Foxtail Coffee Co. - Dr. Phillips YMCA

Whenever I’m in the Dr. Phillips area and need a caffeine fix, I’ll stop in to see Sarah and her team at Foxtail Coffee inside the YMCA. The Gingerbread Dirty Chai Latte is my current obsession, but be sure to check out their current seasonal menu for whatever creative creations they have, it’s all good!

Service: 5

Slowest place I’ve ever been to each time. Feel like I’m in the twilight zone. Sucks cuz the food and coffee is 5 star. People who get coffee typically are in a rush this experience is so irritating

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 5

Service: 1

Warning ⛔️ this location discriminates and does not universally enforce their “rules”. I am a member at the Y and frequent the Dr Phillips YMCA almost every day with my two small children. This cafe location is inside the YMCA. They have asked me to leave the cafe, even though I have purchased a coffee or tea, bc I brought snacks from home for my kids bc they do not allow any outside food or drink, even if one has bought something. They stated that because they are a “restaurant”, they do not allow outside food or drink, regardless of if it’s for babies or children.

I have also been asked to leave on an occasion where I was the only one in the café (multiple open tables for other customers to sit down). I sat down with my laptop and was looking at my cell phone prior to setting up to do some remote work, prior to purchasing a drink. Before I could even set up my space and purchase a drink, I was passive aggressively warned by the female owner to not to set up my workstation because I would not be allowed to sit there if I did not purchase something. At that point lol, I did not feel very motivated to purchase anything after being treated that way, in order to sit there and work, even though that’s what I had planned to do anyway.

Since having these experiences at this location, and as I am there every day, I began to take notice of other people that were also sitting in the café space. Every day I see people with absolutely no product bought from the café, working remotely, or scrolling on their phones, or just talking with a friend, or people sitting there with their kids with a drink from the café and giving their kids snacks, and not being asked to leave.

I truly am unsure what is the motivation behind why they run their business this way, or why they target some folks and not others, or why they don’t realize that other restaurants don’t treat customers (with children) that way, and even less so within an inclusive family space like a YMCA. It’s a shame as this could be much more friendly and much kinder space for everyone, including families.

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 2

Service: 1

They have really good service and the place is very clean, just they have never made the coffee right. I bought coffee there several times when I really had to but the taste was just very different from the other store on sand lake.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 2

Service: 5

Coffee is not good. Nice atmosphere. Service is okay.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 1

Service: 2

Staff was very friendly.

This coffee shop is attached to a gymnasium that we are members of. Today my husband and I were there to get some work done, buy some food/coffee as soon as we got rid of our prior drinks, and then hit the gym. The owner complained and said that she's scoping the place for people who take up a table without buying. Of course we don't want to take a table from a paying customer. This establishment has 5 tables. There was one customer in one table, besides ours. It's a huge room that could fit close to 30 2-top tables, but there are 5 tables only. It looks strange to say the least. There's an extremely uncomfortable bar that's set to the side up against a plant feature that no one uses and arguably isn't usable. Instead of merely asking politely if we would like anything to buy and creating a conversation/relationship with potential buyers...she ran us off. We had brought in cups from another establishment to finish off our breakfast sodas and she said we would need to throw them out if we are in her dining area.... and, even if we threw them out that we would need to pay for something to remain. Since there is no adjoining door to the lobby of the gym, and rather an open room.. we explained that it looks like a joint lounge with the gym and that had we stayed, we would have bought something... that it was our plan. We told her we would leave, of course, tho... and so we did. But I had to ask her why there were only 5 tables. It was too odd to me that such a huge room was set up like this. When asked, she said that they lowered their tables numbers *because* they didn't want more people coming into the shop to lounge and linger (presumably without purchasing?). Gobsmacked! First off... let me just say,... People come to businesses they need to see if it's what they want. They buy from businesses (and owners) that they like. You then come back to places and people you like. You want people in the doors at least checking it out...even if albeit using a [vacant]table to enjoy that time. It's good to have enjoyment or personal time in your business. It gives the air of fun and encourages purchases, and more people to come in. What she apparently doesn't recall is that my husband and I have purchased from their store at almost every single gym trip we have taken. Instead of remembering us and thanking us for our prior business and making a good conversation... she has to complain and explain too much about the policing.... to us, the only other potential customers she could have at the moment for a second table. Of course, we didn't want to throw away our previous drinks because they were paid for either. We also no longer liked her and didn't want to purchase from her now. So we politely left. What causes my husband and I have to have the audacity to come into her establishment and do as we did? Because it's known that coffee shops throughout Florida welcome loungers and remote workers. They get purchases from them. These are people who thrive on or survive off of repeated caffeine doses all day. They need that liquid gold to keep going. I've not been to one coffee shop in Florida that has a policy of kicking anyone out who is remote working... till today. And believe me, we have been to most if not all in this area. If you are gonna open a coffee shop, you know this phenomenon well. It also doesn't help this owner's case is she has bought a business that is clearly wide open to the lobby of the gym and has the appearance of lounge area *to the gym*. You set the stage, Owner.

This model could be totally different. Put 20 tables in there. Get your regular 2 to 3 tables with your customers.. as per usual. Let anyone lounge. Bake some amazing smells. Brew some amazing caffeine highs into the air. And watch the line grow like any other coffee shop that doesn't do what just happened here. Every single person that you give that speech to,.. as well as us.. will likely

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 3

Service: 1

I rated it a 4 as I have gone at different times (maybe 2-3 instances) where I was told they’re not serving food as the kitchen was closed. Nothing is posted to see what time is a hard stop for ordering. I only get a bagel toasted when I go early, on these few instances I was told “no” that the kitchen was closed. The bagel is in a clear display case next to the register and the toaster does not require someone to “cook”. I think it even sits behind the register on a counter behind the cashier - not 100% sure. Either way - information would be great if put one for everyone to read. Otherwise….AMAZING staff and coffee!!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

It’s handy for someAn alternative to the standard retail box for beverages. Interesting ambiance. Food and beverages are good. Friendly service in general is missing, but especially from Sara the owner.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 3

Service: 3

I ordered a cake pop for my daughter, and when she was eating it she asked me for water, which I accidentally forgot in my car, I asked for a cup of water and the manager told me she couldn’t give me this because I had to provide a tumbler or something, she couldn’t just giveaway a cup, she also told me imagine if I have to give water to everyone at the gym, I wouldn’t have more cups during the day, so really bad service, and then I saw a lot of people with cups with water at the gym, thank you anyway

Service: 1

What unpleasant service and presentation. Aged products with horrible care

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 1

Service: 1

My bagel was dry, over toasted and barely any cream cheese that was melted. It didn't help that my drink wasn't ready until I had eaten 3/4 of the bagel. Not a good first impression

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 2

Service: 3

Recommended dishes: Egg Proetin Bites

Great spot for coffee tea Croissants and healthy shakes with protein. Staff is super friendly and you will love the neat space in the lobby of Dr Phillips YMCA.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Coffees here are marvelous and my favorite is Cuban coffee. Service, people, atmosphere, seats, and decorations are just right to have a relaxation morning coffee.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

The espresso tasted very high quality and fresh, and another pro is this coffee shop serves cafe con leche unlike other coffee shops. I highly recommend the cafe con leche if you are into creamy and smooth coffee.

Atmosphere: 5

Service: 5