I go to Bongo all the time because I live in the neighborhood, and today, the staff was again unfriendly and unhelpful. First, they listed the wrong name on my order so when it was ready, I had no idea and my order sat and died (food service terminology) on the counter. Then, when they realized I had been waiting for awhile, they asked my order and realized it was this “Robert” order that had been waiting. While annoying, I get that we’re all human and these things happen, but here, the inattentive nature of the staff is the norm, which is wild because it’s literally a CUSTOMER SERVICE role . My order had also been listed incorrectly so I asked for it to be made according to what I paid for (just iced instead of hot). 15 minutes later, I received my drink remade, still wrong. I have a dairy allergy and got home to realize the remake was whole milk. Not okay at all. I can’t drink this and paid and tipped 25%. If you can’t keep up in a busy moment of service, find another occupation than the service industry. You lost a customer today. As a gay man in a conservative town, I try to support queer friendly businesses, but these things happen all the time there. I am wondering if they only hire friends of the current staff and not actually skilled, trained baristas.
Atmosphere: 4
Service: 1
Joseph Castro
I came right as they opened so there wasnt anyone else, but the baristas were very pleasant, and quick to both take and make the order. The coffee was amazing, and the bagel was good. Thank you!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Elizabeth
Vibes are ok
Gwen Falin
Great spot! The manager, Emma, was so friendly and patient in explaining their food and drink options. Highly recommend.
Curtis Traveling
The breakfast sandwich at Bongo Java was stacked and delicious.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Hannah Hughes
My husband and I have been coming to this place for about a year, but unfortunately will never be returning after today. My husband and I enjoy getting bagels from Proper Bagel (next door) and then getting coffee from Bongo Java and sitting on their outside porch area. We’ve done this many times and it’s never been a problem. Today, however, the owner of Bongo Java himself, Bob Bernstein, interrupted our breakfast and told us that we could not bring outside food. When I showed him our coffee from his literal restaurant that we payed for, he replied that it doesn’t matter since we’re spending more money at the other place. This was the only reason he gave. (Would’ve been more understandable if he had given literally ANY other reasons besides just money) ?????? Mind you, there were PLENTY of seats so it’s not like we were inhibiting higher-paying customers. He then said that he would allow us to finish our current meal but we were to never do such a thing again. Obviously we didn’t feel comfortable continuing our meal there after getting berated by the owner, so we got up and left. I understand that it’s his place and his rules, but I just wanted to say that I think this is very bad business. Rather than making me want to purchase food from this establishment, it actually made me want to never come back there ever again. Thus, I really think that whatever he was trying to accomplish backfired and I’m sure that if other people were told the same thing, they would definitely feel the same way. So just beware that you may or may not be confronted by the owner and asked to leave if you bring outside food EVEN IF you’re a paying customer. Perhaps readjust your approach, Bob Bernstein.
Food/drink is decent, would maybe give it a 3.5 out of 5. I enjoy the variety of their seasonal options.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 3
Service: 2
Collin Spear
Cool place, breakfast is good, gluten free pastries are also cool. Would recommend the milky way latte. I got the breakfast burrito in a bowl style.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jennie Rountree
The blt and the grilled cheese sandwiches were really good. My husband had ordered the turkey sandwich and they brought him the wrong one, but he was ok with since it was so good. Service was extremely slow. The outdoor seating was very pleasant.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 2
Linda Goodwin
Great little spot next to Belmont University. Not too busy outside of academic year! Great coffee and friendly staff.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Billy Priddis
Ok. This is a fun little place near Belmont University. The food tasted great, and the staff were all very helpful. My one issue is the price.
Coffee on the WEAK side even an americano which should be atleast a bit stout especially for the price !!
Amanda DeBelius
Friendly employees and delicious drinks. Into the Wild was so yummy. Small town coffee shop vibes.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jeffrey Taylor
Cappuccino is excellent. Venue is funky. GF bread is okay. Parking is difficult. Best if you're a Belmont student.
Dietary restrictions: GF bread. Occasionally GF pastries. Alternative milks.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Avocado, Avocado Toast
Jay W
Great location but the cafe was dirty everywhere the tables weren’t clean the staff taking orders didn’t say hello to anyone even though there was no line. Get some new staff and clean up this seedy place. The latte was fine though. I’d like to support the neighbor but this makes it a challenge.
