Coffeehouse in Uptown Normal — Restaurant in Normal

Horrible staff with plenty of attitude to go around! I guess that's what you get when you employee teenagers. This was posted originally on their Facebook but no one responded. 🤦‍♀️

Wow. I feel like I am in the twilight zone. I absolutely cannot believe the level of disrespect, attitude, and unprofessionalism my husband and I just experienced at your shop. We live in uptown. My husband works in uptown. We live here because we CHOOSE to support our local businesses and community. We CHOOSE to put our hard earned money into local community businesses rather than the Starbucks across the street from our apartment. We CHOOSE to walk the 3 blocks to your shop at a minimum of once a week for your fresh brewed coffee and homemade treats. Vegan treats at that! This was a treasured place for us. We came in to your business to get an early dinner. The teenager at the counter was obviously not thrilled with her customer service position. Probably best to keep her on window if it's pertinent to have her as an employee, rather than putting her hands and attitude into baking or cooking of food. For as chefs, we understand that energy and intent can be put into food. As the saying goes, "made with love", which she clearly lacked. Understandably, we all have bad days, so when she got a stank attitude for having to tell me the flavors of Italian sodas, I brushed it aside. I actually said a little prayer that her day would get better. My backs been hurting today, so I went to sit down after ordering the chili special while my husband paid. The little girl came to the table a few minutes later, looked me directly in the eyes and let my glass and the soda can fall out of her hands, with a little "f" you in her step as she walked away. My husband who works in food service said to me, did she really JUST do that? Yep. She sure did. While I was sitting there dumbfounded, we made eye contact and she gave me a passive-aggressive squint, like "say something, I dare you". I wasnt sure I actually experienced that, perhaps feeling a bit miffed by her action with the soda can, so I went to make eye contact with her again, and SHE DID IT AGAIN! 🤦‍♀️ I told my husband what happened and that I was uncomfortable with her aggression and I wanted to leave. We went to the counter to cancel our order and get our money back when another young person approached from the back. I asked if a manager was on duty and was told no. I asked if there was a supervisor or key holder on site, and was told no. So my question to you is, why would you leave teenagers to run a business on a Friday, with no supervision or real skill in customer service or problem resolving? We...

Pros: All-vegetarian menu with multiple vegan options (including baked goods and multiple plant-milks!), cozy atmosphere without feeling cramped once actually seated, freshly squeezed orange juice, local art featured on walls, Black-owned small business.

Cons: When there's a line, it reaches the door quickly, and it's impossible to give others waiting 6 feet of social distance. It's easy to feel "rushed" when someone is standing right behind you. Wish the food menus were more easily visible from the back of the line (I pull up the website on my phone to get around this!)

Specific thoughts: I've been going for breakfast weekly for a couple weeks now (late June 2021), and each time there is some type of line, but it usually moves quickly. Plentiful seating has been available in the mornings. The regulars will chat in line with you, which helps the time pass quickly! You order at the counter and are given a plastic number to set at your table, so a staff member can bring your order out to you, and after your meal bus your own table by bringing the dishes to a designated spot in the middle of the café. Vegan items on the menu and in the baked goods case (see photo) are indicated with a "V" marker.

I got the Coffeehouse Hash, and my husband got the tofu scramble (which he covered in Valentina hot sauce before I could get a "before" picture). He's ordered it both times we've gone, so that's an endorsement from him! We also got one of the apple strudels to share, which was flaky and delicious! My husband is obsessed with their fresh orange juice.

Staff was courteous and helpful, even going so far as to bring me the flavoring syrup bottles so I could read the ingredients before I ordered. (London Fog is vegan-friendly if you choose a plant milk, by the way! I recommend oat milk for it.)

I love supporting a small, Black-owned business rather than a major chain, especially with such a strong plant-based menu! I wish they'd rely less on dairy and eggs for some items that are almost-vegan, but at least my spouse and I can each get different vegan options and actually have choices. I will also recommend taking my older parents here so they can get some heart-healthy options (vegan foods have no cholesterol). Will definitely be back so I can try the rest of the...

Had a traumatic experience. WARNING FOR PEOPLE WITH ALLERGIES. It hurts me to leave a one star review, but I feel like it is almost my moral obligation to warn others with allergies. I have many allergies, including dairy and cinnamon. I ordered the vegan peanut butter pancakes, and asked if there was cinnamon in the pancakes before ordering, because I was allergic. They insisted there was not. After almost an hour of waiting, my pancakes arrived reeking of spice. I asked if they could double check if there was cinnamon, and they admitted that they actually didn't know if there was cinnamon in them or not, because they do not make the mix. I should've asked for a refund and walked away, but I figured if I ordered something else, it would be out quickly. I order eggs and toast. 45 minutes pass by. No food. I figure they had put my order last in the cue instead of first. By now it's been about 55 minutes. All of a sudden, I start shaking and I feel like I'm going to faint. I muster up all my energy to go to the counter, and beg the barista to bring me a piece of bread. She honestly saved me. She stopped making coffee right away, and brought me some bread and jam. I then asked how much time was left on my order, because if it wasn't going to be ready soon, I would have to leave because I needed to eat something and I was going to faint if I didn't. She checked. Apparently it had been sitting out, ready to be delivered to my table for about an hour already, and they would have to remake it. Brought me the order within 2 minutes, and I quickly ate so I could have some energy, hurried out of the restaurant, and cried as I walked back home. Because of my dairy allergy, I have ordered all kinds of delicious vegan bakery items from The Coffee House throughout my years here, and today I decided to sit in and order a meal for a change. I was having a stressful, rough week and wanted to treat myself to a nice breakfast and some alone time. I will never be...