Iconik Coffee Roasters — Restaurant in Santa Fe

If your looking for a unique retro-experience this is it. Check out the Otto-Swadlo coffee roaster that was manufactured in 1927. Dark red with lots of gauges, looks like something out of a Flash Gordon TV program. Must be seen to believe, which you cannot miss because it is right in front for all to see. The master roaster, Darren, does most of the roasting after 7:00 pm to avoid running into curious customers asking questions and poking around. With the high heat and many belts running it could be a hazard to the uninformed. I had the fortune to be with him last night. Darren roasted 4 batches of various blends of coffee. A real experience, Darren should think about having demonstrations for the select inquisitive die-hard coffee souls. The sounds of the gas burner, movement of the mixing-cooling bin, rotating roaster, huge funnel at top, and all gauges, add to the experience. And, oh the smells of the roasting coffee, my favorite part of the experience, but then I do love coffee.

This is not what you would encounter as a customer. I must confess that I am Darren's dad and privileged to have had this opportunity to witness the coffee roasting.

You can experience the coffee, tea, food and atmosphere at the Iconik Coffee Roasters shop in Santa Fe. Don't expect fast food or drink, but a truly amazing experience. No one is rushed so you can enjoy and relax, do your work, read your book, or just visit with all the locals who frequent this place. The staff is very friendly but very busy most times, so don't be offended if they can't make time for your questions or comments. But, if you’re there long enough they will give you the time.

If you think that I am being extremely bias with my comments, I am. Darren and Natalie are making their dream come true. They love what they do and we benefit from that. By the way, if I haven't mentioned it yet, I am their dad and very...

What’s going on? Anytime I found myself in Santa Fe I would visit this place. In fact, I would insist that my friends and I meet here because of how awesome it was. On two separate occasions, I’ve brought a friend and my brother and both times we were met with attitude. My friend engaged with a joke just to lighten the tension, it didn’t work. My brother who manages a coffee shop, and is well versed in the realm of coffee, asked for a recommendation, the barista begrudgingly responded. Not only that, bashed the options that were listed. I felt embarrassed both times, that I could vouch for a place and be left disappointed.

On a separate visit I ordered a coffee, waited, was called, I sat and took a sip. I went to the restroom and when I came back my coffee was gone. I’m gonna write that off as, it happens. It did however leave a bad impression. Months go by, I decided why not get some coffee here, this time to go. Coffee was off, it tastes burnt, honestly just plain unenjoyable. Once again, left with disappointment.

I must be a glutton for punishment, or perhaps I just forgive too easily. I recently went in, placed my order, waited, 15 minutes actually. My name wasn’t called, I went up to say I haven’t gotten my coffee. I was understanding about it, I received my coffee with attitude. Hey I wasn’t the one who forgot, I’m paying for a service, not to experience the common let down of someone not doing their job. I get it, people suck, I deal with them everyday.

In conclusion, if you want all the bad, pretentious, better than you, lack of responsibility, coffee that can not justify the attitude that comes along with it. Then come right in, because here, you will...

Nice environment, and the two male baristas were really nice, but the blonde female was very rude and needs to let customers order their drinks how they want. I ordered a matcha tea and they only had a matcha latte on the menu. I can not drink milk and did not want the milk. My matcha was in the smallest size cup, but was only filled half way with water and matcha. The kind male barista told me they could add more matcha and water if I wanted but then he left. I hadn’t even commented on the drink so he must have known it needed more of something. I talked to a different male barista and he was about to do what the other suggested when the female told him to just add water because they made it with the correct proportions already. I said it would likely be too watery and it would need more matcha as well as water. She said they would have to charge start charging me more if they added more matcha because they normally make it with milk. I told her I can’t drink milk and she said “well we have milk alrernatives”. Not everyone drinks milk or milk alternatives and she has no business trying to tell paying customers that they need to pick a milk alternative. Water and matcha is simple enough and should be made to taste. She was very rude and needs to learn to not be so controlling. It’s not going to kill the business to add a tiny bit more matcha so...