Slipstream — Restaurant in Washington

This is one of the best all-around coffee shops in DC.  Key word there, “all-around”. They have everything you would want in a coffee shop.  Good variety of coffee, outside/inside seating, good amount of seating, a bar and most important wi-fi. However, there are some things I would consider before making the commute to Slipstream.

For starters, they do have wi-fi but it isn’t great.  It is definitely a fight to get connected once you here. As far as a great study or reading spot? I wouldn’t recommend it. It can get pretty loud there. This is definitely more of a meet friends for coffee and good food kind of place.  Speaking of food. You need to order the avocado toast…it’s really, really good.  Seating is pretty good. I can’t tell you how many times I get all excited to go to my favorite coffee shop of the week and I get there and no seats…. That has never been the case at slipstream. You have a lot of different options from more privacy in the back, the bar, or outside sidewalk seating.

All in all, I would recommend this place to anyone that wants to meet up with some friends to have a good conversation and a bite to eat.  Not the greatest study location…it's got everything a great coffee shop needs but I wouldn't say it is the BEST at any one thing....except the...

I've been to Slipstream 4 or 5 times, and I know they have a good reputation. Sadly, overall- I've been disappointed by this place. It's a succinct concept and a cool spot with good vibes and nice design, but their coffee program and company culture (staffing) are hard for me to make sense of. Nothing is "outstanding" about this place as a coffeeshop- except maybe free wifi..? I'd like to see a simpler menu for their coffee program- with a focus on exceptional quality. I think their quality right now is just so-so. (For example: their 'single origin' pour overs which start at $4- are not made to order- in fact they brew a whole airport of them in advance - which takes away from the point of fresh ground coffee when buying a pricier pour over.) I'd imagine that a first time customer's experience of the service environment would leave them confused, the whole setup just doesn't make sense and I got the feeling that the staff didn't really care to make their guests feel welcomed nor did I feel that the staff we've even very passionate about the Food and Beverage in general. In a nutshell- this place comes off as flashy (or trendy) but with little substance behind it- I wish Slipstream had more soul and a clearer story/mission/purpose behind...

Disparaging to the disabled and their service animals.

I went in this morning to meet a friend for coffee at the new slipstream location in the Studio theater building. I walked up to the counter and was asked blatantly by the staff member behind the counter if my clearly identifiable service dog was in fact a service dog and what was he a service dog for.

Extremely rude and extremely personal question to ask. To add insult to injury the staff member then proceeded to ask again after I was blankly staring at her because it was so off putting. Her tone was that of her questioning if my service dog was even a service dog.

I did not have to disclose to her that I have Parkinson’s disease… and that he is there to help keep me calm if I have breakthrough tremors post invasive brain surgery just over a year ago. But unfortunately, by her line of questioning and tone not only did I feel I need to disclose that, but then I had to validate the reason my service dog and I were in the store. I am deeply disappointed in slipstream and...