The Foundry Coffee House — Restaurant in Tyler

So I was having a good day today and wanted to go this coffee shop to study. I have came here multiple times in the past and the people were always nice and greeted me. So it made feel welcomed. I got out of school today , got my $4 coffee from McDonald’s and came here. I was greeted and I went to the restroom and came out to find me a seat. As I was unpacking my things a lady employee came up to me told me that I couldn’t bring my outside drink inside. I stopped and was taking back by her comment. She goes on the explain that my drink was basically competition against their business and that I would have to trash it or leave. I looked around for a moment and I decided to leave. After I settled down I called to speak to the manager. So he basically told me the same thing. What I don’t understand is why isn’t there a sign up. Then how come I seen a white lady come in with her drink in a Stanley cup and nothing was said to her. What I don’t understand is me bringing in a drink whether it’s coffee or not does not affect you or your business like the manager stated. You losing business has nothing to do with my drink or me. Obviously you were losing business before I came in here. Then he started mentioning all these other coffee places and how his coffee was cheaper. He also used an example of buying a Pizza Hut and taking it to Olive Garden to eat.Then he was saying that I was basically using their business by coming to study and bringing my drink that I paid for. So if I come to with a bag chips nor do I buy anything at all will you ask me to leave or will that offend you. Then he told me that I was taking up a table with my outside drink for the people that came there to support their business. All the while you telling me that y’all are a nonprofit organization with a ministry. Obviously you not serving the right of God and your ministry need to be reevaluated and the people too. As a black woman I felt very uncomfortable and not wanted. Which I already deal with enough. I do feel like they were being prejudiced towards me over a drink. It makes me wonder do they do every black person like that. Do they treat everyone that comes in there with their own drink like that. If I came in there with my Owala water bottle and my coffee in it they wouldn’t have know that. But would I still have been asked to leave? I will never come back here. I will go where I’m welcomed. I am welcomed because God says so. Not because of this place says so. At the end of the day I want to tell my experience that I went through in hopes that no one else ever has to experience what I...

The Foundry Coffeehouse is easily one of the top three coffee shops in East Texas. They're grinding freshly roasted local coffee as well as getting fresh roasted beans from other areas across Texas and the US to create incredibly smooth crafted, drip, and pour over varieties of coffees. Whether you're looking for a spot with perfectly poured specialty drinks, expertly made slow pours, or just a good cup of joe, look no further.

Coffee: 5/5 - See above. It's all good.

Power: 5/5 - This place has outlets all over the place. You'll be fine.

Wifi: 4/5 - Wireless internet is free, fast, and has a strong signal throughout the space. I did have trouble connecting on my Windows Laptop, but eventually it connected after a few restarts/adapter resets. (Normally I don't have any issues here, but today there was a slight issue, hence the 4/5)

Lighting: 5/5 - perfect ambient lighting. Lots of natural light in the front, and mostly directional lighting elsewhere. Well lit, but not too bright. Very relaxing.

Atmosphere: 5/5 - Light music, super relaxed atmosphere, and perfect ambiance for work, study, or a lazy afternoon browsing the web. The seating available is mostly wood and metal chairs, not "comfy", but perfect for working on your next project. There are a few really comfortable spots around the place if you're looking for somewhere to couch it up. Just get there early as they're usually taken.

Food: 4/5 - The food is all pretty good. Quiches and pastries dominate most of the menu, but there's a number of other sweet treats as well. The food feels a bit pricey, but it's good quality. Just don't expect something super cheap. Pretty standard compared to other coffee shops though.

Staff: 5/5 - All the staff seem knowledgeable about their products. Always friendly, and always busy. Just the right amount of hospitality without being annoying.

Recommend: Try a Chemex made with beans from one of the local Tyler roasters, Porch Culture, with a buttery croissant or a perfectly moist muffin from M&K, one of their...

Ultra modern and hip coffee house you'll want to return to again and again. Spacious with plenty of seating, a helpful staff and urban location downtown makes The Foundry a great place to come in, order a cup of joe, and relax with a good book or work on your computer.

You can belly up to the coffee bar, sit at a table by the window, outside on the patio, or farther back of the coffee shop in a more private quiet setting. Large comfy chairs and sofas are also available (my preference).

The decor is understated, modern, in hues of browns, tans, and taupes with minimal artwork on the walls. The music is just the right touch of modern and hip but with a quiet quality that doesn't distract from what you need to do.

The menu is simple and easy, with varied options from regular coffee to lattes, hot teas and pours (you'll have to ask about those if you like your coffee black which I don't). Prices are what you'll find anywhere else and they also have water for free you can drink from adorable tiny Mason jars.

A few cons: parking is difficult at certain times of the day which isn't their fault, it's just how it is downtown. I've driven past many a day and had to go elsewhere because of lack of parking but that tells you just how popular the place is!

Today I was actually on my way to another coffee shop when I had to turn on Elm Street and bam, there was a parking spot! If you're looking for a drive thru this isn't the place for you.

Lastly, they don't serve my favorite drink (white chocolate mocha latte) just a regular mocha latte, so I tried the vanilla bean latte instead. It has a creamy, mild taste but i might try the mocha next time.

Either way, the atmosphere here is great, service is wonderful and overall there's such a chill vibe here I feel right at home from the minute...