Joe the Art of Coffee

02/18/11

The Best of the Indie's

by michael0803

I have had the pleasure of watching John's modest coffee shop dream grow into the bustling enterprise it now is. Some of the friendliest people I have ever encountered work here... many have become friends. This is a neighborhood coffee shop with a neighborhood feel... one of the few places that makes resident New Yorkers feel like "residents" and forget about the maddening tourism that surrounds us. When a coffee shop is a major factor in why you can't bring yourself to move to another neighborhood, you know it's excellent. Good coffee for lovers of well-balanced brews. EXCELLENT and unsurpassed espresso (I remember when John bought the machine). Most of all, however, this is a place for ritual coffee drinkers who love the balance such routine provides in their lives. It is a pleasant place where smiles and consistent product keep the patron returning. I will be a Joe customer for life.

08/24/10

Free Trade coffee is NOT HERE! Bad coffee IS HERE!

by Adrienne5

This is my first ever complaint of anything, I usually like to rave if I like something. ATTENTION! No star here... everyone else has ranted about the bad service so I'll concur and move on. Where do I start? Went in to buy a pound of coffee, they sell it by the 12 ounce bag, you need to get a special order for a pound. I asked if I got a coffee with it. First they said yes. When I paid 12 dollars (YES 12 bucks for 12 ounces) they said I misunderstood, no free cup of coffee. I noticed it was not free trade, but I thought the line-up a Starbucks and the fact that this was an independent, I should support them and TRY the coffee... Was not worth grinding fresh at home... fit for the garbage, dry to the point of stale... a complete scam, third rate bean... my friend went back to try a cup of brewed... we just about died... it was just as bitter as the 12 ounce bag I bought..... This is the upper west side store... so the fish stinks from the head... I'm back to Starbucks where a pound is a pound all free trade and comes with a nice free cup of gorgeous coffee

10/03/08

Joe the art of @#$%!! service

by Solo500

Who knows if their coffee is any good? I stood and waited to be acknowledged while the hipster barristas refused to make eye contact with me. Oh, sorry, your friends (who already have their coffee in hand) take precedence. Fabulous.

After 5 min of this inane activity I went around the corner to Starbucks. Where, yes, the corporate employees acted completely normal--and simply exchanged a brief pleasantry while taking my espresso order. Which is better, supporting the indie or throwing my cash to the faceless corporation? Ah, in this case, forget the indie. Big fat bummer.

I had read about Joe & really was curious to try their coffee. The attitude of the staff has already been written up by others. Alas.

• Pros: Good for masochists--hot, steaming, freshly brewed abuse. Great Starbucks advocacy.
• Cons: Can't get them to actually notice customers or serve coffee.

05/10/07

Almost great - worth it if you're in the neighborhood

by marzoccomadness

Joe and Ninth Street were the leaders of the NY coffeehouse renaissance and set the bar high for other more recent comers (Grumpy, Collage, et. al.). While those newcomers might have an edge on technology and raw materials, Joe is still up there for quality. People wait in line at Starbucks yet complain about a line in an indie shop as if that's never supposed to happen (ever been to Ritual in SF?).

There is a reason for the lines. The espresso drinks are good. The only thing worth complaining about is that none of these guys can afford to move uptown - where there's really a lack of decent espresso and coffee.

• Pros: espresso drinks
• Cons: none

12/27/06

Actually, it IS good!

by guillame

Warm "coffee-flavoured" milk wasn't the best start to our relationship, but Joe and I have really h it it off and now we're going strong. I've had several coffees from several different barristas there, and all of them have been great - strong, hot (but not boiling) and served quickly - just the way coffee should be. A little on the pricey side though.

• Pros: Handy village location
• Cons: Busy on weekends - go early