Fuel Coffee & Books — Restaurant in Seattle

Overall: 5/25*

*See bio for detailed review system

⭐️ INTOLERABLE/AVOID

Food 0/5

Chunky unblended matcha powder on the bottom of my cup. $6.50 for a small cup of lukewarm milk. The only good part was the first sip of foam.

Service 0/5

This might’ve been the rudest barista encounter I’ve ever experienced. It was exactly 4:30 (they close at 5 PM) on Friday 11/15 when I ordered a matcha latte and asked for it for here. The barista proceeded to dump the ingredients in a to go cup so I repeated my request thinking she didn’t hear me. Her snarky response: “We’re closing soon. I don’t want to wash your cup.”

Had the guest in front of me not ordered and received a mug of matcha right in front of me, I would’ve chalked this up to standard policy of the cafe refusing to serve customers in ceramics 30 before closing.

Then 12 minutes before closing she hounded us to leave and left the environment incredibly unpleasant.

I’m in full support of shops closing on time but it’s the consistent lack of professionalism and poor service* that leads me to think this barista is a singular point of negative experiences at Fuel Cafe.

*See multiple negative reviews before mine complaining about the same barista.

Ambiance 4/5

It’s such a shame that this lovely book store cafe is manned (womanned) by such a negative employee. The overall vibe is a collection of well curated fiction, non fiction, young adult & children’s books alongside cute stickers & small business good. Plenty of seating and overall impeccable ambiance for a quick chat or study break.

Value 1/5

Drink quality poor, service poor, ambiance has the potential to be cozy and amazing barred by the barista’s consistent rude attitude / not doing what’s she’s literally paid (and tipped to do - the cafe has a...

We looked for a coffee shop near the Arboretum and Fuel came up as the closest so we popped in after our walk. I ordered 2 hot drinks and asked about the flavour of a scone which was not labelled in the cabinet. The reply from the member of staff was quite blunt and came across rude, making me feel stupid for asking/ not knowing the flavour. After being told the flavour I ordered a scone and a donut. The coffees were made and I paid. I then had to ask for the food again and pay again. I don't know if the server didn't hear me the first time as the staff appeared to be wearing headphones?! The coffee shops policy is that the prices include tip. Unfortunately if this was not the case I don't think I would have tipped because I didn't feel very welcome. I think I'll give my business to someone...

Look out, there are invisible customers at Fuel!

The scene: I'm walking in, see only a single person, seated, in Fuel Coffee. Two workers are behind the counter. Me, walking up to ask a question about the menu: "Hi, I - " Worker #1: "We're serving other customers right now. Stand over there [waves at a small sign that says "order here"] and we'll get to you when we're done." Me, looking around and seeing literally no other customers: "Uh...ok."

Yes, dear reader, I wasn't allowed to ask a question until I was standing in the right location and they had completed their tasks. Follow the rules and you, too, can order a hot beverage at Fuel!

(The hot beverages were fine, though they were out of some breakfast food items. There are plenty of tables and a good selection of books...