The Bean Coffee & Cafe — Restaurant in Spring Hill

So... The good stuff. Cool refurbished historical location. They have that great "hipster" coffee shop vibe, although if they get more popular they might add more couches. I appreciate the veggie sandwich (although like its inspiration, the Louella sandwich served by Black Dog in Lenexa, it is a bit lacking in protein, and falls apart easily because of the small pieces of veggies).

Love that they are doing a full fall line up of beverages; pumpkin spice and more...

I realize this is going to be one of those "Oh great, a vegetarian whining again" things but...

Often I go to restaurants that have so many dishes that would be easy to do without meat. However I really, truly don't want to be a bother (I know, seems suspicious), so I just eat my bland salad or proteinless waffle plate or whatever, while everyone else pigs out on beef burgers bacon, etc.

Sometimes a place I want to support has something that looks delicious...if only it used cheese instead of meat, cheese they already have in the dish or in other dishes. Today I decided to try to knock and see if the door would be opened. The server was confused but accommodated my request, but wanted to charge for extra cheese. She made an exception but for some reason can't guarantee they can do it again. I know she might get in trouble with her boss. So my "bone to pick" is not with front line staff.

This happens at almost any establishment except maybe Taco Bell, that understands vegetarian substitutions quite easily.

Now you will say "But they are going to extra trouble. You are getting something extra." I would agree... except.. I'm not. By the monetary value of ingredients, I am actually getting less for my money. Turkey costs more than cheese. So you, the restaurant, are already getting a better deal on the sandwich, since I am still paying the price of the meat. lt really makes no sense to charge me "extra"...unless I actually got a 3rd portion of cheese (which would then actually be extra). Just something to keep in mind when making a menu: look for places to build in...

The reason for 4 stars. Really just comes down to cost and personal taste buds regarding their drinks.

We mainly go for convenience; 3 min drive vs 12 to local Starbucks.

Cost: For two breakfast burritos and 2 drinks, one being a 20oz coffee the other a 16oz “refresher” , came in around $27. When I go to Starbucks I can get (2) 20oz drinks and (2) breakfast burritos for $22.

Now taste:

Coffees are too bitter, but that could very well be my personal taste buds. Again, I’m comparing to Starbucks coffee taste, specifically their caramel macchiato. Life hack* add salt into their coffee to help with bitterness-learned that from Tiktok.

Their refresher as seen in my photo shows very little goes into it. No fresh fruit as well. It’s equivalent to maybe making your own at home with the Mio flavor additive. Not very impressive.

I took half star off for cost and half star off for taste on both the coffee and refresher.

The positive: Their food is great. 100% Anyone traveling thru Spring Hill during a road trip will be completely satisfied with any food selection made here.

Overall: If they were more competitive on cost and go a step further on their refreshers this place would be our...

Loved it here! We tried a variety of their menu offerings. I had an iced green tea. My son had a gingerbread cookie and a chocolate milk. My daughter asked for a mocha latte without coffee, then changed her mind to chocolate milk and had the cosmic brownie.

I'm a dessert snob and their baked goods were really nice! The gingerbread wasn't heavy on the gingerbread spice, but that's good in my book because I don't like gingerbread that much. It was more like a molasses sugar cookie. The house cosmic brownie was delicious! I mommy taxed a single bite from my daughter, and it left me wanting more.

My green tea was great. It was not burnt or bitter and wasn't overflowing with ice. I'm overly accustomed to Starbucks portions and would love it if The Bean had a bigger green tea available for the price, but I wasn't mad about it or anything.

The place was decorated nicely, and the staff and clientele were all very mannered and nice. My daughter accidentally left her backpack there, and no one bothered it in the 3 hours between her, leaving it and realizing it was missing.

I'd definitely return. Thanks for a...