Simply Bold Cafe — Restaurant in West Reading

I hesitate to leave a poor review for a local small business, this is my first time ever doing so, but I've been burned so many times by this place I feel I need to warn others. Cafe Bold is one of the few breakfast options in West Reading and it always does good business. Probably because of its prime location and decent cafe atmosphere, big windows etc.

First, the coffee. Today I ordered a large coffee (which is outrageously priced at $6.50) and received a large cup that was - and I'm not exaggerating - 60% full. Not the first time this has happened to me either. I'll add that on average, maybe 2 in every 4 coffees I've ordered has had that stale bean taste to it - you know the flavor you get when you neglect to clean your machines. I've had decent coffee here in the past, but it's very inconsistent. Now, I don't want to come off as bitter here, but maybe the quality of the coffee would be better if they didn't hire a rotation of seemingly 14 - 18 year olds (kids) who they presumably pay $12 or less (I mean why else would you hire young teens, I've worked in food service I know how this works). Not to say it’s at all the fault of the kids, this is entirely on the business. And if you're saying "well what about tips?" don't bother. I've heard from a few sources that allegedly the credit card tips (that option you have when they spin around the little screen) don't even go to the barista's pocket, but the business itself. That is misleading and very morally wrong! The owner should be ashamed. If you do decide to tip, please make it cash, although I’m not so trusting that the cash will see its way to the barista’s either.

Now the food. I've ordered muffins here, which looked very good in the display case, but were rock hard. Literally like a jawbreaker. Paper was stuck to the muffin. Had to throw it out. I will say, the saving grace is the breakfast sandwiches which are consistently very tasty. However, I hesitate to stray beyond this item as I once ordered a burrito that was cold, wet, mushy, and most importantly, flavorless. It cost me over $10 btw. Took one bite and threw it out (mind you, my standards are NOT unrealistic, I typically eat anything half edible without complaints). That's multiple accounts of ordering food that I’ve had to throw out - not a great track record for a restaurant!

I would give this cafe a little more grace (and believe me I have) if the prices weren't stupid expensive. These are New York prices for what is mostly average to below average product, what are they smoking? Where do they get off? I wanna also note that I scanned the rest of these google reviews and half of the positive entries that include photos are seemingly from other restaurants? Not really sure what's going on there but it raises some red flags.

I'll end by saying that not every experience I've had with Cafe Bold has been a negative one, but the amount of menu dodging I've had to do while still getting burned, combined with the borderline mockingly high prices, is enough to make me want to stop giving them my business. It's a shame it's such slim-pickings for breakfast in West Reading. I think their customer base is desperate enough for a decent cafe that Bold has managed to coast by on atmosphere alone. But I'll say this, if a better cafe opens up in the area, Bold...

My most recent experience will be my last.

Although I haven’t shopped at this coffee shop in quite some time, I was hoping there would be some transparency with any changes to the cost in additions added to a drink. If anything, these changes need to be vocalized when offered.

I recently ordered an iced beverage and was immediately offered a different type of milk to go with the beverage. I was shopping with a friend, and she wasn’t offered these additions, although we got very similar beverages (her order being an iced vanilla latte, and mine, an iced caramel latte). Because the milk substitution was offered, I was under the impression that there was no additional cost to substituting whole milk for almond milk, since it was something I wasn’t looking to change. Under normal circumstances, you are warned if there are any additional costs to changes in milk, syrup, toppings, etc. But I was charged a $1.50 for this substitution. I would understand if there is a warning from the Barista, but with the lack of transparency for additionally costs, I cannot justify this being a place that looks to serve quality, but to overcharge on products without the customer’s knowledge.

If I am not mistaken, there is only one sheet of paper behind the barista that specifies that there are changes to costs due to demand. But there is still no visual sign that states the exact costs of any substitutions in a drink. Why aren’t the Barista’s notifying customer’s of these additional costs?

If you’re looking for a place with transparency, maybe visit other cafes in the area that have listed their prices for customer’s to easily find.

Thanks...

This place has delicious sandwiches and yummy drinks. I like any of their matcha drinks or checking out what they have on special! It’s good to get there early to grab a table if you want to sit, but in the nicer weather they always have seating outside! The one time I found free books with a sign saying free on the tables out there (what does that say about the community :) ) I also love grabbing a coffee from here then strolling the farmers market on Sundays! If you have time to kill they have a little shop set up in the back and in the waiting area. The vendors always have the cutest items. I saw now they have a bookstore upstairs and I can’t wait to go and check that out. Such a cozy environment. Also make sure you bring some cash to tip the lovely baristas, they always have two jars with a poll to make tipping fun. Can’t wait to come back here. The service is always kind and...