Brew Birds — Restaurant in Virginia

Waited a long time for this place to open. I was so excited when I learned that they did finally open, only to be highly disappointed. For what I thought was supposed to be a coffee shop they have very little choice when it comes to a coffee/latte menu. I asked them if they have any signature coffee drinks and was met by a blank stare so I asked about what brand and flavor syrups they carry. I was told they use Monin syrup (thumbs up there) only to be let down by the lack of variety or should I just say no variety. I was told all they carry is Choc, vanilla & caramel, that's it I asked? Do you carry coconut syrup or raspberry syrup etc? Nope that's it! I looked at the sandwich menu but the prices were very high so I nixed that idea, I mean a simple English muffin w/jam is $4, or $11 for a BLT avocado sandwich...wow!. I read that the owners are from Arlington. Not sure what they pay for food and coffee in Arlington but wow, this place is expensive. I ordered a basic small iced Mocha Latte with skim milk and asked for a little extra chocolate. I was shocked when she told me it would cost nearly $8...WHAT? I asked the clerk why it was so expensive, especially for a small latte. She just looked at me with that blank stare again. I asked her if she up charged me for adding an extra pump of chocolate, she said yes. I have never been charged extra for this anywhere else and I order a latte pretty much everyday. I told her never mind, just make me a regular iced mocha latte. After removing the upcharge it still came to nearly $7 for a small iced latte. She asked if I wanted my reciept....yes please. I look at the receipt and I was charged an extra $.80 for soy milk and there was a $1 tip added. I told her that I had not ordered soy milk and asked why I was charged for a tip when I never put a tip. Her response was that it automatically adds an 18% tip and it is up to me to remove the tip. This really irritates me as a customer. I tip fairly often when the service I receive warrants a tip, but not when it is assumed. I was then told that they did not have skim milk. There is a Harris Teeter grocery store literally across the street from here, how do you not have fat free milk? I was told my choices were soy, whole or oat milk. I chose whole. I then stood there and had to remind her that I was overcharged by nearly $2 and complain before I was given a refund. I was eventually refunded the $2 but the customer service was just not there. I know this place is new but it looks like they have a long way to go in training some of the staff.

The iced mocha latte was good (very small), I mean it's a mocha latte, not too complicated of a drink. Would have loved to try a breakfast sandwich but after the debacle of ordering a simple latte and the high prices I elected to pass. I loved the prior coffee shop at this location and went there all the time. I was so sad when they closed but excited when brewbirds finally opened. I can honestly say I have no desire to go back to this place. Hope they re-evaluate their pricing (or give better serving sizes) and expand the menu. Maybe the beer and wine will appeal to some but not me. I am a coffee guy and my first impressions were not very good at all. Had they a more expansive coffee menu I would give them another couple chances to work out the bugs but this place is certainly not meant to cater to the coffee crowd. Probably more geared towards the beer and wine or sandwich crowd I am assuming, just not for me. Good luck Brew Birds hope you...

Needed extra money so I picked up a second job here. Tuesday I was in the hospital so I could not come in for my shift. I was knocked out and on pain meds. I emailed the owner a copy of my doctors note stating what had happened and when I could return to work. He automatically bypasses everything I said and asks me why I couldn’t come into work Tuesday. I tell him again I was in the hospital on Tuesday. He never replied after this. Not once did he show any concern for my well-being. I’ve called the store to try to speak with the owner but it seems like he’s avoiding me. So since the owner wants to do me dirty I’ll just do the same. There’s no food safety at this cafe if only the customers knew how they genuinely ran the establishment. Coworkers drinking alcohol during their shift. (Mind you the manager is fully aware and even supplies the alcohol for them). Young staff members who have been working there for years told me Steve has offered them alcohol many times while they were underage. No safety precautions are being taken. While training the manager tells us “make sure not to cut yourself”but provides no proper knife training. No cut resistant gloves. Exc. Multiple previous employees ended up in the hospital needing to get stitches from the lack of proper knife training. Not just one multiple.. The staff doesn’t even wear gloves. I rarely see them washing their hands. For every single sandwich you order please know that the staff is handling your bread with their bare hands. If this was a chain restaurant being run like this they would be shut down so quick. S/o to the owner for leaving me hanging because he’s mad I couldn’t go to work when I was in the HOSPITAL. I hope the review finds you well since you went to ignore my emails and phone calls. What you’re doing is illegal. You can’t fire someone if they have a doctors note. The fact a grown man is ghosting me because he’s mad I couldn’t come in for a shift while I was hooked up to Ivs with pain medicine in the hospital is ridiculous. What a joke. I hope you...

I FINALLY came here after seeing the lines, crowds, etc. I came here when it was once known as mug'n'muffin (?), could've been different ownership.

The shopping center itself is EXTREMELY busy...always, so I would assume parking can be hard to find. I love everything about the interior. The ceilings are high, cool decorations, fans for when it gets too hot/crowded. There is plenty of indoor/outdoor seating. The staff taking orders were very friendly...even the customers seemed friendly. We came on a Sunday morning, so it was very busy...now we know better!! The baristas were keeping up with the drinks, but the wait time was a little too long to wait for the drinks.

They have the basic espresso/tea drinks, but also sell ice cream and different beers. I mostly saw people ordering the hot/drink beverages. They had a small display of pastries, which didn't look terribly fresh. They also have a decent food menu with wraps, sandwiches, burgers, salads, etc.

I ordered a small [hot] oat milk latte with the seasonal toasted coconut syrup...which was definitely pricey ($7.42), but delicious. Unfortunately, when my drink was ready and they called my name, one of the other customers ran up and grabbed it, only to realized he grabbed the wrong drink...my drink haha. I didn't want to interrupt them, but didn't want to wait another 10 minutes, so I politely let the barista know someone accidentally took my drink, if they can please remake it for me, as I showed my receipt showing the order. They made the drink and apologized for the mix-up, as did the other customer who grabbed my drink lol.

Would I return? Yea probably, if I am in the area and want to grab a hot espresso beverage or try the...