I go to Bongo all the time because I live in the neighborhood, and today, the staff was again unfriendly and unhelpful. First, they listed the wrong name on my order so when it was ready, I had no idea and my order sat and died (food service terminology) on the counter. Then, when they realized I had been waiting for awhile, they asked my order and realized it was this “Robert” order that had been waiting. While annoying, I get that we’re all human and these things happen, but here, the inattentive nature of the staff is the norm, which is wild because it’s literally a CUSTOMER SERVICE role . My order had also been listed incorrectly so I asked for it to be made according to what I paid for (just iced instead of hot). 15 minutes later, I received my drink remade, still wrong. I have a dairy allergy and got home to realize the remake was whole milk. Not okay at all. I can’t drink this and paid and tipped 25%. If you can’t keep up in a busy moment of service, find another occupation than the service industry. You lost a customer today. As a gay man in a conservative town, I try to support queer friendly businesses, but these things happen all the time there. I am wondering if they only hire friends of the current staff and not actually skilled, trained baristas.
Atmosphere: 4
Service: 1
I came right as they opened so there wasnt anyone else, but the baristas were very pleasant, and quick to both take and make the order. The coffee was amazing, and the bagel was good. Thank you!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Vibes are ok
Great spot! The manager, Emma, was so friendly and patient in explaining their food and drink options. Highly recommend.
The breakfast sandwich at Bongo Java was stacked and delicious.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
My husband and I have been coming to this place for about a year, but unfortunately will never be returning after today. My husband and I enjoy getting bagels from Proper Bagel (next door) and then getting coffee from Bongo Java and sitting on their outside porch area. We’ve done this many times and it’s never been a problem. Today, however, the owner of Bongo Java himself, Bob Bernstein, interrupted our breakfast and told us that we could not bring outside food. When I showed him our coffee from his literal restaurant that we payed for, he replied that it doesn’t matter since we’re spending more money at the other place. This was the only reason he gave. (Would’ve been more understandable if he had given literally ANY other reasons besides just money) ?????? Mind you, there were PLENTY of seats so it’s not like we were inhibiting higher-paying customers. He then said that he would allow us to finish our current meal but we were to never do such a thing again. Obviously we didn’t feel comfortable continuing our meal there after getting berated by the owner, so we got up and left. I understand that it’s his place and his rules, but I just wanted to say that I think this is very bad business. Rather than making me want to purchase food from this establishment, it actually made me want to never come back there ever again. Thus, I really think that whatever he was trying to accomplish backfired and I’m sure that if other people were told the same thing, they would definitely feel the same way. So just beware that you may or may not be confronted by the owner and asked to leave if you bring outside food EVEN IF you’re a paying customer. Perhaps readjust your approach, Bob Bernstein.
Food/drink is decent, would maybe give it a 3.5 out of 5. I enjoy the variety of their seasonal options.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 3
Service: 2
Cool place, breakfast is good, gluten free pastries are also cool. Would recommend the milky way latte. I got the breakfast burrito in a bowl style.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The blt and the grilled cheese sandwiches were really good. My husband had ordered the turkey sandwich and they brought him the wrong one, but he was ok with since it was so good. Service was extremely slow. The outdoor seating was very pleasant.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 2
Great little spot next to Belmont University. Not too busy outside of academic year! Great coffee and friendly staff.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Ok. This is a fun little place near Belmont University. The food tasted great, and the staff were all very helpful. My one issue is the price.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Coffee was mediocre attitude was really not good
Coffee on the WEAK side even an americano which should be atleast a bit stout especially for the price !!
Friendly employees and delicious drinks. Into the Wild was so yummy. Small town coffee shop vibes.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Cappuccino is excellent. Venue is funky. GF bread is okay. Parking is difficult. Best if you're a Belmont student.
Dietary restrictions: GF bread. Occasionally GF pastries. Alternative milks.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Avocado, Avocado Toast
Great location but the cafe was dirty everywhere the tables weren’t clean the staff taking orders didn’t say hello to anyone even though there was no line. Get some new staff and clean up this seedy place. The latte was fine though. I’d like to support the neighbor but this makes it a challenge.
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