Venus Taproom, Roastery & Pizza — Restaurant in Sacramento

This is my local cafe, so I gave it 5 tries before writing this review, because I really wanted to love it. First off, their pastries are okay. The empanadas are pretty dry and boring. Their croissants aren't actual croissants (more like cinnamon roll dough), but still taste fine. Bagels are tiny and dry. The one really good thing I had was the pumpkin cookie. Their lunches are really underwhelming. Not to mention, everything is overpriced. $6 for a cup of tea, $13 for a salad that doesn't even have meat. Next, the service is TERRIBLE. Every single time I've come here, the cashier at the front has either been rude, inattentive or just had no idea what was going on. Once I asked if they had any non-caffeinated hot drinks and the cashier said "some of the teas". I told her okay, I'd like one and she asked me which one I want. I had to ask about 3 separate times which were non-caffeinated before she told me. I asked if I could have a slice of lemon for the side and she seemed really annoyed by my request and told me "they don't do that". She acted really uninterested and didn't care about getting my order. Later, I ordered a salad and it came missing one of the ingredients and the bread on the side. Another day, I came and asked what one of the pastries in the display were, and the cashier gave me a dirty look, sighed and answered in a rude tone. Next, I was sitting in one of the chairs and the seat broke from under me (I'm only 135 lbs)... All in all, this place is not worth it. The food is mediocre and overpriced, the service is awful, the workers are sassy and rude or just have no idea whats going on, and the food often comes missing stuff.

Edit: One of the workers/owner approached me as I was leaving and told me they read my review. They were extremely rude and turned around and walked away in the middle of me speaking. Just proves my point about the service/workers being rude... You can clearly see that from their response to my review too. You'd expect customer-facing businesses to accept criticism instead of trying to guilt trip people and responding in snarky manners. I have never encountered such childish and unprofessional behavior in a business before. Obviously I finished my food since I paid $13 plus tip (you're welcome) for it... I never said it tasted bad, just that it was mediocre, overpriced and was missing some of the ingredients. Was I expected to just throw away my money? By the way, I didn't use your wifi because it was horribly slow, I was using my...

I have mixed feelings. I thought the breakfast burrito with bacon was delicious albeit a bit oily. I thought the coffee (regular drip) was terrible, this weird watered down dark roast. I see so many reviews about the great coffee so I don't know if I had a bad batch?

But what really knocked out the two stars was the service. And I also have mixed feeling. The woman handling the register was wonderful, friendly and helpful. The two ladies who ended up giving me my food could not have been more dour and unhelpful.

I asked if I could have napkins and I got a very blank stare and I wasn't sure if it was she couldn't hear me behind the mask. I motioned to the napkins that are on her side of the table where they give you the food and she motioned to the box. Instead of responding to me about the napkins, she kept telling me to shut off the alarm that kept ringing and when I finally figured it out I was just sort of relieved and hopeful napkins were in the box. (I've never had one of these buzzing things where it was the customer's responsibility to turn off the buzzer).

Then the seats on the patio are freezing -- it's like a wind tunnel so there's a major draft. They don't have any centerpieces or weights to hold anything down so there were napkins and papers that would blow by. Be prepared that even on a warm day you should bring an extra layer if you're sitting outside.

So I took the burrito and had to hold the box from blowing away. I bit into the burrito and hot oil sprayed on my face. And guess what? No napkins.

Gestured to two of the women who were working the food table for help and maybe they didn't see me but I don't know. I was trying to use the paper they wrapped the burrito in but it was causing more of a mess.

Tried to walk inside and got yelled at by one of the women for not wearing a mask (which is warranted but I had hot oil on my face so even I felt slightly confused about the right protocol).

Overall just an unpleasant experience. I will come back again (maybe not got coffee or maybe will try something espresso based) but it was stressful, the seating outdoors is uncomfortable.

Plenty of...

If you're looking for a delightful dining experience, Venus Taproom Roastery and Pizza should definitely be on your list! This charming eatery perfectly blends a cozy atmosphere with an inviting menu that caters to both coffee aficionados and pizza enthusiasts.

Ambiance: The moment you step inside, the warm and inviting décor makes you feel right at home. The rustic wooden furniture, soft lighting, and subtle music create a relaxed environment, perfect for catching up with friends or enjoying a quiet meal alone.

Coffee: As a roastery, Venus takes its coffee seriously! Their selection of freshly brewed artisanal coffees is impressive. I tried the cold brew, and it was smooth and refreshing, with just the right hint of bitterness. The baristas are knowledgeable and passionate about their craft, eager to recommend drinks based on your personal taste.

Pizza: Now, onto the star of the show—the pizza! The crust was perfectly crispy with the ideal chewiness, striking the balance between thin and thick. I ordered the Margherita pizza, which was topped with fresh mozzarella, fragrant basil, and rich tomato sauce. Each bite was bursting with flavor. They also offer unique toppings for adventurous eaters, making it a great spot for anyone looking to try something new.

Service: The staff at Venus Taproom is friendly and attentive without being overwhelming. They genuinely care about your dining experience, taking the time to ensure everything is to your liking.

Conclusion: Overall, Venus Taproom Roastery and Pizza is a wonderful place to enjoy delicious food and quality coffee in a welcoming atmosphere. Whether you’re stopping by for a morning coffee, a casual lunch, or a pizza dinner with friends, you won’t be disappointed. Highly...