Back To The Grind — Restaurant in Riverside

I really don't wanna be a Karen but here we go.

Used to love this place so much and would come here pretty avidly about 10 years ago. There was a sense of warmth back then and nostalgia associated with this cafe. I would also perform downstairs since my old music teacher would rent it out for performances.

I have such a connection to this place and my family would come here often.

Decided to go in today to check out the place after so long and was greeted by an extremely rude employee who told me I could not bring my drink from outside that I was sipping on earlier in the day into the store.

It is COMPLETELY UNDERSTANDABLE that the business has strict policies and may have to pay a fine if they were caught with outside drinks/food but the sense of urgency and the way in which that was communicated was completely uncalled for. He was extremely rude.

I would have bought a drink and the ice cream like I used to but decided not to because of his rude behavior.

A simple "hey guys really sorry to do this to you but we are not allowed to have outside foods and drinks in this store due to business policy and potential fines" would have sufficed. These things can be communicated in a kind way and if the customer does not comply it is understandable to take it to the next level. But to start it right off the bat with some accusatory tone and attitude isn't the best if someone is walking into your business with the intent of purchasing an item or at least scoping it out to come back later.

They really have to work on their communication and customer service here. We were allowed to go see the inside of the cafe and the outside area and when we thanked the same barista he just rolled his eyes and didn't say anything. While I am appreciative of that I am not fully comfortable coming back here at least in the near future.

Still hope this business does well in the long run and glad to see that they're still up and running since I have not been here since before COVID, but I am just a bit taken aback by my experience today. Hope that employee is doing okay or maybe he's just taking his job a bit too seriously to the point its scaring customers off because it seems like I was not the only one who has had an experience like this here in...

I write for a music and coffee blog called Crooners In Coffeeshops, in which I interview local musicians at local coffeeshops. My writeup reflects the positive experience that I encountered at Back To The Grind on our interview date.

Smack dab in between numerous schools, hotels, the courthouse, and the convention center, Back to Grind has been serving the Riverside community for twenty long and happy years. Its quirky and artistic with a hint of vintage exterior initially draws you in, but it’s the shop’s interior that makes you want to stay there all day curled up with a book, playing board games, or simply to just get some work done in a fun environment. Brick walls, weathered hardwood floors, and a high, ornate ceiling adds to the old-timey feel of the place, while modern music and artwork of many variations (installations, sculptures, paintings, knick knacks, etc.) are on display on the walls, tables, pillars, and giant library-esque bookshelf.

But don’t judge a book by it’s cover with this place, because they know how to throw a party! With regular music showcases, game tournaments, open mic nights, poetry readings, and even weddings, Back to the Grind is a perfect location to host an array of different types of events. With plenty of space to move around in and an abundance of seating inside, outside, and upstairs in their loft area, what more could you ask for? Oh, right, dranks! With a decent selection of classic coffee and tea options along with your choice of a healthy (or decadent) bite to eat, you’re pretty much set for however amount of time you are looking to spend there. In fact, after 12pm you can transition into beer o’ clock, which unfortunately is a rare sight to see these days. Make sure that you bring enough cash to try everything because the shop is cash only, but if you forget, there’s an ATM machine for use conveniently inside so there is no excuse for you to not get yourself a little...

I recently visited and had an experience that left me quite taken aback. As soon as I walked in, I was met with an unexpected and unwelcome greeting from a staff member who seemed to have a chip on his shoulder.

Upon entering, I was holding a small box of leftovers from a nearby restaurant—my last bit of lunch that I was planning on taking home. Instead of a warm welcome or even a simple "hello," the barista, who had scruffy facial hair, immediately yelled at me about my food. His tone was aggressive and accusatory, as if I had committed a grave offense by bringing a small to-go box into the cafe.

I was taken aback by his reaction and quickly clarified that I had no intention of eating the food inside the box. However, he seemed incredulous and demanded that I promise not to eat it if I was to be permitted to place an order TO GO; I had not planned on drinking the coffee in the cafe.

This level of suspicion towards a customer is not only unnecessary but also incredibly off-putting and offensive. What kind of establishment treats potential patrons this way?

Feeling unwelcome and disrespected, I made the decision to leave immediately. It’s disheartening to think that a place meant for relaxation and enjoyment could be so uninviting. Customer service is crucial in the hospitality industry, and this encounter was a glaring example of how not to treat guests.

My experience at The Grind was far from pleasant. The rude behavior of the staff member not only ruined my visit but also left me questioning whether this coffee shop values its customers at all. I sincerely hope management addresses this issue, as no one should have to endure such treatment when simply trying to enjoy a cup of...