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

10/15/06

Great coffee, staff attitude ... watch out

by kiwihobbit

Moving to NYC from a country in love with its espresso coffee was going to be a mission. Joe's however promised to be the solution to the many terrible experiences of drip-coffee around New York.

The coffee is first rate, good crema, milk not burnt, lovely mellow flavors, even a little 'coffee-art'. All in all very good coffee. Nice selection of cakes and cabinet snacks to finish things off.

Unfortunately thats where the happy story ends. Now there is nothing wrong with waiting in a long line, you plan for that. Yet the attitude of the staff boarders on appauling. Those taking the orders do smile, every now and then, but the attitude of the barista de jour is simply rude. In morning "rush hour" the barista also spends time on his phone chatting, walks away from the espresso machine, and when you thank him when handed your coffee, you receive a scowl in return. I will admit that the male barista's are worse, at least the female barista works quickly.

Seriously it is disappointing to have such staffing attitude when otherwise the coffee and location are all very nice. Despite having returned a number of times the poor attitude shines through, with no attempt to even acknowledge consistently returning customers. It is quite clear that if you know the staff then you get treated with a level of respect and far quicker than the rest.

It's just not a nice reception for your first coffee of the morning. Besides the 20 minute-plus wait time just doesn't work - try it on the weekends maybe.

• Pros: The art of coffee is their focus
• Cons: The art of rudeness is their downfall

07/23/06

Good coffee, horrific service

by dazzaranda

This place has very good coffee, bagels and cakes. Unfortunately the service is terrible especially on weekends. Longs lines are one thing and could be bearable if the staff were more hospitable, got the order right occasionally and didn't spend most of their time chatting with their buddies in front or behind of the counter. The staff aren't very professional e.g. they tend to serve their friends and let them cut in line, further contributing to long waits for paying customers. Despite the good coffee after so many maddening visits we've sworn to never go back.

• Pros: Coffee
• Cons: Service

02/03/06

Amazing coffee, perfect cafe

by dave920

You know it's hard to find a non-Starbucks cafe these days. Luckily, there's Joe's. I found it on Citysearch and couldn't be happier. Not only is the coffee amazing (perhaps second only to MUD, and that's hard to beat) but Joe's has that perfect mix of cafe ambiance: writers, readers, gossiping friends. Perhaps you can even enjoy it if you can get a seat (the only time I've been able to get a table w/o waiting is around 11am), though the benches outside are more quickly vacated. Haven't had the food, so can't attest to the baked goods, but the cookies in particular look delicious. Prices are very reasonable: Not bargain basement (and nor should they be) but certainly not outrageous. Very friendly and prompt service.

• Pros: drinks, service, ambiance
• Cons: busy, limited seating

10/20/05

Amazing cappucino

by nycgeoff

The coffee is very good, and the pastries are much better than Starbucks (not hard to do), but the real star of this place is the cappucino. They get the milk just right, and it's delicious. Staff is usually friendly, and it has a nice ambience.

• Pros: coffee, cappucino, staff
• Cons: long lines

09/21/05

Best coffee in the West Village

by acc100

Joe is the only place in the West Village where you can find a decently prepared espresso/cappuccino.

03/11/05

excellent espresso

by allisonaustin_citysearch

I am very picky about my coffee and this is easily the best espresso in the West Village. They use Great Barrington and the baristas know how to properly pull a shot. Terrific~

11/10/04

Best darn coffee in NY

by tsiegman

I do not say this lightly: Joe has ruined me for most other coffee. Go get yourself ruined too.

• Pros: Coffee, Coffee, Coffee