Southern Grounds & Co.

It was my first time here and i heard this place was good! Unfortunately the gentlemen that was working the register on Saturday was rather rude. Idk if he was having a bad day or what. But he shouldn’t be working in customer service because he simply does not have any. Other than that, the food was good, the other servers were lovely.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 2

*2025 Review* Coming back to review this place a year later and it's disappointing. I visit here at least once a week, now a little less due to the decline in the location. Coffee is still good, there has been a few times there was hair in my food, but the most disappointing thing is the cleanliness of the location. I go here to work and I always notice the tables are sticky, crumbs everywhere, the floor is dirty, I get a lot of people come in and out this location but it feels like I'm trying to work in a elementary school cafeteria. I want them to do better, it truly is a great place for the community. There other locations aren't as bad but the San Marco one also suffers from the same cleanliness problem. I hope they come up with a new process before the Riverside location opens.

*2024 Review* Southern Grounds & Co. is an absolute gem! I love going to coffee shops and have been to many up and down the east coast from DC to Tampa. But this place is lovely! The coffee and cake are delicious. My medium vanilla latte was made perfect, not bitter, not too sweet, just right. And their bakery selections are great, I had a cake that was moist and melts in the mouth. I went here to do some work and it was a great atmosphere that families came to visit, others doing work as well, or a nice spot to meet a friend. Truly one of the best coffee shops on the east coast!

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 3

Service: 4

The dude working today was extremely rude and absolutely no respect or customer service…. So I went off on him as he was flicking me off!!!!! He was extremely disrespectful and rude and even got violently rude!!! I had my cookie and coke and left!!!! I doubt I go back, for the privileged dude and no manners whatsoever, even respect for others!!!!!!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 3

Awesome setting and food, unique, welcoming and community oriented. Bella went above and beyond in explaining how I could order and sit on spacious outside patio with pet dog, without disturbing anyone. Grits bowl or avocado toast to die for

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Quality omelette and coffee, thoughtful server

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Went at 3:30 on a Saturday. Only one barista. The rest were helping somewhere else. Took 15 minutes for a coffee. One whines ti me that they only had three workers, yet only one was making coffee. Not apologetic and a pissy attitude from one older lady. Also screwed up the order and the coffee was 90% milk and one shot, so no flavor - they did not want to admit they screwed up. People here are desperate and pay too much for what they get. Used to love it here.
The manager/owner needs to train and monitor better because it was not busy.
Won't be back if they can't staff this location better. Sorry I tipped them. Next time I'll tip after I get my order.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 3

Service: 1

We've always had a good experience here. Been coming here to this location for almost a decade. The coffee is really good. But this time it was not so great. I guess the manager, slight heavier gentleman with gray beard and or hair, first off completely ignored us when I asked him if he was waiting to help other guests, so okay, I felt slighted, but I put in my drink order, then decided to come up to us and tell us we had to sit outside, in the cold mind you, if we wanted to stay at the restaurant. Mind you I've been here many times throughout the years, but the fact he waited until AFTER we ordered, got a number, and we're about to sit down, totell us that because the other dog wasn't a service dog, that we couldn't sit inside. I'm not sure when I'll be back because of that. It could have been handled so many other ways. Instead he came up and told us that we can't sit inside, and waited until we were just about seated. I was really not happy with this, and I don't know when I'll be back because of this. It just simply felt wrong of him to do. I will take my business elsewhere. Because of how rude we feel he was. There's million other ways he could've handled it. This was not it. And there's a million other coffee shops in Jax.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 5

Service: 2

A nice place to gather and good food.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Service was a little slow but the food was pretty good, most noteworthy was the pecan lavender tart

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 3

Love there coffee, food and desserts!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Some of the best coffee in town and friendly staff and great service.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Awesome coffee, awesome atmosphere, awesome service! Will be back!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Great coffee, pleasant atmosphere. Wish they had more variety in vegan options (blackberry chocolate chip muffins - really?) and that they didn’t marry cruelty free with gluten free. These are totally different things. A good vegan brownie and/or coffee cake would be a welcome addition.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 1

Service: 4

I got a latte coffee, it was 6$. The cup was half filled and half empty. It tasted terrible. Seriously - 6$ for 1/2 cup of terrible.

Atmosphere: 2

Food: 1

Service: 1

Great space to grab coffee or a glass of wine. Amazing pastries. The staff are friendly and there is plenty of space to work on your computer or meet with friends.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5