Controversial Coffee — Restaurant in Seaside

Rather disappointed with this place, I am usually a huge fan of punk, anti-authoritarian spots, but this one didn't feel right. Firstly, the service was exactly as you'd expect given the physical appeance and demeanor of the employees. My mom ordered a drip coffee that came out as hot water with nothing added. The employees didn't believe her until she showed them, then they made her actual order, which turned out to be incredibly weak as well. Barely tasted of coffee when served black. In a family of 7, only one of us actually enjoyed the coffee they were given. The "Eclipse" (named after the events from the manga Berserk) tasted like sugar water to me, when I expected something dark, bold and bitter, like the source material.

At one point, a man with a heavy Indian accent came in and asked if his son's order was being made. This man made the fatal mistake of calling the employee "ma'am". The entire employee staff took up arms saying "there are no women working here!" when several of them were clearly biological women. For a man who's first language is clearly not English, this must have been incredibly confusing. Just know that this is the kind of experience you're asking for by coming into this establishment.

One final thing I will say: for an establishment called "Controversial Coffee", they seem entirely uncontroversial, covering their store in slogans repeated by Hollywood and Corporate America for the past 20 years. They fit wholly within current cultural trends of intersectional cultural Marxism, the "controversial" part I suppose being that they display it in the form of memes. They have a sign in all corners of the store proclaiming that you must abide by all of their inclusive rules or they'll remove you from the store. These are never rules I intended on breaking, as a member of polite society. However, the atmosphere they are trying to cultivate of a punk, rebellious uprising against fascism is undercut by a sense of deep insecurity and inferiority. When you claim to be controversial but violently emotionally recoil at someone else's controversial statement (or even a foreign man misgendering an employee by accident), you appear ungenuine and you certainly aren't punk, you're weak.

In the end, the product is weak coffee for...

To the lady that left a really rather fictional review, much like your beliefs, let me fix it:

"Full of lgbtq and colorful colors, an absolutely pleasant place to go and enjoy your cup of coffee, especially at the beach. Controversial Coffee represents ALL walks of life! They are the Way the Truth and the Life!!!!!"

Anyways - my unbiased review is as followed:

I absolutely ADORE this coffee shop and go out of my way every time I'm in Seaside for a pick me up. Nothing compares to a loving, passionate, handcrafted experience quite like Controversial Coffee. The staff is lovely and LGBTQ friendly, they host all sorts of community events, and, provide to the less fortunate! My only gripe is that I don't live closer, otherwise I'd go every day for my favorite Lavender Oatmilk Cold Brew! Please, support this AWESOME coffee shop right off of the main street, before you head to the beach for the day.

Pro tip: Check out all the cool stuff on the walls, the little gift shop, and spread the word on social media...

Came to seaside to celebrate my friends birthday on the beach and needed a little pick me up. I adored all of the "controversial" memes, stickers, etc. I put "controversial" in quotations because honestly nothing about this place should be controversial. Queer people have always existed and will continue to exist. That being said, the coffee was fantastic! Loved the pride menu. I ordered the Save the Dolls which was a chai tea latte with lavender infused espresso and it was SO lovely. My friend got the Soy Boy which was a marshmallow hazelnut latte made with soy milk soft top. I normally don't like coffee that is made with alternative milk so I was shocked when I loved it. I enjoyed seeing the free store. I'm a part of a couple mutual aid groups in Portland so my heart is always warmed to see a commitment to community, mutual aid, support, and solidarity. Especially into businesses, which are typically solely for profit ventures. Keep doing what y'all...