DeBeen Espresso — Restaurant in Winston-Salem

I've never been to this place before and recently checked in to try it out.

It seemed like a hidden coffee shop next to Alma Mexicana. I'd just never noticed it there before because it blended in so well with the apartment building above it! With the 3, 30-minute parking spaces in front, I would think it was only convenient for the residents living nearby if you're getting there by car.

Inside surprised me. For a small space, it was thoughtfully put together with a variety of places to sit from couches, tables, and this long stacked benchy thing that had charging outlets in it. There was also art decorated along the walls which gave the space a lot of an artsy personality (what do ya know!). Immediately thought that this would be a great place to switch up my work from home set up once in a while to enjoy coffee in the heart of downtown Winston while I got things done.

The waiters were especially friendly and helpful with the menu, patient as I picked out other things for my cousin who I wanted to treat along with me. They told me that they'd been at this location for almost a year now, but had been in business for 24 years counting their High Point location.

My cousin ended up getting a latte, bottled tea, and a blueberry muffin. She was not pleased with the muffin and did not finish it, believing that she's definitely had better muffins elsewhere. I tried it too and it was a bit underwhelming. Would probably order my baked goods somewhere else.

Otherwise, they told me that they could basically customize anything on the menu to be hot or cold which was really cool. I ended up getting the matcha latte with soymilk and was especially pleased by this because soy is not available at all the cafes I frequent downtown. I usually go with oat milk as the alternative.

Additionally, they have a kombucha tap if you're not feeling like tea or coffee as well as in-house baked goods, treats, and other drinks in the fridge you can purchase. Definitely coming back for that kombucha tap!

My latte was delicious and I'd highly...

Decent coffee. I’ve visited multiple times over the last few months and spent time inside (~ 2 hrs) only once. Rated poorly as I’ve witnessed differential treatment of customers, myself included, by a white, female Barista. I thought it was a fluke, which is why I’ve visited more than once, but I see there’s something more here that should be looked into by Mgmt & owners.

Specifically, there was a stark difference in how she spoke to me & other POC (people of color) who ordered compared to other customers. It’s the palpable yet unspoken feeling that you get when something more is at play and is negatively impacting the interaction. Many times this results in silence, minimal speech, or behavioral slights (whether intentional or unintentional) from an individual who is either unaware or aware of but has not intentionally worked on, minimizing their biases. So from my vantage point & experience, service is poor/minimal for some and much better for others. At best, I’d describe this space as tolerant but not welcoming of people of color.

To remedy, management should encourage this employee to examine her personal biases and how they show up in her work on the job. A blanket solution is not suggested, but a direct intervention specifically for this individual and anyone who is seen displaying similar behavior in the future.

Wish we could all do better. Let’s hold each other...

I've been hooked on this place all week and saw online that they were open today until late. So rather than wait until the morning, I decided to treat my son. I was SO disappointed tonight. I got the same drink I've been getting all week, but tonight it tasted like bitter heavy whipping cream. It was so bad that I couldn't even finish it. I got my daughter an iced mocha and I got the kona mocha that I've been getting every morning for the last week, and neither had any hint of mocha whatsoever. My daughter wouldn't even drink hers. My son ordered white chocolate mocha and his drink was darker than mine and still just as bitter. I don't know if the kids were new tonight and not sure what they were doing, but it was just a disappointment to try and share something with someone after you've raved about it all week and it be such an utter letdown. I'm going to try again Monday in the hopes that tonight was just a one-off. . I'm editing this review to say that I did go back last week and I am definitely sticking to my morning only coffees. My only disappointment still is that I didn't get to enjoy this with my kids, especially after bragging to my son almost everyday for two weeks. But it's definitely worth a try and I recommend any of the blender benders which are my...