coffee, I could still hear her denigrate me. I will repeat, I was NEVER rude to her. And another thing - when I initially told her that I did not want her $10 cup of coffee, she complained that she couldn’t put it back in the pot because she had poured milk in it. I touched that cup. Was she really going to pour that coffee back in the pot??? Lesson learned for me - I will never let anyone speak to me like that again. I love Newport but will steer clear of that...

I visited Rhode Island recently and unfortunately had the worst, most nightmarish experience at this specific coffee shop. My mom and I walked in, desperately needing a quick pick-me-up and really only wanted two very simple iced americanos. Only a handful of people were in the coffee shop so I didn't think that would be such a big deal. Unfortunately, this is where the trouble began. We had to wait forever just to put our orders in because the owner talks way too much and doesn't seem to tire of hearing her own voice. Fine, local coffee shops are meant to be personable and that's great. But when you see people visibly waiting and you're talking a customer's ear off about nothing it might be time to wrap up the convo.

Anyway, we order and as she's ringing us up and about to make our coffees, a very kind young woman comes up to the counter and very gently informs the owner that she doesn't like her croissant. Not a strange complaint, but the owner takes it personally and begins to berate the customer. I was stunned, I didn't even know what to say and I wish I had interjected. From what I remember, the owner basically said "there's no way your croissant is stale because I make everything at 5am and I'm not going to argue with you or refund you" and her tone was extremely combative. The young lady didn't seem to want a fight and backed off, but the entire ordeal left a horrible taste in my mouth.

But I can't blame that for how disgusting my coffee was. The espresso tasted burnt and sour, and I didn't even end up finishing it. To top it all off, two iced americanos were nearly $20! Now I'm from California so I'm pretty used to outrageous pricing, but this is something I've never encountered before. For two watery and bitter americanos?...

In short: overpriced, burnt/bitter coffee, sour milk, and rude owner.

The long version, speaking from barista experience: when we were looking for an early evening caffeine boost, we were left with no other choices in the downtown area, so we went here. As we entered, there were only two other patrons at a table whom which the owner was loudly talking to across the room as she didn’t acknowledge our entry. As we patiently stood at the counter waiting to order, she continued to ignore us and holler in conversation to the other patrons. She almost appeared to be on drugs the way she was behaving and speaking. She eventually took our order but seemed to only have the capacity to take the order for one drink at a time, as she continues to holler to that same pair in a loud obnoxious manner. I watched her reuse milk that was sitting out in the steam cup, probably old and cold which is a fast track way to make it sour. When she finally got around to ringing us up, she charged us for an extra shot. When I jumped in and asked, “why are we being charged for an extra shot? Standard latte drinks come with a standard double shot”, she replied with, “I wouldn’t know, I don’t drink coffee anywhere else, but this is how it works in my shop” …and there’s your problem lady. How could you know how it works throughout the industry if you’re too self-obsessed to not venture out to other coffee shops to see how things actually work? In summary, I would not recommend this coffee shop to anyone. It is clear that this shop only survives because it stays open later than any other coffee shop in town and is very overpriced, so likely thrives off the rich yacht owners around the wharf. If you’re in need of a coffee and everything else is closed, continue on...