Victrola Coffee Roasters — Restaurant in Seattle

I went here yesterday. another coffee shop that didn't have white chocolate. when asked why I was snarkily told "white chocolate isn't really a thing for coffee. they ONLY do that at Starbucks". (I had just been saying I disliked starbucks for it's lack of quality) I had to try not to laugh. I'm a 30yro professional. I'm not used to having to interact with other 30yros who still act 14. white chocolate is also considered one of the best flavors to pair with coffee. I've been a barista for 13yrs. not once in those years as a barista, nor during all of the coffee conferences, conventions and overseas training have I heard that white chocolate "isn't really a thing for coffee". I think Seattle might just be pretentious and for no good reason because so far I've only had 1 good coffee in this city. and I mean good all around. brew, flavor, customer service, everything. these girls were very unfriendly. I don't think they smiled one single time, which I usually don't mind, but it was paired this a terrible attitude, and after helping me they'd go in the corner and start whispering/laughing and looking right at me and my friend. horrible experience. absolutely do not recommend. these places get away with a lack of quality and service by making themselves look like they're offering luxury. if you're going to treat yourself, treat yourself better and do not go here. my triple shot 16oz Americano tasted like straight up water. America is losing its grip on the art of coffee making.

edit for response: I get the kind of coffee place you are now. I'm not used to this because I'm used to coffee shops prioritizing diversity in their coffee over pretentiousness. I walked in without knowing about your coffee shop and was treated like an idiot by your already unfriendly baristas. your service is just as important as your product. they could have informed me instead of being awkward, rude, and unsociable. maybe made a suggestion since apparently you prioritize coffee. your employees did not seem the least bit interested in the product or being there. perhaps that is a problem with the overworked and underpaid economy. I live a block away and buy 1-2 coffees a day and your girls drove me away from ever coming back or trying anything from you. maybe...

I give it 2 stars, solely because the barista was SUPER friendly and sweet. We chatted for a while about our shared love of punk music, our preferred pronouns, how I'd just moved up here from AZ a few months prior, etc etc. She absolutely provided top notch customer service when I was there (5 stars for the service!), however, the coffee itself was a complete letdown (1 star for the coffee!)...

Let me preface this by saying that I have severe GERD (acid reflux); and because of that, I can only drink coffee that's more on the light-medium roast side and/or lower in acid (so that it's more smooth and less harsh/bitter). Usually, I don't have any problems w/ espresso drinks, but every once in a while, I'll end up trying a new place, and unintentionally end up drinking espresso that's harsh AF, which makes my little coffee-loving heart (and wallet) oh so sad! :'( Anything dark roast, burnt, or high in acid ALWAYS triggers my acid reflux somethin' fierce, and the drink I got from here did just that, sadly. I tried to drink it, even alongside a delicious pastry I had gotten from a bakery afterwards, but it was just straight up undrinkable, it was that bad!

I had gotten a vanilla latte -- the foam on it was perfecto, but the espresso itself was incredibly harsh, bitter, and tasted quite burnt and acidic. It also had such strong chocolatey undertones, that it totally overpowered the vanilla in the drink, so it felt almost like I was drinking something w/ mocha instead of vanilla in it, which I do like, but have to be in the mood for. It felt like the flavors were trying to duke it out in my mouth, and neither was complimenting the other whatsoever. Lastly, the drink had a strange consistency, it was really thick/rich/dense, but not the standard thickness that espresso drinks usually have, but more so like a cup of decadent gourmet hot chocolate or something..it basically felt like I was drinking a thick AF hot chocolate that also tasted of burnt coffee beans. Not trying to be harsh in my review, just transparent. Def won't be coming back here, unless they change the beans they're using or the way they're roasting them. I do genuinely wish the business the best of luck though, esp. through this pandemic. Stay...

This review is for the 3rd and Pine location. As a verified coffee snob I had high hopes for this place. My favorite all-time coffee shop in Portland, OR closed its doors during the pandemic. So I'm on the lookout for a replacement. Having read reviews I ventured out to Victrola and was very disappointed.

Half of the coffee experience is your barista. Someone who is knowledgeable and enthusiastic about coffee is a great sign you're in the right place. I was greeted by two young women who could care less (12/15/2023@ 0900). I ordered my standard, to judge a place by, a cortado and a mocha. When I asked what type of chocolate they use ( I stay away from any place that uses Torani or anything similar) I was told "it's a powder we add milk." The tone used was of someone I'd highly insulted. She had either no knowledge or didn't care enough to share. The barista made an incorrect drink and was put out she had to remake it.

As for the taste, the cortado was excellent. I would drink it again and that's saying a lot. The mocha (with Carmel) was terrible. Watery and no flavor, I threw it away.

Bottom line: not...