Hartford Baking Co. — Restaurant in West Hartford

Just terrible…. Just awful, absolutely terrible treatment of customers and disabled with what seems to be a relatively recent change in management at WH location. HBC used to be a really good neighborhood place for excellent coffee and bakery items. Over the years they have changed drastically and can't seem to keep any staff, the staff turnover is obvious almost every time I would go in. But today's experience with the intrusive, obnoxious and out of line manager was the last straw.

It is the 2nd time she has blatantly mistreated handicapped customers and I witnessed the HBC actually called the cops on a customer today because she didn't like where they had their car (it was not blocking any driveways or parking spaces or the public road and yet she seems to think she should dictate where legally handicapped permit holders temporarily idle their car to do business at her shop). She doesn’t own the road so it is very odd to have a manager of the business spend her time outside seemingly to interfere with customers instead of helping her employees with customer orders. And the false advertising about "curbside pickup" which forces you to pay in advance for curbside pickup which is actually NOT in place is outrageous. How do you do that to disabled customers who paid for curbside pickup online and then arrive only to be told curbside is not an option and you have to come inside, whether you have the wheelchair or walker available or not?

Food and coffee was terrible. Cappucinos are only available in one size - a very small 8 ounce cup. Prices are through the roof. They need to wake up And stop taking such gross advantage of their customers.

And this is coming from a frequent regular customer (Never will do business there again though) of both the West Hartford and Glastonbury locations and previously for many years of the New Park Rd location. I have likely spent well over several thousand dollars at HBC over the years when it seemed employees and customers were treated well which made their way over priced items worth spending on to support a locally owned business. No more, in my opinion they are overpriced for poor service and food and coffee items that aren't worth all that. Not cool to treat disabled And handicapped customers, or any customers, so badly. And I think they got state assistance which would mean, if so, that taxpayers help this...

My wife and I frequently stop in on Saturday mornings and enjoy a coffee and a snack. The staff is incredibly friendly and the coffee, soup, and bakery items have never disappointed.

Dislikes - basically I’ll give this feedback to any establishment who has embraced the on-going trend of the POS terminal asking if I’d like to tip. I don’t think tipping is appropriate at all for a place that is purely counter service. A tip jar is fine, but when you flip around the screen and make me make the awkward decision to press “no tip” or give in and give and extra dollar or two… I just hate that pressure. I believe the prices at this establishment should be adequate to provide employees with a good wage. It’s not unique to this store, but the only way that as consumers we can try to push back against this trend is to give stores that embrace it the feedback. I wish I could only deduct a half star for this, but Google will only allow me to pick full stars. If it wasn’t for this...

Reviewing from the second floor! The vibe is really nice here. The music on the second floor (and maybe first although didn't notice) is very loud so don't expect to take any video calls if you plan to work from here. There is bar/window seating on the second floor that overlooks Farmington Ave. so great for people watching if you like to do that while you eat/drink.

I got the golden milk latte with oat milk and it was tasty. Granted this isn't legit coffee so can't speak to that specifically. I also got the chicken Caesar wrap which was tasty but the chicken did start to taste more strongly "chicken-y" the more I ate and it turned me off from finishing it. (if you know what I mean, you get it. Almost gamey in flavor or something). Plenty of dressing on the wrap-- I didn't need to order extra on the side. I'd definitely be back and maybe try a baked good next time or some...