Elemental Coffee — Restaurant in Oklahoma City

First, let's talk about the coffee. It's the central piece to a place like this. I'm not a conousoir. I get the same thing everywhere; a vanilla latte, almond milk, little on the dry side. Despite getting frilled coffee, I can taste the difference. The coffee here has a spice to it, and leans on the sour side. It's different, but it's delicious.

What makes or breaks a coffee shop for me is the food. I want selection, I want different. I don't want a coffee cake or bagel I could get anywhere. I love that Elemental has quiche. Vegan and meat, on top of their pastry selection. If I'm sitting somewhere a while, the food keeps me here, and would keep me coming back.

I appreciate the intentionality of the space. The layout accommodates groups with its large community tables on one side of the cafe, and has single tables on the other, with a cozy nook. This separates people who go for a group setting from people coming to work, like myself. The noise is separate. They also have outdoor patio seating for nice days that faces the public park.

Lastly, Not only is it a coffee shop, breakfast spot, work space, community gathering space, it's a gallery for art. Intentional, cultural art. While i'm here, they have quilted wall pieces that incorporate texture into the visual atmosphere. This is a business built to last.

My only complaint: My quiche came out cold in the middle, which is mildly annoying, but it was spectacular quiche. It was thick. So I understand getting heat to the middle is tough. Overall, I hope it's here every time...

Elemental was a nice visit. It's been on the to-visit list of shops in and around the metro I need to check out for quite some time. I was only interested in coffee at first, but it was quickly stressed by all that I spoke with that their food menu was something special. After my visit today I can absolutely vouch for the vegan tacos and a few pastries. The moment I saw "Valentina aoli" my heart was won. Now that, along with soyrizo, in what may have been the most well prepared corn tortilla I've had this year made for an awesome meal. (Seriously when was the last time you got a corn tortilla taco that didn't split and had great taste/texture?)

The coffee was good, nothing that blew my mind, but it was tasty. I have to say their mocha reminded me of dark chocolate (like good dark chocolate that is accompanied with a bitter flavor) and I appreciated that. I get tired of the near hot cocoa some shops make.

The food was out in maybe 7 minutes during a seemingly popular time so that was impressive.

2 kinda small down sides to the visit. Counter peeps seemed a little bleh. Not rude by any means, but I've been to friendlier shops. And the price was on steeper end, but that may be because I'm thinking like I'm at a coffee shop and not a restaurant? The food was restaurant quality by all means so if you visit (you should) try some food then make up your mind on the price situation later when...

I have been into specialty coffee for almost a decade now and I had heard some buzz about Elemental Coffee so on my most recent trip to OKC I figured it was worth a stop.

Since this is a speciality coffee shop I will be basing most of my review on their coffee.

First, the latte I got was not up to speciality coffee standards. The milk was barely warm and the espresso was a bit flat. The espresso had a bitterness to it and not in a way that good espresso should. Honestly the latte tasted only marginally better than Starbucks and the latte art was very sloppy. A good latte is one of the easiest drinks for a shop to make and this one was a big letdown.

The service was okay except the barista asked if I wanted my coffee for here or to go and when I said I would like it to go they told me that they didn't have any to go cups except the ones I could rent for $2. I understand that this company wants to cut down on waste but I think it's impractical for most people to rent a to go cup.

Overall the atmosphere was politically aggressive and the place was pretty dirty.

As a coffee roaster and specialty coffee enthusiast I would not recommend this coffee shop. Nearly every part of my experience was...