Mean Bean Coffee — Restaurant in Port Townsend

I'm a local attorney, Peninsula native and have resided in Port Townsend since 1997. I do my best to patronize local businesses during a time where odds are squarely against their survival.

Quality of service and goods at MB have consistently been exemplary; hence, my surprise at the openly hostile and patently offensive behavior from their closing barista on December 5th, 2023.

After a long day at work, my fiancé attempted to order us two drinks. The barista cut her off mid-sentence to belligerently bellow that the business is holding in excess of $70.00 USD in returned checks from her and would refuse service until the alleged arrearage was paid. This is inaccurate, as not a single check has been returned NSF to this business from my fiancé's checking account. We have bank statements and posted/cleared check receipts to back this claim. When we offered to show the barista evidence that the checks in question had in fact been paid, she appeared uninterested and demanded that we return with a copy of our bank statement for her review. Apparently the barista moonlights as a forensic accountant. Doubtful.

The barista, when questioned, did not have NSF returned check receipts or any other legally credible/ competent evidence of nonpayment. I guess we were expected to leave the disputed amount as a tip.

Until I receive a formal written apology from the owner, I'm taking my business elsewhere and will see to it that my large and influential network of family, friends, business associates and clients do the same by buying them all season gift certificates at the...

A quiet 6am reflection on the Mean Bean Coffee Team: I stumbled to your doorstep exhausted, disoriented and disheveled more days than I care to admit, and every single time - from 5am onward, no matter what you were feeling, you had a smile and a hot coffee for me. I had 3 small kids going through flu, you smiled, I had moody tweens, you smiled, my house was a wreck, you smiled, my deadlines were stacked, you smiled, as the kids moved out, you smiled and now, as I submit the last of the paperwork for graduation, it’s 6am - you smiled and through that - celebrated this huge but tiny final step with me. Mean Bean was not just a cup of coffee in the morning. It was a step out the front door to a world full of life’s constant challenges, but with one small victory lap past your biggest fans. Mean Bean Team- I have seen you do this over and over for every customer and I am just here to say: I see...

Double edit* After being gone for awhile, I gave this place another shot. And after almost a year of going here, I've received nothing but good service and good espresso. Bad apples happen I guess.

Edit* This was a five star review. Right up until a week ago when one of the employees told her coworker that she thought I was "creepy". Maybe she thought the window was closed but I heard her. Then this morning I heard the same worker TELL A CUSTOMER that she "hated this guy" right before telling me good morning. I received nothing but good, friendly service from all the other employees. But this morning sealed the deal. I will not be going here anymore.

Old review* I go here because of how early they open. 6am. And the walk up window is nice. Good Americano for a good price👍 Service is always good, but there is sometimes a line in the driveup. It goes fast...