CFS Coffee For The Soul, Winter Park — Restaurant in Winter Park

Unfortunately, it's clear they put profits over people here. I was a regular customer who was OK to deal with the $7 price tag for mediocre iced black coffee - almost daily - because it was a really nice and comfortable atmoshpere to work in, and I really wanted to support a local business. I would also frequently purchase pastries, especially if I knew I was planning to stay over an hour.

At some point, the staff - especially the man (I think the manager or owner?) - started really trying to upsell me to the food menu or drink add-ons, quite pushy and awkwardly, too. I understand they're a business, but I started to feel like I was just dollar signs and not a person, and buying coffee at this cafe just wasn't good enough.

The final straw was the being told I couldn't sit in certain spots and that I needed to move just in case a more lucrative party comes, AFTER I would sit my stuff down. It's embarassing to be told to move, and it made me feel uncomfortable. It's also odd to give people the semblence of a choice and then request they move when they accidentically choose wrong (and based on somewhat arbitrary preferences of the manager).

I'm someone who's mindful to make as little space as possible, be friendly, and always clean up after myself. I would always sit at the two-chair tables when I could that were conducive to working.

The first time I was told to move, I sat at a four-chair spot when the shop was nearly empty because all the two-chaired spots available had a glare from the window. I thought okay, awkward, but I guess I understand. I'll make do with a little squinting.

The second time, I was told to move from one two-chair table to another more cramped two-chair table ?

The final time, I chose a typically two-chair spot - farthest from the counter noise and equipped with an outlet - that I had recently started to make my go-to. Only that day, they had added a third chair for once... so I was told to move right when I sat my backpack down.

Admittedly a little annoyed (though still polite because I'm a gd people-please and confrontation is my worst nightmare), I told the man that I preferred that spot and asked if it was necessary. I was told to move regardless and that I "understood why." So uncomfortable. I honestly wanted to leave right then, but I had to sit in a zoom meeting. And funny enough, when I left, just one guy was sitting there working, and the third chair had been moved to another group's table.

I witnessed them do this to multiple others too, making them clearly uncomfortable as well. It's really a bummer because it's a cute place, and I know they're trying to make their business boom. But it just feels awkward and... bizarre to be treated this way. I hope they reconsider how they treat their customers. I don't intend on...

The matcha latte was not very good, I think they bought inexpensive matcha to use for their drinks. I say this from the bottom of my heart; I believe the matcha latte at Starbucks, or even Wawa, have more robust flavor than the one here. The expectations were not high.

The mint limeade was pretty tasty, I enjoyed it. Pretty flavorful. Good taste, balanced notes of mint, refreshing for a hot day. However, I really was under the impression that I would be served the drinks in a mason jar, like other people were; because I was asked if my food would be “for here, or to go.” I said “for here.” I saw other people drinking out of cute mason jars. So I’m not sure why I was given plastic to-go cups for my drinks. What is the point of asking “for here or to go” if I am going to be served out of to-go cups? That question seems to be pointless to me. And why were other patrons given actual dining ware? If it was something understandable, like there being no more clean mason jars available, I wish they would have mentioned that, like other restaurants would. For example, saying “Oh by the way, we are unfortunately out of mason jars right now. Is it ok that your drink is served in a to-go cup?” It would’ve been considerate to say that, if that was the case. I would have totally understood. But usually, people sit down at a cafe for the ambiance and vibe. So, it’s disappointing to see other people having actual drinkware, while you have plastic.

I was given the avocado toast on a ceramic plate, but the utensils I was given were disposable plastic ones. That’s a bit strange, too. Very hard to cut through the toast. I can’t imagine a food establishment running out of utensils. That’s the one thing that they never run out of. Maybe they just didn’t want to wash the extra dishes? Maybe they were being cheap? It definitely wasn’t a Covid-related sanitary precaution, since no servers were wearing masks or anything like that. So I do have to chalk that up to laziness.

The toast looks really good, the presentation was good. but as other people have said, there’s no flavor whatsoever. No salt, very minimal seasoning. The pastries behind the counter were not flavorful at all. The most flavorful item there, was the packaged little chocolate cake “bites” in front of the counter. I really don’t like saying this, but even Starbucks and Wawa food/coffee have more flavor, and for way less money than you’re spending here. And I don’t even like Starbucks. I’m giving two stars because the staff were all nice people, and the limeade was good. But it’s not really a place that I’d go back to. Remember; high price, is not always indicative of good...

Well, this was humiliating. I’m a Realtor, so I thought it would be a good idea to meet my clients at this place. I showed up 10 mins before my clients, I got my hands full, I want to settle my laptop before my clients showed up. I told the cashier I was going to settle and then order a coffee. I’m setting myself up, and a customer who was sitting close to me handed me the wi-fi password In case I needed it. The cashier walks to me and asked me, are you ready to order? Not yet I’m setting up the wi-if here, I can’t find the network I told him. He proceeded to ask tell me “after you order I’ll tell you, also who gave you that paper with the password? I told him a lady that was sitting next to me. He then snatched the paper from the table. I was in disbelief. I was going to order a coffee when my clients showed up, but I didn’t get the chance. Then he approached me again to ask me if I was ready to order, I told him I was not going to because the way he treated me earlier, and I was waiting for my Clients, if they ordered coffee great, but I was not going to. He apologized, saying basically sorry, not sorry, I’m running a business here. To my surprise my client called to tell me they rather me to come to them 2 miles away, so I went and met my clients at a different place. All I can say is WOW, very sad way to run a business. I try to support local business, but when I get treated in such a humiliating way, I have no choice but running back to my beloved Starbucks, where $3.50 gets me a tall latte no foam, a venti cup of water and a pup cup for my furry friend if want to, plus I get the biggest smile $3.50 can buy. I will not be coming back for sure, but the way I was treated will certainly stay...