Chestnut Hill Coffee Co — Restaurant in Philadelphia

I’ve now come to this location three times, each time hoping to have a better experience than the first. The place itself has a nice vibe and thoughtful layout.

The pastries are good and although other coffee shops have the same pastries coming from the same commissary kitchen they are great staples to have. My only issue with this coffee shop that clearly was amazing at some point based on older reviews is the service. The baristas are extremely rude. I have been in hospitality in various roles for 19 years. I have been disappointed with service three times at this location and it has been the same baristas working each time.

Dear owner, you deserve better and I hope you read these and actually have someone who handles your social media and marketing if you don’t so that at least it’s brought to your attention. I ordered an item that needed to be restocked apparently. It was not busy at the time. The barista literally sighed, made no eye contact the entire interaction and seemed almost upset that I was placing an order. The other barista was on their cellphone clearly upset at something they had just seen or a messaged they received.

I know it’s hard to find good staff since Covid happened but this isn’t the type of interaction you want happening with your guests who are spending money for a service. I still tipped because I am not one to ever not tip unless I am out right insulted but, I really felt I shouldn’t have. I went to look for seating but it was busy so ended up leaving with my beverage instead. As I was leaving one of the baristas gave me the dirtiest look as if I had done something to offend them. This isn’t okay.

If you don’t like your job, if you’re unhappy at work then maybe try a different career path. If something is going on outside of work I understand it can impact someone’s mood. I’m one to always give the benefit of the doubt, charitable assumption because we don’t know what people go through behind closed doors but, it’s not the guests fault that you’re unhappy or angry.

People sometimes have their own problems and issues that they come to escape from when they go out and have their coffee, lunch, dinner or whatever. Everyone deserves respect. You get...

It's a nice shop with a good bit of seating, always hosting a college crowd. Food selection is pretty good as well. What let me down was the coffee. They roast on site so you'd think they'd take it pretty seriously but the baristas are hit or miss (some are really good, others barely Starbucks caliber) and they're heavily focused on the current trend of third wave light roasted coffees. Even their espresso is on the light side. I've purchased whole beans twice, both times labeled as medium-dark roasts but both times the beans were bone dry and just north of cinnamon colored. They seem to source very high quality green coffees, but they seem set on never roasting past City. A shame because the dry processed Honduran I bought the last time I was there would have been amazing if they had taken it to Full City or even a bit further.

Disclaimer: I'm a retired coffee roaster so if this all sounds a bit snobbish, it kinda is. Younger roasters seem intent on blindly following trends instead of taking the time to fully understand their raw beans and roast them to bring out their full potential. Some beans really are best at lighter roasts, but some aren't. If you're not willing to go darker then you're missing out on what the beans...

Drink at your own risk. I will start by saying that this used to be our favorite coffee house. We had been coming every weekend for almost two years. At some point, we noticed a change of attitude with the barista/counter workers. We still liked the coffee, so we kept coming despite the snippy attitude. I will add that we were regular tippers, as well. One particular Saturday, they got our order wrong. When I asked to have it replaced, there was such a snippy attitude that the next Saturday, I decided not to tip. Since all tipping is in advance with a credit card, I had no other way to respond other than with a future order. Was enjoying my coffee until, at the very bottom, I found a giant, disgusting lougee up my straw.

I imagine that the gift was given because I did not tip? I’ve about had it with pre tipping before you even get your order. Especially when the sole purpose of counter service is to provide service for coffee that is already expensive.

I tried several ways to contact the owner, but there is no direct route except through the people who spit in my coffee. We have not been back. Hesitate to leave this review, but if it can save someone from what I experienced, I thought...