The Gold Standard Cafe — Restaurant in Philadelphia

I really wanted to like this place because it’s very close to my house. However I was supremely underwhelmed. When I entered the layout is slightly confusing; you form a long line right in the entrance walkway to order at the counter, and there is a small cramped seating area to the left. I stood in this line without knowing whether I was waiting for table service or if I took a number, or any guidance from the staff. I saw a small menu of juices when I finally approached the bar to order, and they looked not only appetizing but a good deal at $5 so I ordered one and a bagel with cream cheese to go. The cashier seemed generally displeased to be working a Sunday shift, and irritated that I didn’t know what kind of bagel I wanted, but there was no list that I could see. The juice came premade in a small plastic bottle, albeit local from Malvern, and the bagel was toasted with a side of cream cheese... 100% not what I was expecting. It is a full service restaurant upstairs, and a large chalkboard menu displayed on the wall. There is absolutely no reason why a to-go bagel would not be prepared behind the counter. It will get cold before someone has a chance to “fix it”. Completely nonsensical. And if you are advertising a full service kitchen, why are the juices made out of house? There was no indication that I’d be getting a product that was premade off-site. And the staff was a collection of people who either looked like they did not want to be there, or had no idea what they were doing. The host stared blankly after asking a guest who wanted to dine upstairs alone “uh.. do you WANT full service?” and pointing lackadaisically at the stairs; the guest looked so uncomfortable that they decided to get their items to go. These might seem like nit picky things, but as a good service industry veteran I was expecting more basic service and guidance as a guest. I am disappointed and see no...

Guy threw a fit about me being 4 cents short. Food took way too long to make. I waited 10 minutes for my coffee and 30 additional for my food to be made. My sandwich was a build you own sandwich style which was not how it was advertised. Honestly this is the worst coffee shop experience I’ve had in a number of years. And I’ve traveled the world. I’m so underwhelmed by this experience and I think that if you’re going to gentrify a historically black neighborhood then you better have at the very least decent service. I’ll be taking my business elsewhere from now on. I should also mention that a number of customers who ordered after me were served first which makes raise and eyebrow to the whole situation. Also you can see from the owners comment below they are not concerned with fixing any of the aforementioned problems. The owner of a business see it fit to criticize me a paying customer because his service was subpar. Also I should mention that I am not the only one who raised these same concerns and reached the same conclusions. Clearly I the paying customer am not in the wrong but the owner who is racist is running a...

I go to Gold Standard several times per month and this is my consistent experience: Sit-down service is EXTREMELY slow, and not because the staff isn't trying, but because they are understaffed - especially if you sit outside. Our server is always running around and trying hard, but can't keep up. Last week, lunch took 2 hours for an iced coffee and 2 entrees.

Counter service for coffee drinks is much faster, unless there is a line. The coffee is pretty good, and so are the pastries and cakes. A breakfast sandwich to-go is your best bet.

The food is OK and overpriced for what you get. My last BLT + avocado had brown avocado. My wife had the shrimp salad for $9: 3 shrimp over grilled cauliflower, carrot, and zucchini - not what we were expecting for a salad.

I typically only write positive reviews unless I have repeat bad experiences. I will never do a sit-down meal at Gold Standard again. Service is TOO SLOW.

Try Fu-Wah for a roast pork or tofu banh mi or Hibiscus for...